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NIU to close Lorado Taft Field Campus
By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com
OREGON – Northern Illinois University will close the Lorado Taft Field Campus in December because of “aging infrastructure” and increasing operational costs.
NIU’s Media Relations Department confirmed the decision Monday and said the 141-acre facility, located adjacent to Lowden State Park, north of Oregon, will close permanently Dec. 15.
“This was a difficult decision because Lorado Taft has been a favorite destination for members of our community as well as Illinois children and youth who have enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and camp facilities,” said Rena Cotsones, Ph.D. Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development.
The Lorado Taft Field Campus was originally part of the Wallace Heckman estate and Eagle’s Nest Art Colony that overlooks the Rock River Valley from a high vantage point on the east bank of the river. It is adjacent to Lowden State Park, which is the home of Lorado Taft’s Eternal Indian statue, commonly referred to as the Black Hawk Statue.
NIU acquired a portion of the Heckman estate in 1951, six years after Lowden State Park was created. NIU named the campus after Lorado Taft and ran it as a field campus offering outdoor education classes and camps for school children across northern Illinois.
NIU discontinued its outdoor education degree program in 1999, Costones said in the statement.
“Why Lorado Taft and why now?” Cotsones said. “Since it began operating as a youth camp when the university discontinued the Outdoor Education degree program in 1999, the operation of the facility has required significant financial backing. That support has climbed substantially as client preferences changed after
the pandemic. While the rustic buildings are picturesque, they are inefficient, antiquated and in need of costly repair. The aging infrastructure, including a wastewater treatment facility that has exceeded its functional lifespan, would require millions of dollars of investment to bring it to modern standards.”
Costones said that while the Taft Campus has been “a special place and has provided great outdoor experiences for generations of young people,” it no longer aligns with NIU’s “current mission and goals.”
“The university must invest its resources in programs and initiatives that more directly contribute to NIU student success and our other academic pri-
orities,” Cotsones said.
She said the majority of the Lorado Taft staff will be able to transfer to jobs on the DeKalb campus or at a regional center.
“We are working closely with all impacted employees and clients to help plan the best path forward possible,” she said. “If your personal experience with Lorado Taft has been enhanced by a Lorado Taft staff member, now would be a great time to reach out to let them know that their work was appreciated.”
When asked if NIU planned to sell the property, the media relations department replied: “University leaders are currently exploring options for future stewardship of this unique property.”
Paula Pacey decided she wasn’t done having children, even though she and her husband think they have enough. She’s contracted as a gestational surrogate for a Washington family. See story, page 6.
is important to The MidWeek. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411 or email at readit@midweeknews.com.
Photo provided by Paula Pacey
Earleen Hinton
The Taft Campus, located in Lowden State Park north of Oregon, has several buildings, some with exceptional views of the Rock River.
Master illusionist David Caserta to appear Oct. 6 at Egyptian Theatre
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The Egyptian Theatre will host “Haunted Illusions,” a performance by master illusionist David Caserta.
The show will be at 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at the theater, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb.
The performance will feature comedy, magic and illusions of levitation, audience participation, disappearing acts and reappearance.
Caserta is a touring master illusionist. He has performed on TV shows including “Penn and Teller: Fool Us” and “America’s Got Talent.”
Tickets cost $15 for children and $27 for everyone else. To buy tickets, visit the Egyptian Theatre box office, call 815-758-1225 or visit egyptiantheatre.org.
The Egyptian Theatre is owned and operated by Preservation of Egyptian Theatre Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services begin Oct. 2
DeKALB – The Congregation Beth Shalom in DeKalb will hold Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services led by Rabbi Brandon Bernstein and cantorial soloist Zachary Weiss.
The services will be at the synagogue, 820 Russell Road, DeKalb.
Rosh Hashanah services begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2. The services feature music by the congregation’s Koleynu choir, directed by Harvey Blau. The Rosh Hashanah services also will be at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 3. A less formal service is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 4. The shofar will be blown at morning services.
The Kol Nidre service begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 and includes the Koleynu choir. The Yom Kippur morning service is set for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 12 and features the Yizkor memorial service. Yom Kippur services also will be held at 6 p.m. and conclude with a final shofar blast and Havdallah.
The services also will be streamed online via Zoom. To request a link, email President@BethShalomDeKalb.org. For information, visit BethShalom DeKalb.org.
– Shaw Local News Network
Photo provided by the Egyptian Theatre
The Egyptian Theatre in downtown DeKalb presents Haunted Illusions featuring master illusionist David Caserta at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.
Discover local history at Elmwood Cemetery Walk
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – DeKalb County is home to a wide variety of interesting local history stories. One great way to discover some of these unique stories is by visiting area cemeteries. The DeKalb County History Center will host its annual Cemetery Walk, “Etched in Stone,” at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.
“Cemetery walks are very popular programs,” Michelle Donahoe, history center executive director, said in a news release. “These types of events require months of research, but they are very rewarding as these presentations provide an opportunity to share details about our community that may have been forgotten over the years.”
The program traditionally starts at the Mourning House with a welcome and overview of Elmwood Cemetery’s history. Visitors then are led to stops throughout the cemetery to discover these fascinating stories.
This year, several members of the same family will be highlighted: the Hood family – Capt. John Hood Luther, Capt. James Madison Hood (Lincoln’s consul to the Court of Siam) and Sarah Augusta Botsfield Brown; the Petrie family – Leonard Petrie, Martha Wilson Petrie, John Robert Petrie, Grover Petrie, and Clarence Petrie; the Byrd family – Eatterson Byrd Sr., Corp. Eatterson Byrd Jr. and Edna Julia Davis; the Wood family – Zachariah Wood and Henry Wood, and Donald “Sleepy” Holmes.
The program is led by a core of dedicated volun -
teers including representatives from Brig. Gen. E. F. Dutton Camp 49 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
There is a $5 charge. Call 815-895-5762 or visit dekalbcountyhistory.org for more information.
Kelsey Rettke file photo
Joe McCormick, a Sycamore High School history teacher, speaks at the 2023 Etched in Stone Cemetery Walk at Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore. This year’s program will be Sunday, Oct. 6.
October Grow Mobile food pantry dates listed
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Rooted For Good, formerly DeKalb County Community Gardens, released a list of October locations for Grow Mobile, a mobile food pantry that offers free food and household items to all who visit, no requirements necessary.
Rooted For Good 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 October:
• 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Hinckley First United Methodist Church, 801 N. Sycamore St., Hinckley.
• 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Malta Historical Society, 127 N. Third St., Malta.
• 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 3 at University Vil-
lage Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• Oct. 8 at Family Service Agency, 1325 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.
• 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Cortland Lions Club Shelter, 70 S. Llanos St., Cortland.
• 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 at University Village Apartments, 722 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 3:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Malta Historical and Genealogical Society, 127 N. Third St., Malta.
• 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 340 W. Arnold Road, Sandwich.
• 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 24 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
• 2:30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Windmill Building parking lot, 2733 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
‘A Taste of Kenya’ event set for Oct. 12 in DeKalb DeKALB – The Friends of Jane Adeny Memorial School (JAMS) will host “A Taste of Kenya” event to celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary.
The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 12 at Faranda’s, 302 Grove St., DeKalb.
There will be a silent auction, Kenyan food, an African wax fabric quilt raffle and Kenyan market items. Music will be performed by Off the Vine. The event also will address JAMS’s scholarships, school and athletic supplies, laptop and internet access and updated science supplies expansion needs.
Proceeds will support JAMS’s sustainability initiatives.
JAMS in Kenya provides high school education to all students. The school opened in 2011 and currently serves 196 students. The campus features 15 buildings with electricity, running water, computer labs, the Sparks Science building and a library of 10,000 books. The school teaches traditional studies, sustainable agricultural practices and business skills through the greenhouses, dairy, poultry building, piggery and bakery.
Tickets for A Taste of Kenya cost $50 in advance or $60 at the event. To buy tickets, visit shorturl.at/oB87T or send a check via mail to P.O. Box 292, Sycamore, IL 60178.
Friends of JAMS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose goal is to raise fund, awareness and friends for JAMS.
For information, call 815-793-0950.
DeKalb church to host ‘Hope and Peace’ discussion
DeKALB – Westminster Presbyterian Church will host a presentation featuring international peacemaker Peter Michael Egwudah.
The free event will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
Egwudah will discuss how international peace activists are helping to transform violent culture into a peaceful community. A potluck dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m.
Egwudah is Nigeria’s Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication program coordinator. He also is vice chairman of the North East Civil Society Organization. For information, call 815-756-2905. – Shaw Local News Network
2023 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT #13425 35K Miles, Heated Seats, Remote Start, Driver’s Power Seat, Back Up
BIRTHING A BABY FOR SOMEONE ELSE COVER STORY
Kingston woman shares surrogacy journey with Washington couple
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
KINGSTON – When Paula Pacey gives birth in October, she won’t be taking the human she helped create home, but she knew that when she signed up to be a surrogate.
Instead, Pacey, 35, of Kingston, will be helping others welcome the miracle of life into their home: A married couple from Washington will have their first child through Pacey’s surrogacy. Already a mother of five, Pacey, who works as a nurse in Rockford, is nine months pregnant.
She has no genetic link to the child she’s carrying, according to New York-based Brownstone, the surrogate agency that facilitated the contract between her and the couple she’s helping start a family.
“I didn’t really feel like I was done having kids,” Pacey said. “My husband and I didn’t want any kids. So I am happy to do this again for somebody else to be able to have a child and experience the joy that I have and Chad has in our kids.”
As a result of Pacey’s efforts, Jeff Shiff and SoonKyu “SK” Park, a married couple that recently moved to Washington, will soon welcome their first child into the world. They plan to be present at the birth in DeKalb County.
In a text message with Shaw Local News Network, Shiff said he was feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness, what he imagines any soonto-be dad feels.
“I just keep telling myself I’ll roll with it and figure it out as we go along. So all the normal things any first-time dad would be feeling,” Shiff wrote.
Brownstone only facilitates gestation surrogacy, where the intended parents create embryos from their own sperm or egg, or those of donors. The embryo that was created is then transferred into the surrogate’s uterus through in vitro fertilization. A traditional surrogate would be artificially inseminated but use her own egg, meaning the baby would have a genetic connection to the surrogate.
Pacey, who’s being compensated tens of thousands of dollars for her labor, said she thought being a surrogate “would be a good way to help”
those who aren’t able to have a child.
“I love my kids so much and I cannot imagine life without them,” Pacey said. “I do have a real understanding about the fact that there are people out there who struggle and try everything and cannot have a child.”
Jarret Zafran, founder and executive director at Brownstone, and his husband have two daughters through surrogacy. He said that experience inspired him to create the agency alongside a co-director who’s twice been a surrogate.
“We come to this professionally but also from a personal point of view,” Zafran said. “What surrogacy agencies do essentially, at their core, is a match-making service.”
Zafran said of the women willing to be surrogates, only about 5% are eligible. That leaves people who choose to turn to surrogacy for family planning with long waits before find-
ing a match.
Those couples often are cancer survivors, those who’ve had hysterectomies, multiple failed pregnancies, or are men, Zafran said. That doesn’t cover everyone, though.
“I give those as examples but I have clients who fit every one of those descriptors that have been on the fertility journey for a decade at times before turning to surrogacy,” Zafran said. “Or who are just really excited that this is an opportunity for them because they always knew this was their path to parenthood.”
Shiff said he and his husband couldn’t have imagined anyone better than Pacey and her husband, Chad, to go through the surrogacy journey together.
He still remembers how nervous they were before their first video call with the Kingston couple.
“We could tell they were feeling
the same,” Schiff texted. “The generosity of Paula, Chad, their entire family, their friends and their extended network means so much to us. They are helping provide such a gift that when SK and I were growing up, we could’ve never even imagined it was an option for us.”
Pacey, a former Chicago Marathon runner, said she’s happy with her decision to help Shiff and Park become dads. She just wishes the sum of her daily activity wasn’t a 20-minute walk.
“The experience really has been great,” Pacey said. “Not exercising like I planned has not been the happiest moment for me, but I’m also OK with it, and I understand it happens. But otherwise, everything’s been good. It’s been a very healthy pregnancy. I think the relationship with the dads is great and I’m excited for them to be fathers.”
Photo provided by Paula Pacey
Paula Pacey, 35, of Kingston is helping two men in Washington have a child. After nine months of pregnancy, she said she’s expected to give birth in October.
A home is moved to 708 Somonauk St. in Sycamore in this historical photo. Learn more about the DeKalb County History Center’s Historic Homes Tour during the Oct. 3 Brown Bag/Local Lore program.
LOCAL
SYCAMORE – Get a sneak peek of this year’s Pumpkin Fest Historic Homes Tour at the October hybrid Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore program at the DeKalb County History Center.
The free lecture will be at noon Oct. 3 online via Zoom and at the center, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore.
The House Walk Committee will discuss the tour’s featured homes as well as volunteer opportunities.
The Pumpkin Fest Historic Homes Tour’s theme is “On the Move” and features homes that previously were moved. The tour will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Tickets are available to buy beginning Oct. 15.
“This year we are highlighting homes that were moved, and as you
can imagine, each home has a fascinating and unique history,” DeKalb County History Center Executive Director Michelle Donahoe said in a news release. “This year, the History Center has a special connection to the theme as we are working with Habitat for Humanity to move the Hired Man’s House on the museum’s property.”
The program is part of Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore, a free lecture series offered as part of a collaboration between the DeKalb County History Center and the Ellwood House Museum.
Registration is encouraged. Visit dekalbcountyhistory.org and scroll down to “Upcoming Events.”
Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore is funded in part by the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Fund.
For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org or call 815-895-5762.
Photo provided
Shabbona Lake State Park campground to close temporarily
SPRINGFIELD – The campground at Shabbona Lake State Park will be closed beginning Nov. 1 to accommodate the replacement of vault toilets at the site.
The campground is expected to be closed through April 30, according to a news release.
The work is part of an ongoing effort by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to improve Illinois state parks. Work will begin in the portion of the park used during the day and move into the campground in November.
The campground will be closed to ensure the safety of the public while work crews remove the old units and replace them with new ones, according to the release.
Online camping reservations will be available for 2025 beginning May 1. For information about the closure, call the park at 815-824-2106.
Waterman church to hold drive-thru dinner Oct. 4
WATERMAN – Waterman United Methodist Church will partner with Wild Carrot Cooking Co. to host a drive-thru dinner fundraiser Oct. 4.
The fundraiser will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Wild Carrot Cooking Co., 228 W. Lincoln Highway in Waterman.
Participants can buy prepackaged dinners. The meals include a pulled beef sandwich with optional giardiniera, supreme Italian pasta salad and a Scotch-a-roo.
The dinners cost $14.
IVT to present ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’
SANDWICH – Indian Valley Theatre will open its next production, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” on Oct. 11.
The play tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a new schoolmaster in the village of Sleepy Hollow. His smug correctness casts a pall over the townsfolk, but his hymn singing and manners 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 the Van Tassel’s Halloween party, after which Crane is accosted by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
The cast includes Aaron Flynn as Ichabod Crane, Zach Yates as Brom Bones, Jim Steadman as Baltus Van Tassel, Amy Hamilton as Dame Marta Van
Tassel, Lu McAllister as Katrina Van Tassel, Nick Bantz-Beaty as Hans Van Ripper, Kate Yun as Dame Hilda Van Ripper, Michele Wade as Grandmother, Taylor Komes as Margaret Van Ripper, Caitlyn Roberson as Gretchen Van Ripper, Greg Peterson as Peter Vedder, Jacob Baumet as Nicholas, Wren Winner as Diedrich, Savannah Komes as Christian, Jayce Malone as Rolf, Reagan Jones as Beatrice, Charlotte Grandgeorge as Kid, Zoie Wisniewski as Kid, Sarah Stathis as Townsfolk and Elizabeth Pickett as Townsfolk.
The production will be directed by Jen Ketchum and Brittany Watne and produced by Jessica Sus.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Sandwich Opera House, 140 E. Railroad St.
Tickets cost $15. They can be purchased at indianvalleytheatre.com or the opera house’s box office.
Indian Valley Theatre is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the appreciation and development of the performing arts in the Fox Valley area.
For information, email info@indianvalleytheatre.com or jenketchum0601@ gmail.com or send a message on the IVT Facebook page.
‘Eat your Words’ poetry event set for Oct. 3 in Sycamore SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County History Center will host an “Eat your Words” poetry event for patrons to listen to poems inspired by food, food traditions and sharing meals.
The free event will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at the history center, 1730 N. Main St., Sycamore.
“I am thrilled to explore some of the topics featured in the exhibit through poetry,” DeKalb County History Center Executive Director Michelle Donahoe said in a news release. “This exhibit provides us with a springboard into deeper conversations, and these local poets will bring a fresh perspective of how we think about food.”
Attendees can listen to and discuss the poems with poets John Bradley, Joe Gastiger, Susan Azar Potterfield and Marilyn Cleland.
Light refreshments will be served. Signed book copies also will be available.
Registration is required. Visit dekalbcountyhistory.org and scroll down to “Upcoming Events.”
For information, call 815-895-5762. – Shaw Local News Network
LOOKING BACK
1924 – 100 YEARS AGO
Although Mr. Sparks of the Chicago office of the Vassar-Swiss factory would make no promises as to when the factory would again open in DeKalb, he did not state that it would be permanently closed. Mr. Sparks was here yesterday in conference with businessmen of this city, who are interested in the opening of the factory that gave employment to many young women of this city.
Although it was not possible to obtain any definite information late this afternoon, it is understood that a jeweler of DeKalb was the victim of a check forger who worked DeKalb and Sycamore last week. It is understood that the gentleman purchased a watch from a jeweler of DeKalb and gave a check for the purchase price amounting to a little over $120. If the man used the same tactics that were employed in Sycamore, he showed a deposit slip on a Denver bank clearly showing he had plenty of money. The checks in Sycamore have returned from the bank marked forgery.
The Lincoln Way Account Adjusting agency opened for business and reports a good initial business with excellent prospects. The headquarters for the agency are located in the Wright building on North Third Street and a wellequipped and thoroughly systematized office is in operation there. As the name indicates, the agency is one for the collection of bad accounts and does in addition a general credit rating business. It will fill a long-felt want for the local businessmen.
According to word from Springfield, the ballot to be used at the coming general election will be a considerable document although not as large as the one voted by the electors in the recent primary. It is stated that the ballot for the election will be about 2 feet wide and 3 feet long. In addition, there will be several smaller ballots on which the voters will vote on the special propositions submitted to them for their approval.
Comment concerning the new theater proposition, which was just brought to Sycamore a few days ago, has been heard on all parts of the street. It is understood the men backing the plan request no aid from Sycamore but plan to erect the building and then lease it to a firm of Chicago producers who are
conducting shows throughout the state. H.B. Fargo, of Geneva, who has just completed the Fargo Theatre in Geneva, which has been taken over by the Polka Brothers, is the man who has been discussing the situation in Sycamore.
1949 – 75 YEARS AGO
With promise that all the hot rod experts of last week will be back on the circle again, race fans of the DeKalb area are anticipating a first-class afternoon of dirt raising at the Prather oval Sunday. With the season wearing well into the concluding weeks, the track is becoming a well-grooved route for some of the drivers and they are making use of their hard-earned knowledge in hitting extreme speeds. Skids around the turns are becoming a highly polished art and the new result is more thrills and close calls for the enjoyment of the fans.
Farmers around Sycamore for the past two days have been busily engaged in the task of filling their silos. The work was delayed until the first signs of frost, but since Monday morning, the silo filling gangs have been hard at work. Two gangs have been working on farms between DeKalb and Sycamore and from reports there are many other crews finding plenty to do in all directions from the county seat.
Two trucks bearing the equipment for glass repairmen this morning were at the First Baptist Church and the experts were making the necessary repairs on the huge stained-glass windows of the edifice. It was found necessary to take
President Ford has volunteered to testify before congressmen and answer questions about his pardon of Richard Nixon.
Doris Riippi recorded the top women’s high game score this season by rolling a 257 in the Trio Mixed League. Riippi also had a 772 four-game series. Barb Lynch had a 239 high game in the same league and Vern Gates turned in a 232.
Smiles and laughter were in abundance last night at the opening show of the Rev. Ed Sornberger and family puppet show at the State Jesus Center in Sycamore. The show will continue through Friday, with emphasis on Bible teachings and modern-day morality lessons.
down the huge window on the west side of the building, and when thoroughly cleaned, repaired and re-leaded, will again be placed in position. The men in charge expect to finish the work by this evening.
Very good progress on the erection of the new Baptist church is reported by the contractors, and with the steel shipment expected in a few days no delay in the work should occur. Word was received today that the steel has been shipped and should arrive in DeKalb in a few days. The first-story work has been completed and the erection of the steel framework for the second story has commenced. Much interest is being taken in the work by the members of the congregation who are eagerly awaiting the completion of their new building.
Workmen a few days ago started excavation for an addition to the North Side garage that will give the Wyllys-Knight salesmen double the space that they now have. The work will be rushed as the garage is in need of the added space.
1974 – 50 YEARS AGO
A makeshift cab service is operating in DeKalb. It replaces Aquarius Cab Co., the city’s only cab firm, which went out of business Monday. The operation has one driver and is headquartered in the Older Adult Activity Center at Seventh Street and Lincoln Highway.
In a gesture not made by an American president for more than 100 years,
The way is clear for DeKalb Township to construct its long-planned Annie Glidden Road extension from Taylor Street to the west interchange of the tollway.
1999 – 25 YEARS AGO
Clutching her purse, an older woman walked shyly past two vendors who offered her a free bag of popcorn, seeming confused when the two men didn’t ask for anything in return. One woman left her workplace across the street after seeing the red-and-gold cart to buy a bag of popcorn, shocked when she realized it was free. Beginning their first “Random Acts of Kindness” month, Genoa Main Street and the Genoa Chamber of Commerce gathered downtown Friday in the spirit of altruism.
Sunday afternoon will mark the return of the Northern Illinois University Homecoming parade. Event organizers hope this year’s parade is a rebirth of campus and community spirit.
At the height of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation that authorized the purchase of land for national cemeteries. The latest of these burial grounds will be dedicated on Sunday on 982 acres south of Joliet in the name of the man who decided there should be national cemeteries “for soldiers who shall have died in the service of the country.” “It is fitting that what is projected to be one of the most active national cemeteries carries the name of Abraham Lincoln, the founder of our system of national cemeteries for veterans.”
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by DeKalb County History Center
The then newly completed Lucinda Avenue bridge, adjacent to the campus of Northern Illinois State College (now Northern Illinois University), is pictured looking northwest in 1955.
Lucinda Avenue bridge reopens in DeKalb
Bridge replacement work completed, according to city
By KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Long-awaited bridge work on Lucinda Avenue has been completed, and the newly reconstructed bridge is open for traffic in DeKalb.
City officials confirmed the project completion in a social media post on Sept. 20.
“The City would like to thank the community for its patience during construction,” staff wrote.
Traffic could be seen using the bridge on Sept. 22. The nearby sidewalk also is walkable, and the traffic detour has been lifted.
The replacement of the 70-year-old bridge over the Kishwaukee River initially began in the spring of 2023 and was expected to be done in October 2023. Continual delays that city staff said were because of complications with the utility companies pushed the timeline back.
The city also replaced the bridge over the river on First Street, which reopened in December 2023, also later than anticipated.
Most of the project costs were covered by federal dollars, city documents show. The joint bridge replacement work cost about $5.6 million, funded by about $4.5 million in federal dollars and $1.1 million from local state tax revenue from motor fuel sales, according to the city.
Kelsey Rettke
A car travels across the Lucinda Avenue bridge near Northern Illinois University campus in DeKalb on Sept. 22
Mark Busch file photo
Heather Edwards, program director at Walnut Grove Vocational Farm, gives a tour of the facility in Kirkland to Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs during a visit in 2022 to announce the awarding of a grant to DeKalb County Community Gardens from the Illinois Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund.
Rooted for Good sprouts new name, same mission
DeKalb County Community Gardens rebranded
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – DeKalb County Community Gardens has rebranded and now will be known as Rooted for Good, but the organization’s services will remain the same.
Heather Edwards, executive director of the organization, confirmed the rebrand. The food provider’s services have grown beyond DeKalb County.
“The new name better reflects the organization’s commitment to ending hunger, empowering individuals through education and growing community through engaging with others,” Edwards wrote in an email.
Rooted for Good has distributed more than 2 million pounds worth of food since it was founded in 2012. In 2023, more than 30,000 individuals were fed thanks to the organization’s efforts, according to Rooted for Good’s webpage.
The organization’s many branches, which help grow produce and support area communities, also will undergo a name change. Walnut Grove Vocational Farm is now called Rooted for Good Kirkland. Genoa Area Community Food Hub’s new name is Rooted for Good Genoa, according to the agen-
cy’s website.
The Grow Mobile, a mobile food pantry and the nonprofit’s flagship service that provides free food, produce and other items to communities across the region, will be headquartered at Rooted for Good DeKalb, the nonprofit’s home base warehouse. The nonprofit’s mission is to empower the public to access healthy, sustainably grown food while addressing the root causes of hunger.
How the organization acts on that mission is constantly evolving, however. Edwards wrote that Rooted for Good board members and staff decided upon a name they believe highlights what they seek to accomplish.
In an email with Shaw Local News Network, Edwards said the organization opted to changed its name because “DeKalb County Community Gardens has become much more than a garden which provides healthy food to neighbors.”
“Over the years, Rooted for Good has found additional ways to support the community,” Edwards wrote. “It launched a mobile food pantry and opened a brick-and-mortar food hub in Genoa. It expanded its learning opportunities, placed an educational coordinator in the DeKalb school district and created a vocational training program teaching skills in agriculture and horticulture to people with developmental disabilities.”
City grants $20K to Opportunity DeKalb for local entrepreneurs
Grants will go to Breakthrough Community Business Academy, meant to foster new business
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The city of DeKalb is looking to amplify its impact on the community by arming Opportunity DeKalb with more resources to train and support residents of the Annie Glidden North neighborhood as social entrepreneurs.
The city has allocated $20,000 through the the DeKalb County Com-
munity Foundation’s DeKalb County Economic Development Grant program, which ends on Dec. 31, 2024, city documents show.
“Here we are several years later, we’re approaching the deadline, and we have a very viable use for that money,” City Manager Bill Nicklas said.
In November 2023, the city granted $125,000 to Opportunity DeKalb to help with getting the Breakthrough Community Business Academy off the ground.
Opportunity DeKalb executive director Chad Glover said the business academy is off to a great start.
The first cohort started earlier this month with 10 participants, he said.
“We know based on the interest we
can sustain this in the future,” Glover said. “The city’s leadership has been really critical in supporting us. We know that we’ll be very competitive for state and federal grants and philanthropy. But one of things that those grantmakers look at is what kind of sustained local financial support do you have before they’re willing to issue those funds.
First Ward Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada questioned the value of what participants are getting from a 12-week course.
Glover said the marketplace estimate of the experience that participants are getting is valued at $3,000.
“One of the most important things for us as an organization was to make this accessible to people in our com -
munity,” Glover said. “One way we’re doing that is we’re committed that at least 75% of each cohort will be from low-to-moderate income backgrounds in terms of what our local definition is of that. ... We charged a one-time $50 fee for people to participate and that $50 will go toward putting on a graduation ceremony at the end of the cohort.”
Fifth Ward Alderman Andre Powell said that as an entrepreneur, he appreciates Glover and the Opportunity DeKalb Board’s effort to invest in the Annie Glidden North neighborhood.
“More programs like this is needed to support a self-sufficient individual,” Powell said. “I think it’s a great program.”
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Please call or e-mail for further information. See website for detailed description of all classes
Early voting for Nov. 5 election underway
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKalb County voters can head to the polls in person now that early voting is open for the Nov. 5 general election.
Voters will cast their ballots for the next U.S. president, choose who will represent them in Congress in Washington D.C., the General Assembly in Springfield and on the DeKalb County Board locally. Depending on where they live, voters also will have a chance to weigh on referendums including a countywide sales tax question.
Here’s what to know before you head to the polls:
Where can I vote early in person?
Voters can cast their ballots from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in person in the Gathertorium at the Legislative Center, 200 N. Main St., Sycamore. More locations will open Oct. 21. For information, visit dekalbcountyclerkil.gov.
How do I know if I’m registered to vote?
Unsure? Visit the State Board of Elec-
Call the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office to learn more at 815-895-7147.
Prospective voters also can register online or via mail. Visit dekalbcountyclerkil.gov/registration to learn more.
Can I still request a mail-in ballot?
Yes. The DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder’s Office is responsible for administering elections in DeKalb County and is the point of contact for all DeKalb County voters.
Vote-by-mail applications can be submitted 90 days before an election up through five days before election day, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
What if I’m not registered?
Can I still register to vote?
Yes. Illinois residents who are 18 or older can register to vote up to and on Election Day, Nov. 5. You can register in person at a multitude of locations, including the DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, many banks, public libraries, secretary of state’s offices, and your local municipal offices.
DeKalb County residents can look up their voter registration status, view a sample ballot, request a vote-by-mail ballot and check the status of that ballot through a voter information portal on the DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder’s Office website.
Where can I drop off my mail-in ballot?
A drop box for those who vote by mail will be positioned outside of the DeKalb County Administrative Build-
ing, 110 E. Sycamore St. in Sycamore for voters to cast their ballots safely and securely.
The box will be available 24/7 and is an alternate option for those who do not wish to mail their ballots back in to the clerk’s office.
DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder Tasha Sims has said the box, which will be placed in concrete, will have round-the-clock surveillance. The box also will be emptied daily by DeKalb County election officials. The security camera is connected to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
“We are committed to making voting as accessible as possible for our community, and installing this drop box is part of that effort,” Sims said in a news release.
“We encourage all eligible voters to take advantage of this convenient option and make their voices heard in this important upcoming election.”
Voters casting their vote-by-mail ballots should seal their filled out ballot in the provided envelope, sign it, and drop it off before 7 p.m. Nov. 5, Election Day, for it to count in the election.
Mark Busch file photo
Early voting is open at the DeKalb County Legislative Center in Sycamore.
DeKalb County referendum roundup
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKalb County voters in November will be asked to weigh in on a number of referendums that could decide the fate of future elected municipal offices and whether to impose a new sales tax to support schools, among others.
DeKalb County sales tax for schools
Voters will be asked whether they support a new 1% sales tax that would collect an estimated $10 million for public schools countywide. The referendum will be on every ballot. If passed, the tax would be imposed countywide and benefit school districts relative to their student population size, officials have said.
Dubbed the DeKalb County Area School Districts County School Facility Occupation Tax, school districts would have the option to impose an up to 1% tax on all items that already are taxed by municipal and county sales. Exceptions include cars, trucks, boats, mobile homes, farm equipment and various services, officials have said. Groceries and prescriptions also would not be taxed, according to the proposal.
Officials also are calling the proposal the “Penny Tax.”
Officials have said tax revenue collected could go toward buying new school buildings, or funding building renovations; land acquisitions; and building demolitions, according to Sycamore district documents. Improvements to technology infrastructure, parking lots, roofs and other aspects of school facilities could also come through the sales tax revenue.
The tax cannot be used to fund salaries or benefits, school buses, operating costs, or classroom equipment such as textbooks and computers, according to an info webpage from Genoa-Kingston School District 424.
Leading up to the election, school boards across the county approved placing the question to voters in a November referendum. DeKalb, Genoa-Kingston, Sycamore, Sandwich, Somonauk and Hiawatha were among those districts with school boards to support posing the question to voters.
DeKalb City Clerk: Elected or appointed?
For the third time in history, DeKalb city voters will be asked whether they want their city clerk to be an elected or appointed role. The question follows about a decade of turnover at city hall in the clerk’s role,
and the previous two city clerks who have each sued the City of DeKalb over various professional disputes.
If voters determine they still want an elected clerk, recent action by the DeKalb City Council means a new clerk, if elected in spring 2025, will not be paid a city salary. If the majority of voters back an appointed clerk, that position would be hired as a city employee.
The DeKalb City Clerk currently is a part-time position with a $8,000 annual salary.
Referendums in November 2006 and November 2012 also asked DeKalb voters if they preferred an appointed clerk over an elected one. Each of those times, the question asked if the city clerk should be appointed by the mayor with council consideration. Both times voters said no, according to election records from the DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
DeKalb’s most recent city clerk Sasha Cohen was ousted from his office by a DeKalb County judge earlier this year after repeated controversy. Circuit Court Chief Judge Bradley Waller ruled in March that Cohen had abandoned his role after he failed to file statements of economic interest for the past two years. The clerk, who didn’t provide comment during the judicial hearing, had been the center of years of scrutiny from city officials alleging he repeatedly failed to adequately perform the duties voters in 2021 elected him to do.
Sycamore City Clerk: Elected or appointed?
Sycamore voters also will be asked if they’d prefer their clerk to be appointed or stay elected.
Mary Kalk holds the position of Sycamore city clerk currently, and was elected to a second term in 2021. She was first elected to the office in April 2017, beating out four other candidates. She ran unopposed in 2021. Kalk has declined to comment on the referendum specifically. City Manager Michael Hall said this week the referendum has nothing to do with Kalk’s job performance and that he would seek her appointment if the referendum passes.
Sycamore’s City Clerk, a full-time job, has a budgeted salary of $65,050, according to Sycamore’s city documents. Sycamore also pays a budgeted salary of $56,646 for a deputy clerk, a full-time appointed position.
Sycamore School District 427 school board members: Where should they live?
Sycamore voters will be asked to decide whether anyone in the district can run for a spot on the Sycamore School District 427 Board, regardless of the township in which they reside.
District 427 Superintendent Steve Wilder previously said a statewide policy prohibits any more than three board members living within a single township inside district boundaries from serving on the Sycamore school
board, and the board is unable to change that policy.
Voters could change that, however. The referendum will ask voters if they support “at-large” elected members, meaning anyone from Sycamore District boundaries could run regardless of what township they live in. Wilder said the majority of students reside within Sycamore and Cortland townships.
During the last election, not enough candidates ran to fill all the available seats on the Sycamore school board. If back by voter support, the proposed policy change would go into effect for the April 2025 election, when some of the board’s seats will be up for election.
Statewide referenda
• Whether to amend the Illinois Constitution to create an additional 3% tax on income over $1 million. The funds would be earmarked for property tax relief, according to the question.
• Whether candidates on the ballot should face civil penalties if they interfere or try to interfere with election workers’ official duties.
• Whether insurance plans that cover pregnancy benefits should cover medically appropriate fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization without a cap on the number of treatments.
Shaw Local news reporters Camden Lazenby, Megann Horstead and Claire O’Brien contributed.
Megann Horstead file
Members of the DeKalb City Council engage in discussion Jan. 4 at a special council meeting.
Community Foundation awards $350,000
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – Almost 200 DeKalb County area students received more than $350,000 in scholarships from funds at the DeKalb County Community Foundation.
Scholarship awards averaged more than $1,900 per student.
A complete list of 2024 scholarship recipients is found online at dekalbccf.org/scholarships.
2024 Scholarship Awards by High School
• DeKalb High School $68,570.
• Genoa-Kingston High School $30,300.
• Indian Creek High School $3,150.
• Sandwich High School $3,000.
• Somonauk High School $1,600.
• Sycamore High School $74,025.
• Non-local high school $27,000.
DeKalb County high school graduates in the Class of 2024 received $180,645, while current undergraduate students received $76,470, according to a news release. An additional $79,875 went to scholars pursuing master’s degrees or above. Locally, Kishwaukee College students received $36,020 (33 awards), and Northern Illinois University students got $31,925 (21 awards).
Scholarships are made possible by individuals and organizations who recognize the importance of education. Donors establish Scholarship Funds for various reasons, such as memorializing a loved one, supporting students with specific characteristics, or celebrating personal success.
New scholarships established this year included the Brian D. Slavenas Memorial Scholarship, the Charles and Carol Orr Memorial Scholarship, the DeKalb County Healthcare Professional Scholarship, the Don and Nancy Pardridge Scholarship and the Eric J. Gabriel Memorial Scholarship.
Discover Essential Services for Seniors: VAC, Eldercare Services, and FSA
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As our loved ones enter their golden years, ensuring access to the proper support and resources is essential for their well-being and independence.
Home Instead is committed to helping seniors maintain a high quality of life, and we’re proud to spotlight three essential services available to them: the VAC Meals on Wheels program, comprehensive Eldercare Services, and the Family Service Agency (FSA), including the vibrant Club 55.
Veterans Affairs Center (VAC) offers a Meals on Wheels program specifically designed to support our seniors. This service provides nutritious meals delivered directly to their home, ensuring they receive the essential nutrients needed to maintain their health. The convenience of having meals delivered helps seniors maintain their independence while enjoying a balanced diet without the barriers of cooking or grocery shopping.
Eldercare Services offers comprehensive support options tailored to seniors’ unique needs. These services, from adult day care, elder abuse prevention, senior center programs, and Case Management
to name a few, are designed to help seniors maintain their independence. Whether it’s help understanding available financial assistance, government program benefits, or state health insurance counseling and assistance, Eldercare Services ensures that seniors can continue living safely and comfortably in their home.
The Family Service Agency (FSA) provides senior services, including the popular Club 55 program. Club 55 offers diverse social and recreational activities to keep seniors engaged and connected with their community. From fitness classes to educational workshops and social outings, Club 55 provides opportunities for seniors to stay active, meet new people, and learn new skills.
Home Instead invites you to a presentation on these services in the Zimmerman Room at the DeKalb Public Library on Thursday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m. This FREE event is an opportunity to learn more about how these services can benefit you or a loved one.
Come to learn more about the support available to help seniors live well and independently. Call Home Instead at 815-754-1300 for more information.
Home Instead 2585 Sycamore Rd. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-754-1300 www.homeinstead.com/location/718/
Learn more about Community Foundation scholarships at dekalbccf.org/scholarships.
For questions or additional scholarship information, contact Sara Nickels at 815-748-5383 or s.nickels@dekalbccf.org.
Photos provided by the DeKalb County Community Foundation
ABOVE LEFT: Indian Creek High School graduate Ellinor Phipps receives the Don and Nancy Pardridge Scholarship. ABOVE RIGHT: DeKalb High School graduate Jayden Wilson receives the Michael Heimerdinger Scholarship.
Brian Bemis Toyota donates school supplies to 100 teachers
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb recently donated classroom supplies to DeKalb County schools.
The donation, which included notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, paper and other specially requested supplies, will benefit 100 teachers, according to a news release from the dealership.
“This contribution aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens teachers often face and to support their continued dedication to fostering student success,” dealership staff wrote. “This initiative underscores the organization’s commitment to enhancing educational experiences and ensuring that teachers have the tools they need to inspire and educate.”
Donations were awarded to preschool through post-high school educators.
“Educators play a critical role in shaping the future, and we recognize the significant impact that adequate supplies can have on their teaching effectiveness,” Brian Bemis of Toyota corporate officer Amy Bemis said in the release. “We are thrilled to contribute to their efforts and to show our appreciation for their hard work and commitment.”
In addition to the supply donation, Brian Bemis Toyota also is planning its Annual Art Competition in Janu-
ary. These efforts reflect the organization’s ongoing dedication to community engagement and educational support.
Photos provided by Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb
DeKalb school teachers recently received a donation of school supplies from Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb.
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