




DeKALB – While DeKalb city leaders moved one step closer last week to initiat ing a new crime-free housing plan, some area landlord groups are asking the city to add language that would help differen tiate between responsible and irresponsi ble landlords.
The DeKalb City Council on Oct. 10 voted 7-0 to approve the proposed ordi nance – which would amend the city’s existing code related to landlords and ten ants – although a final vote is needed to approve it fully. That vote is expected at the council’s next meeting Oct. 24.
City leaders said their hope is to spend the next weeks amending the proposed ordinance and reviewing suggestions made by area landlords, including the DeKalb Area Rental Association.
The group’s representatives said they support the crime-free housing proposal though offered some suggestions of their own. They asked that the city not punish landlords for calling police to report crim inal activity, and the city provide prop erty owners with legal protection should the landlords be accused of fair housing violations.
William Heinisch of DARA spoke at the City Council meeting and said the group asked the city to add “affirmative defense” language to its ordinance proposal, mean ing landlords who call police to report a crime won’t be slapped with fines. He said the group has also asked for the city to add indemnification language, so the city can “back landlords if we get accused of fair housing rights violations,” Heinisch said.
“We’re trying to differentiate between the responsible landlords and the irre sponsible landlords,” Heinisch said. “And that’s the difference that I think many people don’t understand in this discus sion. We’ve had crime-free housing for a long time. ... What we’re trying to do is take this to the next level.”
On Oct. 11, Heinisch reiterated his sup port of the council’s action to move for ward the crime-free housing initiative. Heinisch said city staff came to a recent DARA meeting and discussed the pro posal.
“The meeting, I believe, went well,” Heinisch said. “The city is still open to reviewing and making changes to the ordinance such as we’ve requested affir mative defense language to be added. So, I think at this point it’s a positive. It’s still moving forward in a positive light. They’re open to, I think, any and all sug gestions.”
DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes echoed that sentiment on Oct. 10.
“I think the city’s been incredibly trans parent as well as receptive to the feedback that we’ve been getting,” Barnes said.
Not all are in favor of the proposed housing plan, however, including more than a dozen regional and statewide fair housing advocacy groups. The groups sent two letters to the city council prior to the vote alleging the proposed plan violates state law and risks resident safety, namely low-income or minority residents, women and victims of domestic or sexual abuse.
City Manager Bill Nicklas again dis puted claims that the city’s crime-free housing initiative violates law or harms victims. In his sharp rebuke, Nicklas read
excerpts of the Illinois Human Rights Act.
“It’s been alleged that the ordinance violates state law by not exempting vic tims of domestic and sexual violence. This is offensive to me. It’s obviously incor rect,” Nicklas said.
City proponents said the crime-free housing plan helps accelerate the clock imposed on landlords once an arrest is made at a rental unit or property, and encourages evictions for tenants who don’t follow the law. It also beefs up the fines that are assessed to landlords for unlawful activity should it occur in a rental unit or property.
Some again issued calls for the city to heed suggestions on text amendments prior to finalizing the proposed crime-free ordinance.
“There is still time to improve the city of DeKalb’s ordinance to protect law-abid ing housing providers from fair housing violations and prevent infringement on tenants rights,” said Neeley Erickson, local government affairs director for Illi nois Realtors. “We ask you to continue further collaboration.”
John Walker of the DeKalb-based tenant advocacy group, the Equity and Justice Center said Oct. 11 he stands by the City Council’s decision. Walker, whose advocacy office provides resources for local tenants dealing with difficult landlords, is also running to represent Ward 7 on the City Council in the April 2023 consolidated election.
“I honestly think that the city needed to take a strong approach and a strong ini tiative to at least [put] a foot forward and start getting some of this cleaned up,” Walker said.
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Larry Berke looks on as Kay Berke shows a book filled with family photos on Oct. 12 2022. See story, page 6.
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DeKALB – The Kishwaukee Con cert Band will open its 21st season with a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Northern Illinois Univer sity Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave.
The free concert will be conducted by Dave Lehman and Deb Shofner and sponsored by band member Michele LaBaw.
Featured music on the program includes “Reflections” by James Swearingen; “El Camino Real” by Alfred Reed; Glenn Osser’s “Beguine Festival,” a combination of “For Senti mental Reasons” and “I’ll Remember You” in a Latin theme; “Prairie Dances,” by David R. Holsinger; and “Dynamarch” by John Cacaos.
The band will also perform “A Leroy Anderson Portrait” arranged by James Barnes, “Symphonic Gersh
DeKALB – Kishwaukee United Way will host a “Stuff the Bus” donation drive from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the parking lot of Best Buy, 2074 Syca more Road.
Kishwaukee United Way is partnering with Transdev to collect everyday essen tial items for local families in need.
Accepted items include paper towels, toilet tissue, laundry detergent, soap, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, femi nine hygiene products, diapers and wipes.
For more information, call 779-2551267.
win” arranged by Warren Barker, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” arranged by Robert W. Smith, and John Philip Sousa’s march “Daugh ters of Texas.”
The Music Building is handicap accessible. Parking is allowed in Lots 3, 4 and 14 near the building.
The Kishwaukee Concert Band is a tax-exempt charitable organization and any contributions to the band are tax-deductible. Rehearsals are held from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Huntley Middle School.
The band is supported by the DeKalb County Community Founda tion and the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Fund.
Other concert dates for this season are Sunday, Dec. 18, Sunday, March 12, and Sunday, May 7.
For more information, visit www. kishconcertband.org.
SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County Republican Party Headquarters, 1909 Ford St., is now open for supporters and the public to obtain information about the party’s candidates running in the 2022 election.
Free yard signs for all GOP candidates are available upon request. The office is open during October from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
To request signage, email dkcountyre publicans@gmail.com or call 815-6415253.
– The DeKalb Park District will
eral Halloween-themed events, including a house decorating contest, during the fall.
The events are open to people of all ages.
The deadline to register for the third annual DeKalb Halloween House Decorating Contest is Tuesday, Oct. 18. DeKalb residents are invited to show off their spookiest house decorations. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Overall Theme, Best Special Effects, Scariest, and People’s Choice. The addresses of all entries are being published in local media unless specified oth erwise. The entry fee is $5 per house.
Staff judging is between 4 and 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19. People’s Choice voting will take place Thurs day, Oct. 20, through Thursday, Oct. 27, on the DeKalb Park District Facebook page. Photos of each house will be shared, with the winning image being announced at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. Winners will receive a prize package and a sign to display in their yard.
The annual Howl-o-ween pet costume contest will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Katz Dog Park, 393 W. Dresser Road. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Most Spook-tacular, Howling with Laugh ter, and Best Owner/Pet Costume Combo.
The second annual Monster Mash Splash is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Huntley Middle School pool, 1515 S. Fourth St. Halloween-themed activities both in and out of the water include Floating Pump kin Patch, Racing Spiders, Toss the Eyeball, Float Contests, and more. The fee is $20 for residents and
$25 for nonresidents.
A Halloween carved pumpkin event will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Hopkins Sled Hill, 1403 Sycamore Road. Attendees can participate in pumpkin roll competitions and smash stations, turn ing pumpkins into compost. Participants must be
registered, but spectators are welcome. Participants must remove any candles and glow sticks before hand. Non-carved pumpkins will not be accepted. The fee is $5 per resident and $6 per nonresident.
For more information and to register, visit dekalb parkdistrict.com or call 815-758-6663.
DeKALB – The Stage Coach Players is set to open its next production, “Clue: On Stage,” Thursday, Nov. 3. The play is scheduled to run for two weeks. “Clue: On Stage” tells the story of six people who have been invited to Boddy Manor, a deserted man sion in New England. They are asked not to use their real names and are given aliases such as Mrs. Pea cock and Mrs. White. After the guests have settled in, it’s revealed that their host, Mr. Boddy, has been blackmailing them all! Each is given a separate weapon in the study with instructions to kill the but ler, Wadsworth, to help Boddy tie off a loose end and to terminate their blackmail. The lights are turned off, screams are heard, and then two gunshots are heard.
When the lights return, Boddy is lying on the floor. Dead. Col. Mustard had the revolver, but he claims not to have shot Boddy. Yvette screams from the Billiard and before we know it, Mr. Green has found the cook stabbed in the kitchen. What follows is filled with silliness and sleuthing as the group tries to figure out who exactly killed Boddy while trying not to become the killer’s next victim. Was it Miss Scarlet or Professor Plum? What secrets did Boddy have on them to make them want to kill him?
“Clue: On Stage” is based off of the 1943 board game and the 1985 movie of the same name. The Stage Coach production will be directed by Tim Ball, who previously directed the Stage Coach production of “It’s A Wonderful Life” in 2019.
Performances of “Clue: On Stage” will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, Friday, Nov. 4 and 11, and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 12, at the Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb. There also are matinee per formances at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 and 13.
Tickets will cost $15 or $13 for seniors and children ages 13 and younger.
Tickets currently are on sale online at stagecoach players.com or through the box office at 815-758-1940. The box office opens Sunday, Oct. 30.
,
Written by Qui Nguyen
Directed by Kendra Holton
Oct. 17 Jazz Faculty Showcase, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 NIU Philharmonic Orchestra, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 Wind Symphony (with US Army Route 66 Brass Band), 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 NIU Brass Concert, 11 a.m. Nov. 2-4 NIU New Music Festival, 7 p.m. Nov. 6 Percussion Ensemble, 3 p.m. Nov. 11 Wind Symphony, 7 p.m.
NIU Art Museum
Golden Legacy: Original Art from 80 Years of Golden Books Through Oct. 15
School of Art and Design – niu.edu/art Meeting of Makers: Merging of Space Jack Olson Gallery, Through Oct. 27
DeKALB – Larry and Kay Berke met while ice skating on a lagoon in DeKalb County when they were 12. Now, 68 years later, they’re cel ebrating the 50th anniversary of their travel agency, Royal Travel and Tours.
The Berkes, both 80, have since retired and passed the company on to their daughter, Kendra Thornton, 48. She has owned and operated the business that has offices in Winnetka and at 122 N. First St., Unit C, in downtown DeKalb for the past six years.
The family celebrated the 50-year milestone with a gathering Oct. 6 at Whiskey Acres Distillery in DeKalb.
“In the early ’70s, we wanted to get a business of our own, and we kicked a lot of different ideas around,” Larry Berke said. “And this was one that sort of appealed to us. [Kay had] done considerably more traveling than I had, but that was the start.”
Thornton was born after the Berkes opened their first office in downtown Sycamore in November 1972, Kay said. Perhaps it was a calling their daugh ter was born into.
“She as a baby spent many times on a blanket under my desk on the floor,” Kay Berke said. “She was raised in the travel industry.”
As a young girl, Thornton – who lives in Win netka with her husband and three children – said she would pretend to have her own travel agency in her bedroom, complete with her own typewriter and pretend airline tickets.
Thornton, a Northwestern University alumna, purchased Royal Travel from her parents in 2016, a few years after Larry and Kay propositioned Thorn ton and her brothers, Jeff Berke and Andrew Berke.
“All three of them have worked in the business,” Larry Berke said. “And about seven, eight years ago we were all together as a family and I said, ‘Well, you know, mom and dad are getting up in age, if any of you are interested, let us know. We gotta start thinking about what we’re going to do.’ ”
The business didn’t have any takers initially, however.
Kay said her sons were doing their own thing, and Thornton was busy creating a name for herself in the travel industry. At one point, Thornton left the family business to go work for Chicago-based Orbitz, a direct competitor.
“She said the hardest thing she ever did was call her father – that’s just when online travel agencies were coming in to be – she had to call her father and say, ‘Dad, I’ve taken a job with Orbitz,’” Kay Berke said.
Despite the competition, the Berkes said they were happy about their daughter’s job.
Thornton spent four years as the corporate com munications director at Orbitz, making a name for herself before opening her own travel and life style-centered public relations company.
Thornton regularly offers travel advice on WGN-TV in Chicago and also has provided expert
commentary to MSNBC, Fox News and other cable news networks. In 2019, she was named to Travel + Leisure magazine’s A-List. She’s also a member of the magazine’s advisory board and the British Vir gin Islands Travel’s advisory board.
Despite all of these career milestones, Thornton said it wasn’t until 2013, when her dad asked her to come back to work for the family business, that she began to consider the next step.
She said she pondered taking over Royal Travel and Tours and what it could mean for the business to evolve into a second-generation endeavor.
“I realized in that moment that everything I had done in my career was leading me toward becoming a second-generation owner of Royal Travel,” Thorn ton said. “It has been such a gift to own and grow this legacy family business.”
Since Thornton took over, Royal Travel’s reve nue has gone up to $13 million, an increase of 500%, according to a news release from the business. The company also was named a Top Travel Specialist for 2021 by luxury lifestyle magazine Condé Nast Traveler. Thornton said that accolade “reconfirms that Royal Travel has some of the best travel adviser talent in the industry.”
At one time, Royal Travel had 11 offices spread
out across northern and central Illinois, including some in downtown Chicago. The company now employees 12 people from across the country who work from home.
Thornton, who’s visited 69 countries on six conti nents, said the average person can benefit from using a travel agency such as Royal Travel. That’s because the company is composed of professional travel planners who can customize an itinerary for each client.
“We know how much people deserve an amazing vacation, especially coming out of the pandemic,” Thornton said. “We partner with our clients in cre ating custom travel experiences for anywhere in the world – a relaxing beach getaway in Mexico or the Caribbean, a bucket list trip to Europe or Africa, a couple’s honeymoon in Hawaii or the Mal dives – you name it, we can help.”
Thornton said it’s an incredible honor to carry on the family business, especially considering her parents started the travel agency “with nothing but a dream and a loan from the bank.”
“The fact that 50 years later our company is still fulfilling travel dreams for local DeKalb residents and leisure travelers from all over the country gives me great pride,” Thornton said.
SYCAMORE – In 1972, milk and gasoline were less than $1 a gallon, Americans began hearing about some thing called Watergate, Mar lon Brando made an offer that couldn’t be refused and one of the best craft fairs in the Midwest was born.
That craft fair became formally known as the Syca more Autumn Craft & Trea sure Market, and for half a century, it has provided visi tors thousands of unique gifts ideas just in time for the holidays and a way to sup port small, local businesses.
The second half-century of the Autumn Craft & Trea sure Market begins soon. It will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Sycamore High School Field House, 427 Spartan Trail.
Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students and seniors. Children ages 5 and
younger get in for free. Pro ceeds benefit the Sycamore Music Boosters.
Held in conjunction with Sycamore Pumpkin Festi val, the market draws about 6,000 shoppers to more than 100 booths in an indoor facil ity. Craft fair vendors offer items ranging from textiles to jewelry, to art to home decorations, to foods and spices, to pet paraphernalia.
The Sycamore Park Dis trict will supply golf carts to drive shoppers to and from their vehicles. The fair also will offer food, beverages and desserts.
Vendor spaces are still available. To sign up, visit sycamoremusicboosters. com.
The Sycamore Music Boosters support students in kindergarten through 12th grade music programs offered within Sycamore School District 427.
For more information, visit sycamoremusicboost ers.com.
Call to schedule your appointment with our Healthcare Enrollment Assistance Program Navigator for open enrollment.
If you previously have had Marketplace Insurance look for your renewal notice and verification documents in the mail.
Open enrollment is available for 2023 coverage. Our Navigator can help you submit your application and answer your questions.
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We have had made, to our special order, a limited number of books, show ing a map of the county, and individual page maps of the townships of the county. These maps show the location and size of every farm property in the county, with the name of the owner. When these are gone no more can be obtained. While our supply lasts they will be sold at one dollar.
A throng that completely filled the available space at the beautiful new St. Mary’s hospital was present this morn ing at 10:30 o’clock when His Reverence Bishop Peter J. Muldoon, head of the dio cese of Rockford, pronounced the words blessing the hospital in the name of the Master and dedicating to the high pur pose for which it is built.
Henry Lanan, who recently purchased the Chamberlain home in Sycamore on Exchange Street, is having the place extensively remodeled. Much work is being done on the interior and the out side is undergoing a coat of white pebble dash, which makes a vast improvement in the home. Upon the completion of the home, Mr. Lanan will have one of the fin est residences of the city. Although work is still going on at the place, it already takes an aspect of the work that has been done and the alterations which have been given it.
The bus line is kept pretty busy in and around Malta where it is becoming very popular. Many people take the bus now when they want to go to DeKalb instead of using their own cars, in this cold weather. The bus is enclosed and kept very warm and comfortable for the com fort of the passengers. It is thought that the new line will be a successas so many of the people are taking advantage of it. Those living some little distance from the city find it very convenient to take the bus to the village whenever they find it necessary to go.
The new Malta library which was started some time ago is going up with astonishing rapidity, the workmen already working on the actual construction of the building. Thomas Kingsted who has charge of the contract has kept his men busy at the work and has made an excel lent showing. It is thought that in the next month the building will be close to com pletion and Malta will have a building we may well feel proud of to show visitors.
Charles F. Dayton, coach and member of the DeKalb Township High School fac ulty today completed a five-day short course in driver education and training given by the University of Illinois. The intensive short course, designed to bet ter equip educators to meet the increas ing problem of motor vehicle accidents was conducted in cooperation with sev eral auto agencies throughout the state. It was pointed out that training was urgently needed because 16-year-old drivers have a traffic fatality driving record nine times worse than drivers of the 45 to 50 age bracket. Reports have proven that driver training in schools has reduced traffic accidents by one-half.
George Munch, well known farmer liv ing northwest of Clare, was seriously injured several days ago, on his farm. He and his son, Jack, were opening a corn field, preparatory to starting husking operations. Jack was running the mounted picker on the tractor and Mr. Munch was riding on the wagon behind the machine. As the equipment moved along a fence, a low hanging tree limb brushed Mr. Munch off the wagon. He fell backward, landing on his neck and shoul der. He was rushed to a doctor’s office where an X-ray examination revealed that he had received a crushed vertebra.
Work on two street improvement projects is progressing rapidly at this time with the greater part of the grading activity on North Ninth and Eleventh
streets in DeKalb having been completed at this time. Contracts for the blacktop ping of these two streets from Oak to Pleasant were awarded the Stahl Con struction Company of Somonauk with the work being started last week. It is hoped that the weather will remain favorable so that the curb and gutter work may be completed and the gravel base placed before the arrival of winter. This will allow the base to be packed down during the winter so that the black topping may be placed in the spring.
Silo filling in Ohio Grove is about completed in this vicinity. Some of the farmers are now combining beans.
Conservation Officer Harley Renwick met a truck from the State Department of Conservation in Sycamore this morn ing loaded with “bullheads” which were unloaded in the gravel pit north of Syca more. Sycamore Chamber of the DeKalb County Sportsmen’s Club had placed a request some time ago. The fish are large in size as they were taken from the backwaters of the Mississippi near Savanna. It was estimated that around 500 were placed in the waters here and should provide some interesting sport for the fishermen around this area.
The County Board last night granted a special use permit to the Boy Scouts, Calumet Council, for developing the 650 acres of land near Kirkland that they recently acquired.
Workmen from Hiatt Brothers in DeKalb have started working this week on hanging the suspension bridge across the Kishwaukee River in Hopkins Park. With the cooperation of Swedberg, Bar ber-Greene and Hiatt the park district saved $20,000 on the cost of construc tion of the bridge. The old bridge was constantly washing away in high water.
When the DeKalb County Special Edu cation Association (DCSEA) was formed in 1967, basements in Sandwich, DeKalb and Sycamore were utilized for the train ing and education of the county’s train able mentally handicapped. Within the next 10 days the DCSEA will own its own building, McAuley Hall, the former St. Mary’s Hospital in DeKalb. The DCSEA has been renting the Notre Dame facility on Gurler Road for the past two years.
Children at St. Mary’s Catholic School might want to grab an umbrella if they ever smell hog manure. Typically, the wind will swing around to the southeast when a storm approaches DeKalb. As a warning of impending rain, the wind could transport aroma from a hog con finement facility being built about a mile southeast of the school to the nasal pas sages of the kids in the playground.
The Gurler House, 205 Pine St., was built in 1857 by Elzey Young and his wife Alida Ellwood. Clara Sperling, secretary to many NIU presidents, lived in the adjoining apartment in the mid-20th century. The DeKalb City Council met at the house last night to discuss its goals and the challenges the city faces, and work on a mission statement for the house.
A group of DeKalb residents opposed to a new subdivision succeeded in at least slowing the development down last night. Residents who live near the Huber Farm, located at the northwest cornerof Taylor Street and Glidden Ave nue, packed the city council chambers to voice opposition to a 153-house develop ment planned for the property.
The DeKalb County Board is expected to approve a plan tonight that paves the way for a new fire station just outside of Kirkland. The new station, including a helicopter pad, will be located on the north side of Route 72.
–CompiledbySueBreeseWith Halloween fast approaching, DeKalb County area communities have set trick-or-treat hours for Mon day, Oct. 31:
DeKalb: 4 to 7 p.m.
Sycamore: 4 to 8 p.m.
Genoa: 4 to 7 p.m.
Cortland: 4 to 8 p.m.
Shabbona: 4 to 7 p.m. Sandwich: 4 to 7 p.m.
Other Halloween-related events
Oct. 22: The DeKalb Park District invites residents and their fourlegged furry friends to save the date for its annual Howl-o-ween event, set for Oct. 22 at Katz Dog Park, 393 W. Dresser Road.
Costumes will be reviewed by judges beginning at 11 a.m., with awards announced shortly thereafter.
The annual costume contest pro vides an opportunity to vie for prizes, which will be awarded in three cate gories: Most “Spook-tacular”, “Howl ing” with Laughter, and Best Owner/ Pet Costume Combo.
Oct. 27: Downtown Trick-or-Treat with the city of Sycamore. Children of all ages are welcome to downtown Sycamore between 4 and 6 p.m.,
In this Oct. 31, 2022, file photo, Theodore Martin of DeKalb, dressed as a carrot, receives candy from Lisa Gordon-Ahrens of DeKalb while trick-or-treating.
where businesses will hand out treats along State Street.
Oct. 27: Spooktacular hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Bring the family to downtown DeKalb from 4 to 6 p.m. for the 25th annual Spook
tacular event, featuring chances to trick-or-treat at more than 20 busi nesses. At 6:30 p.m., a free showing of “Hocus Pocus” will be featured at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. No ticket or RSVP is required.
DeKALB – The Leishman Center for Culi nary Health at Northwestern Medicine Kish waukee Hospital will host virtual cooking and nutrition classes.
The classes are free and open to patients and community members.
All classes will be held online via Zoom. The classes are broadcast live from the cen ter on the main floor of Kishwaukee Hospital.
The classes will focus on how to cook and meal prep on a budget, as well as how to cook using ingredients that are in sea son. Classes range from 30 minutes to an hour. Wednesday classes are offered from 1 to 2 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday classes are from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Topics include:
• Managing Blood Pressure With DASH, Oct. 17
• Cooking on a Budget: Autumn Meals, Oct. 19
• Cooking With Pumpkin, Oct. 20
• Autumn Vegetable Tacos, Oct. 26
• Cooking With Winter Squash, Oct. 27
• Building a Healthy Pantry on a Budget, Oct. 27
To register, visit nm.org.
–ShawLocalNewsNetworkDeKALB – Elder Care Services can assist DeKalb County residents with Medicare Open open enrollment, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
During open enrollment, Elder Care Services will suspend Medicare Monday walk-ins to ensure all beneficiaries are able to receive appointments. To sched ule an appointment, call 815-758-6550 or email team@ecsdekalb.org.
Elder Care Services provides help each year through the state Senior Health Insurance Program.
For more information, visit ecsdekalb. org or following their social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
SYCAMORE – The Sycamore United Methodist Church Music Ministries will present a Revival Show and services at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, and 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the church at 160 Johnson Ave.
The show is free and open to the public.
SUMC music director Pete Hansen will direct the church’s 40-plus musicians, soloists, trios, quartets and choir in a combined choir and instrumental collab oration. The choir and instrumental combo will perform classic Southern Gospel style hymns and songs.
For more information, call 815-8959113, email office@sycamoreumc.org or visit the church’s Facebook and Insta gram pages.
DeKALB – The Community School of the Arts at Northern Illinois University invites musicians 18 years old and younger to audition in the annual CSA Sinfonia Concerto Competition.
Applications must be received by Oct. 28. Auditions are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, in the Recital Hall of the Northern Illinois University Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave.
The winner will receive a $200 cash prize and perform the winning concerto with the youth orchestra as a special guest at the Sinfonia concert on May 10.
Musicians who want to compete must live within a 75-mile radius of DeKalb.
Each musician will perform one move ment of a standard solo concerto or an appropriate one-movement composition from memory. Auditions are limited to eight minutes, and musicians are expected to bring their own accompanist.
The NIU Community School of the Arts is a nonprofit arts organization sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts at NIU. More than 60 teachers conduct music ensembles, classes and private lessons, providing opportunities for community members to study and enjoy music and art.
For more information, visit csa.niu.edu or call 815-753-1450.
DeKALB – Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists will soon collect donations for the Sycamore United Meth odist Church Coat Ministry.
Items needed include new and gently used coats, boots, mittens, scarves and other winter accessories. Donations can be dropped off starting Monday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Nov. 4.
All four Northern Rehab locations will serve as collection sites, with clinics at the Sycamore Road and Lincoln Highway locations in DeKalb, as well as the Genoa and Rochelle locations.
For more information, call 815-7568524 or visit northernrehabpt.com.
DeKALB – In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, RAMP will donate items to local organizations that provide services to survivors of domestic violence.
Collection boxes are located near the reception desk in the RAMP office at 115 N. First St. in DeKalb.
All donations will go to VOICES in Ste phenson County or the Family Peace Center in Winnebago County. Items needed include medication for children and adults, gift cards, personal care items and more.
RAMP’s mission is to build an inclu sive community that encourages individ uals with disabilities to reach their full potential.
For more information, call 779-7741013 or email akubatzke@rampcil.org.
–ShawLocalNewsNetworkThe show will run from 7 to 9 p.m. every night through Halloween
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.comCORTLAND – Cortland resident Tim Caravia hopes to conjure up a production for the ages as the Caravia Family Light Show returns, this year featur ing themes from the hit Netflix show “Stranger Things.”
The family-friendly show will run from about 7 to 9 p.m. and is expected to continue nightly through Halloween outside the Caravia’s house, 687 N. Gold enrod St., Cortland.
Caravia said he found inspiration for this year’s light display in one of his favorite shows.
“I’m a big fan of ‘Stranger Things,’ the Netflix series,” Caravia said. “This season they use music as their weapon to fight the bad guys. And I really enjoy the music. I’m a huge Metallica fan. So, any excuse for me to pull out Metallica in a light show, it just was perfect for me. I was excited to get my hands on that.”
Caravia said this past season of “Stranger Things” featured a lot of good songs to choose from, which made narrowing down his selections difficult. But he said it prompted him to consider arranging a medley of songs.
“I had to figure out which ones worked best with the lights,” he said.
New this year, the Caravia Family Light Show will feature a projector to display video with the lights.
Caravia said he believes children and families alike will enjoy the light show.
“There’s nothing graphic on there,” he said. “With the videos, I make sure everything’s PG. I know about spoilers, and I would try to stay away from
that. The video is pretty generic, but it still tells the story of season four as best as possible.”
Caravia said he couldn’t give an estimate of how
much all the decorations and lights cost, as he was merely reusing materi als from past years. But he said people might be surprised about his family’s electric bill.
“All of our lights are LEDs,” he said. “Last year I compared my power bills from 2021 to 2020, and this was before some of the inflation that we’ve gone through recently. But the num bers between 2021 and 2020 are only about a $20 difference for the month. So, no, it doesn’t really use a whole lot of power.”
Caravia doesn’t intend to partici pate in any Halloween house-decorat ing contests this year.
“I know I have a decent chance of winning something, but I don’t want to discourage anybody,” he said. “I’d rather let a family and their kids dec orate their house and enjoy it and have a better chance at winning than me.”
The Caravia family started to deco rate their house and yard Sept. 1.
Caravia gave thanks to his wife for supporting his hobby and lending assistance where needed.
“I would say in many ways she can help me with my creative,” he said. “I can bounce ideas off of her. There are things that are totally, completely her idea. She’s very helpful.”
Caravia also gave thanks to his 6-year-old son for his help.
“We have a couple of the – we call them ‘Home Depot giants,’ ” he said. “We have a 12-foot skeleton, a 10-foot wolf, a 9-foot reaper. We got a bunch of the Home Depot stuff. I can say he at least helps me with that because he gets really excited. So, when I’m read ing directions, I’ll ask him to bring parts to me based on their names or how they’re labeled. That’s about the extent of what I can do with him. … He can’t be around electricity.”
Caravia said he doesn’t know what type of turnout to expect, but he’s hop ing people enjoy the show.
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Two staff members of the Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois are shifting into new roles.
Nate Kloster, who served as VAC’s chief financial officer, moved into the CEO position as exiting CEO Ellen Rogers transferred into a new role as chief development officer.
“Ellen Rogers requested the oppor tunity to step away from her position as CEO, but she has agreed to continue in a management role as the chief development officer,” Board President Michael Haines said in a news release.
The VAC was incorporated in 1974 and is governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of local repre sentatives. The agency serves the nutrition and transportation needs of individuals in La Salle, Bureau, Put nam, Kendall and DeKalb counties with programs such as Meals On Wheels, a senior lunch program, Med VAC and TransVAC, among others.
During her tenure at VAC, Rogers met many challenges head on, includ ing the construction of a community kitchen in Sycamore, the expansion of service areas, the growth of the Meals on Wheels program and the impact of declining funds and increasing need.
“As Ellen begins her 34th year at VAC, we are grateful that she will con
tinue to be the heart of our agency to so many we serve,” Haines said.
Rogers said her work as chief devel opment officer will focus on developing the agency’s resources and ensuring a smooth succession for the agency, its clients and the communities it serves.
Haines said Kloster served as interim CEO while Rogers previously took a leave of absence, which made him an ideal person to accept the role permanently.
“Nate accepted the position of CFO when the agency faced many financial challenges, including the impact of two years with significantly delayed state funding. Nate has been instrumental in stabilizing the agency’s funding pic ture and addressing changes in it.”
Rounding out the executive man agement team is Tracy Smith, the chief operating officer for transit and facili ties.
“We have nearly 100 dedicated employees and many more volunteers that are the hands and feet of this organi zation,” Kloster said. “It’s a privilege and an honor to serve alongside this team.”
The leadership changes became effective Oct. 1.
“We are grateful to have such a strong leadership team and look for ward to VAC being positioned to meet the growing needs of our communi ties,” Haines said.
DeKALB – The city of DeKalb will hold its annual loose-leaf collection from Monday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Dec. 2.
Leaves are collected from 7 a.m. through 4 p.m. Mondays through Fri days, according to a news release. Res idents should rake leaves into a nar row row along the backside of the curb. Vacuum trucks traveling curbside will pick up the leaves. Leaf piles must be free of debris such as large tree branches and rocks. To help prevent street flooding, residents are asked not to place leaves in the street.
Crews will begin in the south half of DeKalb and work north toward Lin coln Highway. Crews are anticipating three to four collection cycles. The
final collection cycle is scheduled for 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28.
Leaf collection will not take place on the following days: Friday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day Thursday, Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving Day Friday, Nov. 25 – Day after Thanks giving
Lakeshore Recycling will also pick up leaves curbside during regular gar bage collection days. Leaves must be placed in biodegradable yard-waste bags or open garbage cans. Leaves in plastic bags will not be collected.
All dates are subject to change based on weather conditions. Public Works will cease leaf collection operations in the event of snow.
For more information, call 815-7482040.
The following are the times and locations of Early & Grace Period Voting Sites in DeKalb County for the General Election being held on November 8, 2022.
*All Early & Grace Period Voting Sites are available to all DeKalb County Voters*
Sycamore Campus Legislative Center’s Gathertorium 200 N. Main St., Sycamore, IL 60178
Serving ALL County Precincts
September 29th – October 28th Monday – Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Grace Period Registration Begins – October 12th
October 12th Wednesday
*County Board CoW 8:30am - Noon
October 19th Wednesday
*County Board Meeting 8:30am - Noon
October 29th – October 30th Saturday & Sunday 8:30am - 4:30pm October 31st – November 4th Monday – Friday 8:30am - 7:00pm
November 5th – November 6th Saturday & Sunday 8:30am - 4:30pm November 7th Monday 8:30am - 7:00pm
DeKalb Township Building 2323 S. 4th St., DeKalb, IL 60115
Serving ALL County Precincts
October 24th – November 4th Everyday 8:30am - 4:30pm
NIU-Holmes Student Center Gallery Lounge 340 Carroll Ave., DeKalb, IL 60115
Serving ALL County Precincts
October 24th – November 4th Everyday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Kingston Friendship Center 120 Main St., Kingston, IL 60145
Serving ALL County Precincts
October 24th – November 4th Everyday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Sandwich Library 925 S. Main St., Sandwich, IL 60548
Serving ALL County Precincts
October 24th – November 4th Everyday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Dated at Sycamore, Illinois, September 19, 2022
DOUGLAS J. JOHNSON DEKALB COUNTY CLERK & RECORDERDeKALB – The DeKalb Fire Depart ment is experiencing its very own baby boom.
In a recent news release, eight DeKalb firefighters celebrated their newborns who were born within months of each other by taking a photo together.
DeKalb firefighter Jared Thorp –one of the fathers – said it was the new borns’ “debut” at the fire station.
He said the idea behind taking the group picture – which also was shared on the department’s Facebook page –was simple: They wanted to turn heads.
“We did a picture together because we thought it would be cool,” Thorp said. “Obviously, having seven to eight kids in a short amount of time isn’t really a really popular thing. But with every thing going on, we thought it would be cool to have some cool news for a change and get together [and] have that picture.”
Thorp said he hopes the photo can serve as a memento for the children as they grow.
“Obviously, they can see that as they grow up,” he said. “All of us are young and are going to be there for sev eral years, so they’re going to be well
into their teens. We’re still all going to be working there probably. It’d be kind of cool to either repeat that picture and then see that as they grow up.”
Trevor Chilton, a DeKalb firefighter who also is one of the dads, said he thinks he can speak on behalf of all eight firefighters by saying their wives deserve a lot of credit for what they do
to support their families.
“We work 24-hour shifts, so being gone for a whole day is difficult to be away from a baby and the rest of your family,” Chilton said. “I think we would all agree that it’s harder for our wives because for that 24 hours, they’re like a single parent. They have to do bath time. If they’ve got other kids, get
kids ready for school.”
Thorp and Chilton both praised the support provided by their fellow fire fighters who may not have had a new born in recent months.
“In general, like when we had so many taking time off to have the babies, everybody steps up and works extra shifts and cover things,” Thorp said. “Everybody stepped up there to sup port that so everybody could have some time off with their family.”
“When we were off, somebody had to fill those shifts,” Chilton said. “They’re supportive. [They’re] probably relieved that we’re back to work, though.”
Thorp said he looks forward to watching the fire department’s chil dren grow up alongside one another.
“We’ve got a younger department here coming up,” Thorp said. “All of us obviously working together now, all of our kids will be able to be at functions together and grow up together in part of a family.”
When asked whether there is some thing in the water prompting the fire department’s baby boom, Thorp joked that he and fellow firefighters don’t know what’s going on.
“You have to interview the water department next,” Thorp said, joking. “But it’s a pretty cool thing.”
DeKALB – The first endowment fund specifically supporting the Kirkland and Fairdale communities has been established through the DeKalb County Community Foundation.
The Kirkland-Fairdale Community Endowment Fund was created to support projects and services dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Kirkland-Fairdale area.
The fund was created in 2021 from a donation by Kirkland resident Don Banks, thanking the Com munity Foundation for its work and assistance with the Fairdale tornado recovery. The foundation used the donation to create a fund dedicated to the Kirk land and Fairdale communities.
Kirkland representatives Sally Bruch and Kris Aves led a series of fundraising efforts to increase the fund size and recognize those who became char ter donors with a $1,000 contribution to the fund. An official fund agreement signing event took place on May 12 in Kirkland.
“As a board member of the Community Founda tion, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that a fund like this can have on smaller communities in DeKalb County,” Aves said in a news release. “Kirkland and Fairdale may be small in size, but together, we can do great things here that will leave a lasting impres sion for generations to come.”
The fund made its first grant to the Kirkland Rec reation League earlier this year. The $1,000 grant will provide partial support for the ballpark fields
repair and improvement project.
Contributions from the community are encour aged to grow the Kirkland-Fairdale Community Endowment Fund. Donations can be made at dekalbccf.org/donate or DeKalb County Commu
nity Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178.
For questions or more information, contact DCCF Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-7485383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.
Born:
Beverly “Bev” A. Christensen, age 71, passed away on October 11, 2022 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. She was born on February 2, 1951 in Sycamore, IL the daughter of Norman and Betty (Wilson) Kleveland. She married Gary Christensen on May 20, 1989. She graduated with her Associate’s degree from Kishwaukee College and worked at banks in the Dekalb area as well as A.L. Smith. Her most recent job was working as Post Master Relief for the Chana post office which she really enjoyed especially getting to visit with all the customers. Bev loved farm work ever since she was a child and continued to enjoy it into her adulthood. She loved spending time raising and showing cattle at local fairs
Send
Saturday,
and being a member of the beef association. She was an animal lover and besides the farm animals loved spending time with her cats. In her spare time; Bev enjoyed playing solitaire, going to flea markets and craft shows, and cheering on the Chicago Bears. The senior center in Oregon was a big part of her life and she found comfort attending the care giver support group there. But, more than anything Bev loved her family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary, parents, Norman and Betty Kleveland, in-laws, Marvin and Marjorie Christensen, brother, Ken Kleveland, and sister, Pat Voyles. She is survived by her son, Ross; siblings, Jim Kleveland and Donna Kleveland; brother-in-law, Ron Voyles, sisterin-law, Jane Kleveland; and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. 7th Street, Oregon, IL 61061. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorials are established for Oregon 4H or The Rock River Senior Center in Oregon. To leave an online condolence please visit www.farrellhollandgale.com
or call 815-526-4438.
10:00am - 3:00pm
DeKALB – Voting accessibility and election judge shortages were among topics debated by candidates Linh Nguyen, a Democrat, and Tasha Sims, a Republican, during last week’s forum for DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder ahead of the Nov. 8 election.
Sims of Kingston is an executive assistant in the DeKalb County Admin istration Office and has worked in county government for almost 15 years, including in the county clerk’s office as deputy clerk.
Nguyen of DeKalb teaches chemis try at Northern Illinois University and holds a PhD in computational chemis try.
The pair each had a chance to rally for voters during a virtual forum Oct. 12, the second in a three-part series put on by the DeKalb County League of Women Voters, the DeKalb Public Library and WNIJ.
The candidates discussed voting accessibility and what changes they would like to make if elected.
Sims said she believes the county always can do better, although she believes the clerk’s office does a good
job of it now. She said it’s important voters know when and where to vote, and that the office get that out as soon as possible. She spoke about new soft ware installed in the clerk’s office that allows voters to request a mail-in ballot from the online portal.
“I think we’re allowing a lot of acces
sibility right now,” Sims said. “I know there’s always room for improvement no matter what. ... I think that the elec tions office has the new platinum soft ware that they’re using. That new por tal, which is constantly being updated and revamped and has so many new tools now, that a voter has the access at
their fingertips to know what their bal lot looks like, where they need to go.”
Nguyen stressed that the county clerk is doing a good job but said com munication is key. Nguyen said she receives weekly data from the clerk’s office that shows more than 9,000 voteby-mail ballots have been sent out to DeKalb County voters.
“I think the current county clerk and the state law allow a lot of opportu nity for people to access voting,” Nguyen said. “I think emphasizing on communication and getting the infor mation out there that early voting is going on and vote-by-mail is safe and secure and is an option that you can get the ballot, study it and vote at your own convenience and mail it back.”
Both Nguyen and Sims were asked about navigating the election judge shortage. Ahead of the June primary, the clerk’s office reported that more than 100 election judges were still needed to work the polls on Election Day.
“If we want to encourage more peo ple to volunteer to be election judges, we need to pay them better,” Nguyen said. “We need to pay them well.”
Election judges receive a base pay of $110 and an additional $40 if they attend a training course, according to the clerk’s website. Judges can also be reimbursed for supplies or mileage they incur per precinct.
Sims suggested the clerk’s office could work with the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education to solicit more judges and acknowledged it’s an ongoing struggle to staff.
“It is a long day, like I said, but it’s so gratifying to know that you’re part of this process,” Sims said. “It can be fun, so just try ing to get the message out, trying to make sure that we’re not only getting election judges but trying to train them properly and try ing to retain them. It’s important.”
At the end of the forum, Nguyen and Sims were asked if Presi dent Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
“Yes, Biden won,” Nguyen said.
“Like it or not, I believe in the Constitution of the United States and he took the oath of office and he’s currently our president,” Sims said.
Sims’ answer led to some Democrat-fueled criticism, however, with some saying her response hadn’t been a clear enough state ment.
“I’m horrified,” DeKalb County Democratic Party chairman Anna Wilhelmi said after the forum. “It was totally unexpected. Unless she totally states publicly it was a mistake, she is an elec tion denier.”
When asked Oct. 13 whether she stands by her remarks, Sims said yes and that she believes the results of the election process proved that Biden won. She said she also stands behind DeKalb County’s election process.
“There has not been any evidence here of any improprieties in the 2020 election, and I stand behind the DeKalb County election results,” Sims said in a statement. “Additionally, I stand behind my comments regarding Biden because his election victory was validated through the Constitutional election process.”
Fox Valley Community Services, 1406 Suydam Road in Sandwich, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Pictured are three generations of gala attendees. The celebration will feature a gourmet dinner by My Chef Catering, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and a cash bar. Tickets cost $60. Tables of 10 can be reserved for $550. Donations are being accepted for those who cannot attend the event. All proceeds from the gala will support DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and LaSalle County seniors through the services and programs at the Fox Valley Community Center, Adult Day Service, and Home Services. For more information, call 815-570-2531 or 815-786-9404.
But,
MASSIVE hat collection (majority being DeKalb Ag!), farm calendars, advertisement, manuals, books, posters, banners, seed bags and a huge pen collection. Toys, including collector lcards, vintage action figures, matchbox cars, games, books, comic books, Di sney and more! Genoa memorabilia A ProF orm Incumbent Bi ke A snowblower, mower and all the yard tools to go with Now, let's talk about the clothes! Oh the cl othes! Newer and vinta ge clothing, hats, accessories and a boatload of jewelry! Beautiful vintage collectible s. Tons of holiday!
Christmas galore! The crazy part of this We are ju st getting started!
For a sneak peek, like us on Facebook or follow us at EstateSales.net.
11295 James Ct.
Fri., Oct. 21 & Sat., Oct. 22 8-5
Cameras, rods and reels, lures, hand tools, wood planks, wood shaft golf clubs, iron outdoor furniture, bobble heads, wood bats, ball gloves, mantel clocks, Railro ad lanterns, train stuff, oak library table and other oak furniture, old wood marbles, old books, guitars, pocket knives, belt buckles, household and much more!
Publisher's Notice: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housin g Act which makes it il legal to advertise "any preference, li mitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handic ap, familial stat us or nati onal origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation of discrimination."
Familial stat us includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18 This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violat io n of the law. Ou r readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis
To complain of discrimination call HUD 1- 800-669-9777
Hearing impaired number is 1-800-927-9275
The other day, one of my clients told me that his five-year-old daughter said to him, “Daddy, can we go to the bank that I love? The bank where your friend works?” I can’t think of a higher compliment for a banking advisor.
I have had the pleasure of working at a branch in the community where I grew up and close to where my family has lived for several generations. It is because of our ties to the community that our clients know how much they matter to us.
For instance, one of our clients, who endures difficult health issues, will share with us the new research she discovers about her challenges. She is now a part of two research studies about her condition and wanted to tell me about it the other day. She says she wants to share with us what is going on in her life because she knows that we really care about her.
I often hear from our clients how much they appreciate that they are friends with the person they speak to on the phone or see when they stop in. Yes, we help them with their financial needs, but we also take the time to listen and get to know their story. We care.
When I hear someone say as they leave, “That’s why I love my bank,” I know that I have done my job. We welcome the fact that we have become a part of each other’s lives, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.