Local

DEKALB – Colorful kites of all sizes and types will adorn the skies over DeKalb with whimsical and magical creations at the fifth annual DeKalb Kite Festival from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12.

GENOA — Employees of Tobinson’s Ace Hardware in Genoa are holding a retirement party for a former co-worker, and everyone is invited.

GENOA – The Natural Resource Center at Russell Woods will host its first “Gone to the Birds” celebration from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Russell Woods Forest Preserve in Genoa. 

SYCAMORE – Officials from the Sycamore Park District want to help “Put the ‘More’ in Sycamore.”

DEKALB – Time to get out the dictionaries, because a spelling bee is about to be held in DeKalb County.

DEKALB – Will the Spartans make it three in a row, or will the Barbs snap Sycamore’s winning streak?

DEKALB – There will be music for just about every taste at the first Middlewest Fest to be held in downtown DeKalb this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10 and 11.

SYCAMORE – Area residents will have an opportunity to experience the Civil War era, firsthand when officials from the Sycamore History Museum present a Civil War re-enactment, Sept. 11-12, at Sycamore Community Park.

120 years ago

It couldn’t get much sweeter.

Josh Woita has been the men’s head soccer coach at Kishwaukee College in Malta for the last eight years. As long as he can remember, he says he has been involved in soccer.

SHABBONA – What middle-aged man hasn’t, at one time or another, fantasized about being John Wayne?

Saddle up with NIU men's basketball coach Ricardo Patton

DEKALB – For the September production of its 64th summer season, Stage Coach Players will present the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” from Sept. 9-19, at Stage Coach Theatre, 126 S. Fifth St., in DeKalb.

DEKALB – Ellwood House will host its third annual Wine on the Terrace event from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. 

DEKALB – A favorable pre-season poll may be nice, but it doesn’t mean anything. At least that’s the attitude of Northern Illinois University football coach Jerry Kill.

DEKALB – Who says people are too timid to start their own businesses in this economy?

GENOA – Allen Thomas doesn’t live in Genoa, but it doesn’t matter; he’s getting a benefit anyway.

SYCAMORE – Cornerstone Christian Academy has provided a quality education to area students for more than three decades, and school officials are honoring the academy’s 35th anniversary throughout the school year.

MAPLE PARK – A fireworks display, car show, motorcycle show and horse-drawn carriage rides are just some of the activities that are going on in Maple Park this Labor day weekend.

120 years ago

Although you couldn’t tell from looking at them, Vicki Furlough and Gayle Peterson had never ridden in a real stagecoach before.

Junior Jason Schepler is the starting tight end on the Northern Illinois University football team, and a graduate of Sycamore High School, where he excelled in several sports.

Museum exhibit explores 'Heartbeat of a Community'

DEKALB – Local officials will have an opportunity to experience, first hand, how DeKalb firefighters respond to emergency situations.

SYCAMORE – In 1976, Walter and Ruthanna Rodatz fulfilled a dream of opening a Christian school in DeKalb County by offering a humble preschool program with an initial enrollment of only six students.

SYCAMORE – Rachel Buchanan of Sycamore is inspired to help others look good and feel better, and her new business gives her that opportunity.

GENOA – The future comes to downtown Genoa on Saturday, Aug. 28, for Genoa Main Street’s Movies on Main with “Meet the Robinsons,” a tale of one boy’s trip to the future.

DEKALB – Members of The Church in DeKalb now have a new location to conduct their services.

MALTA – When Matt Gorman and Graison Tjelle graduated from DeKalb High School a year ago, they never thought they’d play soccer with any of their old teammates again.

GENOA – The city of Genoa is stepping back into the past this weekend.

SYCAMORE – Downtown Sycamore has a unique charm that attracts visitors, new residents and even entices people to open businesses here.

DEKALB – Northern Illinois University students who may not be familiar with the DeKalb area will have an opportunity to get a glimpse of the community.

120 years ago

Vickie Dillon and Raina Bhingradia had the right idea.

Scott Bailey has big shoes to fill.

Taking a glimpse at the goings on at Corn Fest 2010

KINGSTON – A local ministry is giving residents an opportunity to get some exercise while helping others in the community.

SYCAMORE – Louise Swenson, of DeKalb, has helped people during emergency situations for several years, but now she is working with others in a different capacity.

120 years ago

There were games, free giveaways and even a giant rubber ball to push – oh, yes, there was also a little football.

Ben Mueller’s story, “The Most Dedicated,” has been published in the book “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners,” which was published July 13, and is currently available for purchase. Mueller is selling copies of the book for $10 at various marathons and running events, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Foundation. Residents may purchase a copy of the book by e-mailing Mueller at btmueller16@aol.com.

Couple offer steam show visitors an intricate, personal look into their lives

KIRKLAND – Several local musicians are teaming up to provide a night of entertainment for area residents.

MALTA – Weather permitting, the Northern Illinois Outlaws will host the National Day of the Cowboy at Amber Sun Acres in rural Malta this weekend, Aug. 21-22.

DEKALB – A luxury airliner, she’s not. Once the airborne workhorse of World War II, the B-17 Sentimental Journey today serves as a flying museum.

Although really just a normal, guy-next-door kind of guy, Phil Vassar does something a little different when he hangs out with his pals.

DeKalb's Corn Fest keeps on growing

DEKALB – The DeKalb Municipal Band, conducted by Dee Palmer, presents the final concert of the 2010 summer season at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, in the Hopkins Park band shell.

(Editor’s note: Brian Gumino, of Kingston, is senior patrol leader for Boy Scout Troop 2, in Sycamore, and is attending the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, in Virginia. He was chosen by his troop to be its Hometown News Correspondent. This is his report from the Jamboree.)