Groups plan golf outings

• The Kane County Farm Bureau will host the 12th annual John Buck Memorial Golf Outing July 10 at the Bartlett Hills Golf Course in Bartlett. Proceeds from the event benefit the John Buck Scholarship Fund. For more information or to register, call Brenda at 747-683-4653.


• The Kane County Chiefs of Police Association will host its annual golf outing at noon July 22 at the the Highlands of Elgin Golf Course, 875 Sports Way in Elgin. The $95 registration fee includes golf, a cart, lunch, dinner and other attractions. 


•On a related note, Tanna Farms in Geneva is offering special rates for the Fourth of July. Golfers can play 18 holes with a cart for $45 from 6 a.m. to noon and $35 after noon. Participating golfers must present a coupon, which is available online at www.tannafarms.com, to receive the special rate.


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Counseling agency names new clinical director

Laura Poss

Submitted photo

• Congratulations to Laura Poss on being named director of the Family Services Division at TriCity Family Services. Poss joined TriCity in 2011 as a clinician/consultant and was promoted to clinical director on June 18. TriCity Family Services is a nonprofit community-based couseling agency, Poss has a master's degree in family therapy from Northern Illinois University. She also holds dual licenses in Illinois as both a clinical professional counselor and a marriage and family therapist. For the past 15 years, Poss was on the staff at the Family Service Association of Greater Elgin Area, serving initially as a staff therapist and, since 2000, serving as its director of therapy. TriCity Family Services is located at 
11 Randall Court, Geneva. For more information, call 630-232-1070.

Cynthia Pirok, center, talks with a business associate.

Ellen Huxtable photo

• The Elburn Herald featured Pirok Design owners Kevin and Cynthia Pirok in a recent article about the Pirok's efforts to help new business owners establish themselves in the marketplace. The Pirok's also are active in Elburn's Business Alliance Networking Group. The Elburn Herald's report also included a photo taken by a Ellen Huxtable, a Batavia resident and a leader in the Tri-Cities business community. 


• The St. Charles Country Club will host its 11th annual charity classic golf event on Aug. 6  to benefit Lazarus House and TriCity Health Partnership, two St. Charles-based community service organizations. The event will include golf, an auction, an awards dinner and other activities. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $800,000 for the two organizations. For more information about the event, call the country club at 630-377-9000.


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NIU's longest-serving employee to retire

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Pat Siebrasse

Submitted photo

• Pat Siebrasse, a 50-year employee at Northern Illinois University, will bid farewell to her coworkers later this. Siebrasse worked for School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences for her entire career at NIU, a stunning accomplishment in a time when employment experts say the average employee can expect to work for about seven different employers during the course of a career. Pat plans to take a vacation and then spend time with her three children, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

The Fox River Trolley Museum will celebrate Car 20.

• The Fox River Trolley Museum will host a celebration July 1 for the 110th birthday of Chicago Aurora and Elgin Car 20, a trolley car in the museum's collection. The car is the oldest operating interurban trolley in the United States. The celebration will include free cake and ice cream for riders on Car 20. The museum is located at 361 S. LaFox St., South Elgin. Single rides are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for children ages 3 to 11. Children ages three and younger ride for free. On July 4, the museum will celebrate its 46th anniversary with a special rate of $2 for all riders. The four-mile trip runs along the Fox River and through the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. For more information about the museum and its offerings, call 847-697-4676.


• The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners' fifth annual Gardenwalk and Plant Sale is set for July 14. The gardenwalk will feature gardens in DeKalb, Genoa and Sycamore. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $12 the day of the event. The plant sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DeKalb County Center for Agriculture, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore. For more information, call 815-758-8194. 


• Brenda Schory at the Kane County Chronicle reports that Geneva water and sewer rates will increase in July and during the next two years to pay for maintenance of Geneva's aging water and sewer systems.


• Eric Schelkopf at the Kane County Chronicle reports that Batavia officials recently decided to put the Houston Street project on hold for about year. City officials said they need to focus on completing the project on nearby North River Street. 


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Much of Illinois facing drought conditions

Joe White eyes the corn at his Kaneville farm.

Keri Wiginton/Chicago Tribune photo

    The Chicago Tribune's Bridget Doyle reported June 22 about drought conditions that are affecting about 70 percent of Illinois. Northern Illinois is "extremely dry, according to officials at U.S. Drought Monitor, Doyle reported. A representative of the Chicago Botanic Garden told Doyle area gardeners frequently telephone seeking advice about plant care during this period of hot, dry weather.
    The Illinois Farm Bureau offers detailed information about current conditions throughout the state. On a related note, the farm bureau also reports that the peach and apple harvest in southern Illinois is setting an early pace. The crops benefited from warmer than average temperatures in the spring, the farm bureau reports.
    The Northwest Herald offered this report about drought conditions in McHenry County, and the U.S. Geological Survey office in DeKalb reported June 22 that Fox River water levels at two measuring stations (Algonquin and Montgomery) indicate the river is nearly three feet below flood stage.
    Gilbert Sebenste, staff meteorologist at NIU, posted a report June 21 that concluded drought conditions in northern Illinois are likely to worsen, and he expects little rainfall during the next 10 days.


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NIU's meteorologist predicts a dry June

Northern Illinois growers might see little rainfall in June.

    Gilbert Sebenste, staff meteorologist at Northern Illinois University, provided some objective numbers earlier this week to support what many area gardeners already know — we're experiencing an unusually dry June.

    The area received 1.83" of rainfall this month, as of June 19, according to a report Sebenste recently posted at the NIU Weather Center's website.
    "On average, we should see 4.18" of rainfall equivalent by June 30. We have had 10.44" of rainfall equivalent so far this year. By June 30, our average annual liquid total should be 17.27," Sebenste stated.
    He also forecasts little rainfall for the remainder of the month. Area residents can expect it to be warm and dry through the end of June, with forecasting models indicating only three slight chances of rainfall from June 21 to June 30, according to Sebenste.
    I have relied on Sebenste as a source for weather-related information for many years, and I consider him one of the most reliable weather forecasters in the business. 
    I greet Sebenste's forecast for late June with mixed reaction. I am miserable during hot and humid weather periods — I can take the heat, but not the humidity. A forecast featuring warm temperatures and relatively low humidity is fine with me.
    However, the region needs rain. I frequently walk the bike path along the Fox River, and the river's water level is low. More obvious indicators are the wide cracks to be found in the soil and lawns that resemble hayy.
    July in northern Illinois can be dry, particularly when rainfall amounts for the month are compared to a typical June. If Sebenste's forecast proves correct, July could be a fretful month for gardeners, area farmers and those who enjoy the rich colors of summer.
    For reliable information about area weather, be sure to visit Sebenste's site. The NIU Weather Center is in the process of moving from one office location to another, and the move is expected to be completed by June 28, according to Sebenste.
    He will post limited reports during the move, so please be patient — Sebenste is the center's lone employee and is responsible for making sure the center's gear is transferred to its new home.


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Kane County Magazine features Geneva doctor

Dr. James Sostak

Kane County Magazine photo

• Kane County Magazine features Geneva doctor James Sostak in its June edition. Elizabeth Harmon reports that Sostak, an orthopedic surgeon at Fox Valley Orthopedic in Geneva, was a noteworthy athlete in high school and played minor league baseball for the Rockford Riverwalks. Sostak is training to run the Chicago Marathon later this year. Kane County Magazine is published by our friends at Shaw Media, which also produces the Kane County Chronicle, the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake and the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb. 


• While I'm mentioning the Daily Chronicle, I want to send out congratulations to its staff for producing the state's best small daily newspaper, according to the Illinois Press Association, which announced the honor during a recent awards dinner. In my humble opinion, the award is well deserved. I think the Daily Chronicle and the Kane County Chronicle do a fine job of featuring local news and events. Both newspapers excel in the coverage of prep sports.


• The Geneva Lutheran Church will host a Swedish pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon June 23. The church is located at 301 S. Third St., Geneva. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for kids younger than 12. For more information, call Karen at 630-232-0165. The church also invites children to enjoy a giant inflatable slide that will be set up on the church's lawn. The slide will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21 and 22. Children can also decorate cookies during their visits. 



• The Kane County Forest Preserve District will host a program about dragonflies from 10:30 a.m. to noon June 23.  at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road in St. Charles. The program is for ages 16 and older. Registration is required and can be completed by phone at 847-741-8350. Craig Stettner of the biology department at Harper College will lead the program. The fee for the progam is $15. 

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Trolley museum to host 'Rails to Victory'

The Fox Valley Trolley Museum will host 'Rails to Victory.'

Submitted photo

• The Fox Valley Trolley Museum will host "Rails to Victory" a World War II reenactment June 9 and 10. The event will include battle reenactments, a U.S. homefront baseball game featuring the Rockford Peaches and an hour-long trolley ride that recreates a journey through occupied France in 1944. The museum is located at 361 S. LaFox St. (Route 31) in South Elgin.


• The Peaceful Parlour, 212 S. Third St., Geneva, recently added Flat Tire Decor recycled tire products to its online store. The product line is produced in Milwaukee. The company also works with Easter Seals to provide employment opportunities to individuals with physical challenges. For more information, call the Peaceful Parlour at 630-232-6300. 


• Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles kicks off its free noontime summer concert series June 8. The church is located at Fourth Avenue on East Main Street in downtown St. Charles. The series will offer a concert at noon every Friday through Aug. 24. The concerts will feature a variety of music and musicians. The church also hosts a Farmers Market from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays through the end of October. For more information about the concert series or the market, call the church office at 630-584-6680.

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