St. Mary Cemetery is one of the area cemeteries that will be featured in the first Local Lore lecture at the Ellwood House Museum in DeKalb.

DeKALB COUNTY

Sheriff: Know laws about leaf burning 

 DeKalb County officials are reminding residents about regulations for leaf burning, now that fall is here.

In large parts of unincorporated DeKalb County, there are no regulations that restrict the burning of leaves and other yard waste on private property. However, many local municipalities have regulations that restrict or prohibit burning on properties within the corporate limits. Also, state law prohibits burning on any unincorporated property that is within 1,000 feet of a municipality that bans such fires.

Leaf burning is prohibited by ordinance in Sycamore, Genoa, Hinckley, Maple Park and Waterman. That means the burning of leaves and other yard waste is prohibited on all properties outside of those communities that are 1,000 feet or closer to the city boundaries, according to the county.

If burning occurs on such properties and a complaint is made with the DeKalb County sheriff, a deputy will visit the property and instruct that the fire be extinguished. County officials said it is important that every resident know whether it is lawful to burn leaves on their property.

Residents who live within city limits should check with their municipality to find out regulations on outdoors burning. Any property owner in unincorporated DeKalb County who is uncertain if the city prohibition on leaf burning applies, should contact the DeKalb County Planning, Zoning and Building Department at (815) 895-7188, or online at planning@dekalbcounty.org.

DeKALB 

 Local Lore lecture  series kicks off  

The Ellwood House Museum will hold a new adult lecture series, Local Lore, which will cover a variety of topics relating to DeKalb history. Each month, a guest speaker will present a program. All programs will be free.

The first one is just in time for Halloween. Local historian Steve Bigolin will share his knowledge of the DeKalb cemeteries, including Oakwood, Pleasant Street, Evergreen, St. Mary’s and Fairview. He will lecture about the history and preservation of these landmarks 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 13, at the Ellwood House Museum Visitor Center, 509 N. First St., DeKalb.

All participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. For more information, contact Tricia Runzel by phone at (815) 756-4609 or by email at trunzel@ellwoodhouse.org.

For the complete Local Lore schedule, go to ellwoodhouse.org.

Event shows importance of playing with blocks 

 Parents can engage with their child at one of three local Block Fests and learn how to build a strong foundation in math and science for years to come.

Designed for children 8 months to 8 years old and their families, Block Fest is a fun-filled, hands-on event. Over the course of an hour, children and their caregivers interact with five varieties of non-interlocking blocks and learn how to play like that at home. Block Fest show caregivers how important block play can be for a child’s development, and how to engage in that play in ways that continue to stimulate learning at home.

Research completed at the University of Idaho shows that playing with non-interlocking blocks at a young age over time increases math assessment scores in middle and high school.

The following is a list of local Block Fest events:

• Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on an hourly rotation during STEMfest at Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center. Register on site.
• Oct. 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb.
• Dec. 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care, 155 N. Third St., DeKalb.

For more information, email Colleen Russell at Cscanlon1@niu.edu.

CORTLAND 

Annual festival parade planned 

The 35th annual Cortland Festival and Parade will be held Oct. 9.

The parade will kick off at 1 p.m., and will feature members of local bands, scout troops, clubs and other organizations. Staging for the parade will begin at 11 a.m., rain or shine. The parade’s theme is Salute the Troops.

The Parade Committee will host a festival at Cortland Community Park after the parade. For the first time in its history, the festival will have bumper cars and other rides. Ride tickets will cost $1 per ticket or $5 for six tickets. Artisans, crafters and businesses will have booths from 1:30-5 p.m. Vendors will have food for purchase. Disc jockey Craig Donnelly will play music and there will be activities for children.

Monetary donations are being accepted by the committee to help offset the cost of the parade. Donations should be sent to Town of Cortland Festival and Parade, PO Box 519, Cortland. Parade participants will receive hot dogs, chips and beverage after the parade, graciously donated by the Cortland Lions Club and Festival & Parade Committee.