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Copyright 2024 ON THE COVER
A house has to make a brief stop Oct. 22 so a vehicle can be moved out of the way as it makes its way down Pleasant Street in DeKalb. It was moved from the DeKalb County History Center property in Sycamore to its new location by Devooght House Movers and Habitat For Humanity. See story, page 6.
Photo by Mark Busch
Proposed manufacturing development could bring 200 more jobs to DeKalb
Industrial facility proposed on 147 acres of 3M-owned land clears first city vetting hurdle
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – Plans for a 1.3 millionsquare-foot manufacturing development dubbed “Project Midwest” cleared an initial hurdle before a DeKalb advisory panel last week.
The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission considered a petition to annex, rezone and have a concept plan approved for an estimated 147-acre site at the northeast corner of Peace Road and Fairview Drive near the Park 88 business park.
The building would stretch north to south on the site, and a future building expansion of 228,480 square feet is in talks for the north end of the proposed building, city documents show.
Jamie Krupp spoke on behalf of Mohr Acquisitions, saying his client is excited for this project.
“It’s a very good process working with city staff,” Krupp said. “We’re not seeking any variances from the [Unified Development Ordinance]. It’ll be a first-class facility.”
Once built, the development would employ between an estimated 150 and 200 people, project leaders said. Krupp remained mum about the end user for the property, which is owned by 3M.
“This is consistent with development trends in the area and will further enhance DeKalb’s reputation as a hot spot for industrial activity,” Krupp said.
DeKalb resident Richard Larson said
PUZZLE ANSWERS
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A manufacturer has proposed building a new 1.3 million-square-foot warehouse
on 147 acres of land owned by 3M on DeKalb’s south side, city documents show. The development, referred to as “Project Midwest” in documents released ahead of the Oct. 21 DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, would be built on the northeast corner of Peace Road and Fairview Drive in DeKalb.
he’s concerned about the proposed access points to the development along Fairview Drive. He urged the city to declare Macom Drive as the primary access point to the project.
Plans for the development propose two access points off of Fairview Drive, city documents show.
“Fairview Drive is a two-lane blacktop road that developed over time,” Larson said. “It was originally a gravel road. It was never properly constructed as a highway. As it exists today, it simply is comprised of layers of pavement and then blacktop over it. It is not amenable to truck traffic to any degree or standard, certainly or standard.”
City Engineer Zac Gill said the project requires that the petitioner submit a traffic impact study to help figure out how to shore up any deficiencies.
“Any externalities will be dictated by that traffic impact study,” Gill said.
City Planner Dan Olson said the development should be a big positive to the city.
The site has adequate access to nearby utilities, officials said.
The advisory panel’s decision is not the final say on the matter. The site will require annexation to the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District, as well as preliminary and final development plan approvals by both the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
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CORRECTIONS
Accuracy is important to The MidWeek. Please call errors to our attention by phone at 815-526-4411 or email at readit@midweeknews.com.
Image provided by the city of DeKalb
facility
Kishwaukee Valley Art League sets events for November
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – The Kishwaukee Valley Art League will host several programs and events in November at Gallery on State, 322 W. State St., Sycamore.
• Nov. 7: KVAL will honor six students from DeKalb and Sycamore high schools and Kishwaukee College as emerging artists at its general meeting set for 7 p.m. Nov. 7. The students were nominated by their art teachers.
• Nov. 22: The league is participating in the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce “Moonlight Magic” event from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 22. The event features local arts, theater and dance groups performing in downtown Sycamore storefront windows.
• Nov. 22-23: KVAL’s Holiday Arts and Crafts market will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 22 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at Gallery on State. The market will feature holiday ornaments, decor items and original gifts created by local artists.
• The Second Saturday free series will be from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 9. The series will be hosted by KVAL artist Rick Borrett. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own art supplies.
• The league’s “Secret Subject” challenge cards are available at the gallery. KVAL members can draw sealed envelopes containing a oneword “secret subject” card and create
an art piece depicting that subject. The artwork will be presented at the league’s general meeting on Feb. 6.
• KVAL is collecting new art supplies to donate to local charities. The
league only will accept new art supplies. They can be dropped off at Gallery on State. Monetary donations also will be accepted. For more information, visit kval-nfp.org.
Photo provided by the Kishwaukee Valley Art League
The Kishwaukee Valley Art League Holiday Arts and Crafts Market will be held Nov. 22-23.
The Sycamore Lions Club announced the 2024 winners of its pumpkin display contest at the 63rd annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. This year’s theme was “Pumpkins Around the World,” chosen by North Grove Elementary School fifth grader Samuel Schwartz.
Theme Category (Pumpkins Around the World)
5 and under
1st– Orin Garde
2nd – Tucker Burmerster
3rd – Duke Edberg
6-7 years old
1st – Liam Wall
2nd – Evelyn Almburg
3rd – Jack Hames
8-9 years old
1st – Avery Bjelland
2nd – Cece Zantout
3rd – Charlotte Wade
10-11 years old
1st – Sam Schwartz
2nd – Roslyn Johnson
SYCAMORE PUMPKIN FEST 2024 CONTEST WINNERS
3rd – Devyn Hueber
12-17 years old
1st – Ellie Lieving
2nd – Kaeden Stadie
3rd – Brianna Perry
Happy & Fancy Category
5 and under 1st – Ward Zantout
2nd – Marley Moore
3rd – Savannah Skoien
6-7 years old
1st – Emma Harper
2nd – Libbie Baker
3rd – Vera Pacaccio
8-9 years old
1st – Zoe Dobson
2nd – Ellie Baker
3rd – Ruby Sauber
10-11 years old
1st – Naya Collins
2nd – Parker Nelson
3rd – Lillian Breda
12-17 years old
1st – Maya Sjurset
2nd – Carly Cook
3rd – Samantha Heide
Weird, Ugly & Scary
5 and under 1st – Sloane Freeman
Camden Lazenby
Emma Harper’s hamburger pumpkin, seen here Oct. 25, was awarded first place in the 6-7 year old Happy and Fancy category in the 2024 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival pumpkin decorating contest.
2nd – Charlie Cronauer
3rd – Miles Carpenter
6-7 years old
1st – Nolan Campos
2nd – Lincoln Roland
3rd – Riley Clark
8-9 years old
1st – Riley Lococo
2nd – Miranda Page
3rd – Tucker Riesen
10-11 years old
1st – Hudson Ludwig
2nd – Ayla Hardesty
3rd – Wyatt Adams
12-17 years old
1st – Chloe Tewksbury
2nd – Maddy Jabaley
3rd – Liz Clark
THE ARTS AT NIU
TV, Nursery Rhyme, News, Current Events, Video Games
5 and under
1st – Olivia Florian
2nd – Loukas Broches
3rd – Maximilian Harrolle
6-7 years old
1st – Theo Kummer
2nd – Vera Pacaccio
3rd – Olivia Martines
8-9 years old
1st – Brooke Mayer
2nd – Isaac Saxton
3rd – Meeka Bock
10-11 years old
1st – Sophia Borrelli
2nd – Kiernan Pena
3rd – Gracyn Mack
12-17 year sold
1st – Tinley Myers
2nd – Chase Ashley
3rd – Rae Aldrich
Carved
7 and under
1st – Bryson Knorrek
2nd – Ethan Franklin
3rd – Artie Eustis
8-9 years old
1st – Brody Caldwell
2nd – Evelyn Williams
3rd – Joylyn Kraus
10-11 years old
1st – Gabrielle Franklin
2nd – Corinne Ebert
3rd – Halie Galitz
12-17 years old
1st – Louise Smith
2nd – Vivian Meier
3rd – Sadie and Carley Jones
Scarecrow
11 and under
1st – Deaken Davis
2nd – Brian, Adrienne, Kaden and Adella Sheahan
3rd – Wilhelmina Malloy
12-17 year old
1st – Jaxon Ace Pincombe
2nd – Haddie Davis
3rd – Reinette Shipinski
Family Entry
1st – Foord Family
2nd – Lisa Mayntz
3rd – Nancy Gardner
Artwork from 2023 High School Invitational
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Waterman Lions Club’s annual Gobbler Gallop 5K set for Nov. 23
WATERMAN – The Waterman Lions Club will hold its 18th Gobbler Gallop 5K run and walk to support its projects and programs on Nov. 23.
The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. at Indian Creek Middle School, 335 E. Garfield St., Waterman.
The race is stroller-accessible. The first 150 registered attendees will receive an
• PUMPKINS
Continued from page 4
Adults (Carved, Scarecrow, General)
1st – Tim Roloff
2nd – Linda Braun, Trudy Hickey
3rd – Stephanie Kamel
Youth Organization or Group
1st – St. Mary’s 8th Grade (Karla Gulke)
2nd – Montessori
Childrens House
official race T-shirt while supplies last. Awards are available for the top three male and female winners in the regular, masters, and age categories.
Refreshments and raffle prizes will be provided.
Registration is required at gobblergallop5k.com. The fee is $30 through Oct. 31, $35 from Nov. 1 through Nov. 22 and $40 the day of the race.
– Shaw Local News Network
3rd – Melissa Daykin and Noelle Brown
Adult Organization or Group
1st – Kishwaukee Hospital Labor and Delivery Unit
2nd – Tails Humane Society (Christine Lannom Sturtz)
3rd – Foster & Buick Law Group
Largest Pumpkin 1st – Lingle Family
2nd – Felix DeDina
3rd – Lingle Family
Pick of the Patch
Sonja Flatter
Presidents Award Palm Family
School Participation
1st – St Mary’s 2nd – Southeast Elementary
3rd – North Grove Elementary –CamdenLazenby
VOTE YES TO APPOINT
DEKALB CLERK
Relocating to DeKalb
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County’s historic Hired Man’s House on the move
By MEGANN HORSTEAD mhorstead@shawmedia.com
DeKALB – The historic Hired Man’s House received a special lift Oct. 22 with the assistance of law enforcement authorities escorting the way from Sycamore to DeKalb.
It was all part of a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County and the DeKalb County History Center to reimagine the historic house on the move. The initiative was a long time in the making for the two entities, project leaders said.
DeKalb County History Center Executive Director Michelle Donahoe said it means the world to be able to finally relocate the historic Hired Man’s House.
“The History Center has been out here since 2008 and that [house] was our office and archives,” Donahoe said. “Then, when we were able to expand and become a county museum and opened our new facility in 2019, it was just sitting there empty. Now, we’re planning a campus expansion and it just didn’t fit. The original plan was to demolish the space. It was so hard. There’s got to be a better plan. And then, I met Kim [McIver] at Habitat for Humanity.”
The idea of relocating and renovating the Hired Man’s House grew from there, Donahoe said.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County Executive Director Kim McIver said she hopes people enjoyed reveling in the sight of the historic house as it made its way toward the 800 block of Pleasant Street in DeKalb.
“A lot of people have expressed that they’ve never actually seen this in person,” McIver said. “It’s more of an HGTV kind of thing. You know, big show. But I think a lot of people will remember this. Like remember when we saw the house driving down the road? It’s a little unique, but I think it’s cool.”
DeKalb resident Heaven Allen said she’s excited for what the relocation of the historic home signifies for her and her family.
“I hope it’s like the new chapter,” Allen said. “I’ve got this wonderful job now. I’m hoping for my son who’s growing up that he will start coming into himself. I believe having this house in this new community will really allow him to do that.”
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County has a $150,000 budget for updating the house now that it’s been relocated to DeKalb.
I hope it’s like the new chapter. I’ve got this wonderful job now. I’m hoping for my son who’s growing up that he will start coming into himself. I believe having this house in this new community will really allow him to do that.”
Heaven Allen, new homeowner
That includes replacing the roof, redoing the upstairs bathroom, adding a bathroom in the basement, renovating the kitchen and installing an internal staircase.
Allen said she didn’t feel homeownership would have been possible had it not been for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.
“I’ve looked. I had been trying,” Allen said. “It was just one of those things where as a single parent sometimes you really have to budget where those funds are going to go, and homeownership was not in the equation.”
McIver pointed out that not only is Habitat working to address the housing shortage but it has an eye for historic preservation as well.
“It’s unique to say you’re moving a house,” McIver said. “There’s not many Habitats that have moved a
home. So, we’re preserving history also. I’m a big believer of the walls in that home have stories that will now be shared with Heaven and her family. She gets to create new stories. I think there’s something symbolic about it.”
Photos by Mark Busch
A house is backed into place Oct. 22 at its new location on Pleasant Street in DeKalb. The home was moved from the DeKalb County History Center property in Sycamore by Devooght House Movers and Habitat For Humanity. Heaven Allen and her son will live in the home when it is completed.
Heaven Allen records as the house she and her son will be living in is moved into place Oct. 22 on Pleasant Street in DeKalb.
Shaw Media acquiring Daily Journal in Kankakee
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Shaw Media is acquiring the Daily Journal, a historic publication that has served the Kankakee community for more than a century.
Sterling, as well as nine radio stations.
“We are honored to continue the Small family’s legacy of publishing the Daily Journal,” said John Rung, the president and CEO of Shaw Media. “Like the Smalls, the Shaw family has a long tradition of publishing. We are thrilled to add the Daily Journal to our network of publications throughout northern Illinois.”
Shaw Media operates dozens of newspapers across northern Illinois, including in Crystal Lake, Joliet, Ottawa, La Salle, DeKalb, Dixon and
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
DeKalb church to host chamber music concert Nov. 3
DeKALB – Westminster Presbyterian Church will host a chamber music concert featuring flautist Lynn Vogel and cellist Tom Cappaert.
The free concert will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at the church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
The concert, conducted by Ségun Òwèlè, will feature “Symphony No. 44” and “Cello Concerto in C” arranged by Joseph Haydn and “Quartet in C Minor” by Franz Anton Hoffmeister.
The church also will host a worship service at 10 a.m. The service will be led by Pastor Deb Roberts. Roberts will deliver a “Seasons of Life – From Mourning to Joy” sermon. The service also includes a performance of the Minuet from Haydn’s “Symphony
The Small family had owned the Daily Journal before its sale to Shaw. Len Small founded the newspaper in 1903. The present owners, Len, Tom and Jennifer Small, issued a statement saying: “We congratulate the Shaw organization for their commitment. We will celebrate the progress of the new company.”
In addition to Kankakee County, the Daily Journal has readership in parts of Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Livingston and Will counties.
“We are committed to community journalism and plan to make a significant investment in local reporting in and around Kankakee County,” Rung said.
Shaw Media was founded in 1851, having the third-oldest, continuously owned and operated family newspaper in the nation. It is the nation’s eighth-largest newspaper publisher, serving communities across northern Illinois both in print and online media.
No. 44” by the Westminster Chamber Players.
DeKalb and Sycamore Elks set annual Veterans Day dinner
DeKALB – The DeKalb and Sycamore Elks Lodges will host their annual Veterans Day Dinner for local veterans.
The meal will be offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at Lincoln Inn at Faranda’s, 302 Grove St., DeKalb.
The menu includes roast pork with dressing, gravy, sweet corn and mashed potatoes. Proceeds will provide veterans complimentary meals.
The dinner costs $8 and is free for veterans. To reserve a meal, call 815-756-2345 or visit thelincolninn.com.
The Illinois Elks Association also recently awarded a $3,500 donation to the Honor Flight Chicago program on Sept. 25.
The check was presented to Doug Meffley, an Honor Flight Chicago program director, by Jeff Sterr, Illinois Elks Association third vice president; Mike Hozian, Des Plaines Lodge 1526 PER; and Bryan Klatt, DeKalb Elks Lodge 765 B.P.O. Elks grand secretary.
– Shaw Local News Network
John Rung
Ségun Òwèlè
Lynn Vogel
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
DeKalb library’s Ofrendas exhibit opens Nov. 1
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host an exhibit featuring 10 Day of the Dead ofrendas.
The exhibit can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 and 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 in the library’s main lobby, 309 Oak St. Ofrendas are alters built to honor the dead. The ofrendas include candles and incense, sweets, the deceased’s pictures, regional decorations, the deceased’s favorite drinks and food and marigolds. No registration is required. For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.
DeKalb library closed Nov. 5 for Election Day
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will be closed for Election Day Nov. 5. The library is a polling place. Residents will only be allowed into the library to vote.
For information, visit dkpl.org or the library’s social media pages.
Author Diane Nilan to visit DeKalb library Nov. 2
DeKALB – Diane Nilan, author of “The Three Melissas: The Practical Guide to Surviving Family Homelessness,” will present a program at the DeKalb Public Library on Nov. 2.
The free program will begin at 11 a.m. in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.
Nilan will discuss her experience writing the book and answer questions. Book copies also will be available to buy. No registration is required.
For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.
Folk singer Dennis Warner to perform Nov. 2 in DeKalb
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host a concert featuring folk singer and songwriter Dennis Warner on Nov. 2.
The free concert will be held at 2 p.m. in the library’s lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room, 309 Oak St.
The concert will feature folk music and sing-alongs.
No registration is required.
For information, email samanthah@ dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.
NIU robotics program set for Nov. 2 in DeKalb
DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library will host a children’s program about robotics with Northern Illinois University. The event will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 2 in the library’s Story and Activity Room, 309 Oak St.
Attendees can view NIU’s big robots, build a small robot and learn about how robots come together.
Because the program is limited to 30 children, it is first-come, first-served.
For information, email lauraw@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3350. – Shaw Local News Network
Megann Horstead file photo
The DeKalb Public Library will host an exhibit featuring 10 Day of the Dead ofrendas on Nov. 1-3.
LOOKING BACK
1924 – 100 YEARS AGO
City workmen have completed the work of extending Ninth Street to Sycamore Road. The street, before it was extended, ended at Davy Street. The extension to the thoroughfare will be a great improvement in the northeastern part of the city, and will please residents of the entire city, who have been required to use Seventh Street in order to get to Sycamore Road. Several of the streets in that section of the city have been given attention and made easier for traffic. Thirteenth Street was repaired during the summer, making it safe for traffic. The street car tracks were removed and the roadbed greatly improved.
Emil Johnson is expected to move much of this stock of furniture to the second floor of his new building which is in the course of completion on Somonauk Street one block from State. Although the building is far from being completed, the work on the second floor has been rushed, and as soon as the decorators have completed their work, the furniture is to be moved. At the present time some of the stock is stored in the rooms over the Atlantic and Pacific store. It is reported that Mrs. George Sparrow will open a beauty shop in those rooms as soon as the necessary changes are completed.
Workmen this morning were busy in the store building occupied by William Pierce. A new partition is being erected that will separate the rear of the store. As soon as this improvement is completed Mr. Pierce will have an excellent location for his business.
Work on a new factory that will be 44 feet wide and 99 feet long and which will be occupied by the Peerless Ice Cream Company has been started, the work having progressed to such a stage that the bricklayers will be ready to start work in a few days. The new factory is being built on a site next to the present quarters of the company on Girard Street. When completed, the structure will furnish the ice cream makers with the facilities for doubling their freezing capacity and will give them twice the space for hardening rooms. Another compressor will be installed and large mixing vats are being ordered for the new structure. The greater part of the machinery for the new building is now being ordered, and when installed will
give DeKalb an ice cream plant that will be one of the most sanitary in this part of the state.
1949 – 75 YEARS AGO
The big new bridge across the Kishwaukee River in the northeast corner of Kirkland has been finished. Fred Larson, county superintendent of highways, reported that the last cement was poured yesterday. The contractor had two fine days in which to pour the cement portion of the bridge. The steel arrived for the structure along about 3 o’clock in the morning of the day the steel strike started and was accepted minus its usual cost of shop paint.
DeKalb County is one of the first to ship soy beans for relief overseas this year, under a plan known as the Christian Rural Overseas Program or CROP. The first car from the county was shipped from Clare.
Nobody seems to remember it, but Monday, Oct. 24, was the 20th anniversary of a significant day in American history. Oct. 24, 1929, was “Black Thursday,” the day the stock market started its famous collapse which culminated in the disastrous depression of the ’30s.
At a meeting of the Sycamore Rotary Club on Thursday, O. T. Willard as the guest speaker gave an interesting talk on Sycamore history. Mr. Willard, well known throughout the county for the historical data he has gathered, is also of
The DeKalb Board of Education last night authorized the school central administration to enter a lease-to-purchase agreement with Motorola Co. for emergency radios used in school busses. Each of the 25 buses used in DeKalb District 428 will have the radios installed during the next two or three months.
A car stolen in DeKalb Monday morning was found overturned in a field at about 3 p.m. yesterday near the Pleasant Hill bridge near Genoa. Sheriff’s police found blood inside the car but the driver was seen fleeing on foot toward Genoa. The 1963 car was taken from a municipal parking lot on Grove Street.
pioneer stock himself, his father being one of the first settlers in Sycamore. One of the most interesting facts he brought to light concerned the naming of the town. From time to time there is controversy about the name “Sycamore.” Mr. Willard said that the site was named from the Kishwaukee River that flows on the north edge of the town. When new settlers came to the swift flowing river, they called it the Sycamore River because its banks were lined with sycamore trees but when they heard the Indian name for the river was Kishwaukee meaning “swift flowing water” they used Sycamore as a name for the town site and called the river by its Indian name Kishwaukee.
The fourth and fifth grades in Hinckley have been studying about different kinds of farming in their social studies, such as irrigated farms, dairy farms and wheat farms. The pupils enjoyed the visit of Carl Baie and S. Smith of Nebraska recently when they talked about their recent trip to Europe. They told about the various farming methods over there, and how the farms there are quite small in comparison with ours, and that they have hardly any modern machinery at all.
1974 – 50 YEARS AGO
Construction of a downtown shelter for Huskie Bus riders has received the tentative approval of the DeKalb City Council. The wooden shelter is planned for Third and Grove streets. The structure will be reviewed by the city building code staff before construction begins.
Did you know that the first Thanksgiving lasted three days? Or that Squanto spoke English 14 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620? These and many other interesting facts from the first Thanksgiving will be discussed by Mrs. Mavis Williams when she speaks at the Nov. 1. DeKalb Woman’s Club meeting.
1999 – 25 YEARS AGO
The City of DeKalb will show Northern Illinois University’s football game at 3 p.m. today on its cable-access station, Channel 22.
Sycamore High School plans to open up student parking to sophomores for the first time in November. The change came about after some parents expressed concern to the Sycamore School Board that not all of the parking at the high school was being used.
A Littlejohn Elementary School student dressed as Rapunzel marches around the school during its Halloween Costume Parade. Following the parade, the students returned to the rooms for a Halloween party. This is the second year for the parade. Littlejohn Elementary staff hope to keep it as an annual event.
AT&T Cable Services of DeKalb will change its lineup Nov. 30 to make room for its new digital service. AT&T will use the frequencies currently occupied by HBO 3 (Ch. 55), Showtime 2 (Ch. 57) and Viewer’s Choice 1 (Ch. 61) to digitally transmit 17 new specialty channels, eight pay-per-view channels and 10 music channels.
– Compiled by Sue Breese
Photo provided by the DeKalb County History Center
Construction of the Holmes Student Center tower at Northern Illinois University in June 1967 is seen from Carroll Avenue in this view looking north toward Lucinda Avenue.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Stage Coach Players collecting Thanksgiving dinner items for local families
DeKALB – Stage Coach Players and the DeKalb Salvation Army will host three food collection events for dinner box items to provide local families a Thanksgiving dinner.
The collections will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 5, 12, and 19 at Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb.
“At this time of year, we are especially thankful for all the community has done for Stage Coach Players over the years,” Outreach Committee member Jan Kuntz said in a news release. “It’s our hope that the donations of the members of the SCP organization will help those in need during this season of thanks.”
The dinner boxes feature enough food for six to eight people and a $15 gift card for a turkey. The boxes also include canned sweet potatoes, green beans, pinto beans, hot cocoa mix, cranberry sauce, diced fruit, whole kernel corn, jarred or canned gravy, boxed dry potatoes, stuffing, dessert mix and bagged white rice.
The Stage Coach Players Outreach Committee will be in the back of the theater to welcome and thank donors. For information, visit stagecoachplayers.com or the Stage Coach Players Facebook and Twitter pages.
Sandwich church to host drive-thru spaghetti supper
SANDWICH – Federated Church will host a drive-thru spaghetti supper to benefit local missions.
The supper will be held from 4:30 to
6:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the church, 403 N. Main St., Sandwich.
The menu includes homemade spaghetti, tossed salad, garlic bread and a brownie. The cost is $10. For information, call 815-786-8595.
Syverson accepting Veterans Day display submissions
SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, is accepting veterans submissions from residents for the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus’ annual Veterans Day Wall of Honor display.
The display will run from Nov. 11 through Nov. 25 at the Illinois State Capital, 401 S. Second St., Springfield.
The memorial features an electronic display of veterans and their stories. Visitors also can write veterans thank you notes.
“This is an opportunity to pay tribute to the legacies and sacrifices of these brave men and women who served our nation,” Syverson said in a news release. “Send us photos and stories of loved ones who served as veterans to be displayed on the first floor of the State Capitol.”
Participants can submit a photo and written story. The stories should be limited to 250 words and include the veteran’s name, military branch and conflict served. Military pictures are encouraged.
The submission deadline is Nov. 8. They can be emailed to veteransday@sgop. ilga.gov or mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 110 D Statehouse, Springfield. For information, call 217-782-1154.
– Shaw Local News Network
Mark Busch file photo
Stage Coach Players Outreach Committee members Deb Brubaker (left), Jan Kuntz and Angela Schiola (right) sort donations and pack bags Nov. 15, 2022, while collecting donations at the theater in DeKalb for their Thanksgiving food drive.
Algonquin salon raises money for NIU alum battling cancer
By MICHELLE MEYER mmeyer@shawmedia.com
Hair extensions in all colors of the rainbow, including pink, orange and blue, hang by a mirror and Salon 37 in Algonquin. The extensions are part of a fundraiser to help cover medical costs for a 24-year-old Algonquin woman battling Stage 4 bone cancer.
Anna Brobbey is at a Chicago hospital battling the cancer that has spread to her spine and cannot be treated.
A 2018 DundeeCrown High School graduate, Brobbey earned a nursing degree last year from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
Salon 37, at 1415 Commerce Drive, does an annual fundraiser with pink hair extensions for a local family or person in the community. This year, the business is offering any color extensions to “raise as much money as possible” for Brobbey, owner Julie Grosse said.
Each color represents a different type of illness or cancer, so donors can personalize their reasons for giving. People can donate by buying a $15 hair
extension or can contribute any amount to put up a pink or yellow ribbon on the salon’s ribbon tribute wall in honor of a loved one.
Brobbey was chosen as this year’s recipient after Salon 37 stylist Cat Rodriguez, a Brobbey family friend, suggested her. Rodriguez was neighbors with Brobbey’s family since Anna was 10 years old, and Anna is close friends with Rodriguez’s daughter,
Lexi, she said. She describes the family as giving and always looking to help others.
“They are always wanting to spread love,” Rodriguez said. “They are always positive.”
Brobbey was diagnosed in January after she went to the doctor for leg pain and a tumor was discovered on her sciatic nerve, Rodriguez said. Multiple surgeries were performed, but the can-
cer had spread to her bones. Her family and friends hope the fundraiser can help cover hospice costs so she can receive care at home.
“We just want her home so we can be with her,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t want her staring at cement walls.”
Friends of the family recently created a GoFundMe to help cover at-home hospice care: bit.ly/BrobbeyGoFundMe. The online fundraiser has collected almost half of the $20,000 goal.
Salon 37 started its fundraiser on Oct. 2 and will go on until the end of November. The team have raised about $2,000, so far, Grosse said.
The salon started annual breast cancer fundraisers about 18 years ago and soon after switched to fundraising locally for specific people. In the past, the salon has raised anywhere between $800 to $12,000, Grosse said.
“We realized there are people in the community that needed the money,” she said. “We’ve all known so many people that have struggled with cancer or some illness,”
People can also support the fundraiser for Brobbey at Stylette Hair Studio, at 10399 Vine St., Huntley. For details about how to donate, visit either of the salon’s websites at salon37.com and stylettehairstudio.wixsite.com/ stylettehairstudio.
Anna Brobbey
Michelle Meyer
Salon 37 is hosting a fundraiser to help cover medical costs for a 24-year-old Algonquin woman battling Stage 4 bone cancer. The fundraiser is running through the end of November.
We are committed to finding the right hearing solution for each person who comes through our door. With the FLEX:TRIAL™ program, you can find out if hearing aids will make a difference in the places you live, work and play – for free! We’re dedicated to providing people with the information needed to make an informed decision. Together we’ll choose the solution that makes the most sense for
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed A Place Within: For Counseling and Sand/Play Therapy to DeKalb. Chamber
celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 2. A Place Within, 400 E. Hillcrest Drive, Suite 130, DeKalb,
play, dream work, art and hypnotherapy. For information, call 815-276-9865 or visit aplacewithincounseling.com.
Photo provided by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
Sycamore OKs $280K condos in Old Mill Park development
By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – New plans for a second phase of Old Mill Park, a 55-plus community in Sycamore, has received city approval after the developer tweaked his plans multiple times to reduce the density of the proposed residential complex.
Brian Grainger, the developer, previously had received permission to build the second phase of the Old Mill Park, but this year he asked the city for permission to include more condos, including single-bedroom units, in the next phase of the development.
After his proposal and request for reconsideration were denied in August and September, Grainger returned to city meetings this month with amended plans. The new phase two of Old Mill Park includes some single-bedroom units, with a density of 5.91 units per acre, according to city documents.
The second phase of the development will sit across the street from Old Mill Park’s first phase, northeast of the intersection of Route 23 and Mount Hunger Road, and include 110 units in 21 residential buildings on 18.6 acres.
The approved development plan has six fewer condos than what Grainger proposed in August, but still contains single-bedroom units.
“The smaller plan that is approximately 1,100 [square feet] has one bedroom and an office, and it is 1½ baths,” Grainger wrote in a text message to Shaw Local News Network. “[The condo units have] large walk-in showers similar to other models we are building now.”
Grainger has said inflation means condos in the second phase of Old Mill Park will cost more than their counterparts in the first phase. He said he sought the changes to the second phase to accommodate individuals looking for smaller residences.
Grainger said he hopes condos in Old Mill Park phase two will have a starting price of about $280,000.
City officials said Grainger worked with Sycamore Community Developer John Sauter to create a proposal that was within the constraints of a medium-density residential development, which requires between three units and six units per acre, according to city code.
City Council members who voted against Grainger’s first two proposals said they did not support the initially proposed high-density floor plans. When Grainger returned to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission in October with a proposal for a development with 5.91 units per acre, 0.33 units per acre fewer than what was previously denied, he was commended for
his efforts.
Seven days later, the Sycamore City Council unanimously approved the second phase of Old Mill Park.
Sycamore council members discuss city’s relationship with developers, housing market
During the Oct. 21 Sycamore City Council meeting, two alderpersons said they were at odds over how the city has handled business and housing growth in recent years.
Fourth Ward Alderperson Ben Bumpus, who voted in favor of Grainger’s previously proposed amendment to plans for the second phase of Old Mill Park, said he’s been “terribly supportive of” Grainger’s plans for Old Mill Park, including the August proposal that was considered high density, at 6.24 units per acre.
He said there’s been two themes to the feedback he’s received from the community about the City Council’s actions. The first he mentioned is the affordability of housing.
“That’s a big one, and I think this is a U.S.-wide challenge,” Bumpus said. “What I’m hearing more locally is affordability for both youth, and I’m speaking from personal [experience] –my kids, but also from seniors and affordability.”
Bumpus’ second point focused on whether the city’s relationship between developers, builders and businesses is a friendly one.
“My concern is that I think what’s being presented here is for, if my math is right, is for ⅓ of an acre difference,” Bumpus said. “We just made this a more challenging environment. That seems to conflict with the feedback I’m hearing. So again, very supportive, but I’m just concerned that we as a council are not welcoming to those who are looking for more affordable options, and those who are looking to invest in our community.”
Third Ward Alderperson Nancy Copple, who has voted against Grainger’s requests, responded to Bumpus, noting that she didn’t see it the same way.
“I disagree with you because I think we are open to having businesses come and build. I know that there’s a property right across from the Jewel [-Osco] that we have looked at; someone had a plan idea, and they had affordable housing ideas, but I don’t know what their status is as of yet,” Copple said.
In September, a developer hoping to build 40 townhomes in Sycamore received an unofficial thumbs-up from city officials with his latest plans to build housing in a subdivision behind Blain’s Farm & Fleet. The City Council has not yet taken a formal vote on the
