Opinion

I am not an adventurous person, yet I’ve long felt an affinity for pioneers, those stout men and women of the 19th century who staked their claims upon a harsh and unforgiving landscape with little but the land itself to call their own.

Last month, 18 people were killed at an outdoor rock concert in Germany. Tragic as this was, it wasn’t the first time something like this has happened.

It is commonly acknowledged that the seasons don’t change in accordance with the calendar.

This is one of those things you can’t make up.

The Sycamore Moose Lodge 1506 would like to thank everyone that helped and donated for our food drive for the Sycamore Food Pantry on Aug. 7.

The DeKalb Area Garden Club extends our gratitude to the local businesses and individuals that made this year’s flower show at the Ellwood House Ice Cream Social such a huge success. The flower show was very well attended, and successfully raised funds that will be used to fund the DeKalb Area Garden Club Scholarship to benefit students in the Kishwaukee College Horticulture Department.

While the interview with Phil Vassar was a lot of fun to do, it’s not the first time I’ve talked with him.

Watching the Rod Blagojevich trial the other day brought back some memories for me.

The DeKalb County 4-H Foundation would like to thank the following individuals, organizations and businesses for their generous donations to our 14th annual silent auction, July 14-15. When you are out shopping, please consider doing so at these businesses and thank them for supporting 4-H.

Do you have a hobby?”

It was the hardest money I have ever earned.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of DeKalb County would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those involved for helping to make the Garden Walk and Plant Sale on July 10 a big success. 

One night last May, we sat in the Sycamore High School auditorium for nearly three hours and witnessed an event that was both humbling and awe inspiring.

For those of you reading this column, please try not to read too quickly, because I’m writing so slowly this morning that I may not be able to keep up. I’ve just returned from spending a week in Wisconsin’s northwoods, a vacation that has left me in such a delightful state of relaxation that even the word “deadline” inflicts little fear, but rather just a scarce bit of annoyance which can be whisked away with the flick of a wrist, like waving off a mosquito.

All right, I’ve written about dogs and rabbits and cats, so I guess it’s only fair to make a few notes about squirrels.

The Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club of DeKalb thanks our community for a successful 12th annual Biking with Beanzie on July 18. Riders chose from 23, 43-, 66- and 101-mile routes. More than 500 riders from throughout the Midwest participated in the ride with no injuries. It was extremely hot, but thankfully there was no rain.

Wow! “Meet Me at The Fair” at the Pay-It-Forward House on Saturday, July 17 was an amazing event! It was especially wonderful to see so many happy faces of all ages enjoying the fair. The visitors and the volunteers were all smiling and enjoying the great food, entertainment, games, auction and the glorious gardens.

We members of Waterman Lions Club are very pleased at the support we received from local citizens, businesses and civic organizations for the recently held 10th Lions Club Antique Tractor Show and Summer Fest.