Peasley: Business spins on turbine
As you drive toward Woodstock and pass Centegra on Route 14, you’ll see Lake Shore Business Park on the left. In the daytime you’ll see a large wind turbine dominating the horizon.
This is Other World Computing’s (OWC) answer to energy conservation and efficiency at its beautiful conservation-minded plant.
OWC’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) plant is in that industrial development on the west side of Route 14.
The OWC wind turbine will generate an estimated 1.2 million kilowatt hours a year, over two times the energy requirements of operation in its new green building.
Excess energy will be sold to the local power provider. The OWC turbine is designed to produce power with wind speeds as low as 10 mph. For those statistically inclined, the tower is 131 feet high with three 63-foot blades extending a total height of 194 feet. The rotors’ 30 revolutions per minute maximum speed automatically reduces during extreme winds.
Larry O’Connor, CEO and founder of Other World Computing, is dedicating the wind turbine and building Nov. 7. OWC’s headquarters, completed in 2008, was built to the highest level given by the U.S. Green Building counsel’s LEED program, complying with environmentally-sound building methods.
This site, with its devotion to environmentalism, is a tremendous asset for Woodstock, and we extend our congratulations to O’Connor and his staff.
• • •
Patricia Gaylord’s daughter Kim Meisinger telling me about her mother’s death Oct. 15 reminds me of the great number of people who volunteer without pay or acknowledgment.
Pat was one of those who came forward wanting to be helpful. Her variety of activities at the VFW alone is worthy of gentle praise. This devotion through the VFW and Auxiliary began before she graduated from high school in 1949.
She was elected VFW Auxiliary president in 1951. She and her husband, Bob, helped with food service at the VFW for decades. She was a leader in the Auxiliary’s welcoming Pageant of Drum members for 20 years during the annual V-J Day celebrations.
Another example in Pat’s litany of service: Pat and Bob established Soup to Nuts, a fundraiser for people to donate items for sale.
They rallied volunteers to prepare donations for resale.
Longtime VFW members will recall that Pat’s brother Frank Kennedy was a founder of the VFW. After the Post was organized March 4, 1946, Frank was the first elected Post 5040 commander. Neil Cooney had served as temporary commander in 1945-1946.
Frank was called to active duty during the Korean War and became a career military officer.
• 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.
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