Longtime Algonquin Resident Honored for Dedication to Village

Marie Coleman, an Algonquin resident for much of her life, was honored at the village board meeting last night.

Village President John Schmitt presented Coleman the plaque and thanked her for her dedication to the village.

"I present to her this plaque in recognition for her service to the village," Schmitt said.

Coleman thanked everyone and said she "is proud of Algonquin and its forward-thinking."

Earlier this year she stepped down from the Historic Commission to move from Eastgate Manor into an assisted living facility in Arlington Heights to be closer to her family.

Her accomplishments include:

• Being an art teacher for District 300 for more than 20 years and creating art therapy programs in all of D300 elementary schools, which teach art to children with special needs.
• Completing numerous sketches of downtown Algonquin.
• Organizing “Art in the Park” show for the Founders’ Days Festival.
• Serving as a member in many different organizations, including the Algonquin Garden Club and Algonquin Woman’s Club—even being named “Woman of the Year” in 1995.
• Serving on the ad-hoc Historic Committee in the early 1990s and was a founding member of the Algonquin Historic Commission when it was formed in 1994.
• Leading walking tours and hands-on programs for scout troops that visited the historic commission over the years.
• Helping lead the Historic Commission’s efforts to have North River Road designated a McHenry County “scenic drive.”
• Acting as a liason between the Historic Commission and the Merchants on Main group, which later evolved into the Downtown Algonquin Partnership.