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Category: What’s Going On

DeKalb Memorial Day Parade & Service

May. 24 What's Going On no comments

This Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th, DeKalb will host a Memorial Day Parade and Service, in downtown DeKalb at 9:00am. The program will go on, rain or shine. At 8:30am, join them for the Memorial Tank Service at the corner of North First Street and Lincoln Highway

Then at 9:00am, the Memorial Day Parade steps off at the corner of North Third Street and Lincoln Highway. The Parade route is: Lincoln Hwy. west to First Street, north on First Street to Locust Street, west on Locust Street to Linden Place, Linden Place north to the rear entrance of the Ellwood House.

At approximately 9:30am the Ellwood House Program includes a brief address by Past All American State Commander Matt Claussen; Presentation of American Legion School Awards; as well as musical selections by the DeKalb High School Chorus; Firefighter’s Highland Guard; and the DeKalb High School, Clinton Rosette and Huntley Middle School Marching Bands.

At 10:00am the Ellwood House will be offering tours, free of charge, until 12:00 Noon. Take advantage of the opportunity to see this excellent piece of DeKalb history this Memorial Day with your family!

Memorial Day Around the County

May. 24 What's Going On no comments

Genoa Veterans Memorial Day

The Genoa Veterans will be hosting a Memorial Day Parade starting at 11:30 A.M. on Monday, May 27th, 2013. A Cemetery memorial service will be held at 12:00 P.M.. Burgers, hot dogs, brats, chips and pop will be served under tent at the Vets Home, 311 S Washington St in Genoa at 12:30 P.M.. For more information visit the Genoa Veteran’s Home website.

Kingston American Legion Post 1010 Memorial Service

The Kingston American Legion Post 1010 will host their Memorial Day Service beginning at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, May 27th, 2013 at Kingston Park.
A social hour will be held in the shelter with refreshments and free pork chop sandwiches. Everyone is welcome to attend. Kingston Park is located at 5 Points Rd. and Rt. 72 in Kingston , IL..

Malta Memorial Day Service

A Memorial Day Parade and Service will be held in Malt at the Methodist Church, South Third Street and Sprague Street in Malta, IL, 60150.

Sycamore Memorial Day

The 2013 Mayor’s Memorial Day Breakfast will be on Monday, May 27, 2013 from 6:45am to 7:30am at Jane Fargo Hotel, 355 W. State Street, Sycamore, Illinois 60178. Following the Breakfast at 7:55am, the Keynote Military VIP Motorcycle/Motorcade Escort starts at the Jane Fargo Hotel in Sycamore and goes to Joiner Cemetery. At 8:15am, the Joiner Cemetery Memorial Service will be held. The Joiner Cemetery is located west of Sycamore on West Old State Road just east of Five Points Road. At 10:00am on Monday, the Sycamore Memorial Day Parade and Service at the Sycamore Veteran’s Home, 121 S California St Sycamore, IL 60178, phone: (815) 895-2931.

Maple Park Memorial Day

Each year during the Memorial Day weekend, American Legion members from Post 312 in Maple Park place American flags on the graves of service members at six Maple Park cemeteries. On Memorial Day the Honor Guard and Rifle Squad perform a memorial service at each of the cemeteries with a 21 gun salute honoring our fallen and deceased Veterans.

In full Legion dress, the Honor Guard will assemble at each cemetery for this short but impressive service. The Post Chaplain will recite a Veterans prayer, the Rifle Squad will fire 3 volleys of 7 rifles over the graves of the Veterans, and the bugler will play taps. Memorial Day services begin at 9:00 a.m., Monday, May 27, 2013.

2013 Memorial Day Honor Guard Schedule:
9: 15 – Pierce Cemetery, Pritchard & Owens Rd. in Troxel
9:30 – St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, County Line Road
9:45 – Gardner Methodist Cemetery, Rt. 38
10:00 – Van Vlak Cemetery, McNulty Road
10: 15 – St Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Meredith Road
10:30 – South Burlington Cemetery, Ramm Road

Activities at American Legion Maple Park, 203 Main St.
10:50 – Kaneland Middle School Band
11:15 – Flag Ceremony at the Post Home
11:30 – Guest Speaker Representative Robert W. Pritchard (R-Hinckley)

Kirkland Memorial Day Service on Sunday

May. 23 What's Going On no comments

Kirkland will be hosting a Memorial Day Service on Sunday, May 26th, 2013 at 1pm at the Northern Illinois Veteran’s Memorial. The local Cub Scouts will be posting colors. There will be a presentation of awards, a military medley, wreath ceremony and donations. The day’s guest speaker will be Dr. Mike Thirtle. The event ends with a classic presentation of Military Taps by SSGT. Don Brown.

Northern Illinois Veterans Memorial in Kirkland

The Northern Illinois Veterans Memorial (NIVM) monument was built in the spring of 1991. The Northern Illinois Veterans Activities Committee (NIVAC) special projects have included, gathering new names for the Northern Illinois Veterans Memorial, placement of POW*MIA signs, building a POW*MIA monument and ceremony area in Genoa, assisting an injured veteran to adapt his house for handicapped access, assisting in placing large American flags in three locations (Genoa 100, Kirkland 35, DeKalb County Courthouse 100 additional flags), coordinating a veterans appreciation day at NIU, assisting with various 4th of July events, coordinating to get a keynote military VIP speaker each year, coordinating with the Illinois National Guard to have the 105mm howitzer many times, coordinating the DeKalb County Courthouse flag ceremony protocol, assisting to add 10 more flags in Kirkland and assisting with events for our deployed troops and their families.

NIVAC continues to promote memorial weekend and the Mayors’ Memorial Day Breakfast every year with the help of the DeKalb County 40&8 Voiture 207. The Northern Illinois Veteran’s Memorial is located in Franklin Township Park at 3rd and South Streets in Kirkland, Il.

Antique Car Show and Flea Market Sunday

May. 23 What's Going On no comments

This is the weekend for the Antique Car Show and Flea Market held annually at the Sandwich Fairgrounds the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. Antique – Classic – Special Interest Cars and Trucks will be shown off. There will be a Flea Market and Swap Meet for treasure finders. Visit the ‘Cars For Sale Corral’ and eat breakfast or lunch on the grounds.

The cost to enter the show for spectators is $5 for adults, under 12 are free. Show Cars cost $10 to register. No preregistration. Car Corral is $20, Swap Spaces are $15, Cars for sale in Show Area $30. The Antique Car Show and Flea Market is this Sunday, May 26th, from 8am to 3pm. The Sandwich Fairgrounds is located at 1401 Suydam Rd., in Sandwich, IL. The Show is sponsored by the Silver Springs Chapter, Illinois Region, Antique Automobile Club of America. To register call Bob Ronning at 815-970-4371 or call Rick Shaw at 815-786-4253 or e-mail us.

Demolition Derby and Memorial Day Championship This Weekend

May. 22 What's Going On no comments

This Friday May 24, 2013 starts the full weekend schedule for the season at the Sycamore Speedway! Friday night is the ever popular, Demolition Derby night. There will also be Spectator and Compact Racing, Figure 8, One on One Drags Powder Puff and Compact Car Demo races.

This Saturday evening will be Stock Car Racing at the Speedway. All classes will participate in the Memorial Day Championship races. These races are 25 laps on the big track. Gates open at 6pm. Time Trials are at 7:15 p.m. Races are at 8:00 p.m. Call 815.895.5454 for information or weather.

The Sycamore Speedway takes only cash for the Grandstand Admission of $12 for ages 14 and above, $5 for ages 6 thru 13 and free for those 5 and under. A Pit Pass costs $30 with membership card or $35 without membership. Pits open at 2pm for car pull out. On Saturday Pit Shack opens at 4pm. On Friday Pit Shack opens at 6pm. Cash only. Visit the Sycamore Speedway Website now to learn more!

Quarter Craze and Open Air Market in Genoa This Week

May. 21 What's Going On no comments

Check out Quarter Craze for Main Street this Wednesday, May 22nd from 6:30 to 9pm at the Genoa Vets Home. There will be great new items and gift cards for 75cents or less. Tickets are $3 per person. Rolls of quarters available for purchase. Entry includes a numbered paddle. Depending on the 8tej value, you bid 1, 2 or 3 quarters. If your paddle number is pulled, you win! Extra paddles are $2 each.

The Genoa Vets Home is located at 311 S. Washington St. in Genoa. For more information or to donate items contact Darla Woodson at 815.784.6048 or Genoa Main Street at 815.784.6961. All proceeds benefit the downtown events and projects.

The first Genoa Open Air Market for 2013 is also this week on Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 9am-2pm in the Municipal Parking Lot at Main and Genoa Streets in Downtown Genoa. Come pick up fresh produce, crafts, flea market, antiques, plants, food and more. See two dozen Quilts of Valor read for our veterans. Downtown Sidewalk Sale going on Saturday as well. www.genoamainstreet.org

Register Now for the Illinois Battle of the Bands

May. 20 What's Going On no comments

Register now for the Illinois Battle of the Bands, taking place Sunday, June 23rd at 1pm in Sycamore. The cost to register is $25 per band. This competition is for ages 12-21 (half of the members must be 19 or younger). Registration ends on June 7th, 2013.

The winner is determined by a panel of judges and continues on to compete at the regional level. The winner of the regional competition plays at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois at the Statewide Competition.

2012 was the first year for the Sycamore Park District’s participation in ‘Teen Battle of the Bands.’ Their winner, Desolation Row, advanced to the Elgin competition, won that and then advanced to the State Finals at the Illinois State Fair!

The Battle of the Bands will happen on Sunday, June 23rd starting at 1pm at the Sycamore Park District’s Good Tyme Shelter, off of Airport Road in Sycamore. For more information, please call 815-895-3202. Admission to the event is free so bring your friends!

$mart with Money Week

May. 20 What's Going On no comments

Kishwaukee Untied Way and the DeKalb County Ca$h Coalition will host a series of financial literacy events in DeKalb and Sycamore as they host their first annual $mart with Money Week scheduled from Monday, May 20 through Saturday, May 23rd, 2013. Presentation topics include identity theft, budgeting, credit management, eating healthy on a budget, couponing, estate planning and others. A community shred day is also planned.

“We are excited to offer these resources to individuals in DeKalb County. It is essential that community members have the ability to make informed and responsible decisions regarding finance, credit, and debt.” says Dawn Littlefield, Executive Director. “Kishwaukee United Way is pleased to work with other community partners to coordinate these program sessions which provide tools and resources to impact lives in our area.”

The Ca$h Coalition partnered with local experts to provide the week’s sessions. Frank Turza & Ryan Gifford from National Bank and Trust will speak to home buying and credit management, Attorney Chuck Rose will discuss estate planning, and Financial Planner Wendy West-Crouch will share investing principles. Other workshops focus on healthy eating on a budget, coupon clipping with the pros, community gardening, and the way community members can be “smart with money.”

All sessions are free of charge, and open to all. To access a calendar of events, or to sign up to attend a session call 815.756.7522 or email Dawn at info@kishwaukeeunitedway.com.

Open Auditions for Three Shows This Week

May. 19 What's Going On no comments

PR Productions announces an open casting call for actors and actresses over the age of 8 years for upcoming productions (Hello Dolly!, Alice in Wonderland, & The Fatal Fifties Affair). Auditions for actors and actresses with musical and /or acting experience. Interested beginners are welcome too. Audition for 1, 2 or 3 shows all at once! Auditions are to be held from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. this Monday, May 20 and Thursday, May 23 at the historic Sandwich Opera House, 140 East Railroad Street in Sandwich, IL.

Those auditioning may arrive at any time within the designated audition time period. No appointment needed. If auditioning for “Hello Dolly,” please prepare a song (about 2 minutes long, to be sung a capella) that best displays your vocal ability, those auditioning should provide a headshot to accompany the audition form. More information may be found at www.wewantpr.com.

Weekend Event Shorts

May. 17 What's Going On no comments

There’s lots of stuff going on around DeKalb County this weekend. Make sure you check out our Calendar of Events page so you don’t miss any! Below are a bit of information about a few that we haven’t written about yet:

Malta Garage Sales
Back by popular demand Malta Annual Village Garage Sales will be on May 18, 2013. Over 50 Sales on Saturday!

“Story Time Live”
Bring your children to see story time come alive with five, fun short stories about caring, sharing, responsibility and telling the truth. A creative group of local Indian Valley Theatre actors have brought together original stories, fun costumes and inventive props to entertain, teach and make everyone smile. Performances at Sandwich Park District. Read more here.

Sycamore Speedway
Saturday Big Track SLM & LM Stock Car Racing – Plus IRS Midgets, 4 Bar Super Late Models, Modified Compacts and Poster Contest for the Kids! Visit the Sycamore Speedway Website now to learn more.

Sandwich Antiques Market
Sunday, 19 May, at the Sandwich Fairgrounds, 1401 Suydam Rd, Sandwich, IL. The Sandwich Antiques Market is a one-day summer market featuring quality exhibitors held at the park-like Sandwich Fair Grounds, with its beautiful 100-year old trees and plenty of places to sit and rest. Learn more.

Glidden Homestead Open House Open Barn

May. 17 What's Going On no comments

The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center’s Spring Open House-Open Barn this Sunday, May 19, from noon-4 p.m., gives visitors their one chance all year to see the inside of the historic barn where “The Winner” barbed wire was invented and first manufactured. The large brick structure is located on the Homestead property at 921 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, behind Burger King and next to Glidden Florist.

Chris Hubbard, shown here, is the Glidden Homestead’s chief blacksmith at the Phineas Vaughan Blacksmith Shop.

The Phineas Vaughan Blacksmith Shop at the Glidden Homestead also will be open and operating that day. Roger Keys is a historic preservationist who has done much work on the barn and house at the Homestead. He will help give tours May 19.

The barn is perhaps the most historically significant in the country, according to Keys, because it is where Glidden invented and manufactured the first practical barbed wire. The house was completed around 1861, and the brick barn was built between 1861-71. Glidden’s first barbed wire manufacturing office was located in the southeast corner of the barn.

Architecturally, the Glidden barn also is very significant. It is one of the oldest barns left standing in DeKalb County. It reflects the German tradition and is built of local bricks with transverse frame, post and beam construction. The foundation is made of locally-quarried limestone. There were 14 eight-paned double-hung windows and seven single-pane windows for luxurious livestock lodging. Originally, there were two large arched entrances, seven stalls, a large haymow, gable, hayhood and a dirt or wooden plank floor.

The Glidden barn has remained solid throughout its years of usage for livestock, horses, barbed wire manufacture and storage. It provides a priceless link to our past and evokes images for us of our agricultural roots and pioneer spirit upon which our communities are based today. Read more →

It’s Storage Auction Time Again!

May. 16 What's Going On no comments

This Saturday, May 18th, 2013, the DeKalb County Self Storage facilities will be the sites of public auctions: There will be five separate auctions at each of the locations in DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland and Malta. See below for times at each facility and see the website linked above for facility location maps.

As you may know, these auctions are the final step in a long process through which they have tried to collect past due rent from some of their delinquent tenants. They undertake auction of a customer’s stored goods only as a last resort, and then only in scrupulous compliance with the self-service storage statute enacted by the Illinois Legislature.

If you are interested in attending the auctions, you are most welcome. They appreciate you understanding the necessity to purge the facilities of these non-paying tenants. DeKalb County Self Storage requests that you avoid trying to access your storage unit(s) that Saturday, due to the likely congestion. You will not be allowed access during the auction time.