Bob Wildenradt of Sycamore, second from left, is surrounded by Laurie Borowicz, president of Kishwaukee College; Robert Johnson, chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees; and Frank Roberts, son of the late John C. Roberts, after he received the 2017 John C. Roberts Community Service Award for his years of volunteer work for the college.

COUNTY

Marker recognizes agricultural achievement

The DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (DAAHA) has dedicated a State of Illinois historical marker recognizing another example of local agricultural innovation that has had national impact.

The marker recognizes the inventive and civic contributions of Jacob Haish of DeKalb, one of the early inventors and manufacturers of barbed wire. The marker is in the DeKalb Public Library, once known as the Haish Memorial Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb.

This marker represents the seventh in a series of markers that DAAHA is developing under the auspices of the Illinois State Historical Society’s historical marker program to recognize the heritage of agricultural innovation and achievements. DAAHA, formed as a local nonprofit in 2010, exists to help foster an awareness of and appreciation for this heritage.

Haish’s invention helped to rein in cattle that previously roamed freely, destroying crops and creating hazards for railroads.

Haish started manufacturing S barbed wire in 1874, and a year later earned a patent for his design. He built a two-story factory in 1881 that produced 30 tons of barbed wire per day.

He donated generously to the betterment of DeKalb, contributing funds for a hospital and the public library. Together with his barbed-wire rivals Joseph Glidden and Isaac Ellwood, he was instrumental in bringing Northern Illinois State Normal School to DeKalb, now Northern Illinois University.

Summer camps will explore the outdoors, its inhabitants

The DeKalb County Forest Preserve is offering four weeklong summer day camp programs in the Russell Woods Forest Preserve, one mile west of Genoa on Rt. 72, each with a different theme. Camps run 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Fee is $120 per child, per week. Registration and payment are due as soon as possible to reserve a space. Call the Natural Resource

Education Center at (815) 784-2000 for questions about the camps. For questions regarding registration, call the University of Illinois Extension Office, (815) 758-8194.

Dates and topics for the four camps are:

· June 26-June 30, Cold-Blooded Camp, for youngsters ages 7 – 9: Campers will learn about local reptiles and amphibians. Campers will watch how they eat and survive.

· July 10-July 14, Naturalist Camp, for youngsters ages 9 – 11: This camp is for all kids who want to play in the grass, collect specimens and investigate the forest, river and prairie.

· July 17-July 21, Magnificent Mammals Camp, for youngsters ages 7 – 9: Campers will put themselves in the shoes of the mammals of Russell Woods, by exploring their homes, sights and sounds. Campers will learn how mammals behave.

· July 31-Aug 4, Rockin’ in the River Camp, for youngsters 9 – 11: This camp is dedicated to the Kishwaukee River and all the creatures that live in and around it. Campers will study, play and become knowledgeable about the river.

DeKALB

Movies salute teens of the 1980s

The teen movies of the 1980s spoke to a generation, and continue to attract new audiences. The DeKalb Public Library is helping introduce today’s teens to the classic films by host a showing of a different ‘80s movie for teens every other week.

The movies will be shown from 3-5 p.m. on Fridays.

The schedule for the rest of the summer is:

June 23 – “The Sandlot”

July 7 – “The Goonies”

July 21 – “The Breakfast Club”

Aug. 4 – “Footloose”

Aug. 18 – “The Outsiders”

No registration is required. All showings are free. The movies are intended for teens, and popcorn will be provided. Teens are encouraged to arrive early to get a good seat. Movies will be held in the Teen Room of the library, 309 Oak St. For more information, email susang@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568, ext. 3400.

Sycamore

Restaurant honored for 25th year in business

The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce recently honored Taxco Restaurant for its 25 years of business and many contributions to the community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Taxco, 223 W. State St. in downtown Sycamore, serves authentic Mexican cuisine with handmade tortillas, fresh guacamole and margaritas along with an extensive selection of tequila. The restaurant is known for the Cinco de Mayo celebration its owners, Jesus and Stefanie Romero, started in Sycamore 20 years ago. The festival was extended to a two-day event this year in honor of its 20th anniversary.

Half of this year’s proceeds went to an endowment fund for Kishwaukee College scholarships, and the rest was donated to some of the local nonprofit organizations that participate in the festival.

In addition to the dine-in restaurant and full bar, Taxco has an adjacent banquet room and also caters.

Sycamore man honored for service to college

Kishwaukee College named Bob Wildenradt of Sycamore as the recipient of the 2017 John C. Roberts Community Service Award for his years of volunteer service to the college. The award was presented during this spring’s commencement ceremony.

The award was established in 2009 to recognize the importance of community members in the success of the college. Wildenradt served on the Kishwaukee College Foundation Board of Directors and was named an emeritus member of the board upon his retirement. He has been a strong supporter of the mission of the college.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–