DC_MidWeek_061224

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Sharpfellas gives clients VIP treatment

New local barbershop proving to be a cut above

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – At The Sharpfellas Barber Studio in DeKalb, owner Juan Roman says clients are raving online about the shop and its attention to detail and quality customer service so much, you’d think it was the latest fad.

“They’re saying it’s a great shop,” Roman said. “The prices are very, very, very affordable. … I got a lot of clients that have been following me for years that they’re actually posting their comments and their reviews on there. People are very satisfied with their cuts and their service.”

Roman said business has fared well at The Sharpfellas Barber Studio since opening its doors in May at 205 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb.

“Business is going great,” Roman said. “We are getting like three to four clients, walk-ins daily, which is awesome. And obviously, [there’s] a lot of Google, Booksy, advertising and marketing that’s helping me, as well.”

At The Sharpfellas Barber Studio, the focus is on men’s haircuts, beards, trims, hot towel shaves and mobile services. Also offered at the shop are free snacks and drinks with a haircut.

“It makes the client feel a little bit more special, more of a VIP,” Roman said.

Roman said The Sharpfellas Barber Studio is set up like the ultimate mancave with its TVs and massage couches.

He said he’s planning to have at least three more stylists working in the shop in the future.

Roman previously worked out of In and Out Cuts in nearby Sycamore before he decided to make the leap across town.

He said the reason he chose to set up shop in downtown DeKalb is simple.

“DeKalb is my hometown, and I’ve been taking care of clients in DeKalb for the past five years,” Roman said. “I decided to start my own business. I’ve been doing this for a while. I wanted to do this [on] my own now. It’s right downtown DeKalb, right next to The Flame and Insomnia Cookies. It’s a great spot.” Roman said he is offering a $7 discount to first-time clients who schedule an appointment or drop in to visit him at The Sharpfellas Barber Studio.

DeKalb is my hometown, and I’ve been taking care of clients in DeKalb for the past five years. I decided to start my own business. I’ve been doing this for a while. I wanted to do this [on] my own now. It’s right downtown DeKalb, right next to The Flame and Insomnia Cookies. It’s a great spot.”

PUZZLE ANSWERS

puzzlesonpage16

Michelle Donahoe, executive director of the DeKalb County History Center, talks June 6 about the new exhibit “Food: Gathering Around the Table,” now open at the center in Sycamore. See story, page 6.

Photo by Mark Busch

CORRECTIONS

Accuracy is important to The MidWeek. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411 or email at readit@midweeknews.com.

Megann Horstead

The Sharpfellas Barber Studio is seen Tuesday at 205 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb.

Juan Roman, The Sharpfellas Barber Studio owner

DeKalb Park District kicks off summer concert series

contact@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – The DeKalb Park District began its summer concert series with Rockin’ with Ronnie: Kids’ Concerts in the Park on June 11.

The free concerts are held from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. on select Tuesdsays at the Hopkins Park Band Shell, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.

The series also will feature performances by Jeanie B! on July 16 and Istvan & His Imaginary Band on Aug. 6.

The DeKalb Municipal Band’s 170th season also began June 11 at Hopkins Park. To view the band’s performance schedule, visit dekalbparkdistrict. com/calendar.

The Music at the Mansion series will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 12 through July 24, at the

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

DeKalb library to hold DCCG volunteer program June 15

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will offer an opportunity for patrons to volunteer at the DeKalb County Community Gardens.

A program will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 15 at the DeKalb County Community Gardens and Northwestern Medicine Garden, 2475 Bethany Road, Sycamore.

Participants can tour the garden and

Ellwood House Museum, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb. Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.

A bags tournament will be held June 12 and 19. The tournament costs $20 per team. Registration is required to participate.

Beer, wine, beverages, food and snacks will be available to buy. Overflow parking is available at Clinton Rosette Middle School, 650 N. First St.

The park district also will hold free concerts as part of its annual Fourth of July Celebration at the Hopkins Park Band Shell. The tribute band Feel Good Party will take the stage at 3:30 p.m. and the DeKalb Municipal Band’s StarSpangled Spectacular will begin at 7:30 p.m.

For information, visit dekalbparkdistrict.com/calendar or call 815-7587756.

taste herbs and vegetables. Attendees also can water plants, pull weeds, harvest for the DCCG Distribution and seed and plant vegetables.

In the event of inclement weather, the program will be canceled. Patrons are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty. No registration is required. For information, email chelsear@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1700.

– Shaw Local News Network

Shaw Local News Network file photo

The DeKalb Park District will host a number of free music concert series this summer including the DeKalb Municipal Band playing at the Dee Palmer Band Shell at Hopkins Park.

Cortland teenager’s lawn care business celebrates 1 year

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

CORTLAND – Fifteen-year-old Justin Harley is putting in the work when he isn’t busy with his studies. So much so that he’s already seeing the return on investment in his lawn care business.

The Cortland resident and DeKalb High School student said his business, Justin’s Lawn Service, is faring well.

“This year, I’ve probably grown 50, 60%,” Harley said. “I got almost double the bookings I had last year. There’s really good word of mouth through Facebook and Whatnot. This is real exciting for me. So, I’m happy.”

Harley recently was joined by his family, Sycamore Chamber members and community members to mark his business’ one-year anniversary of serving DeKalb County with a ribbon-cutting.

Harley also is as a member of the Genoa Chamber of Commerce and is planning to become a member of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.

The idea to start Justin’s Lawn Service was conceived about this time last year.

Harley credited his family for helping him to get the experience he needed to start his own business.

“When I was younger, I started mowing my grandmother’s yard and her neighbor’s yard,” Harley said. “I learned doing that [over] the years with my grandfather. I just dove head in getting experience as I went in. I like to say I’m pretty knowledgeable in what I do now.”

Harley said people generally have nice things to say

The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting June 4 to celebrate the one-year anniversary

Service.

about his lawn service.

“A lot of people have positive reviews,” Harley said. “I’ve had very few calls saying, ‘Hey, can you come back and fix this?’ Other than that, I have pretty good reviews. If something doesn’t go right to the customer’s satisfaction, I go back and fix it for free.”

Harley said his stable of equipment has come a long way over the past year. He started out with a 21-inch

Toro push lawnmower, then moved to a 48-inch garden tractor. Now, he said he uses a John Deere 48-inch zero-turn riding lawnmower.

Justin’s Lawn Service will be expanding to include snow removal in the winter months.

“We’re going to start that this year,” Harley said. “I did it somewhat last year. This winter we’re going to really do it.”

Megann Horstead

of Justin’s Lawn

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

DeKalb library to host cicada programs June 17

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host two programs for patrons to learn about cicadas.

The free programs will be held at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. June 17 in the library’s Story and Activity Room, 309 Oak St. The programs feature interactive and hands-on crafts, stories and real cicadas. The first program is intended for children ages 3 to 7. The second program will be open to children ages 7 to 12. No registration is required.

For information, email stormye@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3310.

DeKalb Elks Lodge to hold Flag Day ceremony June 14

DeKALB – The DeKalb Elks Lodge 765 and DeKalb Veterans Memorial will host a ceremony to celebrate Flag Day.

The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. June 14 at the memorial, 209 S. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.

The ceremony will include a World War I memorial re-dedication, a Flag Day importance presentation by DeKalb Elks member James Brantley and a U.S. Marine Corps bench premiere.

Music will be performed by DeKalb Celebration Chorale. The ceremony’s keynote speaker is retired U.S. Air Force senior master sergeant Jari Villanueva. The national anthem will be performed by Christine Wild Monteiro.

Attendees also can learn about the DeKalb American Legion’s “Be The One” campaign and veteran support information from the Daughters of the American Revolution. A World War I posters

collection, a fly-over and former military vehicles will be displayed.

A social welcome is set for after the ceremony at the Elks Lodge. It is open to attendees of the ceremony.

For information, call 815-756-1273 or email M.Embrey@FunMEevents.com.

Egyptian Theatre to screen ‘Rocky Horror’ June 21

DeKALB – The Egyptian Theatre will hold a screening of the movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” featuring the “Irrational Masters” live shadowcast.

The event will be held at 8 p.m. June 21 at the theater, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb.

The “Irrational Masters” cast members will perform alongside the movie. Live pre-movie music will be performed by Sweetie.

Attendees can bring costumes and props. Candles, large water guns, lighters, any open flames, prunes, toast and hot dogs will not be allowed. Prop kits can be bought in the theater’s lobby before the show.

Tickets cost $17. To buy tickets, visit egyptiantheatre.org, call 815-758-1225, or visit the Egyptian Theatre box office.

The Egyptian Theatre is owned and operated by the Preservation of Egyptian Theatre Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

DeKalb church to host hymn sing June 12

DeKALB – Glad Tiding Church, 2325 N. First St., DeKalb, will host a hymn sing at 1:30 p.m. June 12.

For information, call 815-758-4919.

– Shaw Local News Network

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Gary Middendorf file photo

Hundreds of cicadas fill the trees at the IHSA State Championship on May 25 in Charleston.

A CLOSER LOOK

‘All local history is national history’

Smithsonian, DeKalb County History Center collaborate with new exhibit

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – A collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and DeKalb County History Center has cooked up an exhibit that opened this month, which features 15 separate partners and locations in DeKalb County.

“Food: Gathering Around the Table,” a showcase of food history in DeKalb County, was unveiled to History Center supporters, volunteers and community members on June 1 and has since opened to the public.

It exists because DeKalb County History Center was one of five organizations in the U.S. selected to take part in the project by the Smithsonian – the largest museum complex, with 21 museums and nine research centers around the world, according to its website.

“It is such a big deal, it’s an honor we got to work directly with the Smithsonian team,” Executive Director Michelle Donahoe said. “How this works is, they provide an exhibit script with national ideas and then we include local stories that connect to those national themes. And that’s really what the challenge is, they want us to have these local stories and to help people really understand that all local history is national history.”

The Smithsonian collaboration originates out of the institution’s Main Street Program, which aims to provide access to small town America through, among other things, museum exhibitions.

In an email to Shaw Local News Network, Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street Project Director Selwyn Ramp wrote all five local museums supported by the project have created exhibitions that showcase food culture throughout the country.

“The goal of the exhibition Starter Kit program, which the exhibition at DeKalb County is a production of – is to create local humanities-based exhibitions using a Smithsonian exhibition content about food, as a device for giving national context to local exhibitions. Host museums use exhibition support materials and a guided script to create an integrated, seamless presentation of both national and local content,” Ramp wrote.

From hunting and gathering, planting and harvesting, farming, agritourism and more, “Food: Gathering Around the Table” gives visitors a

Michelle Donahoe, executive director of the DeKalb County History Center, talks about one of the displays Thursday, June 6, in the new exhibit “Food: Gathering Around the Table,” now open at the center in Sycamore. The exhibit was created by the DeKalb County History Center in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program.

sense of the history of food in DeKalb County and northern Illinois, but also how those traditions have changed over the years.

Memorabilia and artifacts are placed throughout the exhibit, including a 1930 picture of Alvan and Alva Oderkirk having cake with their family members to celebrate their wedding day at their home at 217 Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb. Helena Dolder’s table is part of the exhibit. She was the first woman to serve as sheriff in DeKalb County. Dolder took the position in 1928 after her husband, Fred, died and was elected to the position later that year.

After 90 years, the Kauffman family of Waterman-based Ho-Ka Turkey Farms, which offered a Thanksgiving staple to locals for decades, put out one last call for turkeys before closing the family business in 2023. Their legacy lives on in the exhibit.

Donahoe said she was happy the center was able to incorporate an old Ho-Ka Turkey Farms box, and other items, in the display.

“We’ve got the stories of Ho-Ka turkeys, which everyone’s so sad that they closed,” Donahoe said. “We’ve had lots of people comment about the box, and how it’s just such a good box ... and how people are sad they are no longer here.”

Ramp said, “Local culture and history is often forgotten, not shared enough, and sometimes deemed less important.” And to that end, the story of Ho-Ka Turkeys – really, a Kauffman family story – is a natural fit in the new exhibit.

“Everyone has a story, everyone has a food culture, and there is an amazing difference of foodways throughout the country,” Ramp said.

Ramp said DeKalb County’s exhibit is an example of how the Smithsonian’s museums provide access to a variety of historical topics for people across the country, especially those unable to visit Washington, D.C.

While The Suter Co. and Del Monte are prominently featured for their respective roles in the history of food production in DeKalb County, there’s

more to learn than what can be found in the History Center.

Donahoe said there are more than a dozen auxiliary sites with DeKalb County food history educational opportunities, including the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, 2280 Bethany Road in DeKalb; the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society, 622 Park Ave. in Genoa; the Shabbona-Lee-Rollo Historical Museum, 119 W. Comanche St. in Shabbona; North Grove School Association, 26745 Brickville Road in Sycamore and others. A complete list can be found at dekalbcountyhistory.org.

While DeKalb County is steeped in food history, Donahoe said the exhibit also touches on food security concerns that modern-day residents struggle with.

“In DeKalb County, we have some of the richest soil in the world but we also have a federally recognized food desert in DeKalb and over 15 food pantries. So it’s that real dichotomy of such rich soil and then people who still don’t have access to healthy food,” Donahoe said.

Mark Busch

School of Dance

host two open houses to celebrate its

ry. The events will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. June 14 at the school’s Genoa studio, 303 W. Main St., and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 15 at the St. Charles studio, 3720 Illinois Ave.

Beth Fowler School of Dance celebrates 40th anniversary

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

GENOA – The Beth Fowler School of Dance will host two open houses to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The first event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. June 14 at the school’s Genoa studio, 303 W. Main St. The second event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 15 at the St. Charles studio, 3720 Illinois Ave.

The open houses will feature studio tours, live dance presentations and food. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies will be held by each city’s chamber of commerce. The performances featuring Beth Fowler dancers will be at 6 p.m. June 14 and noon June 15. Registration for summer session or regular classes will be available.

The Beth Fowler School of Dance

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

DeKalb and Sycamore townships to hold recycling event June 15

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb and Sycamore townships will host a drive-thru electronic and metal recycling event for DeKalb and Sycamore residents.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon June 15 in the parking lot of Sycamore High School, 427 Spartan Trail.

Items accepted for recycling include lawnmowers, tablets, telephones, stoves, hand tools, chargers, vacuums, curling irons, outdoor grills, bicycles, printers, clocks, coffee machines,

has trained and encouraged dancers from DeKalb and Kane counties in acrobatics and dance styles such as tap, jazz, hip hop and ballet for 40 years. The school expanded to a second studio in St. Charles in 2009. The Beth Fowler School of Dance also is one of the region’s leading dance education programs.

“It has been an amazing 40 years,” Fowler said in a news release. “We hope to see not only old friends again, but many new faces that weekend in Genoa and St. Charles. We love nothing more than growing our big, fun dance family every chance we get.”

The school and Beth Fowler Dance Company have staged a production of “The Nutcracker” for 30 years. Dancers also perform two live productions a year. The school’s dancers also participate in spring and summer regional and national competitions.

computer equipment, walkie-talkies, scrap metal, washers and dryers, stereos, electric razors, bread makers, TV sets, power tools, battery-operated children’s toys and electric cables. A fee will be charged for CRT Monitors and TVs. Accepted methods of payment include a personal check or cash. Items not accepted for recycling include lightbulbs, household batteries and items containing freon. Appliances drained of freon are allowed. Cars will be unloaded by volunteers.

For information, call 815-758-8282.

– Shaw Local News Network

Photo provided by Beth Fowler School of Dance

The Beth Fowler

will

40th anniversa-

DeKalb Farmers Market opens for the season

19.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Elder abuse awareness walk set for June 14 in DeKalb

DeKALB – Elder Care Services will host its annual Strides for Change: An Abuse Awareness Walk in honor of Elder Abuse Awareness Month.

The free walk will begin at 4 p.m. June 14 at Rotary Park, 1504 State St., DeKalb. Participants are encouraged to wear purple. The walk also features a dunk tank, raffles and snacks. Lemonade and swag bags will be available while supplies last.

Registration is encouraged. To register, call 815-758-6550 or visit ecsdekalb.org/ strides-for-change.

DeKalb Garden Club to hold presentation June 13 at Ellwood House

DeKALB – The DeKalb Area Garden Club will hold a presentation on the DeKalb Township and DeKalb Township Road District’s current services.

The free program will be held at 7 p.m. June 13 at the Ellwood House Museum’s visitor center, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb.

Contact Us:

Our Healthcare Enrollment Assistance Program Navigators will assist you, Schedule an appointment today at no cost!

815-748-2498 or 815-748-2154 enrollhealth@dekalbcounty.org

Attendees will learn about the township and road district’s current services and upcoming project and service plans.

The presentation will be led by May Hess, DeKalb Township supervisor, and Craig Smith, DeKalb Township Road District’s highway commissioner. For information, call 815-909-0101.

Juggler Jason Kollum to perform June 13 in DeKalb

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host two Comedy Juggling and Variety Shows featuring juggler Jason Kollum.

The free shows will begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 13 in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. The shows feature interactive juggling and balancing routines with various objects. A workshop will be held after the shows for patrons to try different juggling and balancing skills. No registration is required. For information, email theresaw@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350. – Shaw Local News Network

Contáctenos: ¡Nuestros navegadores del Programa de Asistencia para la Inscripción en el Cuidado de la Salud, lo ayudarán a programar una cita hoy mismo! Medicaid applications can be submitted to the state year- round. Contact our navigators for assistance.

If you have questions related to Medicare, please call Elder Care Services of DeKalb County at (815) 758-6550

This Health Enrollment Assistance Program-Navigator (HEAP-N) is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the US. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial award funded by CMS/HHS totaling $158,005.00 annually. The contents are those of the DeKalb County Health Department and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the US. Government.

Mark Busch

Windblown hair was the order of the day as Sid Thomas (right) helped a customer June 6 at the Microcosm Farm tent during a very windy opening day at the DeKalb Farmers Market in downtown DeKalb. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays through Sept.

LOOKING BACK

1924 – 100 YEARS AGO

In telling of the broadcasting by the Barb City Quartet from station WGN, Chicago, Tuesday evening, it was not mentioned that the announcer made a statement as to why the quartet singers took the name of Barb City. The announcer was asked the why for of the name and stated that to his knowledge the name Barb City was taken from a nickname given DeKalb during some of its past history when it was the center of the manufacture of barb wire. The announcer also stated that the name is of historical importance in that DeKalb was the city in which barb wire was first invented.

In the future tourists driving into Annie’s Woods for an evening’s camp will be greeted at the gate by a large American flag, the gift of the W. R. C. organization. The flag pole will be erected as soon as possible in order that the new flag may be flown.

P.S. Corey & Sons today announced that on tomorrow and Thursday they will celebrate the opening of their new gasoline filling station, located on the old Evans lot, on the east side of DeKalb better known as the old circus lot. The station will be operated by Ole Olson and will be known as the R. E. Anderson Oil company’s gasoline filling station.

Officer Sid Rowe will be unable to enter the bull pen of the city police station until he finds his keys. This verdict was reached today following the full confession of the day officer, who stated that he has no idea where he left the keys.

1949– 75 YEARS AGO

Owners or residents of farms in DeKalb County are apt to see their rural homes in print. The Chronicle is tonight starting the publication of a series of pictures of farm homes, all taken from the air. The photos give the farmer an unusual viewpoint of his land, show the arrangement of the buildings, and the paths worn from place to place give him a good indication of where he is doing a lot of his walking.

Deputy sheriffs sought in vain today for boys believed to have fired the shot that broke a window in a truck driven by a woman near Shabbona Grove late Thursday afternoon. Chief Deputy Francis Sullivan and deputy Harry Overton carefully examined the truck and the terrain where the bullet came from and concluded that some boys playing in the thick woods had broken it with a random shot and had never known about it.

A glimpse into the future was obtained by a few of DeKalb’s citizens yesterday afternoon, when the traffic control light at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and First Street was given a test run. Electricians had wired up the equipment and were putting the signal through its first paces. Although it was Thursday afternoon and there were a few about on the streets, the green, yellow and red lights were attracting more than their usual share of interest. The signals will be in shape to go into operation with the opening of Lincoln Highway with its New Look.

Center Central School, at Exchange and California streets in Sycamore, opened for viewing March 27, 1927. Completed for the school year that fall, the building later became the Sycamore Community Schools Administration Center, shown here in March 2006.

Completing 50 years of service to the community, a record-breaking class of 234 this morning received diplomas at commencement exercises held at the Northern Illinois State Teachers College. The golden anniversary exercises were held on the island, with the members of the class and the spectators seated on the mainland and the faculty and speakers on the island proper.

A big machine shed on the David Westlake farm, 8 miles northeast of Sycamore on the Burlington blacktop, was destroyed by fire at 12:40 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. The contents of the shed, including a threshing machine and other small equipment, was a total loss. The blaze was caused by burning grass and cobs. The Sycamore fire department answered the alarm, but the shed was too far gone to save.

DeKalb began today to receive the benefits of the new era of ultramodern communications. At 7:30 o’clock lines from the DeKalb office were cut into the reperforator switching center at St. Louis, Mo., it was announced. Until today telegrams to and from DeKalb were subject to manual relaying at Chicago where they were sorted by routing clerks and carried by girls to operators, who retyped them to another relay center on to their destinations.

1974 – 50 YEARS AGO

A “first” was noted at the DeKalb High School gymnasium last week when 372 seniors received diplomas at commencement exercises. This was by far the largest graduating class in the history of the school. The top 10 students in academic achievement were recognized at the program. Maureen Loughin was named valedictorian of the class of 1974 and Anita Faivre was named salutatorian.

The Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees last night agreed to underwrite a daycare center for children of Kishwaukee students. Backers of the center asked the board to provide about $1,600 to cover losses under the first year of the program. The board agreed to let the student Child Care Committee convert the Kougar Den, student activity center, into a day-care center.

If you were traveling on Lee Road yesterday afternoon, you might have observed two hearty Shabbona fellows. Jon Pool and Roger Erickson were on their way to Lee, where centennial celebration activities got underway. And in the spirit of the occasion, they chose to travel the 100-year-old way, by mules.

1999 – 25 YEARS AGO

Volunteers are needed to help the Hiawatha Community Unit School District 426 wire for connection to the Internet. Plans are in place and supplies have been purchased to wire the school district for the 1999-2000 school year.

Third grade teacher Nancy Carnahan held a time capsule while Sabine Tegura put in a CD. Samantha Rodriguez and Amanda Webb also contributed articles in the time capsule which was then placed in a wall of the newly constructed Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary School yesterday afternoon.

Main Street DeKalb Inc. invites the public to celebrate the inaugural Baron DeKalb Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 19, in the downtown area. TransVac will offer a shuttle between the Egyptian Theatre, Ellwood House, Gurler House and the grand opening of the Glidden Homestead, allowing the easy enjoyment of DeKalb’s hidden treasures.

– Compiled by Sue Breese

Photo provided by DeKalb County History

How nutritional needs change with age

Healthy eating is important at any age and can set the course for a life of vitality and wellness. Sufficient nutrition can help prevent chronic illnesses and make sure that growing bodies develop properly. As one ages, various changes take place in the body, making healthy eating even more essential.

According to Healthline, nutritional deficiencies can effect aging individuals, which can decrease quality of life and lead to poor health outcomes. Individuals should pay attention to their vitamin and mineral intake at various ages so they do not miss out on important nutrients. As a person ages, here are some approaches to consider.

• Consume fewer calories: According to Connie Bales, PhD, RD, associate director of the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center at Durham VA Medical Center, people need fewer calories every decade. That’s because individuals are moving around less and have less muscle. This causes a decline in metabolic rate.

• Include more nutrient-dense foods: Even though caloric needs go down with age, it’s important to pack as much nutrition into the calories a person does consume. That means finding nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts, beans, vegetables, fish, and lean cuts of meat.

• Consume more lean protein: Muscle loss and loss of strength can develop as a person ages. Healthline says the average adult loses 3 to 8 percent of their muscle mass each decade after age 30. Eating more protein could help aging bodies maintain muscle.

• Eat fortified cereals and grains: The ability to absorb vitamin B12 can decrease as one gets older and with the use of certain medicines. Many health professionals recommend patients get more vitamin B12 by consuming foods enriched with this vitamin. Vitamin supplements may be needed in addition to food.

• Drink more fluids: Health.com says sensation of thirst declines with age. Drinking water and other fluids becomes a priority to stay hydrated. It also helps with digestion.

• Prioritize bone health: Osteoporosis is a concern for older adults, particularly women who have reached menopause. Osteoporosis occurs when bones become brittle and can break from only the slightest bump or fall, says the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin D and calcium help strengthen bones, and older adults may need more of these nutrients.

Individuals should speak with their health care providers and nutritionists for further insight into their changing nutritional needs. Such professionals can help customize diets to address specific health concerns.

Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb

The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb is accepting pre-applications for the Low Income Public Housing Program from applicants who are income eligible and have two (2) or more local preferences. Sequoya Apartments in Shabbona is accepting applications from the Elderly and/or Disabled. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is accepting applications from households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member is Elderly (62 or older) and/or households whose Head, Spouse or Sole Member has a verifiable Disability.

• Accommodations for independent living seniors, couples or person with disabilities

• Security Features

• Laundry Facilities

• Friendly On-site Management

• Clean & Safe Atmosphere

• 24 Hour Maintenance Service

For more information, please call 815-758-2692, or applications are available at our main office at 310 N. 6th Street, DeKalb or online at www.dekcohousing.com

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Huntley Middle School teacher visits White House

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – If there’s anything Justin Johnson has a strong theory about, he says he believes it was no accident he was among a group of educators from across the nation selected to participate in a recent tour of the White House.

“I got great connections with students, and I try my best to uplift my entire building,” Johnson said. “I think honestly it was my relationships with everyone and how people respond when they hear my name. I think that’s one of the reasons why I was actually thought of and to be nominated.”

Johnson, who is entering his fourth year of teaching math at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb, was among a group of educators from across the nation invited to an educational mixer held May 10-12 at the White House.

During the program, Johnson was able to meet educators from across the country.

“It was nice to meet a lot of people that identify with my culture, been through some similar struggle, but we’re all so different because everyone grows up in different circumstances, different challenges to overcome,”

Johnson said.

Coming from Chicago, Johnson said opportunities like this didn’t always seem plausible growing up.

Johnson said he never had the opportunity to visit the White House

prior to this trip.

“The White House looks like a prop,” he said. “The White House looks like they don’t do anything in there.”

Johnson said he is uncertain about why he was selected to participate in

the educational mixer.

“That’s the craziest part about it,” Johnson said. “I don’t know. I didn’t do any campaigning. My old principal who now works for the district, her name is Amonaquenette Parker, called me a couple days before the trip and told me that her and Superintendent Minerva [Garcia-Sanchez] had nominated me.”

In a statement, Amonaquenette Parker, the district’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion and former principal at Huntley Elementary School, vouched for Johnson.

“I first met Justin while he was working as a cashier at Lowe’s here in DeKalb while also working to complete his degree,” Parker said in a statement. “He told me then that his goal was to be the person for his future students that

Photo provided by DeKalb School District 428

DeKalb School District 428’s Huntley Middle School math teacher Justin Johnson is seen outside the White House during a trip to Washington, D.C., on Mother’s Day weekend.

Justin Johnson, Huntley Middle School math teacher

he didn’t always have, and I believed him. I was thrilled that he was able to student teach at Huntley and, after teaching in another district for a year, return to HMS. Having a Black male role model teaching middle school math is a tremendous asset for all of our students, but especially our students of color. It’s been my pleasure to get to know Justin and serve as a mentor for him as he progresses in his career. He will do great things!”

Johnson said he’s gained a lot from taking part in the trip to D.C. He intends to take what he learns this summer and put it to use to help himself make that next leap.

“The trip itself made me want to step into more of a leadership role,” he said. “When I did come back, I immediately asked Principal [Amonaquenette] Parker and my principal Dr. [Treveda] Shah any committees that they would like to see me on going into my fourth year teaching. I’m really trying to step up for my building and become more of a leader, more of a vocal leader and try to give as much as they’ve been giving to me because we got our amazing staff. They really show me how they care about me. I want to give back and really embrace the leadership role that I think I was meant to be in and that’s the message that I took away from the trip.”

Johnson said he will be busy this summer with professional development, work, travel and preparing for the school year ahead.

Also during his trip, Johnson squeezed in some sightseeing. He took in the sights of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the World World I and II memorials and the African American History Museum.

Johnson said he really enjoyed his time in D.C., and he’s glad he went.

“It was an amazing place,” he said. “It’s a cultural city. I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves. It’s powerful out there.”

Johnson said he had a lot of words he wanted to share with the commander in chief, but they didn’t cross paths during his trip to the White House.

“I wasn’t able to meet Sleepy Joe,” Johnson said. “I think he was sleeping.”

Still, Johnson said having the opportunity to tour the White House was a surreal experience.

EVERYthing Must Go!

“I never got the chance [to go to D.C.]. They did send some students when I was in seventh or eighth grade,” Johnson said. “That opportunity passed me by. But it was actually like an honor. … If I was an athlete, I would equate it to like winning the championship, especially coming back and seeing how proud the entire district, staff, students and everyone in my school was so proud that I got that opportunity. It was amazing to bring that back to the school. It’s like we all won in a sense.”

In a statement, Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez said she is ecstatic about what this opportunity has meant to the district.

“I was thrilled to receive an invitation to nominate two of our outstanding educators to attend the US Department of Education/White House Initiative for Black Americans teacher appreciation event,” Garcia-Sanchez said in a statement. “Our Black educators are truly exceptional, and it was my pleasure to nominate Justin Johnson of Huntley Middle School and Cherish Jackson from Tyler Elementary to represent DeKalb. I’m so happy that Justin could make the event and have this experience. Justin and Cherish embody the spirit of heroism in their dedication to education and supporting their school and district communities. I look forward to nominating more of our educators in the future.”

Johnson gave thanks to Ronique Hicks, the senior director of strategic partnerships for the Discovery Foundation and the program itself that made his trip to D.C. possible.

“It was nice to meet the people who invited me down there,” he said. “They’re the reason why we were in the White House in the first place, and I definitely thank them and let them know that it does my heart good to know that my classroom in DeKalb, Illinois, can mean something to somebody out there that I really appreciate that.”

Photo provided by DeKalb School District 428

Justin Johnson is seen in a classroom hosting a sign that reads “Speak Love Not Hate.”

Photo provided by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

Raising a glass

Roberts Family Farm in Sandwich adds self-serve beverage station

By ERIC SCHELKOPF eschelkopf@shawmedia.com

Those visiting Roberts Family Farm in Sandwich can now pour themselves a drink while they are buying some farm-raised beef.

A self-serve beverage station is just the latest addition to Roberts Family Farm, located at 905 S. County Line Road, Sandwich. The grand opening for the beverage station was held June 7.

“We’re not just a farm,” owner Joe Roberts said. “We’re not just a retail store. We’re not just a bar. We’re not an event center. We’re kind of a combination of all of that.”

Roberts and his wife, Jennifer, own Roberts Family Farm. In introducing a self-serve beverage station, the couple is teaming up with iPourIt Inc., North America’s leading provider of selfserve draft beverage technology.

“Our self-serve systems are designed to enhance customer experiences by providing convenience and variety,” iPourit CEO Chris Braun said. “The farm’s commitment to quality and community fits perfectly with our mission, and we’re thrilled to support them in creating memorable visits for everyone.”

Together with the self-serve beverage station, the couple is planning to hold a variety of activities at the farm, including live music and classes on such topics as beekeeping and quilting.

Local guitarist Eli Somlock was scheduled to perform during the grand opening.

Jennifer Roberts was introduced to the world of farming as a child. Her family owned a dairy farm on the north side of Sandwich in the 1950s and ’60s.

The couple now owns that farm along with Roberts Family Farm.

“We had the opportunity to buy it into the family, so we did that in 2014 and then bought this property in 2017,” Joe Roberts said.

Roberts Family Farm has evolved over the years to what it is today. It has been selling farm raised beef, pork, lamb and chicken since 2018.

As Jennifer Roberts noted, grassfed beef is healthier for you. She is a professor of biology at Lewis University in Romeoville.

“If they eat grass, they have more omega-3 fatty acids in their tissue and that’s good for humans by far,” she said. “I think it’s important to get peo-

ple educated about what they eat and how they eat and healthy lifestyle choices. When I grew up on a farm, it was my way of life.”

Their cows eat grass for the most part.

“Our cows do get some grain, mostly as a supplement,” Joe Roberts said. “But the majority of their diet is grass.”

Locally sourced products

Those stopping at the farm can buy farm-raised meats along with a variety of other products, including raw honey, soaps, blankets and quilts.

The couple tries to support local businesses as much as possible. For example, a beekeeper from Minooka supplies the raw honey that is sold at the farm.

The self-serve beverage station sells craft beverages that are made locally in some cases. For example, it sells products from Pollyanna Brewing Co. in St. Charles, Obscurity Brewing in Elburn and Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. in DeKalb.

It also sells beer brewed at Urbana-based Riggs Beer Co.

“They’re a farm family that uses all of their local grain to brew beer,” Joe Roberts said. “We highlight those here as well.”

As he noted, the system used in the self-serve beverage station allows them to put different controls in place.

“We can set the limits on how much people can actually consume,” he said. “When you come in, you give me your license, I scan that and the technology will tell me if it’s a valid license and that you’re at least 21 years of age. And then you give me your credit card and I give you a wrist band. And then that gives you access to the tap system.”

While the farm doesn’t serve food, food trucks will offer a variety of culinary choices.

Roberts Family Farm has indoor seating for 49 people and outdoor seating for up to 150 people.

“We’ll be having activities throughout the year as things evolve, whether those are beekeeping classes or classes on how to crochet,” Joe Roberts said. “We’re going to see what people like. Because we’re a family operation, we can be adaptable. We can kind of set the direction and see how it goes.”

The couple also wants to educate people about the cows, sheep, hogs and goats on the farm.

“We’ve actually had some of Jen -

ny’s colleagues bring their classes out here,” Joe Roberts said. “We talk about animal husbandry, like how do you wean a calf? People ask us all the time about how the animals are doing. One misconception that people have is that livestock are pets. They want to come in and pet a cow. And that’s not something we encourage people to do. We want them to get close to the animals and see the animals, but we don’t want people walking out in the pasture

expecting they’re going to cuddle up close to a cow. A 1,500-pound mom cow with a calf could become very aggressive toward a stranger coming out there.”

The venue at Roberts Family Farm also is available for rent for birthday or retirement parties or other small events. More information about the farm is available by email at robertsfamilyfarm905@gmail.com or at its Facebook page.

Eric Schelkopf

Roberts Family Farm owner Joe Roberts demonstrates the farm’s new self-serve beverage station. He owns Roberts Family Farm with his wife, Jennifer.

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