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THE COVER
Workers lay bricks on the sidewalk Aug. 28 as construction continues on Main Street in Genoa.
See story, page 6.
by Mark Busch
STEM Fest to return Sept. 28
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Northern Illinois University will host its 15th annual STEM Fest featuring career exploration on Sept. 28.
The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the NIU Holmes Student Center, MLK Commons, Anderson Hall and Founders Memorial Library.
“People are naturally curious! We tap into that curiosity and explore thought-provoking questions through hands-on learning activities for all ages.”
NIU STEAM director Kristin Brynteson, Ed.D., said in a news release.
Attendees can build electronic circuits, launch model rockets, look through microscopes, fly drones, build blocks, and listen to a STEM-themed story. Participants also can watch a chemistry demo show, weather balloon launch and listen to NASA and Argonne National Lab speakers.
Hands-on activities and demonstrations will be provided by the NIU Robotics Club, Innovation Club, Girls Who Code, Game Developer Club and Illinois Department of Transportation District 3 engineers.
“By meeting innovative NIU students and industry partners, I hope visitors will see the amazing job possibilities out there,” Brynteson said in the release.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Glidden Homestead to hold ‘Barbed Wire Barons Bus Tour’ Sept. 27
DeKALB – The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center will host a “Barbed Wire Barons Bus Tour” to kick off its Barbed Wire Weekend events.
The tour will begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Ellwood House Museum parking lot, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb.
“Robotics, coding and video game development are more than just fun student clubs – they’re growing career fields with many opportunities.”
Meta also will return to hold a “Be Pro Be Proud” mobile workshop, which will feature virtual reality simulations for various skilled trades including plumbing, robotics and welding.
The tour features locations and buildings related to DeKalb’s barbed wire story. Highlights include an interior tour of former barbed wire factories Industrial Artifacts and Sonoco Alloyd. The tour was organized by historian Stephen J. Bigolin and Jeff J. Marshall, a Haish family descendant.
Tickets cost $74 and include a commemo -
“Skilled tradespeople possess valuable knowledge and skills that propel innovation,” Brynteson said in the release. “At its heart, STEM is about recognizing and solving problems in the world – and that’s something we need all Illinois youth to do, in every career path.” For information, visit go.niu.edu/ stemfest or niusteam.niu.edu.
rative booklet. To buy tickets, visit BarbedWireWeekend.com or call 815-756-7904.
Proceeds from the tour and Barbed Wire Weekend will support the homestead’s operations and preservation.
For information, email jessi@gliddenhomestead.org, visit barbedwireweekend. com, or call 815-756-7904.
– Shaw Local News Network
is important to The MidWeek. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411 or email at readit@midweeknews.com.
Photo
Photo provided by Northern Illinois University
A Northern Illinois University student volunteer helps a child fly a drone at a previous STEM Fest.
Revolutionary invention
New historical marker in rural DeKalb honors farm innovators
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Thirty-two years after an invention born on a DeKalb farmstead was filed for patent, dozens gathered in DeKalb for the dedication of a historic marker honoring the industry-changing invention.
If barbed wire revolutionized agriculture in the 19th century, the innovation created by Steve Faivre and fellow farmer Dave Larson on Faivre’s farm can be credited with propelling farming practices into the data-driven world of the 21st century.
Their invention, a yield monitor, allows farmers to collect digitized geospatial data pertaining to their farm’s inputs and outputs. A yield monitor has become a standard piece of farm equipment over the past 30 years.
Max Armstrong, a Chicago-based agriculture-focused broadcaster, said the yield monitor has allowed famers to continue to grow their farming outputs, much like pesticides and plant genetics knowledge has done for crop yield.
“I think we need to really appreciate
and maybe ponder a little bit of what’s to come yet,” Armstrong said. “I think when we think of the advances that have been made in agriculture and how we’ve been able to keep that trend line yield planted, we naturally think of genetics. But more and more, we need to think about everything that has come to pass in terms of that yield monitor, and what it’s allowed us to do on farms all around the world. It’s a magnificent achievement.”
Aside from the commercial success, Faivre and Larson now have a historical marker, paid for by the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, to show for the accomplishment.
Speaking to an audience of city and county officials, DeKalb mayoral candidates and area farmers on his family farm, Faivre said he never set out to commercialize his ideas but found it necessary.
“Even with the yield monitor, it was, ‘Can we get this to work to the point that we can install it on our equipment and not have to go through the headache of commercializing it?’” Faivre said. “And as Dave said, things catch up, you find out you actually have to have more money than you feel you can ask your family for, although I think we did. So we had to go to the market to
LATEX PAINT COLLECTION
Saturday, September 28th, 2024 9:00am-12:00pm at DeKalb Municipal Airport, located at 2200 Pleasant St, DeKalb IL 60115
Open to DeKalb County residents. Proof of address is required.
For more detailed information on acceptable and unacceptable items, visit health.dekalbcounty.org or scan the QR code to the left. Have questions?
Contact the DeKalb County Solid Waste Specialist at 815-748-2408 or recycle@dekalbcounty.org
Mark Busch
Steve Faivre, one of the creators of the yield monitor, speaks Sept. 10 during the dedication, hosted by the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, of the new historical marker at the Faivre farm in DeKalb. The marker celebrates the creation yield monitor, an important innovation in farming.
Salon, former car dealership buildings get city aid for updates
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – A Third Street beauty salon and an East Lincoln Highway building that once housed a used car dealership are getting a hand on repairs with a little aid from the City of DeKalb.
Maria Caudillo, owner of the building at 147 to 149 S. Third St., was awarded $2,858 from the city’s architectural improvement program. The city fund is meant to support local business owners seeking to improve or renovate their buildings or facades, and uses city tax increment financing money.
Miguel Zepeda, owner of 830 E. Lincoln Highway that has a prepaid services business inside, also was awarded $25,000 from the city’s AIP fund.
Mayor Cohen Barnes gave kudos to Zepeda and Caudillo for their commitment to doing business in DeKalb.
“I definitely want to express my appreciation to Miguel and Maria for both choosing to continuing to invest in our community,” Barnes said. “It’s always cool to see.”
Caudillo asked the city for help
with paying $28,580 worth of emergency roof repairs to her building, which is home to Reyna’s Pelugueria beauty salon, immediately south of the Third Street Laundromat, city
documents show.
“In these instances, there’s a 10% reimbursement for deferred maintenance,” City Manager Bill Nicklas said.
The property at 830 E. Lincoln Highway has not been put to use for many years. Over time, the building was converted from a single-family property to a gas/service station, to a used car dealership and then a beauty salon.
In November 2023, the City Council granted Zepeda’s pre-paid services business $25,000 through the AIP fund, but he didn’t move forward with the money or the improvement project at the time.
Nicklas said the owner believes he has undertaken more work than he originally planned. Zepeda is planning a signficiant overhaul of the building, according to city documents.
“Essentially it has led to the gutting of the building,” Nicklas said. “There’s an ancillary pie-shaped lot, really odd-shaped lot that he also wants to improve with some paving and striping and so forth that would make it easier for customers to come in and get out. There’s only a few offstreet parking spaces on the lot now on the corner.”
The total cost of the East Lincoln Highway project is about $100,000, officials said.
Megann Horstead file photo
The former Perfect Reflections Beauty Salon at 830 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb is seen Nov. 14, 2023.
A message from Sondra D'Amore
ONE OF THE GREATEST PARTS ABOUT NIU IS OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT. IT'S MEANT A LOT TO US ALL — ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE REBUILDING A PROGRAM. THAT SUPPORT GOES A LONG WAY WHEN YOU'RE PLAYING SO MANY TIGHT MATCHES. HOME COURT ADVANTAGE CAN REALLY BE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE HERE AT NIU AND IS SOMETHING THE TEAM WOULD ALL LOVE TO CONTINUE BUILDING!
SONDRA D'AMORE
HEAD COACH, NIU VOLLEYBALL
A CLOSER LOOK
Nearing the finish line
Genoa’s $1.2M downtown revitalization almost complete
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
GENOA – Construction on the $1.2 million Genoa downtown revitalization project is expected to wrap up this month, and city officials want to bring the community out for a street party to celebrate.
The downtown project has reshaped the cityscape of Genoa from Washington to Sycamore streets through the burial of electrical wires and the addition of brick to the edge of downtown sidewalks and the installation of what Mayor Jonathon Brust called “historic looking and ornamental feeling” streetlights.
Brust said he and City Manager Alyssa Seguss recently saw a nearly century-old newspaper article featuring a street dance that was held in Genoa after the city had redone a street. That article inspired them to re-create the festivity.
“We just thought it would be a fun callback if we hosted some low-key kind of street dance, or have music, maybe some food and just celebrate revitalizing the downtown area,” Brust said. “We don’t have all the details figured out yet, and timing actually may push to next year in the spring, but definitely want to think about that.”
The downtown revitalization project came about after what Brust called a really successful campaign for the city’s facade improvement program. The program uses city funds as grants to help downtown buildings and business owners redo building facades.
“It had tremendous success,” Brust said. “We’ve given out hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funds and in my opinion our downtown buildings haven’t looked better since I’ve been in Genoa. It really, really made an impact. Because of the great success of that, we felt it’s now our turn ... to give back to the buildings and business owners who have improved their buildings.”
Before the downtown revitalization project, which was funded by excess revenue generated from state grants, Genoa was lit by streetlights that were more than 60 years old. The accompanying apparatus of overhanging wires to power the fixtures could previously be seen throughout the downtown area. Now the cityscape appears
decluttered.
Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Krissy Johnson said the Chamber fully supports the revitalization project.
“We think that any progress is great,” she said. “It’s made the downtown look really nice.”
The project was spurred by a comprehensive and strategic planning process, officials said. A task force formed to establish a plan found that enhancing the downtown area was a priority, Brust said.
“That small-town feel, the quaintness, the aesthetics, a beautiful downtown were all really important to the community and the task force that was on that, so we began looking for opportunities to essentially give back and really replace and update that main drag,” Brust said. “Due to a grant we received from the state, we had excess revenues we could then put toward the downtown project.”
The project began at the conclusion of Genoa Days in June, and was largely wrapped up by Labor Day, but some annual Genoa activities were impacted
That small-town feel, the quaintness, the aesthetics, a beautiful downtown were all really important to the community and the task force that was on that, so we began looking for opportunities to essentially give back and really replace and update that main drag.”
Jonathon Brust, Genoa mayor
by the construction.
The annual Cruisin’ to Genoa 2024 car show was canceled due to safety concerns associated with downtown construction.
Johnson said the Chamber, which puts on the car show, plans on hosting the yearly event in 2025.
Brust said the goal was to finish construction before the car show, but
severe weather in June slowed progress.
“Transparently, we were very willing to work,” Brust said. “I think it was just a matter of the dust, and some uncertainty associated with that, and car people like to have a very specific kind of environment for that. Other than that, the biggest challenge is just working within downtown with parking, and making sure people can safely get from one spot to another.”
Seguss said the project, which also redesigned crosswalks on Illinois Route 72 to make the area safer for pedestrians, cost $1.2 million, less than officials were expecting.
“We had really competitive bids, so we were excited, really excited to hear the project cost,” Seguss said.
Officials said they aren’t done revitalizing the city, however.
“What we’re seeing right now is Phase 1 of what we’re proposing as a two-part project,” Brust said. “The second part is something we’re looking for additional grant funding on, hopefully next year, for another piece of downtown.”
Mark Busch
Cars pass by the sidewalk construction Aug. 28 on Main Street in downtown Genoa.
LOCAL
BRIEF
DeKalb library to host 4-C informational booth Sept. 24 DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host a 4-C information booth on Sept. 24.
The booth will be available from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the library’s main lobby, 309 Oak St.
Visitors can receive informational
• HISTORICAL MARKER
Continued from page 3
get some of that, and as Dave said, it has been quite a ride.”
Before they officially invented the yield monitor, Larson and Faivre began selling AGMAPP, the first computerized field-mapping software, in 1988, according to the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association.
A couple of years after going to market with AGMAPP, they developed their first yield monitor concept. The plans used metal stripes on a strain gauge to measure the amount of grain moving through a combine. The pair then consulted Jim Basset, founder of Dawn Equipment Co., on the project.
Jim Basset’s son, Joe Basset, spoke for him at the memorial dedication and recanted memories of his father, Faivre and Larson seeking to file their refined yield monitor design with a patent attorney in Chicago.
“This patent attorney was in a high floor of what is now the Ogilvie Transportation Center, where you’d take the Metra trains, and sitting on the desk and kind of sitting there with my father, and there was a Dawn yield monitor on one side and then there was an Ag Leader yield monitor on the other side,” Joe Basset said. “And [I] even [remember] remarking to my father that the kind of mechanics of the Ag Leader yield monitor would yield less resolution in the sensor, and how that was even apparent as a 14-year-old.”
The success of the yield monitor that Faivre, Larson and Basset invented has
flyers, Child Care Assistance Program applications, giveaways, Early Childhood Education back to school credits information and learn how to become a home child care provider.
For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.
– Shaw Local News Network
led to the continued improvement of yield maps used by farmers throughout the world. The men may not have found their way to commercialization if it wasn’t for Armstrong, who helped them go from farmstead inventors to agricultural entrepreneurs.
Larson said Armstrong helped them reshape how they brought their products to market after a business connection brought them together.
“We sat down with Max, and what we realized pretty quickly was what we had was pretty cool, but we didn’t have a clue how to market anything,” Larson said. “So Max came in and not only convinced us to move further, move beyond just our own farms, but to actually look at where we might be able to commercialize this.”
From barbed wire to a yield monitor, multiple contributions to modern agriculture have been invented in DeKalb County. Now anyone interested can learn about both innovations near where they were invented.
The marker honoring the invention of the yield monitor has a home on the Faivre family farm on the south side of Fairview Drive near Nelson Road in DeKalb.
Faivre said some of the county’s residents contributed to their success.
“The community we’ve been raised in is a lot of what supports this,” Faivre said. “And I remember there was a lot of people who kind of doubted what we were doing and said, ‘You guys are nuts. Why would you want to do that?’ But there were a lot of people that were enthused about it and were very supportive.”
Learn how to sniff out election disinformation at Sept. 25 panel
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – DeKalb County residents are invited to attend a virtual panel ahead of the November election to learn more about secure elections and how to detect disinformation.
The online event, dubbed Election Integrity vs. Election Disinformation: What Can You Do, will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 25. It will be hosted by the League of Women Voters of DeKalb County and WNIJ, part of Northern Public Radio.
The panel will be live-streamed via WNIJ for all who wish to tune in live. Submit questions for the panelists at wnij.org/election, or watch the livestream the night of at wnij.org.
Participants include DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder Tasha Sims and Matt Dietrich, spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Dietrich is expected to discuss steps the state has taken to improve election security. Sims will talk about local election security, according to the League.
Election officials across the state have assured voters in years past that their tallies are safe and securely counted, following a 2016 data breach before the 2016 general election that was linked to the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation into Russian meddling of U.S. elections, The Associated Press reported.
Officials discovered in summer 2016 that a hacker had downloaded information on up to 76,000 Illinois voters in what federal authorities allege was a concentrated attack by Russian intelligence agents, but whether they penetrated states other than Illinois was never determined.
State officials notified those affected and there’s no indication that voting that fall was affected.
The state of Illinois has spent millions in the almost 10 years since shoring up election system security, and working with clerks in towns and cities across the state on messaging to assure voters their ballot is safe to cast.
• The Associated Press contributed to this story.
LOOKING BACK
1924 – 100 YEARS AGO
Mrs. Harriet E. Mayo, former owner of the home at First and Lincoln Highway that is now the property of the Elk’s club, will build another home, as near to the former residence as it is possible. Contracts were let last Saturday evening for the erection of a brick residence on North First Street, on the plot of ground that Mrs. Mayo retained when she sold the old residence to the Elk’s organization. Temporary building operations have already started, and workmen for Skoglund and Wedberg, the contractors, have already started uprooting the trees that are standing on the lawn to the north of Elk’s club. Building preparations will start as soon as the ground is prepared for the preliminary work.
Legion members of Sycamore, who are planning to attend the big reunion in Elgin, Sept. 27 and 28, are informed that a greased pig coated with more grease than any pig ever before let loose, will be one of the entertaining features of the reunion. In order to select the meeting place for next year, representatives of each town will make an effort to catch the pig. From the word go until the pig is caught, 5,000 members of the infantry association are expected to enjoy the entertainment. The town whose representative catches the pig will be awarded with the reunion next year.
City workmen have nearly completed the work of removing the old Sycamore-DeKalb street car tracks in the eastern section of the city. The work on 13th Street has been completed, much to the satisfaction of the residents and at the present time the gang of men is on Pleasant Street. It is thought that the men will finish on Pleasant Street today, following which Oak and Fourth street will be given attention. These two streets are both in serious condition and in need of attention.
Building activities in DeKalb have not taken a decided slump even with the approach of cold weather and estimates made by the leading contractors and supply men of this city show that there are about 48 new houses being constructed in DeKalb at the present time.
Thirty-two girls, all members of the Elk’s Popularity contest, today started out an extensive search for a mysterious man said to have a sum of money that he will give to the first girl that asks him to
buy a ticket. That person will be on the streets tonight and every day until he is stopped by one of the contestants.
1949
– 75 YEARS AGO
Chauncey B. Watson, prominent local cattle feeder, has been appointed a member of the International Committee on Agriculture and Conservation of Kiwanis International. Watson, who has been active in Kiwanis activities for many years, has served as lieutenant governor of district five and has been a member of numerous committees. The annual Kiwanis Farm Tour which is sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club each year has been made possible mostly through his efforts.
At 2 o’clock on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 25, clocks in DeKalb will be rolled back one hour as Central Standard Time becomes the official time of the city for the next seven months. DeKalb and most of the cities in northern Illinois have been on daylight time for the past five months and all will be returning to standard time Sept. 25.
It is not some altar being raised to worship the sun, but rather a tower of progress. The tower, constructed of concrete is one of a chain across the nation. This one is located south and west of Malta, north of Lee, and extends 120 feet in the air. It is sighted to the northeast on another tower between DeKalb and St. Charles, and points toward another tower south and to the west. They are designed to serve as
Civilian pilot Emmett Kay, the last known American prisoner of war in Indochina, emerged tanned, relaxed and smiling from 16 months of captivity today and reported there are no more U.S. POWs left in Laos.
DeKalb County Exports Inc. helps to feed a hungry world. Situated in DeKalb and surrounded by some of the richest farmland in the world, this export company is one of many in Illinois responsible for getting harvested crops from the Midwestern fields to the foreign markets.
television relay stations carrying the picture impulses in steps across the entire nation.
The cafeteria style chicken and ham supper given Thursday evening by the members of the Hinckley Ladies Aid Society of the Immanuel Lutheran Church was enjoyed by over 300 persons.
Secretary of State Edward J. Barrett again reminds motorists that driver’s licenses in Illinois are now one dollar instead of the former 50 cents.
Traffic was handsomely snarled up in the Sycamore business district last night by football fans. Sycamore High School students and fans held a pop meeting early in the evening and wound up with a snake dance afoot and in automobiles down State Street and back with horns blowing and youngsters yelling. The snake dance was enlivened with a parade of cars from DeKalb all blowing horns and yelling the Barb battle songs at the Sycamore boys and girls.
Aid was provided in August to 46 children in 18 families in DeKalb County under the aid to dependent children program in Illinois.
1974 – 50 YEARS AGO
Agriculture Department officials Tuesday served notice they plan to file claims against the state of Illinois for issuing too many free “bonus” food stamps to welfare recipients beginning Sept. 1 in defiance of federal instructions.
DeKalb residents who want to hold a wrestling match in their backyard may not know they have to pay a $5 city fee to hold the event. Or for that matter, the NIU Huskie football team probably isn’t aware the city could charge a $5 fee for each home game. These are some of the “dozens and dozens” of charges and fees that City Manager Don Crawford would like to get straightened out.
1999 – 25 YEARS AGO
DeKalb’s North First Street reconstruction is ahead of schedule and should be finished before its Dec. 1 deadline. North First Street, between Buena Vista Drive and Coltonville Road, is being rebuilt and widened as part of a joint project between the City of DeKalb and the county.
Sycamore’s Inaugural Historic Walk will be held Saturday to celebrate the completion of the city’s historical tour program. The Kishwaukee Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring the guided tour of some of the more than 30 stops on the overall tour. Even though brochures have advertised the walk for months, the first phase of the program is just now being finished.
Micro Solutions Inc., a DeKalb-based manufacturer of computer equipment, has settled its patent infringement lawsuit against industry giant Hewlett-Packard. In the settlement agreement, Hewlett-Packard admits patent infringement and acknowledges the validity of Micro Solutions patents relating to parallel-port-attach mass storage devices, according to Ron Proesel, president of Micro Solutions and the inventor of the technology.
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center
Nehring Electrical Works, which previously was the Jacob Haish Wire Factory, at Sixth Street and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb is seen looking north from the parking lot of the new post office in November 1975.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Health Department to offer flu vaccines beginning Sept. 16
DeKALB – The DeKalb County Health Department will offer walk-in flu vaccines to residents to prepare for flu season.
The vaccines are intended for residents ages 6 months and older and will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Residents can receive vaccines for the H1N1, H3N2 and B/Victoria lineage flu viruses.
Children ages 18 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian or parent.
Medicaid, Medicare Part B and most PPO insurance plans will be accepted.
Participants must bring a photo ID and all insurance cards.
Tips to prevent the flu include:
• Get an annual flu vaccine
• Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Clean and disinfect surfaces
• Cough into elbows instead of hands; avoid close contact with sick people; and
stay home for at least 24 hours after being sick.
For information, visit illinois.gov, health. dekalbcounty.org/services/fluvaccinations or health.dekalbcounty.org.
Sycamore library group to hold used book sale Sept. 27 and 28
SYCAMORE – The Friends of the Sycamore Library will hold a used-book sale to help improve the library’s facilities, services and resources.
The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 27 and 28 at the Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St. Sale items include gently used romance, mystery and history books; cookbooks; audiobooks; CDs; and DVDs. Prices range from 25 cents to $3.
The Friends of the Sycamore Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the library in various ways.
For information, email friendsofthesycamorelibrary@gmail.com.
– Shaw Local News Network
ROBERT “BOB” SCHMIDT
Born: February 7, 1947
Died: August 31, 2024
Robert “Bob” Edward Schmidt, 77, of Cortland, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Bob was born February 7, 1947, in Sycamore, Illinois, to Ernest Arthur Schmidt and Hilda Simpson Schmidt.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Palinkas ViPond Schmidt; his children Shaun (Beth) ViPond, Chad “Chief” ViPond, Barbara Schmidt Erdmier, Michael Schmidt; his grandchildren Hannah (Brian) Ritter, Samantha (Aaron) Schultz, Cody ViPond, Alexandra Erdmier, Noah ViPond, Tori Schmidt, and Macy Schmidt; his great-grandchildren Lilith Ritter and Barret Ritter; his sister Bonnie (Charlie) Schmidt Meier; his sisters-in-law Rita (Michael) Aldrich, Rhonda (Michael) Cohen; and
many nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, his ConTel family, and his Buena Vista Senior Golf League buddies.
He grew up in Cortland, Illinois, where he played little league baseball and attended the local Cortland school.
Bob attended DeKalb High School where he continued to play baseball and was on the football team. He graduated with the class of 1965. Bob worked at his family-owned “Schmidt’s General Store,” throughout high school. Following high school, Bob worked at FC Grocery in DeKalb until he was drafted into the United States Army. He was discharged in November 1967 and for his honorable service, Bob earned the National Defense Service Medal.
Following his military service, Bob was blessed with his two children Barbara (Bomber) and Michael (Mr. Peabody). After his divorce from Barbara and Michael’s mother, Bob spent his time working at the grocery store and bowling in many leagues. On one occasion, he proudly bowled a perfect 300 game.
He met the love of his life and his wife of 48 years, Sandi, on the dance floor at McCabes. Their time dating was spent dancing, dancing, and more dancing. Together, they won
many dance contests. They married in July 1976 and Bob gained two more sons, Shaun (Big Bud) and Chad (Little Bud). Bob loved being a dad to all four kids. He coached little league, followed and photographed their games, and was their biggest cheerleader. Bob was a great dad but an even better grandpa, or “Bumpa Bob” as his grandsons called him. Just as he did with his own kids, Bob attended his grandchildren’s sports competitions every chance he had. He and Sandi regularly planned activities that catered to the grandkids’ interests. He took them fishing, golfing, bowling, shopping, and out to dinner.
Family was everything to Bob and his idea of family extended to his close friends and coworkers. Bob worked for ConTel and retired from Verizon Wireless in February 2009. Over the years at the phone company, he made many great friends. He also had great friends on his Buena Vista Senior Golf league. He was part of several organizations including DeKalb High School Boosters and he was the Cortland Cemetery President. Bob was known for being very funny, hardworking, loving, and proud of his loved ones. While reflecting on their marriage, Sandi says one of the things she will miss the
most about Bob is laughing with him. He was incredibly hardworking and that did not slow down after he retired. He enjoyed spending time with his family, woodworking, caning, tending to his yard, completing projects for Sandi, and watching his beloved Chicago Cubs. Later in life, he stuck true to his vows “in sickness and in health,” and he became Sandi’s caretaker. Above all, Bob will be best remembered as a loving and proud son, husband, brother, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, family member, friend, co-worker, and member of the community.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ernie and Hilda Schmidt and his son-in-law, Jeff Erdmier.
The Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb. Private burial of cremated remains will be at Elmwood Cemetery, in Sycamore with Full Military Honors by the Sycamore American Legion. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 12:00 noon, at the funeral home. Bob’s family invites you to arrive in casual wear and suggests any Cubs-themed or golf attire.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.
1/18 & 19/25
Private Concealed
We are offering “Countering The Mass Shooter Threat” classes which are designed for every House of Worship, School, Business and Family. Please contact us for further information and/or scheduling dates. These classes can be taught at any location
Please call or e-mail for further information. See website for detailed description of all classes
Police: More than a dozen DeKalb businesses sold alcohol to minors
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – More than a dozen DeKalb businesses recently sold alcohol to minors, DeKalb police said last week, citing compliance checks conducted at 34 establishments.
The DeKalb Police Department released results of alcohol compliance checks conducted Aug. 28 and Sept. 4 on businesses that hold city-issued liquor licenses. Checks are done by undercover police officers. Police said they’re meant to prevent underage drinking. Businesses found in violation were cited by DeKalb police for selling alcohol to minors and given a violation notice to appear for a city administrative hearing, according to a news release.
DeKalb Police Cmdr. Chad McNett said the most recent compliance check showed nine out of 16 investigated businesses failed.
“We will continue these compliance checks regularly to remind both licensees and our community how serious we are about strict enforcement,” McNett said in the release. “To have nine out of 16 businesses fail this most recent compliance check is disappointing. There is still work to do in the world of prevention around minors’ access to alcohol. The seven licensees who passed this compliance check demonstrated that carding those who try to purchase alcohol in DeKalb is a top priority. We commend them for upholding the law and putting the safety of our youth first.”
Businesses that failed Aug. 28 check
• Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway
• Fushi Yami, 822 W. Lincoln Highway
• Lucky Poker, 3260 Sycamore Road
Sept. 4 check
• Chili’s Grill and Bar, 2370 Sycamore Road
• Los Rancheros, 2450 Sycamore Road
• Zana’s Wood Fire Pizza, 1406 Sycamore Road
• DeKalb Liquor Mart, 1352 E. Dresser Road
• Rosita’s Mexican Restaurant, 642 E. Lincoln Highway
• The Flame, 209 E. Lincoln Highway
• American Liquors, 159 W. Lincoln Highway
• Thirsty Liquors, 1039 W. Hillcrest Drive
• Huskies Discount Liquor, 1030 Arcadia Drive
Businesses that passed Aug. 28 check
• Shelby’s, 2581 Sycamore Road
• Suzi’s Slots, 2410 Sycamore Road
• Lucky Poker, 1812 Sycamore Road
• Charley’s Gaming & Rum Bucket Bar, 1792 Sycamore Road
• Mardi Gras Lanes, 1730 Sycamore Road
• Athena’s Palace, 1704 Sycamore Road
• Chips, 122 E. Hillcrest Drive
• Sullivan’s Tavern Bar, 722 E. Lincoln Highway
• KJ’s Tap and Grill, 518 E. Lincoln Highway
• La Calle Bar and Music Venue, 263 E. Lincoln Highway
• Hometown Sports Bar & Grill, 241 E. Lincoln Highway
• El Jimador Mexican Grill, 260 E. Lincoln Highway
• Maisy’s, 854 S. Fourth St.
• Molly’s Eatery and Drinkery, 1000 W. Lincoln Highway
• Jazzy’s Spot, 870 W. Lincoln Highway
Sept. 4 check
• Buffalo Wild Wings, 2466 Sycamore Road
• The Grove Tavern, 204 N. Fourth St.
• Twin Liquor Store, 1016 S. Fourth St.
• DeKalb Liquor, 444 E. Lincoln Highway
• Tapa La Luna, 226 E. Lincoln Highway
• Lord Stanley’s and the Annex, 142 E. Lincoln Highway
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Kishwaukee College to offer
Workplace Readiness Training
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
MALTA – Kishwaukee College will offer Workplace Readiness Training for local businesses and employees to support expanding workforces.
The free training is available through the Illinois Community College Board Noncredit Workforce Training Grant.
“Kishwaukee College is excited to offer this program to support local employers. These self-paced courses provide opportunities for employees to refresh essential skills needed for success in any work environment,” associate vice president of college relations LaCretia Konan said in a news release.
The goal is to increase employer-need responsiveness and reduce
workforce shortages. The grant also will help build capacity and strengthen community colleges’ noncredit workforce training impact.
The training will last 10 to 15 hours online and be provided through Pathful Explorer, an interactive platform. Participants can complete the training at their own pace amd receive a micro-credential and completion certificate.
Attendees are encouraged to work with their human resources representative or employer for training coordination.
The college also will provide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility topics training and Business Growth Academy classes.
For information or to register, visit kish.edu/workforcedevelopment or kish.edu/sbdc.
Courtney Felder, Aolani Perez and Madison Rollins.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Kish College nursing students receive stethoscope award Kishwaukee College recently awarded the Littmann Stethoscope Award to five registered nursing program students for the fall semester.
The awards were presented by DeKalb’s 3M Community Support Group.
The recipients are Nia Burrows, Courtney Felder, Nick Hoffman, Aolani Perez and Madison Rollins. The students were awarded high-end stethoscopes created by the 3M Community Support Group.
The 3M Community Support Group has awarded Littmann stethoscopes to Kishwaukee nursing students since 2010.
For information, visit kish.edu/nursing or 3m.com.
Open poetry reading set for Sept. 21 in DeKalb
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host an open poetry reading on Sept. 21.
The reading will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the library’s lower-level Zimmerman Meeting Room, 309 Oak St. The event is intended for teens and adults.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a poem to share.
No registration is required.
For information, email brittak@dkpl. org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 2100.
– Shaw Local News Network
Photo provided by Kishwaukee College
Five registered nursing program students were awarded the Kishwaukee College Littmann Stethoscope Award for the fall semester. Pictured (from left) are Nick Hoffman, Nia Burrows,
DeKalb Chamber celebrates In and Out Cuts Barbershop expansion
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the expansion of In and Out Cuts Barbershop into DeKalb. Chamber staff, community and board members and ambassadors celebrated with a ribbon-cutting Aug. 8. In and Out Cuts Barbershop, 2331 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, is a bilingual barbershop that caters to clients from all areas of life. For information, call 815-5170816 or visit inandoutcuts.com.
Thank you to our presenting sponsors: SHAW MEDIA & META
Photo provided by DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
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