Sally Stevens is a self-described “very busy lady.”

Stevens was born in DeKalb, raised in Sycamore and graduated from Sycamore High School and Lake Forest College. After college, she served as the Sycamore High School secretary and Sycamore School District’s Board of Education treasurer for 12 years. In 1964, she was asked to serve as secretary to the president of Northern Illinois University, a position she continued to hold for six university presidents, from 1964 to 1996, when she retired.

Stevens has lived at Oak Crest for 25 years and has been the editor and a writer of the Oak Crest Campus Newspaper for 16 years. The most recent publication for January/February is the newspaper’s 100th issue.

Stevens, 87, been deeply involved in the DeKalb and Sycamore communities her entire life. She has been a member of: the Federated Church of Sycamore for 40 years, the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Directors for 35 years, the Sycamore Woman’s Club for 25 years, the Sycamore-DeKalb Panhellenic since 1952, the DeKalb Drama Club and NIU University Women’s Club since 1996, the Kishwaukee Family YMCA Board of Directors, Tribute to Heroes, 100+ Women Who Care and fundraising committees for the Egyptian Theatre and DeKalb Public Library.

Stevens met with MidWeek reporter Katrina Milton to discuss her volunteer activities and the Oak Crest Campus Newspaper.

Milton: Tell me about the Oak Crest Campus Newspaper.

Stevens: The newspaper is published every other month, and the 100th issue is for January/February. When I first sit down to write the newspaper, I never have a plan or idea of how it will turn out. But with all of the activities and news happening at Oak Crest, there’s always something going on and something to write about. I always include educational articles. In the latest issue, I wrote about the Chicago Water Tower’s history and architecture. I also wrote about Illinois’ bicentennial, Annie’s Woods celebrating 100 years and Abraham Lincoln for Presidents’ Day. I think the short informative articles help the residents think about something outside of Oak Crest. I also encourage residents to write things and take submissions.

Milton: How did you first get involved with the newspaper?

Stevens: I was living at Oak Crest before I retired from NIU. When I retired, Paul Street was doing the newspaper. I remember seeing him at a table of a public area, and he was having difficulty doing something. I went over to help him, and in five minutes, we had the problem all taken care of. The next time I saw him, it was the same thing. Soon after that, he was in the health center and was very sick. He couldn’t do the newspaper any longer. In my first issue, I wrote an article about him, thanking him. Unfortunately, he passed away and was never able to read the article.

Milton: What are some other events and activities you participate in at Oak Crest?

Stevens: In addition to the Oak Crest Campus Newspaper, I help plan, prepare and present special activities throughout the year at Oak Crest: the remembrance service in January, Memorial Day in May, Flag Day in June, Independence Day in July, Patriot Day in September and Veterans Day in November. Twice a month, I do poetry readings or music at the health center, at Christmas I read at the health center and organize the “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” once a month.

Milton: With all the organizations you’re a part of and the things you’ve done, you seem very busy.

Stevens: I guess I am a busy lady. I’m 87 years old, and I still drive. I just know my life is better when I’m busy. I could never just be sitting, twiddling my thumbs and watching TV. I’m involved in Oak Crest activities three or four nights a week, and I love playing bridge or card games, doing puzzles and am involved with services in the chapel. I know just about everyone at Oak Crest by name. … Helping with the newspaper keeps me alert and remain knowledgeable, and the newspaper is for residents to enjoy. If I gave it up, I would really miss it. I’ve been doing it so long, it’s almost a habit. I hear from residents how much they like it, and it encourages me to go ahead and do some more.