The Kendall County Democratic Women hosted a meet and greet event at the new book shop, Old Towne Books and Tea (www.oldtownebooks.wordpress.com), 61 S. Madison Street in Oswego, on December 3rd.  The free event was very well attended by a cheerful crowd and featured wine and cheese and hot cider and cookies.  Unwrapped new gifts were collected for needy local children for distribution by the Oswegoland Optimist Club.  Gifts may be dropped of at Old Towne Books and Tea or at Imagine on Main (56 Main Street, Oswego) through Saturday, December 19^th. 

 

Among the guests were Democratic candidates Robyn Prince Sutcliff (for Kendall County Board District 1) and Jennifer Laesch (for Democratic State Central Committeewoman 14^th Congressional District, and Kane County Board District 3).

 

Katra Knoernschild, a local mom, spoke about early education for special needs children.  She stated that “Illinois is ranked 50^th in the nation on services provided for Special Needs Children. In the long run, the state's failure to fund the Zero to Three Early Intervention Program and early diagnostic programs means that children are not getting the necessary attention, therapies, and skills they need to be successful citizens.  Each year of delayed funding, increases the chance that these children will miss the mark and become a greater long term risk to the tax system.  To ignore the special needs community - particularly its children - who are the most vulnerable amongst us is not just a tragedy, it's downright immoral.  But morality aside - ignoring the problem only makes it worse, and impacts the state's budget and burden to the tax payer in ways that shouldn't even be imagined.” Katra encourages people to contact their representatives about this important issue.

 

Old Towne Books and Tea owner, Leah Guillemette of Oswego, said “It was really great to have everyone come out and support our Local Business. We are not Borders, but we do love our community and are here to serve it.” She spoke to guests about what makes their independent shop different than big chain stores, local authors, and Indie Next List favorites.  The shop specializes in locating hard to find book titles, offers free gift wrapping for purchases, is forming book clubs, and offers the following discounts:  bus drivers and maintenance staff of District 308 10% off with union card, teachers 10% off with union card, and seniors 15% off on Thursdays.  The shop is independently owned and operated by women, Leah and her aunt, Mary Murray.  Their website will be live soon and a link will be available at the Kendall County Dem Women’s website.

Kendall County Democratic Women President Chrisi Vineyard says "shop local!”, and to email kendalldemwomen@kendalldemnet.com with suggestions for local businesses to promote.