Volunteers remove debris from the Kishwaukee River during a past Clean the Kish event. This year’s cleanup will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 30, in observance of the 2018 National Public Lands Day.

COUNTY

DeKalb Ag honored for its innovations

The ninth in a series of historic DeKalb County markers commemorating local agricultural innovation was unveiled last week. The honoree was DeKalb Ag, recognized for its success in commercializing various agricultural innovations in seed, swine, poultry and other endeavors.

According to the historical marker, DeKalb’s roots date back to 1912, when a group of farmers and bankers formed the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association. Through the years, DeKalb has been known as DeKalb Agricultural Association, DeKalb AgResearch and DeKalb Genetics Corp.

DeKalb’s hybrid corn research began in 1924, and by 1940, DeKalb led the nation in hybrid corn sales. The company was also involved in oil and gas exploration and other agriculture and oil-related businesses. 

DeKalb is recognized as the first company to patent transgenic corn, later introducing genes that provide farmers with herbicide, pest and disease resistance. DeKalb applied hybridization principles to sorghum, sunflowers, egg-laying poultry and swine breeding stock and later varietal alfalfa and soybean seed.

Information about the markers, sponsored by DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (DAAHA) Inc. and the Illinois State Historical Society, has been compiled into “The Historical Markers of DeKalb County,” a free self-guided tour booklet. It is available at the DAAHA, 111 S. Second St., Suite 204. For information about DAAHA and the nine historical markers, visit daaha.org.

Farmers can turn grain into donations

The DeKalb County Community Foundation and DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation have joined forces to help farmers donate grain instead of cash.

Through the Give a Gift of Grain program, farmers can deduct the cost of grain, which typically results in saving self-employment tax, federal income tax and state income tax. Farmers also benefit if they don’t itemize their deductions and take the standard deduction.

Farmers can direct their grain donation to either the Community Foundation or Farm Bureau Foundation, and also earmark the donation for a specific cause or charity. The Community Foundation will receive the monetary donation and disburse the funds to the intended charitable group.

For more information on giving a gift of grain, visit dekalbccf.org/giftofgrain. For questions, contact Community Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or Farm Bureau Foundation Administrator Mariam Wassmann at 815-756-6361.

DEKALB

Stage Coach Players’ to hold audition for Christmas play

Gadzooks! The Royal Shakespeare Company has not yet arrived to perform ”A Christmas Carol,” so an intrepid band of hapless actors must put together their own production in seven hours. Humor erupts as these poor but dedicated actors do their best with chaos all around them.

Does this sound like fun to you?

If so, then you may want to audition plan for Stage Coach Players’ presentation of “A Christmas Chaos,” a play that pokes fun at the classic novel, and where everything that can go wrong with a theatrical production does go wrong.

Auditions will be held at the Stage Coach Theater, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb, 1-4 p.m. Sept. 22 and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and Sept. 24. A cast of approximately 20 people of different genders and ages 7 and older are needed.

Those who audition should be prepared to do a cold read, participate in improv games and maybe even sing a Christmas song. Cast will be age appropriate.

Rehearsals begin Oct. 14. The show runs Nov. 29-Dec. 9, and will be directed by Gloria Dennison.

For more information, email stagecoachers@stagecoachers.com or call 815-758-1940.

Volunteers needed to clean the Kish

National Public Lands Day shines attention on the care and upkeep of public lands and waterways as a way to ensure that they are around for years of enjoyment. Clean the Kish, which will put attention on the Kishwaukee River, will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 30, in observance of this year’s National Public Lands Day.

Volunteers are being asked to help to remove trash and debris from the Kishwaukee River. The river provides recreation for residents of DeKalb from fishing to canoeing. It is home to 28 endangered, threatened or watch-listed species.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own clothing such as gloves, boots and waders, because a limited number will be available. Close-toed shoes are required. Volunteers will meet on the north side of Northern Illinois University’s East Lagoon along College Avenue in DeKalb. There is no cost to participate in this event. After the cleanup, participants can paddle the lagoon, play outdoor sports and enjoy a picnic lunch.

To register and for more information, contact Amy Doll of the DeKalb Park District at 815-751-4899.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–