Cover story

COVER STORY ‘FINDING HEROES’

Learn about veteran memorials and worldwide navigation at hidden Somonauk park

By KATRINA J.E. MILTON

kmilton@shawmedia.com

SOMONAUK – By walking through the trellised entrance of Finding Heroes Park, visitors can “travel” the world, “visiting” and learning about war memorials, cemeteries and battlegrounds without ever leaving Somonauk.

The park, nestled in the middle of a small subdivision, is located at 310 Warren St. in Somonauk.

Finding Heroes Park was constructed in 2006 by Somonauk native Tom Warren. Warren, who graduated Somonauk High School in 1953 and Iowa State University in 1957, was a lifelong farmer in Somonauk. He retired to Venice, Florida, and died in 2015.

In 1981, he bought 32 acres in northwest Somonauk that he originally hoped would be used for a ball diamond and picnic areas. When similar facilities were built on the other side of town, Warren sold all the land, except for 1.7 acres, which later became Finding Heroes Park.

Warren always had an interest in aviation and had a grass runway on his farm, where he would fly his own aircraft to many locations throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Central America. His most ambitious travel experience was an around-theworld trip with other alumni from Iowa State University.

During that trip, Warren visited many war cemeteries and memorials honoring American men and women who died in service to the country.

“He was moved by the different burial grounds and memorials around the world, and he wanted to honor all of the fallen men and women,” said Jay Rud, a friend of Warren’s and one of his three trustees. “He always had an interest in navigation and he was proud of his country.”

Rud said he remembers standing out in a field one day in the 1990s with Warren, who was using an early navigational instrument. The two talked about creating a park that would be “a learning experience to those visiting.”

“His interest in geography, mathematics and the understanding of longrange navigation is used [in the park] to gain perspective locations around the globe,” Rud said.

A flagpole in the center of the park represents the location of Somonauk on a world map. Built to a scale of 1 foot to 100 miles, visitors can travel around the world, from the North Pole to the South Pole, at a rate of 300 miles per step.

The park features arching sidewalk pathways that branch out in various directions from the central flagpole. The sidewalks show the direction and Great Circle route, a path that circumnavigates the Earth, to the burial grounds and memorials around the world maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

The park features locations of battlefields and monuments from the Mexican-American War in 1846 through the Vietnam War in 1975, which are marked with panels. The panels include photographs and historical information about memorials in Washington, D.C., the Manila Cemetery in the Philippines, and other locations around the world, including England, France, Italy and Vietnam.

One unique section of the park has a panel about the farthest point in the world from Somonauk: a location 12,451 miles away in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Perth, Australia.

The park also has a sign that states, “As our armed forces continue to stand up for freedom and liberty throughout the world, there will undoubtedly be more sacrifice and sadness – it is for these soldiers and families that this memorial is intended.”

“The world is very large, but for Tom, I think the world became smaller when he traveled,” Rud said. “He created the park to share a different perspective. The park has two purposes: to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in service to this country and to educate about navigation, hence the name ‘Finding Heroes.’”

Rud, who also is a pilot, said he has traveled the world and has not seen any other park like the one in Somonauk.

“I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere else,” Rud said. “It would be a great place for local schools’ field trips or veteran organizations to visit and hold events. It would be nice to have a veteran docent to give tours, talk and answer questions. The park truly is a gem hidden in a small town.”

The Rev. Bob Dell of Sandwich knew Warren when he was a parishioner of his church in Somonauk.

“We are very fortunate to have such a fine park with so much content to it right here in our hometown,” Dell said. “They take beautiful care of the grounds, and it is a very fitting setting.”

Dell, a World War II veteran, said he has visited the park numerous times and enjoys reading the panels on display.

“There’s so much information, it’d be difficult to learn and see everyone all at once,” he said. “You’d have to come back and learn about all the different memorials. It’s very informative, and every person can get something different from the park depending on their interests. It’s sometimes hard to grasp the extent of these memorial parks, where hundreds, if not thousands of soldiers, are buried, including those whose names are unknown.”

For more information about supporting or donating to Finding Heroes Park, contact Dan Templin, executive director of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.

“I remember touring the park with Tom, and he had so much pride and respect for veterans,” Templin said. “He was honored and humbled to design and build the park. It was his last project, and it was very special to him. He wanted people, everyone and anyone, of every age, to enjoy it and learn from it.”

Katrina J.E. Milton - kmilton@shawmedia.com Panels and paved bricks in Finding Heroes Park, 310 Warren St. in Somonauk, include information about war memorials, cemeteries and battlegrounds around the world.

‘Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Festival’ theme chosen

By KATRINA J.E. MILTON

kmilton@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – After not being able to celebrate the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year Sycamore will travel backward in time for some old-fashioned fun.

“Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Festival” is this year’s festival theme, named by Harper Freiberg, 9, a third grader at North Grove Elementary School. The 60th annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival is scheduled to be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 31.

The winning theme was announced May 19 on the DeKalb County Courthouse steps.

Harper’s theme was chosen from 108 total entries submitted by students from seven Sycamore schools and homeschooled students.

In her entry submission, Harper said the reason she chose “Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Festival” was “because we make our pumpkins something from Sycamore history.”

Harper paints a pumpkin every year for the pumpkin decorating contest and said she is excited for the festival this year.

The two honorable mention award-winners are Elyce Marie Smith, a homeschooled second grader, with her entry “Pumpkin Explorers,” and Brody Caldwell, a kindergartner at North Elementary School, with his entry “Hometown Pumpkins.”

During the announcement ceremony, the winner of the theme contest received a $50 check and a festival cinch bag. The winner’s school will receive a $100 check to be used for student enrichment. The two honorable mention award recipients each received a $25 check and a festival cinch bag. All 17 theme contest finalists received a certificate of appreciation and commemorative postcards.

The winner and two honorable mention award recipients will help cut the pumpkin festival cake, which signifies the start of the fest, and will ride in the theme winner vehicle during the parade. Last year’s winners will be invited to participate in this year’s celebration and will be recognized.

The parade’s grand marshal and Friend of the Festival will be announced at a later date.

Jennifer Diehl, president of the Pumpkin Fest committee, said that announcing this year’s theme “is the start of the 60th annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival.”

“I think everyone is really excited for Pumpkin Fest this year,” she said. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back to normal.”

Marianne Vogel, secretary of the Pumpkin Fest committee, said the festival will take place “in accordance to CDC and DeKalb County Health Department mitigations.”

“The festival is a town-wide celebration, with kids getting the Friday and Monday off of school and families participating in the parade with their organizations,” she said. “Everyone comes to Sycamore for Pumpkin Fest. It’s a big, happy family event we look forward to all year long.”

For information about the festival, visit www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.

Katrina J.E. Milton photo - kmilton@shawmedia.com The 17 semi-finalists in the 2021 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Theme Contest were announced during a ceremony May 19 on the steps of the DeKalb County Courthouse. From left, Elyce Marie Smith, a homeschooled second grader and honorable mention award recipient; the contest’s winner, Harper Freiberg, a third grader at North Grove Elementary school; and Brody Caldwell, a kindergartner at North Elementary School.

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Photo provided The Music at the Mansion concert series on the Ellwood House lawn will return this summer for six dates.

Music at the Mansion concert series returns

THE MIDWEEK

DeKALB – Music at the Mansion will return this summer for a six-date concert series on the lawn of the Ellwood House.

Each concert will provide the audience a different music genre of entertainment. The concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

The Music at The Mansion schedule follows: • June 23, Salute to the Great Entertainers featuring the Rat Pack Tribute Show • June 30, Salute to Country Music featuring Back Country Roads • July 14, Salute to the ′60s, ′70s and ′80s featuring The Elderly Brothers • July 21, Salute to Margaritaville featuring Mr. Myers Band • July 28, Salute to Latin America featuring Salsa del Norte • August 4, Salute to Big Band featuring Jazz in Progress

Before each show, there will be an opening act of local talent featuring a variety of entertainment, including a summer fashion show, Misspent Youth Strings, Appolo Strings Quartet, DeKalb Flute Ensemble and others to be announced. Opening acts start at 6:30 p.m.

New this year will be activities around the Ellwood House such as craft shows, classic car shows, and other events to be announced.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and other items to enjoy this outdoor event. A variety of beverages will be available to purchase from Fatty’s Pub & Grille in DeKalb.

Additional information regarding masks, health protocols and other city/ state mandates will be posted via the media in early June.

Businesses, organizations, clubs and individuals are invited to sponsor a concert. Each sponsor will be listed on promotional literature. For sponsorship information, email Michael Embrey at FunMEevents@ aol.com. Sponsorships are tax-deductible via the Ellwood House Association.

The Ellwood House is located at 509 N. First St. in DeKalb.

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