Peasley: Rehab center to celebrate 60 years of service

Woodstock’s Adult & Child Rehab Center is coping with reduction in funds from contributions, fundraising events and grants, but staff members are enthusiastic about the opportunity to celebrate the center’s 60th anniversary. The annual dinner and auction celebrating that milestone will be Aug. 10 at Turnberry Country Club, Lakewood.

I remember how this rehabilitation center began under the auspices of the Easter Seal Therapy Center in 1949. Dr. John Tambone had a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. He contacted the state organization, and with the help of Marian Finney, leader of the Red Cross in McHenry County, began the local Easter Seal Therapy Center.

Kim Larson, executive director since 2004, said the Adult Child & Rehab Center (name changed in 1994) is the only orthopedic pediatric therapy center in McHenry County. The shrinking economy has reduced United Way contributions 20 percent and Mental Health Board funding 60 percent this year.

“We are fortunate to have been in existence so long the board was able to build a reserve fund, but we have reduced the staff with some part-time help,” Larson said. “Because of cutbacks, we do have a patient waiting list, but we continue to see over 700 clients a year at the clinic. Our staff makes 70 home health visits a year.

“We have contracts with some school districts, McHenry County Public Health Department and a few other organizations that can’t afford a full-time therapist. We can partner with them.”

Dr. B.B. Neuchiller came to Woodstock in 1938 and was a founding member along with Dr. Tambone. Both men shared a strong sense of community service and shared a vision of services the therapy center could provide. Today’s services include home health, physical, occupational and speech therapies.

Margaret Kistler, Harvard, became involved in the first few years and has served as board chairman or board member for almost all 60 years.

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As McHenry County’s more than 600 4-H members prepare for the McHenry County Fair starting Aug. 5, judging focuses on clothing projects Wednesday at the fairgrounds. Judging 184 dog entries took place July 11. Cat judging is this afternoon at the fairgrounds.

This 60th annual county fair will feature projects of members in 28 4-H clubs. The variety of projects expanded this year with the addition of welding, quilting, master cooking and blacksmithing.

4-H is developing special interest clubs, such as knitting, the latest on the drawing board to attract young people in both cities and rural McHenry County.

The traditional evening program honoring 4-H members will be at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6, in the Hansen Pavilion.

• 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.