This morning while cycling down Bode road, I saw these guys playing Bocce ball.
The fact is, I didn't even know the name of the game until I looked it up on the internet.
It is one of the ball sports under the boules family.
This game can be conducted between two players or two teams.
The small white ball known as the Pallino (also known as Jack) is thrown first.
Then each member throws their individual ball, to get it as close to the Jack as possible.
All throws have to be made underhand.
Once all have thrown their balls, they make a visual study to determine who is the closest, and points are decided.
If there is a dispute, a measuring tape is used to determine the distance from the Jack.
The rules are flexible as long as all participants agree to it.
After observing them, I realised that the rules they were following were similar to the game of goti (marbles) that we used to play during our school days.
The scores are updated after each game.
The history of this game is interesting.
Bocce Ball spread throughout Palestine and into Asia Minor. . . . . .
In 600 B.C., Bocce was picked up by the Greeks and passed to the Romans. It was played everywhere, from the churches and castles to the city streets. People from all walks of life could play the game; young or old, man or woman.
In 1319 A.D., Bocce Ball was actually prohibited to people of lesser nobility because it was felt that it diverted attention from more important tasks, such as archery and war training.
As of today, it is an event in the Special Olympics, and is being proposed to be in the Olympics.
They say that if you want to know the history of a place then have a look at the cemetery first. So one morning I pedaled down to the cemetery and found the origin of the name Schaumburg in Illinois.
The original 1842 township survey, names the grove as Sarah's Grove. Three families lived near a grove of woods on the northwest end of the township, and each family had a woman named Sarah (Sarah McChesney, Sarah Frisbe, and Sarah Smith)
At a township meeting in 1850, citizens debated new names for the town. A wealthy landowner named Friedrich Heinrich Nerge, at one point during the meeting, slammed his fist on the table and said in German, "Schaumburg schall et heiten!" ( "It will be called Schaumburg!").
At that point, the township became officially called Schaumburg
Above Black and White picture clicked by Duane Rapp
German was the first language of the majority of households until the 1950s.
The cemetery, with 2600 total grave sites, continues to receive burials today.
Lightning struck the church steeple on July 11, 1904, and set it on fire. The fire, which burned slowly downward, was extinguished by the bucket brigade.
But the steeple was destroyed and had to be rebuilt. The bell was cracked and made useless. In 1956 the Men's Club replaced the bell and memorialized the founders of the congregation by placing it as a monument on the front lawn of the church.
The Schaumburg Center School was one of the five public schools founded in Schaumburg Township in the 1870s.
Originally located at Schaumburg Road, northwest of Roselle Road, (and numbered as 54) it was moved in1981 and restored on its current site on St Peter Lutheran Church property.
This one room schoolhouse is owned by the Village of Schaumburg and is leased to Schaumburg Township Historical Society. Unfortunately I could not have a look inside as it was closed for repairs.
Made a short video of all that I could capture in the morning. The squirrel at the cemetery lawn was eyeing me suspiciously "should I share my breakfast with this guy on a bicycle?"
On the way back I noticed these birds (a Great Blue Heron and Swallow) in the grove. (things that we don't notice when we zip past in a four wheeler)
Was cycling down Bode Rd when I saw this Church and liked the edifice.
When I entered the church premises I met the caretaker of the church and he said that there was no service on that day (being a Thursday) and he directed me to the small chapel, a quaint little place.
Later I clicked a few pics around the place, especially this sparrow who was busy collecting material for her nest (Thursday or any other day is the same for her)
On and off I kept visiting the church on my morning cycling rounds. Liked the display of the pictures which were clicked 50 years ago when the Church was established.
Yesterday when I visited the Church, I found that the youth of the Church were conducting a car wash drive at the parking lot.
They were doing it to raise funds for their summer activities. What a novel idea. It will keep the youth occupied and at the same time learn a few tricks of the trade from the seniors (not to mention the involvement of team work)
Found that it was well organised with four stations, the cleandown and wetting, the soaping and scrubbing, the wash down and finally the drying.
The mandatory group picture of the team.
I made a short video of the car wash with all that I captured.
Later I attended the 10 am Mass.
Short and sweet with a meaningful sermon. I was particularly impressed by the Choir.
I must admit that most of the members were senior citizens and they did a swell job (which means a lot of practice has gone in there)
Managed to capture the concluding hymn and made a small video of it.
Heard that a Family Fest is being held in the church premises from June 22nd to June 26th. Considering the enthusiasm of the Parishioners, I am sure it is going to be a grand success.
Saw this Great Egret busy trying to catch some fish, and while doing so, she makes an attempt to stand on one leg as can be seen in the video
If you cycle around at a leisurely pace (especially around water bodies) you get to see some beautiful birds.
Advisory boards are put up and it is better to follow them for your own safety.
As I did not have a monopod or tripod, I kept the camera on my cycle seat and that helped me in creating a video without any shake.
Coming back to the Great Egret, I saw her making a jab into the water but was unlucky in catching the fish.
After reading about them I got some more information, like they fly slowly but powerfully with just two wing beats per second, attaining an average speed of 25 miles/hr.
They were hunted nearly to extinction for their plumes in the late nineteenth century, sparking conservation movements and some of the first laws to protect birds.
A little further away I noticed a Great Blue heron.
These ducklings were faithfully following their mother. They looked and sounded like Canada Goose, but I am not sure about it.
There were other birds too and I am trying to identify them.
It was good to see that the tracks were being used by cycling enthusiasts (and some joggers too)
On the way back I saw this sight. I suppose they have the right of way, and drivers wait patiently for them to cross.
Today is World Bicycle Day and I hope more people will take up cycling.
