Former St. Charles cop has clear picture of his dream
Brian DeWolf of Batavia shakes his head, asking himself, "How did this happen?"
Luckily for DeWolf, he's not one of thousands of people asking the same thing because of a job loss. DeWolf's amazement centers on having a dream come true.
DeWolf, who was a member of the St. Charles Police Department for more than 20 years before retiring in 2000, has turned his passion for photography into worldwide exposure of his work.
He's joining several other artists in the suburbs of Paris, France for the next two weeks to show his photography in an art festival.
"Even though I was pursuing a hobby and turned it into a business, I don't want the business end to take over my hobby," DeWolf said, in explaining that he has mostly used his photography work to be able to travel and meet people as opposed to making a lot of money.
"I am enjoying the heck out of it," DeWolf said. "Half the fun of it is in meeting people, but the business end is tough."
This marks the third time the former St. Charles police sergeant has been showing his black-and-white photography in the Paris festival.
"We stay in Croissey sur Seine, just outside Paris, and it is considered the 'playground' for impressionist artists," DeWolf said.
And DeWolf is more than pleased to be involved in that playground.
Check out his Web site at briandewolf.com to see his work.
Time to audition: Jon Chapman has his sights set on an extravaganza - the type that could get his face in front of a lot more people.
The fifth-grader from Harrison Street Elementary School in Geneva will join other aspiring models and actors this weekend at the Audition Extravaganza in Chicago.
Jon sent a letter to friends and neighbors about passing an audition to earn an invitation to the event, saying it gives him "a chance to meet with agents, managers and casting directors from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and others from across the United States."
He's been searching for sponsors to help him cover the tuition cost of $2,900.
His mother, Diane, said the support of sponsors "has been huge" in helping Jon be able to participate.
Anyone interested in sponsoring Jon's efforts can call the family at (630) 208-1359.
The monsignor's milestone: The church bulletin at St. Patrick's Church in St. Charles last weekend proclaimed another milestone of the priesthood for its pastor, Monsignor Joseph Linster.
Father Joe has been a priest for 40 years now, and it's another reminder of how fast time flies. It sure doesn't seem like 15 years ago since the good padre asked if I would take photographs for his family during his 25th anniversary party. That was during his second year at St. Pat's, but seems more like it was just a few years ago.
Fixing that ticker: We're thankful that the scary moment former St. Charles Mayor Fred Norris endured when his heart recently decided to give out on him resulted in a happy ending at the hospital.
He's feeling well again with his pacemaker, and he's back to helping his community.