Kendall County News Briefs

Chronicle Media
Yorkville Public Library to host birthday party  cutline: Come join the staff and Friends of the Yorkville Public Library as they culminate their yearlong celebration of its 100th birthday with a large bash on Dec 4, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m.  with refreshments, balloons, face painting, crafts, photo ops, and a grand prize drawing of electronic tablets.  (Photo courtesy Yorkville Public Library)

Yorkville Public Library to host birthday party
Come join the staff and Friends of the Yorkville Public Library as they culminate their yearlong celebration of its 100th birthday with a large bash on Dec 4, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m.  with refreshments, balloons, face painting, crafts, photo ops, and a grand prize drawing of electronic tablets.  (Photo courtesy Yorkville Public Library)

Kendall County

University of Illinois Extension honors Master Gardeners

The University of Illinois Extension of Kendall County recently celebrated its Master Gardeners with an awards and appreciation night, in honor of the volunteer group already completing 2,250 hours of service in 2015. Five Master Gardener interns were elevated to the official rank of Certified Master Gardener: Nann Armstrong, of Oswego;

Sheila English, of Bristol; Randy Kremer, of Yorkville; and Peter Krol and Gloria Meyer, both of Sandwich. In addition, Debbie Salois and Jenise Tucker, both of Oswego, each earned a 10-year certificate and pin. Four Master Gardeners were recognized for putting in more than 100 hours of service this year: Connie Hatter, of Plano (491 hours); Hillard Bryant, of Plano (280); Laura Spang, of Batavia (138.5); and Pat Hambly, of Yorkville (122.5). For more information about the Master Gardener group, visit www.web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/.

Kifowit forms Young Leaders Citizen Advisory Council

Inspired by speeches given by young community members who participated in the Mikva Challenge during the Project Soapbox Competition, held in Aurora, on Nov. 12, State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) announced the formation of the Young Leaders Citizen Advisory Council. The Mikva Challenge was founded in 1997 with the goal of promoting youth involvement in the civic process, including electoral participation, youth policy-making, and youth community problem solving. Kifowit served as a guest judge in the Mikva Challenge Soapbox semifinals, which featured students participating in a public speaking competition. Applicants should send a brief letter describing their interest in the civic process to stephanie@ILDistrict84.com, or by mail to Kifowit’s full-time constituent service office at 1677 Montgomery Road, Suite 116, Aurora, Ill. 60504. For more information, call (630) 585-1308.

Yorkville

Breakfast with Santa at the Fairgrounds on tap

The Kendall County Fair Association will present Breakfast with Santa at the Fairgrounds, with two seatings (9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.), on Dec. 12, at the Kendall County Fairgrounds Education Building, 10826 Illinois Route 71, in Yorkville. The cost is $7, which includes pancakes, sausage, a beverage, games, candy canes, and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring their cameras for a photo opportunity with Santa Claus, and to bring a gift to be donated to Toys for Tots. For reservations, call (630) 552-7844. For more information, call (630) 553-2860.

Library begins December Adult Programs series

The Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, begins its December Adult Programs series with Threads and More Group from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 1 in the library’s Historical Room. The group, which meets on the first Tuesday of each month, works on knitting, quilting, sewing, crochet and needlepoint projects. No registration is required.

The Adult Book Club Lunch Bunch will meet from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 9. The group meets in the Historical Room on the second Wednesday of each month. For more information, call (630) 553-4543 or visit www.yorkville.lib.il.us.

Oswego

Southbury fifth-grader earns creative drawing award

A report stated that Lydia Woolsey, a fifth-grade student at Southbury Elementary School, 820 Preston Lane, was the recipient of an award for a creative drawing representing Huntington Learning Centers. Woolsey’s drawing was displayed at Huntington’s National Convention, held in Chicago, in October, and also was printed on Huntington brochures and posters.

Holiday Express event includes real reindeer

The Oswegoland Park District is offering the Oswego Holiday Express (for all ages) from 4:30-8 p.m. Dec. 11, and from 2:-3:30 p.m. or 3:30-8 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13. Participants will board a trolley at South Point, 810 Preston Lane, and then see real reindeer, meet Santa Claus, and enjoy hot cocoa from the Village Grind. The cost is $12 (residents) and $17 (non-residents). Registration is required, and must be done in person at South Point Center. For more information, call (630) 534-1010 or visit www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org.

Sandwich

Library accepting food in exchange for fines

The Sandwich Public Library, 925 S. Game Farm Road, is accepting donations of non-perishable food items in exchange for fines through Dec. 12. Each item is worth $1 off of any current fines, up to $5. The offer does not apply to long-overdue fees, collection fees, or missing or damaged materials. Donations also will be accepted from patrons who have no fines to pay. All donations will benefit the Sandwich Lions Franklin Mall Project. For more information, call (815)-786-8308 or visit www.sandwichpld.org.

Park District offers Festival of Trees event

The Holiday Lane Craft Show and Festival of Trees will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Timber Creek Inn & Suites, 3300 Drew Ave., in Sandwich. The free event — sponsored by the Sandwich Park District — will feature an assortment of uniquely decorated Christmas trees, and also will include holiday music performed by area church choirs, school groups, and community musical groups. For more information, call (815) 786-8044 or visit www.sandwichparkdistrict.com.

Aurora

Pilmer chosen as Executive Director for Park District

The Fox Valley Park District’s Board of Trustees announced that Jim Pilmer has been selected as the Park District’s new Executive Director. Pilmer, who becomes the sixth person to hold the position in the Park District’s 68-year history, replaces Nancy McCaul, who recently retired after 30 years of service. From 2002 to 2009, Pilmer was the director of parks and recreation for the City of Aurora. Recently, he worked as director of neighborhood standards for the city of Aurora. The Fox Valley Park District serves more than 233,000 residents in Aurora, Montgomery and North Aurora.

Montgomery

Brolley to host Mayor on the Move event

Village President Matt Brolley will host Mayor on the Move from 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 5 at Montgomery Village Hall, 200 N. River St. Residents are invited to drop by and meet Brolley on an informal basis to discuss any items of concern. Attendees also will get a sneak peek at the Village’s Festival of Trees, set to officially begin with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of Village Hall at 5 p.m. Dec. 6. The free event, co-hosted by the village and the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, will begin with area grade-school students decorating the village Christmas tree with handmade ornaments, followed by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in fire trucks with sirens blaring. After the tree lighting, children can visit Santa and take photos in Village Hall, and students will perform live music on the Park District Sound Stage. Free hot cocoa and cookies will be provided. Any businesses interested in participating in the Festival of Trees, or any youth groups interested in performing, should call Debbie Buchanan at (630) 896-8080, Ext. 1114. For more information, visit www.ci.montgomery.il.us.

Plano

Library to host Kids’ Christmas Tea

The Plano Community Library District, 15 W. North St., will present Kids’ Christmas Tea from 1:30-3 p.m. Dec. 12. The event, intended for independent students (first to fifth grade only), will feature tea, treats, a craft to take home, and books to share. To register, call (630) 552-2025. For more information, visit www.plano.lib.il.us.

Minooka

Ellis House to hold 5K reindeer Run/Walk

The Ellis House & Equestrian Center, 13986 McKanna Road, will host a 5K Reindeer Run/Walk, beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 13. The race will be held on a scenic, cross country-style course. Pre-registration ($25 entry fee) is encouraged; same-day registration ($35 entry fee) begins at 7 a.m. and closes at 8:45 a.m. sharp. Participants who register between Dec. 1 and 12 will receive a T-shirt, to be mailed following the race day. Age divisions are 10 & Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & Up.

Trophies will be awarded to the best overall male and best overall female, and the top three finishers in each division will receive a ribbon. For more information, call (815) 475-4035 or visit www.ellishec.com.

–Kendall County News Briefs–