A place for veterans to connect

NEWSLETTER

u WINTER 2021 u

Business & Industry United For A Better Community

WHAT’S INSIDE:

'80S VIBES

Christmas Dinner Dance theme is 'Footloose Prom'

#SHOPSMALL

Spend dollars locally on Small Business Saturday

GIVING BACK

Two holiday donation drives will help neighbors in need

A PLACE FOR VETERANS TO CONNECT

Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club

Our esteemed local community war veterans have made many sacrifices through selfless service to others. After years beyond their military service duties, they still enjoy and look forward to the opportunity to get together, meet new friends, swap stories, and remain connected.

“Since the mid 1990s the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club has been a special outlet for veterans to support each other while enjoying a tasty and piping hot buffet breakfast,” said Rick Gardner, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran from 1966-68, who is co-president of the club along with Jim Davidson. The group meets twice a month on the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Oswego American Legion Post #675 at 19 West Washington Street. It’s a time when they can nourish both their bodies and spirits. There is no fee to be in the club and it is funded by donations. The only cost involved is $10 and a tip for the breakfast, which has all the fixin’s including coffee, juice, scrambled eggs and hash browns, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and sausage. Those feeling lucky can participate in a 50/50. For early risers, the doors open at 6:30 a.m. followed by a short meeting at 7 a.m. with breakfast served at 7:30 a.m.

u Continued on page 3

WAUBONSEE WIN:

FINDYOUR DIRECTTION.

EARN EARN YO YOUR UR WIN WIN.

Public Safety and Service

Science, Technology, gi gEngineering and Math

Industry and Manufacturing Business

Arts, Design De and Humanities Hu

Health Sciences Social and Behavioral Science

Communications and World ng geLanguages

Education

STARTJANUARY18. waubonsee.edu/sprinng

Waubonsee does not discriminate on the basis of any individual’s act actual or perceived characteristic protected by law in its programs or activities. ies. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to: Michele Needham,Title IX/ IX/ADA/ Section 504 Coordinator, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grov ve, IL 60554, compliance@waubonsee.edu.

Your downtown neighborhood dentist for over 30 years!

• Cleanings • Bonding • Same Day Crowns • Bridgework • Dental Implants • Fillings • Oral Cancer Screenings • Orthodontic Treatment • Periodontal Disease Therapy • Porcelain Veneers • Removable Dentures • Root Canal Treatment • Sealants • Teeth Whitening • TMJ/TMD Treatment • Tooth Extractions • Emergency Dental Treatment

Discover

your Smile Today!

Jeff Jeff Hynek, Hynek DDS DDS Shalini Mohan, DMD

CALL US TODAY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT!

HOURS:

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 12pm Saturday 8am - 12pm Sunday CLOSED

Veterans attending the breakfast have served in Vietnam, Korea, and the Middle East conflict.

A few stalwart WWII vets attend when they can. Attendees occasionally will hear guest speakers on a variety of educational topics. The club was instrumental in bringing the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to West Aurora High School in 2015 and Oswego in 2017. This year, they brought the Middle East Conflicts Wall to Oswego. The club has also brought attention to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's Agent Orange Awareness fundraiser, Honor Flight Chicago, and much more.

The Village of Oswego widely supports local veterans and has provided recent events such as: Starlifter: The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America and Vet Fest.

“We are proud of what we are doing for our local veterans,” said Gardner, who has been involved with the club for ten years. He makes sure its founders are not forgotten. “It was our local late veterans like Elmer J. Michaels; WWII U.S. Navy-retired Illinois State Senator Robert Mitchler; and U.S. Navy Herschel Luckinbill, who passed earlier this year, who have all made a difference in many ways.”

“Most of the vets involved today with the club are men, but we are happy that women veterans have also found us and are beginning to join us, too. We welcome all veterans.”

During these tough times of struggling veterans who face isolation and mental health issues, the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club can be a friendly oasis in the desert.

For more information, contact Gardner at rickstunts@aol.com or call 630-638-5441.

Visit the club’s Facebook page at facebook.com/Fox-ValleyVeterans-Breakfast-Club.

Additional information for Kendall County veterans support Veterans Assistance Commission of Kendall County

811 John St. • Yorkville, IL 60560 630-553-8357 • www.kendallvets.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A place for veterans to connect ......................................1 Chamber CEO Letter........................................................4 Message from the Chamber Chair .................................6 Celebrate the holidays, '80s style...................................7 Think local on Small Business Saturday .........................8 Chamber Board of Directors...........................................8 Fill a Truck for Toys for Tots........................................... 10 About Oswego............................................................... 10 Fox Valley Winery opens at new location.................... 12 Ribbon cuttings.............................................................. 14 New members................................................................ 15

Becoming a Member is EASY and Affordable!

Check us out online at www.OswegoChamber.org Call, e-mail, or stop on by! Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce 73 W. Van Buren St. • Oswego, IL 60543 Phone: (630) 554-3505 • Fax: (630) 554-0050 Email: info@oswegochamber.org