PAGE 1 / SEC A • THE MENDOTA REPORTER
VOLUME 147, NUMBER 32
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6, 2025
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6, 2025
ONE DOLLAR, 25 CENTS
Hometown supporter Brewer to lead Sweet Corn Parade as Grand Marshal q Former teacher playing a big part in revitalization effort of Mendota
Sweet Corn Festival Calendar Thursday, Aug. 7 3-5 p.m. – A sensory friendly afternoon. The Carnival Midway will be open for a private armband for anyone with special needs and their immediate family. Registration required. 6-8 p.m. – The Acoustix performing in First State Bank Hospitality Tent. 6 p.m. – Carnival Midway opens to general public. Discount armbands from 6-10 p.m. Food & merchandise booths open. 7 p.m. – Silverstone Junction performing on First State Bank stage. Friday, Aug. 8 Noon – Food & merchandise booths open. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Charles Van Horn karaoke entertainment in First State Bank Hospitality Tent. 1 p.m. – Carnival Midway opens. Discount armbands from noon-4 p.m. 2-6 p.m. – The Acoustix performing in First State Bank Hospitality Tent. 6:45 p.m. – Pre-pageant entertainment by Andrew Bloomquist on First State Bank stage. 7:30 p.m. – Sweet Corn Festival Queen Pageant on First State Bank stage. 7:30-Midnight – Beer garden opens featuring entertainment by Los Ahijados del Barranco and Banda Nuestra Tierra. Saturday, Aug. 9 All day – Magic Matt performing his strolling magic & balloon artistry. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Crafters Market Place & Flea Market. Lots of vendors in two locations. Veteran’s Park on U.S. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St. just ½ block north of Veteran’s Park. 9 a.m. – Pickleball Tournament at Lake Mendota courts. 10 a.m. – Mini Royalty Pageant on First State Bank stage. Young girls and boys competing to wear the crown of Mini King and Mini Queen. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Nicodemus performing in First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Noon - Food & merchandise booths open. 1 p.m. – Carnival Midway opens. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Steve Cerqua acoustic guitar performing on First State Bank stage. Noon-3 p.m. – Free face painting near corner of Washington St. & Indiana Ave. 2 p.m. – Sweet Corn Festival Food Contest at Mendota Elks Lodge. 2-4 p.m. – DJ FAMOUS performing in First State Bank Hospitality Tent. 3-5 p.m. – Mid Lyfe Krysys performing on the First State Bank stage. 5-7 p.m. – The Phenom performing in First State Bank Hospitality Tent. 7:30 p.m.-Midnight – Beer garden opens featuring entertainment by Abbynormal. Sunday, Aug. 10 All day – Magic Matt performing his strolling magic & balloon artistry. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Crafters Market Place & Flea Market. Lots of vendors in two locations. Veteran’s Park on U.S. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St. just ½ block north of Veteran’s Park. See Calendar, Page A5
By BRANDON LaCHANCE Staff writer MENDOTA – This year, the Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Parade on Sunday, Aug. 10 will be grand marshaled by Amy Brewer, who has been part of the community in many ways over the years. Brewer, a retired grade school teacher who is now part of Reimagine Mendota and advocates for revitalizing her hometown, is excited and humbled to be the grand marshal. “I’m honored to be the grand marshal this year. Growing up in Mendota, raising our family here, teaching here for my whole career and working with so many great volunteers these last few years, I feel a strong connection to this place and the people,” said Brewer. “And how lucky am I to now volunteer with so many people I once taught. It’s so rewarding to see past students making a difference as adults.
“I especially love the Sweet Corn Festival and how it is such a homecoming time for families and friends. It’s not just about corn, it’s our time to enjoy community connection a n d celebrating our town.” Brewer moved to Mendota Brewer w h e n she was 8 years old and graduated from Mendota High School in 1983. In 1982, she was in the parade as a drum major, and in 1983, she was a Sweet Corn Queen Pageant contestant and rode in the parade. She’ll never forget the sweet corn-shaped submarine float built by the Mendota Rotary Club. The float played “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles on repeat. While attending Illinois State University, Brewer met her husband, Dave
Brewer. Both obtained teaching degrees and accepted jobs in Mendota where they raised their son, Alex. Amy taught for Mendota School District #289 for 33 years. In retirement, Brewer remains involved in the community. In 2023, she co-wrote a Community Heart and Soul Seed Grant and co-directed the program with volunteers as it merged it with Reimagine Mendota. Brewer has been a part of more grants and is currently working on the community pavilion project. In the last two years, she assisted with four grants, including Safe Routes to School Grant, Illinois Humanities Grant, Community Heart and Soul and National Endowment for the Arts Grant. “I hope people are starting to notice good changes happening in Mendota through the efforts of so many dedicated workers and volunteers,”
Illinois Central Railroad centennial marker finds new home in Mendota By BRANDON LaCHANCE Staff writer MENDOTA – In 1951, the Illinois Central Railroad created 150 centennial markers to honor 100 years of the “Mainline of MidAmerica.” Growing up in LaSalle, a few blocks away from the Illinois Central station, Mendota Historical Society President Bryon Walters, not only became a railroad fan, but learned the importance of the bronze medallions that were distributed and displayed throughout 14 states. When he saw centennial milestone appear on a Facebook group he follows, Walters was instantly interested and quickly reached out to try to acquire the treasure. “A man bought a house in the Springfield area previously owned by a physician who passed away,” Walters said. “Cleaning up brush, he found the stone and took it to a hobby shop to find out what it was. Once he found out it had monetary value, he wanted a rather high price, starting at $5,000. I told him I couldn’t go that high. I made him aware
Evan McPheeters, left, and Mike Jones of Mendota Monument lower a Illinois Central Railroad centennial stone marker to a concrete slab alongside the original Illinois Central track in Mendota. (Photo contributed) it would be for a museum and I am a volunteer. We worked out some trades. He really wanted to have it displayed at a museum and liked the cash offer I made. We struck a deal and I drove to Springfield to pick it up. “He had an endloader to put it in my truck. While I was driving back to
Mendota, I thought, ‘How am I going to get this rascal out of my truck and put it alongside the track because it weighs 1,500 pounds. I thought monuments, who does monuments. Mendota Monument clicked, so I stopped by. See Marker, Page A5
Brewer said. “Mendota is full of people who quietly show up, pitch in, and make a difference whether it’s organizing events, supporting neighbors or working to make things better downtown. “Volunteering is a way to help others and to feel connected to your community. After the two fires in town (2022), I was really feeling bad. But they say if you’re sad, you should go help someone else. Working on community projects has given me hope and energy. It’s an honor to work alongside people who believe in building a stronger, more connected community.” Brewer obtained a Master Gardener certification through University of Illinois Extension, volunteers at Nachusa Grasslands, and she helped start Friends of Lake Kakusha and Dementia Family Mendota.
City council buys property, issues loan By KIP CHEEK Staff writer MENDOTA - The Mendota City Council purchased downtown property and issued a loan to help with the restoration of a downtown building at its Aug. 4 regular meeting. During Alderman John Holland’s report, the council approved an ordinance to purchase the property at 803 Illinois Ave. from Israel and Maria Garcia in the amount of $30,000. Also from Holland, the council agreed to issue a Mendota Historic Restoration & Preservation loan of up to $7,500 to the property owners of 718 Main St. to be repaid in installments of $200 over 36 months. Alderman Jay Miller presented two items for the council’s consideration. Council members agreed to an ordinance raising the See Council, Page A5