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OSW EGO LEDGER KendallCountyNow.com OFFICE 109 W. Veterans Parkway (U.S. Route 34), second floor Yorkville, IL 60560 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday 630-553-7034

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POSTMASTER: Please send change of address forms to The Oswego Ledger, c/o Shaw Media, P.O. Box 250, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250.

Effective Feb. 4, the Oswego Ledger is the successor newspaper to the Ledger-Sentinel, as contemplated by 715 ILCS 5/5 (e), which was a consolidation of the Oswego Ledger and the Fox Valley Sentinel, published every Thursday in Oswego, Illinois, in Kendall County

by Shaw Media. Periodicals postage paid at Oswego, Illinois, 60543.

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ON THE COVER Janet Reiter along with daughters Mazie and Remi shop for vegetables at the Oswego Country Market.

See more photos on page 9.

Photo by Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

New leaders for food pantry

Oswego village president among those to be named to board

By TONY SCOTT

tscott@kendallcountynow.com A group of community leaders is poised to take over the operations of the Kendall County Food Pantry, pending legal review, according to food pantry officials.

According to Food Pantry Board President Jeff Young, the pantry is “in the process of accepting a proposal from a group of prominent local community leaders to immediately assume the administration of what will be called the Kendall County Community Food Pantry.”

“This new leadership is committed to ensuring the pantry’s mission of service to the community continues,” Young said. “They will be actively implementing new legal, accounting, and accountability systems.”

Greg Witek, Little Rock-Fox fire chief and KenCom Executive Board chairman, is the acting board chair for the new Kendall County Community Food Pantry, according to Young.

The other members of the new Kendall County Community Food Pantry Board will be Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird; Rick Bill, food pantry operations management; Stan Free, executive vice president of First National Bank; Oswego Village President Gail Johnson; Millbrook Village President Jackie Kowalski; Fred Kreinbrink, operations manager for city of Naperville

electric; Becky Morphey, Fox Valley Family YMCA Board chairman; Larry Nelson, CEO of Nelson Multimedia and KenCom finance chairman; Tandy Pinter, operations management for the food pantry; Steve Steinwart, president of Meadowvale Dairy; and Grant Wegner, retired chief judge and counsel to Mahoney, Silverman and Cross law firm.

“We are excited and proud that such a prestigious group of community leaders have taken on the very urgent cause of food assistance for our community and look forward to finalizing the transfer of pantry operations,” Young said. “Changes to the website, social media pages and more will be coming in the near future.”

The changes come after a month of turmoil for the food pantry.

Former Executive Director and Board Chairman Maria Spaeth, a Yorkville resident, was found dead in her Lake Holiday vacation home June 21. She and her husband, Ken, the food pantry’s treasurer, resigned from their respective positions on June 7, according to Young.

Yorkville police executed search warrants on the food pantry, at 208 Beaver St. in Yorkville, and on a Kendall County residence June 1. The searches were part of an investigation by police regarding “suspicious transactions and possible theft of funds from the Kendall County Food Pantry accounts,” accord-

Text alerts Get Oswego and Montgomery news sent right to you. Sign up for text alerts at shawurl.com/kcntexts. Message and data rates may apply. ing to the Yorkville police.

The investigation into the thefts is still pending, according to police.

Witek said the change in leadership has not been finalized, but is pending legal paperwork and should be complete within a matter of days.

“It’s been going on for several weeks, ever since the original legal challenges started,” he said. “It’s a combination of the existing board feeling like something needed to drastically change in order to allay the public’s fear, the donors’ fear, the volunteers’ fear. And the most important thing for both boards – the old board and this new board – since the very first time we talked about it, was making sure that the operations of the food pantry, the several hundred families that go through there every day, are unaffected. They should see no change in their operation – the food and the supplies that they count on will be at the pantry every Thursday.”

The new Kendall County Community Food Pantry can be contacted using info@kccfp.org or 630-708-2208.

Coroner: Former director died of overdose

By TONY SCOTT

tscott@kendallcountynow.com DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller announced Friday that Maria Spaeth, the former director of the Kendall County Food Pantry, died of a drug overdose.

Spaeth, 52, was found unresponsive at her Lake Holiday home on the afternoon of June 21, and was brought by paramedics to Valley West Hospital in Sandwich where she was pronounced dead.

She and her husband, Kenneth, the food pantry’s former treasurer, resigned from the organization June 7. Six days earlier, Yorkville police executed a search warrant on the food pantry building at 208 Beaver St. in Yorkville and at a Kendall County residence.

The search warrants were executed as part of an inves-

tigation by police regarding “suspicious transactions and possible theft of funds from the Kendall County Food Pantry accounts,” according to the Yorkville police.

Miller said Spaeth had lethal amounts of acetaminophen, Xanax and hydrocodone in her system. He said, however, that he could not determine if the death was intentional or accidental.

“There’s nothing there that says it’s a suicide,” Miller said. “These medications are prescribed to her from her physician.”

Miller said Kenneth Spaeth declined to answer questions about his wife’s death.

“I wanted to ask her husband some questions, but his attorney said not to talk to me,” he said. “That’s why I say it’s undetermined. I would push more toward accidental than anything else, but I’m making it undetermined.”

CIVIC MEETINGS WEEK OF JULY 25-29 Monday, 6 p.m.: Montgomery Intergovernmental and Community Committee, Montgomery Village Hall.

Monday, 7 p.m.: Montgomery Village

Board, Montgomery Village Hall.

Wednesday: Oswego Historic Preservation Commission, CANCELED. Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Kendall County Regional Plan Commission, County Office

Building, Yorkville.

Thursday: Oswego Police Pension Board, CANCELED. Thursday, 5:30 p.m.: KenCom Executive Board, County Public Safety Center, Yorkville.

Oswego theater to also open bar area later this summer

The addition at Kendall 10 Theaters is taking shape.

Kendall 10 is adding a largeformat theater, as well as updating its original 10 auditoriums.

By BEN DRAPER

bdraper@shawmedia.com

Eric Miller - emiller@ shawmedia.com

it over your head from the speakers on the ceiling,” Thomas said. “Many of the new soundtracks are all being mixed with a Dolby Atmos mix.”

The GDX theater will be No. 9, while two of the original theaters will be numbered 10 and 11.

Also nearing completion is the theater’s bar area.

“We’ve yet to open the bar area.

Construction-related items are holding it up,” Thomas said. “We hope to have that space open before Labor Day.” The bar will offer four draft beers in addition to 15 to 20 bottled varieties. A margarita machine is still to be delivered, and four types of wine will also be available. Thomas admitted that the theater’s plan to sell alcohol has been met with a small amount of push-back, but Goodrich is taking many steps to control who can receive an alcoholic beverage.

“We are a movie theater, and we want to be able to control both the consumption and age restriction,” he said.

Alcoholic beverages will be served in a different cup than what is served at the concession stand. In addition, the theater will only sell one beverage per person.

“To the dismay of some couples, we do want to see each customer,” he said regarding the theater’s planned policy.

In December 2015, Thomas also indicated the theaters would be patrolled more often.

Also in December, Thomas said that Kendall 11 GDX had experienced a loss of business, and about a 40 percent drop in attendance in recent years since the opening of a theater in Yorkville.

Neighborhood Cinema Group opened the NCG Theater in Yorkville in November 2013.

Thomas said recently that the improvements and additions to the Kendall 11 GDX theater will position the theater to better compete. He also hopes it increases business around the theater.

“I don’t think Kendall 11 is going to be run-of-the-mill with all the improvements we’re putting in place,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to grow our business back to what it was, and hopefully it brings foot traffic to the business around it.”

Oswego village administrator Dan Di Santo also expects business in the area to benefit from the Kendall 11 GDX expansion.

“The village of Oswego is thrilled

about the renovations and reinvestment into the new Kendall 11 movie theater. Not only is the interior of the theater being updated, but the theater is increasing their food and beverage offerings and opening a new 11th screen. The 11th screen will be a huge GDX theater, which will be a regional draw to Oswego. We anticipate this new theater to bring more customers to Oswego and the Route 30 and Douglas Road Corridor,” he said via email.

Entertainment-related businesses are an important part of economic development in an area, according to Di Santo.

“At a recent shopping center convention, I spoke with a shopping center developer that explained how traditional malls are dying due to the online marketplace, but that brick and mortar retailers are attracted to entertainment uses like movie theaters. The rejuvenated Kendall 11 should attract not only new customers to Oswego, but new businesses as well,” he said.

Kendall 11 GDX has remained open during construction, and Thomas was appreciative of its visitors’ patience.

“Our customers have been very gracious,” he said.

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Visitors to the Kendall 10 movie theater can already experience some of the improvements being made as it makes its transition to Kendall 11 GDX. Kendall 11 GDX’s owner, Goodrich Quality Theaters, is expanding and renovating its theater at 95 Fifth Street in the Townes Crossing shopping center, just south of U.S. Route 30 in Oswego.

According to project plans, a 9,089-square-foot addition will be constructed onto the west side of the 26,019-square-foot building to accommodate a large-format screen theater.

Regional manager Heath Thomas said that seven of the original 10 auditoriums have been updated, while the final three are set to be finished

by Friday, Aug. 5. Each of the original rooms features new sound systems, new chairs, finishes, sightlines and more leg room.

In addition to the existing auditorium upgrades, the theater now features a new concession stand and lobby area.

But the big addition, a Giant Digital Experience – or GDX – large-format theater, won’t be open until September, according to Thomas.

“We’re looking to have it available around Labor Day, but that’s depending on a couple factors. It could be mid-September. We want to give a nice finale to the summer season, and get people in the room,” he said.

According to its website, the GDX is Goodrich Quality Theaters’ premium large-format theater experience.

All GDX theaters feature Dolby Atmos, which features immersive sound. “[Dolby Atmos] is a fully panoramic system. For instance, if you have a helicopter [on screen], ... you’ll also hear

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Kendall 10 will offer bigger big screen

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, July 21, 2016

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OPINIONS OUR VIEW

Ledger becomes even more local today

Since the late Ford Lippold published the first Oswego Ledger in his small frame home on Madison Street just blocks from the village’s downtown in 1949, this paper’s focus has always been on local, community news.

While our emphasis remains on the people and events in Oswego, Montgomery and Kendall County, over the past year we’ve broadened our methods of reaching our readers by launching an all new and comprehensive website (KendallCountyNow. com) and expanding our social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.

While we’re very pleased with how well our web and social media

initiatives have been received by our readers and advertisers, we remain as committed as ever to publishing an outstanding paper each and every week for our readers.

Over the past year, we’ve added significantly more color photos and advertisements to the paper and in February adopted a new, reader-friendly design and format. Now, with this issue of the Ledger, we’re pleased to announce that our readers can look forward to finding more local news, more photos and more regular features in their paper every week.

Just a few page turns away you’ll find we’ve brought back our popular

monthly “Yesteryear” column, and in the coming weeks readers will find School District 308 students and events highlighted on our weekly “Bulletin Board” page along with more photos of youth teams in our Sports section. Starting later this year, parents and grandparents will once again be able to find School District 308 honor rolls printed in our pages.

We love newspapers and we know our thousands of readers feel exactly the same way. We also feel a very strong commitment to the still-growing community we have served since Ford Lippold printed No. 1, Vol. 1 of the Oswego Ledger 67 years ago this

fall. That’s why we’re excited at the prospect of being able to publish more news and features every week beginning with this edition of the Ledger.

Yes, technology has brought major change to the way people receive news and other information in recent years, but we remain determined as ever to being the trusted, award-winning source for local news in the Oswego-Montgomery community in print and online. We are excited about the future of local news and would like you to feel the same way. As always, we continue to welcome your suggestions and other feedback at news@ kendallcountynow.com.

Loping through the Dog Days of summer REFLECTIONS Roger Matile So here we are, well into the Dog Days of Summer, which, the Old Farmers Almanac tells us, are the 40 days between July 3 and Aug. 11 when Sirius the Dog Star and the sun are in conjunction.

More specifically, the Dog Days refer to the 20 days before and the 20 days after the sun and the Dog Star rise together on July 23. The ancients believed Sirius added its heat to the sun, thus making that period of time the warmest of the year.

Whether Sirius rises with the sun or not, you have to admit that we’ve got serious weather here in Illinois.

We visited San Diego over Christmas break one year and were surprised to find there was no weather to speak of out there.

The weather buffoons on television spent all their time talking about something called the marine layer, which turned out to be a giant fog bank that flows ashore and then back out to sea every morning, which, from what I saw, causes great consternation among the populace.

The people were concerned, as near as we could tell, because their monotonous sunshine was temporarily obscured – I suspect an actual change in weather would have been more than they could have endured.

Out here on what one of the Chicago Tribune’s wordsmiths once de-

Photo provided by the Library of Congress

During his years in the White House, President Theodore Roosevelt and his family kept many dogs, including a bull terrier that was exiled from the mansion when he nipped the French ambassador. scribed as the rural plains of northern Illinois, of course, weather sometimes changes on a minute-by-minute basis.

Just because it’s sunshiny one minute, we all know the skies could, on a moment’s notice with no warning, open up and pummel us with anything from rain to hail the size of Volkswagens. Or not. Which is one thing that makes living here so interesting, in a Chinese curse sort of way if you get our drift.

Anyway, we’ve now survived Independence Day without blowing ourselves up, and are loping along through the Dog Days, with an eye firmly fixed on August.

As we get closer to the last month of summer, I decided to clear out some of the junk mail that’s been building up like some sort of ominous marine layer here at Local History Central.

The pile has gotten very tall and unstable, and so before an OSHA inspector wanders through Troy and decides to issue citations, here are a few things we never would have found out if we hadn’t opened all the mail that showed up in the mailbox out in front of the Matile Manse each and every day (except, unfortunately, Sundays): Teddy Roosevelt’s family had 24 pets in the White House when he was president, including four guinea pigs, two cats, and a bear. Rumors that Teddy liked pets because they tasted so good are unfounded.

The month of July, with 31 days, was officially named by the Roman Senate in honor of Julius Caesar.

On average, July is the warmest month in the northern hemisphere and the coldest month in the southern hemisphere.

If you’re in a celebratory mood, today is Belgium Independence Day and tomorrow is Foundation Day in Cleveland, Ohio.

Speaking of the Chinese (I was, just a few ‘graphs up above), in ancient China, pearls were regarded as charms against fire.

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but it still fascinates me: The first pencil with an eraser attached was patented in 1858 by Hyman L. Lipman of Philadelphia.

In circus jargon, balloons are called

bladders. It does not say what one’s bladder is called by circus folks. A balloon, perhaps.

Says here some people believe that locking the fingers together and pulling on them will stop an owl from hooting. We suspect these are the same people who believe the oil companies had nothing to do with misleading the entire nation about global climate change.

In the Middle Ages, guests were supposed to throw eggs at the bride and groom following the wedding. And these were people they presumably liked.

And by the way, according to a study which (like Dave Barry) I am not making up, the Brazilian Presidential guard has determined that the maximum effective range at which an egg may be accurately thrown at political figures is 183 feet. Don’t you just love government studies?

In Japan, the peach is the symbol of fertility. Which gives a whole new meaning to peach cobbler.

Speaking of peaches, the first fruit tree to receive a patent was a peach tree, whose patent was awarded to James E. Markham in 1932.

The first tax-supported municipal orchestra in the U.S. was created in 1915 when the Baltimore City Orchestra was established.

The word “boondocks” comes from the Tagalog word bandok, which means mountains. Tagalog is the native language of the Philippines, in case you were wondering.

See REFLECTIONS, page 6

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Change is never easy. I personally hate change. You get all cozy and comfortable and used to things, and then all of a sudden your world is upended and is, usually, never the same.

Kendall County has seen its share of change over the past 15 to 20 years.

Small towns have evolved into sprawling exurbs. Farm fields have morphed into shopping malls. And, yes, even your local paper has seen changes, especially in the past year.

But some things are still the same.

Some would argue that our towns – Yorkville, Oswego, Montgomery, Plano, Newark – still have that small town appeal. Festivals with live music and cold beverages still bring people together on the weekends. And folks still gather at the local diner early in the morning to chat about the latest gossip and news.

I started out helping our local paper deliver that news, as a 19-year-old college intern who covered his first plan commission meeting in January

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR France a gun-free zone

To the Editor: France is a gun-free zone. That is, law-abiding citizens are not, generally, allowed to own firearms. However, you may have noticed that their terrorists and petty criminals have no problem getting firearms and grenades.

Hillary has already stated that confiscation of firearms – from law-abiding citizens – is an idea “worth considering.” Remember, when you vote this November, the Constitution is only a piece of paper.

Charles Christensen Oswego

Agriculture exploration

To the Editor: Recently, I read an article about Kendall County’s disappearing agricultural land and declining number of farms.

This news is quite troubling to me. Our farmers and the food they grow for us are critical and farmers having difficult times due to ever-increasing property taxes should not be placed in positions of having to sell their land or portions thereof to developers.

In light of that article, I was very pleased to receive an invitation, as a • Continued on page 6

VIEWS Tony Scott of 1996 for the Kendall County Record.

As a senior at Yorkville High School the year before, I had written stories on my fellow students and submitted them as part of a journalism class, where, once a month, our efforts would be published in the Record.

I joined the Record staff full-time in the spring of 2000, and began my career in earnest, covering local government, writing feature stories on local people, and writing columns. I loved every minute of it, and enjoyed meeting local characters; real life really can be stranger than fiction.

I wrote about Bigfoot sightings and sales tax referendums; covered county fairs and murder trials; rode along with police officers and landfill managers. I saw the county and its towns

go through growing pains, with high taxes and overcrowded schools.

Over the years, I’ve covered Yorkville, Montgomery, Oswego, Plano, and even Newark and Lisbon on occasion. I know the country road shortcuts, and I’ve been stuck in my share of traffic jams during construction season (and when is it not construction season around here?).

I moved to Yorkville as a high school freshman in 1992, and other than my brief stay in Charleston during college, I’ve lived in the Kendall County area ever since. I currently live in Oswego with a couple of obese, needy cats named Joe and Porkchop.

Following a year hiatus where I freelanced for a variety of Chicago area publications, I am now back as a full-time reporter with the Record and Oswego Ledger. And I’m working with John Etheredge, the editor of the group and my former news editor at the Ledger.

John and I go back more than 20

years, since I started as an intern at the newspapers, and he and I both have a similar philosophy: that local news comes first, and that community journalism is the bedrock of an informed populace.

I’ll be covering Kendall County Board and city of Yorkville news, along with writing features, as part of my new beat. Along with my coverage will be some changes, and I think they are good. I’ll be able to bring you breaking news faster, with our website KendallCountyNow.com, our Facebook pages for Record Newspapers and the Ledger, our Twitter account @KCRNewspapers, as well as text alerts and our daily morning email newsletter.

We have more tools now as journalists, which means that we have more ways to get you the news that you need. But I also understand that it doesn’t absolve us of our number one job, and that’s to tell the stories of your community.

Some things never change.

Montgomery Fest grew out of ’60s carnival Montgomery Fest is Aug. 12-14.

It seems that during the summer, hardly a weekend goes by without a festival or two occurring in the western suburbs. From Oswego’s PrairieFest to the Windmill Festival in Batavia to the unique “Eyes to the Skies” hot air balloon festival in Lisle, these types of events provide old-fashioned family fun and help create a sense of community.

In Montgomery, the Village Board sponsors a variety of community events each year, including an Easter Egg Hunt, Concerts in the Park, the 10K River Run and a Tree Lighting Ceremony in December. But the highlight of the year for Montgomery residents is always Montgomery Fest, held on the second weekend in August.

Q: When did Montgomery Fest begin?

A: As early as the 1960s an event

was held called Montgomery Days that mainly consisted of a carnival in the VFW parking lot and a parade. That was the eventual genesis for the annual Montgomery Fest, which has expanded over the past 32 years to the multi-faceted three-day event that we enjoy today.

The annual carp derby is the oldest continuous carp derby in Illinois and is now in its 30th year.

Q: What activities are planned for this year’s Montgomery Fest?

A: Montgomery Fest is always a fun-

filled, three-day weekend of carnival rides, terrific food, a car show, parade, fireworks, vendor booths and entertain-

VIEWS Matthew T. Brolley ment for all ages.

The Fest begins at 5 p.m. on Friday with food vendors and a craft beer tent.

The carnival is offering a great deal – $20 wristbands good for unlimited rides from 6 to 10 p.m. And the popular band Back Country Roads will perform from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Saturday morning will again offer $20 carnival wristbands from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fire Department water fights begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday entertainment includes a talent show and three great bands: Whiskeyfist, Centerfold and Evolution. In addition, Colonial Café will host an Ice Cream Eating Contest at 4 p.m. (registration starts at 3:30 p.m.) and Mr. Freeze from Fermi Lab will offer an amazing show at 7 p.m.

One highlight of the Fest will be performances by the amazing Division BMX Stunt Team on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is a world-famous team of professional BMX riders who provide high-flying entertainment, with an autograph session after each performance.

Sunday features a carp fishing derby (at 6 a.m.), car show and the parade, which begins at 1 p.m. Dabylon and Next Tuesday Band will provide enter-

tainment, topped off by The Nygel Ajax Band. The day ends with a fantastic fireworks display at 9 p.m.

A schedule of events is mailed to Montgomery residents in August. The schedule with any last-minute updates is also posted on the village website at ci.montgomery.il.us.

Q: What about parking?

A: Parking is available in various

parking lots in downtown Montgomery as well as on Route 25 and neighborhood side streets. However, since parking is at a premium, we encourage people to use the free shuttle service that is available on Saturday and Sunday approximately every half hour from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Shuttle locations are the U-Haul parking lot on Douglas Road near Route 30 and Lakewood Creek Elementary School on Lakewood Creek Drive. Also, keep in mind that the Mill Street Bridge is closed to traffic on Saturday and Sunday.

Q: Is Montgomery Fest funded with taxpayer dollars?

A: Montgomery Fest is paid for by

contributions from local businesses who make this annual event possible.

Many of our longtime businesses have sponsored Montgomery Fest year after year, and we are grateful for their community spirit and support of this great event.

• Matthew T. Brolley is the Montgomery village president.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, July 21, 2016

Some things change, but telling stories still key

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, July 21, 2016

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR • Continued from page 5

candidate for the Kendall County Board, to attend the Kendall County Elected Officials Day for the purpose of exploring agriculture in Kendall County. I visited the Wheeler Farms cattle feedlot where David Wheeler offered insight to the various feeds given to the cattle and Dr. Iliff, a veterinarian, spoke about cattle health. Next, we toured Clear View Pork Farm in Morris with Mr. Gemmer. I was surprised at the cleanliness and temperature controlled environment in the building, ensuring both sows and their offspring are healthy. Their retail store offers numerous pork products for sale. If you haven’t been – you should go.

Last stop was Stewart’s Farm, an amazing place, totaling 8,000 acres in two locations – utilizing advanced technology for growing our food – corn, soybeans, etc. and the use of a drone for detecting field problems. At Stewart’s Farm, Russ Higgins from U of I Extension Services informed us about corn growth, fertilizers and pesticides. I found the day to be very enlightening and informative and further emphasized the importance of farmers, farms and food production. The family farm is imperative and their contributions to our society and ultimately our dinner tables are immeasurable.

Thank you so much for giving us your time and hospitality: David Wheeler, Dave and Rita Gemmer, Bob Stewart, Dr. Iliff, Russ Higgins and Dan Reedy.

Diane Selmer

Republican Candidate for Kendall County Board District 2 Oswego

Beginning of anarchy

To the Editor: Three more police officers killed by ambush in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and

• REFLECTIONS

Continued from page 4 The Romans founded Cambridge, England. But they called it Cantabrigia. Smart folks, the Romans, but they couldn’t spell worth a darn.

The “flag” in flagstone comes from the Norse word flaga, which means “flake.”

The periscope was invented by Thomas Doughty of the U.S. Navy in 1864. All it needed was a practical submarine to go with it.

This week’s “Law of the Sea” installment: “Flotsam” refers to goods swept from a vessel and found floating in the sea. “Jetsam” refers to cargo deliberately thrown overboard.

The first postage stamps issued by

another in critical condition. This is the beginning of anarchy in our country and must be stopped. It is high time that President Obama and Attorney General Loretta Lynch take an absolute stand and denounce all organizations that threaten our peace and freedoms.

After the Dallas killings Lynch denounced the killings but then said to the demonstrators, do not be discouraged. President Obama in his Dallas memorial address after giving condolences went on to talk about racial injustice and referenced Black Lives Matter not all lives matter. Statements like these only encourage and incite more heinous acts against law enforcement. Law and order must be restored to save our country’s freedoms.

Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, in a statement formally asked the White House to consider lighting the White House in blue to show support of police following the ambush shooting deaths of five officers in Dallas. The White House declined the request even though they had illuminated the White House in rainbow colors for passage of same-sex marriage and illuminated it in purple following Prince’s death. This is indicative of the priorities of the Obama administration.

We the citizens need to show our support for law enforcement by telling our police whenever we see them that they have our support. Since the White House won’t illuminate in blue we individually can illuminate our houses in blue, which I have done. I encourage everyone to consider showing blue, at their house and in any other location possible, in support of law enforcement until law and order is restored.

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the U.S. Post Office went on sale July 1, 1847. The five-cent stamp featured a picture of Benjamin Franklin and the 10-cent stamp had a picture of George Washington.

An actual goal post was first used in a gridiron contest between McGill University and Harvard in 1874. Don’t know who won.

In her films, Shirley Temple always had 56 curls in her hair. But who’s counting?

Finally, according to school tradition, students at Yale University were served apple pie at supper every evening for 100 years. No wonder people compete to get into Yale.

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Visit http://historyonthefox.wordpress.com.

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|LOCAL NEWS

8

County OKs zoning for banquet venue

Residents of Ashley Road area voice objections about potential noise, traffic

By TONY SCOTT

tscott@kendallcountynow.com The Kendall County Board approved a special use zoning Tuesday for a new banquet venue planned for a 17-acre historic farm in Kendall Township south of Yorkville.

The venue, at 9111 Ashley Road, will be owned and operated by Ron and Dave Walker, the owners of Whitetail Ridge Golf Club on Route 126.

John Sterrett, the county’s senior planner, said the venue was planning to offer weddings as well as other events like bridal or baby showers. Sterrett said the county allows such activities in agriculturally-zoned areas as a special use if they meet a series of conditions.

The board voted 5-3 in favor of the special use zoning, which includes 19 special restrictions on the usage of the property. Board members Bob Davidson, John Purcell, Matthew Prochaska, Lynn Cullick and Jeff Wehrli voted in favor of the special use, while board Chairman John Shaw and board mem-

bers Judy Gilmour and Dan Koukol voted against the measure. Board members Scott Gryder and Elizabeth Flowers were absent for the vote.

The county’s Regional Planning Commission voted against the plan, as did a special zoning hearing officer.

However, the County Board’s Planning, Building, and Zoning Committee voted 4-1 in favor of it with the 19 conditions.

Ron Walker said he expects the venue to hold anywhere from 30 to 50 weddings “in a tremendous year.” The operators are restricted from holding events of 25 or more people on more than 60 days per year, due to Health Department codes, according to Sterrett.

Walker said he and his brother saw a need for farm wedding venues going back three or four years, and he said that Whitetail frequently gets calls about that type of venue.

Neighbors of the property, including Tom Schnable Jr. and Vicky Schnable, who live across the road from the farm, voiced objections to the proposal, citing concerns about excess noise, traffic,

Tony Scott - tscott@kendallcountynow.com

The Kendall County Board approved a special use permit for this farm at 9111 Ashley Road in unincorporated Kendall Township, just south of Yorkville, to become a wedding venue. and potential drunk drivers leaving the venue. Gregg Ingemunson, a Yorkville attorney representing the Schnables, said there is a negative impact to his clients.

“There’s no gain at all to the public for having a banquet hall facility across from a residence,” he said.

Tom Schnable Jr. said he visited a pair of country wedding venues in Kendall County on a recent weekend night, and that he could clearly hear music near both venues. He said he spoke to a

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neighbor of a wedding venue on Johnson Road in NaAuSay Township and that the neighbor had complained frequently about the noise from music at the venue and that he wanted it closed down.

Ron Walker said Whitetail Ridge has not had noise complaints in its 10 years of operation, and has never had the police called to the venue.

One of the neighbors said he was

See WEDDING VENUE, page 11

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LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Photos by Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Every summer Sunday morning eager shoppers descend upon downtown Oswego to view and purchase food and other items at the Oswego Country Market. Organized by the Oswegoland Park District, the open air market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 25 on Main Street near the Oswego Public Library and in the parking lot adjoining the Tripp Insurance office. Market vendors offer fresh produce, meats, eggs, artisan cheeses, specialty foods like pasta, olives, popcorn, honey, spices and handmade items. More information about the market can be found at oswegolandparkdistrict.org. ABOVE: Michael and Reece Wank of Montgomery pick up some jalapeños and onions Sunday morning at the Oswego Country Market. RIGHT: Katrina Jones of Yorkville looks for some perennials Sunday morning at the Oswego Country Market in downtown Oswego.

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Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, July 21, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

10

Local senators join funding reform panel Commission tasked with exploring new formula for state to pay for education

By TONY SCOTT

tscott@kendallcountynow.com The issue of how to fund schools in Illinois, and changing from a formula that’s heavily reliant on property tax revenues, has been an ongoing battle in Springfield for decades.

State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Peru, and Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, D-Joliet, who both represent Kendall County in the General Assembly, have been appointed to the bipartisan state School Funding Reform Commission.

The pair join a group of fellow Democratic and Republican state legislators and other state officials, including Education Secretary Beth Purvis; Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti; James Dimas, secretary of the Department of Human Services; Jennifer Hammer, deputy chief of staff for policy; and Jodi Scott, regional superintendent of schools for Henderson, Knox, Mercer, and Warren counties.

Purvis has been chosen as the chair-

man of the commission.

Rezin said the issue of school funding reform in Illinois is “a complicated topic, no question.”

“This is a topic that’s been in the forefront for numerous years,” she said. “Our hope is to present a bipartisan report and hopefully vote on our recommendation that will allow more fair and equitable funding. And any time you change the school fund- State Sen. ing formula, you need to Sue Rezin identify new revenue to come into the equation to make this work, as opposed to just changing the funding formula with no new money; then you have winners and losers.”

Rezin acknowledged that the state has “an over-reliance on property taxes to fund education.” She said she has heard concerns from taxpayers, but also from school district officials.

“Bar none, this is the single big-

BRIEF Next Oswego ‘Community Conversation’ will be Thursday

The next in a series of “Community Conversations” between Oswego officials and residents will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, at Thompson Junior High School on Boulder Hill Pass in the village.

The gathering will be in the school’s multi-purpose room. Please enter through door No. 1.

Friday, July 22 Saturday, July 23 Sunday, July 24 (815) 246-9700

Everyone is invited to attend.

During the gathering, village officials will discuss and answer questions on a wide variety of issues, including village finances, the new police station, the Metra extension, the water system analysis, the downtown tax increment financing district, and more.

For more information, call 630-5544636 or visit oswegoil.org.

– Oswego Ledger

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gest issue that people bring up to me when I’m knocking on doors in Kendall County and Will County,” she said.

“Property taxes are high and they continue to go up; however, 70 percent of your property tax bill goes to the school districts. Property taxes are a very real issue, but when I speak with the local superintendents or local [school board] officials, anytime we say we want to freeze property taxes or address them, it does give them heartburn. From their perspective, they get the majority of their funding from property taxes, so our hope is, by looking at it, to relieve some of the pressure on the property owner to Sen. Jennifer have to fund education.”

Rezin said she was Bertinooptimistic about getting Tarrant something done.

“I’m always optimistic,” she said.

“I did sit on the [Education Funding Advisory Committee], which was a commission two years ago where we did this same exact thing and it started off very bipartisan, nonpolitical. Unfortunately, when it came to writing the bill, it became political, because we were not included in the crafting of the

legislation. So, we’re here again, but this time this commission is under the governor and Secretary Beth Purvis, who both parties have tremendous respect for. And it’s our hope that we can keep everybody focused and present a bill that was written with the full cooperation of both parties and call it for a vote.”

Bertino-Tarrant said a fellow senator, Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, has been championing school funding reform for several years.

“I am happy to asked to be a part of the commission,” she said. “As you know, with commissions and task forces, they always have the best intentions, however the end result sometimes doesn’t resolve anything. However, I will say this, Senator Manar has been working on this for several years.

I think there is a strong appetite to get something done, because the legislators know that something really needs to be done.

“What our basemark is or what our starting point is, I personally hope begins with the work Senator Manar has done and then we can branch out with other things. But I am optimistic we will have some type of successful formula we can be happy with.”

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OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS being struck by a car while riding a bicycle in a crosswalk on Adams Street at Jackson Street in downtown Oswego at 4:46 p.m. July 15, village police reported.

One hurt in crash An Oswego resident, Marlene Wyld, 77, of the 70 block of Waterbury Circle was injured in a two-vehicle crash on Route 34 at Boulder Hill Pass in Oswego at 6:15 p.m. July 18, village police reported. Police said Wyld was taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora. Police said the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash was not hurt.

Arrested on two warrants Oswego police arrested Dean R. Holmstrom, 29, of Montgomery at a gas station in the 2700 block of Route 34 at 7:36 p.m. July 16.

Police said Holmstrom was wanted on two outstanding warrants.

Trespass to vehicle Oswego police investigated a report of criminal trespass to a vehicle that was parked in the 10-20 block of Beau Meade Drive in the village July 15.

Cyclist hit by car A 13-year-old was treated for minor injuries at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora after

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Bicycle stolen A bicycle valued at $440 was reported stolen from a garage in the 700 block of Versailles Drive in Oswego on July 16, village police reported.

Warrant arrest Oswego police arrested Jacquelyn Holmes, 20, of Yorkville, July 16 at 1:05 p.m. in the 70 block of Brock Way. Police said Holmes was • Continued on page 12

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MONTGOMERY POLICE REPORTS

Warrant arrest Montgomery police arrested Jerome Yankieway, 25, of the 1200 block of Fourth Street, Aurora, at 12:57 a.m. July 14 in the 1400 block of Douglas Road. Police said Yankieway was wanted on an Aurora police warrant for driving on a suspended license.

Traffic violations Fortunato Camarena, 24, of the 600 block of Claim Street, Aurora, no valid driver’s

• WEDDING VENUE Continued from page 8

told that the sheriff’s office was called about noise complaints with one venue and that deputies said they could not ticket the venue.

Wehrli said the county should enforce its noise ordinance better, noting that the process now is that the venue loses its special use if there are enough complaints to the county about noise.

The county does not ticket the venue, he said.

“I don’t know that it’s being enforced well, and maybe it needs to be enforced a lot better,” Wehrli said.

Koukol said he was concerned about not only noise but the impact of traffic on the township road. He said having a venue on Route 126, a state highway with already heavy traffic, was differ-

license.

Matthew Lopez, 26, of the 1300 block of Sycamore Lane, Montgomery, driving on a suspended license.

Karla Betance, 34, of the 500 block of Montgomery Road, Montgomery, driving on a suspended license.

Eleazar Mendez-Hernandez, 27, of the 15000 block of Timber Drive Plainfield, no valid driver’s license.

Guillermo Meraz, 47, of the 900 block of Douglas Avenue, Aurora, driving on a suspended license.

Michel Marcelino, 21, of the 600 block of Galena Boulevard, Aurora, driving on a suspended license.

Stephanie Neyers, 24, of the 100 block of Concord Drive, Oswego, driving on a suspended license. ent.

Gilmour said she respects the Walkers’ work with Whitetail but that she couldn’t support the proposal.

“I do think it will be a complete change in this area,” she said. “I’m familiar with this area and to bring this commercial business in there is gonna change that forever, and I just don’t think that’s right.”

Dave Walker after the vote said the company has a purchase agreement to buy the property.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property and we would look forward to the challenge of renovating that property and hopefully turn it into a blessing for all of Kendall County,” he said.

After the vote, Tom Schnable paused before answering what he thought about the board’s decision.

“They’ve just pretty much taken my house away from me,” he said.

KendallCountyNOW.com is the official website of the Kendall County Record.

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Thursday, July 21, 2016

DUI arrest Montgomery police arrested Victor Rios-Lopez, 42, of the 600 block of Simms Street, Aurora, after stopping his vehicle on Montgomery Road at Bangs Street at 1:35 a.m. July 16. Police said Rios-Lopez has been charged with driving under the influence.

LOCAL NEWS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Skateboard stolen A skateboard valued at $180 was stolen from a residence in the 60 block of Harrison Street in Oswego on July 18, village police reported.

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, July 21, 2016

| LOCAL NEWS

12

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS Jewelry theft reported Jewelry valued at an estimated $67,000 was stolen May 30 from a residence in the 2500 block of Findley Road, Minooka, according to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office. Police said the theft was reported to them July 18 and they are investigating.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Jacob A. Esparza, 24, of the 400 block of Bridge Street, Millington, at his residence July 18 at 5:15 p.m. on two active warrants.

Warrant arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Julissa Rocha, 18, of the 600 block of Concord Avenue, Aurora, at 2:49 a.m. July 19 in the 100 block of Douglas Road in the village.

Police said Rocha was wanted on a Kendall County warrant for failure to appear in court on a prior charge.

Juvenile motorist arrested County sheriff’s deputies arrested a juvenile July 18 at 7:07 p.m. after observing his vehicle disobey a stop sign at Boulder Hill Pass and Aldon Road in Boulder Hill.

Police said the juvenile was cited for driving without a valid license.

ID theft costs A resident of Bristol Township told Kendall County sheriff’s deputies that someone used her personal information to withdraw $20,000 from a mutual fund account with-

out her permission. The theft was reported to police July 14.

Reckless driving arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Jacob Ryan King, 24, of the 200 block of North Center Street, Plano, and Jeffrey Daniel Bergstrom, 22, of the 1300 block of Blackberry Creek, Elburn, after they stopped their vehicles for a road rage incident on Route 34 at Autumn Creek Drive in Bristol Township at 7:26 a.m. July 16. Police said both suspects were charged with reckless driving.

Stolen from mailbox County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of a package from a mailbox in the 0-100 block of Parkway Drive in Bristol Township on July 15.

Possession charges County sheriff’s deputies arrested Brian Albert Taylor, 28, of the 500 block of Boulder Drive, Morris, in the 8000 block of Van Emmon Road in Oswego Township at 8 a.m.

July 17. Police said another individual had accused Taylor of stealing her prescription medications. Police said they later found Taylor in possession of the prescriptions and he was arrested on two count charges of possession of a controlled substance.

in the 1500 block of Light Road in Oswego Township on a LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court on a prior charge of possession of cannabis.

Motorist arrested County sheriff’s deputies arrested William Omar Davila, 23, of the 1200 block of Gates Street, Aurora, after stopping his vehicle on Route 30 and Douglas Road in Oswego at 12:11 a.m. July 18 for having a registration sticker that did not match his vehicle. Police said Davila’s driver’s license was found to be suspended and he was arrested.

Juvenile charged County sheriff’s deputies arrested a juvenile July 17 at 11:27 p.m. after stopping the vehicle he was driving for failure to dim its high beam headlights on Countryside Parkway at Route 34. Police said the juvenile was charged with driving without a valid license.

Fennel Rd. burglary County sheriff’s deputies are investigating an incident in which someone forcibly entered a building and took various items in the 15000 block of Fennel Road, Newark, sometime between July 9 and July 16.

Trespass incident Warrant arrest Newark School District 66 officials told County sheriff’s deputies arrested Mika county sheriff’s police that someone Andrew Hopkins, 25, of the 800 block of Vic- entered an unlocked school bus that was toria Drive, Montgomery, at 4:25 a.m. July 17 parked in a parking lot in the 8000 block of

OSWEGO POLICE REPORTS • Continued from page 11 wanted on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court.

Vehicle burglarized An Oswego resident told Oswego police July 13 that his vehicle was burglarized at an unknown location. Police said property worth $3,440 was taken from the vehicle.

Purse theft reported A Yorkville resident told Oswego police that her purse was stolen while she was at a business in the 3000 block of Route 34 in the village July 12.

Counterfeit cash used Someone used a counterfeit $20 bill at a card shop in the 3000 block of Route 34 in Oswego, village police reported.

Theft suspect arrested Oswego police arrested Breanna K. Wood, 31, of the 1700 block of Cumberland Green, St. Charles, at a store in the 2500 bock of Route 34 in the village July 13 at 4:04 p.m.

Police said Wood attempted to leave the store without paying for merchandise valued at $100.

Wood, who was also wanted on a warrant,

Battery report Oswego police took a report of a battery involving two juveniles that occurred July 12 at 12:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Terrace Lane.

Domestic battery arrest Oswego police arrested Ricardo Perez, 23, of the 200 block of North Fourth Street, Aurora, July 12 at 5:05 p.m. at a store in the 2300 block of Route 34.

Police said Perez has been charged with domestic battery, police said.

Bicycle stolen A bicycle valued at $120 was stolen from in front of a residence in the 700 block of Versailles Parkway at 2:32 p.m. July 13, according to Oswego police.

Forgery investigated Oswego police are investigating a forgery case reported from a residence in the 300 block of Devoe Drive in the village July 14.

Police said $2,444 was stolen.

Donkey missing A ceramic donkey valued at $50 was stolen from the front porch of a residence in the 20 block of Tyler Street in Oswego, village police were notified July 14.

Bogus bill used Someone used a counterfeit $20 to pay for merchandise at a business in the 3000 block of Route 34 in Oswego on June 27, village police were notified July 12.

Hits deer on Rt. 34 A Yorkville resident told Oswego police he hit a deer while driving on Route 34 at O’Brien Way at 10:04 p.m. July 14. Police said vehicle damage in the incident was estimated in excess of $1,500.

Trespass at Fox Chase Oswego police took a report of criminal trespass at Fox Chase Elementary School in the 200 block of Fox Chase Drive in the village July 14 at 1:33 a.m. Police said they are investigating.

Purse theft Oswego police investigated the theft of a purse from a business in the 3000 block of Route 34 in the village July 12.

Traffic violations Eslye D. Avila, 25, of the 300 block of Beach Street, Aurora, speeding and driving on a suspended license.

was charged with retail theft, according to police.

Fox River Drive in Fox Township sometime between July 1 and July 17.

Motorist arrested County sheriff’s deputies arrested Griselda Arroyo-Torres, 27, of the 30 block of North Ohio Street, Aurora, after stopping her vehicle on Route 31 and Caterpillar Drive near Montgomery at 11 p.m. July 17. Police said Arroyo-Torres was charged with driving a vehicle with suspended registration for non-insurance, driving on a suspended license and operating a car with suspended registration.

Millington DUI arrest County sheriff’s deputies arrested Robert Allen Hook, 25, of the 200 block of Vine Street, Millington, after they observed him driving without headlights July 13 at 12:21 a.m. on Church Street and Sycamore Street in Fox Township. Police said Hook first fled from the area of the traffic stop on foot but later parked his vehicle in the driveway of his residence. Police said Hook has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, and ticketed for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and driving without lights when required.

Plainfield Rd. damaged Someone entered and damaged two • Continued on page 14

Mary & Ivan Becker

Anniversary

Mary & Ivan Becker of Oswego will celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary on July 14th. The couple was married in 1946 at First Methodist Church in Moline, IL. Mary and Ivan have 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

They will celebrate the milestone with a family party on Saturday, July 16th.

YESTERYEAR

13 Dorothea Ekstrom (right) crosses Washington Street (Route 34) at Main Street in downtown Oswego. The photo was taken

by Homer Durrand in the spring of 1958 as part of a series he took for the then upcoming Oswegorama 125th birthday of Oswego.

15 years ago this month...

The Montgomery Village Board was notified that contractors would soon begin work on the installation of traffic signals at U.S. Route 30 and Fifth Street.

A plan to require residential developers in Oswego to name streets in their new subdivisions after historically significant local individuals and families received a boost from a village board committee. The committee indicated a willingness to require developers to use the historic names for a minimum of 50 percent of their streets.

20 years ago this month...

Montgomery, Oswego and other area communities were drenched by a record-setting rainfall July 16 that resulted in severe flooding.

Flood waters from Waubonsie Creek rose above the roofs of cars parked on streets in Montgomery’s Parkview Estates subdivision, while in Oswego water from the creek and the Fox River flooded out homes, businesses and the village’s public works facility. Countless basements were filled with water, and the resulting property damage was estimated in the millions of dollars. Peter Wallers, an engineering consultant for the Montgomery Village Board, described the rainfall “as beyond comprehension.” “Hopefully we won’t see it in our lifetime again,” Wallers told the village board.

Developers of the Kendall Point Business Center in Oswego confirmed that a movie theater chain had purchased a 6.1 acre site for a new theater immediately east of the Townes Crossing shopping center.

Montgomery Village Board members reviewed plans for a proposed expansion of the parking lot at Village Hall off Broadway Avenue.

25 years ago this month...

The Oswego Village Board voted to approve plans for the development of the 90-acre Lakeview Estates subdivision. The project was the first proposed for construction in the village south of Ill. Route 71.

The Montgomery Village Board extended municipal limits into Bristol Township by annexing a 121-acre parcel along either side of Orchard Road, just south of U.S. Route 30.

Village President Ray Kozloski acknowledged that, at some point in the future, the village and neighboring Oswego would be actively seeking to annex properties along Orchard Road. “Oswego isn’t going to get all of the property out there and Montgomery isn’t either,” Kozloski told the Ledger-Sentinel.

A major issue confronting Kendall County Board members was the fate of the county’s 1864 courthouse building. Board members were attempting to decide whether or not to build an entirely new structure, or attempt

Photo provided by the Little White School Museum

to repair, renovate and expand the existing building for continued use.

30 years ago this month...

Using federal grant funds, the Oswego Public Library District opened a storefront branch library in the Douglas Square shopping center at U.S. Route 30 and Douglas Road. The library district board agreed to lease the storefront for a year in an effort to better serve the Boulder Hill area and residents of Montgomery who had not yet voted to join the library district.

The Oswego Village Board voted 4-1 to approve a revised sign ordinance that severely restricted the use of portable signs throughout the village. The board acted after determining the glut of portable signs along highways in the village was unsightly.

35 years ago this month...

Negotiations on a new basic contract for Oswego School District teachers for the 1981-82 school year were stalled. Representatives of the school district and the Oswego Education Association (the district’s teachers’ union) had not met formally since June 30.

Oswego Village Clerk Dorothy Strong told the village board that she had received a number of complaints about a local resident who was keeping a python snake at her home as a pet. Police Chief David Goins confirmed the resident had startled several people by wearing the python around her neck at the Oswego Post Office. Goins noted that there was nothing in village ordinances dealing with snakes as pets. Bob Rung, the owner of the Oswego Pet Shop on Jefferson Street, told Goins the python would pose no real danger until it reached a length of about 15 feet.

40 years ago this month...

The Bicentennial edition of the Oswego Days community celebration featured patriotic floats in the event’s annual parade, sidewalk sales, contests, an auction, raft race on the Fox River and a water fight involving local firefighters.

An abandoned gas station was torn down at the southeast corner of Ill. Route 31 and U.S.

Route 34 in Oswego to make room for turn lanes and other improvements at the intersection. The Ledger reported that the improvements would include a traffic signal.

Among the Oswego businesses sponsoring teams in local softball leagues were Foxy’s Burger Bar and the Booze Bin. 45 years ago this month...

“A long, hot summer in Oswego” was well underway according to an editorial in the Ledger. The newspaper noted that a carnival held on the village’s Main Street as part of the Oswego Days community celebration left many upset, including downtown merchants.

“Hard feelings, petitions, policing and cleanup problems are just some of the results of this year’s Oswego Days,” according to the editorial. Ledger columnist Betty Grimshaw commented that the problem with the carnival was that it overstayed its welcome.

Meanwhile, over at the Oswego School District’s administrative offices, school board members and administrators were at odds with the district’s 60 teachers over contracts.

A key issue was school board recognition of the district’s fledgling teachers’ union.

August by several village residents. A prize drawing scheduled as part of the festival offered a grand prize of a set of encyclopedias.

65 years ago this month...

A community-wide scavenger hunt for children between the ages of 9 and 16 was held in Oswego. Winners of the hunt received free sodas from Shuler’s Drug Store, according to the Ledger.

70 years ago this month...

“Robert Herren, owner of the Oswego Grain Company elevator, has sold out to the Morris Grain Company,” the Kendall County Record’s Oswego correspondent reported on July 17, 1946.

110 years ago this month...

An unpleasant surprise awaited crews removing the old wooden water tank atop Oswego’s water tower in July 1906 (it was being replaced with a new steel tank): “We Oswegoans were all along congratulating ourselves for enjoying such excellent water: Water that was so pure and free of any taste or smells.

We were happy in being blessed with such good and healthful water. When it came to the 50 years ago this month... taking down of the old tank recently it was The closure of Oswego’s Main Street for found there was a heap of dead and decaying an Oswego Days carnival upset at least one sparrows in it; it caused some of us copious downtown merchant and several families. In a water drinkers to almost gag when we heard letter to the editor of the Ledger, 11 local fami- of it; the beer trade doubtless was considerlies and Herb Rucks’ “Washarama” complained ably increased by it. Let the new water tank that they had to go without clean clothes for be made sparrow proof,” the Record’s Oswego the week since they couldn’t reach the Main correspondent implored on July 11.

Street laundry.

On July 25, 1906, the Record reported from The Ledger reported that Montgomery’s Oswego that: “To begin to institute a sewerannual Homecoming community celebration age system of Oswego is one of the municipal was scheduled for Aug. 17-21. The theme for questions evolved for solution.” the celebration was “All American.”

140 years ago this month...

55 years ago this month...

“Death will now be less dreadful to our citThe Oswegoland Park District offered three izens than heretofore,” the Record’s Oswego separate outings to Chicago White Sox games correspondent reported on July 13, 1876. in July for boys and girls participating in the “They now are reassured of being interred in a agency’s summer playground program. regular established cemetery. A charter from A summer festival to benefit the Oswego the State incorporating the Oswego Cemetery Library building fund was being planned for Association is now in existence.”

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, July 21, 2016

Compiled by Roger Matile and John Etheredge from articles published in the Oswego Ledger, Fox Valley Sentinel, Ledger-Sentinel and the Kendall County Record

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, July 21, 2016

| SPORTS & LOCAL NEWS

14

Rotary Club to paint logo in Montgomery street OSWEGO LEDGER The Montgomery Rotary Club will be painting a large “Montgomery in Motion” logo on River Street in front of village hall at 200 N. River St. this weekend. The logo will highlight the village’s ongoing Mongomery in Motion campaign.

The village recently implemented the campaign to showcase the recreational opportunities in the village’s downtown area. The original design was created by a local high school student, Luke Torrez.

The painting event will be from 10

East’s Tara Schumacher picks Illinois State

a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24. Rain dates are July 30 and 31. A small portion of the street will be closed, but driveways to all businesses and the VFW will be accessible.

The public is invited to stop by during the weekend to watch the street be transformed. In addition, there are a very limited number of spaces to assist with the painting. Interested participants of high school age or older must register under the volunteering tab at rotaryclubmontgomeryil.org and sign a hold-harmless form. Younger children will have the opportunity to create chalk art near the painting site.

SPORTS BRIEF Oswego Panther Travel Baseball schedules tryouts

Photo provided

More on the web

Oswego Panther travel baseball will be Check out more sports coverage at holding open tryouts for the 2017 season.

KendallCountyNow.com/sports.

Age group is based on the player’s age on April 30, 2017.

There is no fee to try out, but all players attending tryouts need to pre-register on • 8U/9U – 9 to 11 a.m. July 30 at Eastthe OBSA website at www.oswegobsa. view North org. The registration page can be found • 10U – 6 to 8 p.m. July 25 at Eastview under the 2017 Panther Travel Baseball North Tryouts tab. If you are unable to make • 11U – 6 to 8 p.m. July 21 at OHS#2 one of the dates, contact Steve Davis at • 12U – 6 to 8 p.m. July 20 at OHS#2 sdavis0803@gmail.com to see if an alter- • 13U – 6 to 8 p.m. July 21 at OHS#3, 2 native arrangement can be worked out. to 4 p.m. July 24 at OHS#3 9U through 13U players must live in • 14U – July 21 6 to 8 p.m. at OHS #5 School District 308 boundaries. 14U and • 15U – TBD. up is open to players living outside 308.

– Oswego Ledger

KENDALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS • Continued from page 12 buildings in the 2400 block of Plainfield Road in Oswego Township on July 13, the county sheriff’s office reported. Sheriff’s deputies are investigating.

Motorist arrested County sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael Wade Brown, 41, of the 700 block of Ellie Nat Drive, Clarksville, Tennessee, after stopping his vehicle for a speeding violation July 13 at 3:48 p.m. at Wheeler and Ridge roads in NaAuSay Township. Police said Brown was arrested for driving on a suspended license and was also wanted on two in-state warrants. He was also ticketed for speeding, according to police.

Vehicle burglary A wallet was stolen from a vehicle that was left parked and unlocked in the 100 block of South Union Street in Big Grove Township on July 12, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Recent Oswego East graduate Tara Schumacher made her decision to join the Illinois State University women’s track and field team official on July 12, signing her National Letter of Intent. Schumacher qualified for the 2016 Class 3A state finals in both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles captured fifth in both events. She also was a sectional champion this spring and won both events at the Southwest Prairie Conference meet. Schumacher pictured above with the Oswego East track and field coaching staff.

Pair receive academic honors OSWEGO LEDGER The National Junior College Athletic Association recently announced the student-athletes that earned All-Academic honors for 2015-16.

A total of 23 Waubonsee Community College student-athletes were among the honorees from across the country that were recognized for their excellence in the classroom this past school year. In addition, five of Waubonsee’s 12 teams achieved NJCAA Academic Team of the Year nominations.

Seven Waubonsee student-athletes

Oswego Reapers Baseball

Phone scam An Oswego Township resident told county sheriff’s deputies that he was contacted by an individual claiming to work for ComEd concerning his electrical service. Police said the resident provided payment to the individual but it was later determined the call was a scam. Deputies said they are investigating.

Traffic violations Fernando Gutierrez, 16, of the 1600 block of Liberty Street, Aurora, no valid driver’s license.

Jeannette R. Williams, 37, 100 block of North Loose change stolen Loose change was stolen from a vehicle that Cook Street, Plano, no valid driver’s license.

Belinda Gutierrez, 37, of the 200 block of was left parked and unlocked in the 0-10 block North Lake Street, Aurora, driving on a susof West Liberty Street in Big Grove Township on July 12, the county sheriff’s office reported. pended license.

were honored with the Superior Academic Achievement Award by attaining an overall grade-point-average of 3.80 up to 3.99. The group includes women’s soccer player Nicole Charielle from Oswego.

Fourteen individuals garnered the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award with a GPA between 3.60 and 3.79 overall. The group consisted of women’s cross country runner Abby Etheridge from Oswego. Waubonsee’s women’s cross country team finished sixth nationally among all NJCAA cross country squads with a team GPA of 3.47 overall.

The Oswego Reapers 14U Travel Baseball program will be hosting tryouts on July 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Open tryouts will be held at Prairie Point Community Park, Field #4 (4120 Plainfield Rd, Oswego, IL 60543).

FOR PRIVATE TRYOUTS, PLEASE CONTACT ERIC ROSENOW AT erosenow74@gmail.com or at (724) 624-5646

SM-CL0374908

CHICAGO SUBURBAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

Squad racks up 26 hits in doubleheader sweep over Angels

By LAURA M. MEDINA

sports@kendallcountynow.com

SPORTS BRIEF Cedardell Medal Play registration open

The 2016 Cedardell Medal Play tournament will take place Aug. 6-7 and is open to the public.

The entry fee is $65 per player and includes green fee and cart both days, or $15 per member (cart extra). An optional skins game is $10 per day.

The medal play format will be a 35hole stroke play and tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. both days. This event is open to all amateur golfers age 18 and older with a current USGA handicap. Flights will be determined by the number of entries and handicaps.

Registration will close on July 30.

Please call on Aug. 3 for tee times.

Questions, contact Jeff Dollman at 630-327-7808.

– Oswego Ledger

Eric Miller - emiller@shawmedia.com

Oswego’s Jake Toma puts some lumber on the ball on July 6 against Plainfield East.

On Saturday against the Angels, the Cats trailed 3-0 in the top of the first before they tallied five of their own in the bottom half. They added three in the second inning and single runs in the fifth and sixth to notch the game one win.

Ryan O’Dell went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, and Jeff Woods (1-for-4) picked up two RBI. Bobby Smith (2-for-3) also had an RBI and a run, Bailey Watros (1-for-4) had an RBI, and Clay Schuler went 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and two runs in the victory.

“Guys are hitting their stride; when they get their opportunities, they’re coming through, and when they’re

“We regrouped, and we’re getting it back together. We’re starting to hit the ball again.”

Todd Miller

Oswego Cats field manager rest,” Miller said.

The busy Cats will also send three representatives to the CSBL All-Star Game this week. Evola, Clark Brinkman (also in the home run derby) and Jose Camacho will face the best in the Metro Collegiate Summer Baseball League (MCSBL) at Judson University.

July wraps up with the inaugural four-team league championship, and with co-third place team Crystal Lake expected to play in the MCSBL tournament, the way is seemingly paved for fifth-place Oswego. As such, a few more wins against No. 2 Lombard and No. 6 Westmont would be ideal.

“If we hold our ground this week, we can solidify a spot,” Miller said.

“We could then play Beecher or Lombard, and with Lombard, it’s not a hate thing; it’s a respect thing. We don’t like losing to them, but at the same time, [they] don’t like losing to us.”

Once CSBL play has completed, Oswego will travel to the National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) Regional in Cincinnati instead of its usual American Amateur Baseball Congress Regional. The winner of the NABF tournament will head to the World Series in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Reds 11U win KCBL tourney The Northern Illinois Reds 11U baseball team won the silver division championship of the Kane County Bronco League (KCBL) end-of-season tournament.

The team finished the season with a league record of 15-2-1 and the first seed after winning the South Division of the league.

Photo provided

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Having won four consecutive Chicago Suburban Baseball League games and nine in their last 11 overall, the Oswego Cats appear to have found their groove. With only a few contests left in the regular season, their timing has put them in a position for future success.

Oswego (17-12, 13-11) started the summer 8-5 before a five-game skid from June 23-26 created a roadblock.

The team has since lost just twice to put itself near the top of the league standings.

What’s helped lately is a red-hot Cats’ offense, which racked up 17 total hits in a doubleheader sweep of Homestead on July 10, and 26 while taking two from the struggling Chicago Angels, 10-3 and 7-5, on Saturday afternoon at Jackie’s Field of Dreams.

“We had a lot of things going on in those games that really hurt us, and we didn’t play with a full lineup; we were in those games and could have come away with wins instead of going 0-5,” Cats field manager Todd Miller said.

“We regrouped, and we’re getting it back together. We’re starting to hit the ball again.”

called on, they’re answering,” Miller said.

Left-handler Nick Evola went five innings, surrendering three runs, four hits and three walks, while also striking out one. Right-hander Matt Schultz came on for the last two frames and had three strikeouts.

In game two, Oswego held a 4-0 lead after the fifth, but Chicago knotted the score in the sixth. The Cats picked up three runs in the bottom portion of the inning, and the visitors added another in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough for the last-place Angels.

Big contributors at the plate were Smith (2-for-4, homer, three RBI, run) and Mike Cherven (3-for-3, two RBI, run), while O’Dell went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run.

Right-hander Jeff Woods conceded four hits and a walk, while fanning seven over five innings, but the left-handed Watros came on in the sixth and struggled, allowing five runs (four earned), four hits and four walks in 1 2/3 innings. Right-hander Kevin Loukota came on with two runners on in the seventh and secured the last out to preserve the win.

Things seem to be falling in place for Oswego, which closes out the regular season with a doubleheader versus Lombard on Monday, one against Joliet on Thursday and two with Westmont on Saturday – all at home. Sunday’s twinbill against Crystal Lake, meanwhile, was rained out.

“With three doubleheaders in a row, [the rainout] works in our favor a little bit going into Lombard with a day’s

SPORTS | Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com •

Oswego Cats sparked by red-hot offense

15

Oswego Ledger / KendallCountyNow.com • Thursday, July 21, 2016

16

SPORTS PREP FOOTBALL

GETTING READY FOR WEEK 1 After brief hiatus, Panthers will play in new conference lineup

By KRISTIN SHARP

ksharp@kendallcountynow.com With a big change to the Southwest Prairie Conference season arriving with the 2016-17 school year, the Oswego football team will no longer have the opportunity to face non-conference opponents.

Instead, the Panthers had to utilize their summer dates to see what the competition looks like outside of the league. Oswego faced Neuqua Valley and Bolingbrook in competitive events before hosting Yorkville on Tuesday morning in a 7v7 event and lineman challenge to bring the summer offseason to a close.

“I don’t put too much stock in 7 on 7s other than the point of seeing your shell defense and your offense, but the main reason we do it is for the competition so that the first time you see a different jersey isn’t Week 1,” said Oswego coach Brian Cooney. “We use the summer to evaluate, see who can do it or who might need to move to another position. There’s some value to it.”

The Panthers soon begin a twoweek hiatus before the first day of practice for the 2016 season arrives on Aug. 8. Then, Oswego turns its focus to Week 1 – and the SPC opener – at Minooka on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. With the addition of Joliet West and Joliet Central, the entire nine-week regular season schedule is filled with SPC dates.

Oswego is coming off of a 9-3 season that included a fifth consecutive SPC championship.

“The way I look at our summer program is I want almost everything installed – or at least introduced to our kids – before we show up in August so there’s not too much learning. It’s refining and reinforcing our skills that we’re teaching them,” Cooney said.

“Defensively, we’re 100 percent installed except for some fine-tuning. Now we just have to get some young guys a little more comfortable with our system. Offensively, we’re just adding some new wrinkles, but it’s mainly just reinforcing those things we’ve shown them so we can be ready for Week 1.”

ABOVE: Oswego quarterback Levi Olson finds a receiver during 7v7 drills against Yorkville on Tuesday morning at Oswego High School. FAR LEFT: Oswego’s Nick Marra makes a defender miss. LEFT: Oswego cornerback Josh Shodipo breaks up a pass.

Photos by Eric Miller emiller@shawmedia.com