kcct_2013-04-20_

Kane County

CHRONICLE SATURDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 20-21, 2013 | $1.50 | KCCHRONICLE.COM

SLICE OF LIFE

PEACEKEEPER

SYCAMORE RESIDENT DISCUSSES WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A BOUNCER. PAGE 4 Bouncer Kevin “Malachai” Carpenter keeps a keen eye out for any trouble at the Beehive Tavern and Grille in downtown St. Charles.

IN NEWS

IN SPORTS

TEAM EFFORT

FLOOD WATERS RECEDING IN COUNTY

Wheaton Academy sees balanced effort and defeats Geneva in three sets after losing the first set. Page 22

Vol. 24, Issue 75

Page 16

Since 1881.

Where to find it Classified: 42-46 Comics: 40-41 Puzzles: 39

Obituaries: 9 Opinion: 14 Sports: 21-34

HIGH

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Complete forecast on 5

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| GETTING STARTED

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More than 175K see post of river video EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK Kathy Gresey The Kane County Chronicle reporting team was dedicated to weather coverage Thursday.

Throughout that day, traffic updates, flood videos, rain photos and other related news items were posted on our website, Facebook page and Twitter account.

One particular post of a video garnered the most views anything on our Facebook page has ever received.

The video – shot by reporter Nicole Weskerna – was of a bloated Fox River churning under the Main Street bridge in downtown St. Charles.

More than 175,000 Facebook users have seen our post of the video.

Comments on the video Thursday included: “Holy cow! This is scary.” “Usually fishermen can stand ankle deep at the dam. Wow.” And, “Wow indeed! thanks for sharing this!”

Screen shot of video taken by Nicole Weskerna

A post that included a video of a higher-than-normal Fox River has received a record number of views on the Kane County Chronicle Facebook page. The video was shot by reporter Nicole Weskerna and can be viewed by visiting www.facebook.com/kanecountychronicle or by visiting the “Videos and Photos” section of www.kcchronicle.com. More than 175,000 people have viewed the posting of the video.

Readers can view the video – titled “The Fox River in St. Charles Thursday morning” – by visiting the “Videos and Photos” section of www.kcchronicle.com.

They also can see the video and the more than 250 comments it received on Facebook by visiting www. facebook.com/kanecountychronicle.

In addition, those who

would like to receive breaking news text and email alerts from the Kane County Chronicle can do so by visiting www.kcchronicle.com/ email.

••• Love sushi or stir fry?

The Kane County Chronicle is giving away a $100 gift certificate to Wok ’n Fire. The restaurant and bar has six locations, including

Man puts up crosses in Boston

By BRENDA SCHORY

SUGAR GROVE – Greg Zanis said he drove 2,000 miles in less than two days to put up three crosses at the bombing site in Boston where three people were killed this week.

Zanis, a Sugar Grove Township resident, has become known for placing crosses in crisis situations as a way of remembering those who have died. He often travels long distances to do so.

“We did the same thing we did at Newtown, [Conn.], where we put up 26 crosses,” Zanis said.

Newtown was the site of a school shooting in December that left 26 people dead, including 20 children.

“I got 18 calls from people

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?

SUGAR GROVE

bschory@shawmedia.com

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS

in Massachusetts who wanted me to do this,” Zanis said.

“It was a horrific scene. There was not a piece of glass anywhere because the glass was blown into the buildings.

The National Guard took me around the yellow tape. There were so many police officers around.”

Zanis said as soon as he got back, he received a call requesting him to return and put up a cross for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology officer who was killed in a shootout early Friday with the suspected bombers.

“I’ll wait until Monday to go back,” Zanis said.

a spot at 181 S. 1st St. in St. Charles.

To enter the gift certificate giveaway, visit www. planitkane.com/win.

The contest ends Thursday.

• Kathy Gresey is editor of the Kane County Chronicle.

Contact her at kgresey@ shawmedia.com or 630-8455368.

Illinois Lottery Pick 3 Midday: 0-2-3 Pick 3 Evening: 9-2-7 Pick 4 Midday: 6-8-3-9 Pick 4 Evening: 9-8-5-9 Lucky Day Lotto: 9-12-15-21-33 Lotto jackpot: $6.8 million Mega Millions Numbers: 6-8-12-22-43 Megaball: 28 Megaplier: 4 Est. jackpot: $83 million Powerball Est. jackpot: $95 million

8LIKE US Visit www.facebook.com/ kanecountychronicle to join the conversation and get story updates.

CONTACT US St. Charles resident Susan Baxter, 48, was walking in downtown Geneva with her husband and dog when she answered eight questions for the Kane County Chronicle’s Brenda Schory.

Where did you grow up? Hartville, Ohio Pets? Pokie – short for Pocahontas – a poodle-Shih Tzu mix born on Thanksgiving. She is a rescue from Animal Rescue Foundation in Wheaton.

Who would play you in the movie of your life? Sandra Bullock First job? Working on my grandparents’ farm, selling vegetables at their stand.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A teacher, and no I did not become that. I work in human resources.

Favorite charity? Anderson Animal Shelter, Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets, and where we got Pokie, Animal Rescue Foundation.

Favorite local restaurant? Wildwood in Geneva What is an interesting factoid about yourself? I was majorette in the Cadet-ettes Baton and Drum Corps.

and

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

Fox Valley Ladies golf league in North Aurora

WHAT: The registration for the 2013 Fox Valley Ladies nine-hole golf league will take place next week. This golf league takes place on Tuesdays throughout the summer – $30 will be due upon registration. The group will be teeing off for the first time May 7.

WHEN: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday WHERE: Register at Fox Valley Country Club, 2500 N. Route 25, North Aurora.

INFO: For information, call 630-269-8849.

Identity theft workshop in Batavia

WHAT: An identity theft workshop is set for today. The event is sponsored by Thrivent Financial. A truck for shredding papers will be in Bethany’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon. Coffee and doughnuts will be served.

WHEN: 9 to 10 a.m. today WHERE: Bethany Lutheran Church, which is at the corner of Wilson and Lincoln streets, Batavia.

INFO: For information, call the church office

TODAY’S WEB POLL Do you plan to celebrate Earth Day?

at 630-879-3444 or visit www.bethanybatavia.org.

‘The Wiz’ at St. Charles East

WHAT: St. Charles East High School will present “The Wiz” next weekend. Tickets are available at the door.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 26 and 27 and at 2 p.m. April 28 WHERE: Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles COST: The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ at St. Charles North

WHAT: The St. Charles North High School Theatre Department will present “Thoroughly Modern Millie” WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 25-27 and 2 p.m.

April 28 WHERE: School’s auditorium, 255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles COST: Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults and $3 for senior citizens. Tickets can

be reserved by email or phone and will also be available at the box office 30 minutes before the show.

INFO: Call 331-228-6236 or email ryan. colton@d303.org for information or to reserve tickets.

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Public Star Party at Peck Farm Park

WHAT: The Fox Valley Astronomical Society will host a free Public Star Party. The evening will begin with a short presentation in the Orientation Barn titled, “Phases and Eclipses.” Then participants will head outside to see the moon, Jupiter, the Pleiades, and the Orion Nebula through members’ telescopes or participants may bring their own.

WHEN: 7 p.m. today WHERE: Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva INFO: For information, including a map to Peck Farm Park, visit www. fvastro.org.

YESTERDAY’S WEB POLL RESULTS

Publisher J. Tom Shaw jtshaw@shawmedia.com General Manager Jim Ringness jringness@shawmedia.com Editor Kathy Gresey kgresey@shawmedia.com News Editor Al Lagattolla alagattolla@shawmedia.com

How have you been affected by the flooding that has hit the area?

I haven’t been affected at all. (38%) It’s been a minor inconvenience. (38%) It’s a big concern, but it could be worse. (18%) I’ve been devasted with lots of damage. (6%)

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

Promotions Manager Kelsey Rakers krakers@shawmedia.com

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

Out About

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

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GETTING STARTED | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

FACE TIME WITH SUSAN BAXTER

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| COVER STORY

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SLICE OF LIFE A LOOK AT HOW FOX VALLEY RESIDENTS LIVE AND WORK

Keeping the peace

What it’s like to be a bouncer in downtown St. Charles

By ASHLEY RHODEBECK

arhodebeck@shawmedia.com ST. CHARLES – Kevin “Malachai” Carpenter has been to some bars where the bouncers are rude and quick to yell, but that’s not the tone he sets when working the door at the Beehive Tavern and Grille in downtown St. Charles.

“You don’t have to be that way,” he said.

Describing his demeanor as stern and polite, the 38-year-old Sycamore resident said he isn’t in this job looking for a fight to break up. Rather, he said, his goal is keeping the bar safe.

“The less incidents I have the better,” Carpenter said while monitoring the patio on a recent Thursday night.

Carpenter, who spends his days working security at Best Buy in DeKalb, said he began working at the Beehive on St. Patrick’s Day seven years ago.

He has spent the last several years as head doorman.

When hiring bouncers, he said, he looks for people who are friendly but assertive. He said they should be able to settle a fight, although he turns away those with a fight mentality.

Appearance can help to some extent, he said, acknowledging his larger build, piercings and tattoos. But, he said, his job is less about looks and

more about how he holds himself. The more he respects the customers, he said, the more they respect him when he asks them to leave.

His approach seems to work.

Regulars approached him that chilly Thursday night with hugs and handshakes and short conversations before they headed inside. And when some stepped outside for a smoke, Carpenter offered them a light.

“That’s almost one requirement as a bouncer – to have a lighter,” he said.

This night was relatively calm. Some customers quietly left after the St. Louis Blues defeated the Blackhawks in a shootout, while others just starting their night trickled in.

It wasn’t the rowdy scene some might envision knowing the City Council has been scrutinizing the downtown bar scene since Mayor Don DeWitte asked aldermen in August to change the city’s closing time in an effort to curb overserving.

Carpenter – who from his outdoor post also monitors the pool table area inside and is ready to diffuse escalating situations before they turn into fights – spent much of the night checking the IDs of the

See BOUNCER, page 10

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Bouncer Kevin “Malachai” Carpenter watches as two patrons walk away from the bar after appearing too intoxicated at the Beehive Tavern and Grille in downtown St. Charles.

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WEATHER | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

8LOCAL BRIEFS

| LOCAL NEWS

Fox Valley chorus to present concert

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

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AURORA – The Fox Valley Festival Chorus will present its annual pops concert – “From Broadway to the Big Screen,” featuring music from musicals such as “Jekyll and Hyde,” “My Fair Lady” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” that have made the successful transition from live stage performances to the movies.

The event will be at 3 p.m.

June 9 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora.

The cost is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and older and $5 for those ages 12 and younger.

For information, visit www.

foxvalleyfc.org.

Animal Control to hold rabies vaccination clinic

GENEVA – The Kane County Animal Control Department will be holding a rabies vaccination clinic from 9 to 11 a.m. May 4 at the Kane County Animal Control Facility, 4060 Keslinger Road in Geneva.

The facility is at the southwest corner of Peck and Keslinger roads.

Fees are payable in cash or check.

Fees will be $15 for a oneyear rabies vaccine, $10 for a county rabies tag for neutered or spayed animals and $25 for nonneutered animals.

For those 65 and older, the county tag is free.

Microchipping is available for

$15.

The clinic is for dogs and cats only.

For information, visit www. co.kane.il.us/AnimalControl.

– Kane County Chronicle

8LOCAL BRIEFS

ST. CHARLES – The annual National Antique Decoy and Sporting Collectible Show and gathering hosted by the Midwest Decoy Collectors Association is set for Tuesday through Saturday at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.

Members have 386 tables with more than 20,000 items to view, buy, sell or trade at the event.

Admission on Friday and Saturday is $5 for adults and free for children.

Memberships to MDCA are

$25 a family, which includes free admission to the show.

For information visit www. midwestdecoy.org.

North Aurora president to speak Wednesday

NORTH AURORA – North Aurora president Dale Berman will speak at the 2013 State of the Village set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Oak Street Restaurant, 945 Oak St. in North Aurora.

Open to the public.

For information, visit AuroraChamber.com or call 630-2563180.

– Kane County Chronicle

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Association to host gathering Tuesday

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• Saturday, April 20, 2013

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

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Died: April 8, 2013

Amelia “Millie” G. Cate, 90, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed April 8, 2013.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Tom West; granddaughter, Sheri Miles; great-grandchildren, Cassie Brown and Colt Clegg; and many friends.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m.

April 26 at St. John Neumann’s Catholic Church, 2900 W. Main St., in St. Charles, with a luncheon to follow.

Please sign the guest book at www.legacy.com/kcchronicle.

LEONARD SCOTT

Born: Nov. 29, 1923; in Geneva Died: April 18, 2013; in Elgin

8FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Mary-Rose Emma: A celebration of Mary-Rose’s life will be at 1 p.m.

Saturday, April 20, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 320 Franklin St. in Geneva, with the Rev. Mark Tusken officiating.

Adella M. Granquist: A funeral memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St. (Route 38) in Geneva, with the Rev. William Obalil officiating. The visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the service Saturday, April 20, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in St. Charles.

Robert I. “Bob” Kallman: Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St. (Route 38), Geneva, with Chaplain Anne Windholz officiating. Burial will follow in River Hills Cemetery in Batavia.

Jim Lichtenebert “Chip”: A cele-

bration of life will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Pal Joey’s, 31 N. River St. in Batavia, with a service at 1:30 p.m.

Arnold Francis Pins Jr.: The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m.

Saturday, April 20, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville. Please meet at church. Interment will be in St. Michael Cemetery, Wheaton.

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ABOVE: Keri Soukup of St. Charles feeds her husband, Nick, a “cowboy cupcake” while their 6-month-old son, Hunter, sleeps Friday at the 30 Men vs.

30 Women Who Cook fundraiser at the Kane County Fairgrounds. The event benefits the Geneva History Center, Geneva Lions Club and Rotary Club of Geneva. LEFT: Tommy Antonson, 10, of Geneva talks about his “Peanut Gutterballs” chocolate truffles he made Friday for the fundraiser.

Mary Beth Nolan for Shaw Media

8LOCAL BRIEFS Batavia Womans Club meeting set for May 6

BATAVIA – The Batavia Womans Club will meet at 11:45 a.m. May 6 at Riverview Banquets, 1117 N. Washington Ave., Batavia. For information, visit www.bataviawomansclub.org. The cost is $12 for lunch.

To reserve a spot, call 630 879-0000.

The event will feature entertainment by Edizon Dayao.

Ballads, big bands and sing-alongs will be performed. The Linea Miller will be awarded to a woman in the community who exemplifies the group’s purpose, which is to volunteer with the betterment of the community in mind.

Geneva, STC Chamber of Commerce to host lunch GENEVA – The Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce

will host a Kane County Update Lunch at 11:30 a.m. May 2 at Eagle Brook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Blvd., Geneva. During the event, Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen and Kane County Sheriff Patrick Perez will give an up-to-theminute outlook on what is planned for the future of Kane County. Register by calling 630-232-6060. The deadline for reservations is April 30.

– Kane County Chronicle

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

Leonard Scott, 89, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2013, in Elgin.

He was born Nov. 29, 1923, to Paul and Theo Scott in Geneva.

Leonard proudly served our country during World War II in the Pacific Theater as a paratrooper and radio operator with the U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division.

Leonard married his wife, Carol D. (Dahlstrom), on Nov. 13, 1943.

They were happily married for 64 years.

He is survived by his son, Seth (Penny) Scott of Elgin; daughter, Sharon (Charles) Nass of Tavares, Fla.; grandchildren, Jessie Lee (Joshua) Sipinski and Samuel J. Scott of Elgin; brother, Robert (Dorothy) Scott of St. Charles; sisters, Phyllis Maier of Kentucky and Blanche (Kenneth) Johnson of Roache, Mo.; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Donna (Robert) App of South Elgin and Eleanor (the late Logan) Dahlstrom of Elgin; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol D. (Dahlstrom) Scott; son, Samuel P. Scott; parents, Paul and Theo Scott; and brother, Beryl (Phyllis Jean and Shirley) Scott.

The visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E. Main St. (corner of Routes 25 and 64), St. Charles, IL 60174. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 22, at Yurs Funeral Home of St. Charles. Interment will be private in Garfield Cemetery in Campton Township.

Memorials may be made to Elgin Evangelical Free Church, 1900 Big Timber Road, Elgin, IL 60123.

To leave an online condolence or remembrance to the family, visit the funeral homes obituary page at www.yursfuneralhomes.com.

For information, call Yurs Funeral Home of St. Charles at 630-5840060 or like us on Facebook.

Please sign the guest book at www.legacy.com/kcchronicle.

Delectable bites for a cause

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

8OBITUARIES AMELIA ‘MILLIE’ G. CATE

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

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8LOCAL BRIEF

Group to host annual dinner, auction May 3

BLACKBERRY TOWNSHIP – Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets will host “Thank You for Being a Lifesaver,” its annual dinner and auction from 6:30 to 9 p.m. May 3 at Mill Creek Golf Club, 39W525 Herrington Drive, Blackberry Township.

All proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit the dogs and cats in HELP foster care.

Tickets are $50 a person and include a dinner of barbecue beef brisket, blackened chicken,

vegetable lasagna, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, classic tossed Caesar salad, dinner rolls, mini sweet tray, lemonade, iced tea, and coffee. An open bar will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with dinner served at 7:15 p.m. and cash bar after 7:30 p.m. The dinner will feature 50 door prizes and a silent auction.

Tickets must be bought in advance at www.helpinganimals.org to order via PayPal or contact Michelle Clancy at mandmclancy@att.net.

–Kane County Chronicle

More to monitor once weather warms up • BOUNCER

Continued from page 4 few people he didn’t know.

He also stopped one person from slipping inside without getting carded and refused entry to a banned patron.

Sometimes, Carpenter said after the man left, people think that because they know him he will relax the rules for them.

Only the ownership or

“I love this job.”

Kevin “Malachai” Carpenter Bouncer at Beehive Tavern and Grille

manager can override a banned status, which is imposed for such behaviors as fighting and starting trouble with the waitstaff, he said.

Once the weather gets warmer, Carpenter will

have more to monitor, especially Friday and Saturday nights when the patio is packed with people sipping drinks, he said.

Unlike such movies as “Road House,” Carpenter said, his experience as a doorman has been relatively tame.

There aren’t fights every night, he said, crediting the staff for setting a tone that lets people come out to have a good time.

“I love this job,” he said.

CAMPTON HILLS

By ASHLEY RHODEBECK

arhodebeck@shawmedia.com CAMPTON HILLS – The Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District is expected Monday to honor six people who helped save the life of a man at Christ Community Church last month.

Fire Chief Greg Benson said a group of men was playing basketball at the St. Charles Township Church on March 2 when one suffered

Quick response is vital in such situations because the chances of resuscitating a person in cardiac arrest lowers as more time lapses, Benson said.

The group and a representative from Christ Community Church have been invited to the fire district’s monthly meeting set for 7 p.m. Monday in Campton Hills.

This incident reinforces the importance of having an automated external defibrillator, Benson said, noting the

the Kendall County 4-H Clubs.

FFA members will bring their animals to meet the public.

The youngsters will answer questions and help the little ones pet and meet the animals.

A variety of exhibits about 4-H and projects to make and

take will be displayed in the corncrib.

The free public event will be held rain or shine.

For information, call 630-2720686 or visit www.theconservationfoundation.org and click on partners.

8LOCAL BRIEF Spring at the Farm event kicks off May 5

MONTGOMERY – The Dickson-Murst Spring at the Farm event is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5 at 2550 Dickson Road, Montgomery.

The free event will feature the Newark FFA chapter and

– Kane County Chronicle

If you go n What: Fox River and Country-

side Fire/Rescue District meeting

n When: 7 p.m. Monday n Where: 40W304 LaFox Road,

Unit C, Campton Hills

church has several.

Fire district personnel are seeing more of the easy-to-use life-saving devices, he said.

But, he added, “We’re not

seeing as many as we should.”

One of the individuals to be honored Monday is an off-duty Illinois State trooper trained in CPR, Benson said, encouraging everyone to learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

“You don’t know where or when you’re going to may end up needing it,” Benson said.

“It can make that difference.”

The fire district will teach small groups how to do CPR, Benson said. Call 630-584-3473.

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

cardiac arrest. The others – Tim Sjostrom, Ron Newman, Demetrio Torres, Mike Stoner, Marcos Hernandez and Lee Miller – quickly reacted, he said, explaining they got an automated external defibrillator, called 911 and began CPR. “The group that’s being recognized collectively did all the things that were necessary to resuscitate him, so when the ambulance got there, he was conscious and alert,” Benson said.

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Fire district to honor life-saving actions

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

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ST. CHARLES

By ASHLEY RHODEBECK

arhodebeck@shawmedia.com

GENEVA – Re-Member Runs for the Oglala Lakota Oyate has planned an event, the Geneva Turtle Trot 5K and Fundraising Walk, set for 8 a.m. June 8 at the Kane County Government

Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva. Participants will run and walk a course along the paved Fox River Bike Trail crossing it four times on foot bridges. Re-Member, a nonprofit organization, works with the Oglala Lakota Oyate

to improve reservation life through relationships, shared experiences and volunteerism.

To register and for information, visit www.re-member.org/ events.aspx or call Tom Young at 630-430-2106.

– Kane County Chronicle

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• Saturday, April 20, 2013

ST. CHARLES – A pair of shoes, a prescription pill bottle and two 8-inch DVD players placed neatly by a tree led police Monday morning to homeowners who had been burglarized, according to a St. Charles Police Department report.

A resident of the 900 block of Millington Way reportedly alerted police at about 6:20 a.m. after finding the items near a tree in his yard. Information on the pill bottle, which was filled with $4.68 in coins, led police to a house across the street, police reported.

There, police encountered the resident, who reportedly awoke to find his inside garage door open, the garage door open and lights in the kitchen and family room on. The resident reportedly told police he left the garage door open all night and forgot to secure the interior door.

He identified the shoes and pill bottle as items that had been in his unlocked Ford Explorer parked on the driveway,

police reported. An unlocked Ford Freestyle in the garage had been opened, contents of a purse had been emptied inside the vehicle but nothing was reported missing.

A 32-inch TV valued at $350 and a $400 iPad were reported stolen from the family room and kitchen, though other valuables, including a diamond wedding ring and wallet, were untouched, police reported.

It is believed the offender or offenders took what they could carry fast, police reported, noting the items near the tree likely were placed there for later retrieval.

The resident reportedly told police he and his wife didn’t hear anything overnight, and their dog didn’t bark, either. “[The resident] was in shock and could not believe that the offender(s) were in his home while they were sleeping,” police reported.

Police canvassed the neighborhood and reported they were unable to determine where the DVD players came from.

Geneva Turtle Trot 5K planned for June 8

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

TV, iPad stolen in home burglary

8LOCAL BRIEF

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| OPINIONS

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OPINIONS ANOTHER VIEW

Path to better health care

By TOM DASCHLE, BILL FRIST, PETE DOMENICI and ALICE RIVLIN

Special to the Washington Post The four of us came together to change the conversation around how to improve health care and constrain cost growth. What we learned is that, until better care is prioritized over more care, our nation will continue to face a problem with health-care costs.

With the Bipartisan Policy Center, we released a report Thursday with more than 50 recommendations to achieve the critical goal of improving the quality and affordability of care for all Americans while containing high and rising health-care spending.

Health-care cost drivers are complex and interwoven, but the most problematic ones we identified are the inefficiencies, misaligned incentives and fragmented care delivery in the current fee-for-service reimbursement system.

To address these, we seek to promote coordinated and accountable systems of health-care delivery and payment, building on what has proved successful in the private and public sectors. Organized systems of care emphasize the value of care delivered over the volume of care.

These systems are often better able to meet patients’ needs and desires and are able to effectively reimburse providers and practitioners for deliver-

ing high-quality care.

In all our proposals, we sought to avoid simple cost-shifting as a means to generate federal budgetary savings, instead promoting transparency and protecting patient choice. We also focused on reforms that will incite transformation across the health-care system, not limited to Medicare. We believe, however, that the power of Medicare can be leveraged to lead the way in transforming U.S. health care.

In brief, our recommendations: • Preserve the promise of traditional Medicare while adding more choices and protections for beneficiaries, including accountable systems of care and a stronger, more competitive Medicare Advantage program.

• Strengthen and modernize the traditional Medicare benefit, including adding a catastrophic cap, rationalizing cost-sharing and premiums and expanding access to assistance programs for those with low incomes.

• Tom Daschle, a Democrat, is a former senator from South Dakota. Bill Frist, a Republican, is a former senator from Tennessee. Pete Domenici, a Republican, is a former senator from New Mexico. Alice Rivlin is a former director of the Congressional Budget Office. The four co-chair the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Health Care Cost Containment Initiative.

J. Tom Shaw, publisher

OUR VIEW

Too late to turn back on Batavia arch vote

The outcry against a proposed arch, to be built in downtown Batavia, has been significant.

The arch is set to be built at the entry of the newly reconstructed North River Street.

Controversy has surrounded the cost. The arch originally was expected to cost about $50,000.

But that cost has increased significantly, and after addressing safety concerns and the cost of lighting the arch, the estimated cost is now between $112,000 and $117,000.

After the Batavia City Council voted to approve the

Editorial board

Jay Schwab

Kathy Gresey

Kate Schott

Al Lagattolla

arch, a group of residents rallied against it, staging a protest.

That got the attention of Batavia 3rd Ward Alderman Dan Chanzit, who voted for the arch but has since said he regrets the vote. Chanzit said it is important that city officials connect better with residents. And at Monday’s City Council meeting, he asked council members whether they would reconsider the arch contract.

They said no. And, though we understand the outcry, we agree with the decision, believing the issue doesn’t reach a level that would result in such a drastic

action. In fact, long-serving officials in the city can’t remember it happening at such a late stage.

The Batavia City Council voted on the issue. Circumstances haven’t changed significantly, and work already has begun.

Residents can hold aldermen accountable in elections. And in the April 9 election, residents voted out three incumbent aldermen, who had been on the council for 32, 18 and eight years, respectively. But those three aldermen were in place when the decision was made, and their vote should not be undone.

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

8SOUND OFF The Senate failed to pass any gun legislation this week, but what was really in this The City Council of Batavia just doesn’t get it. The public has not known for two years that this arch would cost $117,000. Their attitude is just appalling. I ask the voters of Batavia to remember each council member who voted for both the River Street and the Wilson Street projects, and let’s vote out each one of them. We will not forget.

It’s too important

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what’s in it. The protection of the Second Amendment is too important to just vote, without understanding the full ramification of the legislation.

Seniors made this country A lot of us seniors are very angry. It seems there is so much being done to accommodate illegals and at the same time, much is being taken away from senior citizens. Are they trying to liquidate this country’s most vulnerable? Law-abiding

seniors made this county. Now, law-breaking aliens are invading our country and taking over.

Nobody good was running

I’m responding to “Blame yourself,” on how election day there were only 13 percent of the voters voting. We, in our house, did not go to vote. We did go to vote for the election between Obama and Mitt Romney, but we did not vote for Obama. We were never for him. Now people

see what he is doing to this country. Now maybe people who didn’t vote on Election Day, it’s because nobody good is running.

They say one thing, and they do another. I’m sure the city employees, the school teachers, of course, they would vote. They want their union pay. They want their good salary. Try working at Walmart. Let’s see what the new mayor of St. Charles is going to be doing – helping the community or helping himself?

Nobody wants it

Regarding the ludicrous Batavia arch. I deeply resent Mr. Wolff saying that people in the community have not paid attention. If it were not for the Chronicle newspaper informing us, we knew nothing about this until the last month. It was swept right through, under the table. Nobody wants it. The money can go for far better purposes to help this town.

End this nonsense

To the parents in the Batavia

Highlands, “Is it personal?” you ask. You bet it is. The Batavia Highlands students have been moved repeatedly “to balance school populations” and “to save money on transportation costs” for as long as the area has been in the Geneva School District. In 1994, we were told that the kids would be moved from Harrison to Coultrap. The parents banded together to fight it. We attended meetings, wrote letters, got petitions signed, but when the final vote took place, the already-written press release was immediately handed to the newspaper reporters. It was a done deal despite the fact that we were passionately fighting for our children and against the injustice of always being the ones who got shifted and/or shafted. The school board didn’t listen, and they didn’t care. The only place the kids from the Highlands should be moved to is a Batavia school. It’s time to redraw (district) boundaries and end the nonsense. So, is it personal? Oh, yeah.

8LOCAL BRIEFS Batavia Womans Club plans plant, bake sale

BATAVIA – The Batavia Womans Club has planned its annual geraniums and more sale for May 3 and 4 at 1150 McKee St., Batavia. The sale includes annual flats, accent plants and a homemade bake sale. The sale supports a scholarship fund to send Rotolo Middle School students to scholastic and performing arts summer camps.

For information, visit www. bataviawomansclub.org.

Batavia library presents ‘Essential P. T. Barnum’

BATAVIA – “The Essential P. T. Barnum,” will be presented at 2 p.m. April 28 at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Best known for his traveling circus and his New York City Museum, Barnum also was a publisher, politician, philanthropist, and entertainment promoter. Presenter William Pack reveals the life of Barnum through storytelling and rec-

reations of historical sideshow performances. The program is part of the library’s “Sundays on Stage” series and is free.

Registration is required online at www.bataviapubliclibrary.org or call 630-879-1393, ext. 200.

Wheaton Park District debuts summer event

WHEATON – The Wheaton Park District will host a new summer event, Gospel Jazz Fest, from 6 to 9 p.m. June 29, at Wheaton’s Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton. Among those performing are Greg Vail, Robin Alexis, Tanya Egler and the Steven Lambert Quintet.

The festival will feature a wine tasting experience, as well as a variety of food to buy. Tickets for general admission will be $35 and are required for entry into Memorial Park. Lawn seating is available for this Ravina-style concert. Bring chairs or come early to secure limited bench seating near the bandshell. For information, call 630-510-5064

or email knemetz@wheatonparks.org. Buy tickets at www. wheatonparkdistrict.com/ tickets.

glove and bat and can arrive through the stadium’s Gate 3 entrance at 9 a.m. For information, call 630-232-8811.

Kane County Cougars host Pitch, Hit, Run contest

Coffee Jam and Open Mic event set for April 27

GENEVA – The Kane County Cougars will host a Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition, presented by Scotts, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva. The event is free for area youths between the age of 7 and 14 (age is determined as of July 17).

All participants must provide a copy of a valid birth certificate for age verification, as well as fill out a registration/waiver form.

There is no advance registration.

Also that morning, the Cougars will be offering a free youth baseball/softball clinic led by Cougars players that is open to the public. The event will be from 9:30 until 11 a.m. No RSVP is necessary. Interested attendees are encouraged to bring a

BATAVIA – A Coffee Jam and Open Mic event is set from 7 to 9 p.m. April 27 at Unity of Fox Valley, 230 Webster St., Batavia. The variety show includes pop rock, jazz, classical and contemporary presentations. There is no admission (offering of $10 appreciated but not required) and refreshments are available. Those who sing, dance or play a musical instrument and would like to perform in one of these monthly jams can call 630-879-1115. Additional information is available at www.unityoffoxvalley.org under the April Newsletter.

State treasurer: Everyone should search I-Cash Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford said because his

Unclaimed Property Division is constantly taking in new properties, everyone should search the I-Cash database at least once each month. One in eight Illinois residents has property in the database. To search the I-Cash database, visit www.Icash.

Illinois.gov or www.treasurer. il.gov. Contact the Unclaimed Property Division at 217-7856998. Searches cannot be done by telephone or by emailing info@Icash.Illinois.gov.

Program to offer tips for a healthful regime

BATAVIA – At 7 p.m. April 26, a program is set at Unity of Fox Valley, 230 Webster St., Batavia, to hear from leading health authors and medical professionals offer tips and suggestions for an easier, healthful regime. Various green living subjects and discussions are offered the fourth Friday of each month January through October. Admission and refreshments are free.

– Kane County Chronicle

15

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Senate failed to pass any gun legislation this week, but what was really in this Obama-supported law? Has anyone, from Congress to the American people to the media, read the entire bill and understood it? There is a background check, but what else is in the bill that Obama is afraid to mention?

The United States cannot have a Nancy Pelosi comment about Obamacare, of let’s vote for the bill and then we’ll figure out

Sound Off guidelines

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

We will not forget

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

16

KANE COUNTY

Waters receding as county begins to dry out Lauzen signs off on local disaster declaration

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com As Kane County recovers from heavy rain and flooding conditions, officials report flood waters are withdrawing.

“Throughout the county, we are seeing the water starting to recede,” said Don Bryant of the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, “The National Weather Service says the Fox River will go up some more before it crests, but a lot of creeks and tributaries have dropped below flood levels.”

Also, Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen signed off on a local disaster declaration, a step in the process to get Kane County declared a federal disaster area and open potential federal assistance to the citizens and municipalities affected by the flood.

Bryant said once Springfield collects damage data from the flooding, and Gov. Quinn thinks the county qualifies for Federal Emergency Management Agency aid, the request goes to Washington.

If approved, the county would be eligible for disaster funds.

National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Deubelbeiss at the Romeoville office, said the current crest forecast for the Fox River is 12.8 feet at midnight. Deubelbeiss cautioned that it would take 24 to 30 hours after that for a significant reduction in flood water.

Rainfall for the storm was measured at more than 7 inches in DuPage County, although at the DuPage Airport, it was measured at 3.93 inches, Deubelbeiss said. Aurora measured 6.63 inches, he said.

Sugar Grove’s rainfall for the storm measured 5.47 inches, Batavia’s was 5.13 inches, Geneva 4.38, St. Charles 4.34 and Elburn at 4.25 inches, he said.

Antonio Gualtieri, who lives on Tuscola Avenue in the Valley View area of St. Charles Township, was flooded out of his home Thursday.

On Friday, Gualtieri reported

“I’m staying at a neighbor’s house while I’m waiting to get inside my house again.”

Antonio Gualtieri

Resident who lives on Tuscola Avenue in St. Charles Township that the flood waters had gone down about six inches, so his house no longer was underwater.

“I’m staying at a neighbor’s house while I’m waiting to get inside my house again,” Gualtieri said. “I’m going to have to replace the drywall – maybe the floors, too – but hopefully they won’t buckle.”

Flooding led to some erroneous reports of sinkholes developing in Kane County, officials said. In St. Charles on Route 64, a report of a car that fell into suspected sinkhole actually was a car whose

See WATER, page 17

Nicole Weskerna – nweskerna@shawmedia.com

Parts of Island Park in Geneva remained flooded Friday afternoon.

17

8LOCAL BRIEF ST. CHARLES – The Kane County Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. May 8 at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles.

“Wildlife Management and Research at O’Hare Airport” will be presented by Craig Pullins, a wildlife biologist.

For information, call Bob Andrini at 630-584-8386.

– Kane County Chronicle

McDonald Road at Dittman Road reopened Friday, Elgin official says • WATER

Continued from page 16 driver ignored the barricades blocking the street because of standing water, police said.

The motorist got stuck and

called for a tow truck.

McDonald Road at Dittman Road was closed late Thursday and reopened Friday, because of flooding that eroded the shoulder of the road, said city of Elgin spokeswoman Karla Persky.

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Kane County Audubon Society to meet

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

18

Salamander season has finally arrived VIEWS Pam Otto “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

Gosh, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to start a column with a famous opening line like that.

Now, finally, I have a reason: It’s salamander season!

A few weeks ago, with snow on the ground and ice still present in our area’s vernal, or temporary spring-season, pools, adult salamanders surfaced from their burrows and traveled down to the chilly water. There, guided by instinct, pheromones and more than a little luck, they “mated” – males deposited spermatophores, females picked them up and, soon after, laid masses of fertilized eggs.

Aside from a little splishing and splashing, the activity occurred quietly – a stark contrast to the noisy goings-on of our other amphibian neighbors, the frogs – and now the adult tigers are back in their burrows, where

Provided photo

The best of times (a mass of salamander eggs) and the worst of times (a dried-out salamander is seen above). RIGHT: This year, weather conditions seem to be favoring salamander larvae development. they’ll spend the next 11 months or so until springtime comes again.

Meanwhile, back in the ponds, the eggs soon will be hatching. Tiny tiger salamander larvae, each complete with four legs and a set of feathery gills, will then start competing for any and all available prey – aquatic insects, tadpoles, even each other – as they race toward

maturity.

This year, weather conditions seem to be favoring salamander larvae develop-

ment. Those vernal pools, also known as ephemeral ponds, won’t be going away any time soon.

As they mature, the larvae’s gills give way to lungs.

After three months or so, the little creatures make their way up onto the land and, soon thereafter, under the ground.

Although capable of digging their own burrows, tiger salamanders more often than not take advantage of readymade homes like chipmunk and ground squirrel burrows.

There they feed on any

See OTTO, page 19

• OTTO

Continued from page 18

burrows, came to be mummified in the arid climate of a martin house attic.

While its life has passed, its legacy lives on.

Today the crispy salamander holds a place of honor on a desk in the naturalists’ offices at Hickory Knolls.

Safely ensconced in a Ziploc bag, the salamander is a genuine natural-history mystery that provokes speculation from all who see it.

As I gaze into the tiny spots that were once its eyes, I can almost hear the salamander relate the details of its brief but action-packed life:

“Call me Ishmael.”

• Pam Otto is the manager of nature programs and interpretive services at the

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, a facility of the St. Charles Park District. She can be reached at 630-513-4346 or potto@stcparks.org.

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

number of invertebrates, including insects, earthworms and slugs.

When moisture is plentiful and food is abundant – the conditions we have right now – it truly is the best of times for salamanders.

So if things are good for salamanders now, what exactly constitutes the worst of times?

Well, one example would be the high heat and extreme dryness of 2012.

There’s no real way of knowing what toll the drought took on our local Ambystoma tigrinum population, but I have a feeling more than a few were lost.

Adults, with their fossorial, or burrowing nature, likely fared better than juveniles, whose temporary ponds probably dried up before metamorphosis could occur.

Then there’s the sad story of one salamander in particular.

The little tiger came to our attention last week when Mike Swanson, the dedicated volunteer who maintains Hickory Knolls’ bluebird and purple martin houses, called and said he’d found something unusual.

Prepping the martin houses for the coming season, Mike lifted the roof off of one houses and came face to face with what at first looked like a dried-out lizard.

After closer examination and a little research, Swanson correctly identified the creature as a salamander.

But how in the world did it get into the attic of a martin house, a structure that sits a dozen or more feet in the air?

Swanson at first hypothesized that a Hickory Knolls exhibit animal had escaped, crept through the building and down the stairs to the basement, where the martin houses had been stored for a while this past winter. But this theory was struck down when we surveyed our displays and found all three of our sallies safe and sound.

Denis Kania, the park district’s restoration manager, thought maybe the martin house had spent some time

on the ground behind our maintenance garage last fall – an area near some prime salamander habitat. But Swanson said this house had not.

Which brings us to another of Swanson’s theories: A bird of prey, perhaps a great horned owl, a species known to frequent martin houses in hopes of snagging something purple for dinner, carried the tiger there in its talons.

The bird then may have dropped it on a ledge, from which it crawled inside and dried out.

Fact is, we may never know how the salamander, a creature of ponds and moist

19

LOCAL NEWS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

No way of knowing toll 2012 drought had on salamander population

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| LOCAL NEWS

20

GENEVA

Batavia Highlands parents plan to continue protest They don’t want children moved

By BRENDA SCHORY

bschory@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Parents of the Batavia Highlands subdivision, who do not want their children moved from Williamsburg to Western Avenue school, plan to continue their objections Monday, which is when the Geneva School District 304 board is expected to take action on the move.

The school board meets at 7

p.m. at Williamsburg Elementary School, 1812 Williamsburg Ave., Geneva.

A task force that examined a change in attendance boundaries recommended 16 children from the Batavia subdivision – which is in the Geneva school district’s boundary – be moved.

Parents have been protesting since, saying the move will not save the district money, will not equalize student populations at its elementary schools and will disrupt their children’s lives.

“They are totally singling us out,” said Heather Ander-

“They are totally singling us out. There is no reason to move our kids.”

Heather Anderson Parent

son, one of the parents. “There is no reason to move our kids.”

Other parents said they have sent emails to school board members and received responses – but no answers to their questions.

Board president Mark

8LOCAL BRIEFS Electronics recycling event will be in Elburn

ELBURN – In an effort to “go green” as well as comply with state regulations for electronic disposal, Caruso Management Group and QCI Restoration have teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to provide a free electronics recycling event in the Blackberry Creek area of Elburn.

This event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27. The event will be near Blackberry Creek Elementary School, which is at 1122 S. Anderson Road, Elburn.

Swedish American choir looking for local singers

BATAVIA – The Swedish American Children’s Choir is seeking new singers for the spring and summer season. Children 4 to 17 years of age are welcome to join the Midwest’s largest choir of its kind for children. The choir, now in its 14th season, has performed at local venues and festivals and has completed five performance tours outside of the state.

Prior singing experience is not required, nor is a Scandinavian heritage. Singers learn about the Scandinavian heritage through the arts and perform songs in English and Swedish and Scandinavian folk dances. The choir rehearses in Batavia. For information, call the choir office

at 630-414-9700.

HELP having annual garage sale May 17

SUGAR GROVE – Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets’ annual garage sale will be May 18 at 39 Walnut Circle, Sugar Grove.

Donations are appreciated and may be dropped off after 6 p.m. weekdays and all day May 17.

The sale will not accept computer equipment or large electronics, large exercise equipment, children’s car seats or high chairs, or clothing. Donors are urged to call first for large items.

All proceeds benefit HELP foster animals. For sale questions, call Cheryl after 6 p.m. at 630-4667958.

– Kane County Chronicle

Grosso said the board will hear a presentation on the task force’s findings at the meeting.

“When we hear the report, we will be able to ask the boundary task force questions, have public comment and hear from parents,” Grosso said. “The board will determine if [it meets] the criteria we set for relocating neighborhoods.”

Children from the Batavia Highlands neighborhood have been moved three times in the past, and five years ago, a recommendation to move them again was voted down by the

board.

Christine TreDenick, a parent who led the charge five years ago, said her concern was that the task force first considered moving three areas, and now it was down to Batavia Highlands only – again.

“My kids are in middle school and high school now, but I’m trying to be a voice of reason,” TreDenick said. “In reality, it’s not that many students and that’s not going to balance anybody out. Sixteen or 20 kids should not make any difference to the school board.”

21

St. Charles East junior Dom Adduci (left) is recovering from torn labrum surgery he had this past week, writes sports editor Jay Schwab. PAGE 23

LOG ON TO KCCHRONICLE.COM/PREPS FOR COVERAGE OF TODAY’S ST. CHARLES EAST BOYS TENNIS INVITATIONAL, THE COUGARS’ DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST QUAD CITIES AND MORE.

WHEATON ACADEMY RALLIES BACK FROM FIRST-SET LOSS TO WIN WITH HELP FROM CONTRIBUTING WARRIORS. PAGE 22

Geneva’s Chris Parilli (left) goes up for a kill during Friday’s match at Wheaton Academy. Wheaton Academy won, 23-25, 25-17, 25-15.

Jeff Krage for Shaw Media

WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART

With only four wins this season, the Kane County Cougars, including Trey Martin (left) have had an even harder time waiting out rescheduled or weather-delayed games. PAGE 24

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

SUPPORTING CAST

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

SPORTS

PREP ZONE

WHEATON ACADEMY DEF. GENEVA 2-1, (23-25, 25-17, 25-15)

| SPORTS

Warriors’ Robbins gets busy spikin’

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

22

PREP SCHEDULE

Senior’s 14 kills highlight attack

By DENNIS D. JACOBS

editorial@kcchronicle.com WEST CHICAGO – Tim Robbins played a starring role in Wheaton Academy’s victory against Geneva in a nonconference boys volleyball match Friday, but it was the stronger supporting cast for the Warriors that determined the outcome.

Robbins had 14 kills as Wheaton Academy rallied from a 25-23 loss in the opening set to win the next two games with relative ease, 25-17, 25-15. The senior middle hitter said the Warriors (8-4) didn’t let the first-game loss bother them.

“We’ve dealt with a lot of emotions before,” he said. “A couple games back we all got frustrated and stuff, but we’re able to overcome that now. We’re able to control our emotions and instead let the play do the talk.”

In the opening moments of the match, it looked like Robbins and 6-foot-5 Geneva senior middle hitter Mason Stierwalt would dominate play. Stierwalt had kills on four of Geneva’s first five points, while five kills by Robbins – including three on blocks – were part of the first dozen points for Wheaton Academy.

As the match wore on, however, the Warriors got major offensive contributions from senior middle hitter Kenneth Mill and classmate Jeremy Vischer. Mill came alive late in the second set with a pair of blocks and a kill that helped Wheaton Academy break away from a 13-all tie. Mill finished with 11 kills, as did Vischer, who reeled off three in quick succession as the Warriors raced past Geneva (14-6) for quick control of the third game.

“We’re a great team,” Robbins said.

“We have multiple guys that can do any position. They can just play straight-up volleyball. I mean, it’s great. I love it.”

Stierwalt matched Robbins with 14 kills, but half of those came in the opening game.

Wheaton Academy coach D.A. Nichols said the Warriors were more aware of where Stierwalt was in the final two games.

“There’s a couple times we called his number,” Nichols said, referring to Wheaton Academy’s defensive plans.

“We didn’t really overload, but we overplayed a couple rotations and it worked out for us.”

Geneva coach K.C. Johnsen said the Vikings became too reliant on Stierwalt.

Jeff Krage for Shaw Media

Wheaton Academy’s Tim Robbins serves during Friday’s match against Geneva. Robbins helped Wheaton Academy to a three-game win against Geneva. Robbins finished with 14 kills.

“I think the biggest problem was trying to force the ball to him,” Johnsen said. “We’ve got other people that can score. [Chris] Parilli scores a lot for us.

Nick [Buseki] scores quite a few and Dominic [Bondi] is very effective in the middle. We’ve got other people. I think we just kind of thought Mason was going to score every time he got the ball.”

Parilli had eight kills on the night.

Bondi contributed five kills and Buseki had four.

Wheaton Academy junior setter Kevin Esposito had 26 assists. A good portion of those, of course, went to Robbins, who you might think would be drawn to be a baseball pitcher like Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh as played by that other Tim Robbins.

But it turns out “Bull Durham” is not Robbins’ favorite Tim Robbins movie.

What is?

“Shawshank Redemption,” Robbins answered. “Obviously.”

TODAY

Baseball: Larkin at Batavia, 10 a.m. (DH); Geneva at Streamwood, 10 a.m. (DH); St. Charles East at Elgin, 10 a.m. (DH); St. Charles North at Burlington Central, 10 a.m.; Kaneland at Rochelle, 10 a.m. (DH); Oswego at Marmion, 11 a.m.; Aurora Central Catholic at Legends Tournament (at Ottawa); Aurora Christian at Pleasant Plains Tournament, TBA Softball: Waubonsie Valley at Geneva, 10 a.m.; Marquette Academy at Aurora Central Catholic, 11 a.m. (DH); St. Francis at Sandwich, 10 a.m.; Westmont at Wheaton Academy, 10 a.m. (DH); East Aurora at St. Charles East, 11 a.m.

Girls soccer: Batavia at West Chicago, 12 p.m.; Geneva vs.

Conant, 12 p.m. (at Wheaton North); St. Charles East at Naperville Invitational; Burlington Central at DeKalb Tournament, TBA Boys track and field: Kaneland, Burlington Central, Wheaton Academy at Kaneland Invitational, 10 a.m.; Marmion at Streamwood Invitational, 9 a.m.; Aurora Central Catholic, St. Francis at Walther Lutheran Invitational, TBA(at Concordia University); Aurora Christian at Plano Invitational, 10 a.m.

Girls track and field: Geneva at Glenbard West Invitational, 9:30 a.m.; St. Charles East at Lake Park Invitational, 9 a.m.; Aurora Central Catholic, St. Francis at Walther Lutheran Invitational, TBA (at Concordia University); Aurora Christian at Plano Invitational, 10 a.m.; Burlington Central at Oregon Invitational, 10 a.m.

Boys tennis: Batavia at Glenbard South Quadrangular, 9 a.m.; Geneva, St. Charles East, Wheaton Academy at St. Charles East Invitational, 8:30 a.m.; St. Charles North at Downers Grove South, 8 a.m.; Marmion at Lockport Invitational, 8 a.m.; Aurora Central Catholic at Oswego Quadrangular Meet, 8:30 a.m.; St. Francis at Glenbard South Quadrangular Meet, 9 a.m.

Boys volleyball: St. Charles North, Wheaton Academy at Addison Trail Invitational, 8:30 a.m.; St. Francis at Brother Rice Tournament, 8 a.m.

Girls badminton: Geneva, St. Charles North at DeKalb Invitational, 9 a.m.; St. Charles East at Hoffman Estates Invitational, 9 a.m.

Boys water polo: St. Charles East at Vernon Hills, 10 a.m.; St. Charles North at Lincoln-Way West, 11 a.m.

Girls water polo: Lincoln-Way West at St. Charles North, 11 a.m.

PREP ZONE Jay Schwab

Shaw Media file photo

St. Charles East junior basketball player Dom Adduci is recovering from surgery to fix a torn labrum. Adduci is receiving looks from Division I schools. summer AAU seasons, which is an obvious concern from a recruiting standpoint.

Before the injury, Adduci said Bucknell, Yale, Columbia, North Dakota State and South Dakota State were among the Division I programs that showed substantial interest. He’s already reached out to college coaches to tell them about his setback.

“They got back to me and

really wrote some encouraging notes and provided me with the confidence to know … when I get back to 100 percent, they’ll still be out to watch me, and if I can still perform, then they won’t take me completely off their radar,” Adduci said.

Adduci said he’s looking forward to recalibrating his game with a clean bill of health.

“The prospect of playing

without pain, without fear of it dislocating is huge,” Adduci said. “I feel like I can come out and even play better than I did with the labrum tear.”

He might sleep better at night, too.

• Jay Schwab is sports editor of the Kane County Chronicle. He can be reached at 630-845-5382 or jschwab@ shawmedia.com.

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

As if it weren’t harsh enough that Dom Adduci’s shoulder woes dogged him on the basketball court, they started to hound him in his sleep.

Adduci, a standout junior guard on the St. Charles East boys basketball team, had grown sadly accustomed to his right shoulder dislocating during games. When it happened while he was sleeping, the situation finally became untenable.

“I went back to sleep and when I woke up I told my parents and everything,” Adduci said. “I didn’t want to wake everyone up so I just kind of slept throughout he night, swallowed the pain and told my parents in the morning, because I definitely knew it was something serious.”

The overnight debacle happened last Saturday, about a week after Adduci dislocated his shoulder twice while competing with his AAU team, Illinois Old School, at a tournament in Milwaukee.

Shoulder dislocations became a recurring plight for Adduci since he originally injured his shoulder during a game in December at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament.

Adduci said he and his

family initially figured he needed to strengthen the muscles around his shoulder but, “after a while, it was just getting ridiculous,” so he recently had an MRI. The result showed a slight tear in his labrum and, Wednesday, Adduci had successful surgery to repair the tear.

The procedure conjured unpleasant memories of the past season for Saints basketball fans. Purdue-bound standout Kendall Stephens missed the second half of his promising senior season with a labrum tear, for which he had surgery.

“I was talking to him [Monday] about the procedure and everything,” Adduci said. “He just told me to have it done as soon as possible and even though it stinks you can’t play now, you can still come back to a 100 percent recovery, which was really exciting to me. He said he feels stronger now than ever, which also was very exciting.”

Adduci’s shoulder popped out of place a few times during the high school season but he fought through the discomfort, averaging 15.3 points a game while emerging as the team’s top scorer in Stephens’ absence.

The surgery recovery time is expected to be at least four months. Adduci is hoping to be healthy in time for fall workouts leading up his senior season but will be out for the spring and

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Adduci upbeat about recovery

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

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KANE COUNTY COUGARS NOTEBOOK

Struggling, waiting for delayed games tiresome

By KEVIN DRULEY

kdruley@shawmedia.com GENEVA – Scuffling teams still can claim signature wins. Right?

The Cougars enter today’s home doubleheader against Quad Cities with just four victories to choose from, and it’s easy for players to pinpoint which “W” t h e y t h i n k Dan Vogelbach can propel them to more.

After squandering a 4-0, third-inning lead to lose the opener of an April 13 doubleheader in Wisconsin, 7-6, Kane County rallied for a 3-1, 11-inning win in the nightcap.

“We played a terrible first inning, and as the game went on, we got better and better,” Cougars first baseman Dan Vogelbach said. “So I think it’s coming together. I think we’re going to click here pretty soon and start winning a lot of ballgames.”

Simply playing a lot of ballgames increases the club’s chances at success.

Finding a rhythm has been a challenge in the first twoplus weeks of the season after a flurry of weather-related cancellations on a recent road trip to Wisconsin and Beloit.

Friday marked the first postponement at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark since Aug. 8, 2011, a streak of 92 consecu-

Let’s play two Friday’s game between the Cougars and Quad Cities was postponed due to inclement weather. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader of two seven-inning games beginning at 1 p.m. today. tive openings. Per Baseball America, there already were more 2013 Midwest League rainouts through Wednesday than during all of last season.

“If you’re not an everyday guy and you’re sitting, you may sit five or six days instead of sitting two or three,” Cougars manager Mark Johnson said. “It’s kind of frustrating not getting those guys in there and almost getting too much rest and time on the bench. Regulating that is kind of difficult.”

Before Friday, the Cougars boasted the top team batting average in the 16team MWL, hitting .276 in 12 games. Their 4.75 ERA ranked 16th.

Weather aside – “Nothing you can’t handle,” grinned left-handed reliever Nathan Dorris, a native of downstate Carbondale – players just want a chance to maintain or improve those figures.

Piggyback ride: Quad Cities has defeated the Cougars in all five meetings this season, with no River Bandits pitcher working more than five innings.

In a bid to develop more

arms throughout the farm, the parent Houston Astros commissioned each of the organization’s full-season affiliates to adopt a piggyback system. From Class-A Quad Cities to Triple-A Oklahoma City, four tandems of pitchers get the ball every fourth day.

“I’ve seen it before,” Johnson said. “Usually two or three starters at lower levels, but not the whole staff and not from top to bottom, from [Class-A] to Triple-A. So it’s interesting.”

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow pushed the switch after seeing it succeed while working as the St. Louis Cardinals’ director of minor-league development.

Et cetera: Tickets to Friday’s game can be redeemed for any regular season game in 2013, pending availability. ... The Cougars have not played on consecutive days since April 9-10.

ST. CHARLES EAST BOY WATER POLO

SCE dean to finish out coaching season Burke is former NIU club water polo player

By KEVIN DRULEY

kdruley@shawmedia.com St. Charles East officials on Friday named Shawn Burke to coach the boys water polo team for the rest of the season.

Burke, an East dean, replaces Jaclyn Weber, who resigned from her position Monday.

A former club water polo player at Northern Illinois, Burke will coach his first game when the Saints host Glenbrook North at 6 p.m. this coming Monday, East athletic director Mike Sommerfeld said. Today’s scheduled competition at Vernon Hills and others the team missed earlier in the week only will be rescheduled if circumstances allow.

“We’re looking to do that if something can pop,” said Sommerfeld, who added that

make-up dates are dwindling as the IHSA postseason looms.

East is scheduled to host Metea Valley in a Neuqua Valley Sectional opening-round game May 7.

The Kane County Chronicle this week obtained a letter issued Monday in which Sommerfeld addressed team parents in announcing the cancellation of the remainder of the season. Referencing Weber’s decision to step down in her first season, Sommerfeld noted “inappropriate behavior displayed by several of the team members this past weekend, as well as the general lack of respect the team has displayed towards [Weber]...”

He wrote later: “I want to be clear; Coach Weber is not to be blamed for this.”

Sommerfeld and East Principal Charlie Kyle on Tuesday attended a meeting of team parents at the Norris Center.

On Thursday, District 303 spokesman Jim Blaney said the school would announce a replacement Friday.

How has this team progressed?

You guys started slowly but have rallied lately.

What’s the makeup of the club team, roughly?

A lot of [St. Charles] North guys and also some Rockford, just because the other Fusion is up that area, but they came down here [as overflow]. ... I think it’s a great advantage playing with high school teammates because we all know each other real well and how we play. We know our strengths and know our weaknesses, I just think that helps us out a lot.

SCE VOLLEYBALL’S LUKE SPICER started playing club in seventh grade.

Your cousin [Nellie Spicer] is on the U.S. women’s national volleyball team [as a setter]. When is the last time you saw her play live?

I haven’t seen her play in probably three years, just because she has been traveling all over the world playing. … I watch her on the computer, her games, whenever I can, though.

How deep is the volleyball community at East between boys and girls?

[Girls coach Jennie] Kull helps us out and some of the girls players come to our practices and help us out and some of the guys came to the girls practices.

Coach [Mike] Bui is an assistant for both teams and played at Larkin. How active is he during practices?

Yeah, he definitely helps us out a lot. He likes to say he is [running around and playing].

Have practice times been in flux with bad weather forcing outdoor sports to the gym so much?

The Fusion partly overlaps, but I definitely manage.

With football, the core and the strength [training] just helps with volleyball tremendously.

We usually have our gym to ourselves normal days, but every once in a while if something comes up and other team’s game was canceled we’ll change our time around just a little bit, but nothing really [major].

They’ll run on the track at the field house if we’re on the court.

I’ve definitely thought about it. Not sure where, but I’ve definitely thought about it. … It would be volleyball. … It’s been in my family forever, so I’ve been playing a long time, but I

We’ve all played together and know each other well. …

It doesn’t really stop. It’s all friendly, but we’re always talking.

Do you do much juggling between football and club volleyball during the summer?

Have you pondered playing collegiate sports?

Has everyone started the trash talking ahead of next week’s match with North?

25

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

We’ve definitely been taking some big leaps. We all played club together this past year [at Batavia-based Fusion South], and played together last year in high school. We only graduated one, so we’ve definitely taken some big steps.

Weekend Chit-chat with

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Junior outside hitter Luke Spicer leads the St. Charles East boys volleyball team in kills, providing a stabilizing force for a group aiming to peak at the end of the season. With the stretch run getting closer, the Saints see improvement across the board. Through it all, Spicer remains “the enforcer,” in coach Kate McCullagh’s words.

Touching base with Spicer for the latest Weekend Chit-Chat, Kane County Chronicle sports reporter Kevin Druley asked the 6-foot-3 athlete about East’s outlook, his club experience and Spicer’s talented cousin. The following is an edited transcript:

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

27 26

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

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The

NOTEWORTHY

Insider

Lightly tested Stitz impresses

St. Charles North goalkeeper Shelby Stitz has allowed only one goal on the season entering play Friday, and that came on a penalty kick in the team’s only defeat, against Neuqua Valley.

Stitz, though, doesn’t receive the acclaim that such a sterling record might command, largely because North has been so dominant that she’s had relatively few opportunities to come up big.

North coach Ruth Vostal, though, said the North Stars have seen enough to trust in Stitz.

“I can think of an awesome save at Batavia, I can think of a couple of saves [against St. Charles East],” Vostal said.

“I think that’s even harder when you’re not getting a ton of shots in a game, to mentally stay in it.”

North returns a large chunk of last season’s IHSA Class 3A state runners-up team but starting Stitz in goal is one of this year’s team’s new twists. She stood tall in Tuesday’s 1-0 win against St. Charles East.

“One of her goals for this game was to be in it for 80 minutes, so shuffling, moving with the ball, because I think it’s hard to stay in it,” Vostal said. “Like I said, she’s come up big a couple of times when we needed her to.”

As she was against East, Stitz figures to be tested more than usual during matches in Wisconsin and Iowa, where the North Stars will take on some outof-state competition. Vostal said she’s looking forward to the trips each of the next two weekends “just to see something different, so we can sort of gauge where we are against other people.”

“You can also experiment, try different formations, you can try different set pieces, and no one in the area is watching,” Vostal said.

Veteran Viking defense

Geneva snapped out of a recent slump this week with consecutive shutout wins, 2-0 against Rosary on Saturday and 1-0 against Kaneland on Monday.

Winning thanks to sturdy defense isn’t a surprise for the Vikings, who returned

COACH SLY SEZ ...

A closer look at prep girls soccer

IN THE GROOVE

KELLY MANSKI St. Charles North, Sr., M What she did: Manski added another notch to her impressive senior season, scoring the lone goal Tuesday in the North Stars’ 1-0 win against St. Charles East.

The win clinched at least a share of the Upstate Eight Conference River Division title for North.

Sean King for Shaw Media

St. Charles North’s Shelby Stitz (2) puts the ball in play against Geneva on April 9 at Geneva High School.

much of their experience this spring on the back line.

“I think we’re really solid,” junior defender Tory Herbst said. “I mean, me, Annie [Waldoch] and Molly [Stanfa] have been playing together for several years, and [Megan] Kozlow is our new addition.

We get Megan in there, we get Maggie [Bodine] in there. I think we’re solid. I think we are good at communicating and good at reading each other back there.

“So regardless of what we play formation-wise, I think we’re always going to be solid. I think we’re all just kind of wired that way. I think we’re pretty strong. We have good chemistry.”

Turf talk

Monday’s Geneva-Kaneland match on an inclement night likely would not have

Kudos to Kaneland for scheduling tough.

The Knights didn’t come away with any wins against Tri-Cities opponents St. Charles East and Geneva last week but the Knights didn’t embarrass themselves, either, against a pair of strong 3A opponents.

Not a lot of smaller schools want to tangle with

taken place without Geneva’s turf field, but that doesn’t mean Knights coach Scott Parillo is a fan of the artificial surface.

Parillo said he considers turf harder on players’ joints, especially girls’ players.

Parillo, though, recognized that turf has its benefits.

“I just worry about injuries for kids but, hey, you don’t have to worry about the weather,” Parillo said. “You don’t have to worry about being all muddy and slimy and nasty on turf.

“Hey, these teams have a nice advantage over us on the turf because they can get [outside]. We weren’t able to get out. We had ice all over our field.”

teams like that if they can avoid it, but Knights coach Scott Parillo showed he cares more about preparing his team for tough games in the postseason than prettying up the ole W-L ledger.

• You can respond at kcchronicle.com/blogs/ sly.

– Jay Schwab, jschwab@shawmedia.com

KAITY BUCARO St. Francis, Sr., F What she did: Bucaro scored two of the three goals for the undefeated Spartans in Tuesday’s 3-0 Suburban Christian Conference win against Marian Central.

WHAT WE LEARNED LAST WEEK ...

St. Charles North is going to emerge as Upstate Eight Conference River Division champion.

With only a final conference match against lightly regarded Streamwood standing in its way of an unbeaten, 6-0, run through River opponents, the North Stars are in commanding position to unseat Geneva as conference champion.

WHAT WE’LL LEARN IN THE WEEK AHEAD ...

Whether Batavia and Geneva can get a measure of Tri-Cities satisfaction.

The Bulldogs and Vikings have each already lost to both St. Charles teams but will take a shot at each other Tuesday in Geneva.

29 Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

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BASS FISHING

8SPORTS BRIEF

Fish or no fish, sectionals loom

Gage goal propels St. Charles North girls soccer

By KEVIN DRULEY

kdruley@shawmedia.com Shabbona Lake served as fishing goose egg – not fishing hole – for Chronicle-area anglers when Marmion hosted fall and spring tournaments there.

Zero keepers accompanied any boats on both occasions, setting an inviting standard for Monday’s IHSA Shabbona Lake Sectional.

“Hopefully some of the kids will catch fish,” Geneva coach Tom Anderson said. “That’s the big thing.”

It could be a war of attrition when 17 boats converge on the lake for the competition, which was postponed from Friday because of the weather.

Students from St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Batavia, Geneva, Kaneland, Marmion and Aurora Christian will fish from all but four of the boats. Each presumably knows how to adapt his or her

More online For all your prep sports coverage – stories, features, scores, photos, videos, blogs and more – log on to KCChronicle.com/preps. strategy in light of the recent cool, wet and windy spells.

“It’s early in the year fishing, so the fish tend to be a little bit less active and still in the deeper water,” Kaneland coach Chuck Wehrmann said.

“We talked about different conditions, how the fish are going to react and what things could possibly be like that day.”

Monday’s forecast calls for highs in the mid-60s with winds around 12 mph. That weather more closely resembles what a handful of teams from Batavia and Marmion experienced when they traveled to downstate Lake Jacksonville this past weekend.

While the group officially

contested a three-round dual meet, the two-day trip ultimately doubled as a campout.

Batavia’s Matt Fors reeled in the biggest catch, a bass weighing 6.17 pounds.

“I think that was a good experience for the students,” Marmion coach Joe Large said. “Hopefully, that will lead to some success on Monday.”

Given the recent exploits at Shabbona Lake, even a meager haul would figure to excite participants. Entering the fifth season of the bass fishing state series, the rules remain the same.

The top three boats from each sectional statewide advance to the state tournament at downstate Carlyle Lake from May 3 and 4.

Each boat counts it top five keepers, and no fish measuring less than 12 inches is admitted.

East, North and Marmion sent boats to the state tournament last spring.

MILWAUKEE – Senior midfielder Alex Gage scored on a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box in the 67th minute Friday, keying the St. Charles North girls soccer team’s 1-0 victory at Divine Savior Holy Angels.

“In my opinion, it was our best [match of the season],”

North Stars coach Ruth Vostal said. “They had a beautiful facility. We strung together many passes and had many scoring opportunities. We played extremely well.”

North (11-1) extended its winning streak to eight matches.

Goalkeeper Shelby Stitz made two saves.

– Kane County Chronicle

Shaw Media sports copy editor Kevin Murphy picks his top sports events to watch this weekend:

MUST-SEE TV Bulls at Brooklyn, 7 p.m., today, CSN/ESPN

series against Brooklyn.”

Jay-Z better watch out for the Bulls.

SET THE DVR Phoenix at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m., today, WGN

It’s near the end of the regular season for the Hawks as they look to capture the President’s Trophy. The Hawks will look to finish the season with the most points in the league without backup goaltender Ray Emery.

CATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS LATER College football: Intrasquad,

Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game, at South Bend, Ind., noon, today, NBCSN

kens said in a press release.

“To experience running in and knowing each one of my teammates are excited for me and have confidence in me, it’s the greatest feeling in the world. We’re so close and we work hard and do everything together.”

Batavia graduate Katie Luetkens could get a chance to see the field for the Wolverines. Luetkens hit her first collegiate home run last weekend as the Wolverines routed Michigan State, 21-2, in that series’ opener.

Luetkens’ two-run home

run came in a pinch-hit at-bat and went into the right field grandstands.

Luetkens had plenty to say: “You work hard all week on different mechanics and having the opportunity to come out and display that can remind you why you work so hard all week, and it also serves as a reminder to never be satisfied.”

It was the first career RBI for Luetkens as well.

“As I was rounding third [Michigan coach Carol Hutchins] had a big smile on her face and gave me a high-five – everything kind of slowed down and I thought about how many people wished they could have that moment, and it feels great to have the opportunity,” Luet-

• Agree? Disagree? Is someone from the Kane County Chronicle coverage area going to be on TV? Let Kevin Murphy know at kmurphy@ shawmedia.com.

Pro baseball Minnesota at White Sox, 1:30 p.m., FOX St. Louis at Philadelphia, 6 p.m., MLB Cubs at Milwaukee, 6 p.m., CSN Mixed martial arts UFC, welterweights, Dan Hardy (27-8-0) vs. Matt Brown (18-11-0); lightweights, Nate Diaz (16-8-0) vs. Josh Thomson (19-5-1); heavyweights, Frank Mir (16-6-0) vs. Daniel Cormier (11-00); champion Benson Henderson (17-2-0) vs. Gilbert Melendez (21-2-0), for lightweight title, at San Jose, Calif., 7 p.m., FOX Pro basketball Playoffs, first round, Game 1, Bulls at Brooklyn, 7 p.m., ESPN Playoffs, first round, Game 1, Boston at New York, 2 p.m., ABC Playoffs, first round, Game 1, Golden State at Denver, 4:30 p.m., ESPN Playoffs, first round, Game 1, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m., ESPN Pro hockey Washington at Montreal, 6 p.m., NBCSN Phoenix at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m., WGN Soccer Premier League, Arsenal at Fulham, 8:55 a.m., ESPN2 MLS, Kansas City at Los Ange-

les, 9:30 p.m., NBCSN Sunday Auto racing Formula One, Bahrain Grand Prix, at Sakhir, Bahrain, 6:30 a.m., NBCSN NASCAR, Sprint Cup, STP 400, at Kansas City, Kan., 11:30 p.m., FOX American Le Mans Series, Long Beach Grand Prix, at Long Beach, Calif., noon, ABC IRL, IndyCar, Grand Prix of Long Beach, at Long Beach, Calif., 3 p.m., NBCSN NHRA, Four-Wide Nationals, at Concord, N.C. (same-day tape), 6 p.m., ESPN2 College baseball Illinois at Ohio State, 11 a.m., BTN Texas A&M at Arkansas, 1 p.m., ESPN2 Mississippi at Tennessee, 1 p.m., ESPNU Southern Illinois at Creighton, 4 p.m., ESPNU College softball Iowa at Michigan, 2 p.m., BTN Extreme sports X Games, at Foz Do Iguacu, Brazil, 10 a.m., ESPN Golf European PGA Tour, Open de Espana, final round, at Valencia, Spain (same-day tape), 8 a.m., TGC

PGA Tour, The Heritage, final round, at Hilton Head Island, S.C., noon, TGC PGA Tour, The Heritage, final round, at Hilton Head Island, S.C., 2 p.m., CBS Champions Tour, Greater Gwinnett Championship, final round, at Duluth, Ga., 2 p.m., TGC Pro baseball Minnesota at White Sox, 1 p.m., WGN Cubs at Milwaukee, 1 p.m., CSN L.A. Dodgers at Baltimore, 12:30 p.m., TBS St. Louis at Philadelphia, 7 p.m., ESPN Pro basketball Playoffs, first round, Game 1, Atlanta at Indiana, noon, TNT Playoffs, first round, Game 1, L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, 2:30 p.m., ABC Playoffs, first round, Game 1, Milwaukee at Miami, 6 or 7 p.m., TNT Playoffs, first round, Game 1, Houston at Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m., TNT Pro hockey New Jersey at N.Y. Rangers, 2 p.m., NBC St. Louis at Colorado, 7 p.m., NBCSN Soccer MLS, Philadelphia at D.C. United, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Are you a Domer? Still riding on last year’s success?

Drinking from the Kool-Aid of Chip Kelly? Well, here’s a preview of the 2013 team that could make another national title run, but probably will still lose to Alabama.

OF NOTE College softball: Iowa at Michigan, 2 p.m., Sunday, BTN

College baseball: Southern Illinois-Carbondale at Creighton, 4 p.m., Sunday, ESPNU

Sugar Grove native Alex Staehely will attempt to lead the Bluejays past the Salukis in the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season finale.

WEEKEND TV SPORTS WATCH Today Auto racing Formula One, qualifying for Bahrain Grand Prix, at Sakhir, Bahrain, 6 a.m., NBCSN NASCAR, Sprint Cup, Happy Hour Series, final practice for STP 400, at Kansas City, Kan., 11:30 a.m., SPEED NHRA, qualifying for Four-Wide Nationals, at Concord, N.C. (same-day tape), 4 p.m., ESPN2 IRL, IndyCar, pole qualifying for Grand Prix of Long Beach, at Long Beach, Calif. (same-day tape), 5 p.m., NBCSN Basketball Nike Hoop Summit, United States Junior Team vs. World Select Team, at Portland, Ore., 6 p.m., ESPN2 Boxing Heavyweights, Tyson Fury (200-0) vs. Steve Cunningham (255-0), at New York, 3 p.m., NBC Omar Figueroa (20-0-1) vs.

Abner Cotto (16-0-0), for vacant WBC Silver lightweight title; WBC champion Canelo Alvarez (410-1) vs. WBA champion Austin Trout (26-0-0), for WBC/WBA super welterweight titles, at San Antonio, 9 p.m., SHO College baseball Rice at Houston, 12:30 p.m., FSN Texas A&M at Arkansas,

7:30 p.m., ESPNU College football Intrasquad, Notre Dame BlueGold Game, at South Bend, Ind., noon, NBCSN Spring game, Alabama, 2 p.m., ESPN2 Spring game, Wisconsin, 4 p.m., BTN College softball South Carolina at Auburn, 5 p.m., ESPNU Extreme sports X Games, at Foz Do Iguacu, Brazil, 10 a.m., ESPN X Games, at Foz Do Iguacu, Brazil, 8 p.m., ESPN2 Golf European PGA Tour, Open de Espana, third round, at Valencia, Spain (same-day tape), 8 a.m., TGC PGA Tour, The Heritage, third round, at Hilton Head Island, S.C., 12 p.m., TGC PGA Tour, The Heritage, third round, at Hilton Head Island, S.C., 2 p.m., CBS Champions Tour, Greater Gwinnett Championship, second round, at Duluth, Ga., 2 p.m., TGC LPGA, LOTTE Championship, final round, at Kapolei, Hawaii, 5:30 p.m., TGC Hockey Milwaukee at Wolves, 7 p.m., WPWR

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

Center Joakim Noah will be limited during the first round of the playoffs. But I think the Bulls can steal the first series and can do it on the road.

“It’s really disappointing for me,” Noah told The Associated Press. “You work really hard in the summer and the season to be ready for situations like this, and just to be hurt is really disappointing. It is what it is. We fought hard to get here, and we’re a very capable team.

It’s going to be an exciting

Murf’s ’Mote Kevin Murphy

SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Bulls about to bring down some Nets

31

SPORTSNEIGHBORS

Neighbors is news by readers, for readers, about readers. Have news to share? Send it to neighbors@kcchronicle.com.

Batavia’s Kunert posts top-5 finish, wins championship

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| SPORTS NEIGHBORS

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Provided photo

Austin Kunert of Batavia (center) posted a top five finish last weekend. Kunert was able to get another top-5 finish with the Custom Companies Chevrolet & win the Championship for Central States Region Supercups April 13 at Anderson Speedway in Indiana. This was Kunert’s second series Championship for 2012. Kunert will be moving up into the INEX Legend series in 2013, racing at tracks across the U.S.

Illinois Blazers of Geneva win shootout

The Illinois Blazers of Geneva fifthgrade team won the Spring Schaumburg Shootout.

Kneeling: Caden Campisi, Adam Blackmore, Danny Blank, Brett Larson, Avery Haug.

Standing: Justin Dunn, Clay Chock, Coach Santos, Nate Santos, Coach Haug, Ryan Kieper, Milan Urban, Ben Rogers.

Provided photo

8SPORTS NEIGHBORS BULLETIN BOARD

Wasco to host baseball competition April 27

Benefit to take place in Batavia on May 11

The Have a Heart Soccer Clinic, hosted by Tri-Cities High School Boys & Girls Soccer Programs, will benefit COTA in honor of Owen Payton, a West Chicago child who needs a heart transplant.

The clinic will be from 12 to 3 p.m. May 11 at Storm Elementary School, 305 North Van Nortwick Ave. in Batavia.

Six-year-old Owen is listed for a Heart transplant at Robert and Ann Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

Funds are being raised to assist with transplant-related expenses.

The Have a Heart Soccer Clinic will be open to children ages 5-13 years old and will cost $35 dollars to register.

The fee will cover the clinic, games and a T-shirt for each participating child, with 90 percent of the proceeds benefiting COTA. Pre-registration by April 27 is required to attend the clinic.

Contact Jenna McKnight at jenna.mcknight@bps101.net to register or visit Owen’s website cotaforowenp.com to obtain a registration form.

Owen was born with a congenital heart defect and was recently diagnosed with heart failure.

The doctors at the Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago have recommended a life-saving heart transplant and placed him on the transplant list in March 2012.

The Payton family needs an estimated $60,000 to pay transplant-related expenses.

Follow Owen’s journey at cotaforowenp.com or visit him on Facebook at Have a Heart 4 Owen.

– Kane County Chronicle

Recovery is everywhere.

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

Wasco Girls Fastpitch and Elite Sports Training Center will host a free Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Competition for area youth at 12 p.m. April 27 at Poynor Park, St. Charles.

Pitch, Hit & Run is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball.

This grassroots program is designed to provide youngsters with an opportunity to compete free of charge, in a competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball/ softball skills.

Boys and girls are divided into four age divisions, and have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including Team Championships at Major League ballparks and the National Finals at the 2013 MLB All-Star Game.

The individual Pitching, Hitting and Running Champions, along with the All-Around Champion in each age and gender group at the Local Competition will be awarded and advance to the Sectional Level of Competition (also hosted by Wasco).

All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificates and have their parents or guardian fill out a registration/ waiver form prior to the start of the competition.

For questions concerning

the competition, contact our local Coordinator Denelle at denelle@elitesportstrainingcenter.com.

SPORTS NEIGHBORS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Dick Pond plans benefit Dick Pond Athletics-St. Charles will hold a Boston Marathon benefit run beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday outside the store at 303 N. 2nd St. The event is designed for runners of all ages and abilities.

The store will sell official “Runners for Boston” T-shirts cost $20, with all proceeds benefiting the Boston One Fund foundation.

For more information, call the store at (630) 587-0745.

33

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

34

weekendlife Kane County Chronicle • Saturday-Sunday, April 20-21, 2013 • Page 35 • KCChronicle.com

Re-run therapy

Escaping reality, talking with actor Eric Scott from ‘The Waltons’ Shortly after my son got home from school Monday afternoon, he jumped online to do his homework. Breaking news about the bombings at the Boston Marathon was hard to ignore, however, so we talked about that, instead.

“I really hope this isn’t [from] North Korea,” Noah said, reflecting on tensions brewing there.

When tensions brew and I decide I need comfort, I make chicken and rice for dinner (a staple of my childhood), curl up with my kids and watch an old episode of “The Waltons.” Been doing that a lot lately.

Some folks enjoy retail therapy. I prefer re-run therapy.

But maybe I should step it up and try a relaxing cruise with the cast of “The Waltons?”

In fact, 150 lucky fans will get to do just that Oct. 19 through 28, along with cast members Michael Learned (Olivia), Jon Walmsley (Jason), Eric Scott (Ben), Judy Norton (Mary Ellen), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth) and Tom Bower (Mary Ellen’s first husband, Dr. Curt Willard).

They’ll set sail from New York aboard the “Norwegian Gem” with stops in Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic.

Sounds awesome to me, but what about the cast? What’ll it be like for them to be stuck on a boat with that many rabid “Waltons” fans for nine days?

“We did a three-day cruise, 14 years ago and it was a blast,” said Eric Scott, a.k.a. Ben Walton, when I spoke to him by phone Monday. “The show (with its wholesome message

TALES FROM THE MOTHERHOOD Jennifer DuBose and values) really brought out the best in the fans,” he added.

“The Waltons,” the beloved television series created by Earl Hamner Jr., was based on his novel “Spencer’s Mountain” and his memories of coming-of-age in Virginia during the Depression. It debuted in 1971, when I was just 4. I recall sitting cross-legged on green plaid carpet in front of my family’s television every Thursday night, over the course of nine seasons.

The plaid carpet is long gone, but my warm memories remain, and I get to relive them all over again whenever I watch re-runs with my own children.

Wonderful conversations have ensued over the years, inspired by the myriad family and social issues the series addressed including WWII and the Great Depression. Though much too young to recall the Depression, Scott, 54, can relate to some of the feelings this period of hardships evoked.

“I was observant; I saw the writing on the wall,” Scott said of his family’s life before he began his acting career.

“We were lower middle-class. I was 7, but knew I wanted to go to college,” he said.

When people approached his parents and said he had “that look,” he jumped at the chance to act, appearing in an episode of “Bewitched,” among other

roles.

“The love of the business wasn’t artistic for me – it was about the money,” he said, expressing the practical and savvy nature he has in common with the character he eventually played on “The Waltons.”

I recall several episodes of the show where entrepreneurial Ben strived to create one business opportunity or another in an effort to make money. In fact, says Scott, the character of Ben was modeled after two of the Hamner brothers, one of whom was a shoe salesman. Scott may not have entered show-business for the love of acting, but he grew to love and appreciate his Waltons cast-mates.

“I had never been on a set as warm and inviting,” he said, of his Waltons days. “They embraced us,” he recalls, of the adult members of the cast.

A few had experience performing on stage, which yielded a sort of egalitarian “troupe” mentality, said Scott, adding that they set the tone for the younger actors.

Ellen Corby (“Esther ‘Grandma’ Walton”), in particular, encouraged him to take chances, to spread his actor’s wings, to not be afraid to spice things up.

Though he recalls she often kept the younger cast members in line (in addition to Will Geer, “Grandpa,” who nearly drove Corby to distraction with his penchant for ad-libbing) and “took care of us on set,” “she was also the vinegar,” Scott said.

See RE-RUN, page 36

Provided photo

Cool weather and moist soil make spring a terrific time for dividing and transplanting perennials and ornamental grasses.

Learning to Grow: Spring is a little like love

By SARAH MARCHESCHI editorial@kcchronicle.com

Ah, spring, when a young man’s fancy turns to love! Well, so said Tennyson, anyway.

For me, spring is that intoxicating time when there is still a glimmer of hope that this could be the year all my ambitious schemes and plans for the garden will finally be realized. And if you’re like me, after spending the gray winter months curled up with a stack of seed catalogs and an overzealous imagination, the romance of the first snowfall is a distant memory.

We’re eager to trade the howling wind and glowering skies, the snowshoes and the ski poles for a shiny pair of Wellington boots and the exhilarating air of spring. And while it’s a bit soon to undertake any major plantings, you can channel some of that energy into projects that will contribute to the success of your garden over the course of the season to come.

The first thing to do is bundle up (remember that bracing spring air that seemed so invigorating just a minute ago?), take to the great outdoors, and survey the damages. Rake out leaves and debris, windblown litter, snapped twigs, and dead annuals, and remove wind and storm damaged branches from trees. If you left

your herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses standing for winter interest, now is a good time to cut them back. Summer flowering shrubs that bloom on the current year’s growth can be pruned now as well, but wait to prune spring bloomers like lilacs, rhododendrons, and forsythias until after they’ve flowered.

Cool weather and moist soil make spring a terrific time for dividing and transplanting perennials and ornamental grasses.

Plants divided just as new growth is emerging should respond well to being transplanted, and they have the subsequent growing season to recover from the disturbance and develop a strong root system.

Despite all that preparation, it’ll be hard to shake the heightened restlessness that seems to mark our days when spring is around the corner.

After all, these are the heady days when anything is still possible. We’re on the cusp of something bright and new, and our daydreams are filled with promise and anticipation of the season to come. And maybe that is, just a little bit, like love.

• Sarah Marcheschi is a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener for Kane County. Call the extension office at 630-584-6166.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| NEIGHBORS

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Remembering episodes of ‘The Waltons’ with cast member Eric Scott • RE-RUN

Continued from page 35 During our conversation I recalled an episode late in the series, when Corby, who’d had a stroke (which was written into the script), returns.

“I recall how poignant it was,” I said, “that her first words, following her partial recovery from the stroke, were to Grandpa (Will Geer). She said, ‘You old fool.’”

“Wow, you really are a fan, aren’t you?” Scott quipped.

Indeed I am. I even made a pilgrimage to Earl Hamner’s childhood home (it looks just like the white house on the show, only smaller) in the tiny town of Schuyler, Va., in 1993, the year after the Waltons Mountain museum opened in the building once occupied by his former high school. Nearby is the little store that Ike Godsey’s “General Merchandise” was modeled after, where I bought a coke. I’d love to return to Schuyler one day, with my kids.

Apparently I’m not the only one who harbors an urge to return to the hamlet that inspired Walton’s Mountain, from time to time. Earl Hamner, who now lives in California, once

wrote in his blog, “In memory I go there each night. I stand beside the gate, look up to the house, and once again I hear the voices of my mother and father, my brothers and sisters as we call goodnight to each other before we sleep,” the inspiration for the ritual at the end of each episode where the characters bid each other goodnight.

Scott’s been to Schuyler, too, and recalled that along with Jon Walmsley (“Jason”), he once visited Hamner’s mother at their home there during the show’s heyday. Clearly a mischief-maker in her own right, Scott said Doris Hamner suggested to them, when fans rang her doorbell, “You go answer the door and see the looks on their faces.”

“What’s your favorite episode?” I asked Scott, as I sifted through several priceless “Ben” moments in my mind.

“Any one that had Ben in it,” he quipped. “I wasn’t shy about this,” he volunteered, describing how he made the most of any opportunity he saw to become involved in the show.

For example, when John-boy started the “Blue Ridge Chronicle” newspaper, Scott went to Richard Thomas (the first actor who played “JohnBoy”) and said he’d like to be involved with this plot. “Richard (Thomas) was

very good. He taught us a lot. If we were concerned about something he would bring it up (to the producers),” said Scott. This is how it came to be that Ben sold advertising space for the “Chronicle.”

Scott applied this same drive to his next career, when he worked his way up from courier to owner of Chase Messengers, a parcel delivery service in California, where he lives with his wife, Cindy and their two children (Scott also has another child, a daughter, born three days before his previous wife’s death from acute myelomonocytic leukemia ). But he’s never left his Waltons family behind.

“Three to four times a year we get together for dinner,” he said, of Mary Elizabeth McDonough (“Erin”), Jon, and Leslie Winston (the actress who last played his “Waltons” wife, “Cindy”). Sometimes they even have sleepovers, he added, where all of their children, whom he said regard each other as cousins, sleep in a tent.

Scott said his kids aren’t nearly as impressed with his Waltons fame as his fans, though when introducing her parents to friends, he does notice that his 11-year-old daughter will mention the fact that he married a “Cindy” on The Waltons and in real

life. “It’s a source of great humor,” he said.

Like other Waltons cast members, Scott regards their fans as part of the extended Waltons family.

There’s always room for one more at the table, so to speak, which is a great comfort to me, because at the rate things are going, there will always be bad news and bombings.

But as long as the Waltons live on in re-runs, there will also be warmth, humanity and a little side of salt and vinegar for balance. Works for this mom.

“I’m just glad that people can still watch it,” said Scott of the beloved series, which airs locally on the INSP network, “but get out there and sail the seas with us! Talk about being salty,” he quips, with his trademark laugh.

For details about the Waltons Appreciation Cruise, visit www.asobo. cruiseone.com/travel/HomePage. html. Also, check out the Facebook page titled “A Waltons Appreciation Cruise.”

• Jennifer DuBose lives in Batavia with her husband, Todd, and their two children, Noah and Holly. Contact her at jenniferdubose@msn.com.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

37

– United Feature Syndicate

HOROSCOPE

By BERNICE BEDE OSOL

Newspaper Enterprise Association TODAY – Your earning potential could greatly increase in coming months. Your current cycle points to several sources creating multiple opportunities for gain.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) – As long as you don’t create obstacles for yourself, you can be a leader in an endeavor that is theoretically controlled by someone else.

Don’t be afraid to step up.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) – Your potential for success is exceptionally good, as long as you don’t overthink things. The secret is to focus on where you want to go.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) – Priority should be given to a situation that would either enhance your career or add to your resources. Look to these areas to get the results you desire.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) – Knowledge that you recently gained can be used to your advantage. However, it’s important not to discuss your intentions with anybody.

Just do what needs to be done.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) – To get anything done today, you must be bold as well as enterprising. Don’t take time to palaver or discuss matters with others – just dive in with both feet.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) – If you subdue your self-interest and try to do things that will provide the greatest good for the biggest number, you’ll come out on top.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) – Conditions are exceptionally good for fulfilling one of your more ambitious objectives. Set your sights on your target and let nothing distract you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) – Take some time out of your busy schedule for exercise. Physical exertion will invigorate not only your body, but your mind as well.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) – Instead of waiting for fortune to bring good things to your doorstep, make things happen yourself. You have the power to write your own destiny.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) – How well you perform is likely to be determined by the company you keep. If you get involved with some movers and shakers, you’ll mirror their behavior.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) – Because you’re presently in a fruitful cycle, you could reap some substantial results from your entrepreneurial endeavors. Focus on involvements that could be financially meaningful.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) – You’ll become the motivating force in an arrangement that is now being handled by another. This person will be totally prepared to take a backseat and let you do the driving.

Paramount Pictures photo

Bodybuilders Paul (Dwayne Johnson), Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and Daniel (Mark Wahlberg) share some criminal talk in “Pain & Gain.”

Mark Wahlberg talks ‘Pain & Gain’

By ED SYMKUS

GateHouse News Service When Mark Wahlberg takes on a role in a film, he becomes that character. Not in any method way of acting.

Rather, he preps for the part, then infuses any relatable pieces of himself into whoever he’s playing.

In the case of the darkly comic, based-on-fact “Pain & Gain,” he plays Daniel Lugo, the not-very-bright bodybuilding mastermind of an absurd plot to get a wealthy client’s money in order to start living his version of the American dream.

Suffice it to say, things go very wrong. Wahlberg spoke recently in Miami, where the movie was shot, and where the actual story took place about a decade ago.

Ed Symkus: What initially attracted you to the part?

Mark Wahlberg: Everything about it.

I mean, you know, the selfish reasons of getting to play a character like that who’s so outrageous. He was an interesting guy. He still believed until the end that he was going to get away with it, that he was right. And those are the kind of characters that I enjoy playing.

Also, the world of bodybuilding to me is fascinating. It’s such a unique

and interesting culture, and everything about it appealed to me.

ES: Is it true that you were injured while training for the film?

MW: No, I just had a lot of aches and

pains. I have tears in both shoulders and a couple herniated discs, but it’s no big deal. I’ve been starting to learn how to exercise in a way that corrects those injuries as opposed to lifting really heavy, and end up making it worse.

ES: You mentioned recently on MTV that you had a criminal mentality that your costars (Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie) didn’t have. What was that all about?

MW: I have a checkered past, and I

used that to identify with the character that I’m playing.

ES: Daniel Lugo is a real person, and he’s still alive. Is there a special challenge to playing a role like that as opposed to a fictional character?

MW: It depends on the level of

involvement of the person. It depends on if the person’s still alive and how famous that person is. When I was doing “The Fighter,” Micky Ward was on the set with me every day, and I was trying to pick up all of his mannerisms, and the way he walked and talked and all of those things. But

in this case I only had a little bit of information about Danny that I learned from newspaper articles and from a [television] re-enactment.

So, I was able to bring a lot of different colors and layers to the part and kind of make some stuff up.

ES: Did you ever get to speak with Lugo?

MW: I would have been open to the

idea of talking with him, but they didn’t recommend it, so I didn’t want to push it.

ES: The story is pretty crazy. What was your reaction when you first read the script?

MW: Well, you get the script and it

says “based on a true story,” and you start reading and you’re like, “That’s impossible; there’s no way this is a true story.”

But then, lo and behold, you start reading the article about it and doing your research, and you find out that this stuff really happened.

They actually had to take some of the stuff out of the script because it was too unbelievable, too far-fetched.

But I just thought it was fascinating, and these are the kinds of things that I gravitate towards.

• “Pain & Gain” opens April 26.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), German dictator; Jessica Lange (1949), actress; Luther Vandross (1951-2005), singer; Crispin Glover (1964), actor; Andy Serkis (1964), actor; Carmen Electra (1972), actress.

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| ADVICE

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Girl fears she’ll lose touch with friend Keep asking for

Dear Abby: I am a 16-year-old girl from Serbia. I have been in the U.S. for two years and I’m studying English in an ESL class.

I read your column and could use some help to solve my problem because I am very upset.

I have known my best friend, “Vanessa,” for a year and a half.

She is my age and we were very close. She had to leave school because her family moved. I can’t visit her because she is too far away. I cried because I don’t know if she is going to remember me or if she is going to forget all about me. I’m so afraid I am going to lose her. Can you help me? – Sad In Buffalo Dear Sad: You are obviously doing well in your ESL studies, and for that I congratulate you.

Because you and Vanessa no longer live close does not mean that you can’t still be friends.

Although she has moved to a different geographical location, you can maintain a friendship because she is as near as your phone or computer.

Because you want to still be a part of her life, keep her updated on what is going on in your life and ask her to do the same. That is the way long-distance relationships are maintained, and some

DEAR ABBY Jeanne Phillips of them have been known to last a lifetime.

Dear Abby: I have been dating my boyfriend, “Adam,” for three years. Although we are young, we are serious about our relationship. Not too long after we started dating, Adam began staying over at my house on most weekends. I live with my mom, who is 47.

For the past year when Adam comes to visit, my mom has been coming out of her bedroom in her bra and panties, for the most part exposed. She also makes flirtatious comments to Adam that I feel are completely inappropriate.

I have tried talking to her about it, letting her know how uncomfortable Adam and I and some of my friends are about it. I hoped she would understand, but she continues with the flirting and underdressing. What can I do about this? I’m desperate to try anything. – Desperate In Maine Dear Desperate: You may be desperate, but not as desperate as it appears your mother is for attention. Because talking to her

hasn’t helped, accept that she is not going to change her behavior.

Have Adam stay over less often.

When you meet with your friends, do it at someone else’s house. And if you can afford to move elsewhere, you should consider it.

Dear Abby: I am a single mother of a 12-year-old boy. Three or four of his friends are constantly over at our house, and I feel obligated to feed and/or entertain them.

Their parents don’t send money for their meals and often don’t even call to check on them, so they are left spending the night here.

I don’t mind the boys staying with us, but I don’t think I should be expected to pay for their food and fun or feel guilty if my son and I eat and they don’t. Any suggestions? – Single Mom In The South Dear Single Mom: Call the boys’ parents and have a friendly chat with them. I agree that the current situation isn’t fair to you, and because the boys are at your home so often, their parents should be chipping in. Alternatively, start sending the boys home at dinner time.

• Write Dear Abby at www. dearabby.com.

Read nutrition labels to find the ‘whole’ truth Dear Doctor K: These days everything in the supermarket claims to contain whole grains, from sugary cereals to my favorite chips. How do I know which foods are healthy whole grains?

Dear Reader: “Whole grain” has become a healthy-eating buzz-phrase, and food companies aren’t shy about using it. But some of the products we buy may not deliver the healthful wholegrain goodness we’re expecting.

And if sugary cereals can tout themselves as a whole-grain food, there’s something amiss.

Wheat, rice, barley and oats are all grains used to create bread, cereals and pasta. If those grains are processed heavily before the bread, cereals or pasta are made (such as in white bread or white rice) they’re called “refined” grains. The processing that leads to refined grains removes fiber – and iron and B vitamins – from the grain. If you see the term “enriched grains” on a package, it means the fiber is still gone, but some iron and B vitamins have been added back.

So, what’s the best way to

ASK DOCTOR K Anthony L. Komaroff identify a healthful whole-grain food? Use the 10:1 rule: For every 10 grams of carbohydrate, there should be at least one gram of fiber. Why a ratio of 10-to-1? That’s about the ratio of carbohydrate to fiber in a genuine whole grain – unprocessed wheat.

Let’s say the Nutrition Facts label on a package shows that one serving of a whole-grain roll has 23 grams of carbohydrate. Divide that by 10 to get 2.3. It also has 5 grams of dietary fiber, which is bigger than 2.3. That signals a healthful whole-grain food. (I’ve put a sample Nutrition Facts label, along with an explanation of how to calculate the carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio, on my website, AskDoctorK.com.)

Intact grains – wheat berries, oat berries, brown rice and quinoa, for example – are the best source of whole grains. Ground whole grains come next, as long

as they still deliver a good dose of fiber. To find those, use the 10:1 carbohydrate-to-fiber rule.

What’s the good of eating whole grains? Because they have more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Even more important, they are digested more slowly.

When you eat a refined grain, there is a sudden surge of sugar in your blood. That stresses your pancreas, which has a hard time making enough insulin to drive all of the sugar into your cells for energy. The excess sugar gets turned into fat.

In fact, people who eat lots of refined grains and few whole grains are more likely to become obese and to develop diabetes and heart disease. People who eat mainly whole grains and keep their total calories in check are more likely to lose weight. I’m not preaching; I’m giving you advice proven to improve your health.

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

help until it comes

Dr. Wallace: My parents divorced a year ago because my mom was seeing another guy.

My dad has moved back to Mexico, and I haven’t heard from him since he left our house. The “other guy” mom was seeing is now my stepfather, and he has me scared to death.

When Mom is not around, he is starting to be sexually aggressive with me. I don’t want to tell you everything he has said or done to me, but I don’t know who to turn to for help. I want to tell my mother, but I don’t want to ruin her new marriage, and I’m not sure she would believe me because she knows I dislike my stepfather. I’m 14 years old. – Nameless, Houston, Tex. Dear Nameless: Please read the following letter from someone who has suffered a similar terrible experience. Please contact me in a few weeks and let me know how you are progressing.

Dr. Wallace: I’m writing this letter to all the young women who are being sexually abused by fathers and stepfathers.

This abuse must be stopped!

First, tell your mother what has happened. If she believes you, she’ll take action immediately.

But don’t be surprised if your mother doesn’t believe you. She’s likely to think it’s impossible for her husband to do something so horrible, especially after he denies everything. If that’s the case, immediately tell a teacher, relative, clergyman or, if need be, contact the police. It might be wise to tell all four. If you do this, the proper action will be taken.

Please allow me to tell you my sad story.

My father started molesting me when I was

’TWEEN 12 & 20 Robert Wallace

13, and this nightmare continued until I joined the Navy the day after high school graduation.

At 13, when I told my mother, she called me a liar and said I was trying to break up her marriage. I then went into an emotional shell and stayed that way until I entered the Navy.

I didn’t tell anyone else about my problem because I thought they wouldn’t believe me and I’d be in trouble if they contacted my parents.

After I left home, Dad started molesting my 14-year-old sister.

She told me all about it when I came home on leave. She also said she told our mother but was accused of lying. I immediately took my sister to the police station.

The following day, our father was arrested, and my sister was placed in my aunt’s house. Mom finally got the message that her husband was molesting his daughters.

When confronted by the authorities, Dad admitted everything and said he was sorry.

Unfortunately, sorry wasn’t enough. My life at home was worse than the worst nightmare.

No child should ever be subjected to such terror.

My mistake was telling my mother, and when she didn’t believe me, not telling another trusted adult. If you are a teen and you are being molested sexually, and your mother does not believe you, keep asking for help until the help comes, and it will. – Cindy, Miami, Fla.

• Email Dr. Robert Wallace at rwallace@ galesburg.net.

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

BRIDGE by Phillip Alder

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

CELEBRITY CIPHER

Neil Armstrong, in a graduation speech at the University of Southern California in 2005, said, “I hope you become comfortable with the use of logic without being deceived into concluding that logic will inevitably lead you to the correct conclusion.”

At the bridge table, the use of logic should lead to the correct conclusion.

In today’s deal, South is in three no-trump. West leads the heart seven: nine, ace, eight.

What should East do next?

First, let’s have East check the high-card points – our theme for the week. South showed 15 to 17, dummy has 10, and East holds nine. That leaves four to six points for West.

Next, it is common in notrump to return partner’s lead, and many players would lead back the heart jack without further thought. Here, South would gallop home with at least one overtrick.

East should also read the lead; what can he learn about his partner’s heart holding?

Usually, West would lead fourth-highest from his longest and strongest. So East should apply the Rule of Eleven. Seven from 11 is four. This means that there should be four hearts higher than the seven in the North, East and South hands combined.

But at the first trick, East saw five higher hearts: dummy’s nine and 10, his ace and jack, and South’s eight. West cannot have led fourth-highest. Instead, logic says that the heart seven must have been top of nothing.

If South has the heart king and queen, there is no logic in returning that suit. Instead, East should shift to the spade queen.

Here, that works beautifully, gaining the first five tricks for the defense.

PUZZLES | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Check the lead to guide the defense

39

Arlo & Janis

Garfield

Big Nate is on vacation. Please enjoy this strip from April 30, 2011.

Get Fuzzy is on vacation. Please enjoy this strip from Feb. 5, 2011.

Crankshaft

The Pajama Diaries

Stone Soup

Pearls Before Swine

Dilbert

Rose Is Rose

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| COMICS

40

Beetle Bailey

41

COMICS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Blondie

• Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Born Loser

The Argyle Sweater

Real Life Adventures

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

| YOUR NEXT HOME 48

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, April 20, 2013

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