This map shows the location and layout for the 40th Corn Fest, which will be held Aug. 25-27.

STATE

Trees linked to Johnny Appleseed to take root for bicentennial

An apple tree with historic roots is being offered to all counties of Illinois in honor of the state’s approaching bicentennial. The Illinois State Historical Society is commemorating the bicentennial of Illinois statehood – Dec. 3, 2018 – by selling trees linked to trees planted by John Chapman. Better known as Johnny Appleseed, Chapman traveled throughout Illinois, Indi-ana and Ohio planting apple nurseries, using seeds from the cider mill near his Pennsylvania home.

Fresh scionwood from the original tree has been used to propagate the new trees. The trees will be sold by the ISHS and may be purchased for $50 each (plus shipping). The society asks that those individuals or groups purchasing the Johnny Appleseed trees locate the trees on pub-lic land so that visitors to their county may enjoy the tree. Recommended sites include court-house grounds, public parks or cemeteries, museum grounds, libraries and historic garden sites. Each tree will be accompanied by a letter of authentication from the society and the ar-boretum.

Call (217) 525-2781, Ext. 4, to reserve a tree. The trees will be available in October.

DeKALB

Corn Fest to mark 40th anniversary

More than 50,000 people from around Illinois and the Midwest are expected to attend the 40th Corn Fest, a three-day music festival in downtown DeKalb, Aug. 25-27.

Located on Lincoln Highway between First and Fourth streets in downtown DeKalb, the festival will feature a soundstage with national and regional music acts, a carnival, car show, bike rally, kid fest, community stage, more than 90 vendors, a free corn boil on Saturday and other activities. The fest hours are 3-11 p.m. Aug. 25, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 26 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 27.

Admission to the festival is free to the public, and there is a $5 admission fee per day into the soundstage area. There is also a free viewing area. Wristbands will be sold for carnival rides. For more information, call (815) 748-CORN, visit cornfest.com or like DeKalb Corn Fest on Facebook.

SYCAMORE

Vendor deadline nears for annual fundraiser

Sept. 1 is the deadline to participate as a vendor in the Sycamore Music Boosters’ annual Autumn Craft & Treasures Market during the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29.

The vendor booth costs $150 for both days. An additional $30 fee will be charged to applications received after Sept. 1. Applications received after deadline go into standby. For more information or to reserve a booth, email vendor chairwoman Kristine Ohman at KristineOhman.pumkinfair@gmail.com.

The Sycamore Music Boosters is a volunteer organization comprised of families and friends of students enrolled in music education classes in Sycamore schools. The autumn market is the group’s largest fundraiser. For more information and to download the application, visit sycamoremusicboosters.com.

DeKALB/SYCAMORE

Altrusa awards grants to schools, organizations

Schools, libraries, community programs and a museum will all benefit from grants recently awarded by Altrusa International of DeKalb/Sycamore, a leadership and service organization, whose members donated more than $6,500.

Money was donated to Tyler, Littlejohn and Jefferson elementary schools and Clinton Rosette Middle School, all in DeKalb; Sycamore High School’s reading program and creative writing program; DeKalb County Health Department; Kingston Elementary School; Hand-in-Hand Community Project in Kingston; Flewellin Memorial Library in Shabbona; Kirkland Public Library; Woodbury School in Sandwich; Somonauk Middle School’s Instructional Coach and Leadership Program; Children’s Learning Center in DeKalb; Kishwaukee College Family Literacy Program; Sandwich High School; and Sycamore History Museum.

Altrusa also donated books to The Children’s Waiting Room in the DeKalb County Courthouse.

In addition, three $500 scholarships were awarded – one to a student from Kishwaukee College and one each to a graduating senior at DeKalb and Sycamore high schools.

Altrusa’s main fundraiser is the DeKalb County Spelling Bee, which will be held Oct. 19. For more information on being a sponsor or a participating team for The Bee, call Nancy Heal, spelling bee chairwoman, at (815) 751-5936.

WATERMAN

Middle school gets new building, technology

There seldom is a shortage of excitement as a new school year begins, especially when the new year includes the opening of a new school. Just ask the 207 fifth- through eighth-grade students of Indian Creek Middle School in Waterman. They began the 2017-18 school year in their new middle school building at 335 E. Garfield St., in what had been Waterman Elementary School.

The new school created an opportunity for Indian Creek School District 425 to incorporate technology in the classrooms. Each classroom has four 55-inch smart TVs, dry-erase tables for desks and swivel chairs. Each student has been issued a Chromebook and a backpack with a padded compartment to safely transport the laptop.

The building was expanded and renovated. The expansion added two science classrooms, an art room, a gymnasium with a stage, a weight room and a band and choir room. The renovation included painting, new carpet, tile, LED lights and lockers.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–