June 2009 >

Community Ice Rink reopens

June-August: The DeKalb Community Ice Rink will reopen the first week of June, and remain open on Fridays through Sundays through August. It will then shut down for the month of October and reopen in November for the holiday season. The rink is located at North First and Locust streets, downtown DeKalb. For more details, contact Re:New DeKalb, (815) 748-7788.

Book dramatist Barbara Rinella at Egyptian

Wednesday, June 3: A benefit for the Egyptian Theatre Seating Campaign Wednesday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m., with feature book dramatist Barbara Rinella giving a dramatic reading. All proceeds will go directly toward the Egyptian Theatre Seating Campaign to replace all of the existing auditorium seats. As a former teacher, Rinella defines herself as an “academic entertainer.” For many years she has been celebrating literature and learning through her delightful programs on current books. She will present “Einstein: His Life and Universe, by Walter Isaacson.” This event is guaranteed to provide an exciting, entertaining, and enjoyable evening. General admission tickets are $50 and include wine and appetizer reception in theatre lobby starting at 5 p.m. Ticket price is tax deductible within the limits of federal and state laws. For tickets, visit www.egyptiantheatre.org or call (815) 758-1215.

Midwest Museum of Natural History

Tuesday, June 9: Informational Reception at the museum for the 14 day Galapagos and Machu Picchu Cruise. All interested in learning more are invited to attend. A detail of the trip will be given followed by a tour of the museum. Event from 2-3pm. For more information contact (815) 895-9777 or visit www.mmnh.org.

Van Buer Square dedication

Wednesday, June 10: The dedication of Van Buer Square, North Second and Locust streets, will begin at 5 p.m., honoring the late Mayor Frank Van Buer.

Re:New DeKalb celebrates Chapter Two

Wednesday, June 10: Join Re:New DeKalb as it celebrates “Chapter Two” of the downtown DeKalb revitalization story Wednesday, June 10, 5:30 -7 p.m., at Eduardo’s, downtown DeKalb. Prior to the event, at 5 p.m., will be the Dedication Ceremony of the Frank Van Buer Plaza, located at Locust and Second streets. Re:New DeKalb’s Second Annual Meeting will celebrate the progress being made downtown DeKalb and discuss where the effort is heading. Special guest, Kent Shodeen of Shodeen, Inc., will discuss his company’s exciting plans downtown and throughout the city. The cost is $15 per person. Reservations can be made by calling Re:New DeKalb, (815) 748-7788 or by emailing office@renewdekalb.com. Space is limited, so please make your reservation today. The evening will include networking, extensive hors d’oeuvres buffet, a cash bar, and the program at 6 p.m. with Shodeen.

Farmer's Market opens

Thursday, June 11: Re:New DeKalb's Farmer's Market opens for the season Thursday, June 11, from noon-6 p.m., on North Second and Locust streets in Van Buer Square. Live music lunch series runs from noon-1:30 p.m. The Farmer's Market is held each Thursday through Sept. 24.

Friday Family Movies in the Park - Superman

Friday, June 12, 8:45-11pm: Join family and friends in beautiful Hopkins Park for an evening of free entertainment on a GIANT movie screen at the DeKalb Park District: 1403 Sycamore Road in DeKalb. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and come early for picnicking and pre-movie activities. Movies start around 8:45pm.

Midwest Museum of Natural History

Friday, June 12, 3-5pm: Five wolf pups, born at Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport, destined to become the stars of a new exhibit at the Memphis Zoo later this month visit MMNH, along with a coyote and several other Big Run residents. Museum admission applies to all for this special program. Members receive a 10% discount. Admission is General: $5, Children (12 and under): $4, Seniors: $4, Toddlers (2 and under): Free. Contact us at (815) 895-9777 or email: guestrelations@mmnh.org

Uncle Joe’s Country Faire

Saturday, June 13: The Glidden Homestead’s upcoming Uncle Joe's Country Faire seeks to recapture some of the fun and pleasures of an "Olde Tyme Country Faire" of over 100 years ago, including a barbecue dinner and square dance. Uncle Joe's Country Faire will be held Saturday, June 13, 2-8:30 p.m., in and around the shelter house at Hopkins Park, 1430 Sycamore Rd., DeKalb. While a donation is being asked for the meal and dance, admission to the Midway is free, where special historical figures in old-time costumes will stroll the grounds and join in the fun. Faire-goers will also enjoy hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn available for sale. Participants will enjoy the sound of historically-themed music on the Midway where they can select from many bake sale items. The public is encouraged to donate family specialties baked for this event to benefit of the Glidden Homestead. The public is also encouraged to donate to the Homemade Pie Auction. Contact board member, Kim Goyke, for details (815) 260-7154. Old-time games and craft-making will be featured for children that afternoon at the Faire. There is a one-time fee of $3 per child for participation in all games and craft-making. Activities for children from 2-6 p.m., will include: Games and prizes—children will rediscover the simple pleasures of days gone by. The many games for prizes will include horseshoes, balloon darts, bag toss, ring toss, treasure hunt, buckets, and putt-putt golf into the mini Glidden barn. Kids’ craft making area—participants will make old-time hats, fans and whizzers. The afternoon’s events also include demonstrations of several old-time crafts, as well as a special quilt exhibit in the shelter house from 2- 4:30 p.m. A People’s Choice Award for the most popular quilt will be presented at 4:30 p.m. Uncle Joe’s Country Faire also will include several contests, including a cupcake eating contest. The day will conclude with a special old-fashioned dinner-dance with musical entertainment. One $20 ticket will cover the evening’s festivities. 5- 8:30 p.m. A barbecue dinner with all the fixings will be served from 4-6:30 p.m. It will be outside if the weather is good, otherwise inside the shelter house. There will be musical entertainment during dinner. After dinner, there will be a Square Dance Exhibition by the Sugar Squares of Hinckley. Their presentation will include a demonstration of square dancing, followed by lessons for those who are interested, and then open dancing for all. For tickets to the event, call (815) 756-7904. They also will be available at the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, at other retail locations and from board members. Uncle Joe’s Country Faire is a benefit for the Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center in DeKalb. The Homestead is the site where Joseph Glidden invented and manufactured “The Winner” barbed wire, for which he received a patent on Nov. 24, 1874. The house and barn built in the 1860s still stand on their original site at 921 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb (between Copy Service and Burger King). Visit www.gliddenhomestead.org.

Taste of Kish -Under the Stars

Saturday, June 13: The Auxiliary Board at Kishwaukee Community Hospital has announced the fundraiser “Taste of Kish -Under the Stars,” Saturday, June 13, 6:30-10 p.m. Featured will be appetizers and desserts along with entertainment and raffles, door prizes and a special raffle package. More details will be announced.

Chamber Golf Outing

Friday, June 19: The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce's annual Golf Outing will tee off at River Heights Golf Course. The day includes lunch, prizes, networking, fun, dinner and much more. Watch this site for more details!

Military Convoy Overnight Stop

Saturday, June 20: The 2009 MVPA Convoy, celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the 1st Army Motor Vehicle Convoy Across the United States on the Lincoln Highway, will be passing through DeKalb on June 20, at approximately 2:30 p.m. A full afternoon and evening of events is planned at the Rochelle Municipal Airport in conjunction with the convoy. For more information on the 2009 Convoy visit: www.mvpg.org.

Midwest Museum of Natural History

Saturday, June 20, 11am-4pm: Picture This! At 11:00 a.m. Brown\'s Oakridge Zoo will showcase exotic baby animals born this spring, possibly a cougar, leopard, and bear. Afterward, get your picture taken with a lion or tiger cub for a small fee. Please contact MMNH for admission questions at guestrelations@mmnh.org or (815) 895-9777.

In the Garden - A Look and Discover Workshop

Saturday, June 20 9am - 11am OR 1pm - 3pm: Come join us at Passion for Petals Gardens. We will discover roses and other flowers that thrive in northern Illinois. Handouts and refreshments will be provided. Please dress comfortably as we will be walking in the gardens. The workshop will be held in the Passion for Petals Gardens and Robin Larson, Master Gardener will be presenting "Hardy flowers and Roses." *Register at the gardens: Admissionis $15 per person. Directions: From Maple Park, 1/2 mile south on County Line Rd from Rt 38. (815) 762-7784 / RobinRosarian@gmail.com / More information: www.passionforpetalsgardens.com

Relay for Life of DeKalb County

June 20-21: Friends, neighbors and cancer survivors are coming together for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of DeKalb County. Anyone who wishes to form a team, volunteer to help with the event, should call (630) 879-9009 or visit www.relayforlifedekalb.com. Relay For Life is an overnight event to “Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.” The event celebrates the lives of those who have had cancer, remembers loved ones lost to the disease and rallies individuals to fight back against a disease that takes too much. Teams raise funds, before and during the event, to fight cancer. Relay For Life of DeKalb County will be June 20-21, at Sycamore Community Park . T his year’s theme is Hope Floats.

DCEDC Business Roundtab

Tuesday, June 23: DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation will hold a Business Roundtable Tuesday, June 23, 11:30 a.m., at the Kishwaukee College Conference Center . The topic is The Relationship of Child Care to Economic Development. Micki Chulick, executive director of 4-C; Pam Wicking, program director, 4-C; and Dan Templin, executive director DeKalb County Community Foundation, will be the presenters. Discussion will center on the link between child care and economic development, how 4-C can help the business community and on the DCCF partnership with 4-C and child care programs. Traditionally, the DeKalb County EDC Business Roundtable programs have provided a clear snapshot of topics of interest to both residents and industry. Cost for the lunch and program is $15. Registration forms are online at www.dcedc.org; or call (815) 895-2711; or fax (815) 895-8713; or email Heinisch@dcedc.org. Reservation deadline is June 18.

Kishwaukee United Way celebrates

Friday, June 26: Help Kishwaukee United Way celebrate 80 years of improving lives in DeKalb County by attending its "Totally Awesome '80s Bash," Friday, June 26, at Barsema Alumni & Visitor Center. More details will be announced.

Farm Bureau Garage Sale

Saturday, June 27: The DeKalb County Farm Bureau’s annual Garage Sale is scheduled Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m.-noon, in the Farm Bureau parking lot, corner of Bethany and Peace roads, Sycamore. The event gives rural Farm Bureau families the chance to sell their items at a group event in the city. Watch for more details or call the Farm Bureau, (815) 756-6361.