It’s been two weeks since school has been out for the summer… kids bored yet?
Lucky for you, I have some suggestions. These are for parents and grandparents, babysitters, care givers and even recently retired people.
First off, get active. Don’t give someone a motorized scooter or battery powered bike. Get youngsters, and oldsters, to use their muscles. Pedal and walk.
Utilize the bike path. It’s free and right in town. You can walk, jog, ride a bike, skateboard or in-line skate. There are many ways to get exercise and have fun.
Spring Lake Pool offers opportunities to swim or learn to swim. Try disc golf or hit a few practice balls at the driving range, both are located out at Skare Park. You can buy discs at the park district office located at 735 N. Second Street and use them all summer.
Speaking of Skare Park, some of the trails are still closed but there is ample opportunity to explore and there is a great playground near the driving range.

You can also go to Castle Rock State park near Oregon for some amazing hiking trails. Climb the rock and watch the Rock River flowing gently past. We live in an area rich in parks. Shabbona, White Pines, Lowden, Rock Cut… all are free and close by.
Not an outdoor person?
Visit the Flagg Township Museum. (I am a board member, so I am biased.) It’s a great spot to learn about life in the “olden days.” There is an admission charge, but it is always free on Thursday.
Don’t forget the museum also has a history walk on the second Friday of each month. Walks start at 5:30 p.m. and are free. The museum is located at 518 Fourth Avenue and is open Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Flagg-Rochelle Public Library summer program is going and the traditional pet show is set for June 25.  It’s open to pets of all types– stuffed, drawn, real, in bowls, or on leashes.
There will be band concerts on Wednesday nights in Atwood Park, summer markets at Cypress House, two weekends of a VCCT comedy, and a city-wide block party on June 22.
Then there are programs offered by the park district. Tennis camps, pickleball and bags tournaments, golf, classes for youngsters, classes for oldsters and activities for everyone in between are all available.
Pack a picnic lunch and visit the Ken Wise Railroad Park. Chat with some of the train fans and let your kids play on the only locomotives made by a Rochelle company – Whitcomb.
Rochelle is full of opportunities, from serving lunches in the park to fishing at Lake Sule. Don’t miss what’s right in front of you.

Terry Dickow is a retired elementary school teacher with lots of opinions, some you will like, some you won’t.  He can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com.