The Fox Valley Park District is hosting a Veterans Day Luncheon from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora. The luncheon is free to veterans. (Photo courtesy of FVPD)

Aurora

Park District hosts Veterans Day luncheon

In honor of all community members who have served in the Armed Forces, the Fox Valley Park District is hosting a Veterans Day Luncheon from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora.

The luncheon is free to veterans and will be catered by Upper Crust. Entertainment will be provided by Americana singer-songwriter Rick Pickren, who’s packing his guitars, banjos and harmonicas for a stars-and-stripes themed show rich in cowboy and rail history, lore and song.

In addition, veterans advocate Herschel Luckinbill will share information on the Honor Flight Chicago and Vets Roll programs and the many benefits they provide veterans. Prize drawings will take place as well.

The luncheon fee for non-veterans is $7 per resident and $11 per non-resident. Advance registration by Nov. 1 is required for all attendees to assure seating.

The complimentary fitness and luncheon apply to all veterans and active military, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserves. Participants need to show a valid military ID card.

For information on the Veterans Day luncheon and the free veterans fitness offers, call (630) 859-8606.

Park District to resume burns Nov. 1

Beginning Nov. 1, the Fox Valley Park District will resume its program of prescribed burns at selected park sites and natural areas.

For decades, the FVPD has conducted these specialized burns for their ecological benefits. Fire plays an essential role in creating healthy ecosystems by reducing the abundance of invasive, non-native plant species.

Prescribed burns create a setting for beneficial native plants and wildflowers to flourish. Burning also releases nutrients into the soil, encourages new seed growth and opens woodland floors to allow increased sunlight that spurs vibrant growth and promotes plant diversity.

Prior to conducting a prescribed burn, trained staff survey the burn area to create a detailed plan of action. Sites are burned according to dryness of vegetation, wind direction/speed and other variables, so exact dates and times for specific burns are dependent upon conditions. Most times, it is a day-of decision.

For a list of potential burn locations, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Montgomery

Mayor On The Move this Saturday

Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley will host a “Mayor on the Move” on Saturday, Nov.  5, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Creek Clubhouse at 2799 Oakmont Drive in Montgomery. Coffee and light refreshments for this event will be provided by the Lakewood Creek Homeowners Association.

Residents are invited to drop by to meet the Village President on an informal basis and discuss items of concern with him. Everyone is encouraged to bring their comments, questions and ideas to the session.

“As Village President, I enjoy visiting with residents and hearing what issues are important to them,” Brolley explained. “I also hope to tap into some of the great ideas people have on how to improve life in Montgomery.”

Village ready to host Festival of Trees

Thanks to an ongoing partnership between the Village of Montgomery and the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, hundreds of area residents come out each year to share in the spirit of the season at the Village of Montgomery’s annual Tree Lighting event. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, Dec.  4 at 5 p.m.

Visitors will welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive on a fire truck, enjoy free cookies and hot cocoa and listen to area school children perform some of their favorite Christmas songs. Visitors are also able to enjoy beautiful Christmas trees displayed throughout the Village Hall and vote for their favorite tree.

The Festival of Trees began in 2011, and was such a huge hit that it is now an annual event. This is an opportunity for local businesses to join in the festivities by displaying a decorated tree in Village Hall, promote their business to hundreds of area residents, and possibly earn the coveted title of “Favorite Decorated Tree” in the Village.

Trees will be on display on Dec.  4 at the annual Tree Lighting event, and will remain on display for community viewing and voting through Dec.  22. All trees will adorn the halls and lobbies of the Village Hall. There is no charge to participate.

The Festival of Trees provides a great opportunity for businesses to reach out to the community. Businesses are encouraged to decorate their tree in a creative way that promotes the business and the products or services offered.

Businesses interested in providing a tree for the Festival of Trees can call Toula Coffey at (630) 896-8080, Ext. 9023 for additional information and an application form. Space is limited to 20 trees and is being offered on a first-come, first served basis.

Oswego

Kifowit participates in Principal for a Day program

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, recently visited various schools in the 84th District as part of the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) Principal for a Day program.

She had the opportunity to visit Churchill Elementary and Oswego East High School in Oswego and McCarty Elementary in Aurora.  Kifowit was able to meet with many students and teachers, sat in on classroom presentations, and spoke with students about her role as a legislator, how a bill becomes law, and other functions of state government.

“The students and staff at Churchill Elementary School enjoyed engaging with Representative Kifowit during her recent visit.” Principal Tammie Harmon stated.  “This reciprocal relationship between Representative Kifowit and Churchill Elementary School is greatly appreciated and valued.”  

“I am always impressed with the innovation and creative learning environments for our children,” states Kifowit.  “I appreciate the principals taking time out of their day to allow me to understand their roles in their schools and to observe learning in progress.  These visits are vital to being an involved representative.”

Kifowit continues to be an advocate for children and fight for schools to receive proper funding from the State. As a mom and former substitute teacher, she is also demanding that efforts to reform the state’s education funding formula do not diminish support for local schools and deny opportunities to local students.

Remembering our Veterans

Discover Oswego’s fighting men and women through an extensive display of rarely seen military artifacts selected from the museum’s permanent collection, including items used during the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

A Wall of Honor will feature photographs of over 200 Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force personnel from the Oswego area and a special exhibit honors those military personnel with direct Oswego connections who were killed in action from the Civil War to Vietnam.

All ages are welcome to this free event at Oswego’s Little White School Museum, 72 Polk St. Hosted by the Oswegoland Heritage Association.

Open Saturday, Nov. 5 – Sunday, Nov.  13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open extended hours on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

District 308 launches new phone application

Community Unit School District 308 is excited to announce the launch of its mobile app. The free app is available on both Apple and Android mobile devices (including cell phones and tablets) by searching for “SD 308” in the app store.

The mobile app pulls information from the District’s web site and other data systems into a more mobile-friendly, easy-to-view application on cell phones and tablets. Students, staff, parents, and community members can now download the app to gain instant access to school announcements and news, school calendar and athletic schedules, HomeAccess, and contact information.

Parents and students can access a calendar of district events, lunch menus, and contact information for schools. Parents can also check students’ grades or prepay for lunches.

“We’ve worked very hard on the SD308 app and are very excited about its development and launch,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sparlin said. “The app gives us the opportunity and ability to communicate more effectively, efficiently, and timely with the public.”

Director of Communications and Public Relations Brian Graves said the goal in developing the app was to make it a viable resource available to all parents and students. The app eliminates hurdles to those who could access the district’s website from their smartphone browser by providing information faster and smoother.

Yorkville

YHS presents ‘You Can’t Take It With You’

Celebrating the 80th anniversary of this famous Broadway classic, Yorkville HS presents Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman’s “You Can’t Take It With You” on Nov. 4 – 5, at 7 p.m.

Under the direction of Sheila Thompson and student directors Eli Smock and Kenzie Fox, this hilarious comedy finds the stuffy Mr. & Mrs. Kirby showing up for dinner at the home of their son’s girlfriend on the wrong night and meeting the eccentric but lovable Sycamore family in all their zany glory of fireworks, ballet, canned salmon and a toga-clad discus thrower.

Tickets, which are $5 for children/students and $7 for adults, are available at the door only.

Cast members include Seniors: Ryan Pizzo, Pedro Ferrer, Jimmy O’Malley; Juniors: Rachel Tassi, Haley Nell, Jake Holter, Dakota Jones, Jake Quanstrom, Maddey Martin, Eve Cone, David Butts, Mackenzie Ward; Sophomores: John Harker, Carter Shimp, Savannah Johnson, Taylor Novotny, Max Iuro, Jake Gartung, Corey Mitchell, and Freshman: Rick Horstmann.

–Kendall County News Briefs–