KCC-12-5-2013 by Shaw Media

Kane County

CHRONICLE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 | 50 CENTS | KCCHRONICLE.COM

HOLIDAY BLUES FOR SOME, SEASONAL EVENTS NOT ALWAYS A HAPPY OCCASION. PAGE 11 Photo illustration by Sandy Bressner

IN NEWS

CORONER’S REQUEST NEARING APPROVAL

Anthony Scaccia (left) and Michael Moffatt

THE AREA’S BEST Kane County Chronicle names its Players of the Year, Coach of the Year and All-Area Teams. Pages 23-26

Page 4 Vol. 24, Issue 236

Time to shop

IN SPORTS

Since 1881.

Where to find it Classified: 36-39 Comics: 34-35 Puzzles: 33

HIGH

Obituaries: 9 Opinion: 14 Sports: 23-30

LOW

30 15 Complete forecast on 5

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| GETTING STARTED

College working to address challenges in higher education Colleges and universities are facing challenging times. We are asked to do more with less, while new technologies and the changing learning demands of our students continue to put pressure on the traditional delivery model for higher education. Recently, George Mehaffy of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities came to Elgin Community College to talk about these issues. He said higher education as it is currently configured is not equipped to handle the growing number of students who demand greater outcomes at lower costs. In Mehaffy’s opinion, today’s higher education institutions may not exist in the near future if we do not examine how to keep college worthwhile and affordable. While I share Mehaffy’s concerns, I am pleased to tell you that the faculty, administrators and staff at ECC are working together to identify new approaches and solutions to address these issues. Many of our best programs, such as the Alliance for College Readiness, the 20-in-1 program and our financial literacy efforts, are cutting-edge initiatives designed to help District 509 students and their families achieve their academic goals now and in the future. The alliance continues to lead the work of area educators on college readiness while improving the percentage of college-ready students at ECC. The 20-in-1 awareness campaign is helping to sharpen students’ focus around the significant research indicating that completing 20 credits in year one makes a student five times more likely to succeed. The college’s nationally recognized financial literacy

ECC EXTRAS Dr. David Sam program has successfully counseled students to borrow less while giving them knowledge to maintain financial health during college. As part of Achieving the Dream, cross-functional teams of faculty, staff and administrators are collaborating in task forces and teams to address the barriers impeding completion and student success. They are working on a variety of topics, including developmental education curriculum, student retention and high school and college readiness. Their efforts have already improved the college’s results in areas such as success rates in college-level, developmental and gateway courses; retention rates; and graduation rates. But we will need more than just these programs to keep moving ECC forward while anticipating and responding to the challenges ahead. Just as we relied on – and were grateful for – your support in 2009, we will need your knowledge, expertise and continued support of your community college. ECC is lucky to have a district of intelligent residents who are skilled professionals and business owners in every field. Your ideas will be instrumental as we create the future of higher education at ECC.

• Dr. David Sam is president of Elgin Community College. The “ECC Extras” column will run the first Thursday of each month. Contact Sam at editorial@ kcchronicle.com.

8LOCAL BRIEFS 2014 development funding available The Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment has announced that applications for 2014 community development funding are available. Approximately $1.1 million in federal funding is expected to be available under the program. The Community Development Fund provides financing for a wide array of projects that help to improve the quality of life of Kane County residents. It supports a mix of affordable housing activities, neighborhood infrastructure and public facility projects, activities to alleviate homelessness and a variety of planning activities. Visit www.countyofkane.org/ Pages/kcci/cdf.aspx to download application materials, or contact the Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment at 719 S. Batavia Ave., Building A, Fourth Floor, Geneva IL 60134. Completed applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Jan. 6.

‘Ask A Lawyer Day’ planned for Dec. 14 The Kane County Bar Association’s next “Ask A Lawyer Day” is set from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 14. Members of the public are

encouraged to call for a free consultation with a volunteer attorney. This public information service (sponsored by the Kane County Bar Association, and supported by the Illinois State Bar Association) is an opportunity to ask questions and find direction for many legal matters. Last month, many callers were helped with legal problems ranging from real estate, landlord/tenant, criminal, estates and wills, divorce, child custody, collections, bankruptcy and traffic. There is a high call volume, so keep trying if the phone lines are busy, as volunteers are not able to retrieve messages left on the voice mail.

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS Accuracy is important to the Kane County Chronicle, and we want to correct mistakes promptly. Please call errors to our attention by phone, 630-845-5355; email, editorial@kcchronicle. com.

DID YOU WIN? Illinois Lottery Pick 3 Midday: 2-8-8 Pick 3 Evening: 4-3-8 Pick 4 Midday: 8-2-6-7 Pick 4 Evening: 3-5-5-6 Lucky Day Lotto Midday: 8-19-24-29-35

Cookie walk, breakfast with Santa set Sunday

Lucky Day Lotto Evening:

AURORA – The St. Joseph Parish Center, 706 High St., Aurora, will host a cookie walk and breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Cookies are $7 a pound. Tickets cost $5 a person or $20 a family for breakfast.

Lotto jackpot: $6.75 million

– Kane County Chronicle

4-19-20-22-36

Mega Millions Est. jackpot: $291 million Powerball Est. jackpot: $81 million

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FACE TIME WITH BECKIE UNTIEDT

Where did you grow up? Huntley Pets? A Maltipoo rescue named Cuddles and a cat named Murphy Who would play you in the movie of your life? Meryl Streep First job? Waitress As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A famous singer. Now I’m a famous singer for Jesus with praise and worship leadership at St. Mark’s. My hus-

band, Bob Untiedt, is the praise and worship leader. Are you the Untiedts who own Graham’s Chocolates in Geneva? Yes A book you’d recommend? “Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist: Learning to Be Free” by Amanda Jenkins Favorite charity? Susan G. Komen for the Cure What game show would you be on? “Wheel of Fortune” Favorite local restaurant? Sushi Yama in St. Charles What is an interesting factoid about yourself? I have a fraternal twin sister who is five minutes younger than me.

Kane County Chronicle staffers pick the best of what to do in your free time

WHAT: Colonial Cafe and Ice Cream Match Day is set. On that day, Colonial will match donations made to Salvation Army red kettles in the Tri-Cities, Aurora, Naperville and Elgin, up to $20,000. Each family contributing will receive a treat. Bell-ringers will be in front of Colonial sites on that day as well. Contributions from this third annual event will help support the programs and services offered at The Salvation Army Joe K. Anderson Community Center in St. Charles and the Salvation Army centers in Aurora and Elgin. WHEN: Dec. 1 WHERE: 1625 E. Main St., St. Charles, and at 552 Randall Road, St. Charles

Shop and Drop for the Troops WHAT: The Marmion Academy Cadets and Batavia Cares will conduct a Shop and Drop for the Troops. ACE Hardware and Berkeley Finer Foods are Batavia’s collection centers. Cash donations are needed for postage. WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Jewel-Osco, 119 Randall Road, Batavia INFO: Cash donations are needed for postage. Donations can be sent to Marmion Academy,

Newsstand price 50 cents Tuesday Friday, $1.50 Saturday. Basic annual rate: $182 Tuesday - Saturday.

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 630-232-9222 Customer Service

800-589-9363

1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora; or Batavia Cares, 324 Church St., Batavia. Batavia Cares wants and needs addresses for home troops. Register at www.bataviacares.org or send their address to Batavia Cares at the above address. For information, call 630-687-1943.

Field house groundbreaking at Waubonsee College WHAT: Waubonsee Community College will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new field house. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will learn about the building, meet Waubonsee athletes and coaches, and enjoy light refreshments. The field house is expected to open in early 2015. WHEN: 2 p.m. Friday WHERE: Erickson Hall on the north side of the Sugar Grove Campus, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive INFO: To RSVP for the event, send email to fieldhouse@waubonsee.edu.

Kevin Jakubowski at Batavia library WHAT: Guest speaker Kevin Jakubowski is returning home to Batavia for the holidays to discuss his career as a film and television writer in Los Angeles with his presentation, “Write What You Know: Stories from a Batavia Screen-

writer.” Jakubowski’s recently published book, “8-Bit Christmas,” will be available for purchase and signing after the lecture. WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 19 WHERE: Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave, Batavia INFO: The lecture is free; however, registration is required at www.bataviapubliclibrary.org or 630-879-1393.

Lazarus House plans Christmas brunch WHAT: Lazarus House invites the public for food and fellowship at its annual Christmas brunch. For those able to cook a dish to share is appreciated. WHEN: Food should arrive between 11:15 and 11:45 a.m. Dec. 25 in a disposable container, ready to serve at noon. WHERE: Free Methodist Church, 214 Walnut St., St. Charles INFO: For information, visit www.lazarushouseonline.com. For those who wish to attend and/or provide a special dish, a courtesy RSVP is appreciated, but not required. To RSVP, email juliep@ lazarushouseonline.com or call Lazarus House at 630587-2144 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

TODAY’S WEB POLL

YESTERDAY’S WEB POLL RESULTS

Have you ever been sad during the holiday season?

How would you describe your chess-playing skills? I have no interest (32%) I know how to play (30%) I am an expert (25%) I’m not bad, but I’m no expert (7%) I’d love to learn how to play (6%)

VOTE ONLINE | Voice your opinion at KCChronicle.com. Follow us at twitter.com/kcchronicle, or become a fan on Facebook.

Classified Sales Phone: 800-589-8237 Email: classified@shawsuburban.com Fax: 815-477-8898 Legal notices: 630-845-5219 Newsroom Phone: 630-845-5355 Email: editorial@kcchronicle.com Fax: 630-444-1641 Publisher Don T. Bricker dbricker@shawmedia.com General Manager Jim Ringness jringness@shawmedia.com Editor Kathy Gresey kgresey@shawmedia.com News Editor Al Lagattolla alagattolla@shawmedia.com Advertising director Laura Pass lpass@shawmedia.com Promotions coordinator Lisa Glavan lglavan@shawmedia.com

• Thursday, December 5, 2013

Colonial Cafe teams up with Salvation Army

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Out About and

The Kane County Chronicle and KCChronicle.com are a division of Shaw Media, 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2, St. Charles, IL 60174.

GETTING STARTED | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

St. Charles resident Beckie Untiedt was volunteering at St. Mark’s Abundant Blessings Shop, Dine and Find at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Charles when she answered 11 questions for the Kane County Chronicle’s Brenda Schory.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

‘A Klingon Christmas Carol’ headed to ECC By NICOLE WESKERNA nweskerna@shawmedia.com ELGIN – A play that’s headed to Elgin Community College this weekend will put a science-fiction twist on the classic tale, “A Christmas Carol.” On Saturday, the college will host “A Klingon Christmas Carol” for one night only, and it will be performed in Klingon, a language extrapolated from the “Star Trek” TV series. The play will be performed by the Chicago-based Comedia Beauregard theater company, said Susan Kepley, manager of marketing and patron services for the Elgin Community College’s Arts Center. Carol Ollayos, member of the ECC Board of Trustees who also is making a guest appearance in Saturday’s play, was instrumental in bringing the show to Elgin. Ollayos said she and her husband, who are both Star Trek fans, had seen the play in Chicago, and it was something they both really enjoyed. She said the interpretation is “hilarious” because it infuses the Klingon culture into “A Christmas Carol.” The play is done completely in the Klingon language, with English superscript displayed in text above the stage, she said. The characters have Klingon names – Scrooge goes by SQuja’ and Jacob Marley goes by marlI’, for example. Ollayos said in the Klingon culture, honor is above everything, and “you have to earn your honor through a right of passage.” “The story is that Scrooge cheated on his right of passage, and Marley comes back to haunt him and tell him that if he doesn’t change, he’s doomed to dishonor for all eternity,” she said, noting that it’s a family-friendly show. “Most of it’s hilarious and occasionally touching.” Because of her efforts to bring the play to ECC, Ollayos gets to put on full Klingon makeup and play a small part as Mrs. Fezziwig, Scrooge’s employer. She will say one line in Klingon, that – when translated to English – will

If you go n What: “A Klingon Christmas

Carol” performance n Where: The Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building H, Elgin n When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday n Cost: Tickets are $32. To buy tickets, visit tickets.elgin.edu or call 847-622-0300.

be, “when threatened, we fight.” Ollayos, performed for more than 30 years in the “Nutcracker Ballet” production as the Magician at Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. She also served as co-chair of the grand opening event of the ECC Arts Center in 1994. She said “A Klingon Christmas Carol” fits with ECC’s conception of the arts. “The tagline for ECC is ‘do art differently,’ ” Ollayos said. “I think it will be one of the more fun and unusual Christmas offerings.”

Coroner’s 2013 funding request nears approval By ASHLEY SLOBODA asloboda@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Kane County Coroner Rob Russell’s request for an extra $88,000 for fiscal 2013 is one step away from County Board approval. The Kane County Board’s Executive Committee on Wednesday forwarded the request – which covers autopsies, toxicology expenses, overtime and fuel costs – to the board’s Tuesday meeting. The $88,000 does not include the costs of repairing a freezer that broke last week, causing two bodies stored there to decompose. Russell said the repair was about $3,500. Board Chairman Chris Lauzen said he expects the item will be discussed at an upcoming Judicial and Public Safety Committee meeting.

“I grieve for the human beings who had died and were under Rob’s care and suffered that indignity,” Lauzen said. He said the first-term coroner has had a year to do inventory of potential breakdowns and to conduct preventive maintenance. Funds are budgeted in 2014 for capital improvements, Lauzen said. He said the board likely would have granted a request to address the freezer sooner had Russell stepped forward with that need. Russell said he strives to give everybody who comes into his care the dignity that they deserve. But, he said, he couldn’t predict that a compressor would break in the morgue freezer over the Thanksgiving holiday. “I don’t think there’s anybody who believes you can know when equipment is going to fail,” Russell said,

noting his staff checks the equipment every day. “If it’s working fine, there’s no reason to believe it will break in an hour.” The freezer is a symptom of a larger problem with the coroner’s facilities and equipment, Russell said. “All the equipment I inherited is old, including the building,” he said. With various issues to address – including the purchase of an X-ray machine and a 10-year-old vehicle needing $4,000 in repairs – an evaluation must be conducted to decide which equipment should be replaced or repaired next year, Russell said. Any purchases also must take the facilities into consideration, Russell said. He would want to buy equipment that could be transferred elsewhere should his office get a new – or newer – building, he said.

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Seven-Day Forecast

Shown are noon postions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

FRI

Mostly cloudy, Mostly cloudy, windy and much breezy and cold colder

Bill Bellis Chief Meteorologist

30 15

228

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

Partly sunny, breezy and bitterly cold

Mostly cloudy with some light snow late

Cloudy and cold with some a.m. light snow

Partly sunny, windy and bitterly cold

Partly sunny and continued cold

19 12

28 21

255

116

158

Tri-Cities Almanac

Harvard

30/13 McHenry Statistics through 4 p.m. yesterday Belvidere 31/14 Temperatures Waukegan 30/13 31/15 High/low ....................................... 55°/47° Normal high ......................................... 38° Rockford Crystal Lake Deerfield Record high .............................. 65° (1998) Algonquin 30/12 30/15 34/17 31/14 Normal low .......................................... 24° Hampshire Record low ............................... -4° (1991) Schaumburg 30/15 Elgin 32/16 Peak wind .............................. S at 15 mph 32/16 DeKalb Precipitation 30/15 Tri-Cities Chicago 24 hours through 4 p.m. yest. ........... 0.02” 30/15 34/18 Month to date ................................... 0.05” Normal month to date ....................... 0.36” Oak Park Year to date .................................... 34.57” 34/19 Aurora Normal year to date ........................ 35.85” Dixon 30/12

UV Index

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

32/15

Sandwich 33/16

Orland Park 34/19

10 a.m.

Noon

2 p.m.

4 p.m.

0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme

Air Quality

Reading as of Wednesday

City Arlington Hts Aurora Deerfield Des Plaines Elgin Gary Hammond Janesville

Today Hi Lo W 34 17 c 32 15 c 34 17 c 34 17 c 32 16 c 37 19 c 36 22 sn 28 10 pc

Friday Hi Lo W 22 10 c 22 7 c 22 11 c 22 11 c 22 8 c 25 13 c 27 13 sn 19 6 pc

Today Hi Lo W 36 21 c 30 11 pc 31 17 c 34 19 c 34 21 c 34 16 c 34 19 c 31 15 c

City Kankakee Kenosha La Salle Morris Munster Naperville Tinley Park Waukegan

Friday Hi Lo W 26 13 c 21 7 pc 23 9 c 24 12 c 25 14 c 23 9 c 24 12 c 21 8 c

Fox River Stages 0-50 Good; 51-100 Moderate; 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151-200 Unhealthy; 201-300 Very Unhealthy; 301-500 Hazardous Source: Illinois EPA

Weather History The three coldest months run from Dec. 5 to March 5 when the year is divided into four equal parts based on average temperature. Winter does not officially begin for more than two weeks, but meteorological winter begins today.

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Fld: flood stage. Prs: stage in feet at 7 a.m Wednesday. Chg: change in previous 24 hours. Station Fld Prs Chg Station Fld Prs Chg Montgomery........... 13..... 11.37...... -0.05 Algonquin................. 3....... 1.65....... none New Munster, WI .... 19....... 6.57..... +0.19 Burlington, WI ........ 11....... 6.80..... +0.10 Princeton .............. 9.5....... 4.80...... -0.07 Dayton ................... 12....... 6.41...... -0.04 Waukesha ................ 6....... 3.20..... +0.07 McHenry .................. 4....... 1.55...... -0.05

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Friday Hi Lo W 36 30 c 74 51 t 56 37 r -7 -19 pc 27 13 sf 52 35 r 75 56 pc 23 12 c 34 18 i 30 20 i 15 -9 pc 14 2 s 83 68 s 43 35 r 29 14 sn 21 6 pc 44 33 s 60 47 s

City Louisville Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Omaha Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh St. Louis Salt Lake City San Francisco Seattle Washington, DC

Today Hi Lo W 62 34 r 82 72 pc 32 13 pc 10 -4 pc 67 40 r 78 69 t 60 56 c 27 18 sn 18 2 pc 83 64 s 64 57 c 56 36 pc 64 35 r 34 21 sn 19 8 pc 50 43 s 36 24 pc 68 58 c

Friday Hi Lo W 35 22 i 82 72 s 22 10 pc 7 -9 pc 43 28 r 77 47 t 58 36 r 23 7 sn 12 -1 s 82 63 s 59 37 r 55 34 s 37 23 r 28 12 sn 25 15 c 54 42 sh 32 17 pc 61 39 r

Friday Hi Lo W 60 43 s 64 45 s 51 28 pc 34 26 sf 77 59 s 67 51 pc -9 -18 pc 57 46 c 73 56 t 39 32 pc 56 32 s 87 71 pc

City Mexico City Moscow Nassau New Delhi Paris Rio de Janeiro Rome Seoul Singapore Sydney Tokyo Toronto

Today Hi Lo W 77 45 pc 30 19 sf 82 71 pc 77 48 pc 43 34 pc 91 76 t 57 42 s 48 30 c 86 75 t 77 55 sh 57 46 s 54 28 sh

Friday Hi Lo W 73 46 pc 32 24 sn 82 72 pc 77 48 pc 41 24 s 84 70 t 57 42 pc 45 30 s 86 75 t 73 57 s 59 46 pc 36 23 c

World Weather Today Hi Lo W 56 39 s 66 50 sh 50 29 s 38 31 sn 79 50 s 68 53 s -4 -18 pc 54 46 sh 74 55 t 48 34 r 58 34 s 87 71 pc

City Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Buenos Aires Cairo Calgary Jerusalem Johannesburg London Madrid Manila

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

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Regional Weather

Today Hi Lo W 32 31 sn 72 63 sh 66 54 c -2 -16 pc 22 13 pc 56 48 c 70 60 c 34 18 c 61 31 r 39 25 r 10 -9 c 20 5 pc 82 66 s 75 38 t 47 25 i 24 11 c 41 27 s 61 45 s

City Anchorage Atlanta Baltimore Billings Boise Boston Charlotte Chicago Cincinnati Dallas Denver Des Moines Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles

WEATHER | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

TODAY

National Weather

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

Meeting set to consider interim library director By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Geneva library officials are expected to appoint an interim director at a special meeting scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday at the Geneva Park District Sunset Community Center, 710 Western Ave., Geneva. Board president Esther Steel said director Matt Teske’s approved leave has been extended another two weeks to Dec. 16, and the board must consider appointing an interim director. Teske has been on leave since mid-November and was scheduled to return Dec. 2, according to his extension’s voice mail message. “We are not sure when Matt will be returning, and we will be discussing the option of an interim director,” Steel said. Assistant Director Peggy Carlson has been standing in

for Teske as she does when he is on vacation, but Steel said Carlson does not want to stand in for an extended period of time. “She is doing a great job, but Peggy does not want to be the interim director,” Steel said. “You do not realize the full scope of the job, especially of a library of our size. We have 85 employees.” Steel said retired library directors have been recommended to the board for consideration. The meeting will begin with a closed session for personnel discussion with an open session where a possible interim director will be appointed, as well as public and library trustee comment. Steel said the meeting is scheduled to be at the park district because the library’s meeting room is going to have its used book sale for the Christmas Walk, and there is no room for the board.

December Events Join Us at Heritage Woods of Batavia! Tree Lighting & Silent Auction for United Way Thursday, December 5 at 7:00 pm with music by the Batavia High School Madrigals

Oswego Senior Center Singers Friday, December 6 at 2:00 pm Sing along with the choir to your favorite holiday songs

FREE GIFT WRAPPING! Just bring in your gifts & we will wrap them for you. These days & times only: Sat & Sun (Dec. 7 & 8) 10AM – 12PM Tues & Wed (Dec. 10 & 11) 10AM – 6PM Wed & Thurs (Dec. 18 & 19) 10AM – 6PM Sat & Sun (Dec. 21 & 22) 10AM – 12PM Please note that all events are for seniors 62+ *Please call to RSVP for any Heritage Woods event!

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your opinion.

Tell us what you think. Send Letters to the Editor to letters@kcchronicle.com.

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A JOYFUL SEASON Geneva Commons is the best place for festive holiday shopping, dining and fun.

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SUNDAYS, DECEMBER 8 & 15 &4% # 04%

23-/((6!, 21!31 ) &'".*4% # &".*4% $6+63 21!315+ 23136/! ) '4% # 04% Meet and greet Santa as he strolls the Commons or visit him at his holiday station, located next to Learning Express Toys. Bring your camera for a free photo opportunity.

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

Sheriff’s deputy sued for involvement in fatal Campton Hills crash By ASHLEY SLOBODA asloboda@shawmedia.com A wrongful death suit has been filed against a Kane County sheriff’s deputy for his involvement in a December 2012 deadly car crash, according to court documents filed Nov. 27 with the Kane County Circuit Clerk’s Office. Kane County and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office also are named as defendants. The lawsuit was filed by Michael Bingham of Maple Park. He is the independent administrator of the estate of Zachary Bingham, who died as a result of injuries he suffered from a head-on collision on Route 38 in Campton Hills on Dec. 1, 2012.

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The crash also killed Jennifer Liston, a 30-year-old from Wisconsin who, according to the lawsuit and police reports, was traveling at high speeds on Route 38 near Bricher Road at about 8:40 p.m. when Deputy Nicholas Wolf began pursuing her. The deputy continued his pursuit even as Liston continued driving west on Route 38 at high speeds, the lawsuit states. At about 8:45 p.m., Liston’s vehicle collided with the one driven by Bingham, who had stopped his car on the shoulder, according to the lawsuit. The 18-year-old died hours later as a result of his injuries.

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Born: Oct. 30, 1929; in Chicago Died: Dec. 3, 2013; in Geneva

MALCOLM ‘WEED’ D. VAIL JR. Born: Feb. 19, 1919; in Chicago Died: Nov. 19, 2013; in Sister Bay, Wis. Malcolm “Weed” D. Vail Jr., 94, formerly of Geneva and recently of Sister Bay, Wis., passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Society Scandia Village on Nov. 19. He was born in Chicago in 1919, the second of three children of Malcolm D. Vail Sr. and Margaret Nye Vail, and was preceded

in death by his parents; sister, Katherine Vail Sturgis; and brother, Henry “Budge” S. Vail. He lived most of his life in Geneva, with his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Higgins Vail, and three daughters. He attended Lake Forest Academy, Deerfield Academy and graduated from Cornell University in 1941. After serving as a Naval officer in the Pacific in World War II, Malcolm worked in Chicago with his father at H.S. Vail & Sons Insurance and then Northwestern Mutual. Among his many interests was his passion for sailing. Weed was an avid sailor and participated in numerous Mackinac races. In Ephraim, Wis., where he spent his summers, he was a five-term commodore of the Ephraim Yacht Club. He shared his love of sailing with many generations, young and old. He was a member of the Ephraim Historical Foundation, for which he gave walking tours and was instrumental in donating the Vail Civil War Collection to the Foundation in 2011. Weed was chosen to be Fyr Ball Chieftain in 2009. He and Betty were members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Sister Bay and attended the Church of Atonement in Fish Creek for many summers. He also loved to walk and was often

seen around Geneva and Ephraim with his beloved dog, Oreo. In Geneva, he was involved in the Geneva Golf Club, the Cancer Society, a foundation board member of the Delnor Community Hospital, one of the founding members of White Gates Skeet Club and was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where he sang in the choir for many years. Betty and Weed moved to Scandia Village in Door County in 2011, leaving many wonderful friends and memories of their blessed lives in Geneva. He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Betty; three daughters, Leslie Vail Harsch (Roy) of Geneva, Frances E. Vail of Northbrook and Sarah Vail Birkinbine (John) of Northfield; four grandchildren, Christopher (Cristina) Vieau, Deborah Vieau (Edwin) Cange, Malcolm “Skip” Harsch and Kris (Kevin) Birkinbine Kelly; and his six great-grandchildren, Cheyenne and Cayman Vieau, Eddie and Sophie Cange, and Ryan and Erin Kelly; and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations may be made to the Ephraim Yacht Club, Ephraim Historical Foundation or Good Samaritan Society Scandia Village. A memorial celebration will be next summer in Ephraim. Please sign the guest book at www. legacy.com/kcchronicle.

8FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Sally James: A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave., in Batavia. The visitation will be from noon until the service. Interment will be private. A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. at Batavia VFW, 645 S. River St. in Batavia, following the memorial service. Leslie D. Hickory: A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, Va. Patricia A. Murray: A celebration of Pat’s life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church. Interment will be private. Waneta Nord: Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Fox Valley Unity Church, 230 Webster St., Batavia.

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GENEVA – Celine Agnes Boscaccy, 84, of Geneva and formerly of Chicago, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at Greenfields of Geneva. She was born Oct. 30, 1929, in Chicago, the daughter of Patrick and Mary (nee Folyten) Flanagan. She was united in marriage to Nathan Boscaccy on Feb. 4, 1948, in Chicago. She is survived by her seven children, Michael (Carol) Boscaccy, Martin Boscaccy, Celine (John) Fox, Blaise (Debbie) Boscaccy, Jerry Boscaccy, Mary Rose (James) Krater and Antonia (Larry) Kramer; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan; and a sister, Theresa Eggert. The funeral service will begin with prayers from the funeral home at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, before proceeding to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2300 Main St., to celebrate Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow the Mass in West Batavia Cemetery in Batavia. Memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association

225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17 Chicago, IL 60601-7633 or www.alz.org. For information, contact Moss Family Funeral Home 630-879-7900 or visit www.mossfuneral.com. Please sign the guest book at www. legacy.com/kcchronicle.

OBITUARIES | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

CELINE AGNES BOSCACCY

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

Jury requested to hear suit • CRASH Continued from page 8 The lawsuit accuses Wolf of several wrongdoings, including failing to abandon pursuit when he knew or should have known it would result in serious injury, and not following established policies, regulations and/or procedures to ensure public safety. “As a direct and proximate result of one or more of the foregoing acts of willful and wanton conduct by Wolf, a collision occurred between the vehicle driven by Liston and Bingham, causing serious injuries to Bingham resulting in his death,” the law-

suit states. Kane County and the sheriff also are accused of not properly training, supervising or controlling Wolf. Lt. Pat Gengler, spokesperson for the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, said in an email that Sheriff Pat Perez has no comment on the pending litigation. An attorney representing the plaintiff didn’t return a call seeking comment Wednesday. Court records indicate a jury has been requested to hear the lawsuit, which seeks a judgment in excess of $50,000. A case management conference is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 13 before Judge Keith F. Brown.

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For a number of individuals, it’s not a festive season By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com

• Thursday, December 5, 2013

When Claudia Tremaine’s husband Joe died in 2009 of complications of diabetes, she said the loss was unimaginable. They had been married for 25 years. “There is a void in there, and you don’t know how to fill it,” said Tremaine, of Maple Park. “My problem is, I kind of do not want to do anything. I went out to the cemetery every day. I just could not put up a tree. I didn’t care. It was difficult, so hard to get a grip on things.” But with help from Conley Outreach Community Services, Tremaine, 71, is going to have that tree. “This year, I have to put up a tree,” Tremaine said. “Joe would be very unhappy with me if I didn’t put up a tree. I’m going to get a little artificial tree.” The holidays are not always happy, as seasonal events often trigger feelings of grief and sadness over the loss of a loved one, said Lora Windsor, a licensed clinical social worker who facilitates three grief groups for Conley in Elburn. Tremaine went to Conley’s grief support groups the first and second years following Joe’s death. “It seems to be getting better,” Tremaine said. “The most helpful was just sharing with other people who were there and actually going through the same thing.” ••• Windsor said she stresses six key points in helping people get through their holidays. Among them is planning ahead to allow a person to expect to be sad and to give them permission to be happy, she said. “It’s bittersweet,” Windsor said. “They’re happy, and then it turns to sadness right away. It’s a new feeling within the territory of grief. Knowing how you’re going to feel gives

COVER STORY | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Coping with holiday grief

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Lora Windsor facilitates Friendship Night, a group session for people coping with grief issues at the Elburn Community Center.

If you go n What: Candle Lighting Event n When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday n Where: Conley Farm on Main

gather at 6:30 p.m. to make luminaries, and the candle-lighting service starts at 6:50 p.m. Participants are invited to bring a framed photo of their child to display. A celebratory fireworks

display and skywriting will close the formal program. Refreshments will be served after the service. Call Carol Alfrey at 630-365-2880 or visit www. conleyoutreach.org.

Information about how to cope with holiday grief can be found at:

• Conley Outreach – www. conleyoutreach.org. • LivingWell Cancer Resource

Center – www.livingwellcrc.org. • Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice – www.fvvh.org.

you a sense of control during the holidays and helps people see that it’s normal.” Windsor said people are encouraged to do what they want to do and to talk about what is important. “Planning ahead for social situations – a Plan A and a Plan B,” Windsor said. “Plan

A for events and a Plan B in case they wake up a half-hour before and just can’t do it. And have an exit strategy, a plan for leaving, if they are uncomfortable or just want to leave.” Grieving people should arrange with someone else to leave if they can’t stay, or drive themselves and then

leave, she said. The late Bruce Conley created The Griever’s Holiday Bill of Rights, listing 10 points to aid in the process – including the right to say timeout, to have “bah humbug” days, to have some fun and not to forget about relationships with other loved ones.

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Laurel Fisher, a grief and bereavement counselor at Living Well Cancer Resource Center in Geneva, said Conley’s points “are right on the money.” “One of the things we forget is that the holidays can sadden people who have had a loss,” Fisher said. “We forget it’s OK to laugh. Our loved ones would want us to have joy and laughter in our lives.” Fisher noted that the culture does not teach anything about dying or grief, so people tend to grow up without a roadmap of what to do or say in the event of a death. “When we experience a loss, sometimes we feel like ‘Am I a little crazy?’ because you’re experiencing feelings you never had before, and you do not know what to say,”

See COPING, page 12

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| COVER STORY

‘Grief is a situation where nobody can ‘fix’ it,’ bereavement counselor says • COPING

If you go

Continued from page 11

n What: Hope for the Holidays

Fisher said. “People will put space between you and themselves because they do not know what to say.” Because of that lack of cultural education on grief, sometimes the grieving person has to take the lead, Fisher said. “Most people can’t even fathom the thought of losing a loved one, and they do not know what to say or do, so they back away,” Fisher said. “The greatest gift we can give each other as human beings is our presence. We don’t always have to have something to say. Letting that person talk or cry or watch a movie

grief program n When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday n Where: Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, 200 Whitfield Drive, Geneva n Cost: Free, but registration is required by calling 630-232-2233 or emailing info@fvvh.org.

together – giving that person our presence is the greatest gift.” Fisher said the natural reaction to a person suffering grief is to want to fix it. “Grief is a situation where nobody can ‘fix’ it,” Fisher said. “We can just be there.”

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8LOCAL BRIEFS GENEVA – The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary has planned boater education classes at Gander Mountain, 2100 S. Randall Road, Geneva. Flotilla 41-7 9WR of St. Charles will have the classes Feb. 2, March 1 and March 30. The class lasts eight hours and consists of classroom instruction, reviews, stories, videos and a final exam covering federal, state and local boating laws; required safety equipment; safe boating; basic navigation; boating problems; and moving and storage of boats. Upon completion of the class, students are awarded a certifi-

cate and wallet card. The certificate of completion is accepted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources under the Illinois Boat Registration and Safety Act of 1978, which requires those 18 and younger to carry it to operate a personal watercraft or a motorboat on any public body of water in Illinois. For information or to register for a class, visit http://store. flotilla41-07.org.

Country Music Show Toy Drive set for Sunday DeKALB – The 44th annual Country Music Show Toy Drive will be from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The annual bluegrass, gospel and country concert will be at a new location this year, at Feed’em Soup, 122 S. First St., DeKalb. Organizer Gary Mullis

has been orchestrating the event for 44 years. Admission to the show is one new, unwrapped toy for the DeKalb County Toys for Tots toy

drive. Bands and musicians are welcome to join the lineup at the show. For information, call Mullis at 815-762-5589.

–Kane County Chronicle

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Boater education classes planned in Geneva

• Thursday, December 5, 2013

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| OPINIONS

OPINIONS Family traditions make holidays a special time With the holidays coming up, it’s time for families to pull out their traditions. My family has its fair share, and we definitely put our own unique spin on some of them. Ever since I could remember, all five of us have piled in the car – either at Thanksgiving or Christmas – and driven all the way to Pennsylvania, where pretty much all of my extended family lives. We’ve done it so many times that we have it down to a science. Leave by 9:30 Central Standard Time, stop once in Ohio (making sure it’s not the first two – or last – rest stops), and make it to Pittsburgh in time for dinner. We usually stay for a day or two before heading east to Allentown, where my dad’s family lives. Within a span of about a week, we usually see everyone but a handful of relatives. On Christmas Eve, my dad video records his own version of “The Night Before Christmas” on

LIFE AT EAST Brigid Ackerman our 20-year-old video recorder, although his version varies from the traditional story. Sometime between 11 and midnight, he goes into everyone’s rooms to get a shot of us “sleeping.” While he claims that we are all faking it, I can honestly say that I have been asleep every single year. That night – before we go to bed – we watch the previous year’s tape along with some from classic years. Some highlights are the year I got my American Girl doll, Molly, and the priceless moment when I was so excited for my Barbie VW car that I ran out of the room. The next morning, we have to wait patiently until everyone is awake to open presents. Before we can run downstairs, we must

drink a full glass of orange juice (yes, this too is videotaped). Although my parents claim that it’s for the vitamins and minerals in the juice, I think it was originally a ploy to calm my anxious 7-year-old self. Although my family’s traditions may seem weird to other people, they are all I’ve ever known and I wouldn’t change them for the world. It’s these days that bring my family closer together and provide memories that last for every other day of the year. This holiday season, while my family is enjoying its holiday traditions, I hope you can enjoy your own with the ones you love. Happy holidays!

• Brigid Ackerman is a senior at St. Charles East High School. She enjoys playing the trumpet, eating bread and writing this column, which runs every other Thursday. Contact her at editorial@kcchronicle.com.

WRITING TO US The Kane County Chronicle welcomes original letters on public issues. Letters must include the author’s full name, home address and day and evening telephone numbers. We limit letters to 400 words. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity at the sole discretion of the editor. Letters can be emailed to letters@kcchronicle.com, faxed to 630-444-1641 and mailed to Letters, Kane County Chronicle, 333 N. Randall Road, Suite 2, St. Charles IL 60174.

OUR VIEW

Pension reform bill does not go far enough If the pension reform bill passed Tuesday by the Illinois General Assembly was a first step in a series of reform measures still to come, we’d hail it as a small victory for taxpayers and the state. Unfortunately, we fear that in the minds of Gov. Pat Quinn, Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, this week’s reform effort is the only step, which it cannot be if Illinois is to right its fiscal ship. With a $100 billion shortfall, Illinois has the worst-funded public pension systems in the country. For years, lawmakers failed to address the issue as the unfunded liability grew and ratings agencies repeatedly

downgraded the state’s credit, which now is the lowest of all 50 states. Senate Bill 1, which passed by the slimmest of margins in both the House and the Senate, does begin to address some of the problems. It changes the cost-ofliving adjustments that retirees receive every year. Currently, retirees receive a compounded, 3-percent increase each year on almost their full pension. Under the bill passed this week, retirees will receive COLAs on only a part of their benefit, and the COLAs will be skipped some years for new retirees. This is the bill’s biggest accomplishment. The bill slightly raises the retirement age for employees

who are age 45 and younger on a sliding scale. While this is a positive step, it doesn’t go far enough. Many public employees are able to retire in their 50s with full pension benefits. As Americans live longer, those benefits get more and more expensive. The bill also places a cap on the amount of salary on which a pension can be based. In 2013, the cap is about $110,000. A cap was necessary and this is a positive step, but it should be lower. In an effort to fight off a constitutional challenge, which certainly is coming, public employees will contribute 1 percent less to their retirement benefits than they do now. We think public employees should contribute

Editorial board Jim Ringness

Kathy Gresey Jay Schwab

Al Lagattolla Kate Schott

more to their own retirements, not less. Like many of the lawmakers who voted against this bill, we also question the savings that proponents say it will bring. Madigan, Quinn and Cullerton say it will save $160 billion over the next 30 years. But the nonpartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability was not given a chance to analyze the bill. And the $160 billion figure is based on an 8 percent annual return on the pension funds’ investments, which is unrealistic. Although Quinn won’t admit it, Tuesday’s vote all but guarantees the temporary income tax increase imposed on Illinois workers in 2011 will become permanent. Or,

worse, a push for a progressive tax will gain momentum. Either is a big loss for taxpayers. While lawmakers around the state will boast about the significance of Tuesday’s reform and think their job is done, the reality is that lawmakers did little to help right the state’s financial ship. If they were truly determined to solve the problem, they would have held this vote before Dec. 3 – the day after the current crop of lawmakers found out who they would be facing in the March primary. They would make it clear more reform is in the pipeline, and make difficult decisions that would ease the pension burden taxpayers continue to shoulder.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment, U.S. Bill of Rights

8LOCAL BRIEF

ST. CHARLES

By BRENDA SCHORY bschory@shawmedia.com

Gaffey said the couple went to his wife’s ex-husband’s house to check on the living conditions of their 6-year-old son. The ex-husband and his current girlfriend and family were away on vacation, and a neighbor who was watching the house reported the Gaffeys as intruders to police, resulting in their arrests. In retrospect, Gaffey said he should have called the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to report their concerns, rather than go to the house and try to document them himself. Gaffey, who was superintendent of the state’s juvenile prison schools, was fired from his $110,244 position in August, a spokesman for the state prison system said.

– Kane County Chronicle

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ST. CHARLES – Kye D. Gaffey, the former superintendent of Illinois Prison Schools, was accepted into Kane County’s pretrial diversion program Wednesday, court records show. Gaffey, 41, of Sterling, was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass and crim- Kye D. Gaffey inal damage to property in August in connection with an incident at his wife’s ex-husband’s house in St. Charles. Gaffey appeared before Kane County Associate Judge

Elizabeth Flood at branch court in St. Charles, where he was accepted into the diversion program. Gaffey said he will have to pay a fee of $570 to be in the program, serve 50 hours of community service and not be charged with any other crime for nine months. After that, the charges will be dismissed. The diversion program allows nonviolent, first-time offenders to accept responsibility for their criminal activity and keep convictions off their record, according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s website. Gaffey’s wife, Jennifer Gaffey, 42, also was charged in the incident, but her court appearance was rescheduled to next month, Gaffey said.

BATAVIA – A New Year’s Bird Walk is set for 8 a.m. Jan. 1 at Dick Young Forest Preserve, 39W115 Main St., Batavia.

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Ex-state prison superintendent accepted into diversion program

New Year’s Bird Walk set for Jan. 1

15 Meet in the parking lot by the silo on Nelson Lake Road. Contact leader Rhonda Nelson at 630-479-1384 with questions.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

DEC 7-21 Presented by the FVR Youth

DEC 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE! The Second City

JAN 4 FORTUNATE SONS Tribute to Creedance Clearwater Revival

JAN 10-11 AMERICAN ENGLISH The Complete Beatles Tribute -Woody Allen

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Page 17 • PlanitKane.com

Irish band playing for a cause By NICOLE WESKERNA nweskerna@shawmedia.com GENEVA – The fiddle, bodhran, mandolin, banjo and guitars are some of the musical instruments traditional Irish band Celtic Sounds will be playing this weekend during a fundraiser for 2-year-old leukemia patient Aiden Becker. Aiden, who lives in Sugar Grove Township, was diagnosed March 15 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He has since undergone four rounds of chemotherapy. “No parent should have to go through this. No child should have to go through this,” said Dan Ryan, member of Celtic Sounds. To help pay for Aiden’s medical expenses, Celtic Sounds is playing a fundraiser at Claddagh Irish Pub on Sunday, Dec. 8. Ryan, who plays percussion and is the prime male vocalist for the group, said those who attend can expect an evening of traditional Irish music featuring upbeat, faster-paced tunes, with possibly a dash of country or soft rock in the mix, as well. Their music is influenced by The Dubliners, The Fureys, The Clancy Brothers and The Beatles, according to the band’s website. Ryan, an Irish American who lives in Blackberry Township, said Celtic Sounds has been together since 2001 and is comprised of five members from the western Kane County area. Ryan said he grew up in an Irish and Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y., and another band member, Marie O’Reilly, is from Dublin, Ireland. “I’ve been singing Irish music since I was a kid,” Ryan said. Ryan said the band formed a little more than a decade ago after Ryan and a friend of his who

Photo provided

Celtic Sounds, a traditional Irish band, is playing a fundraiser at Claddagh Irish Pub, 1702 Commons Drive, Geneva, for the family of Aiden Becker, 2, of Sugar Grove, who was diagnosed in March with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The fundraiser is from 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. The band members include Dan Becker (from left), Dan Ryan, Marie O’Reilly, Derek Gray and Dave Erickson.

If you go What: A fundraiser to help offset medical expenses for 2-year-old Aiden Becker, who was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. Where: Claddagh Irish Pub, 1702 Commons Drive, Geneva. When: From 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. To help: To purchase raffle tickets, email aidensfund@gmail.com or call 630-897-4185. To donate toward Aiden’s medical expenses online, visit www.gofundme.com/4hscmg.

was a piper were asked to play a gig for a ladies’ club, everything fell into place after that. Ryan said his friend is no longer with

the band after moving out of the area, but five members make up the current band. Celtic Sounds plays at the Claddagh Irish Pub from 4 to 7 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month, and those sessions are open to any musician who wants to join them. An open mic session also will be part of Sunday’s show. “We have people come in and play bluegrass. One time we had someone play the blues. It’s a fun

thing to get together and play some music and enjoy it,” Ryan said. “We’ve had as many as 12 musicians join us. Sometimes it’s only three or four people. Sometimes it’s 10 or 12. Somebody grabs a tune and starts playing it, then we follow along.” He said the staff at Claddagh Irish Pub also has been very supportive of the upcoming fundraiser for Aiden. Aiden’s medical bills have totaled $700,000, with most covered by insurance and the charity care he qualifies for while still on his father’s insurance, said Kathy Becker, Aiden’s legal guardian, in a previous interview with the Kane County Chronicle. The Beckers borrowed about $30,000 against their house and both cars to pay

the current medical costs not covered by insurance. “The child doesn’t understand what’s going on. They have insurance, but of course insurance is only going to cover so much,” Ryan said. As part of Sunday’s fundraiser, Celtic Sounds is raffling off an hour-and-a-half acoustic set by their band to play at any gig, such as an anniversary, birthday or just a party. Ryan said a variety of gift baskets will be up for auction, as well as tickets to a Blackhawks game in January. Funds raised will go to the Aiden Becker Trust Fund, Chase Bank, 489 N. Route 47, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. For more information about the band, visit www.celticsounds.com.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com â€˘ Thursday, December 5, 2013

EVENTS

WHEN: In St. Charles there will be performances at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15; in DeKalb there will be performances at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7, and a 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 WHERE: St. Charles North High School, 255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles; and the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd St., DeKalb COST/INFO: Tickets cost $17 and $22. Tickets for the DeKalb production are available online at www.egyptiantheatre.org or by calling 815-758-1225. Tickets for the St. Charles production are available at www.bethfowlerschoolofdance.com or by calling 630-945-3344. A child’s ticket also includes a special backstage pass to meet characters from the show.

FERMILAB’S ‘PHYSICS OF SUPERHEROES’

morgueFile photo

COOKIE WALK WHEN: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 WHERE: 110 S. Second St. in Geneva COST/INFO: The Unitarian Universalist Society

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 WHERE: Fermilab is located at Pine Street and Kirk Road in Batavia COST/INFO: The Fermilab Arts and Lecture Series presentation of “The Physics of Superheroes” was rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 6. The Oct. 11 tickets are still good for the Dec. 6 date. Those who have the October tickets can exchange them for any other lecture this season; or obtain a refund before Dec. 6 by sending an email to audweb@fnal. gov or calling 630-840-2787.

ALBRIGHT THEATRE PRESENTS ‘JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME’

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, running Dec. 6 through 15 WHERE: Albright Theatre, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia COST/INFO: Christmas is coming but Santa Claus is missing. It’s up to Detective Red Mistletoe to get some answers, rescue Santa and save Christmas. The show is rated G. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $9 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, call 630-406-8838 or visit www.albrighttheatre.com.

A 19TH CENTURY CHRISTMAS EVENT

of Geneva will host its 31st annual Cookie Walk at 110 S. Second St. in Geneva. This Geneva holiday tradition raises money to support the work of the church and the social justice programs it sponsors, including a youth trip to a Habitat for Humanity homebuilding site and donations to local nonprofit organizations, such as Lazarus House and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. For $14, customers can purchase a box to fill with one to two dozen holiday cookies. Reservations for the Cookie Walk are not required, but lines do form early and some varieties sell out fast. For information, visit www.uusg.org.

WHEN: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday,

Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8 WHERE: The Durant House Museum at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles COST/INFO: A 19th century Christmas event – the Candlelight event – will take place at the Durant House Museum. The house will be decorated in all 19th century inery, including evergreens and candles. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children. For information, visit www.ppfv.org or call 630-377-6424. rgbstock.com photo

• Thursday, December 5, 2013

BETH FOWLER DANCE COMPANY TO PRESENT ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

| Planit Kane | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

DO O T S G 5 THIN UND O R A & IN NTY U O C E KAN

Provided photo

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| Planit Kane |

Second City to bring holiday laughs to Aurora Holiday Revue.” The show will be presented from Friday, Dec. 6, to Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets are $35, available by going to www.paramountaurora.com or by calling the Paramount

By ERIC SCHELKOPF eschelkopf@shawmedia.com AURORA – Those looking for some laughs this holiday season should head to the Copley Theatre in Aurora for The Second City’s “Nut-Cracking

Theatre Box Office at 630-8966666. Kane County Chronicle reporter Eric Schelkopf had the chance to talk to Second City cast member Dana Quercioli about the show.

Eric Schelkopf: How have rehearsals been going for the show? Dana Quercioli: They’re going very well. They are fun. It’s always nice to be at rehearsal for a show that’s so fun.

ES: So, what should people expect from the show?

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DQ: They can expect to have a lot of laughs. They can expect to see some holiday-themed material, obviously, and some great improvisation. ES: What do you think makes this cast work well together? DQ: Every cast has their own chemistry. This cast is a diverse cast, and there’s a lot of really fun, really different energies that each person brings into the ensemble.

ES: You count Lucille Ball, Gilda Radner and Tina Fey among your influences. How did those people

inspire you? DQ: With Lucille Ball, she was so silly, but off camera, she was a shark. She was really smart. And Gilda Radner just proved that you can play with the boys, and it doesn’t defeminize you.

ES: Second City seems to be a great breeding ground. So many people who have been part of Second City go on to bigger things. See SECOND CITY, page 21 The Second City will present the “Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue” from Friday, Dec. 6, to Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Copley Theatre in Aurora.

Provided photo

• SECOND CITY I know that you got to work with Vanessa Bayer and Cecily Strong, who came from Second City and are now on “Saturday Night Live.” Did you think they had it in them to go on to “Saturday Night Live?” DQ: I coached Vanessa and Cecily. I was their director and teacher at different times. Whether or not you get cast on a show, that doesn’t always show if you have it or not. The fact that they got on “Saturday Night Live” is a brilliant stroke of fate and great timing and much deserved. It is a good thing to see so many talented people getting such great jobs, because it means the people who are out there looking have a good eye.

asking me to pick my favorite child. Right now, I’ve been doing a lot more writing. That isn’t to say that I still don’t love performing. There’s nothing like being on stage and getting reaction from the audience.

OK, I would do whatever. I think they have just a quality about them. They

don’t really apologize for who they are. They go out and they work

hard, and they are putting out really, really funny stuff consistently.

HE’LL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE…GUARANTEED

ES: Do you have any dream projects or dream collaborations? DQ: My biggest dream collaborators right now would probably be Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. I feel like it would be fun to work with those gals.

ES: In a movie? DQ: Anything. If somebody said to me that I could work with them, I would be like,

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• Thursday, December 5, 2013

DECEMBER 7-9

21 | Planit Kane | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Continued from page 20

ES: You write, perform, teach and direct. What do you like doing the best? DQ: That’s hard. That’s like

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| Planit Kane |

MYSTERY DINER Restaurant reviews

Altiro Latin Fusion packs flavorful punch GENEVA – If there is one restaurant that deserves to be at the top of a Fox Valley foodie’s bucket list, I can confidently say that Altiro Latin Fusion in Geneva is it. Often compared to the popular Geneva eatery Bien Trucha, and voted “Best New Restaurant” in the Kane County Chronicle’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2013, the tapas-style enclave opened its doors in the spring and has since been presenting customers with inventive dishes fit with mostly locally-purchased, fresh, organic ingredients. Altiro’s owners, Miguel Villanueva, Roberto Avila and Jose Trejo, pour in long hours and participate in many of the restaurant’s moving parts, including hosting, waiting tables, bartending and cooking. Having visited Altiro twice now – once for dinner and once for lunch – the friendly service, contemporary-rustic decor and powerful punches of flavor exploding from nearly every item listed on the menu, has catapulted the Latin-infused eatery to elite status, without making it available exclusively to the financially unencumbered. One doesn’t need to cough up twoweek’s salary to enjoy a great dining experience. That’s the beauty. With fair and honest pricing, it is a place that ANYONE can come, share and enjoy. My first visit to Altiro Latin Fusion in Geneva was for a birthday celebration on a Saturday night. One word – packed! Cozied up in a candle-lit corner overlooking an intimate dining room nestled with cushy, patterned pillows atop back-less benches and wooden cubes serving as seating, I noticed every table was fit with diners. And even more were crammed into a waiting area, which gave me a dose of gratification for having made a dinner reservation earlier that day. The inventive array of cocktails are made with care, and the unique bevy of flavors swirling within synchronize together beautifully. Drinks will run about the same price as a tapas order. The Al Peppino ($9.99) cocktail, which is not something I normally would order, turned out to be a table favorite. (If food is being shared, you might as well pass the drinks as well). The Al Peppino jalapeño-infused vodka with the organic agave nectar, cucumber cilantro and fresh lime had a nice finish and perfect balance. All of Altiro’s drinks are prepared with freshly muddled organic produce, organic agave nectar and

Shaw Media photos

Altiro Latin Fusion in Geneva was voted “Best New Restaurant” in the Kane County Chronicle’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2013.

If you go What: Altiro Latin Fusion Where: 308 Anderson Blvd. in Geneva Hours: Open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: 630-232-7717 freshly-squeezed juices. Dinner favorites, food-wise, included the Al Raviole ($9.99), which came with four large creamy-serrano, pesto-lathered, red-pepper ravioli casero topped with Basque jumbo shrimp; and the Al Camaronchizo ($10.99), which is four tacos filled with Basque shrimp and chorizo with avocado slaw and chipotle aioli. My second visit was for lunch on Nov. 27. My dining companion and I waltzed into a vacant dining room a little after 1 p.m. People began trickling in as minutes passed, but the lunching vibe was much more laid back than at dinner. Lunch may be an optimal time to visit as it is seemingly less crowded, and no reservation is needed. Although, the lunch menu offers less options, and

is slightly different. The menu can be slightly cumbersome to maneuver, because rather than explaining what a dish is, it lists the ingredients, which tend to pop up in multiple menu items. It may behoove first-timers to ask fellow diners or the Altiro staff for recommendations. Ask for drinks, my dining companion opted for one of the Al Limon flavor-infused fresh waters ($3.50), which came with its own carafe and slices of lime. Now on to the food. What is quickly becoming an Altiro specialty based on the dish’s popularity is the Al Mejillon ($9.99) – a bowl of Prince Edward Island mussels with chistorra, roasted tomato chile de arbol tequila sauce served with grilled rustic points. Dip any remaining bits of bread in the smokey, tomato-based tequila reduction sauce, which I would even consider drinking on its own. (Bloody Mary mix substitute?) The Al Fundido ($9.99) dish came with four tacos with a single sautéed garlic shrimp bathing in melted chihuahua cheese, served with escabeche red onions with a cilantro-lime oil drizzle. The fresh flavors of the cilantro teamed nicely with the cheese’s saltiness and hint of zest from the lime citrus. I found it odd, however, that each taco only came with a single piece of shrimp. The Spanish-influenced Al Calambre

The Al Fundido taco dish comes with a single sautéed garlic shrimp bathing in melted chihuahua cheese, escabeche red onions and a cilantro-lime oil drizzle. ($9.99) came with a jumbled layering of grilled skirt steak, roasted peppers, pina-red onions, chihuahua cheese and tomatillo-avocado salsa atop four pieces of grilled, open-faced, buttered Italian bread. This lunch-time-only item has a seafood counterpart that comes with sautéed chipotle shrimp, melted chihuahua cheese, lettuce, avocado, grilled pina and Mayo. The Mexican Key Lime Pie’s festive arrangement on a slender piece of slate is equal parts visually appealing and sweet. Four spoonful-sized dollops of pie were topped with a sliver of strawberry that evened out the sweetness with a morsel of tartness. In one bite, the sugary dessert immediately refreshed the palate with a cold burst of flavor. Altiro’s menu left my dining companion, as well as my family, reeling from the innovative burst of flavors intricately spliced together in each dish. Try anything, or everything, and you will be happy with the outcome, regardless. I have a birthday coming up soon myself, and I think I know the perfect place.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at Shaw Media. The diner’s identity is not revealed before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits different restaurants and then reports on the experience. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

Former St. Charles East standout Sam Szarmach will return to the court with the Elmhurst College volleyball team. PAGE 26

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

LEADERS OF THE PACK Co-players of the year Moffatt, Scaccia turn in all-state seasons to propel Batavia to state title By JAY SCHWAB

A look back

jschwab@shawmedia.com

More inside A look at the Kane County Chronicle All-Area Football Team. Pages 24-25 Kane County Chronicle Coach of the Year. Page 26

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Batavia’s Anthony Scaccia (left) and Michael Moffatt are this year’s Kane County Chronicle Football co-players of the year. jukes, and comes popping out of a pile of guys for five more yards,” Piron said. “How does he do that? It’s like a magic trick.” Bulldogs offensive coordinator Mike Gaspari said he’ll never forget a regular-season practice during which Jarrett Payton – son of former Bears great Walter Payton – visited the Bulldogs, and teasingly asked the team what happened to Batavia in its one loss. Amid a quiet pack of Bulldogs, Scaccia piped up, telling Payton, “I fumbled.” “I think that says so much about him as as person, that that was his perception [of why Batavia lost],” Gaspari

said. “So many of us, regardless of our age, don’t want to take that kind of responsibility.” Scaccia rushed for 1,913 yards on 279 carries and added 313 receiving yards. He scored 35 touchdowns – 28 rushing, seven receiving – and rushed for three touchdowns apiece in Batavia’s state semifinal win at Boylan and state championship triumph in the Richards rematch. Listed at 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, Scaccia tapped into his former-wrestler toughness, proving equally willing to chew up bruising yardage to move the chains as he was darting to the outside. His fo-

cus and intensity in practice set the standard for the team. “He didn’t want to let anybody down, he really didn’t,” Piron said. “He played that way all the time.” Like Scaccia, Moffatt said early this week he’s beaten up from the 14-game slate, and would have difficulty envisioning playing another week. Moffatt’s ability to withstand the road to Huskie Stadium was all the more remarkable considering he’s a two-way standout and is affected by Crohn’s disease, which limited Moffatt as a junior. “I’m so proud of Moffatt,” Scaccia said. “We’re best

friends, and to see him come back from his disease this year and just have a monster year was pretty insane. And to play both sides of the ball, I think I played maybe three downs of defense this year, and I was just gassed. I don’t know how Moffatt can do that for a whole year.” There was a glut of “How can Moffatt do that?” moments throughout the fall, regardless of which team had the ball. Defensively, Moffatt played a superb cornerback, frustrating opponents’ top receivers on a weekly basis. He had five interceptions, a fumble recovered and caused and reliably stopped receivers in their tracks on the rare occasions they caught one in front of him. “He never missed a tackle,” Piron said. “He’d drop you, right now. Just a really unique player.” Piron recalled anecdotes of Moffatt becoming despondent as a youth baseball player if he made one out after a multihome run game, calling him a ferocious competitor.

See FOOTBALL, page 26

• Thursday, December 5, 2013

Watch for a commemorative special section on the Batavia football team’s first football state championship in program history in the Chronicle later this month.

nthony Scaccia carried the weight of Batavia’s state championship expectations on his 150-pound frame. Michael Moffatt overcame a disease that dogged him throughout his junior year to deliver a scintillating senior season on both sides of the ball. Even on an IHSA Class 6A state champion team loaded with high-caliber players, the consistent brilliance of the Bulldogs’ two All-State selections was unmatched, earning them Kane County Chronicle Football Co-Player of the Year honors. The yards, touchdowns and gutsy runs piled high for Scaccia, but perhaps an underappreciated slice of his season is what he didn’t do – fumble the football. Scaccia said he was “devastated” by a Week 2 fumble against Richards that was returned for a touchdown and contributed to the 13-1 Bulldogs’ lone defeat. It was his second fumble in two weeks. There would be no more. Scaccia hung on for dear life throughout Batavia’s 12-game winning streak to close the season, fending off several of the elite defenses in all of Class 6A. That included a 41-carry performance in freezing weather at previously unbeaten Rockford Boylan in the state semifinal. Twelve straight games without a fumble for a featured back? “Doesn’t happen,” Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron said. “Not when you get tackled and hit that many times, and not the way he slinks and

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

SPORTS

ON CAMPUS

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE ALL-AREA FOOTBALL TEAM

| SPORTS

FIRST TEAM

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

OFFENSE Micah Coffey, Batavia, Sr., QB Coffey threw for 2,466 yards, going 166 for 259 through the air while orchestrating a balanced, complex offense. Saved one of his best performances for Batavia’s Class 6A state championship win over Richards, completing 15 of 18 passes and throwing the final two of his 29 TD passes. Contributed 224 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. James Butler, St. Francis, Sr., RB Explosive and powerful Nevada recruit averaged 8.6 yards a carry, rushing for 1,185 yards and 19 touchdowns before season was cut short by a concussion during the regular-season finale. The Bartlett transfer also chipped in defensively late in the season, including seven tackles in game against Marmion. Anthony Scaccia, Batavia, Sr., RB Co-Chronicle Player of the Year was consistently tremendous, slashing for 1,913 rushing yards on 279 carries and going without a fumble in each of Batavia’s past 12 games. Also had 313 receiving yards, and hit paydirt 35 times (28 rushing TDs, seven receiving). A Class 6A All-State selection.

DEFENSE

Garrett Johnson, St. Charles North, Sr., TE Ball State-bound tight end led ground game-oriented North Stars in receptions (23), receiving yards (305) and touchdown catches (five), and possessed the size and strength (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) to be a huge blocking asset. Jack Breshears, Batavia, Jr., OL Tackle brought “immense size and power” to the table according to Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron, who expects plenty of recruiting interest in the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder’s future. Chase Gianacakos, St. Charles North, Sr., OL A first-team Class 7A All-State selection, the 289-pound Michigan State recruit was credited with 37 pancake blocks and helped pave the way for running back Evan Kurtz to rush for 1,185 yards in just eight games. Joe Komel, Kaneland, Sr., OL Imposing tackle anchored one of the most intimidating lines in the area, helping Knights score 35 or more points in eight of their 11 games. Is attracting recruiting interest from numerous Division I programs.

Brannon Barry, St. Charles East, Sr., WR/S Illinois State recruit caught 47 passes for 711 receiving yards and counted five receiving touchdowns among his seven total TDs. Also led East in tackles (43) from the safety spot and reeled in a pair of interceptions. Honorable mention Class 8A all-state designation. Pace Temple, Geneva, Jr., WR/S Temple blossomed into one of the area’s premier big-play threats, hauling in 37 catches for 799 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Also had three interceptions as a defensive back.

Zach Siwiec, Marmion, Sr., OL/DL Burly guard was a threeyear starter. All-Suburban Christian Conference pick was voted 8-3 Cadets’ most valuable lineman and “comost dedicated” along with quarterback Brock Krueger. Alex Snyder, Kaneland, Sr., OL A four-year varsity starter and three-year all-conference selection for the Knights, Snyder ended up playing every spot on the offensive line during his career, helping stabilize the line after this fall after a key injury to Zach Thielk.

SPECIAL TEAMS Trevor Hills, Aurora Christian, Jr., K/LB Hills made all 36 of his extra point attempts for the Eagles and had formidable range on his field goals, including making a 45-yard attempt, longest in school history. Also a strong contributor at linebacker.

Tucker Knox, Batavia, Sr., P/WR Batavia rarely had to punt, but when the Bulldogs did, Knox could change field position for the better, highlighted by a 60-yard part in Batavia’s 6A quarterfinal win against Lake Forest. Also played receiver and had 11 pass receptions on the season.

Justin Diddell, Kaneland, Sr., DL/OL A force on both sides of the ball for Kaneland, the 6-4, 280-pounder was especially menacing on the defensive line. Is attracting Division I recruiting attention. Noah Frazier, Batavia, Jr., DL/TE Burly defensive end set Batavia’s single-season sacks record with 13 and contributed 64 tackles, 18 for a loss. Also thrived as tight end on offense. Josh Leonhard, Batavia, Jr., DL Bulldogs’ other defensive end was similarly disastrous for opposing offenses, notching 12 sacks and 56 tackles, 18 for a loss. Made his presence felt in 6A state final before being sidelined with injury just before halftime. Jonah Walker, Aurora Christian, Sr., DL/OL Most intimidating defensive presence for Class 3A state semifinalist Eagles. “Was simply dominating on both sides of the ball,” Eagles coach Don Beebe wrote in an email. “Teams ran away from Jonah all year, which is a compliment to this young man.” Reece Conroyd, St. Charles North, Sr., LB/FB St. Charles North’s all-time tackles leader had 98 tackles in nine games and was credited with 19 tackles for a loss. Also started at fullback for North and had a rushing touchdown. Gary Koehring, Kaneland, Sr., LB Led Kaneland with 113 tackles en route to being named the defensive MVP of the Northern Illinois Big 12 East. Overall leader of Knights defense that held

five opponents to seven points or fewer. Anthony Thielk, Batavia, Sr., LB Mobile middle linebacker led state champion Bulldogs with 107 tackles, 14 of those for a loss. The potential D-I recruit’s versatility also paid off in sacks (8½), interceptions (three, one each in 6A state semifinal and 6A championship games) and fumble recoveries (two). Michael Moffatt, Batavia, Sr., CB/WR Chronicle’s Co-Player of the Year and 6A All-State selection consistently thwarted opponents’ No. 1 receivers with excellent technique and instincts. Had five interceptions and a fumble recovery. Offensively, led Bulldogs in receptions (48) and receiving yards (727), including memorable 96-yard TD catch in 6A state championship game. Legend Smith, Aurora Christian, Sr., CB/RB Smith’s marquee contributions as a senior came at running back (1,592 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns), but the guy Beebe has called the Eagles’ top all-around football player also has contributed to the Eagles’ winning ways in the secondary. Forrest Gilbertson, Batavia, Sr., S Hard-hitting safety and one of team’s captains supplied 86 tackles and two interceptions while minimizing big plays against Batavia defense, especially late in the season. Brandon Walgren, Aurora Christian, Sr., S/WR Walgren “arguably could be our MVP on offense and defense,” according to Beebe. In playoff win against IC Catholic, the safety/receiver returned an interception for a touchdown, recorded three tackles for a loss and threw a touchdown pass on a trick play.

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HONORABLE MENTION Jordan Bergren, St. Charles North, Jr., LB; Nick Bernabei, Batavia, Jr., DB;

Brandon Bishop, Kaneland, Sr., WR; Joe Boenzi, Geneva, Sr., LB; Sam Breen, Marmion, Sr., LB; Austin Bray, Aurora Christian, Jr., QB: Jack Burke, Aurora Christian, Sr., OL/DL; Michael Candre, St. Charles East, Sr., LB; Cole Carlson, Kaneland, Sr., LB; Ty Carlson, Kaneland, Sr., LB; Noah Cotten, Batavia, Sr., OL; Camden Cotter, St. Charles North, Sr., OL; Jon Czerwinski, Aurora Christian, Sr., OL/LB; Billy Douds, Geneva, Sr., DL; Cody Ekstrom, Aurora Central Catholic, Sr., LB/RB; Jon Finn, St. Charles East, Sr., LB; John Gemmel, Wheaton Academy, Sr., RB/LB; Eddie Gonzalez, Aurora Central Catholic, Sr., OL/DL;Kevin Green, Batavia, Sr., RB; Max Heidgen, Batavia, Sr., OL; Luke Juriga, Marmion, Jr., OL/DL; Donovan Kilker, Batavia, Sr., LB; Connor McKeehan, Batavia, Sr., OL; Mitch Krusz, Batavia, Jr., OL; Brock Krueger, Marmion, Sr., QB; TJ Miller, Geneva, Sr., RB; Jimmy Mitchell, St. Charles East, Sr., QB; Mitch Munroe, St. Charles East, Sr., WR/DB; Ian Napiorkowski, Burlington Central, Sr., WR/ DB; John Pruett, Kaneland, Sr., WR; Cole Roach, Burlington Central, Jr., LB/FB; Noah Roberts, Aurora Christian, Sr., DB/ WR; Daniel Santacaterina, Geneva, Jr., QB; Daniel Sedjo, Wheaton Academy, Sr., OL/DL; Ben Smith, St. Charles East, Sr., OL; Luke Spicer, St. Charles East, Sr., DL; Kat Stuteman, St. Charles North, Sr., K; Nate Zito, St. Francis, Jr., TE/LB; Jordan Zwart, Batavia, Sr., WR

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE Drew David, Kaneland, Sr., QB Evan Kurtz, St. Charles North, Sr., RB/LB Julian Rios, Aurora Central Catholic, Sr., RB/DB Kyle Brown, Geneva, Sr., WR Dylan Nauert, Kaneland, Sr., WR/DB Phil Hopper, St. Charles East, Sr., TE Brennan Bosch, St. Charles East, Jr., OL Patrick Gamble, Batavia, Jr., OL Ryan Powers, Geneva, Sr., OL John Vargyas, St. Francis, Jr., OL/LB Tristin Withrow, Aurora Christian, Sr., OL DEFENSE James Millette, Batavia, Sr., DL Ryan Minniti, Batavia, Sr., DL Jaumaureo Phillips, Kaneland, Sr., DL Stephen Kemp, Geneva, So., DL Jake Hlava, Batavia, Jr., LB Mike Montalbano, Marmion, Sr., LB/RB Carson Schmitt, St. Charles North, Jr., LB/FB Tyler Bell, St. Charles North, Jr., CB Rourke Mullins, Batavia, Sr., CB/WR Jake Gallagher, Marmion, Sr., S Casey Matthews, Burlington Central, Sr., S/QB SPECIAL TEAMS Matt Rodriguez, Kaneland, Sr., K Jack Ahern, St. Francis, Jr., P/DB/WR

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

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Moffatt Piron rewards Bulldogs’ faith with state title content to wrap up career KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE FOOTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

By JAY SCHWAB

jschwab@shawmedia.com

As much as Mike Gaspari wanted the Batavia football coaching job to go to Dennis Piron, Gaspari’s longtime protege in no way took a promotion for granted. “You could have justified a national search, and I’m sure there’d have been a candidate they could have brought in a whole lot more polished, and not having as many nervous tics and goofy shenanigans as I have,” Piron said. “I’m grateful the principal at the time, Lisa Hichens, saw it within her to hire me.” Three years, 34 victories and one state championship later, Piron has affirmed the Batavia administration’s decision to put their trust in a guy who fesses up to being “a little nuts. I’m crazy. Hyper.” Fresh off guiding Batavia to the IHSA Class 6A state championship – the first in program history – Piron is also the Kane County Chronicle Football Coach of the Year. Throughout the season, Pi-

ron spoke of how lucky he feels to coach at his alma mater, building off hall-of-famer Gaspari’s successful 26-year run. “I had a plan to keep things going in a good direction, and [I told the administration] I’d work my can off on behalf of this community, and I think that’s what they got,” Piron said. “They Dennis Piron got a worker, a hard worker, a guy who loves what he does and loves the kids he coaches.” Piron’s ebullient personality stands in contrast to the more reserved, cool-and-collected approach of Gaspari, a man that Piron has called a father figure in his life. Piron, however, managed to make the transition from fiery defensive coordinator to successful head coach without abandoning his basic makeup, Gaspari said. “His personality as a head coach hasn’t really changed a whole lot from what it was

when he was an assistant and a coordinator,” Gaspari said. “I think kids understand who you are, and they’ll buy into it as long as they know you care, and he certainly does that.” Gaspari credited Piron for resisting the urge to micromanage. Gaspari (now offensive coordinator) and defensive coordinator Matt Holm anchor a seasoned coaching staff. Piron also has been lauded by parents and players for his strong communication and organization skills since taking over the program. Bulldogs running back Anthony Scaccia said Piron is a terrific motivator. “I think the biggest thing he brings to the team is probably our mentality,” Scaccia said. “He really gets us thinking about the game, gets us in the right mindset, gets us thinking why we’ve been working this hard and how it will pay off on the Friday or Saturday that we play.” Piron (34-3 as head coach) took his first Batavia team to the state semifinals with a 12-1 mark before last year’s team

went 9-1, with a stinging firstround playoff upset loss to Downers Grove North. This year’s group showed no aftereffects, roaring to a 13-1 championship season that included a long string of blowouts in the second half of the regular season and in each of the Bulldogs’ playoff wins except for a 19-14 quarterfinal victory over Lake Forest. Although Batavia graduates seven seniors apiece from its offense and defense that won the state championship over Richards on Saturday, the Bulldogs have several impact returnees to build around, and should be especially formidable along both the offensive and defensive lines next season. Piron’s early message to the 2014 Bulldogs – don’t worry about living up to a state championship defense. “Just work, and let’s see what happens,” Piron said. “Don’t think ahead too much and don’t try to plan the future. Just go to good, hard work together, and then when we’re all done next year, your legacy will be just fine.”

Szarmach, Elmhurst still in volleyball mode In the modern world of college athletics, seasons may officially end, but most athletes continue to devote lots of time to their sport on a year-round basis. Many have team commitments during the off-season, even at the small college level. A case in point is Elmhurst College junior Sam Szarmach of St. Charles, a member of the Bluejays’ women’s volleyball team. Her season officially came to an end in November, but the St. Charles East grad will be back on the court soon. “Our team’s playing in Costa Rica over Christmas break,” Szarmach said. “We’re just doing a lot of service work and tourist-type things, so that will be fun.” While a trip to a tropical destination in the middle of winter may sound more like a vacation than work, rest assured the Elmhurst team takes getting prepared for the next official season seriously. “We’ll be starting our work-

outs in January,” Szarmach said. “Then we have a lot of open gyms and such until our spring season.” The team will participate in various tournaments during the spring. And while the Bluejays won’t be together over the summer, Szarmach will continue to work on improving her game at the ProForce Sports Performance Training center in Batavia. Szarmach said the ProForce staff also works with her on quickness and skills specific to volleyball. The hard work Szarmach has put in has paid dividends. She recently received honorable mention All-American recognition for her performance this year. “Obviously, it was exciting,” she said of the honor. “But it can’t look past what happened this season. It didn’t end in the way we wanted. That kind of took away from the excitement.” The Bluejays lost in an NCAA Division III Regional

ON CAMPUS Dennis D. Jacobs final to second-ranked Hope College (32-2) three games to one after winning the first game, 26-24. Szarmach, a 5-foot11 outside hitter, had back-toback kills to close out the set. Elmhurst finished the season with a 37-5 record and won the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament after going undefeated in league play during the regular season. Szarmach was first on the team in kills with 433, averaging three a game. She ranked second on the squad in digs with 310. Her performance earned her first-team all-conference recognition. The Bluejays lose six seniors to graduation, including setter Katie Rueffer of Batavia, who had 360 assists this season. Szarmach said she’s already thought about the impact the

absence of those seniors will have on the team next season. “Initially, I was just kind of like nervous because I’ve been playing with them since I’ve been at Elmhurst,” she said. “Playing without them will be difficult because we’ve got a lot of shoes to fill.” But Szarmach says she’s confident the coaching staff will find the right players to fill the openings. Thinking about next year also means Szarmach – an international business major – has to think about life after Elmhurst. “I’m on track to graduate early, but I think I’m going to stay another semester so I can do an internship,” she said. “I have a few options right now that I’m thinking about.” • Dennis D. Jacobs writes the weekly On Campus column for the Kane County Chronicle. To suggest local college athletes deserving of recognition, email him at mngeditor@yahoo.com.

• FOOTBALL Continued from page 23 His footwork and athleticism allowed him to further rise to the occasion against a collection of outstanding receivers. “There were a couple times they’d make a cut here or there and beat me by a yard or two but I felt I could always catch up with them, and when the ball was thrown, I was competing,” Moffatt said. Moffatt also benefited from his advanced understanding of receivers’ moves considering he’s a receiver himself. A terrific one, at that. Moffatt led Batavia in receptions (48) and receiving yards (727). In Batavia’s 34-14 state championship win over Richards, he put the finishing touches on his three-year varsity career with six receptions for 127 yards, highlighted by a 96-yard touchdown reception from Micah Coffey that became the longest TD pass in Class 6A state championship game history. Moffatt also ended Richards’ first offensive possession with an interception. Scaccia is scheduled to visit Drake this weekend and is considering several other smaller college programs, while Moffatt’s football days are likely over. That’s a decision Moffatt made before this season started, and while his dynamic senior year surely would open some college possibilities, the sport takes a toll on his health. He said he’s at peace with leaving college football to many of his teammates. “I think the year that I had just made it easier,” Moffatt said. “Knowing I went out the way I did, it was pretty cool knowing this is my last year, and this is how I went out, as a state champion.”

PREP ROUNDUP

what had been a single-digit margin for most of the night.

AURORA – The Aurora Christian boys basketball team moved to 2-0 at its home Burney Wilkie Classic, defeating Joliet Catholic on Wednesday, 77-65. Wes Wolfe (18 points), Steve Buhrt (17) and Johnathan Harrell (14) led a balanced offensive effort for the Eagles. The 18 points were a career high for Wolfe, a 6-foot-3 junior. “I think Wes worked really hard in the offseason,” Aurora Christian coach Pat McNamara said. “He’s taking the ball to the basket with a lot more authority. He’s gotten a lot stronger, and it showed in his game. I think he’s gotten to the free-throw line in these two games probably more than he did in all the games last year combined.” The Eagles used free throws to pull away late from

Wheaton Academy 76, Carver 37: At West Chicago, Josh Ruggles scored 17 points, Gordon Behr had 16 and Chandler Fuzak added 10 to lead the Warriors (4-1) to the nonconference win. Ruggles made a trio of 3-pointers and went 8 for 8 from the foul line.

GIRLS GYMNASTICS Geneva 137.35, U-46 co-op 127.65: At Geneva, Dominique Brognia was first in all-around (35.45) with strong showings in the beam (9.3) and floor exercise (9.1), while Megan Beitzel was first in the vault (8.9) for the Vikings.

GIRLS BOWLING Lisle 2,274, Kaneland 2,161: At Mardi Gras Lanes in DeKalb, Christie Crews rolled a 427 series and Dominique Lee added a 393 to pace the Knights.

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KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Aurora Christian boys hoops knocks off Joliet Catholic

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| SPORTS

MORE BEARS COVERAGE AT HUBARKUSH.COM

Cowboys, Bears going in opposite directions Hub Arkush

The Dallas Cowboys will come calling Monday Night at Soldier Field in front of a national TV audience, traveling a course that could be the exact opposite of where the Bears are heading. After jumping out to a 3-0 and 4-2 start to the season, the Bears have lost four of their last six, including division games to the Lions and Vikings. The Cowboys, on the other hand, come in at 7-5 and winners of five of their last seven, including division wins over the Giants, Eagles and Redskins. While the Bears are running away from the playoffs, the Cowboys just might be running into them. Dallas has struggled to run the ball all season, ranking just 27th in rushing, but they are 15th in the league in

passing. Tony Romo is second in the league in avoiding interceptions, and the Cowboys are eighth protecting the passer and fourth in scoring, just ahead of the sixth-place Bears. On defense, the Cowboys have been awful, dead last in the league in yards allowed, 27th vs. the run, 31st vs. the pass and 22nd in points allowed. Statistically, the Cowboys and Bears have a lot in common. They also have a lot in common on the defensive line, where each has one of the best players in the game – DeMarcus Ware for the Cowboys and Julius Peppers with the Bears. Beyond those two, both clubs have been devastated by injuries. Dallas has had 19 different players get reps on their defensive line this season. One constant for the Cowboys, though, is Romo, who’s taken every snap at quarterback this season and is again playing at a very high level. Romo has completed 64.8 percent of his 440 attempts for 3,140 yards, 24 touchdowns and only seven inter-

ceptions. His passer rating of 97.3 is eighth in the NFL, oddly right behind Josh McCown, who is seventh at 103.6. As luck would have it and as badly as the Bears’ run defense needs a break, the Cowboys are coming off their best rushing game of the season, racking up 144 yards on 30 carries Thanksgiving Day against the Raiders. DeMarco Murray is the bellcow and, in addition to 63 yards on 17 carries against the Raiders, he notched three touchdowns on the ground. The Cowboys really only have two receivers who scare you, but Jason Witten is a future Hall of Famer at tight end, and at 6-2 and 222 pounds, Dez Bryant is one of the only receivers in the league who can match Brandon Marshall’s production. Since the beginning of 2011, Bryant has caught 223 passes for 3,206 yards and 30 touchdowns. Dallas’ offensive line is average at best, but left tackle Tyron Smith is athletic enough to battle Julius Peppers. Former Northern Illinois Huskie Doug Free, at right tackle, could be too

much for Shea McClellin. In addition to their struggle to keep defensive linemen healthy, the Cowboys also have been without their second best defensive player, middle linebacker Sean Lee, who’s been out the past three weeks with a hamstring injury. But he plans on returning versus the Bears. Brandon Carr has been a solid free agency acquisition at one cornerback spot, but Morris Claiborne, who Dallas traded up to draft in the first round last year, is suffering a bit of sophomore slump. Dallas also has really struggled at safety, where J.J. Wilcox and Barry Church are the starters. Dallas’ special teams are among the league’s best in all categories and most of their special teamers were coached until this year by Bears special teams coach and assistant head coach Joe DeCamillis. This game has all the makings of a shootout, much like the Cowboys’ 3130 loss to Detroit five weeks ago, and it’s one the Bears have to have to retain any hope of a trip to the playoffs.

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from middling teams – the Packers (Mason Crosby) and Ravens (Justin Tucker). Denver, the league’s highest-scoring team, has the league’s fifth-highest scoring kicker in Matt Prater. The high-flying Saints have the No. 11 kicker in Garrett Hartley. The same challenge exists in selecting a fantasy defense. The best defenses aren’t always the best defenses in fantasy. For much of the season, Houston had one of the NFL’s top-ranked defenses, but it ranked dead last in terms of fantasy production. The Cowboys have one of the

league’s worst defenses – they are ranked No. 31 against the pass – but they are No. 7 in fantasy points. Are there defenses or kickers on your league’s waiver wire that can help deliver a championship to your team? Let’s start with kickers. Blair Walsh, Garrett Hartley and Caleb Sturgis are likely available, but all three face a brutal schedule in the upcoming weeks. Stay away. Adam Vinatieri has lit it up two of the last three weeks. He may not be available, but even if he is, the Colts are at Cincinnati this week and at Kansas City in three weeks. He does have a nice matchup at home against Houston sandwiched in between. Three likely available kickers have ideal upcoming matchups. Dan Carpenter of Buffalo is at Tampa, at Jacksonville and home against Miami. The Chiefs’ Ryan Succop

is at Washington, at Oakland and home versus Indianapolis. Nick Novak of San Diego is at home versus the Giants, travels to Denver and is at home against the Raiders in week 16. It might be a bit tougher to find an available defense. Arizona is available in 56 percent of ESPN leagues. They have St. Louis at home, travel to Tennessee and then travel to Seattle. The first two games look like nice matchups, but you can’t rely on them in Week 16 in Seattle. The Cowboys are available in 73 percent of ESPN leagues and have some intriguing matchups. They face the Bears on Monday night. In Week 15, they have the Packers at home. It’s a great matchup for them if Aaron Rodgers does not play. In Week 16, they face another struggling team when they travel to Washington.

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Kickers and defenses have become an afterthought in fantasy football. There’s good reason for this: Because of most scoring systems, a solid output from your kicker or defense – say, 11 points – would be a disappointment from your starting running back or front-line receiver. Still, having the right kicker and defense can be the difference between a fantasy championship and an early round playoff exit. There’s a certain editor of a certain media company (rhymes with “claw”) who can tell you all about the importance of a fantasy defense. We squared off in 2006 with our league’s championship on the line. Headed into the night game, he held a 30-point advantage. With nothing

but my defense remaining, the game was all but over. That evening, Rex Grossman delivered several balls to the Green Bay defense … thus delivering a championship to yours truly. For the most part, picking the right defense and/or kicker is a crapshoot. Some owners use the strategy of playing week-to-week matchups, picking their defense and/or kicker from the waiver wire. The problem with this strategy – especially as it relates to your defense – is that you are continually selecting the best of the worst. The conundrum with selecting a kicker is that the highest-scoring offenses don’t always produce the best fantasy kickers. Currently, the top-scoring fantasy kickers are Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots) and Steven Hauschka (Seahawks). OK, that makes sense, but Nos. 3 and 4 are

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Kickers, defenses can help with your title push

The

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| SPORTS

Insider A closer look at prep wrestling

IN THE GROOVE ANTHONY BOSCO MARMION, SR., 106 POUNDS What he did: The St. Charles resident’s run to a title at last weekend’s Barrington tournament included two overtime victories.

Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com

Kaneland wrestler Zack Russell spars with a teammate during a recent practice.

NOTEWORTHY Knights descend on ‘Convo’ at NIU Kaneland is in position to score what would be a landmark victory today in a spacious college venue. The Knights will host Northern Illinois Big 12 East rival Sycamore at 5 p.m. at Northern Illinois’ Convocation Center. Kaneland coach Monty Jahns said the team is in search of its first dual victory against Sycamore since 2006. “It’s been a long time and the kids know that, and they’re going to be fired up for that evening,” Jahns said. “We’re looking forward to it.” The Kaneland and Sycamore varsity and JV will wrestle concurrently on separate mats ahead of NIU’s 7 p.m. dual against Cleveland State. Admission for both events is free.

Huskies coach Ryan Ludwig emailed Jahns before the season and proposed the idea. Jahns quickly accepted. “Most of the kids have probably not been in the Convocation Center, so they’re not quite sure what they’re getting into yet,” Jahns said, “but I’m sure they’ll get used to it. There’s more focus on beating Sycamore than on where it’s at.”

Yo, watch this... Geneva junior 145-pounder Mike Huck jogged and stretched through warm-ups before a recent practice, but he needed to stand still before feeling fully ready to go. Coach Tom Chernich had cued up a montage of motivational movie clips to show the Vikings in the wrestling room. It’s not an everyday occur-

rence, just an effective one. “It’s been working out,” Huck said. “He’s been really pushing us hard this year, a lot harder than it has been the last two years I’ve been here. You’re going to see Geneva and it’s going to be a lot different this year. We’re going to be a lot better this year.” One clip that especially strikes a chord with Huck comes from “Rocky Balboa,” the sixth installment of the “Rocky” franchise. Balboa sagely tells his son that life is not about how hard you can hit, but instead how you’re able to move forward when life hits back. “I’ve seen every single one at least, like, 10 times,” Huck said. “Big fan of ‘Rocky.’ ”

of the few lyrics featured in “Gonna Fly Now,” the otherwise instrumental theme from “Rocky.” It’s also an ongoing objective at St. Charles East, which hasn’t just pigeonholed itself to the mat room during workouts. “We’ve put a ton of work in, especially in the weight room,” Potter said. “In practice, we’ve seen those strength improvements come through. [Assistant coach Chris Potter] and I are really excited to see how that translates to the mat.” Isaiah Vela, who split time between 132 and 138 last season, has shown particular results from extra weight training. Vela figures to remain at 138 because of his mix of strength and speed.

Stronger Saints “Getting strong now” is one

COACH SLY SAYS ... There has been – and will be – plenty of debate about hand-checking and how it will be refereed during basketball games this season. In wrestling, that’s no issue. That’s called going for double inside ties. Sly’s looking forward to a season filled with

promise. May it feature little interruption from the zebras. • You can respond at kcchronicle.com/blogs/ sly.

– Kevin Druley, kdruley@shawmedia.com

STC EAST’S URGENCY What happened: The Saints scored five falls in their Nov. 27 road dual victory at St. Charles North, as Anthony Rubino (113), Ryan Valesh (132), Isaiah Vela (138), Jake Mende (145) and Blake Fialka (182) all had pins.

WHAT WE LEARNED LAST WEEK ... You can’t take the crimson and gold out of the ’Dog. Former Batavia standouts Clint and Logan Arlis, the two winningest wrestlers in program history, returned to work with the Bulldogs during a practice last week. Batavia enjoyed an active stretch after that, as Saturday’s quad at Naperville Central was moved up one hour to allow athletes to attend the football team’s Class 6A state championship game against Richards in DeKalb.

WHAT WE’LL LEARN IN THE WEEK AHEAD ... Whether Marmion can maintain its early-season pace. Fresh off a Barrington Tournament title, the Cadets are set to host perennial power St. Rita on Friday night before Saturday’s challenging quad that includes host Yorkville, another team accustomed to February success.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

– United Feature Syndicate

HOROSCOPE By BERNICE BEDE OSOL

Novelist McBride on bringing John Brown to life

Newspaper Enterprise Association

By MONICA HESSE

TODAY – You may get left with all the work if you aren’t quick to delegate odd jobs. Be fair in your assessments as well as to those you deal with. Learn as you go, and you will gather knowledge, expertise and everything you need to advance. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) – Look after family obligations that require thought and change. Educational pursuits or picking up new skills should be considered. Scouting for profitable prospects will pay off. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) – Present ideas and share your thoughts about future investments. Your sincerity and know-how will capture interest and help you close the year with a bang. Celebrate with the one you love. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) – Demands will put you in an awkward position. Do whatever needs to be done and move along. Lowered vitality can be expected. Complete what you started and get some rest. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) – Say little and do more. Your actions will be your ticket to success. Follow through with your promises, and you will be able to collect what you deserve in return. ARIES (March 21-April 19) – Delays will set in while dealing with colleagues or peers. Counter any negativity you face with a suggestion, a solution and a smile. Don’t shun change; it’s your best option. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) – Put partnerships and romance first. Check out what everyone else is doing and follow suit if it will help you get what you want. Socializing will have its benefits. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) – Business partnerships can be prosperous. Don’t be afraid to make changes. Pick up last-minute items that you’ve been meaning to purchase before the year comes to a close. CANCER (June 21-July 22) – Social activity should include co-workers. The information you gather while conversing with your peers will be advantageous. Shopping for bargains will lead to worthwhile purchases. Romance is highlighted. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) – Encourage others to share your adventure. Planning something that will inspire and excite you will also earn you a reputation that is sure to please. Look, see and do. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) – Get busy and get things done. The more you do without the help of others, the greater the rewards and satisfaction. Love is on the rise, and you will impress someone special. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) – Travel will be in your best interest. This is a wonderful time for you to learn about new cultures and traditions. Getting together with friends or meeting new people will be inspirational. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) – Take any opportunity you get to visit new places. Romance is in the stars, and travel will do wonders for your love life. A makeover or image update will turn out well.

The Washington Post The abolitionist John Brown launched his raid on Harpers Ferry in October 1859, when 20 men seized a Maryland arsenal and held it for 36 hours. Brown was captured, tried, and on the morning of Dec. 2, he wrote a note reading, “I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood.” Then he was escorted from the county jail to a nearby field and hanged. Earlier this year, the author James McBride published “The Good Lord Bird,” a fictionalized account of the years leading up to the raid. Two weeks ago it won the National Book Award. On the 154th anniversary of John Brown’s death, McBride came to Washington to talk about the book and the man, which was really a way to talk about the way we talk about history – the myth-making and muckraking of heroes and villains. “Oh, wow. Look at this. I always thought his eyes were gray.” There’s a portrait of Brown hanging in the National Portrait Gallery, 55 miles from the site of the raid, and McBride is seeing it for the first time. He leans in to examine Brown’s oil-painted eyes, which are a blistering blue and gazing upward as if to heaven. “He looks – “ McBride, 56, searches for the right word. “Consumed.” He’s glad that he didn’t see this painting while writing “The Good Lord Bird.” It might have dimpled his own depiction of John Brown, the Calvinist northerner and failed businessman who dedicated his life to ending slavery. In McBride’s novel, told from the perspective of Onion, a black boy passing

Washington Post photo by Matt McClain

James McBride poses outside of Politics and Prose in Washington as he makes an appearance in promotion of his book “The Good Lord Bird,” a fictionalized account of John Brown and his raid on Harpers Ferry. as a girl, Brown is a windmill-tilting zealot, prone to prayer marathons and grandiose declarations, brave and fearsome and toothless all at once. He’s a caricature more than a character, a man whose heart is in the right place, Onion believes, but whose “peanut had poked out the shell all the way.” “Historians will tell you that they deal with fact and empirical evidence,” says McBride (tall, goateed, earring and porkpie hat). “But that doesn’t really help me understand a person. What kind of person was he really? What kind of coffee would he drink? What would he be like to have a cup of coffee with?” Insufferable, from the looks of it. McBride’s Brown marauds about the United States, losing money, trying to rouse slaves who don’t particularly want his help. Other historic figures receive similarly withering treatment at McBride’s hand. Harriet Tubman is a no-show when it counts, and Frederick Douglass is a pompous lecher. Some of it is true but not real, or real but not true; the difference between the

historic and fictional Browns is like the difference between the grim sepia photographs of John Brown and the evocative painting in the Portrait Gallery. One is accurate. One makes you feel. McBride, who lives in New York and New Jersey, landed on the John Brown narrative while researching another project in Maryland. He came across references to Harpers Ferry, about which he’d previously known little. Onion’s voice was appropriated from a failed short story about the National Zoo. The story was no good, but McBride loved the narrative voice of the grizzled, brash lion, which he transformed into an elderly man recounting his younger adventures with Brown. “I didn’t want it to be serious,” McBride says, of his absurdist take on this patch of American history. “You’re stripping things to the essentials. The world is nude, and you can either make fun of it, or you can act like you’re at a nudist beach, and every once in awhile look up and go, what ... is that?” As we mark the sesquicentennial of the Civil War,

America is still figuring out how to tell its story of slavery. Last year’s “Django Unchained” used the institution as the backdrop for a bloody revenge fantasy; this year’s “12 Years a Slave” is an unflinching look at its brutality. “The Good Lord Bird” might be the first lauded artwork (with the possible exception of “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”) to deal with slavery in a way that is ... funny. “When we’re talking about slavery ... we’re really talking about the web of relationships that exists between whites and blacks from 1619 to 1865 to now,” he says. It’s a complex web, with affection and dependence running parallel to violence and oppression. It’s never an easy story to tell; we may never get it right. Over the course of 154 years, history’s perception of John Brown has shifted with the times. He has been re-shellacked and varnished: Early accounts positioned him as the nation’s first domestic terrorist; later analyses saw him as a noble hero. His actions were the emotional catalyst for the Civil War, which, as he’d predicted on the day of his death, purged slavery from the nation, but at the cost of thousands of lives. Brown’s followers at Harpers Ferry – all but a few of whom were killed during the raid or captured and executed later – “are Americans we should be proud of,” McBride says. “People call him a terrorist, but you can use language to do many things and say many things about people, but John Brown was a hero.” He believes that of the man and of the character he created. Brown is buried not at Harpers Ferry but on his family homestead in upstate New York.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

Walt Disney (1901-1966), cartoonist/filmmaker; Little Richard (1932), singer-songwriter; Margaret Cho (1968), actress/comedian; Keri Hilson (1982), singer-songwriter; Frankie Muniz (1985), actor.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| ADVICE

Twins share birthday, but not gifts Young people are Dear Abby: I’m the proud mother of four beautiful children – a daughter, a son and 8-year-old twin boys. I am having a hard time getting people to understand that my boys, whom I rarely refer to as “twins,” are two SEPARATE people! Every year at Christmas some family members buy gifts for our daughter and our eldest son, and then ONE gift our younger boys are expected to share. Abby, they once received one T-shirt, which was meant for both of them. This also happens on their birthday. Yes, they share a room and they are twins, but they deserve the same respect as their siblings. We have never dressed them alike. They are individuals who should be treated as such like their sister and brother. Christmas is around the corner, and I don’t know how to tell my family members to please buy gifts for both the boys. I realize we have a large family. I don’t expect anyone

DEAR ABBY Jeanne Phillips to go broke. The gift can be a small one. Can you please help me find the right words without sounding greedy? – Mom Of Four In Ottawa Dear Mom: Your relatives don’t appear to be particularly sensitive, or they would already realize that children are individuals whether they happen to be wombmates or not. Their “frugality” puts a damper on what are supposed to be happy occasions. It would not be “greedy” to tell them that if they can’t afford a gift for each child – regardless of how small it might be – it would cause fewer hurt feelings if they sent none at all for any of your children. Dear Abby: My boyfriend’s daughter, “Heather,” came to me the other day and told me a girl at school is having sex with

a 36-year-old. Abby, the girl is only 13. When I told Heather I wanted to tell a counselor, she begged me not to because she’s new in the school and doesn’t want to be labeled a snitch. I am torn about what to do. I don’t want her mad at me, but I can’t just stand back and let this continue to happen. Heather and I are nine years apart, so I don’t really come across as a parental figure. I don’t know if I should tell her dad or not. Please help. – Don’t Know What To Do Dear Don’t Know: The girl in question is being raped. The 36-year-old is a predator. What you should do is find out the girl’s name and then let her parents know what is going on so they can possibly inform the police. If you can’t locate the parents, talk to a counselor at the school, because a counselor is ethically and legally required to report a crime like this. • Write Dear Abby at www. dearabby.com.

‘Functional dyspepsia’ is not a useful diagnosis Dear Doctor K: My doctor says I have “functional dyspepsia.” Medications haven’t helped. Could something more serious be wrong? Dear Reader: Dyspepsia is a medical term for persistent upper abdominal pain or discomfort. When doctors use the word “functional,” they mean that there is no identifiable cause for the problem. By this definition, the majority of people with dyspepsia may have functional dyspepsia. I dislike the term “functional,” for reasons I’ll explain later. For a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia (FD), a person has to have the following symptoms: fullness after meals, an appetite that is quickly quieted by a meal, and burning or pain in the high middle part of the stomach. In addition, there has to be no evidence of anything being wrong (such as an ulcer) in the anatomy of the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach or small intestine. Lastly, the symptoms have to have been present for at least three months. Before you can be given a diagnosis of FD, the doctor should have done tests to look for an underlying condition that could explain the symptoms, such as an ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux

ASK DOCTOR K Anthony L. Komaroff disease (GERD). You may be tested for the bacteria that cause many ulcers: H. pylori. You may also have an upper endoscopy. During this uncomfortable but nonsurgical procedure, a flexible scope is passed through your mouth and down into the esophagus and stomach to look for abnormalities. Unfortunately, no truly effective drug exists to treat FD. Your doctor may prescribe drugs to decrease contractions in the gastrointestinal tract or rid the gut of excess gas. Low doses of tricyclic antidepressants may also improve symptoms. Herbal remedies are worth a try. Enteric-coated peppermint oil and caraway oil can reduce fullness, bloating and gastrointestinal spasms. (Peppermint oil may trigger reflux if you are predisposed to it.) Finally, your symptoms may improve through lifestyle modifications. I’ve put a detailed list of helpful modifications on my website, AskDoctorK.com.

So, why do I dislike the word “functional” – whether it’s attached to dyspepsia or any other condition? Because it implies that the problem isn’t “real.” It says that a person is faking or exaggerating symptoms in order to gain something – attention, sympathy, even money. “Functional” conditions are defined as symptoms without an identifiable cause for the problem. No cause may have yet been “identified,” but that does not mean that a cause will not be identified in the future. We doctors are supposed to figure out the cause of a person’s symptoms. When we can’t, we may regard it as a failure. And since we don’t like to fail, sometimes we react by implying or saying: “There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s all in your head.” For a doctor to use the term “functional dyspepsia” is to play a sad old game: Blame the victim. Instead of playing that game, why not try even harder to find causes of the symptoms?

• Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. Visit www.AskDoctorK. com to send questions and get additional information.

not supposed to die

Dr. Wallace: I am not a teen, but I read your column about teens being capable of being excellent drivers, but that too often they cause serious crashes because of their exuberance and lack of driving experience. Oh, how I wish my best friend had the opportunity to read your column. On April 8, 1999, five exuberant teens, one being my best friend, were killed on a Southern California freeway when the automobile they were in went out of control, left the freeway and plunged down a 75foot embankment. A California Highway Patrol spokesperson said the driver was trying to catch up to two cars in front of them filled with friends. Witnesses told police that all three cars were in and out of traffic at speeds estimated to be up to 100 mph. I was a high school senior on the day of the tragedy. The following day, crisis counselors helped students cope with the tragedy. Our superintendent of schools told a packed gymnasium full of grieving students that, “Young people have a particularly difficult time when they learn of teens dying because of their youthful exuberance because young people are not supposed to die, but, sadly, they do.” I will never forget his words, and when my children are old enough I will discuss this very topic with them. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think of my best friend and dream of what might have been. – Friend, Laguna Beach, Calif. Dear Friend: These tragedies happen much too often and will continue to happen because most teens feel invincible. It’s sad that we need stories like this

’TWEEN 12 & 20 Robert Wallace to impress on teens the need not only to drive safely, but also to avoid riding with reckless and foolish drivers. Dr. Wallace: Many times my mother will give me permission to do something and I’ll make plans to do it, but when my dad learns about it he tells me I can’t. For example, last week I asked my mother if I could go to a matinee movie with my friend this Sunday. She gave me permission and said she’d even drive us there and pick us up afterward. It was going to be a fun day. But on Saturday morning, my dad found out about my plans and said to cancel them because he didn’t want me in a theater without adult supervision. My mother came to my aid, but he overruled her. I then had to call my friend and cancel. I love both of my parents, but I still disagree with my father on this. – Nameless, Birmingham, Ala. Dear Nameless: Both parents must be in total agreement on what their child can and cannot do. One is never to overrule the other. It’s time your mother and father get together and discuss why they are not together on this important issue. I agree that dad is making a serious parenting error when he overrules mom’s decision. Hopefully, when they discuss the rules together, you will be able to plan for an outing that will be approved by both of them. • Email Dr. Robert Wallace at rwallace@ galesburg.net.

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

BRIDGE by Phillip Alder

• Thursday, December 5, 2013

CELEBRITY CIPHER

Gene Mora writes the “Graffiti” cartoon for United Feature Syndicate. He said something like: If at first you do succeed, try not to look too surprised. However, at the bridge table, sometimes you should not try to succeed immediately; you should take your time, learning as much as you can about a deal before committing yourself to playing the key suit. Then, if you succeed, you won’t need to look surprised at all. In this example, West leads a spade against six no-trump. How should South plan the play? After East opened three spades, South felt that he was too strong to settle for three no-trump. And as a jump to four no-trump would have shown a minor two-suiter and not have been quantitative, he started with a takeout double. When North advanced with four diamonds, South was none the wiser. He knew to assume that his partner had six or seven points, but would they be useful? He was sure his partner would treat four no-trump as Blackwood, so he cue-bid four spades. Now North, with such a great suit, jumped to six diamonds, and South converted to six no-trump. (Note this is a better contract than six diamonds, because in the suit slam declarer would have to play on trumps immediately.) South should duck the first trick, take the spade continuation (noting that West discards), and cash the heart and club winners. Here, East turns up with seven spades, three clubs and at least two hearts. He can have at most one diamond. So, declarer knows to cash his diamond king, then to play a diamond to dummy’s 10.

PUZZLES | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Learn first and decide second

Arlo & Janis

Garfield

Big Nate

Frank & Earnest

Crankshaft

Soup to Nutz

Stone Soup

The Born Loser

Dilbert

Rose Is Rose

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com â€˘ Thursday, December 5, 2013

| COMICS

Beetle Bailey

COMICS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Blondie

www.AppleVillaPancakes.com Batavia – Hoffman Estates

The Argyle Sweater

Real Life Adventures

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Some restrictions apply, one coupon per table. Cannot be combine with other offers or promotions.

• Thursday, December 5, 2013

Pearls Before Swine

Thursday December 5, 2013

“Im tyred!!” Photo By: Jennifer

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Thursday, December 5, 2013 • Page 37 answers on page 38 Hard

SUDOKU PUBLIC NOTICE

Cortland Estates $300 1st Month's Rent

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT KANE COUNTY – GENEVA, ILLINOIS

BATAVIA - 2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath new hardwood flooring all appliances included large deck and shed near the river and downtown asking $25,000. Call 630-862-6200

3 BR Apartments Dishwasher On-Site Laundry Facility Playground Washer & Dryer Connection 6 months free cable if you sign a lease by 12/31/13 230 McMillan Court Cortland, IL 60112

815-758-2910 income restriction apply

PUBLIC NOTICE SOUTH ELGIN 2 BEDROOM A/C, W/D in unit, no pets. $850/mo + utilities. 630-841-0590

SOUTH ELGIN ~ LARGE 2BR

S. E. Schools, A/C, W/D, no pets. Garage, $900 + utilities. 630-841-0590 ST CHARLES - Small 1 Bedroom upper on 1st Street. $750 per month plus one month security deposit. Utilities included. Smoke free - No pets. 630-377-8577

St. Charles - Newly Renovated

Kane County is accepting proposals (01-014 On-Call Appraiser) from qualified professional appraisers to assist in completing land acquisition program for highway projects. Proposal will be accepted in the Kane County Purchasing Office, until 4 PM, Monday, December 23, 2013, when they will be publicly opened. Christopher Rossman County Purchasing Director

Studio $550,1BR $700, 2BR $850 NO PETS! 630-841-0590

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

ST. CHARLES 1 BEDROOM

(Published in the Kane County Chronicle, December 5, 2013.)

Wood floors, C/A, $850/mo incl utilities, no pets/smoking. 630-513-0821

ST. CHARLES 1st MO FREE! Lrg 1BR $769, Lrg 2BR from $829/mo. Incl heat, water, cooking gas, Appliances & laundry. 630-584-1685

/s/ Keith Levy One of Plainttiff's Attorney's

** ADOPTION ** Young, happily married couple wishing for newborn. Love, affection, security and opportunities await your baby. Expenses paid. Contact Jillian/David anytime. 800-571-3763. https://jilliandavidadopt.shutterfly.com/#

Keith Levy One of Plaintiff's Attorneys MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff One East Wacker, Suite 1250 Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Chicago, IL 60601 GORDON TRUCKING Plaintiff, Telephone: 312-651-6700 CDL-A Truck Drivers vs. Up to $5,000 Sign-on Bonus & Fax: 614-220-5613 Anton C. Kossakowski; Charles A. Attorney. No.: 6279243 $.56 CPM! Solo & Teams Canning; Unknown Owners and Dedicated/Home Weekly Available! Non-Record Claimants, Call 7 days/wk! EOE (Published in the Kane County Defendants. 888-653-3304 Chronicle, November 21, 28 & DeGordonTrucking.com cember 5, 2013.) Case No. 13 CH 2142 Need Legal Help? 990 South State Street, FREE REFERRAL Elgin, IL 60123 Call 877-270-3855 Courtesy of the PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLICATION NOTICE Illinois State Bar Association at The requisite affidavit(s) having www.IllinoisLawyerFinder.com ASSUMED NAME been duly filed herein, NOTICE IS PUBLICATION NOTICE HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL DEFENDANTS IN THE ABOVE ENTITLED Pictures increase ACTION, that said action has been Public Notice is hereby given attention to your ad! that on December 03, 2013 a cercommenced in said Court by the plaintiff(s), naming you as defen- tificate was filed in the office of the dant (s) therein and praying and County Clerk of Kane County, Illifor other relief; that summons has nois, setting forth the names and been issued out of this Court addresses of all persons owning, against you as provided by law, conducting and transacting the and, that this action is still pending business known as 5-STAR DESIGNATED DRIVERS located at 437 and undetermined in said Court. NOW, THEREFORE, unless you Nelson Dr, Geneva, IL 60134. file your answer or otherwise make your appearance in said action in Dated: December 03, 2013. this Court, by filing the same in the /s/ John A. Cunningham office of the Clerk of the Circuit Kane County Clerk Court on or before December 23, 2013, AN ORDER OF DEFAULT Be sure to include a photo MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU. (Published in the Kane County of your pet, home, auto IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have Chronicle, December 5, 12 & 19, or merchandise. hereunto set my hand and affixed 2013.) Call to advertise the Seal of said Court on November Buying? Selling? 12, 2013. 800-589-8237

Renting? Hiring?

/s/ Thomas M. Hartwell Clerk of the Circuit Court (SEAL)

To place an ad, call 877-264-2527 Kane County Chronicle Classified

Or place your ad online kcchronicle.com/ placeanad

GHNS #2000

PUBLIC AUCTION Kendall County 308 Acres of Unimproved Farm Land

THURSDAY DECEMBER 12TH, 2013 Starting @ 10:30 am The Auction will be held at the Whitetail Ridge Golf course, along IL. Rt 126 @ 7671 Clubhouse Drive, Yorkville IL. 60560 The farm is directly south of 4295 Van Dyke Road Minooka IL. 60447, Van Dyke road is located between IL. Rt. 52 and Caton Farm Road and can be found by taking either road to Grove Rd. Once on Grove road go either north or south to Van Dyke Road, at T-intersection then go east on Van Dyke road. The farm is Roughly 12.5 miles northwest of I-80 near Shorewood IL. Or 10 miles southeast of Yorkville IL. (Watch for sign posted on property) Description: 308 M.O.L of productive unimproved acres situated in Seward Township in the southwest quarter of section 5, 35, 8 and the north half of section 8, 35, 8. Paved Road frontage is roughly 1,130’. The principle soil types are mixed with Swygert, Martinton, Bryce and Sawmill. The land will be sold by the acre times the number of gross surveyed acres. No division of the 308 acres will be offered. Terms: $100,000.00 down day of sale with the balance at closing, which shall be on or before January 11, 2014. Possession will be given upon closing. The Title will be evidence by a commitment for title Insurance, subject to usual conditions and exceptions and shall be furnished by the sellers in the amount of the selling price. The Successful buyer will be required to enter into a contract for Real Estate Purchase and submit the required down payment upon sellers’ acceptance of the final bid. An updated Survey will be furnished by seller to the successful bidder.

St. Charles 3BR, 2BA Tri-Level 1500 sq ft TH in 3 unit building in historic district. All appl, garage, parking, prvt fenced yard with brick patio/perennials. Easy walk to downtown, Fox River parks. $1700/mo incl water, sewer, garb. Available Jan 1st. 630-377-1571

Dekalb: Roomate Wanted Dec-May 2BR, 2BA, lrg. kitchen & living room, near NIU, location: Fotis, $406/month 309-752-3388

Sellers will cooperate with Buyer in a 1031 Exchange but will not extend closing. The property will be sold “As Is “and without any buyer Contingency. “The Sellers reserve the right to accept or reject any or all bids”. THE SALE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING: A. Building lines, Easements and restriction of Record; B. Matters of Survey; C. Right of way for drainage ditches, drain tiles, feeders, laterals and underground pipes. D. Right of the Public, the state of Illinois and the Municipality in and to that part of the premises being used for Roads; E. Matters of Zoning For further information regarding the Property and Auction call the Auctioneer herein listed. For matters related to Title, Contract Agreement, Starker Exchange or Legal Matters contact the Attorney as listed for an appointment.

OLD SECOND NATIONAL BANK TRUST # 8344 Atty. Representing the seller: Law offices of Daniel J. Kramer, Daniel Kramer (630) 553-9500, Yorkville IL.

ST. CHARLES Off/Ware Space 1,568sf - 19,000sf. Docks/Drive-Ins Aggressive Move-In Package

630-355-8094 www.mustangconstruction.com

Have a news tip or story idea? Call us at 630-845-5355 or email editorial@kcchronicle.com

AUCTIONEERS: Chris Wegener, Sandwich Il 815-451-2820 IL. Lic. #440.000267 Joe Wegener, Rochelle Il. 815-766-0756 IL. Lic. # 440.000375 Go2wegenerauctions.com

We place FREE ads for Lost or Found in Classified every day! Call: 877-264-2527 or email: classified@shawsuburban.com Kane County Chronicle Classified

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Send your Classified Advertising 24/7 to: Email: classified@ shawsuburban.com Fax: 815-477-8898 or online at: www.KCChronicle.com

CLASSIFIED

Page 38 â€˘ Thursday, December 5, 2013

Kane County Chronicle / kcchronicle.com

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ANDERSON BMW

RAYMOND CHEVROLET

ZIMMERMAN FORD

360 N. Rte. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

118 Route 173 • Antioch, IL

888/682-4485

(866) 561-8676

2525 E. Main Street St. Charles, IL 60174

www.andersoncars.com

www.raymondchevrolet.com

MOTOR WERKS BMW

REICHERT CHEVROLET

Barrington & Dundee Rds. • Barrington, IL

2145 S. Eastwood Dr. • Woodstock, IL

800/935-5913

815/338-2780

www.motorwerks.com

www.reichertautos.com

630/584-1800 www.zimmermanford.com

407 Skokie Valley Hwy • Lake Bluff, IL

847-604-5000 www.KnauzBMW.com

ST. CHARLES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

815/385-2100 www.garylangauto.com

REICHERT BUICK 2145 S. Eastwood Dr. • Woodstock, IL

815/338-2780 www.reichertautos.com

5404 S. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

815/385-2100

CLASSIC KIA

www.garylangauto.com

425 N. Green Bay Rd. Waukegan/Gurnee, IL

847-CLASSIC (252-7742)

MOTOR WERKS HONDA Barrington & Dundee Rds. Barrington, IL

800-935-5913

O’HARE HONDA River Rd & Oakton, • Des Plaines, IL

888-538-4492

SUNNYSIDE COMPANY CHRYSLER DODGE

847-680-8000 www.libertyautoplaza.com

200 N. Cook St. • Barrington, IL

www.motorwerks.com

ST. CHARLES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

119 Route 173 • Antioch

www.garylangauto.com

www.raymondkia.com

LIBERTYVILLE CHEVROLET 1001 S Milwaukee Ave • Libertyville IL

847/362-1400 www.libertyvillechevrolet.com

MARTIN CHEVROLET 5220 Northwest Highway Crystal Lake, IL

815-459-4000 www.martin-chevy.com

RAY CHEVROLET 39 N. Rte. 12 • Fox Lake, IL

847/587-3300 www.raychevrolet.com

www.raysuzuki.com

LIBERTYVILLE MITSUBISHI 1119 S. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL

PAULY TOYOTA 1035 S. Rt. 31, One Mile South of Rt. 14 Crystal Lake, IL

www.paulytoyota.com

375 Skokie Valley Hwy • Lake Bluff, IL

888-553-9036 www.oharehyundai.com CALL FOR THE LOWEST PRICES IN CHICAGOLAND

ROSEN HYUNDAI

CLASSIC TOYOTA/SCION

847-604-8100 www.knauzlandrover.com

www.knauzhyundai.com

LIBERTY NISSAN

515 N. Green Bay Rd. Waukegan/Gurnee, IL

920 S. Milwaukee Ave. • Libertyville, IL

847-CLASSIC (252-7742)

847-680-8000

www.classicdealergroup.com

www.libertyautoplaza.com

BUSS FORD LINCOLN MERCURY 111 S. Rte 31 • McHenry, IL

815/385-2000

771 S. Randall Rd. • Algonquin, IL

ANDERSON VOLKSWAGEN

MOTOR WERKS PORCHE

360 N. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

Barrington & Dundee Rds., Barrington, IL

888/682-4485

800/935-5913

866/469-0114

www.andersoncars.com

www.motorwerks.com

www.rosenrosenrosen.com

GURNEE VOLKSWAGEN

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

www.piemontechevy.com

888/446-8743 847/587-3300

(224) 603-8611

847-234-2800

River Rd & Oakton, • Des Plaines, IL

AUTO GROUP - GARY LANG CHEVROLET

770 Dundee Ave. (Rt. 25) • Dundee, IL 847/426-2000

AUTO GROUP GARY LANG MITSUBISHI

815/459-7100 or 847/658-9050

(630) 513-5353

www.clcjd.com

AL PIEMONTE CHEVROLET

RAY SUZUKI 23 N. Route 12 • Fox Lake

www.libertyvillemitsubishi.com

O’HARE HYUNDAI

888/800-6100

www.garylangauto.com

www.Knauz-mini.com

847/816-6660

1611 East Main Street • St. Charles, IL

www.stcharlescdj.com

815/385-2100

847-604-5050

815/385-2100

CALL FOR THE LOWEST PRICES IN CHICAGOLAND

775 Rockland Road • Lake Bluff IL 60044 (Routes 41 & 176 in the Knauz Autopark)

5404 S. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

www.garylangauto.com

409A Skokie Valley Hwy • Lake Bluff, IL

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

www.oharehonda.com

KNAUZ HYUNDAI

CRYSTAL LAKE DODGE

815/385-2100

KNAUZ MINI

Land Rover Lake Bluff

815/385-2100

800/935-5923

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

www.sunnysidecompany.com

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

MOTOR WERKS CADILLAC

AUTO GROUP GARY LANG SUBARU

RAYMOND KIA

815/385-7220

www.garylangauto.com

815/385-2000

920 S. Milwaukee Ave. • Libertyville, IL

Route 120 • McHenry, IL

AUTO GROUP - GARY LANG CADILLAC

815/459-7100 or 847/658-9050

BUSS FORD LINCOLN MERCURY

LIBERTY KIA

www.motorwerks.com 206 S. State Street • Hampshire, IL

www.bullvalleyford.com

www.classicdealergroup.com

www.clcjd.com

847/683-2424

800/407-0223

847/202-3900 www.arlingtonkia.com

888/800-6100

FENZEL MOTOR SALES

1035 S. Rt. 31, One Mile South of Rt. 14 Crystal Lake, IL

1400 E. Dundee Rd., Palatine, IL

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

www.stcharlescdj.com

CRYSTAL LAKE CHRYSLER

PAULY SCION

1460 S. Eastwood Dr. • Woodstock, IL

111 S. Rte 31 • McHenry, IL

(630) 513-5353

Route 31, between Crystal Lake & McHenry

BULL VALLEY FORD/MERCURY

815/385-2100

ARLINGTON KIA IN PALATINE

1611 East Main Street • St. Charles, IL

AUTO GROUP - GARY LANG BUICK

1107 S Rt. 31 between Crystal Lake and McHenry

www.garylangauto.com

AUTO GROUP - GARY LANG GMC

KNAUZ BMW

AUTO GROUP GARY LANG KIA

Thursday, December 5, 2013 • Page 39

6301 Grand Avenue • Gurnee, IL

ANDERSON MAZDA

847-855-1500

360 N. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

BULL VALLEY FORD/ MERCURY 1460 S. Eastwood Dr. • Woodstock, IL

800/407-0223 www.bullvalleyford.com

MOTOR WERKS INFINITI

www.andersoncars.com

200 N. Cook Street • Barrington, IL

800-935-5913

800/935-5393 www.motorwerks.com

www.motorwerks.com

111 S. Rte 31 • McHenry, IL

KNAUZ CONTINENTAL AUTOS

815/385-2000 www.bussford.com

800 Dundee Ave. • East Dundee, IL

888/600-8053 www.springhillford.com

847/669-6060 www.TomPeckFord.com

LIBERTY VOLKSWAGEN 920 S. Milwaukee Ave. • Libertyville, IL

847-680-8000 www.libertyautoplaza.com

PRE-OWNED

409 Skokie Valley Hwy • Lake Bluff, IL

ST. CHARLES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

847-234-1700 www.Knauzcontinentalauto.com

1611 East Main Street • St. Charles, IL

www.stcharlescdj.com

MERCEDES-BENZ OF ST. CHARLES

CRYSTAL LAKE JEEP

877/226-5099

(630) 513-5353

TOM PECK FORD 13900 Auto Mall Dr. • Huntley, IL

MOTOR WERKS SAAB

Barrington & Dundee Rds. • Barrington, IL

BUSS FORD

SPRING HILL FORD

www.Gurnee V W.com

888/682-4485

225 N. Randall Road, St. Charles 5404 S. Rt. 31 • Crystal Lake, IL

888/800-6100 www.clcjd.com

www.st-charles.mercedesdealer.com

KNAUZ NORTH 2950 N. Skokie Hwy • North Chicago, IL

847-235-3800 www.knauznorth.com

BARRINGTON VOLVO 300 N. Hough (Rt. 59) • Barrington, IL

847/381-9400

40 Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

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FOX VALLEY REAL ESTATE GUIDE

December 5, 2013

INVESTORS! 2 Flat (Separate Utilities) in southwest quadrant of downtown St. Charles. Unit 1 Features 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, full basement with laundry, office on main level, separate dining room and has been recently remodeled. Unit 2 has 2 Bedrooms, galley kitchen, Recently remodeled with ceramic tile, new kitchen cabinets.

523 Prairie Street, St. Charles

$249,900

Elyece Miller Managing Broker/Owner

630-364-9119

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Thursday, December 5, 2013

| REAL ESTATE WEEKLY

Home Help: Winter renovations to boost home energy efficiency, add value MORE CONTENT NOW It’s that time of year again, when the cold wind blows outdoors and your home works as hard as it can to keep you warm and comfortable indoors. Now is a good time to make energy-efficient renovations. More than 90 percent of the 116 million homes in the United States are expected to have higher heating expenditures this winter compared with last winter, mainly due to changes in energy prices, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Here are some tips for making your home run more efficiently this winter. • Change your furnace filter. A dirty furnace filter can restrict airflow and increase energy use in your home. Keeping your furnace clean, updated and properly adjusted can save about 5 percent on heating costs.

• Upgrade to a more efficient furnace. Consider upgrading to a more efficient and reliable furnace. Reduce heat loss from windows. Ten to 25 percent of your heating bill each month can often be attributed to heat lost through your home’s windows, according to energy.gov. Replace old windows with more energy efficient ones so your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard to manage your home’s desired temperature. • Create an energy command center. Some of the newest technologies literally put home energy control at your fingertips. For instance, with some systems, you can monitor indoor and outdoor temperatures, adjust your HVAC system for energy efficiency and learn when it’s time to change a filter or schedule routine maintenance. • Choose Energy Star prod-

ucts. Using Energy Star-certified products, which incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 15 percent less energy and water than standard models, throughout your home could save nearly $900 over the lifetime of the products. Brandpoint

Home-selling tip

Considering a renovation project to improve the chances of selling your home at a higher value? Remodeling Magazine suggests homeowners renovate wisely. The average remodeling payback in the past 10 years has dropped from 82 percent in 2003 to 60.6 percent this year. Often underestimated by sellers are simple home improvements such as repainting and minor fix-ups.

Did you know

Reduce air leaks and stop drafts by using caulk, weather stripping and insulation to seal your home’s envelope and add more insulation to your attic to block out heat and cold. A knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs and significantly enhance home comfort with comprehensive sealing and insulating measures, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Decorating tip

Personalizing your home doesn’t only mean incorporating visual items. It involves textures, sounds and scents, too. Keep pretty dishes of your favorite candies or chocolates

around the house especially in the rooms that you and guests frequent. And because smell is one of the strongest triggers for memory, consider lighting candles or incense associated with your favorite moments such as outdoor scents like vanilla sandalwood in the winter. – Brandpoint

Garden guide

Since trees and shrubs lose leaves in the fall, it is easier to spot and prune diseased or dying branches. To prevent disease, prune branches that grow back toward the center of the tree, or cross and rub against each other. However, do not remove unreasonably large branches since exposed stubs can cause health problems for trees and shrubs. – Brandpoint

THE COLLINS GROUP John Collins, Peggy Collins & Grant Montgomery

303 E. Main St. • (630) 584-2500 • www.TheCollinsGroupInc.com W NE ING! IL ST

W NE ING! IL ST

St. Charles

921 S. Tenth Avenue For Rent $1,800/Month

3 + Story home for rent with 1.5 attached garage. Corner lot with large deck. 3 + stories of hardwood ﬂoors, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, central air, all appliances. Excellent location. 1 + year lease or longer. No cats, Dogs OK with pet deposit on an individual basis. Tenant pays all utilities and responsible for exterior maintenance. Immediate availability. For Rent.

Geneva

116 N. Sixth Street

Lot 1 Barlow Drive 1 Garden Hill Lane, Unit 1 $195,000 St. Charles $245,000 St. Charles