Elgin News Digest: Gail Borden staff member receives state library award; two teens win scholarships through Kane County 4-H; family bike ride along the Fox River planned for Sept. 10

Gail Borden staff member receives state library award

Debbie Roycroft, a Gail Borden Public Library District staff member, is the recipient of the 2023 Youth Services Achievement Award from the Illinois Library Association.

The award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to young people by creating and/or implementing library programs, services and/or initiatives that encourage love of learning and positively impact children, a news release said from the Elgin-based district said.

“The staff and board of Gail Borden Library are so very pleased with the work Debbie is performing for our community and proud she has received this award that she so richly deserves,” Gail Borden Library CEO Carole Medal said in the release.

As the KidSpace office coordinator at the main library for the past five years, Roycroft has used “her creativity and talent when assisting with library programs for young children from birth to six years of age. She has designed kits for a popular library program, Preschool Puppeteers, at which children create their own puppets from the kit.”

The award will be presented to Roycroft at the library association’s annual October conference in Springfield.

ECC to launch Center for Civic Engagement this fall

Elgin Community College students can apply this fall to take part in the new Center for Civic Engagement, a regional hub for training civic leaders, providing political education and promoting democracy.

Students selected will undergo leadership training; engage ECC’s student body in civic issues; and collect, analyze and disseminate data on student and community public opinion to stakeholders throughout the Elgin area, according to a college news release.

They also will have opportunities to attend legislative sessions in Springfield to engage with local and state leaders, government officials and civic organizations and will receive a $500 scholarship per semester of involvement.

For more information, go to elgin.edu/civic.

Two teens win scholarships through Kane County 4-H

Two local 4-H teens have earned scholarships through the Kane County 4-H Foundation as part of the organization’s annual award program.

The 2023 honorees — Christopher Haviland, of Elgin, and Nora Thompson, of St. Charles — were selected based on 4-H involvement and achievements, community service, school involvement and future plans, a news release said.

Haviland is the recipient of the Russell Memorial, Donna Meyer Memorial and Bob and Alyce Konen Memorial scholarships totaling $1,500. He is a graduate of Central High School in Burlington and plans to attend Elgin Community College in the fall, with the goal of becoming a registered nurse.

Thompson received the $1,000 Mike Panek Memorial Scholarship and the $500 Donna Meyer Memorial Scholarship. Also a graduate of Central High School, she will attend Augustana College in Rockford and plans of pursuing a career in marketing or advertising.

Family bike ride along the Fox River planned for Sept. 10

The Family Biking Adventure along the Fox River led by a Kane County Forest Preserve District naturalist will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 10, starting at Les Arends Forest Preserve in Batavia.

Described as a leisurely 8-mile ride, the tour will head south on the Fox River Trail into North Aurora and then crosses the river, continues through Glenwood Park Forest Preserve and brings participants into downtown Batavia before returning to the starting point, a news release said.

Stops along the way will allow the naturalist to discuss the natural and cultural history of the Kane County forest preserves.

There will be a stop at the midway point at the Batavia Creamery.

Participants must provide their own bikes and are required to wear helmets, the release said. All riding will be done on paved surfaces.

For more information and to register, call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com.