American Legion “Be the One” suicide prevention advocate Cindy Hupke promotes their veteran’s mental health walk September 21 at the Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Health and Wellness Center on Bethany Road at this week’s Rotary meeting. The 2.2 mile walk starts at 10 AM (registration opens at 9 AM) and seeks to draw attention to the estimated 22 service members who take their lives each day due to a mental health crisis. Other activities are available for those needing a shorter walk or unable to do a distance walk. 22 rocks will be carried during the walk to symbolize the loss of life due to Veterans in crisis. Call or text 815-540-7364 if you have questions or need additional details.
Sycamore High School Senior Lillian Jones is the September Student of the Month. Jones is ranked first in her class academically and is active in sports and a committed community volunteer. Jones said she has developed a real passion for learning Spanish since entering high school. It has led her to listening and viewing programs in Spanish and even taking a class designed for Spanish-speaking students when scheduling conflicts prevented her from taking a traditional Spanish language class in school. She received a commendation for her biliteracy knowledge this past school year hopes to travel abroad in college and use her Spanish language skills. Jones is an accomplished volleyball player on the school squad having started as a Freshman. In addition, she has played on an indoor competitive traveling team and this past summer did two-player beach volleyball. Jones is also part of the High School track and field team. Jones has a long association with the Lucky Maples 4-H Club and is an award-winning presenter at the Kane County Fair with goats. Her volunteer activities include being a member of Interact, time with Tails Humane Society, and helping at the Sycamore Public Library. She was recognized with a Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award her Junior year and recognized by the College Board for her high marks with AP placement exams. Upon graduation Jones hopes to pursue pre-med at Loyola, University of Missouri, or Saint Louis University. She is donating her $100 Rotary recognition check to Safe Passage.
Sycamore’s new police chief, Erik Mahan, comes to the job with 29-years of law enforcement experience in nearby St. Charles. Mahan and his family have lived in the Sycamore area more than 20 years and he told Rotarians this week he “jumped at the chance” to apply for the job when Chief Jim Winters announced his plans to retire.
Using words like “well trained” and “a deep bench”, new Sycamore Police Chief Erik Mahan talked about the department he now oversees and his connection to the community he serves during a presentation at this week’s Rotary meeting. Mahan comes to Sycamore after 29 years with the nearby St. Charles police department. Mahan, his wife, and their three children have lived in the Sycamore area for more than 20 years. He says knowing the area is what prompted him to apply for the Chief’s job when Chief Jim Winters announced he was retiring.
Structure wise, Mahan says Sycamore is similar to St. Charles. He showed a chart listing 34 sworn officers including 18 patrol officers, a team of detectives, three K-9 units, plus a pair of deputy chiefs and support staff. Mahan said he was impressed with the training given the police force and what he called “the bench strength” of the department with officers ready to take on new and expanded roles. Mahan said he has also been fortunate to fill some recent openings with law enforcement professionals already living in the area but working for other departments. Mahan says he will monitor demand for police services as the city grows using data and formulas for measuring needs to determine correct staffing levels. He also noted how the department is working with mental health professionals for a wholistic approach to calls for help and the types of response needed.
When not in uniform, Mahan said he enjoys time outdoors, doing things like camping. He said you might also find him at a baseball game rooting for the Chicago Cubs.
September 1, 1875 – “Tarzan of the Apes” creator Edgar Rice Burroughs is born in Chicago.
September 1, 1923 – Boxing champ Rocky Marciano is born in Brockton, Massachusetts. He is the only heavyweight champion to finish his career undefeated.
September 2, 1850 – A. G. Spalding, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, manager, and executive and co-founder of the Spalding sporting goods company, is born in Byron, Illinois.
September 6, 1860 – Pioneering social worker and 1931 Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams is born in Cedarville, Illinois (near Freeport).
September 1, 1939 – At 5:30 AM, Adolph Hitler’s armies invade Poland marking the start of World War II in Europe.
September 2, 1945- The Japanese formally surrender to allied forces in a signing ceremony aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
September 3, 1783 – The Treaty of Paris is signed by John Adams, Ben Franklin, and John Jay formally ending the American Revolutionary War between Britain and the United States.
September 6, 1995 – Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. plays in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking the record held for 56 years by “Iron Horse” Lou Gehrig. Ripken went on to play 2,632 games in a row before voluntarily removing himself from a game on September 19, 1998.
