DeKalb County Briefs

Chronicle Media staff

DeKalb Park District’s Haish Gymnasium, 303 S. Ninth St., is open as a warming center during frigid temperatures, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday, as needed.

COUNTY 

 

Book donation goal is to improve ag literacy 

 

DeKalb County Farm Bureau’s Agricultural Literacy program worked with sponsors to donate ag-related children’s books to elementary, middle and high school libraries in the county.

The following six titles were provided this year: “Combines” by Holly Dufek, “First Peas to the Table” by Susan Grigsby, “Food Engineering” and “Genetic Engineering” by Michael Burgan, “Heartland” by Diane Siebert, and “Pod to Plate: The Life Cycle of Soybeans” by Julie Blunier.

Forty-three schools benefitted from this effort, which targeted students in kindergarten through high school. Each school library received grade-appropriate books.

A total of 194 books were distributed. Businesses and organizations who made the purchase of these books possible: Bob and Bonnie Buchholz – DEKALB Asgrow; Ed and Darla Arndt – DEKALB Asgrow; Illinois Soybean Association; local farmers, Sanderson Ag, Sycamore Hy-Vee, Tate & Lyle, Weberpal Farms; and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

 

 

DeKALB and SYCAMORE 

 

Warming centers open during frigid temps 

 

Warming centers are heated facilities where any resident can go during periods of extreme cold temperatures to stay warm and safe. Agencies that volunteer facilities as warming centers work to make visitors comfortable.

The buildings listed here are available as warming centers during regular operational hours.

 

  • DeKalb Senior Center, 330 Grove St., DeKalb: 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday;
  • DeKalb Park District, Haish Gymnasium, 303 S. Ninth St., DeKalb: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m. Saturday;
  • DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

If the above warming centers are closed, those in need are encouraged to go to Hope Haven, 1145 Rushmore Drive, DeKalb, because it is a no-turn away shelter.

The city of DeKalb has many services available to help residents weather the winter.

Call (815) 748-8400 to

  • Locate a warming center; and/or
  • Request a well-being check for someone who may be suffering from the elements.

In Sycamore, the warming centers are:

  • Sycamore Police Department, 535 DeKalb Ave., open 24 hours a day,
  • Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St.: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

 

 

SYCAMORE 

 

New dog park to carry family name 

The Brian Bemis Family Dog Park will be the name of the Sycamore Park District’s future dog park. The dog park will be part of a new recreation campus on Airport Road across from the current Sport Complex.

The Brian Bemis family of Brian Bemis Automotive Group donated $100,000 to Leaf a Legacy, a fundraising effort for ACTION 2020, which is addressing recreational needs of the fast growing and diversifying community of Sycamore.

Brian and Renee Bemis also will donate a bronze statue of a German Shepard sculpted by Renee, which will to be installed at the entrance of the dog park.

On Dec. 3, the Bemis family gathered with Sycamore Park District Commissioners and staff for a ceremonial check presentation.

 

Painting classes for children 

Youngsters can render holiday-themed paintings while parents do last-minute shopping, thanks to one-day programs at Chelsea Mcghee Studios, 525 Brickville Road, Sycamore. Two classes will be offered on Dec. 22: 9:30-11:30 a.m., children 7 and older will paint a portrait of Santa Claus, and 1-3 p.m., children 6 and older will paint a picture of a reindeer. Fee for each class is $25. Call (815) 991-5187 or go to chelseamcghee.com

 

 

STATE 

 

License plate supports Alzheimer’s awareness efforts 

 

Illinois is the first state in the nation to have a specialty license plate supporting the Alzheimer’s Association. The Illinois Secretary of State has received the required 1,500 reservations, which means the production process for the specialty license plate can begin.

More than 220,000 Illinois residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease. This new Alzheimer’s Association specialty license plate will help raise dementia awareness. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015 health survey, nearly 10 percent of Illinois residents 45 and older report they are experiencing confusion or memory loss that is happening more often or is getting worse.

The license plate was authorized by legislation in Springfield.

The new license plate will also help the Alzheimer’s Association strengthen its care and support efforts for residents and families facing Alzheimer’s disease. Ninety-two percent of the funds generated by the renewal fees will go to the Alzheimer’s Association to help fund services such as the 24/7 Helpline.

In the coming months, the Alzheimer’s Association will work with the Secretary of State to finalize the license plate’s design. The state police will then review the design to make sure it is safe and approved for use on Illinois roads. Once that process is complete, registrants will receive a license plate transfer application directly from the Secretary of State.

Throughout the process, the Alzheimer’s Association plans to update its website as news comes in from the Secretary of State. To see the most current information, visit act.alz.org/illinois.