How many times have you heard or said, “There’s nothing to do here?”

Time to look around!

Last weekend the Rochelle Rotary Club had a festival in the park. (I am a member of the club.)  Several live bands and performers were at Atwood Park, singing and playing for much of the day and early evening.

Vendors were selling various goods and crafts, there was a beer tent, a children’s play area, police and fire displays, food booths…..it was a nice family event.

Yes, it was hot. But it was a wonderful way to reintroduce us to each other and a “normal” world.

The Vince Carney Community Theatre is presenting MooNiE the Magnif’Cent June 26 at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, formerly Lincoln School. Visit the VCCT website for tickets and more information. I have seen MooNiE perform at the Bristol Renaissance Faire and at other places and he does a fun show combing juggling, jokes, magic…..lots of entertaining stuff.  (And yes, I am a VCCT member,…so I am biased.)

The city is sponsoring a Movie in the Park July 2 at Helms Field. Disney’s “Coco” will be the free event.  

There will be a July 4 celebration this year.

There are street markets on Saturday mornings at Cypress House on 10th Avenue and on the first and third Saturdays in Creston along Main Street.

The skydivers at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center are always exciting to watch.

Golf course, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, pickle ball clinics, driving range….all right here.

So don’t say there is nothing to do in Rochelle. True, you may have to look around to find the activities, but Rochelle is not as boring as you may think.

Springfield

I see Illinois residents will have a chance to vote on a unionism is a fundamental right amendment in November.

While that is laudable, I still wonder when we get to vote on term limits and creating a fair way to establish  senate and representative districts. Seems it is hard for those in Springfield to remember it is We the People, not them, they should be concerned about.

Chemical fire

I keep reading the black smoke from the chemical plant fire in Rockton isn’t a concern, but somehow it all leaves me a bit uneasy. We need to know what was in the air and what effects that will have on people, animals, plants and crops. Has it affected local rivers? I just hope the company is honest when giving out information.

Terry Dickow can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com