News
"Gone Fishing - City of Elgin and Elgin Ikes - Youth Fishing Event"
The City of Elgin, Elgin's Recreation Center, Elgin Fire Department's Water Rescue Crew and the Elgin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League partnered in sponsoring the Annual Fish For Fun event that took place at Elgin's Hawthorne Hill Nature Center on Saturday, June 7th from 9am to 11am. The State of Illinois waives fishing license requirements on the first Saturday of June every year.
City staff and Ikes' volunteers were on hand for registration, weighing, recording, and releasing the fish. There were five first place categories and the winners each were given a rod and reel set donated by the Izaak Walton League. The Elgin Recreation Center and the Ikes had a small supply of rods and reels available for use. Corn or worms were provided for bait. It was a beautiful day and the best attended event so far. Over 90 kids caught over 90 fish!
Tree Giveaway to Students for Arbor Day
The Izaak Walton League and Elgin Green Groups are bringing back a longtime tradition of the Izaak Walton League. The Ikes, as they call themselves, gave away seedlings to all 5th graders in U-46 for over 25 years. Tom Stewart, an Ike member and former Tyler Creek Forest Preserve ranger, remembers wrapping the seedlings, including pine trees and deciduous trees, at the preserve's shelter. Members would then deliver the seedlings to each elementary building. To celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day, the 5th grade students were each given a sapling to take home and plant. Some are still in evidence in student's yards and on the grounds of several elementary schools.
With the population of U-46 increasing over the years, and costs going up, the tradition was put on hold for a while. This year, after consultation with John Ziegler, current Ikes' president, and Tom Stewart, it was decided to restart the tradition on a smaller scale with about 350 seedlings for just the students at Ellis Middle School. In addition, 44 tree identification guides will be distributed to all U-46 7th grade science teachers for classroom use.
The Ellis science club, the Science Nerds, and teacher coordinator, Ms. Holly Yee, have been working with the Ikes on the spring and fall cleanup days of Willow Creek that flows near both Ellis and the Izaak Walton Lodge. The next cleanup day is scheduled for Saturday, September 13th from 9am – noon. The club's energy and excitement of pulling things – old tires, a marble tabletop, and even a toilet – was contagious. The students went right into the stream while many adult Ike members did more bank cleanup. The public is invited to participate in the cleanup. Just report to the Lodge at 899 Jay Street at 9am.
The City of Elgin has put up a new 'NO Trash' sign by the roadway adjacent to the cleanup area near Ellis MS. The Science Nerds are getting ready to build a walkway behind Ellis Middle School and, hopefully, some of the seedlings will go there.
With past Arbor Day celebrations, the Izaak Walton League helped Elgin become a Tree City. Now, volunteers from the Ikes and Elgin Green Groups will help Ellis Middle School students continue this rich tradition.
