Tom Asavarachan (left) and Kylie Knur paddled the “U-SS of A” in the 14th annual Fox Valley United Way cardboard boat race at Mastodon Lake at Phillips Park in Aurora last Saturday. The 29-boat, nine-division race kicked off FV United Way’s annual fundraising campaign. (Al Benson photo)

COUNTY

Visitors spending topped $450 million in 2015

Spending by visitors to Kane County topped $450 million in 2015 according to a report from the Illinois Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism.

Tourism also helped generate 37 billion in travel expenditures statewide along with creation of more than 10,000 new jobs.

Illinois’ number represent a 2.6 percent increase from 2014, and the 10,000 new jobs in 2015 represented a 3.5 percent increase from 2014.

“Our tourism and hospitality industry are Illinois’ greatest champions, drawing not only new visitors, but repeat travelers as well, in order to support and grow our local economies,” said Cory M. Jobe, director of the Office of Tourism.

In Kane County, tax revenue receipts from tourism reached $9.83 million at the local level; and $20.9 million at the state level in 2015, while visitor expenditures topped $458.73 million.

AURORA

Family inducted into Softball Hall of Fame

The Daniel D. Dolan family of Aurora were among the 2016 inductees at the International Softball Congress held earlier this month in South Bend, Ind.

The family was honored with the Bob Welby Memorial Recognition of Service Award, a kind of lifetime achievement that recognizes contribution and achievement over a number of years.

The ISC program lists Dolan’s history as a lifelong Auroran who formed Dolan & Murphy in 1965, a family real estate business that continues today. In 1982, the Creative DJs, a city league team in Aurora, was seeking support, and Dolan & Murphy agreed to sponsor the team and so entered the world of fast-pitch softball.

The entire Dolan family, including patriarch Daniel D. and his sons Dan T., Brian, Ryan and daughter Karen have enthusiastically supported the Dolan & Murphy fast pitch team. The team sponsorship is one of numerous civic activities, including food pantries, in which the family is involved.

GENEVA

Selective demolition sought for Mill Race Inn site

The city of Geneva’s Building Division has received a permit application from Shodeen Construction Co. for the selective demolition of the long-vacant Mill Race Inn property located at 4 E. State Street in downtown Geneva, IL.

The applicant is seeking approval for the removal of the superstructure and portions of the existing foundation that surround the circa 1846, limestone paper manufacturing building. The building was renovated in 1933 by August Wilson & Son for the establishment of Ann Forsyth’s iconic Mill Race Inn restaurant.

The proposed, selective demolition work will retain the existing, concrete foundation walls of the restaurant building and gazebo that lie within the floodplain, adjacent to the east bank of the Fox River. Selective demolition work will include the abatement of asbestos at locations identified by a professional environmental engineering consultant.

Once completed, the architectural and structural integrity will be professionally evaluated for consideration as a local or national historic landmark and feasibility for rehabilitation and incorporation into future redevelopment proposals.

AURORA

United Way seeks donations for school supplies

The City of Aurora, in partnership with the Fox Valley United Way, encourages residents to send Aurora children back to school prepared to succeed this fall.

As students in Aurora return to school, the citywide “Prepared to Succeed” School Supplies Campaign is seeking monetary donations to fund pre-packaged, grade-appropriate sets of school supplies to provide to those in need.

A contribution of just $15 sponsors a child with the notebooks, pencils and other supplies they need to succeed. Sponsorships are also available at the $75 level, which provides supplies for small groups of five to seven students, and the $150 level, which provides supplies for a group of 10 to 12 students. A sponsorship of $450 buys school supplies for an entire classroom of 25 to 30 students.

The “Prepared to Succeed” School Supplies Campaign runs through Friday, Sept. 30. To make a donation online via credit card, debit card or Paypal, visit www.uwfoxvalley.org. Click on the “Donate” tab at the top and then the “Make a Donation” tab.

Donations are tax-deductible and may be made by check, mailed to City of Aurora Community Services Department, 44 E. Downer Place, Aurora, Illinois 60507. Please make checks out to Fox Valley United Way.

–Kane County News Briefs–