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Is your child ready for overnight camp?
Parents are going to know best when trying to determine if their child is ready to go to overnight camp. Gordie Kaplan, executive director of the American Camp Association Illinois office, said that for most children ages 8 to 10 is when they are ready to stay away from home, reach out of their comfort level and go away to camp. Here are some guidelines to know that your camper will be happy, not homesick.
Waubonsee summer programs run the gamut
Whether they want to make a movie, create a video game or become a rock star, children ages 4 to 17 are invited to explore their interests this summer with Waubonsee Community College’s Xcelerate enrichment program. The program features 15 different weeklong classes that range from $59 to $219.
Experience a wide variety of activities at Camp Anokijig
With a rich tradition and history of offering youth an experience that will last a lifetime, Camp Anokijig has been recognized for excellence in camping for 87 years. Anokijig means “we serve,” but it also means new friends, positive values, personal growth, great adventures and outrageous fun. Coed, overnight programs are offered for kids ages 7 to 16, for four days to one or more weeks of summer fun.
The Big Clean
Spring cleaning includes getting rid of dirt and grime on surfaces as well as getting rid of bigger pieces such as clothing and furniture. For both, we’ve tapped two local experts for their advice. If you’re getting ready to hose down the kitchen, consider paring …
Sprightly spring container gardens
Whether you have lots of space or barely any at all, container gardens can spice up the inside or outside of any home. Use container gardens to decorate the front stoop, to provide a dynamic backyard spot for entertaining, to beautify the facade of your …
Totally feasible ways to organize your home
Organizing can be a daunting undertaking, especially when the piles of mail and toys seem taller than Mount Everest. Personal organizers recommend taking a step back to get a good plan before tackling the summit of organization. It may also be the best step before …
Turn your clutter into cash: April 28 at the Oak Park Library
Life gets cluttered for most of us. Each day, our homes accumulate more stuff. Whether it’s paper, clothing, furniture, decor, equipment or even food, clutter makes its way into our life. However, it rarely seems to leave. Carolyn Miller, professional organizer and owner of Mind …
Fox Valley United Way celebrates 90 years
The Fox Valley United Way is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Check out the special section that commemorated this milestone.
Get to know Naperville at these 10 events
There are oodles of events this spring and summer in Naperville, from plant sales to community theater to free outdoor concerts. Pull out the calendar, here are some ideas to help get you started.
Local framer fills void left by camera store closings
Colbert Custom Framing & Art Printing in Naperville has been poised for years to fill the void left by area camera stores — like Wolf and Ritz — that have gone out of business due to the collapse of the film market in favor of digital images and smart phone cameras. “People call and stop in more and more often asking where they can get photo enlargements and canvas prints made now that the local camera stores are gone,” said owner Kevin Colbert. “We are pleased to tell them that we do it all right here!”
First Community Financial Bank opens in Naperville Plaza
First Community Financial Bank’s new location at 24 W. Gartner Road in Naperville is centrally located for customers and supports the bank’s “Locally owned, made for you” promise — bringing in full-service banking with a local community focus to the surrounding families and businesses right in the neighborhood. This new location offers customers two additional features: a drive-up window and 24/7 ATM.
Don’t miss out on these 12 opportunities for fun in the Fox Valley
Thoughts are turning to getting out of the house. Ease your cabin fever, check out these cool events coming up this spring and summer, and simultaneously discover what the Fox Valley is all about.
AmVets is committed to ‘serving those who served’
The community is invited to visit AmVets Post 103 at 1194 Jericho Road in Aurora. AmVets is a military organization/club that serves not only veterans, but members of the surrounding communities. The group offers a fun and cozy bar/restaurant atmosphere with a mixture of members …
Sears aims to be your one-stop hometown appliance showroom
Sears is now your local home appliance showroom. Located at 2578 Douglas Road in Oswego, the Sears Home Appliance Showroom offers something you don’t find at big-box stores: the smell of fresh baked cookies. Just a like a friendly neighbor, the showroom offers you a …
Tillers’ vision therapy program assists in recovery
The Tillers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oswego is leading the industry with its newly added Vision Therapy Program. Vision therapy is not a new concept, but it is very unique to the skilled nursing and rehabilitation setting and Tillers is the only facility in the area to offer this service to its residents.
Fundraiser to help 6th-grade teacher diagnosed with leukemia
In six weeks, Todd Ramsbottom, 36, went from a life filled with competitive swimming, triathlons, coaching football and wrestling at Lincoln Junior High School, and spending as much time at home on the floor playing with his three children to one that involves chemotherapy, an upcoming bone morrow transplant and an uncertain future.
Noon Rotary funds bicycle for special needs students
ST. CHARLES — Teaching assistant Peg Frank was convinced that her students at the Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative would benefit from using an adaptive bike as part of their therapy and learning experience. “These students had never been exposed previously to using a bike, and …
Finding ways to be active in winter good for children, too
Experts agree, when temperatures fall, parents need to rise to the challenge of keeping kids physically active. “Exercise helps energy levels overall,” said Dr. Elias Shaheen, a family practice physician. “Just 30-minutes a day, three to four days a week, has been shown to increase your energy level throughout the day. ”
Good Times: Naperville CARES Karaoke for a Cause
At a packed Aurelio’s Springbrook Square in Naperville, local celebrities, as well as fundraiser attendees, belted out the tunes to raise money for local families in financial crisis. At the end of the night Jan. 31, the event raised more than $2,000 to benefit Naperville CARES.
Lipsologist will read your print on Valentine’s Day
During a lip print reading, Michael Kett, 57, examines the size, shape, color and unique markings of a person’s lips. His tools of the trade include lipstick, tissue and “kiss cards” that guests get to keep as a lasting memento of the reading.