Barns, such as this one, will be featured on the DeKalb County Barn Tour. The Aug. 12 event is a one-day driving tour of eight barns within the county hosted by the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association and the JF Glidden Homestead and Historical Center.

COUNTY

Public may tour eight barns

Barns play an important role in the success of a farm, and DeKalb County barns will proudly be on display during the upcoming DeKalb County Barn Tour. The Aug. 12 event is a one-day driving tour of eight barns within the county hosted by the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association and the JF Glidden Homestead and Historical Center.

Participants will receive a map guide book containing hand-drawn sketches of each barn and the barn’s history, style and use. Participants may drive to each location in any order between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold at all eight locations.

Admission is $25 per vehicle; buses will be charged more. Glidden museum members receive a 25 percent discount. Bus groups are welcome. For more information, call Marcia Wilson at the JF Glidden Homestead and Historical Center at (815) 756-7904 or email info@gliddenhomestead.org. The Barn Tour brochure can be found at gliddenhomestead.org. The tour is an outdoor activity that may involve walking on uneven ground.

DeKALB

Radio program airs area musical talent

A new season of Sessions from Studio A, will air starting Aug. 3 on WNIJ 89.5 FM. The station produces the program dedicated to showcasing regional and touring musicians. It can be heard every Thursday at 7 p.m., with rebroadcasts at 6 p.m. Sundays and online at wnij.org.

The program features locally recorded performances and presents genres of music ranging from folk to indie rock, blues, alternative country, Americana, world music and more. Hosted by Carl Nelson, these performances are accompanied by interviews with the artists who discuss their aspirations and the stories behind their original songs.

WNIJ 89.5 FM is one of two non-commercial public broadcasting radio stations managed by Northern Public Radio, the broadcast arm of Northern Illinois University.

Ride like an Egyptian, help support theater

A bike ride through DeKalb and Kane counties will be held Aug. 19 to raise funds for the historic Egyptian Theatre. Start time is 6:30 a.m. Because the ride begins and ends at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb, cyclists will have the opportunity to explore the building. The theater opened in 1929, and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The Ride Like an Egyptian bike ride offers four mix-and-match 25-mile loops. All participants will be provided with route maps and all routes will be marked with signs. Cyclists should bike at their own speed; this is not a race. All ages are welcome, however, those under the age of 16 must ride with a participating parent or guardian. Registered riders will receive an end-of-ride meal of soup, sandwiches and refreshments.

On Aug. 6, registration cost increases for adults from $25 to $30. Youth 16 and under registration fee increases from $5 to $10. The price of the event T-shirt increases in cost from $10 to $12 The ride goes on rain or shine. Due to the charitable nature of this ride, there are no refunds offered. Registration for Ride Like an Egyptian is tax-deductible.

Nature Trail project receives ComEd grant

The DeKalb Park District will use a new $10,000 grant for its Nature Trail restoration project. ComEd, in partnership with the Openlands conservation organization, awarded the grant through its Green Region grant program. The 2017 funds put a special focus on projects that help pollinators such as butterflies and bees. The DeKalb Park District project involves developing and implementing a beautification plan for land adjacent to the DeKalb Nature Trail, including removing invasive species, installing native plantings, providing educational signage, and creating a habitat for birds, butterflies and other pollinators.

This donation comes shortly after the park district received a $2,000 donation from the DeKalb Rotary Club.

STATE

New highway map now smartphone-compatible

The new Illinois Official Highway Map, featuring Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg on the cover, is now available.

The 2017-18 maps have QR (quick response) codes for numerous transportation and travel websites, updated route information and useful links.

Smartphone users can scan the QR codes printed on the maps for pertinent and timely information during their travels.

QR codes access the following information:

· Getting Around Illinois website,

· Amtrak and Illinois high-speed rail websites,

· Start Seeing Motorcycles website,

· Chicago and St. Louis traffic websites,

· Alternative fuels website,

· Enjoy Illinois website,

· Illinois Scenic Byways,

· Illinois Amber Alert and

· Illinois State Police Scott’s Law (“move over law”).

Made possible by funding from the Federal Highway Administration, the Illinois Official Highway Map is published by the Illinois Department of Transportation every two years on recycled paper with soybean oil-based inks. Contact DOT.maps@illinois.gov to request a map. Free copies also will be available at interstate rest areas and the IDOT tent at the Illinois State Fair, Aug. 10-20.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–