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It’s funny, and just a little sad, when your child uses the word bittersweet. My daughter has used it several times in the past week.

This week I have the honor of signing the diplomas that will be presented to our graduating Somonauk High School students at their commencement on Sunday, May 26. My hope is that, in time, these graduates will look back at both the education they received and the experiences they had at Somonauk schools and appreciate all the big opportunities that were made available to them, even though they went to a small school.

This is the time of year when legislation that successfully passed the Senate moves to the House of Representatives for committee review and possible vote. Here’s a few of the more interesting Senate bills that passed the House, and will now travel to the governor’s desk. No bill becomes law until the governor signs the legislation.

When I was a young mother, I remember feeling a little annoyed that we had to go visit my mom or my husband’s mom. Of course, now that both have passed, I realized just how selfish that was. Age and experience opens one’s eyes.

The research is clear – children who are curious and explore the world around them fare better at school and relationships, and ultimately, are more successful in life. Yet, as children go through life it’s easy for their curiosity to be stunted. A regimented school day, schedules, tests and grades all have a way of limiting a child’s natural curiosity.

May tends to be a busy and exciting month in Springfield, as members of the House and Senate strive to complete their work in time for a May 31 adjournment.

Fox Valley Older Adult Services would like to thank the many sponsors, volunteers and others who contributed to the success of our 20th annual dinner dance and auction on Saturday, May 4.

Ever crashed a party? Five years ago, I certainly wouldn’t have. Now I can cross that off my bucket list.

On Tuesday, April 23, I gave my State of the County Address, along with Chairman Lauzen from Kane County and a representative from Kendall County. It was interesting to listen to reports from the two other neighboring counties, but it was great to brag about the accomplishments in DeKalb County.

Here are a few of the many pieces of legislation that have moved through the House and progressed to the Senate; some small, some large, all with the potential to impact you.

What to do about a bee swarm

Last week, I joked about building an ark. Considering the damage caused by flooding all over northern Illinois, it wasn’t funny, after all.

With ongoing flooding across the state, the governor has declared 42 counties as disaster areas including DeKalb, Kane, Winnebago, McHenry and LaSalle. The gubernatorial proclamation aids the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in coordinating state resources to support local governments in disaster response and recovery operations.