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ON THE COVER
Joel Barczak (clockwise from top), co-owner of Blumen Gardens, poses with his daughter Jill Mandeville, co-owner, wife Joan Barczak, co-owner, grandson Clay Mandeville and son-in-law Keith Mandeville, manager, June 19 at the garden center in Sycamore.
See story, page 6.
Photo by Mark Busch
DeKalb County schoolchildren learn about farm safety in Malta
Farm bureau hosts day camp at Jonamac Orchard
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – Grade school-aged children got an opportunity to learn about farm safety during a day camp June 19 hosted by the DeKalb County Farm Bureau at Jonamac Orchard.
More than 100 campers between the ages of 8 and 12 spent six hours learning about potential dangers found on farms in DeKalb County.
Farm Bureau Foundation and Outreach Director Anna Schelkopf said the program is intended to help prevent traumatic experiences on farms and elsewhere by educating children on the various hazards they could come across as they grow older.
“I think my favorite part is that kids are going to go home from this and hopefully avoid an injury or an accident because of this,” Schelkopf said. “I like the variety, too. We used to focus solely on rural kids, and now we’ve kind of branched out to a variety of areas throughout the county, so all sorts of kids can learn things.”
Farm safety campers took part in 12 interactive and educational sessions designed to teach them how to deal with hazards found on farms, in rural areas and along roads. Session topics included how to stay safe while in or around bicycles, farm machinery, ATVs, various chemicals, fire, grain bins and more.
Schelkopf said the single-day camp has been a biennial program for the past 30 years. Since 2000, it has been hosted at Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Road
PUZZLE ANSWERS
puzzlesonpage15
in Malta.
One of the orchard’s owners, Jenna Spychal – a third-generation member of her family’s business – said she takes pride in being able to host the educational program.
“Being an agricultural business in the community, we think it’s really important for kids to learn how to be safe on the farm,” Spychal said. “Whether they live on one [or] have friends or family on one, it’s just such a valuable experience that we think everybody should have an opportunity to participate in.”
Jonamac Orchard, which has seasonal agritainment, will open to the pub-
lic for the fall season Aug. 21. Representatives from Bayer, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, the DeKalb and Malta fire departments, Faivre Farms and other area businesses also were present at the camp. They helped children identify dangers and learn safety procedures for situations that pertained to their respective expertise.
Schelkopf said she hopes the camp, which cost $10 to attend, helps children stay safe.
“I think just in general, people need to make sure their children are learning about safety because you don’t always know what is a hazard until you’ve been taught about it,” Schelkopf said.
is important to The MidWeek. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411 or email at readit@midweeknews.com.
Camden Lazenby
Alyssa McLaughlin, with the Malta Fire Protection District, talks to DeKalb County Farm Bureau Farm Safety campers June 19 at Jonamac Orchard.
When it gets hot outside, pet owners need to remember to keep their dogs, cats, horses and any other beloved pets cool.
The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association offers these tips that pet owners should follow as the temperature rises:
• Never leave a pet in a hot car. Within a few minutes, even with windows rolled down, the heat in a car soars into triple-digit temperatures!
• Don’t take walks on hot outdoor surfaces. If a sidewalk or parking lot would be too hot for you to walk on barefoot, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on, too. Pavement baking in the summer sun can burn tender paw pads. Walk them in the cooler grass and look for shaded areas in which to walk. Also schedule walks at cooler times of the day, such as the early morning or evening hours.
• Keep cool. Regarding shade, make sure that when your pet is outdoors that it is in a shady area, especially in the heat of the day. Bowls of fre -
quently changed, cool, clean water also help keep the temperature manageable and water parasites at bay.
• Beware of plants. There are a number of poisonous decorative plants that may be in your yard. Some are hazardous to animals. Research what is in your yard that may be harmful to your pet. Also, keep fertilizers and other yard chemicals out of your pet’s reach.
• Avoid drowning hazards. Have a swimming pool or water feature in your yard? Make sure you’re around to supervise your pet so that they remain safe from drowning, or block pet access to the pool or water feature. Consider using a pet life jacket anytime your pet is near water or on a boat.
• Avoid heat stroke. Pets with thick fur, that are overweight or that have respiratory issues are especially prone to heat stroke. Consider giving your pet’s fur a summer cut and brushing him or her frequently.
• Be aware of window and door safety. Make sure open windows or patio doors have screens on them, or keep windows/doors closed altogether.
Be sure to keep pets off of asphalt and concrete on hot days.
KVAL announces upcoming July events
contact@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – The Kishwaukee Valley Art League will host several programs and events in July at Gallery on State, 322 W. State St., Sycamore.
The next art rotation at the gallery is set for July 22, just in time for the
annual Fizz Ehrler Memorial Turning Back Time Car Show on July 28 in downtown Sycamore. The gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can view art related to vehicles from the past.
The “Young Picasso’s” Kids Summer Art Program continues from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the gallery. Children can color pro-
vided subject matter or create their own art. An art supplies table will be provided. Ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. The program is free.
KVAL artist Pam Bradford will teach an introductory pyrography class from 10 a.m. to noon July 27 at the gallery. Attendees can learn about wood burning equipment, techniques,
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
DeKalb library’s ‘Classic Film Series’ begins July 2
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will show free movies as part of a Classic Film Series in July.
The screenings will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesdays in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. The movies are intended for adults and teens.
The lineup includes:
and what surface types can be burned. The class costs $40. Materials will be provided. Because of limited space, registration is required; visit kval-nfp. org. The registration deadline is July 25.
July’s featured artist at Gallery on State is Larry Bond. His work will be on display in the east window and adjoining wall.
July 2: “True Grit” (1969)
July 9: “The Outlaw Josey Wales”
July 16: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”
July 23: “Colorado Territory”
July 30: “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” No registration is required. For information, email thomask@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2150. – Shaw Local News Network
Photo provided by Kishwaukee Valley Art League
Wood burning art piece example (left), “Young Picasso’s” Kids Summer Art Program artwork example, and watercolor painting created by KVAL artist Larry Bond.
DeKALB – The Ellwood House Museum will host an opening reception for its new “Arts in Action” art exhibit on June 29.
The reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the museum’s visitors center, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb.
“Arts in Action” explores the Latino experience in northern Illinois’ facets. The exhibit features artwork by 10 artists, including beadwork by Alyssa Romero, a painting by Rudy Galindo, and a mixed-media piece by Carolina Velandia Hernández. The art will be displayed with historical context from the early 20th century to today. The text is available in English and Spanish.
Arts in Action began as a collabora-
tion between the Ellwood House Museum and the DeKalb County History Center in 2020. The project’s goal is to tell the area’s history more accurately and inclusively. The project’s resources, oral histories, and artists’ statements are available at createchange.today.
“We were honored to be selected to receive a Healing Illinois grant to help our two organizations do a better job creating exhibits reflecting the people who live in DeKalb County,” Michelle Donahoe, DeKalb History Center executive director, said in a news release. “This project has helped to learn more and share more local history from the Latino perspective.”
The exhibit will run through Dec. 30. For information, email king@ellwoodhouse.org or call 815-756-4609.
Photo provided by Ellwood House Museum
“La Esperanza” beadwork art piece created by artist Alyssa Romero
A family business
Longtime owner of Blumen Gardens in Sycamore says it’s time to ‘let someone else do the heavy lifting’
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – Joel and Joan Barczak set up an unassuming gardening shop in Sycamore more than a generation ago, and after multiple family and business expansions they’re poised to celebrate 35 years at Blumen Gardens.
The Barczaks will host a 35th anniversary party from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St. in Sycamore. The celebration is expected to signify a transition of sorts: Their daughter and son-in-law are beginning to take over managerial roles at the popular garden center and banquet venue. And soon the business will be handed off.
Jill Mandeville now is a co-owner and partner of Blumen Gardens with her parents. She said she didn’t grow up dreaming of taking over her family business, however. After becoming a registered dietician and seeing the world, romance – like her parents,
Every day people ask ‘When are you going to retire?’ Well I don’t know if this kind of business, and our love of plants, that’s what this is.”
who met on the first day of classes at Kishwaukee College in 1981 – changed her life when she met Keith Mandeville, who’s now her husband, in New Zealand.
“[I] never thought in a million years I would work here, and then I went and traveled and I met my husband who’s Canadian, and so I started traveling back and forth from Canada and I started working here part-time,” Jill Mandeville said. “I needed somewhere to work part-time so I could go and visit him, and then I ended up started working here and I loved it.”
Jill Mandeville has officially been working at the family-owned shop for the past seven years, and she’s been a quintessential part of the business.
Joan and Joel Barczak met in a horticulture class, and that’s part of the reason they started Blumen Gardens. But as their daughter’s involvement in the business grew, they branched out.
Outside of anniversary celebrations, Blumen Gardens will host a variety of events with food trucks and
of
are
musical performers throughout the summer, including an Artist and Makers Market with more than 25 vendors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 30, a yoga class July 3, a goat milk soap workshop July 7 and more.
Joan Barczak said they were not doing as many of those events before their daughter returned to Sycamore.
“We were spread kind of thin. I was doing design and maintenance, construction, I then went into the office and started working in the office a lot,
so we were always kind of spread a little thin,” Joan Barczak said.
Weddings and banquets also are regularly hosted at Blumen Gardens. Jill Mandeville said she’s careful to remember that’s not the reason her parents started the business.
“Joan and Joel always kind of say, and when I talk to new employees, ‘It’s horticulture, it’s the basis of this company,’” Jill Mandeville said. “They
See BLUMEN GARDENS, page 11
Joel Barczak (clockwise from top), co-owner of Blumen Gardens, poses with his daughter Jill Mandeville, co-owner, wife Joan Barczak, co-owner, grandson Clay Mandeville and son-in-law Keith Mandeville, manager, Wednesday, June 19, in the shade plant area of the garden center in Sycamore.
Photos by Mark Busch
Joel Barczak, co-owner of Blumen Gardens in Sycamore
Hundreds
perennials
available at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore.
LOOKING BACK
1924 – 100 YEARS AGO
Two DeKalb boys, their names as yet unknown, Tuesday, in trying to raise an airplane on the Joe Baumgartner farm west of the teacher’s college, tore down about 25 fence posts, a double lane fence, and plowed up an acre field before bringing their machine to a stop. When stopped the machine had headed its nose in the ground and it required a team of horses at the field to pull the airplane out.
Section hands on the Northwestern railroad will receive the blessings of many motorists in DeKalb after the completion of their work on the crossing at South Third street. The crossing has been in terrible condition for several weeks and motorists have complained several times. It is understood that the gang will work on all of the crossings of the city before leaving DeKalb. The First and Seventh street crossing are also said to be in need of attention.
Five men, said by music critics to compose one of the best teams of bell ringers in this country, will appear next Tuesday evening at the First Lutheran church under the auspices of the Swedish Mission church. The Scandinavian Bell Ringers have been heard by many in Chicago and other larger cities, and their work is spoken of very highly. The ringers have the distinction of being the only team of five in the country to play on 125 bells.
Turtlebacks authorized, purchased and installed at the last council meeting were being placed on the busy street intersections of Sycamore this morning. One of the lights had been installed on Somonauk and Elm Street and workmen were busy wiring the other at California and State.
In order that the work on the new building being erected on Somonauk Street by Emil Johnson should not be interrupted by the rainy weather, a large pump was put into operations to remove some of the water. A drain has not yet been installed in the big hole and the water stood several inches deep before the pump was put into operation. It is expected the final work in the excavation will be completed within the next week.
1949– 75 YEARS AGO
Sycamore’s first community fire truck, retired two years ago, was in Wisconsin
today to start another career. The ancient fire wagon, a Chevrolet which was purchased in 1929 to protect rural residents, was sold to Henry Pehrson, an employee at Turner Brass Works, who purchased it for a little community of residents on Pleasant Lake near Coloma. Pehrson drove the old fire wagon away last night, claiming as he drove away from the Sycamore fire barn that he was the biggest fire truck driver on the road. He admits to 320 pounds of avoirdupois.
A tremendous crowd had its first look at DeKalb’s New Look last evening as more than 15,000 lined the Lincoln Highway from First to Eighth Street for the opening activities of the celebration being held in connection with the opening of the new highway and the installation of a new modern street lighting system. Another new look was provided by the stop and go signals, which were recently installed at First Street and the Highway, and placed into operation for the first time last evening.
Hinckley residents are working up interest to clean up the creek south of the railroad tracks in the village. A good response has been felt to the idea as many realize the need for cleaning it up.
$210,000 chapel with classrooms, and a parsonage to be built later, on 17.75 acres on Illinois 38 west of DeKalb. The zoning board denied the church’s request despite the petitioner’s promise to correct water drainage problems on the site, which lies south and east of the Trade Winds West subdivision.
A “help wanted” sign has been erected by DeKalb Mayor Carroll Van Petter. He is looking for a new alderman for the Fifth Ward.
The question of what to do with DeKalb Public Hospital, the building, equipment and staff, was raised again by the hospital board at its meeting last night. Mary Simons, new vice president of the board, said many members of the hospital staff want to know what will happen to the hospital and their jobs when the new Kishwaukee Community Health Services Center (KCHSC) opens.
1999 – 25 YEARS AGO
Almost all of the tiles of the village empty into the stream. Stagnant pools and deep holes which are offensive in dry weather, will be done away with. Sharp curves, which are causing erosion and holding back the flow will be cut down.
The ringing of a burglar alarm frightened prowlers who attempted to break into the Cloverleaf Tap early Wednesday morning. No trace of the padlock which was removed or any clue to the intruders has been found. The Cloverleaf is owned and operated by Charles Patterson.
The delicious odor of preserved strawberries and cherries floats from Clare kitchens these days. It is the low growing and high growing red fruit season in this area. Many of the homes where there are deep freeze units are sealing the fruit in containers and freezing it.
1974 – 50 YEARS AGO
A host of water-logged objectors got the decision they wanted last night. A church congregation didn’t. The Board of Appeals denied a special use permit to the Open Bible Church. The permit would have allowed the church to build a
Nestled within the tall evergreen trees and green grass on the west campus of Northern Illinois University sits the framework for the reconstructed 100-year-old Milan Township District 83 one-room schoolhouse. Even though it’s between a busy Annie Glidden Road and the modern structure Huskie Stadium, in the same area as the Oderkirk House, one can imagine the young ambitious minds of yesterday funneling into the door each morning seeking knowledge.
A second public hearing will be held to discuss Byron Materials’ request to establish and operate a quarry just outside of Fairdale, west of Kirkland.
Artists and painters were working on the DeKalb Mural Project late last week. The design was projected onto the west wall of Zack’s Side Pocket on First Street and Lincoln Highway while artists traced the outline onto the brick. The mural will feature many different aspects of life in DeKalb, including a 40-foot cornstalk, images of Northern Illinois University and the Kishwaukee River. The painting will be done by local volunteers.
Sycamore is taking a look at Tax Increment Financing as one possible way to raise funds without increasing taxes. The city council approved a resolution Monday night to seek more information on creating a TIF district.
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center
The Golden Years Plaza building on Taylor Street in DeKalb is pictured in 1986.
DCCG lists July Grow Mobile food pantry dates
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The DeKalb County Community Gardens released a list of July locations for the 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. Organizers ask that people practice good hand hygiene and stay home if they are ill.
To receive Grow Mobile alerts, text FreeGroceries to 844-727-2012.
Grow Mobile dates in July:
• 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. July 2 at the Clinton Township Community Building, 160 W. Lincoln Highway, Waterman.
• 12:30 to 2 p.m. July 9 at Family Service Agency, 1325 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.
• 3 to 5 p.m. July 9 at the Cortland Lions Club Shelter, 70 S. Llanos St., Cortland.
• 11 a.m. to noon July 11 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 3 to 5 p.m. July 16 at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 3:30 to 5 p.m. July 18 at the Malta Historical and Genealogical Society, 127 N. Third St., Malta.
• 4 to 6 p.m. July 23 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 340 W. Arnold Road, Sandwich.
• 11 a.m. to noon July 25 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
IVT to hold auditions June 28
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
SANDWICH – The Indian Valley Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming “Bad to the Last Drop” and “Malled” melodrama performances and October production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
The auditions will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. June 28 and 1 to 4 p.m. June 30 at the Sandwich Opera House, 140 E. Railroad St. Parts are available for people age 13 and older.
The auditions consist of cold readings from the scripts. Those auditioning are encouraged to inform the directors of rehearsal conflicts.
“Bad to the Last Drop” will be directed by Karen Leifheit and “Malled” will be directed by Kyle Carr. The melodramas were written by Tim Lueken.
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a new
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Special needs children play group set for June 27 in DeKalb DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will partner with Hillmann Pediatric Therapy to host a play group for children with special needs.
The group will meet at 10 a.m. June 27 in the library’s Story and Activity Room, 309 Oak St.
The play group is intended for children ages newborn to 5.
schoolmaster in the village of Sleepy Hollow. Crane’s smug correctness casts a pall over the townsfolk, but his manners and hymn singing impress the women including Katrina Van Tassel, the town belle. Brom Bones, Van Tassel’s beau, begins to plot to get rid of Crane. The issue comes to a head at Van Tassel’s Halloween party, after which Crane is accosted by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
Performances of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” will be Oct. 11 through Oct. 13 at the opera house. The IVT production will be directed by Jen Ketchum with assisted direction by Brittany Wattne and production by Jessica Sus.
The Indian Valley Theatre is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the appreciation and development of the performing arts in the Fox Valley area. For information, send a message on the IVT Facebook page.
Children can participate in activities that cater to their abilities and interests. Attendees can meet and engage with families. Activities include puzzles, books, stepping stones, cars and magna-tiles.
Children must be accompanied by a parent. No registration is required. For information, email theresaw@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350. – Shaw Local News Network
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Monteiro to perform July 4 with DeKalb Municipal Band DeKALB – Vocalist Christine Monteiro will perform with the DeKalb Municipal Band at its “Star Spangled Spectacular” on July 4.
The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Dee Palmer Band Shell at Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.
The band is conducted by Kirk Lundbeck. Monteiro will perform “Let Freedom Ring,” “That Old Black Magic” and “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess.”
Other music on the program includes “Liberty Fanfare,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Highlights from Jersey Boys” and “1812 Overture.”
Monteiro graduated with a vocal music performance degree from Northern Illinois Unversity. She plays trumpet for the DeKalb Municipal Band, Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Jazz in Progress and Class Act II Big Band. She also is director of Celebration Chorale and Waterman Community Choir.
Monteiro has performed as a vocalist with the DeKalb Municipal Band, Jazz in Progress, Kishwaukee Area Concert Band, Stateline Music Foundation Festival Chorus, Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra and DeKalb Festival Chorus.
For more information about the concert, visit dekalbmunicipalband.com.
– Shaw Local News Network
with plants and artwork making every shopping trip
experience.
• BLUMEN GARDENS
Continued from page 6
never got in this business thinking they were going to do weddings, or sell clothing or different things like that, but it has kind of morphed into a large expansive gift shop, and then our weddings and events, and we really do like doing a lot of community events.”
Joel Barczak said he never expected to sell children’s books and clothing, but acknowledged that diversification of business aligns with the three areas of focus he places on his work: “Plants, design and community,” he said.
Preparing for their future, Jill and Keith Mandeville recently bought a house near the family business in Sycamore. They also welcomed their first child, 10-month-old Clay Mandeville, to the world in 2023. Jill Mandeville said her son, and the rest of her family’s youngest generation, will always be a part of and have a place at Blumen Gardens.
Keith Mandeville has already begun to taking over business’ administrative work, allowing Joan Barczak to spend more time gardening.
Joel Barczak said while he and his wife now have a succession plan in place for the multi-generation family business, they don’t plan on retiring and walking away from what has become their life’s work, however.
“It’s the first time we ever did it, so we don’t know what we’re doing. And we’re looking to learn and go slow, but make a seamless transition somehow but I don’t know what that means,”
Joel Barczak said. “Every day people ask ‘When are you going to retire?’ Well I don’t know if this kind of business, and our love of plants, that’s what this is. It would be like a musician, to say you’re never going to play guitar again or you’re never going to sing again, that would take something away from them, right? So I don’t really see this true retirement approach, but I’ll let someone else do the heavy lifting.”
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Mark Busch
The outside area at Blumen Gardens is decorated
to the facility a pleasant
D-428 making strides to shore up speech language pathologist shortage
Staffing challenges for speech therapists mirror federal, regional trends
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Being unable to communicate how you feel or what you want can present its own challenges for children trying to make their way in the world, and even more so in the classroom, where early learning is paramount.
In DeKalb schools, educators are working to ensure students’ needs are met even as staffing shortages for those with a specific skill – speech language pathologists – compound the problem.
Shortages for the special field, sometimes known as speech therapists or SLPs, plague school districts both federally and regionally. Officials said DeKalb schools are seeing some progress at the local level, however.
“Despite a national shortage of SLPs, D-428 has been able to minimize the staffing shortage impact on our students by providing creative solutions, including contracting additional in-person SLPs as well as SLPs who can provide services virtually,” said Kyle Gerdes, the director of student services DeKalb School District 428. “Looking ahead to the ’24-’25 school year, at this time, we continue to have open positions. With that said, we’ve had success with hiring SLPs who previously worked as an intern in D-428. This pipeline has enabled us to fill a couple of positions, and we will continue to explore all options.”
The district was staffed with 16 speech language pathologists this past school year, officials said. In the coming school year, the district plans to add one additional position to better meet students’ needs, bringing the total to 17.
District 428 typically employs a combination of contracted services, fulltime staff and graduate students to address students’ speech-language needs.
Gerdes said he believes the district is well-positioned in staffing to meet students’ needs come the start of classes in the fall.
“Looking forward, I feel like we’re in a much better position actually right now for next fall in terms of making sure we have our staffing levels as close to fully staffed as possible,” he said. “We recently, over the last couple weeks, were able to interview a couple of speech pathologists for full-time employment for next year. Those inter-
Looking forward, I feel like we’re in a much better position actually right now for next fall in terms of making sure we have our staffing levels as close to fully staffed as possible.”
Kyle Gerdes, director of student services DeKalb School District 428
views went really well. We were able to make an offer, and they accepted. That’s what we’re trying to do. We want to bring in our own as much as possible.”
Kortney Flowers, a speech language pathologist at Huntley Middle School, said that as a professional, she feels supported by the district.
“The district has put in place some measures this year knowing what the shortage has been,” Flowers said. “It’s obviously talked about at school board meetings pretty often. They put in incentives, such as they pay for our national board, national organization certification. That was put in this con-
tract. They are more than willing to support us with [augmented alternative communication] devices.”
Sarah Schneeman, a speech language pathologist at Cortland Elementary School, said there have been “growing pains,” but she feels supported more with every step the district takes to address the shortage in her specialty.
“We’ve had these employment shortages, where we just can’t fill to our quota for SLPs on our team,” Schneeman said. “I think the more that we’re hiring, the more we’re going to see a lift.”
Gerdes said the district generally
strives to prioritize the hiring of SLPs rather than contracting out for services.
“Anytime we can hire somebody, as a district, they’re assigned to a building – whether it be one building or two –that provides such a more rich experience for not only that individual, because they become part of that school community,” Gerdes said. “Meaning that they walk in there every day to do a job, but they’re making connections with staff, with students, with families. They’re making connections with our community, whether they grew up here or not. I think those are those things that sometimes are so impactful to a school, climate and culture that when we can hire our own and bring them in, that is the true benefit.”
But Gerdes acknowledged that while there may be some upside to contracting out for speech language services, there also is a downside.
“Contracted services, again, it depends,” Gerdes said. “A teletherapist really doesn’t have the opportunity to walk through a school and feel what a school looks like and build some of those connections organically. But they are able to provide direct services to students. They are able to meet [Individualized Education Plan] minutes and do assessments. They’re still able to help us with parts of the job that are essential. Sometimes what we lose, though, is that connectedness to a unit district, and I think that sometimes doesn’t get talked about enough because it’s pretty powerful.”
Gerdes heaped praise on the district’s more experienced speech language pathologists and their willingness to supervise not only graduate students but first-year pathologists.
“Their willingness to do that, and put in a lot of time and energy, and invest in those graduate students is also a huge recruiting tool for us,” he said. “We’re also really lucky to have, again, [Northern Illinois University] as our neighbor, and we have a really good partnership with them. Students at NIU are able to get great experience in our district while they learn their craft.”
Gerdes said students and their families tend to share nice things about the speech and language services that are offered in DeKalb schools.
Mark Busch
Sarah Schneeman (left), a speech language pathologist at Cortland Elementary School, talks to Kortney Flowers, a speech language pathologist, April 24 at Huntley Middle School, about what their job entails and how beneficial it is to students.
DeKalb church hosts Juneteenth Celebration
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – It was beginning to look a lot like a party June 15 at Hopkins Park in DeKalb, with all the food, family fun, music and dancing.
The occasion was New Hope Missionary Baptist Church’s fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration.
Juneteenth is a federally recognized holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed, which came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
The Rev. Joe Mitchell, senior pastor at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb, said although the Fourth of July is observed by many, he believes it’s important for people to recognize Juneteenth as well.
“Because on the Fourth of July, African Americans in this county were not free. They were still enslaved,” Mitchell said. “Juneteenth is an opportunity to truly celebrate the real liberation and freedom and liberties of people in this country – all Americans, including African Americans.”
Similar to years past, the event had food trucks, 25 to 30 vendors, family fun, music and dancing at the bandshell.
Sycamore resident Heather Tomlinson was checking out the vendor booths with her two sons.
“I’m really excited to see the amount of people that are here,” Tomlinson said. “Hopefully more people will come. It looks like it’s a good party.”
Tomlinson said attending the event prompted her to initiate a discussion with her sons about the significance of Juneteenth.
“We are talking about it, and they’re learning a little about it,” Tomlinson said. “This is the first time we’ve ever really had the conversation. I like to expose them to everything I can. We have foreign-exchange students come.”
DeKalb resident Joann Lackey was selling original poetry at one of the vendor booths during the Juneteenth Celebration. She said her work generally tends to move people.
• SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS
Continued from page 12
“I think, in general ... when we’re fully staffed, we’re able to provide the services,” Gerdes said. “They do a great job. They’re really communicative, really responsive to student need but also, of course, parents and guardians. Our biggest issue this past year has been not having the people to be able to
It’s definitely a family event. It’s a great day to come out to the park and hang out with your family and really immerse yourself in the amazing diversity that makes you tell them the awesome community that it is.”
“People are inspired by my poems,” Lackey said.
Lackey said she believes her poetry has a powerful way of bringing different people together.
She said it’s all about “calm, peace, laughter and sharing life experiences with different people.”
DeKalb resident Shawni Robinson, 19, was perusing the information and offerings made available at the vendor
provide those direct services on a consistent basis. I would say that’s been our struggle. But I think the service that we provide for speech and language for our students is well-received and thought very highly of by the clients.”
Schneeman shared that sentiment.
“I try to keep an open line of communication with students and families,” Schneeman said of her own students.
“We meet every year to go over the
The Rev. Joe Mitchell
booths. She said she believes the perfect Juneteenth celebration is about people.
“It would have to be getting with the community, getting out and just learning about history,” Robinson said.
Robinson said that observing Juneteenth has great meaning to her.
She said she values “remembering the struggle for freedom within the
[Individualized Education Plan] for updated goals and progress, and then families get progress reports for us every end of trimester. … That gives an opening, I guess, for the families to ask questions at points in time.”
Flowers said that despite challenges prompted by the speech language pathologist shortage, she remains fulfilled by her profession.
Black community and just seeing how far we’ve come in terms of our rights.” Mitchell said he’s grateful for how the event strives to bring together people of all different backgrounds in the community.
“It’s definitely a family event,” he said. “It’s a great day to come out to the park and hang out with your family and really immerse yourself in the amazing diversity that makes you tell them the awesome community that it is. It’s a great opportunity to talk about American history and understand the depths and the breadths of American history that is often not talked about in our history classes, and let it be an opportunity for us to learn and grow together to make DeKalb much closer to the beloved community that we believe it can be.”
that until you are unable to speak the way you want to speak or use the words, the language that you want to use, it is impossible for us to realize how challenging that can make a person’s life. I very much enjoy being a part of that and supporting students. I especially like working with secondary [education students]. I do enjoy the relationships with middle and high school students. So I think that that’s been really powerful for me.”
Mark Busch
Joseline Griffey, 7, of DeKalb, looks to hit her brother Jaice with a water balloon during the Juneteenth Community Celebration Saturday, June 15, at Hopkins Park in DeKalb.
Rise Fitness and Health joins Sycamore Chamber
Photo provided by the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce
AMUSEMENTS
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BUREAU AND STARK COUNTY, IL LAND AUCTION
THURSDAY, JULY 25TH, 2024 AT 10:00 AMCT
909
ACRES± • 13 TRACTS
Tracts 1-9 of the James & Jill Barto real estate are located approximately 4.5 miles northeast of Bradford, IL and further described as being located in Section 36, T15N-R7E, Macon Township, Sections 31 & 32, T15N-R8E, Indiantown Township, Sections 5 & 6, T14N-R8E, Milo Township, Bureau County, IL.
Tracts 10 & 11 are located approximately 3 miles northwest of Bradford, IL and further described as being located in Section 10, T14N-R7E, Osceola Township, Stark County, IL.
Tracts 12 & 13 are located south of Osceola, IL on the west side of Osceola Road and further described as being located in Sections 11, 14 & 15, T14N-R6E, Elmira Township, Stark County, IL.
The James & Jill Barto real estate represents highly productive tillable cropland. A truly unique opportunity for farmers to expand their operation and investors to add to their portfolio. These are highly tillable tracts with 500 acres± holding Class A soil. Mark your calendars!
JAMES & JILL BARTO
Representing Attorney: Michael Massie 115 NW 3rd Ave, PO Box 205, Galva, IL 61434 | (309) 932-2168
VILLAGE (NOW CITY) OF GENOA ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED FEBRUARY 3RD, 1908 IN BOOK "D" OF PLATS, PAGE 27, IN DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Commonly known as:
FAIR DEBT COLLECTION
PRACTICES ACT, THE
PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT
COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
111 South Sycamore Street
McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Geno a, IL 60135 and which said Mortgage was made by, Andrew C Jaro g and Brenda S Caruso n/k/a Brenda S Jarog Mortgagor(s), to National City Bank Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of DeKalb Co unty, Illinois, as Document No 2006016150; and for other relief.
Publisher's Notice: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housin g Act which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation of discrimination."
Familial status 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
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS GULF HARBOUR INVESTMENTS
CORPORATION, PLAINTIFF, VS. ANDREW C JAROG; BRENDA S CARUSO N/K/A BRENDA S JAROG; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, DEFENDANTS.
NO 24 FC 000028 111 SOUTH SYCAMORE STREET
GENOA, IL 60135
JUDGE
PRESIDING JUDGE NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO YOU, Brenda S Caruso n/k/a Brenda S Jarog Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants defendants, th at this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, asking for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to wit: LOT 7 OF THE CENTRAL SUBDIVISION TO THE VILLAGE (NOW CITY) OF GENOA ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED FEBRUARY 3RD, 1908, IN BOOK "D" OF PLATS, PAGE 27, IN DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Commonly known as: 111 South Sycamore Street Geno a, IL 60135 and which said Mortgage was made by, Andrew C Jaro g and Brenda S Caruso n/k/a Brenda S Jarog Mortgagor(s), to National City Bank Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of DeKalb Co unty, Illinois, as Document No 2006016150; and for other relief.
UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case, on or before July 26, 2024, A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE COMPLAINT.
You have been sued To participate in the case you MUST file an official document with the court within the time stated on this Notic lled "App
Attorney for Plaintiff 1 N. Dearborn St Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60602 Ph (312) 346-9088 File No 22-11665IL-992223
I3246862
(Published in The MidWeek, June 26, 2024 July 3, 10, 2024)
UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case, on or before July 26, 2024, A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE COMPLAINT.
You have been sued
To participate in the case, you MUST file an official document with the court within the time stated on this Notice called an "Appearance" and a document called an "Answer/ Response" The Answer/ Response is not required in small claims or eviction cases unless ordered by the court. If you do not file an Appearance and Answer/ Response on time, the court may decide the case without hearing from you, and you could be held in default and lose the case After you fill out the necessary documents, you need to electronically file (e-file) them with the court. To e-file you must create an account with an e-filing service provider For more information, go to ilcourts.info/ efiling. If you cannot e-fi le, you can get an exemption that allows you to file inperson or by mail. You may be charged filing fees but if you cannot pay them, you can file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees It is possible that the court will allow you to attend the first court date in this case inperson or remotely by video or phone. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office or visit the Court's website to find out whether this is possible and, if so, how to do this Need help? Call or text Illinois Court Help at 833-411-1121 or go to ilcourthelp.gov for information abo ut going to court, incl uding how to fill out and file documents. You can also get free legal information and legal referrals at illinoislegalaid.org. All documents referred to in this Notice can be found at ilcourts.info/forms Other documents may be available from your local Circuit Court Clerk's office or website.
¿Necesita ayuda? Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto a Illinoi s Court Help al 833-411- 1121, o visite ilcourthelp.gov para obtener información sobre los casos de la corte y cómo completar y presentar formularios PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, THE PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney for Plaintiff 1 N. Dearborn St Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60602
PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DEKALB COUNTYSYCAMORE, ILLINOIS
PLAINTIFF Vs John Kubus; Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants DEFENDANTS No 2024FC000044
NOTICE BY PUBLICATION NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU: John Kubus
Unknown Owners and Nonrecord Claimants
That this case has been commenced in this Court against you and other defendants, praying for the foreclosure of a certain Mortgage conveying the premises described as follows, to-wit: COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 14934 Somonauk Rd Dekalb, IL 60115 and which said Mortgage was made by: John Kubus the Mortgagor(s) to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Quicken Loans Inc., as Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of DeKalb County, Illinois, as Document No 2016000497; and for other relief; that summons was duly issued out of said Court against you as provided by law and that the said suit is now pending.
NOW THEREFORE, UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case in the Office of the Clerk of this Court, Lori Grubbs Clerk of the Circuit Court 133 W. State Street Sycamore IL 60178 on or before July 26, 2024, A DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU AT ANY TIME AFTER THAT DAY AND A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED IN A CCORDANCE WITH THE PRAYER OF SAID COMPLAINT.
CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
Attorneys for Plaintiff 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300
DuPage # 15170 Winnebago # 531
Our File No 14-24-03002
NOTE: This law firm is a debt collector I3246683
(Published in The MidWeek, June 26, 2024 July 3, 10, 2024)
