Professional Documents
Culture Documents
NF2
Celebrating life
Photographer Donnell Collins of Aurora, left, lines up a photo at the annual Celebration of Life picnic for 700 cancer survivors and guests at Blackberry Farm in Aurora on June 4. From left are Collins; Amy Wisdom, Batavia; Betsy Wisdom, Aurora; Cindy Blank, Naperville; Jan Romano, Somonauk; Sylvia Forsberg, Aurora; Caden Carnes, 6, Downers Grove; Marilyn Duve, Aurora; and Jean Benson, Aurora. Forsberg was honored as the celebrations senior survivor with 31 years cancer free. Rush-Copley Medical Center sponsored the event, which included lunch, awards, park attractions and entertainment.
COURTESY OF AL BENSON
the pilot seat. Many of the museums unpaid volunteers, like Winkler, are veterans. Paul Linden, a World War II vet, said he volunteers all year and often speaks at schools in order to educate young people about his experiences and the American experience of World War II. At age 89, Lindens memories of his threeyear service with the military are fresh as ever. World War II was such a huge event in our lives, Linden said. Im sure anybody that was alive will never forget many of the things that took place, all the way from
Germanys extinction of millions of Jews, bombing cities of Germany, Japan, Italy I dont think anybody that was alive at that time period will ever forget. In the course of his tour, Linden flew 39 missions over Japan, including 11 night bombing missions. Linden said the military had advertised that each crew would only go on 25 missions, but even through 14 extra missions, he and his crew survived and made it back to the U.S. Linden also said his crew had experienced multiple brushes with Japanese kamikaze planes in some of their 13- to 14-hour missions. Linden echoed Winkler in
his desire to educate museum visitors of both the struggles and triumphs of war veterans, especially those of World War II. We do have much here at the museum that pertains to World War II, he said. And I always (emphasize) that thats the war I fought in. Veterans from that war are dying at a rate of 2,000 per day and it wont be long until there wont be many left. Air Classics Open House will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, offering free admission to all of its visitors. The museum is at the edge of the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove. For details, visit airclassicsmuseum.org.
The Kane County Fair Talent Contest auditions will be Saturday, June 16, at St. Patrick Catholic School, 6N491 Crane Road, St. Charles. The Junior Division, ages 14 and younger, will be at 9 a.m. and the Senior Division, ages 15 to 21, will be at 1:30 p.m. All participants must register in advance of their age division and participants will perform their auditions in the order they sign in upon arriving. Proof of age may be required. Those auditioning may only participate in one act and may only enter representing one community in Kane County. All acts will be judged in four categories: technique (ability), stage presentation, audience appeal and appearance. Audition finalists will draw for their positions in the final Kane County Talent Contest immediately following the auditions. Parents of contest participants are
encouraged to attend. Local guest judges from the community will choose participants who will move forward to the final Kane County Fair Talent Contest, which will be Monday, July 16, in the Prairie Events Center building at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. The Junior Division Talent Contest will be at 7 p.m. and the Senior Division Talent Contest will be at 9 p.m. Kane County Fair talent contest winners will perform at the Kane County Fair at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 21. Finalists of the Kane County Fair Talent Contest move on to represent Kane County Jan. 19, 2013, at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Official Talent Contest state of Illinois competition in Springfield. The Kane County Fair Talent Contest was established by Bob Hoge, Kane County Fair board treasurer, who felt that the talented young
people of Kane County should have the opportunity to showcase their talent. The talent competition has been coordinated by Larry Rossi of RPM Creative Music since its inception. Over the years, the contest has seen and heard singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, instrumentalists, acrobats and even a juggler or two, said Rossi. Our contest boasts wholesome family entertainment, a very rare commodity these days and worthy of parents bringing their young aspiring stars to participate in or just to watch. The competition, now entering its 29th season, is open to all individuals and groups residing in Kane County. Participants must complete an entry form to be part of the audition process. Download an entry form online at kanecountyfair. com or contact Larry Rossi at (847) 622-9935 or KaneCoTalent@aol.com.
The event is older than Fathers Day, she said, and because the event shares the same day, it brings in a lot of families. The day attracts families from many different nationalities from northern Europe. A variety of entertainment is planned. The Swedish Gnomes will perform their comical act as this years headliners. At 10 a.m., a nondenominational church service will be on the main stage. After that will be a Lutefisk Toss Swedes versus Norwegians. This competition will play off the long time rivalry of the two countries, and may the best tosser win. A viewing of the famed Viking ship will be presented at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for an additional $3. The proceeds will go toward the restoration of the boat. Built in Norway, this boat sailed to the states years ago for a celebration of Columbuss discovery of America. It is now the last largest relic of the Columbian expedition, Gustafson said. It is something that is magnificent to see. For another $5, people can join the cottage walk and see old Stugas. Each year, six Stugas are on display, Gustafson said, and this year is no different.
Marguerite Karl sings the American and Swedish national anthems to kick off the opening ceremony at the 100th annual celebration of Swedish Day at Good Templar Park in Geneva.
At noon, the famous Maypole raising and dancing will begin. The procession is one of the largest around. Leaders Linda and Paul Muhr and the Nordic Dancers of Chicago will start the event. The opening ceremony will be at 1:05 p.m. on the main stage. It will feature guests and lead into the Swedish American Childrens Choir performance at 1:15 p.m. No festival would be complete without an accordion player, Gustafson said, so Ernie Sandquist, Swedish accordionist, will perform at 3 p.m. Swedish food will be served
all day. Gustafson said everything from fried herring to Swedish pancakes to Swedish meatballs will be served. There will also be sloppy joes, or Yoes, hamburgers, hot dogs and almond tarts. Many of the days events are centered around children. A photo booth will allow anyone to dress in traditional Swedish clothing for a keepsake memory. A magic show, moon jump, crafts and other attractions will keep kids busy. The festival is organized by the Swedish Day Committee of Independent Order of Svithiod. For details, visit swedishday. net.
VBS
Science, crafts, games, music and more will help children dare to dive deep with God at Operation Overboard, this years vacation Bible school at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles. The water will be just fine for all sea creatures from 9 a.m. to noon June 18-22 at the church, East Main Street and Fourth Avenue, St. Charles. Vacation Bible school is for children entering kindergarten through fifth grade, with a special preschool VBS for 3- and 4-year-olds. Participants need not be members of Baker Memorial Church. Fee is $35 per child. Register by coming into the church. For information, contact Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan at the church, (630) 584-6680. Bethany Lutheran Church, Wilson and Lincoln streets
Worship
On Sunday, June 17, the Rev. Paul Couleur will lead the 10:30 a.m. worship at Country Evangelical Covenant Church, 43W510 McDonald Road in Campton Hills. Adult Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. Childrens church and Sunday school is at 10:30 a.m. For information, call (847) 464-5381, or visit www.countrycov.org or www.facebook. com/countrycov. Unity of Fox Valley, 230 Webster St. in Batavia, has announced ongoing Sunday morning meditations. Meditation starts at 9:15 a.m. and ends at 9:45 a.m. All are welcome; arrive on time. Call (630) 879-1115 for more information, or visit www.unityoffoxvalley.com. Sugar Grove United Methodist Church will worship outdoors at 8 a.m. Sundays under the open-air pavilion at the 40-acre Harter Road campus.