The Great Orb Hunt 2025 will run Sept. 4 through Sept. 30 at three locations in Kane County, event organizers said.
In partnership with Fine Line Creative Arts Center, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County is co-hosting the Great Orb Hunt for its third consecutive year.
Participants in the hunt can immerse themselves in nature as they search for a hand-crafted glass or ceramic orb created by Fine Line artists, according to a press release about the event.
Similar to years past, orbs will be hidden at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles, as well as the prairie path at Fine Line Creative Arts Center. The newest preserve to join the search, Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia, is also the largest preserve in Kane County.
Fine Line Creative Arts Center is at 37W570 Bolcum Road in St. Charles and LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve is at 37W700 Dean Street in St. Charles. Dick Young Forest Preserve is at 39W115 Main St. in Batavia.
A total of 150 orbs will be hidden in small batches at different times throughout the event, organizers said. Orbs will be placed one to five feet off designated trails. To help participants locate orbs efficiently, the forest district has created maps that are available via social media. Areas marked in red will not have orbs hidden, nor will orbs be placed in waterways or mowed areas, according to the release.
Executive Director Lynn Caldwell of Fine Line Creative Arts Center said she is looking forward to the event.
“Every orb found is a unique piece of art,” Caldwell said in the release. “If you find an orb, it is yours to keep. However, we kindly request that each finder keeps only one orb. If you find additional orbs, please leave them in the wild for another seeker to find.”
All orbs are stamped and numbered. Those who find an orb can register it by going to www.fineline.org/pages/the-great-orb-hunt.
For more information on the orb hunt, go to www.fineline.org or www.kaneforest.com.
Second installment of Kane property tax bills due Tuesday
The deadline for Kane County property owners to pay the second installment of their 2024 property tax bills is Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Taxpayers are encouraged to make online payments at the Kane County Treasurer’s website, treasurer.kanecountyil.gov. There is no cost to pay by echeck, but credit and debit card payments are subject to a 2.35% convenience fee, according to a news release.
The treasurer’s office does not accept payments over the phone. For additional information, call 630-232-3565.
Waubonsee Community College Foundation golf fundraiser set
The Waubonsee Community College Foundation will host its annual golf outing fundraiser beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at Aurora Country Club.
Proceeds from the event solely benefit the Waubonsee Foundation Scholarship Program, which aids hundreds of Waubonsee students each year in achieving their educational and career goals, college officials said.
Event check-in begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by a lunch buffet with special remarks from Waubonsee President Brian Knetl and Brian Dolan, the Waubonsee Foundation’s Golf Committee chair, event organizers said.
At 12:30 p.m., golfers will head out to the course. The event will close with an awards reception at 4:45 p.m., according to a press release about the event.
The cost to participate is $1,752 for a foursome, which is equal to the cost of one full-time semester at Waubonsee, the release said. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, entry for on-course individual and team contests, lunch, appetizers and two drink tickets. A cash bar will also be available.
To register, go to waubonsee.edu/golfouting. To learn more about this and other Waubonsee Foundation initiatives, contact the Development Office at 630-466-2316 or foundation@waubonsee.edu.
Cars of Hope celebrating 15 years
Nonprofit Cars of Hope will mark its 15th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane in Naperville.
The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the event, which also includes food and exhibits from the organization’s community partners, organizers said.
Cars of Hope aims to reduce poverty by transforming donated cars into reliable transportation, a news release said. The organization is staffed by volunteers who repair donated cars so they can be safely gifted to those in need.
Local auto repair centers also volunteer their time and resources, and the nonprofit works with 18 social service agencies, including Mutual Ground, Hesed House and Community Christian Church, to vet its clients, the release said.
Since its inception, Cars of Hope has gifted 60 cars to people in need and would like to double that number in the next five years, the release said
Founder and executive director Roman Povilonis said he started the group after realizing that some residents in the suburbs struggle to find transportation to get to work or drive their kids to school. Donating a car can be a tax deduction and a nonworking car can be used for its parts, he said.
For more information, go to www.carsofhope.org.