January 10, 2025
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Former Bears QB Bobby Douglass among guests set to attend Johnsburg Oldtimers Club banquet

Brent Sopel, Steve Lyons also will be special guests at Jan. 24 event

By Joe Aguilar

Former Bears quarterback Bobby Douglass signs an autograph for Lyndsey Stevens of Sterling in this file shot at Clover Hills Appliance Center in Sterling. Douglass will be among the speakers at the 47th Johnsburg Oldtimers Club event Jan. 24. (Philip Marruffo)

While not promoting “out with the old and in with the new,” the Johnsburg Oldtimers Club would welcome some young blood at its annual event.

The 47th men-only event, which will feature three former Chicago sports athletes as guest speakers, will take place Friday, Jan. 24 at the Johnsburg Community Club.

In the past, the Oldtimers Club has given donations to local boys leagues, girls softball leagues, boys and girls travel teams and Johnsburg High School’s athletic department.

“It’s a great event,” JOTC board member Kyle Frost said. “We’ve been doing this a long time, we got a lot of money, and we want to give back to the kids.

“And we want to continue to promote this because a lot of our clientele who come to this are baby boomers. We’re trying to reach out and get to the youth, [men] in their 20s and 30s. I would say 75% of the people who attend our event are 60-plus [years old].”

Attendees have to be at least 16 years old. Tickets cost $75 and dinner is included. Cocktails are at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m., raffle and awards at 7:30 p.m. and the program at 8 p.m.

Renowned national anthem singer Wayne Messmer will serve as emcee, something he has done for more than 20 years. The guest speakers will be former Bears quarterback Bobby Douglass, former Blackhawks defenseman and 2010 Stanley Cup champion Brent Sopel and former White Sox infielder/outfielder Steve Lyons.

Anaheim winger Mike Brown (13) puts a shot on Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford as Brent Sopel (5) and Jordan Hendry defend during the first period of NHL action March 17, 2020, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (AP file)

Frost said free autograph and photo opportunities will be available after the program.

The JOTC event traditionally has been cash only, but this year attendees can pay for tickets electronically via Zelle. Attendees also can make silent auction and raffle ticket purchases using Zelle, credit card or debit card. Cash payments still will be accepted as well.

“As we move into the future, we’re advancing,” Frost said. “So we’re making [payment options] electronic.”

This year’s event will celebrate 2024 scholarship winner and 2024 Johnsburg High graduate Henry Ray, who is expected to attend with his mother, Annie. Henry’s dad, Steve, died Oct. 27, 2024. In the past, scholarship winners have received up to $4,000.

To buy tickets, contact Rick Golemba at johnsburgoldtimers1976@gmail.com or call 815-715-3324.

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