Zen Garden is a place for peace

If you’re looking for a place to chill out, relax, and experience nature, come check out the Zen Garden anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

The Zen Garden is located in MCC’s building A200 level, not too far from the president’s and administrator’s offices. The Zen Garden combines the ideals of Japanese Buddhist garden philosophy with contemporary minimalist architecture.

To keep with traditional ideals of a true Japanese Zen garden, visitors are encouraged to experience the garden through the windows around the courtyard. This experience of viewing the garden through the windows replicates the original Zen monastery experience. A couple Zen Garden etiquette guidelines include:

• No food, drink, or smoking
• Music, cell phones, and loud voices are prohibited
• Please do not sit or climb on rocks, sculptures, trees and shrubs
• Stay on the designated pathway and use the stepping stones to reach the bench
• Service animals only are allowed

The Zen garden is a place of  peace, tranquility, reflection and renewal. Please be respectful of the creatures, natural materials, objects, and plants within the garden. The garden is wheelchair accessible as well.

— By Al Trch

Speech team wins at regionals

In the later days of March, the MCC Speech and Debate team took home their fair share of awards from the 2023 Phi Rho Pi Region IV competition at Moraine Valley Community College.

While not all of them were first place trophies, many  who went to Moraine Valley managed to take home silver and bronze awards.

McHenry’s Isabella Aguilar won a Gold Award for Dramatic Interpretation while Crystal Lake’s Angelina Smith won the Silver Award. Smith also recieved a Bronze Award for Prose Interpretation.

Woodstock’s Rodney Katushabe and Jacob Hatter won a Bronze Debate Team Sweepstakes Award. Students who are members of the program and team, including Crystal Lake’s Brennen Briske, are led by Bonnie Gabel. Gabel is also a Speech instructor at MCC and the Phi Rho Pi Regional Governor.

— By Paul Kranenberg

Summer classes offered for kids

McHenry County College offers a variety of hands-on classes as part of the Kids and College summer program. This summer MCC is offering a program for those entering grades 1-9, to explore 50 hands-on classes. There are science, technology, engineering and art classes for students. These classes will introduce them to more careers, expand their knowledge and skills.  them to more skills. Classes are held in-person Monday-Thursday and can be scheduled for morning (9 a.m. to noon) or afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) sessions unless otherwise indicated. And campers are welcomed to register for more than just one class. New classes begin each week.

For more information, go to https://www.mchenry.edu/kidsandcollege/index.html

— By Charlie Johnson