Sycamore Music Boosters inducts 3 to Hall of Fame

Shaw Local News Network

SYCAMORE – The Sycamore Music Boosters recently inducted Steven Griglione, Deb Loitz and Arthur D. Montzka into its 2022 Hall of Fame.

The music boosters formally inducted into its Hall of Fame at a ceremony Thursday at Sycamore High School, 427 Spartan Trail, according to a news release.

Griglione, Loitz and Montzka are Advocate Award inductees. Advocate is one of four categories by which an individual can qualify for Hall of Fame induction, according to the release.

Deb Loitz: While with the Sycamore Music Boosters, Loitz served as publicist and program coordinator. In that role, she created and launched the organization’s social media platforms and revamped and managed its website, the release states. She also was responsible for news releases, graphic design and media relations. Loitz is the marketing director at Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists. She serves as the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra music education outreach chairman. Loitz’s previous roles include general manager, publicist, program coordinator, music librarian, advertising and personnel. Loitz is the youth handbell choir director and adult handbell choir

Obituaries

CONNIE MCCLEARY-CAUDILL

Born: January 3, 1941 in Armada, MI

Died: February 20, 2023 in Sycamore, IL

Connie McCleary, 82, died on the morning of February 20, 2023, with her brother at her side. Connie was preceded in death by her husband Perry Wayne Caudill, her parents, James and Helen McCleary, her stepmother Bea Hackamack-McCleary, brothers Douglas and Dennis McCleary and sister Bethann McCleary. Connie is survived by her brother David McCleary, loving sister-in-law Gretchen Lohr-McCleary and exceptional nephew Scot Lohr.

Connie was blessed to feel that the entire staff and those who make the Grand Victorian of Sycamore their home were her beloved friends, always there with a hug and more member at Sycamore United Methodist Church, and served as secretary and board member in the DeKalb Area Arts Council.

Steven Griglione: Anyone who visited downtown Sycamore from the late 1970s until well into the 21st century passed near a much beloved business where young musicians found or improved upon their musical talents. That business was Mr. G’s Music Studio, owned and operated by 2022 inductee Steven “Mr. G.” Griglione.

Mr. G’s opened in 1977 and operated for more than 40 years. Griglione was a 1968 graduate of Sycamore High School. He later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University. As both a business owner and mentor, he served the community for 43 years of outstanding music mentoring and education, according to the release. He played the organ for various Sycamore High School sporting events, and participated in countless community musical activities, groups and events. Griglione, a posthumous inductee, died in late 2020. Griglione’s estate donated money to the Sycamore Music Boosters than willing to help when needed. In her final weeks, the Grand Victorian’s excellent staff and Connie’s special hospice team were there to ensure that Connie was comfortable and felt surrounded by love. We are particularly grateful to Connie’s special friend Lizzy, and to Fran Clucas and her good friend Miles for their friendship and frequent visits. Connie carries with her Fran and Miles laughter, chocolate chip cookies and numerous gifts of love.

Although Connie founded or managed five significant non-profit organizations, she is perhaps best known for her time spent as the Director of Mental Health at the All Saints AIDS Service Center in Pasadena, Ca. As one of the largest and most responsive AIDS associated agencies on the west coast, Connie dealt with thousands of individuals during a time when contracting HIV was both a death sentence and a stigmatizing event that led to intense isolation. During that period, David Lyman, one of Connie’s good friends, chose and music equipment from his former store to the Sycamore music department after his death.

Arthur D. Montzka: Montzka held degrees from George Washington University, Oberlin Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music. He also served in the U.S. Army as a member of the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra, according to the release. He was a member of the Illinois Arts Council Advisory panel, board member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and a lifetime member of the American String Teachers Association. He served as the first official conductor for the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He was honored as the Suzuki Chairholder and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1994. He was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1996. He was official photographer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and taught orchestra in DeKalb. He was a major supporter of the Sycamore/NIU Suzuki Program, helped re-establish the Sycamore orchestra program, was an organist for the Sycamore Federated Church, to describe Connie in terms of her extra-ordinary qualities of Mindfulness, Steadiness, and Neighborliness. Here is what David said:

“Mindfulness suggests not only the exceptional skills and experience which Connie has, but also that she remembers people – both living and dead. And she shares them with others to remember. Particular people are thought of, particular events shared, and particular needs are responded to. She’s so thoroughly responsive and she shows us a way to value ourselves and each other. There’s a steadiness to Connie’s pace and a constancy to her purpose. Again, another paradigm for us. I’m simply amazed that for her it’s one foot in front of the other – often under very difficult circumstances – and this, all tending in a constant direction: toward providing a truly human response to others. It’s Connie’s neighborliness that means the most to me. With her, there’s a sense of easy and calm companionship, of everyday good-heartedness, and a disposition toward and established the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. He also taught private violin and viola lessons for many years. Montzka, a posthumous inductee, died in late 2002. bringing people together – bringing us together to do things almost forgotten in our culture: to remember, to tell stories, to share meals, and to simply be together in a way that reminds one that the purpose of life is much more than to solve problems and cope: it’s to enjoy the present moment with each other.”

There are four categories of Hall of Fame inductees which recognizes ways in which Sycamore High School alumni and community members have contributed to the music programs. The individual must have a record of distinguished and exceptional performance, service and achievement in their vocation or avocation outside of music.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame may be submitted any time, but generally, the nomination deadline for any year is late February. The nomination deadline for the 2023 induction year is late February 2024. To submit a nomination, email cynthiahagemeyer410@ gmail.com.

The Sycamore Music Boosters supports students in kindergarten through 12 music programs offered within Sycamore School District 427.

For information, visit sycamoremusicboosters.com.

Connie lived life to serve others. While she might have opted for walls filled with degrees and professional accolades, instead, she will be remembered for getting down into the trenches and fighting for those who are marginalized, homeless, sick, hungry and most of all, the neglected children of this world. Connie loved to sing, to rejoice in God’s love and in the midst of the world’s darkest moments, to rise up and do whatever needed to be done. One foot in front of the other. Memorials can be sent to First United Methodist Church, c/o Dr. Eric Johnson, Director of Music Ministries, 317 N. 4th St., DeKalb, IL 60115

News Briefs

Tanzania Development Support students receive exam results

DeKALB – Tanzania Development Support announced that eight of its 10 Willmann Scholarship Fund students scored in Division One or Two of their National Exam results.

The Willmann Scholarship Fund supports education for gifted girls from low-income households, according to a news release.

Students who score in Division One or Two are eligible to advance to an Advanced Level school. Advanced Level schools are the next required step to be eligible to attend university. Willmann Scholar student Gaudensia Mtaka also had the highest score out of the Form Four class at the Nyegina Secondary School.

The DeKalb-based TDS is a nonprofit organization that supports community-identified educational improvements for children, especially for girls, located in the Mara region of Tanzania. For information, email info@tdsnfp. org.

NM area hospitals expand to include spiritual care services

DeKALB – Northwestern Medicine

Kishwaukee Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital and Kishwaukee Hospital Cancer Center have expanded to include Spiritual Care Services.

The Spiritual Care Services will include a board-certified staff chaplain, clinical pastoral education student, and Northwestern Medicine volunteers, according to a news release.

The staff chaplain will provide directcare support for patients and staff. The chaplain may also assist in coordinating volunteers, students and community clergy.

A volunteer on-call chaplain is providing additional day, evening and weekend coverage. Volunteer Eucharistic ministers will provide patients with Catholic Communion. Patients are encouraged to continue to request visits from their personal clergy.

The Spiritual Care Services will also support staff members by attending daily safety huddles, team huddles and rounding on units to identify staff who could benefit from their services.

The Northwestern Medicine Spiritual Care and Education’s mission is to provide timely and effective multi-faith spiritual care to the hospital community, enriched through inter-professional collaboration.

For information, visit nm.org.

Sycamore church offering Easter services April 9

SYCAMORE – Mayfield Congregational United Church of Christ will host two church services to celebrate Easter Sunday.

The church, 28405 Church Road, Sycamore, will host an outdoor service at 7:30 a.m. and an indoor service at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 9.

The outdoor service will be around the church’s fire circle. Mary Magdalene’s joy when the resurrected Christ joined her in the garden will be discussed. A brunch will follow the outdoor service. Guests can attend one or both of the services.

For information, call 815-895-5548 or email PastorLauri@mayfieldchurchucc.org.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

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