DC_Midweek_030123

IN REVIEW

Supporters tell Sandwich City Council they enjoyed drag show, back Opera House staff

By DAVID PETESCH dpetesch@shawmedia.com

SANDWICH – Supporters of the controversial drag show presented Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Sandwich Opera House showed up at the City Council meeting Monday, Feb. 20, to voice their opinions on the show.

The Illusions Drag Show has been a topic of disagreement and debate among area residents and council members at the last four City Council meetings.

On Saturday, protesters and counter-protesters took to the streets and occupied the park across from the Opera House

at 140 E Railroad St, while sold-out shows were presented to audiences ages 18 and older in the afternoon and evening.

During Mthe City Council meeting, nine residents, most of whom said they attended the show, spoke during public comment. Several said they had a great time and voiced support for the opera house staff.

Sandwich resident Angie Hysjulien said she was disappointed in the discussion concerning the show at previous City Council meetings and said she believes the debate over the show was blown out of proportion.

Hysjulien said she attended the show

and enjoyed it, despite what was going on outside. She thanked the Opera House staff for hosting something different and said there was nothing inappropriate at the show.

“It was really a refreshing evening,” Hysjulien said. “There was no obscenity. None of that.”

Several complaints were directed toward council member Rebecca Johnson, who voiced the first concerns about the show’s content and intended audience during a City Council meeting in January. She has been outspoken about the event on social media.

Family Service Agency finds new space for senior center

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Family Service Agency has identified a new site to relocate DeKalb Senior Center programming from its hub in the city’s downtown to Bethlehem Lutheran Church on the north side.

The development comes on the heels of uncertainty prompted by the city when community leaders decided to solicit proposals to redevelop the senior center, 330 Grove St., and the former city annex, 217 S. Fourth St., DeKalb.

“We are very excited,” Family Service Agency executive director Tynisha Clegg said. “The facility that we are partnering with Bethlehem on is a great location. It meets all of the needs that we have and all of the things that we had at the current location and even provides us with more. So,

IT’S AT

we’re very excited about the ability to expand our services and provide additional opportunities to our seniors.”

In January, the DeKalb City Council voted 6-0 to move forward with a plan to sell two adjacent buildings at 217 S. Fourth St., the former city hall annex, and 330 Grove St. to Pappas Development. The DeKalb developer offered the city $100,000 for the parcels, seeking no financial aid from the city.

Under Pappas’ development plans, the building at 330 Grove St. – which formerly housed the DeKalb Senior Center and a number of nonprofits including the Youth Service Bureau for more than four decades – will be demolished and could be marketed to national brand drive-thru businesses.

Family Service Agency had offered $1 to buy 330 Grove St. and use it for agency pro-

PUZZLE ANSWERS puzzlesonpage16

gramming, including food pantry Club 55, a thrift shop, a warming and cooling center, and regular counseling from Prairie State Legal and its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, DeKalb Senior Center hopes to occupy a portion of the building.

Clegg said she is excited for the agency’s seniors and what’s to come thanks, in part, to this new partnership with the church.

“They have significant space that was just under-used by the church,” Clegg said. “We’ll be utilizing a number of smaller rooms as well as sharing their fellowship hall with them. They had basically a whole wing available. [It’s] great outdoor space there, phenomenal ability to expand services. In the warm summer months, they can do more outside. [There’s] sufficient parking.”

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ON THE COVER

DeKalb County Clerk Tasha Sims gets vote-by-mail ballots ready to send Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the DeKalb County Administration Building in Sycamore.

See story, page 6.

Photo by Mark Busch –mbusch@shawmedia.com

CORRECTIONS

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DCCG lists March Grow Mobile food pantry dates

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The DeKalb County Community Gardens released a list of March locations for Grow Mobile, a mobile food pantry that offers free food and household items to all who visit, no requirements necessary.

The DCCG is working to ensure the well-being of residents, staff and volunteers. It asks that people practice good hand hygiene and stay home if they’re sick.

To receive Grow Mobile alerts, text FreeGroceries to 844-727-2012.

Grow Mobile dates in March:

• 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.

• 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the Clinton Township Community Building, 160 W. Lincoln Highway, Waterman.

• 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, March

9, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.

• 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, at the Cortland Lions Club Shelter, 70 S. Llanos St., Cortland.

• 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, at Family Service Agency, 1325 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.

• 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at the Malta Historical Society, 127 N. Third St., Malta.

• 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at the Kingston Friendship Center, 120 Main St., Kingston.

• 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.

• 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 23, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.

• 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 340 W. Arnold Road, Sandwich.

DeKalb’s Hopkins Park seasonal pool pass sale now active

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The DeKalb Park District is hosting early bird rates for area residents who want to purchase season pool passes to Hopkins Park pool.

Early bird rates are available until Sunday, April 30.

Pool passes can be bought online, over the phone, or in person at any DeKalb Park District facility.

Resident prices during the sale will be as follows: Active Adult Passes for adults ages 55 and older for $45, Individual Passes for $85, a Family of Four Pass for $120, and 20 for each additional pass. Children ages 3 and younger get in free regardless of resident status or sale dates.

Nonresident prices are as follows:

Active Adult Passes for adults ages 55 and older for $56, Individual Passes for $117, and $30.50 for each additional pass.

There is no Nonresident Family of Four Pass option this year.

Nonresidents have the option to buying an Individual or Active Adult Pass and add additional members. Hopkins Pool, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, will be open daily from Saturday, May 27, through Sunday, Aug. 13.

The pool is open weekends only from Saturday, Aug. 19, through Monday, Sept. 4. Daily admission fees are $6 for residents and $10 for nonresidents.

For information, call 815-758-6663 or visit dekalbparkdistrict.com/ hopkins-pool.

Hopkins Park Pool visitors participate in a cardboard naval battle in the 2022 pool season.

Photo provided by the DeKalb Park District

What happened to the NIU Huskie statue?

By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – It’s been 15 years since the DeKalb community came together to erect Huskie statues across town in remembrance of those killed during a Feb. 14, 2008, mass shooting at Northern Illinois University, and a prominent statue on North First Street is missing, officials said.

DeKalb resident and retired 23rd Circuit Court judge Tom Doherty, who is in pursuit of the missing Huskie statue, is seeking answers from law enforcement authorities.

The multi-colored statue, dubbed “Oorah” at 125 N. First St. was sponsored by Doherty Law Firm, according to the Huskies on Parade website. The law firm also has offices in the North First Street building.

The dog statue, however, has been missing for months.

“The dog that we had was painted with Marine Corp. information on one side, and on the other side, there was some corn stalks and some university buildings,” Doherty said. “It symbolized the patriotism and the university community, which was what that program was all about.”

Several office spaces occupy the

building adjacent to the statue, 125 N. First St. downtown.

The Huskies statue was a product of a public art program dubbed, Huskies on

Parade, that was created shortly after the Feb. 14, 2008, mass shooting at NIU when a gunman opened fire inside a lecture hall in Cole Hall on campus. Five

students were killed and dozens more injured.

In the months that followed the shooting, community members devised a way to honor slain NIU students Catalina Garcia, 20; Daniel Parmenter, 20; Ryanne Mace, 19; Julianna Gehant, 32; and Gayle Dubowski, 20, and to uplift the greater NIU community.

Local artists collaborated with individuals and businesses to paint dog statues that were installed across the city.

Brian Oster, creative director and president for OC Creative, which helped create a digital map for the Huskie statues, said the purpose of the initiative was simple.

“It was a way to remember students, bring the community together,” Oster said.

Oster said that as businesses have moved or closed, project leaders have lost track of Huskies statues over the years.

The Huskies on Parade map remains active and is still tracking the location of dog statues.

Oster said that while the map doesn’t provide comprehensive listing, it is 80% to 90% complete.

Doherty said he believes the Huskies

,

Feb. 24-26 and March 2-4

a word

by Lauren Yee

Directed by Kay Martinovich and Emily Vitrano

Sally Stevens Players Theatre Stevens Building

March 1 NIU Wind Symphony, 7 p.m.

March 3 International Guitar Series, 7 p.m. Marija Temo and Kerensa DeMars

March 4 Clarinet Cornucopia Ensembles Concert, 4 p.m.

March 5 NIU Choirs Concert, 3 p.m.

March 8 NIU Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, 7 p.m.

March 10 Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra Spring Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m.

School of Art and Design – niu.edu/art

Annual Juried Blick Art Materials

Ars Nova Exhibition

Jack Olson Gallery, April 3-20

NIU Art Museum - niu.edu/artmuseum

Americans in Burma: The Art of Collecting and Local Visions II

Both exhbitions open March 30

Shaw Local News Network file photo

The Huskies statue was a product of a public art program dubbed, Huskies on Parade, that was created shortly after the Feb. 14, 2008, mass shooting at NIU when a gunman opened fire inside a lecture hall in Cole Hall on campus. Five students were killed and dozens more injured. Community members came together to show unity and solidarity with the statues.

See HUSKIES, page 7

KVAL announces upcoming events scheduled for March

Shaw Local News Network

SYCAMORE – The Kishwaukee Valley Art League will host a number of workshops and exhibits in March at Gallery On State.

Artist Bobby Puttric will demonstrate a floral still life oil painting at the Kishwaukee Valley Art League meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Gallery on State, 322 W. State St., Sycamore, according to a news release.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

Artist Molly Walker will teach a class on pysanky, a technique using wax and dyes to decorate eggs, from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 11. The class fee is $25 a person, which includes all materials. The class is limited to six people.

A “Paint Your Shoes” class will be taught by local artist Bill Mitchell from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 11. The class fee is $5 a person, or $8 for patrons to bring a friend. Supplies will be provided. The class is limited to 20 people.

A new art exhibit will be installed Monday, March 13. A spring reception is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 24. Live music and snacks will be provided. Attendees

can bring their own beverages.

Participants can learn how to sculpt little slices of pie earrings out of polymer clay from sculptor Aiden Appleford from 9 to 11 a.m Sunday, March 18. The class fee is $25 per person, which includes all materials. The class is limited to 12 people.

Artist Samantha Butkus will teach a Beginner’s Needle Felting Class from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 28. Patrons can learn how to create low-relief forms and mix colors with wool fibers. Attendees should bring a reference picture. The class fee is $25 a person. Materials will be provided. The class is limited to 12 people.

Children ages 10 and younger must have an adult present. Because of classes accepting a limited number of students per session, early enrollment is encouraged.

To register, email annagosci@ gmail.com or fill out a form at Gallery on State.

This month’s gallery features KVAL members Joe Dillett, at Gallery On State, and Lisa Riedl at OC Creative.

Applications for Northern Illinois Art Show vendors are due Wednesday, March 15.

For information, visit kval-nfp. org.

Photo provided by the Kishwaukee Valley Art League

Artist Samantha Butkus will teach a Beginner’s Needle Felting Class from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, a Gallery on State, 322 W. State St. in Sycamore.

EARLY VOTING HAS BEGUN

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Early voting for the April 4 Consolidated Election, which will seat candidates for municipal city councils across DeKalb County, has begun.

Early voting is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Legislative Center, 200 N. Main St., Sycamore. The Legislative Center will be the only early voting location open until March 20, when additional locations open in Kingston, DeKalb and Sandwich.

DeKalb County residents can cast their ballots at the Legislative Center Monday through Friday. Hours will open from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 25, as well as from noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26. Additional weekend hours will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 1 and 2 at the Legislative Center.

On Feb. 23, workers at the Clerk and Recorders Office expected to send out 4,184 vote-by-mail ballots to those who’ve requested the service, said DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder Tasha Sims, who is administering her first election since her swearing in after the November General Election.

“We have a good team in place, I know we do,” Sims said. “Election judges started showing up today to help put together vote-by-mail, permeant vote-by-mails. I’m just really happy with the way everything’s running.”

The Clerk and Recorders Office has enough election judges to staff the more than 50 polling places that’ll operate throughout DeKalb County on April 4, but Sims said she wouldn’t turn any volunteers away.

Sims said voters should remember that local elections are just as significant as larger ones.

“I always think Consolidated Election is one of the very most important elections, because it does affect your everyday life,” Sims said. “You’re talking about school boards, and you know your alder people, your library districts and park districts. This is the stuff that affects your everyday, outside your front door.”

How do I find my polling place?

Your polling place is determined by your precinct number and listed on your voter registration card, which you should have received in the mail. You also can check your local county board

of elections office at www.dekalb.il. clerkserve.com.

Can I request a mail ballot for the April 4 Consolidated Election?

Yes. The last day the DeKalb County

Clerk and Recorders Office can accept a request for a mail ballot for April’s election is March 30.

Where can I register to vote on Election Day?

DeKalb County residents who are not currently registered to vote or who have changed their name and/or address within the county, may register and vote on Election Day. They are encouraged to visit the Election Day Registration Center at the DeKalb County Administration Building or the polling place that accommodates the voter’s address so it may be done. If already registered to vote, at your current address, you are advised to vote at your designated polling place only.

How do I know if I’m registered to vote?

Unsure? Double-check at ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx.

‘This is the stuff that affects your everyday, outside your front door’

Photos by Mark Busch – mbusch@shawmedia.com

ABOVE: Jessica Rugerio, chief deputy of elections, brings up more vote-by-mail ballots to be put into envelopes Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the DeKalb County Administration Building in Sycamore. BELOW: Vote-by-mail ballots are ready to send Wednesday, Feb. 22.

“We have a good team in place, I know we do.”

Tasha Sims DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder

DeKalb school district to hold pre-k screenings March 2 and 3

DeKALB – The DeKalb School District 428 will host two community screening events for pre-kindergarten-aged children.

The screenings will be held Thursday, March 2, and Friday, March 3, at the District 428’s Early Learning and Development Center, 1515 S. Fourth St., DeKalb, according to a news release.

Continued from page 4

statue that was on First Street was stolen.

Police Chief David Byrd said the statue was first reported missing to DeKalb police on Nov. 25.

While the investigation into the incident remains open, Byrd said there have been no leads generated, nor any arrests made.

Doherty maintains that there is reason for optimism.

“It could be certainly identifiable,” Doherty said.

Doherty said he refuses to let

Admission to the screenings is free. Appointments are required to attend.

The process includes educational, speech, and language screenings. The screening results will provide feedback for parents and help identify if preschoolers need extra help before they begin kindergarten.

To schedule an appointment, call 815754-2361

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

whomever may have stolen the statue win.

“I’m going to get another dog [statue] and I’m going to have it painted,” he said. “I’ve already contacted an art teacher at the high school who has agreed to work with us on repainting a dog and putting it back up. So, I’m anxious to do that.”

Doherty said that seeing the outpouring of support for the stolen dog statue when his wife, Jill Doherty, shared a recent Facebook post about it meant a lot to him.

He said it shows that the community still cares.

“We are going to recover from it,” Doherty said.

- Giving Options -

1) Online: May 4

Donate

2)

Give DeKalb County makes it easy to support local nonprofits and every dollar donated is boosted by the Bonus Pool. GiveDeKalbCounty.org

Store record Paczki Day for Elleson’s Bakery in Sycamore

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Ken Elleson and his three sons baked 470 dozen paczkis –decadent polish pastries traditionally enjoyed the day before Lent begins – for Elleson’s Bakery’s busiest day of the year.

Ken Elleson, 63, has owned the Sycamore bakery for 35 years, but his son David said the paczki – pronounced “puhnch-kee” – craze hasn’t always been the boon for business that it is today. Customers filled the store for Shrove Tuesday, sometimes called Fat Tuesday, to get their sweet fix before Lent, a 40-day Christian observance before Easter, begins. The day is marked as a time to indulge in treats before Lent, where Christians might choose to fast or give up something, such as sweets.

“We started off really slow, and then it just sold so fast,” David Elleson said. “And then it just became this huge monster thing.”

About noon Monday, Feb. 20, the men of the Elleson family began preparing the largest patch of paczkis they’d ever made for their bakery. David Elleson said he estimated how much they made by keeping track of how many gallons of water they used.

He said they used 25 gallons of water, which is enough for 470 dozen, or 5,640 paczkis.

David Elleson, 36, said because all the bakery doesn’t use machine mixers or slicers, each of the almost 5,000 paczkis were handmade. Even the vanilla and chocolate custard filled paczkis were made from scratch.

“These are all hand sliced too, so we

Half Page 4.725 x 9.5

don’t have any machines,” David Elleson said. “I do all the cinnamon bread, and I hand roll it. ... That’s why it takes hours and hours, because everything is done by hand.”

Vera Elleson, co-owner of Elleson’s bakery and Ken Elleson’s wife, came into the shop at 1 a.m. Tuesday morning to place the thousands of paczkis onto racks for the morning rush. About

4 a.m., Ken Elleson went to bed after more than a dozen hours of baking, and Vera prepared for customers to charge the store front, which opened at 5 a.m.

“I guess everybody loves my husband’s products,” Vera Elleson said.

Christina Sjulstad, a Sycamore resident, said she’s frequented Elleson’s Bakery for years and makes a deliberate effort to enjoy what has informally become known as Paczki Day.

“We have some Polish on one side of our family, so this was just something,” she said. “We always like to get a treat.”

David Elleson works seven days a week at his dad’s bakery and said, because he sets his own schedule, he’s happier now than he was when he was working on computers at Kishwaukee College.

An Evening of Prayer, Meditation and Music.

An Evening of Prayer, Meditation and Music.

An Evening of Prayer, Meditation Music.

Friday, March 3, 2023, 7:00 P.M.

Friday, October 7th, 2022, 7:00 P.M.

Friday, October 7th, 2022, 7:00 P.M.

Friday, October 7th, 2022,

S d Z o /Y T b [ e h h b t f ]

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 900 Normal Road, DeKalb

Streamed via Zoom/YouTube [see church website for links]

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 900 Normal Road, DeKalb

S St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 900 Normal Road, DeKalb

Office: (815) 756-4888 Email: parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

Office: (815) 756-4888 Email: parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

Office: (815) 756-4888 Email: parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

Website: www.stpaulsdekalb.org

Website: www.stpaulsdekalb.org

The Reverend Barbara A. T. Wilson, Rector

The Reverend Barbara A. T. Wilson, Rector

Mark Busch – mbusch@shawmedia.com

Bonnie Keegan of Hampshire picks out her paczki Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Elleson’s Bakery in Sycamore. Fat Tuesday has become known as Paczki Day in some areas due to the tradition of enjoying the Polish dessert.

See PACZKI DAY, page 10

“We started off really slow, and then it just sold so fast. And then it just became this huge monster thing.”

David Elleson

Elleson’s Bakery in Sycamore

LOOKING BACK

1923 – 100 YEARS AGO

Gus Youngstead of North Fourth Street is getting ready to move to the property occupied by the City Cleaners & Dryers, located next to the Arlington hotel, which he recently purchased. Mr. Youngstead states that he will retain the cleaning business, turning that end of the work to a skilled man, who will give his entire time to that business. Mr. Youngstead has also made arrangements to install other cleaning equipment in the place and although not ready to operate for a day or two, hopes to have all work attendant upon moving, completed within a few days.

At midnight last night Officer Concidine received word from Creston that a young man driving a Ford coupe was headed this way, and he had better be stopped. When the Creston authorities were asked on what charge to stop the young man, they answered there was no charge but the boy seemed to be excited and very anxious to be on his way. It was evidently a case of suspicion but the DeKalb officers failed to see the man as he went through here, if he came this way.

Sycamore motorists, and there are hundreds of them, are trusting that spring will quickly arrive that North Western and Great Western section men may get a chance to make some necessary repairs on the crossing, especially those on DeKalb Avenue. The North Western crossing at “DeKalb” avenue is especially bad, and a person driving over it at any rate of speed at all, takes a chance of going through the roof of the machine. There are several pavement holes on this same avenue, one of the outlets from the business section to the cement road, but it is understood the city officials have made plans to remedy these at the earliest moment.

Mrs. E. Killey of Shabbona and daughter, Genevieve returned home a few days ago from Sandwich where they were visiting, and while there got quarantined for mumps. They were gone much longer than planned for.

Wobbling from one side of the road to the other for a half block or more, a small Ford truck created no end of amusement yesterday as it was being driven east on the Lincoln Highway. When in front of Corey & Son’s tire shop, the machine started to swing first from one side then to the other and by the time the driver reached Second and Lincoln Highway he was ready to stop. Examination disclosed nothing wrong with the steering gear, and the driver, after being the brunt of a number of remarks from the large crowd that quickly gathered, soon resumed his journey.

1948 – 75 YEARS AGO

The steel framework of the new bridge across the Kishwaukee on the prolongation of Annie Glidden Road, west of Kingston, is being rapidly erected by the contractor now after months of waiting. All grading and concrete work for the new bridge was done early last summer, but the steel was not available. The manufacturer had promised to deliver it in December, but it didn’t arrive until a few days ago. The bridge across the

river at this point was demolished two years ago when a truck crashed through it. Residents of the area have been forced to take a long detour to get across the river since that time.

Sunday morning, Feb. 29, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Masters at the St. Mary’s Hospital. The baby is one of the two Leap Year babies born in DeKalb yesterday.

What is believed to be the first report of robins in this vicinity came yesterday noon when Grace Mattek, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Mattek of Pleasant Street, discovered the harbinger of spring in the backyard of their home. Grace saw the red breast just about noon, and the robin remained about the backyard feeding on the bread that had been tossed out for the birds, for some time. Grace is confident that with robins making an appearance real spring weather will be coming within a short time.

Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Machin were host and hostess to a group of their friends last evening when they entertained with a leap year bridge party.

M. L. McClanathan of Freeport wrote to Chief of Police Horace Forthergill of Sycamore the other day and said that he was happy to pay the $1.00 fine for over parking. This gentleman apparently understood the traffic problem of municipalities and felt that it was worth the meter cost to be able to park in Sycamore. It is a rarity indeed, to find one that will pay the fine and offer a smile. It is usually accompanied by growls and a few rough words.

1973 – 50 YEARS AGO

Clinton Rosette Middle School, named after the editor of the first daily newspaper published in DeKalb, the Daily Chronicle, has been the center of controversy for many years. Built in 1903 as the township high school, it remained a high school until 1966 when it became the

north side junior high school. Three years ago, a study was made on the feasibility of continuing operation of Rosette versus complete renovation of the facility, which was estimated at a cost of between $1.5 to $2 million.

Lack of time to promote ticket sales and public wariness have forced the promoters of the “second” appearance of the Vienna Choir Boys in DeKalb to cancel the show.

Lauren B. Johnson, DeKalb High School senior, has ranked among the top 25 students in the state in the 1973 Betty Crocker Search for American Homemakers of Tomorrow.

Screening of preschool children for vision, hearing and potential learning problems will be conducted today through April 16 in DeKalb County. Parents are being contacted by telephone to make an appointment to have each child 3, 4 or 5 years of age on or before Dec. 1, 1973, screened at one of 10 locations in the county.

1998 – 25 YEARS AGO

After city workers shut off the Egyptian Theatre’s water in 1977, action at the movie palace froze. With their unpaid $3,800 water bill and a mortgage on a crumpling building, the owners closed the Egyptian’s doors for what could have been forever. But a group of 35 people with a vision were willing to work to save the historic theater. Now it is a national historic site, draws people to DeKalb from across DeKalb County and beyond and has been featured in a movie and calendars.

Police have finally cracked two armed robbery cases that had them stumped since 1996. Two DeKalb County men were arrested recently in connection with two December 1996 armed robberies at Subway and McDonald restaurants on Lincoln Highway.

–CompiledbySueBreese

Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center An Oct. 13, 1966, football game between North Junior High School and South Junior High School is played at North Junior High School (later Clinton Rosette Middle School).

Community Read subject of next lecture in DeKalb History Society series

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The next Brown Bag and Local Lore series will feature a Community Read discussion of the book, “Stella by Starlight” by Sharon Draper, as part of the history center’s “Arts in Action” project.

The program will be held at noon Thursday, March 2, at the DeKalb County History Center, 1730 N Main St., Sycamore, according to a news release.

Admission to the program is free. Attendees will discuss the book and learn some insights that connect national and local history. Participants do not need to have read the book to attend. The library will have several copies of the book available to borrow, along with a limited supply of

NEWS BRIEF

‘Pride and Prejudice’ event set March 4 at DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a “Pride and Prejudice” feminist event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room. The event is free and intended for adults.

Patrons will discuss female characters in various old and contemporary lit-

• PACZKI DAY

Continued from page 8

Although he’s constantly working with sugary pastries, David Elleson said he doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth.

“It’s what they did before Lent. A lot of people in Poland give up sweets,” he said. “But Poland at the time was a poor country, and so they just found whatever they had and then they made a sweet treat before they give up [sweets] for 40 days.”

The Polish tradition of filling paczkis with whatever they can lives on at Elleson’s, where paczkis are served with 13 different fillings: apple, blueberry, cherry, peach, strawberry, raspberry, pineapple, apricot, lemon, buttercream, chocolate butter cream, vanilla custard and chocolate custard. Asked which paczki iteration is her favorite, Vera Elleson said she likes them all.

free copies. The third and final Community Read will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb.

The Community Read is part of a “Arts in Action” grant from the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board.

The program is part of the Brown Bag and Local Lore program, a free lecture series offered by the Ellwood House Museum and DeKalb County History Center.

Registration is required; visit dekalbcountyhistory.org and scroll down to “Upcoming Events.”

Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore is funded in part by the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Fund.

For information, call 815-895-5762 or email info@dekalbcountyhistory.org.

erature pieces and their thoughts on women in literature. Participants can also play a jeopardy game to celebrate Women’s History Month. Beverages and light snacks will be provided, tea party style.

For information, email irise@dkpl.org, email graces@dkpl.org, or call 815-7569568, ext. 2150.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

“It depends on the mood,” she said. “I kind of like custard but sometimes cherry. I don’t know, all of them. The peach is really good, apples also.”

Sjulstad said she prefers to stick to the basics.

“I’m kind of boring. I like the cream cheese,” she said. “But the kids tend to like the fruit-filled, strawberries.”

Because the Elleson’s sell paczkis only one day a year, there’s great fanfare surrounding the eastern European pastries, and that fanfare generates their busiest day of the year. Tuesday morning Vera Elleson said it was too early to tell how profitable the day was going to turn out to be, but the store’s biggest rushes of the day started as early as 5 a.m.

“This is a huge day,” David Elleson said. “We had over 160 dozen paczkis [pre] ordered today. This is the most we’ve ever had this year, so it keeps growing every year. As the word gets out, it keeps growing, growing and growing.”

DeKalb Chamber welcomes La Calle Bar & Music Venue

Photo provided by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting on Jan. 10 to welcome La Calle Bar & Music Venue to its membership. La Calle Bar & Music Venue, 263 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, is a new entertainment venue and bar that offers live entertainment, karaoke, pool, DJs and more, according to a news release. For information, visit facebook.com/lacallebarandmusicvenue or call 815-901-0670.

Two 35-acre solar farms in Clinton Township closer to approval

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Two proposed 35-acre solar farms in Clinton Township in southern DeKalb County are one step closer to approval.

The DeKalb County Planning and Zoning Committee recommended the County Board approve a special use permit filed by New Leaf Energy for two 35-acre, 5-megawatt solar farms on two separate properties in Clinton Township.

Benjamin Sych, with New Leaf Energy, attended the Feb. 22 committee meeting and answered questions county officials had about the projects.

The two proposed solar farms – one on a 77.5-acre property at the northwest corner of Crego and Bastian roads, and the other on an almost 101-acre property near the southwest corner of Preserve and Kane roads in Clinton Township –may not be operated by New Leaf.

Sych, who was present for two public hearings regarding New Leaf Energy’s special permit requests in January, said when the development proceeds to construction the project “could very well be sold” to another firm.

Asked if he knows who that firm would be Sych said he didn’t know.

“There’s typically six or seven different firms that purchase these projects from us to do this, all of which heavily operate and have properties in Illinois, but I couldn’t say with any real certainty of which specific company that would be, no.”

NEWS BRIEF

Financial aid workshop set March 2 at DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a financial aid workshop at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room.

The workshop is free and intended for teens and their parents.

Participants can gain a better understanding of the financial aid process. The

Construction could begin in about two years if the New Leaf Energy proposals are approved by the County Board, Sych has said.

County Board committee members also discussed how a recently signed state bill has stripped local governments – such as DeKalb County and the municipalities inside it – from being able to set their own regulations for solar and wind farms. Signed in January by Gov. JB Pritzker, the new law prescribes that DeKalb County allow solar and wind energy developments with setbacks to other properties and buildings substantially smaller than what DeKalb County currently mandates.

The county is required to bring its ordinances into compliance with the public act by June 1, but developers seeking special permit requests before the DeKalb County Board changes its code must adhere to the regulations set in October 2022.

The two special permit requests submitted by New Leaf Energy for the two proposed solar farms in Clinton Township required separate votes by the Planning and Zoning Committee, but the committee members maintained the same response for both votes.

County Board members Jerry Olsand, a Republican from District 12, and Rhonda Henke, a Republican from District 1, voted against the special permit requests while Terri MannLamb, a Democrat from District 7; DeKalb County Board Chairman Suzanne Willis, a Democrat from District 10; DeKalb County Board Vice Chairman John Frieders, a Republican from District 12; and Jim Luebke, a Democrat from District 9, voted to approve.

Roy Plote, a Republican from District 11, abstained from both votes.

Kishwaukee College Financial Aid Team will discuss how to apply for financial aid, how to review an offer letter, types of aid available and what to do once you’ve applied. Patrons also can ask the team questions and for help relating to their personal financial aid situation.

No registration is required to attend. For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Benjamin Sych

NEWS BRIEFS

League of Women Voters election forums begin March 7

The League of Women Voters will hold election fourms over three nights, with specific times for each race determined in late February after the candidates have responded to an invitation.

The forums will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, through Thursday, March 9, online, according to a news release.

The forums are available to watch live on wnij.org and the WNIJ Facebook page. The forums can be viewed afterwards on WNIJ’s YouTube page.

Invitations to participate in the forums have been sent to candidates in the following races. This includes those on the ballot and write-in candidates.

• March 7 – Wards 3, 5 and 7 of DeKalb City Council and DeKalb Park District

• March 8 – School Boards for DeKalb, Genoa-Kingston and Somonauk

• March 9 – Wards 1 and 3 of Sycamore City Council and Ward 2 of Sandwich City Council

The election is on April 4. Early voting began Feb. 23. For information, visit illinoisvoterguide.org.

OBITUARIES

CAROLYN R. LEIST

Born: March 24, 1983

Died: February 16, 2023

NIU preschool booth held March 1 and 8 at the DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host informational booths for the NIU Child Development and Family Center’s Preschool for All-Extension from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, March 1 and 8, in the library’s main lobby.

The booths are free and open to the public.

The booths will provide information about the PFA-E and the upcoming school year. The PFA-E is a federally funded, no-cost preschool program that encourages family involvement and participation, provides comprehensive developmental screenings and employs highly trained teaching teams that tailor a high-quality, research-based curriculum to meet each child’s development needs. The preschool runs from August through May.

To register, children must be 3 years old by Friday, Sept. 1. No registration is required to attend.

For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701. –ShawLocalNewsNetwork

at any location Please call or e-mail for further information.

Carolyn R. Leist, 39, of Sycamore, Illinois, passed away

Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb.

She was born March 24, 1983, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Michael Leist and Suzanne Cook.

She is survived by her mother, Suzanne; daughter, Alyssa Akers; loving partner of many years, Todd Novak; siblings, Sarah Leist Graske, David Leist, and Jonathan (Guen Han) Leist; aunt of Aidan and Ava Graske; Uncle, Jeffrey (Lise) Leist; Aunt, Mary Zebatto; cousins, Sean Thibault, Danielle Thibault, Danika Thibault, Zach (Danielle) Leist and Anya Leist. She was preceded in death by her father Dr.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Michael Leist.

Carolyn battled with cancer and the complications that arose from treatment for the last three years. She fought hard and suffered greatly but was brave and determined to be with her loved ones until the end.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Christ the Teacher University Parish, 512 Normal Road, DeKalb, with Fr. Robert Gonnella celebrating. Burial will follow at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Tails Humane Society, in memory Carolyn R. Leist, in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.

Send obituary information to obits@MidWeekNews.com. or call 815-526-4438. Notices are accepted until 3 p.m. Thursday for the next Wednesday edition. Obituaries also appear online at legacy.com/obituaries/MidWeekNews where you may sign the guest book, send flowers or make a memorial donation.

Sycamore Chamber welcomes Empower Wellness with ribbon-cutting

Photo provided by the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce

The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting on Feb. 7 to welcome Empower Wellness to its membership. Empower Wellness, 352 W. State St., Sycamore, allows customers to achieve lifelong vitality through the natural benefits of cellular-based health and wellness support through personalized, patient-centered care, according to a news release. For information, visit empowerwellnessllc.com.

Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb donates $2K to Hope Haven, Safe Passage

Shaw Local News Network

DeKALB – The Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb car dealership recently donated $2,000 to area nonprofits Hope Haven, which services homeless individuals, and Safe Passage, the county’s domestic violence shelter and advocacy center.

Proceeds from the funds will support both organizations’ missions of

NEWS BRIEFS

Brian Bemis Toyota gives $5K to DeKalb High

School

DeKALB – Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb recently donated $5,000 to the DeKalb High School Athletics Program. The dealership also donated $2,800 to the Genoa-Kingston High School Athletics Program, according to a news release.

The check for the DeKalb athletics program was presented by Brian Bemis Toyota employees and DeKalb High School graduates Kyren Daniels and Stephen Rodriguez during a wrestling match.

Bread and Roses gives concert proceeds to Safe Passage

DeKALB – The Bread and Roses women’s chorus recently donated $1,200 in concert proceeds to Safe Passage.

The donation was raised from freewill offerings collected during the group’s “Harvest of Songs” concert in December, according to a news release.

Safe Passage is DeKalb County’s only domestic violence and sexual assault cri-

helping area communities, according to a news release. Hope Haven provides food and shelter to DeKalb County’s homeless people on a rotating basis one night a week. Safe Passage, DeKalb County’s only domestic violence and rape crisis center, provides resources to abuse victims.

Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb is a car dealership that has been helping customers with their automotive needs since 1985.

sis center, providing a wide range of services, including shelter, counseling, and advocacy to survivors and their loved ones.

Bread & Roses is a DeKalb-based chorus of about 25 women who travel to surrounding areas, including St. Charles, Kirkland and Huntley.

For information, visit breadandroseschorus.org.

Money smart event taking place March 4 at the DeKalb library

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., will host a money smart story time event at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, in the library’s Story and Activity Room.

Gavin Wilson of Country Financial and his friend, Nelson the Rabbit, will teach children how to count money, where to hide it and how to make it grow. Participants will receive a free piggy bank. No registration is required to attend.

For information, email theresaw@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

Photo provided by Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb

Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb employees donated a $2,000 check to Hope Haven.