Since 1981, Theis Farm Market has been providing local produce. The farm will be one of the stops on the DeKalb Farm Stroll on July 24.

DeKALB COUNTY

Meet farmers, buy fresh crops during Farm Stroll

The DeKalb County Farm Stroll invites the public to tour area farms and get a glimpse into life on a farm.

A tour is designed as a self-guided tour. It has no beginning and no end, and will go to family farms and an agricultural museum from noon-5 p.m. July 24. The stroll is free, but visitors are encouraged to bring cash to pay for food and activities on each farm.

To fully enjoy the Farm Stroll, organizers list some guidelines:

• Dress appropriately for a farm visit;
• Be sure to follow the farmers’ instructions and be respectful of the animals;
• Wash your hands regularly and wear shoe covers if instructed to do so;
• For the safety of livestock and other participants, do not bring pets; and
• Turn in a completed Farm Stroll Passport at any of the farms for a chance to win prizes.

The Farm Stroll is sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension. Go to web.extension.illinois.edu/bdo/downloads/65246.pdf for a map. For more information, contact Andy Larson, Extension local foods and small farms educator, at (815) 732-2191 or andylars@illinois.edu.

The stops on the tour are:

• Theis Farm Market, 6N953 County Line Road, Maple Park;
• Heatherhope Farm, 22417 Airport Road, Sycamore;
• Beautiful Bounty, 13875 Barber Greene Road, Sycamore;
• Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., 11504 Keslinger Road, DeKalb;
• Bountiful Blessings Farm Produce, 15565 McGirr Road, Hinckley;
• You Pick Berries, featuring Charter Grove Honey, 30683 Lanan Road, Kingston;
• The Farmer’s Garden, 8091 S. Mayfield Road, DeKalb;
• Precious Pastures, 387 S. Malta Road, Rochelle;
• Red Home Farm, 13459 Tower Road, Lee; and
• Waterman Winery and Vineyards, featuring the DeKalb Area Ag Heritage Association, 11582 Waterman Road, Waterman.

Kishwaukee  Fest to be held July 23-31

Kishwaukee Fest of DeKalb County will be celebrated with a week of free entertainment including concerts in the park, car shows, food events and a parade. The theme of the festival, to be held July 23-31, is Salute to Veterans. Events will be held in DeKalb and elsewhere in the county. Local stores will offer Christmas in July sales. For more information about all events, visit www.KishwaukeeFest.com or call (815) 756-1263. Three major events are part of the festivities.

A parade, street dance and ice cream social will start at 6 p.m. July 29 in downtown DeKalb. The main event, called the Parade of Parades, will feature a collection of music groups, youth groups, several Illinois pageant queens, local business float entries, military units and other groups. This year’s parade also will feature the first Christmas parade of the season, complete with Santa and elves.

BaconPalooza-Swine & Wine Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 30 in downtown DeKalb. This event will feature a variety of food vendors and an opportunity to sample wines from a selection of vineyards.

The Turning Back Time Car Show will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 31 in downtown Sycamore with more than 600 cars and motorcycles on display.

CORTLAND

 System protects homes during emergencies

The Cortland Fire Department is introducing a Knox HomeBox system for residences. The Knox Box is a secure key safe that first responders can use to access homes during an emergency.

When people inside are unable to open the door or are not home, first responders can open the Knox HomeBox and can enter the house without damaging the door.

Once the HomeBox is installed, homeowners can call the fire department at (815) 756-2545 and arrange to get a key for the box. Contact Assistant Fire Chief Mark Hedrick for more information at mhedrick@cortlandfire.com, or call the department.

STATE

 Tips can save lives during heat waves

Extreme heat is deadly. It kills more people each year than other weather-related hazards, such as tornadoes, floods and lightning. From 2006 through 2015, the National Weather Service said heat accounted for an average of 113 fatalities each year; tornadoes caused an annual average of 110 deaths; and floods resulted in an annual average of 84 fatalities.

To increase awareness about the dangers of extreme heat, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies are offering heat safety tips to help people stay safe when temperatures rise.

One of the most important heat safety tips is to never leave children, elderly people, adults with disabilities or pets in parked cars because temperatures rise quickly. Even with the windows slightly open, temperatures will rise 30 to 40 degrees in less than 30 minutes.

Other tips include:

• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 1½ to 2 quarts of fluids daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty;
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and drinks containing caffeine;
• Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities if possible;
• Take advantage of cooling centers, public pools and air-conditioned stores and malls during periods of extreme heat. Even a few hours a day in air conditioning can help prevent heat-related illnesses;
• Offer pets extra water and place the water bowl in a shaded area if outdoors. Make sure pets have a shady refuge;
• Seek medical attention immediately if someone experiences dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion and a rapid pulse. These could be the symptoms of heatstroke.

Get additional tips about how to protect from heat-related illnesses from the state’s Ready Illinois website, www.Ready.Illinois.gov.