02/08/2024
Thank You, Dearly, Minonk!
From your hometown Woody’s as we say Goodbye
Somehow, we’ve found ourselves here; here at the end of a long and beloved moment here in our little community. An end that came just as fast and disorientating as when we originally found ourselves at the beginning here in what feels like a lifetime ago.
I’ve decided to take one last moment to thank this wonderful community of Minonk and the surrounding area who have comprised our tight knit family for these past 24 years. Your support over all this time has been a beautiful gift, one of the highest in my life and I feel privileged to have been able to serve you as our honored patrons. I enjoy you all, and I'm so grateful to everyone in our community. I would also like to thank and recognize all the people who have helped me and have been a part of Woody’s here in Minonk over the years, namely:
Tom and Elaine Kapatos, for always believing me.
Thank you to my kids, Ana and Marcos Hernandez, for being my rock.
To Jenny, the mother of my children, for these two beautiful kids. Thank you. To Jennifer Albert, for all of your help, thank you very much.
To Craig Kalkwarf, thank you for trusting in us.
To the amazing team that has helped me over the years: thank you for always
doing your best.
To Vicki K***z, who helped me manage Woody’s. I know that it was a stressful, stressful job at times; but I also know it was a great feeling to be able to serve the community. I know you know that reward as well as I do. Thank you for consistently giving it your all, thank you for going the extra mile. It was a beautiful run.
To Hayden Noble, thank you for all of your help. To Cynthia Triplett, thank you, you did a great job. To Maria Reyes, thank you for always trying.
To Sofia Reyes. thank you very much.
To my little brother, Gabby, thank you.
To all of our patrons, including:
Emerson Tolan, Richard Decker, Corky,
Tadpole,
Draino,
Fuzzy,
Don Shelby,
Gene Oncken,
Terry and Laurel Matter family, Jochums family,
Ed Clevenger family,
To the farmers, to everyone.
Thank you all, so very much.
I would love to write everything down, but I would never finish. Thank you.
It's been a lot of help. It's been a lot of people. It's been a lot of memories.
24 years, and our contract is over! Thanks to Road Ranger for believing in Woody's and letting us keep our doors open up until now, even when our original contract was up back in 2010. Even as we’ve found ourselves at the end of another contract— and this time one that really means the end, unfortunately—I can only say thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you; so much, to each and every one of you. For sharing these special moments, however so brief, with us here at Woody’s. You kept this place going as much as any of us on the staff. Without you, Woody’s wouldn’t have become all that it is.
Thank you.
Warmly, and Whole-Heartedly; Thank you,
Our last day will be 02/11/2024
Pedro Hernandez Owner and Proprietor Woody’s Family Restaurant of Minonk, IL
