Mundy reflects on sesquicentennial year

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By DENNIS HINES SYCAMORE - Mayor Ken Mundy said he is pleased with the number of residents who became involved with Sycamore’s sesquicentennial anniversary this year. A sesquicentennial committee was formed in March to develop ideas for events and activities to honor Sycamore’s 150th anniversary. The festivities began on May 9 with a cake-cutting ceremony at the DeKalb County Courthouse. A “picnic in the park” event was held the following day to continue the celebration. The final sesquicentennial-related event will be held on Nov. 22 with the Sycamore Sesquicentennial Grand Ball Gala. The sesquicentennial theme was incorporated in several community events such as Cinco de Mayo, the Fizz Ehrler Memorial Car Show, Discover Sycamore Block Party and Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. “All of these groups who are strongly involved with these events throughout the year, embraced and welcomed openly the 150th birthday theme within each of these events, and that’s not always easy, because these things are set up and planned, and they’re executed sometimes with military-like precision,” Mundy said. “So to introduce a new theme or an additional theme or a set of events into a successful event is a little tricky, and we credit those sponsors of these events with welcoming the sesquicentennial theme into their successful events throughout the year.” Besides the various events and activities, several sesquicentennial-related items were produced throughout the year. Members of the Sesquicentennial History Committee produced a coloring book and book marker, which included information about Sycamore’s history. Banner Up Signs produced Sesquicentennial banners, which were placed in several area businesses. The Ben Franklin store sold charms and necklaces, which included the sesquicentennial logo, and Priority Promotions manufactured sesquicentennial shirts, caps and jackets. “We’re proud of our businesses here in our community, and the service clubs, with how they step up. It epitomizes what Sycamore is all about, and that is a community of caring, volunteering and economic strength and vitality,” Mundy said. Several elementary and middle school students participated in an essay contest, in which they wrote about what they like about Sycamore. Students who participated in the contest had an opportunity to ride on a horse-drawn wagon with Mundy and his wife, Juanita, during the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival parade. Mundy said one of the highlights of the year for him was riding in the wagon with the students. “I will always remember that day,” Mundy said. “Twenty-six students, the mayor and the first lady of Sycamore on a covered wagon riding through the parade. The papers that were written by the students, I can’t say enough about, their reflections on how they view life at 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 years of age.” The students’ essays will be placed in a time capsule, which also will include business cards, photographs and books related to Sycamore’s history. The time capsule is set to be opened in 2058, during Sycamore’s bicentennial anniversary. “There will be a lot of reference materials in the time capsule that will show folks, 50 years from now, 200 years of history,” Mundy said. “I have every confidence that Sycamore, 50 years from now, will be as successful, as strong, as vibrant and as important as Sycamore is today.” Several organizations outside of the community also became involved with Sycamore’s 150th anniversary. Mundy said members of the Stage Coach Players donated period clothing that he and his wife wore during various events. “At the end of the (sesquicentennial) dance, we will have all the clothing and period dress cleaned and delivered back with a little check of appreciation to the Stage Coach Players,” he said. Mundy said he is pleased with all the businesses, organizations and volunteers that helped to make Sycamore’s 150th anniversary a success. “The process speaks so well of Sycamore, because it really embodies the community celebration for our 150th anniversary celebration,” Mundy said. “It embodies the whole volunteerism and generosity and the charitable nature of our folks here.”