Sugar Grove chamber to elect officers at luncheon

The Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce annual dinner is Jan. 26 and reservations are requested by Friday.

There will be hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar beginning at 6 p.m., with a buffet dinner at 7 p.m., in the Pine Room at Bliss Creek Golf Course, Hankes Road and Golfview Drive.

The program includes the election of new officers. David Burroughs of Engineering Enterprises will be stepping down after completing a two-year term as president.

"It's been wonderful," Burroughs said. "It's a great organization. I encourage people to come to the dinner. It's a good way to network and to meet your business neighbors."

This year, the new officers will need to decide what role the chamber will assume in coordinating Holiday in the Grove. Sugar Grove's annual holiday celebration is usually held the first Saturday in December.

The event has traditionally been planned and coordinated almost entirely by members of the PTO at John Shields Elementary School.

The 2007 version was scaled down and organizers reported that finding volunteers -- meaning mothers with children during an extremely busy time -- is becoming more difficult. The women who have been part of the project realize it takes a lot of "man hours."

The chamber has discussed taking over the event, Burroughs said.

"The decision will be up to the new president," he said. "My thought is that it needs to be a community event similar to the Corn Boil. I know others are willing to step in, including the park district. I think we can come together."

For reservations to the Jan. 26 dinner, call (630) 466-4686.

Also on Jan. 26

According to Sugar Grove resident and naturalist Mary Ochsenschlager, Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, near Bliss Road and Route 47, features some of the finest remaining remnants of natural forests in Kane County.

She also reports that it is now threatened by plant species that have been imported from other continents.

Without natural controls, plants such as buckthorn, garlic mustard and honeysuckle invade and crowd out the native trees and wildflowers that provide a habitat where native birds, butterflies and mammals can thrive.

"These species don't have natural enemies and they can take over," Ochsenschlager said. "Buckthorn leaves actually change the chemistry of the soil in order to make it better for their growth. We've got to get them out of there to make room for sunlight and growth for the native plants."

To this end, the Kane County Forest Preserve is sponsoring a workday to combat invasive species from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 26 at Bliss Woods. Ochsenschlager says the focus will be on removing the buckthorn.

Volunteers should dress warm and bring hand saws or loppers, if possible. Refreshments will be provided. Meet in the parking lot on Bliss Road.

"It's a fabulous woods and it needs some friends," Ochsenschlager said.

Ochsenschlager is retired from the St. Charles Park District. In March, the American Red Cross Fox River chapter recognized her extensive work in preservation by giving her the first Hometown Hero Award in the new environmental impact category.

For details, call Ochsenschlager at (630) 466-4922 or Julia Bourque at the Kane County Forest Preserve offices, (630) 762-2741.

ngier@dailyherald.com