OUR BLOG HAS MOVED!

As we have launched a brand new site, www.discoversycamore.com we have also launched a new blog as well!

Keep up on the latest Sycamore happenings at http://discoversycamore.com/blog/

Check it out!

Sycamore Kicks off Halloween with the Downtown Trick or Treat

Discover Sycamore businesses invite you to the Downtown Trick or Treat on Wednesday, October 24^th from 4:30-6pm.  This free, community event features candy and giveaways courtesy of Nestlé and participating Discover Sycamore businesses. 

 

The Downtown Trick or Treat provides an opportunity for local businesses to interact with the community and promote a safe trick-or-treating experience for all.  This event provides families with an excellent alternative to traditional door-to-door trick or treating.

Participating businesses include:

Sweet Earth

Sycamore Antiques

Taxco Restaurant

NB&T

Brian Bemis Automotive Group

The Confectionary

Huckleberry’s Pet Parlor

Kishwaukee College

Illinois Community Credit Union

Jeff Keicher State Farm

Sycamore Public Library

Shawn’s

City of Sycamore

MMNH

Culver’s

CMJ Technologies

YMCA

Tom and Jerry’s

Sycamore Performing Arts Academy

Prairie on State Wine Cellars

Castle Bank

Stomp Shoes

Put on your Halloween costume and bring the family to Downtown Sycamore for an evening of fun!  Not only will there be trick-or-treating, but also the kick-off to the 51st Annual Pumpkin Fest. Children can drop off their decorated pumpkins on the Courthouse lawn from 4-9 pm and take part in the giant cake cutting ceremony at 5pm.  This is a night for the whole family to enjoy!

 

For more information on the Downtown Trick or Treat and Discover Sycamore visit DiscoverSycamore.com

Amenti Haunted House at the Egyptian Theatre Returns for 7th Year

“Amenti” is the Egyptian Goddess guarding the world of the dead.  Within her gates lie the horrors of the Egyptian underworld.  Terror after terror await those who dare to enter.  But be careful, Amenti jealously guards her gates and assures that no one escapes.

 

2012 marks the seventh year that the Egyptian Theatre will create the mother of all Haunted Attractions; Amenti.  This year will once again include over 20 different scenes on 6 different levels going throughout the entire Egyptian Theatre. There will also be plenty of new surprises this year throughout the haunted house.

 

Over 100 volunteers typically put in over 2,500 hours of service each October to make this event the success it has become.  This event has become the largest annual fundraiser for the Egyptian Theatre.  The proceeds benefit the theatre as they go towards the ongoing operations and maintenance of the historic landmark.

 

Amenti has been featured in National Haunted House magazines and websites and continues to receive rave reviews every year.  In 2011 there were over 3,200 people that braved the dark depths of the Egyptian Theatre Haunted House; including visitors from as far away as Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

 

General Admission tickets are $13.00.   If you don’t want to wait in line you can purchase Priority Pass tickets online in advance for $20.00.  A priority pass gets you to the front of the line and allows you to skip the frequent hour or longer wait.

 

Due to the intense nature of this haunted attraction, it is not recommended for individuals under the age of 13.  However the Egyptian Theatre does participate in Spooktacular, the family friendly trick-or-treating event that takes place throughout Downtown DeKalb on Saturday, October 27 from 1-3pm.  A small portion of the theatre is open during this free event with all the scares removed so that kids can enjoy this annual haunted attraction as well.

 

Amenti will run from Friday, October 19 – Sunday, October 21, Friday, October 26 – Sunday, October 28th, Tuesday October 30th and Wednesday October 31st starting at 7pm each night.  End times vary depending on the night so visit www.amenti.info for more info or to purchase tickets.

 

The Egyptian Theatre is operated by P.E.T. (Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre, Inc.) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, since 1978.  The historic Egyptian Theatre is located at 135 N. 2nd Street in Downtown DeKalb.

Discover Sycamore’s 12th Annual Block Party

Are you ready to rock the block?  Get pumped for this year’s 12^th Annual Discover Sycamore Block Party scheduled to take place Saturday, September 15^th from 3-11pm in downtown Sycamore. This free day of fun provides entertainment for the entire family including kids’ games, inflatable attractions, DJ, contests, prizes, food from local vendors, beer garden, live music from Shuvlhed and more.

The fun begins at 3pm as families can enjoy some friendly competition in the Kids’ Game Area.  Challenge your friends to a race to the finish line in the inflatable obstacle course presented by Courtview Dental.   Participants will race through several challenges and finish by sliding to victory.  Local businesses will host a fun fair with a variety of game booths and giveaways.   Stop by the magician’s tent and receive a free balloon animal of your choice.

Back for its 3^rd year is Bark on the Block, Sycamore’s Top Dog Competition presented by Huckleberry’s Pet Parlor.  Bring out your canine pal to have some fun at the Bow Wow Luau.  There will be five different events just for man’s best friend: Luau Parade, Hula Hoop Contest, Limbo Contest, Shell Game and mutt-arita canine cocktails to enjoy.   Winners will be awarded fabulous prizes from Huckleberry’s Pet Parlor.  The competition will begin at 4pm.  Register your four-legged friends at huckleberryspetparlor.com or call (815)899-3435.

“We’re very happy to have Bark on the Block as a part of Block Party for its 3^rd year.   Jenny Kingren and her staff at Huckleberry’s Pet Parlor have put in a lot of hard work to make this a memorable and exciting canine competition.  You won’t want to miss it,” said Discover Sycamore Director, Lauren Diehl.

At 6pm the Block Party DJ will keep the party going as families enjoy local food vendors such as PJ’s Courthouse, Giordano’s, Sycamore’s Country Store and Catering and Sweet Dreams Desserts.

At 8:00pm get ready to party with local favorite Shuvlhed as they rock the night away.   Shuvlhed, a powerful five piece band, has a unique sound and an energetic stage presence.  They are known for recreating the sounds of Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, AC/DC and Twisted Sister.

“Shuvlhed is a local favorite in the Northern Illinois area and continues to build a wide fan base. We are very excited to have them perform at this year’s Block Party ,” said Diehl.

Discover Sycamore’s Block Party is brought to you by Castle Bank, Kishwaukee Community Hospital, NB&T, NIU Huskie Athletics, American Midwest Bank, Daily Chronicle, Huckleberry’s Pet Parlor, Taxco Restaurant and Veolia Environmental Services.

Does Your Salsa Bring the Heat?

Amateur chefs are invited to put their culinary creativity to the test by making their own salsa at the 2012 Salsa Challenge presented by Taxco Restaurant.  The Salsa Challenge will take place at Discover Sycamore’s Farmers’ Market on Sunday, September 9th, at the corner of Somonauk and Elm Streets in downtown Sycamore.  The contest will begin at 11am, judging at noon and the winners will be announced at 1pm.

Come compete head to head with other local salsa enthusiasts. The contest is limited to 25 participants and pre-registration is recommended, as contestants are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis.  The entry fee is $10 per salsa before Wednesday, September 5th.   For a registration form Click Here .  The entry fee for day of registration is $15 per salsa, and contestants must arrive and register before 11am.  Tomatoes will be provided, but contestants must provide all other necessary ingredients and kitchen utensils. First, second and third places will be awarded prizes from Taxco Restaurant.

“We encourage people to get creative and think ‘outside the box’ when submitting their recipes,” said Jesus Romero, owner of Taxco Restaurant. “The more unusual entrees will surely attract attention from the judges, “he added.

The 2012 Salsa Challenge is brought to you by Taxco Restaurant and Discover Sycamore.  For more information please contact Discover Sycamore at (815)895-3456 or visit discoversycamore.com.

Kish Artisan Market Planned for Nov. 2

Kishwaukee Community Hospital’s Auxiliary invites artists and crafters to participate in its third annual Kish Artisan Market Nov. 2. The event features a wide variety of unique handmade jewelry, original paintings and photography, pottery and ceramics, textiles, and home décor. Proceeds from this event benefit the Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship Fund.  The market will be held on Friday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Roberts Conference Center.  For a registration application and information about fees and set up, please contact Paula von Ende, Volunteer Services director, at voldir@kishhospital.org or call 815.756.1521 x153373 or visit at www.kishhospital.org/auxiliary.

KishHealth System Awards 2012 Healthcare Scholarships

KishHealth System has awarded more than $30,000 in college scholarships for the coming school year. The Kishwaukee Community Hospital Auxiliary gave $16,000 in scholarships; the Valley West Community Hospital Auxiliary gave $10,000 in scholarships; and the KishHealth Foundation gave $4,250 in scholarships.

Kish Hospital Auxiliary healthcare scholarships went to Alexandra Bantz, Sandwich, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Illinois Wesleyan; Sarah Deeter, Plainfield, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University; Haley Faivre, DeKalb, who is pursuing a degree in Radiologic Technology from Kishwaukee College; Kimberly Feczko, Sycamore, who is pursuing a degree to become a Registered Nurse from Kishwaukee College; Rebecca Fleming, Sandwich, who is pursuing a degree to become a Registered Nurse from Aurora University; Eran Gwillim, Sycamore; Erica Huerta, DeKalb, who is pursuing a degree in Public Health Administration from Northern Illinois University; Stacie Kloosterman, who is pursuing a degree to become a Registered Nurse from Kishwaukee College; and Deborah Lehmann, Sandwich, who is pursuing a degree in Radiologic Technology from Kishwaukee College.

Also receiving Kish Hospital Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarships were Kathryn Lewis, Sycamore, who is pursuing a degree to become a Registered Nurse from Kishwaukee College; Ana Pruteanu, DeKalb, who is pursuing a degree to become a Dietitian from Northern Illinois University; Kelsey Rodgers, DeKalb, who is pursuing a degree to become a Nurse Practitioner from St. Louis University; Bailey Russell, DeKalb, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Millikin University; Laina Scheri, Cortland, who is pursuing a degree to become a Nurse Practitioner from Rockford College; Karin Stokke, DeKalb; Jamey Stroud, Kingston, who is pursuing a degree to become a Registered Nurse from Kishwaukee College; and Laura Zantout, Sycamore.

Jessica Louis, Sycamore, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Carroll University, received the Virginia Larsen Nursing Scholarship from the Kish Hospital Auxiliary.

The Valley West Auxiliary awarded ten $1,000 healthcare scholarships to the following students Kaylee Forester, Sandwich, who is pursuing a degree in Nursing from Northern Illinois University; Azucena Fraire, Sandwich, who is pursuing a degree in Radiologic Technology from Kishwaukee College; Deborah Lehmann; Katie Larson, Newark, who is pursuing a degree in Radiologic Technology from Southern Illinois University; Hillary Paull, Somonauk, who is pursuing a degree in Nursing from Aurora University; Rebecca Fleming, Sandwich, who is pursuing a degree in Nursing from Aurora University; Miranda Schmidt, Sheridan, who is pursuing a degree in Nursing from University of Iowa; Michelle Sifft, Hinckley, who is pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy from Northern Illinois University; Nicole Stadler, Somonauk, who is pursuing a degree in Pharmacy from ­Butler University; and Samantha Waldrop, Plano, who is pursuing a degree in Nursing from ­­­­­Northern Illinois University.

Karin L. Stokke, DeKalb, who is pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Des Moines, and Laura S. Zantout, Sycamore, who is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree from Rosalind Franklin University, received the 2012 Kish Hospital Physicians’ Medical Education Scholarship from the KishHealth Foundation.

The Health Foundation James J. Feeney, MD Scholarship went to Eran C. Gwillim, Sycamore, who is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree from University of Illinois, and Laura S. Zantout.

Recipients of the Floann and Hallie Hamilton Diagnostic Imaging Scholarship from the Health Foundation were Haley M. Faivre, DeKalb; Azucena Fraire; and Deborah K. Lehmann, Sandwich.

For information about scholarships offered through the Valley West Auxiliary visit www.valleywest.org/scholarships. For information about scholarships offered through the Kish Hospital Auxiliary and KishHealth Foundation visit www.kishhospital.org/scholarships.