Peasley: Outgoing chamber director saw membership, services expand

After more than six years as the dynamic Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s executive director, Quinn Keefe plans to move on to new adventures effective Aug. 31.

“It’s time to bring in fresh leadership and enthusiasm,” Keefe said.

Under his leadership, chamber programming and services have expanded significantly. Membership grew.

Keefe expanded the chamber’s Web site, improved the monthly membership newsletter, and increased the visibility of services provided both members and the community.

“We’ve had an 89 percent membership retention despite current difficult economic times,” Keefe said.

Keefe began work as chamber manager Oct. 29, 2003.

“I’ve enjoyed every day of this work,” he proclaimed after submitting his resignation late Thursday morning.

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Woodstock Christian Life Services (WCLS) is moving six staff members from the former Todd School Grace Hall building.

Accounting has moved to Hearthstone Manor, and Terry Egan, executive director, and administrative staff have moved to American Community Bank on Lake Avenue. Phone numbers remain the same. Air conditioning, heating and other costs made occupying the historic building financially impractical.

WCLS hopes to make better use of that property by constructing duplexes at the corner of Christian Way and Route 47. A decision by the Woodstock City Council is anticipated fairly soon.

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One highlight as McHenry County residents prepare to observe the 60th anniversary of the McHenry County Fair will be the Aug. 6 evening appearance of the Great Lakes Ceremonial Marching Band.

This outstanding musical entourage of brass and drums will participate in a growing county fair tradition, namely honoring today’s military personnel and those veterans who served in all previous wars.

Greg Warren, fair board member chairing this Thursday evening salute to veterans, said the band will provide a 45-minute musical salute.

The tribute will be further carried out with a 21-tractor salute.

A parade of antique tractors with a reading of names of those McHenry County veterans who died in service of their country will be the program climax. This will be a free grandstand program on the second night of the fair.

The celebration honoring the 60 women who served as fair queen will be Aug. 5, part of the Miss McHenry County Pageant.

Linda Zielinski, pageant chairwoman, reports that 19 former fair queens plan to join in the celebration.

Among respondents are three of the earliest royalty: Marilyn Thomsen Moore, Woodstock, first queen in 1949; Judy Freund McMahon, McHenry, 1954; and Judy Hans Nicholls, McHenry, 1960.

Zielinski was able to reach all 60 past queens except Carol Hansen Pepke, Hebron 1956; Lauri Fisher Kernan, Woodstock, 1976; and Elizabeth Noyes Heibel, Lake in the Hills, 1985.

• Don Peasley has been editor, columnist and historian in McHenry County since October 1947. He began his association with Shaw Publications in 1950. He is a frequent contributor of articles and photographs. He can be reached at 815-338-1533.