Two McHenry County Juneteenth Events this Week

 

The official Juneteenth Federal Holiday marking Major General Gordon Granger's Proclamation on Galveston Island, Texas on June 19, 1865 will be observed this Friday.

Granger's General Order #3 read:

    The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the         United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of         property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them           becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their       present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at             military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

It was the first word that many of the formerly enslaved people jamming the port got about the Emancipation Proclamation.  The next year the Free men and women celebrated the day of Jubilee which soon became annual celebrations.  In the 20th Century  commemorations spread nationally as representative of all Jubilees.  

President Joe Biden signed the legislation creating the Juneteenth holiday in 2021.  In his second occupation of the White House Donald Trump has tried mightily to erase the commemorations as part of his anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) purge.  Federal agencies will not support, publisize, or even report on the occasion.  It stubbornly remains a Federal Holiday.  

Observations like these two McHenry County Events are more than ever essential acts of Resistance.

        

Honoring Legacy, Empowering the Future presented by McHenry County Now.  Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 pm at the Cary Public Library.  Register here.

              

The McHenry County Juneteenth Festival will be held on Saturday, June 20, from 3 to 5:30 pm on Woodstock Square Woodstock.  

Festival founder Gloria Van Hoff reports that Attendees will also have the pleasure of enjoying Stev Walker and the Artistas Da Capoeira Woodstock, the soulful songs and music of Darlene Benton, soloist, and the The Ken Davis Project. We’ll also hear from Arlene Lynes, proprietor of Read Between the Lynes Bookshop. Sandi Johnson will be the keynote speaker.

Walking the Walk and Compassion for Campers Update for June 12 2026

Look for new opportunities for action, education, community, and solidarity in and around McHenry County here every week.  

                                                            Walking the Walk  

So much to do this June!

Woodstock Pride Fest--June 13-14 Annual family-friendly events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ Community. Multiple special events.  Pride Parade and the Festival on the Square 11 am to 4 pm.

June 14th: Happy Birthday NoKings--Sunday June 14, 2026 is the anniversary of the first NoKings nationwide protest against the Trump regime! We will gather again to continue our efforts to save democracy and show our patriotism in a joyful, peaceful demonstration. Our rally will be from 3-5 pm at the intersection of Rt. 31 and McCullom Lake Rd. in McHenry. Bring your signs, wear your creative costumes, and spread the message of love for freedom of speech and the right for all who want a fair and just America for everyone! As always, this is a peaceful, non-violent rally; respect the rights of all! Please make sure you park in areas not blocking any businesses, and remember to station yourselves only on public property! After the rally (or if you cannot attend), join the "RISE UP-SIGN OUT" Concert for the First Amendment at 6:30 pm, CT--a national broadcast to counter the fiasco earlier in the day on the front lawn of our White House.  Sponsored localy by Indivisible McHenry County.

The new Northern Illinois Indivisible is promoting Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on Sunday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. CT, the Committee for the First Amendment will be hosting It will be an uplifting evening of song, solidarity, and action featuring Bette Midler, Rufus Wainwright, Patti Smith, Sasha Allen, Wilson Cruz, Jane Fonda, Julia Roberts, Joy Reid, Lily Gladstone, Jen Colella, Alex Joseph Grayson, Kayla Davion, Rev. Adriene Thorne, Peppermint, Singing Resistance, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and Rude Mechanical Orchestra. Watch it at home alone or with family members, or host a watch party and invite your friends, or join someone else's watch party. Find all of the options here: https://riseupsingout.com/

                    

Ride/Walk to Leave a Light On--On and around Woodstock Square, Friday, June 19 7 pm.  Benefiting Break Crystal Lake Teen Center, Compassion for Campers, Community Connection for Youth, IMC--employment, education, health, and housing services, Jail Breakers, Lemonade & Advocate, Live4Lali, and Woodstock Pride.

Two Juneteenth celebrations:

Honoring Legacy, Empowering the Future presented by McHenry County Now.  Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 pm at the Cary Public Library.  Register here.

The McHenry County Juneteenth Festival will be held on Saturday, June 20, from 3 to 5:30 pm on Woodstock Square Woodstock.

Compassion for Campers

Guests stocked up on gear and supplies at C4C's special distribution in Woodstock's Emrickson Park.

Compassion for Campers is back!  C4C was able to distribute our gear and supplies Friday, May 30 at a special Stop Gap Day at the Hilltop Pavillion in Woocstock's Emrickson Park in cooperation with Stephen's Ministries. Warp Corps provided bus service from encampments in the Woodstock area and other providers like Live4Laly were also at hand. C4C was able to share and serve 16 guests.

The McHenry County Mental Health Board is providing space for a renewed Community Resource Days and Compassion for Campers distribution in its Crystal Lake facility.

Better news yet. We have secured a new base of operations and will resume regular distributions on Friday, June 19! We will be joining a new Community Resource Day, renamed  McHenry County Resource Center (MCHC) coordinated by many of the former Willow Creek organizers and volunteers. Debora Anderson reported, "The McHenry County Mental Health Board has generously given us a temporary place in their offices, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, to host the events going forward while we continue to look for a permanent space to continue to host the event.  The facility has a welcoming intake area, wonderful office spaces, a dining area, and a shower!  There are a couple of things that cannot be provided in the space.  There is no way to do laundry and food must be prepared in a commercial kitchen." 

Many of the agencies and services from the Willow Creek events have already signed on to participate.  C4C is fortunate that we will have on-site storage for our supplies.  C4C's first distribution there will be this Friday, ,June 19, We will resume our regular schedule of distributions on the First and Third Fridays of each month.

On the downside, Sue Rekenthaler reports C4C has been turned down again for a grant, this time by the McHenry County Community Foundation.  We remain critically dependent on donations.

Financial support is critical to fulfilling our mission. The best thing you can do is offer your critically needed financial support to get us through this emergency.  Money donations are always welcome at     https://tinyurl.com/3bz96axe.   Look for updates here.  Email compassionforcampers@treeoflifeuu.org .

Walking the Walk and Compassion for Campers Update for May 29, 2026

 Look for new opportunities for action, education, community, and solidarity in and around McHenry County here every week.  

                                                            Walking the Walk  

Pride Month up on us.  Celebrate as a critical part of Resistance.

Crystal Lake Pride Walk & Social  now sponsored by Crystal Lake Pride on Sunday, June 7 from 11 am-6 pm at Brink Street Market in Downtown Crystal Lakee.

Crystal Lake Pride Walk & Social  now sponsored by Crystal Lake Pride on Sunday, June 7 from 11 am-6 pm at Brink Street Market in Downtown Crystal Lakee.

Woodstock Pride Fest--June 13-14 Annual family-friendly events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ Community. Multiple special events.  Pride Parade and the Festival on the Square 11 am to 4 pm.

Ride/Walk to Leave a Light On--On and around Woodstock Square, Friday, June 19 7 pm.  Benefiting Break Crystal Lake Teen Center, Compassion for Campers, Community Connection for Youth, IMC--employment, education, health, and housing services, Jail Breakers, Lemonade & Advocate, Live4Lali, and Woodstock Pride.

Two Juneteenth celebrations:.

Honoring Legacy, Empowering the Future presented by McHenry County Now.  Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 pm at the Cary Public Library.  Register here.

The McHenry County Juneteenth Festival will be held on Saturday, June 20, from 3 to 5:30 pm on Woodstock Square Woodstock.

Compassion for Campers has been displaced by its former venue, Community Resource Days at Willow Crystal Lake.  We have been struggling since mid-May to find how, where, and when we can resume our services to our unhoused guests and friends.  Sue Rekenthaler and Chaplain Dave Becker of Tree of Life UU Congregation are leading discussions on how to move forward our mission.

The good news is that that in cooperation of Nada Lunsford, Executive Director of Steven's Home we have been able to schedule a Stopgap resource event this Friday, May 29 from 11:30 am to 2 pm in the Hilltop Picknick Pavilion in Woodstock's Emrickson Park.  This will be a lot like C4C's early events featuring a lunch, time to share and visit, and distribute our camping gear and other supplies laid out for our guests to choose from.  Meanwhile, Cahplain Dave is arranging a meeting of many congregations and ministries as well other organizations, and agencies to explore creative and cooperative ways to face our crisis We continue to search for other opportunities.  Look to this space for dates and locations.

C4C hopes to continue our service to the unhoused.  Until we find a new venue, we will not be able to accept material donations due to lack of storage space.  The best thing you can do is offer your critically needed financial support to get us through this emergency.  Money donations are always welcome at     https://tinyurl.com/3bz96axe.   Look for updates here.  Email compassionforcampers@treeoflifeuu.org .

Walking the Walk and Compassion for Campers Update for May 22 2026

 

Look for new opportunities for action, education, community, and solidarity in and around McHenry County here every week.  

                                                            Walking the Walk  

Vets Say No--No War No Cuts Memorial Day Ceremony and March sponsored by Vets for Peace, About Face, and other organizations on Monday, May 25 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Chicago. Locally, Cary, Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock and other municipalities will have parades and other observations to participate in.

Now two Pride Events!

Crystal Lake Pride Walk & Social  now sponsored by Crystal Lake Pride on Sunday, June 7 from 11 am-6 pm at Brink Street Market in Downtown Crystal Lakee.

Woodstock Pride Fest--June 13-14 Annual family-friendly events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ Community. Multiple special events.  Pride Parade and the Festival on the Square 11 am to 4 pm.

Ride/Walk to Leave a Light On--On and around Woodstock Square, Friday, June 19 7 pm.  Benefiting Break Crystal Lake Teen Center, Compassion for Campers, Community Connection for Youth, IMC--employment, education, health, and housing services, Jail Breakers, Lemonade & Advocate, Live4Lali, and Woodstock Pride.

Two Juneteenth celebrations:.

Honoring Legacy, Empowering the Future presented by McHenry County Now.  Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 pm at the Cary Public Library.  Register here.

The McHenry County Juneteenth Festival will be held on Saturday, June 20, from 3 to 5:30 pm on Woodstock Square Woodstock.

Friday, May 1 turned out to be the last C4C distribution at Community Resource Days at Willow Crystal Lake.  New leadership at Willow's home church announced a suspension of services at least until the Fall on May 24.  Our own resources are exhausted and we could not afford another on May 14.  

Sue Rekenthaler and Chaplain Dave Becker of Tree of Life UU Congregation are leading discussion on how to move forward Compassion for Campers's mission.

The good news is that that in cooperation of Nada Lunsford, Executive Director of Steven's Home we have been able to schedule a Stopgap resource event on Friday, May 29 from 11:30 am to 2 pm in the Hilltop Picknick Pavilion in Woodstock's Emrickson Park.  This will be a lot like C4C's early events featuring a lunch, time to share and visit, and distribute our camping gear and other supplies laid out for our guests to choose from.  We continue to search for other opportunities.  Look to this space for dates and locations.

C4C hopes to continue our service to the unhoused.  Until we find a new venue, we will not be able to accept material donations due to lack of storage space.  The best thing you can do is offer your critically needed financial support to get us through this emergency.  Money donations are always welcome at     https://tinyurl.com/3bz96axe.   Look for updates here.  Email compassionforcampers@treeoflifeuu.org .