Library News

Family Story Time

We are excited to announce Family Story Time! We now have time slots available for you to sign your family up for a private Story Time session with our new Youth Director, Jana Schlukebir.

These sessions will be held weekly beginning Aug. 6 and will be 20-30 minutes long. Each week will include a story and an art project. Here is what to expect: • Registration is required to reserve your time slot. Register through the Sign Up Genius link on our website or by calling 815-738-2742.

• Masks will be required for everyone three and older who is medically able to wear one, and when you show up for your session, we will do a quick temperature check. • We will be outside when possible or in the back room when the weather requires it. Please dress your kids in clothes that are appropriate for the weather and that can get messy. • There will be two projects for you to choose from, one project per family please, as we will not have time to do both. There will be a craft project and a painting project. Crafts are perfect for kids 3 & up; painting projects are best for kids 6 & up. • Please have a family member 16 years or older available to assist kids under the age of six with their project.

School Supply Time

It’s school supply time again. SSET 4 School will once again be collecting donations of school supplies for the students of Forrestville Valley School District.

The greatest need is for spiral notebooks, 2 pocket folders, loose leaf notebook paper, glue, colored pencils, mark

OREGON LIBRARY

ers, and crayons, but all donations are gratefully accepted. Bring your donations of school supplies to Bertolet Memorial Library by Aug. 6.

Recycling Effort

We are still collecting soft plastics for recycling. Bring in your clean, dry bread, cereal, zip top, and grocery store bags. We also accept outer package wrap from items such as paper towels and multipack items.

We are unable to accept book donations at this time.

FORRESTON LIBRARY

Library Closure and Appointments

While the library is still closed, anyone needing to send a fax, make copies, or use a computer for taxes, employment, etc. may call the library and schedule an appointment to come in. Also, you may call or message us to schedule a half hour time slot to come in and check out materials.

Only members of one household may come in at the same time and everyone over the age of 2 must wear a mask. Please call the library for more information or if you have any questions.

Curbside Pickup

We will continue to offer curbside pickup. Pick up times will be scheduled when you place a request. Interlibrary loans have resumed so you may also request items from other libraries. Due to quarantine policies, delivery may take longer than usual. Please call, Facebook message, or email us at forrestonpubliclibrary@gmail.com for assistance or if you have any questions.

eBooks/WiFi

As always, you may still enjoy eBooks through Axis 360 and Biblioboard. If you would like more information on creating an account, please let us know and we’ll be happy to help you get set up.

You may also access the internet outside the library by connecting to our WiFi. No password is required.

Summer Reading Program

Weekly activity packets are now available for Preschool/Kindergarten and 1st through 5th grade. A new topic will be introduced every Wednesday as we “Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, and Discover!”

School Supply Collection

In cooperation with the SSET 4 School program, we are once again collecting school supplies for our local students. The greatest need is for spiral notebooks, two pocket folders, loose leaf notebook paper, glue, colored pencils, markers, and crayons.

New or gently used backpacks will also be accepted. You may drop supplies off anytime between now and Aug. 7.

Library Updates

Please like our Facebook page to stay up to date with the most current information on our summer activities. Also, if you have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact us through email,

Facebook messenger, or by phone.

Library Update

It has been great to see everyone in the library again!

We do offer curbside pick- up, but if you wear a mask you may enter the building to pick up your materials. Hours for curbside will be Monday - Thursday 10 a.m.. - 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. The building is open regular hours.

You can put holds on items in our Library through our catalog or by calling the library at 815-732-2724. Please leave a message if we do not answer and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Happy National Book Lovers Day

Enjoy National Book Lovers Day on Aug. 9 by rereading an old favorite, give a gift of reading, try out a new reading spot, make a book themed dinner or share your favorite on social media. Have fun enjoying this day!

Adult Summer Reading Program Ends

The Adult Summer Readling Program will end on Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. Winners will be announced on Aug. 12.

Library Book Clubs

The 2WBC meets Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

The Afternoon Book Club meets Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. to discuss The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin.

Books on Tap Book Club meets on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Cork n Tap to discuss The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.

June Danekas and Evee helped out with Video Story Time at the Oregon library one week. Here, June is sharing their video with Evee! Photo supplied

• MARRIAGES

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July 17

Chad Allen Wagner and Jennifer Ann Devries, both of Byron.

Reese Roland Starzec Dean Apple-Renee Wyeth, both of Round Lake.

July 21

Travis Christopher Dewey and Miranda Elizabeth Blankenbehler, both of Woosung. Mary Susan Elizabeth Studebaker-Reed and Alexis Danielle Hayward, both of Rochelle.

July 23

Stephen Joseph Gorski and Joanna Babiy, both of Oregon.

Jacob Roe Grover of Chana and Kaylie Kristine Wetzel of Lindenwood. David Robert Paulson and Jessica Lynn Watson, both of Stillman Valley.

Thomas Joseph Haley and Jessica Lynn Sullivan, both of Belvidere.

YOUR GOVERNMENT County board fighting virtual meeting difficulties

Board hasn’t been meeting in person due to COVID-19

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

During last week’s Ogle County Board virtual meeting, board member Benjamin Youman (Davis Junction) became frustrated and had to interject.

“If you think you’re muted, you are not,” Youman said. “You’ve been talking on the phone and distracting everyone. So everyone, please make sure you’re muted and it’s proper protocol for teleconferences. You’re supposed to pay attention and not hold side conversations.”

The board has been conducting its meetings via Zoom, but board members and the public call in on their phones rather than over video online. A small group of board members and county employees run the meeting from the old courthouse.

Board Chairman John Finfrock (Mt. Morris) said the meetings will continue to be this way and a potential change depends on “what the governor says”.

Gatherings of 50 or less with masks and social distancing are allowed under the state’s current phase four, but Finfrock said it isn’t possible to distance everyone in the boardroom and allow everyone to have a microphone.

There are 24 board members. Other county employees like county clerk and assistant, sheriff and state’s attorney attend the meetings.

“We’re stuck with this, unfortunately,” Finfrock said. “And none of us like it. Our committee meetings with seven and five, those we do in person socially distanced. I’m not sure how long it’ll be for the big ones. And that’s a problem.”

Some of the early committee meetings held virtually were hard to hear over the phone, but Finfrock said those issues have been resolved by meeting in a smaller room with everyone closer to the microphone.

With the meetings being held virtually, all votes must be done by roll call, rather than using the ayes and nays system when protocol allows for it. That extra use of time has been among the frustrations of staying virtual.

“We had a lot of yes’s tonight, but because it’s a virtual meeting, it requires a roll call for each vote,” Finfrock said. “Hopefully in the near future we can get back to what we like to do, and that’s get together as a group.” Support given for grant applications

The board approved four resolutions of support for four county business applications for downstate small business stabilization grants during its July 21 meeting.

The $20 million program supports small businesses in suburban and rural counties across Illinois, providing grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses.

Public Auction Service, Maxson Restaurant and Riverboat, National Bus Trader and the Dogwood Inn were the businesses that had their applications supported.

Dogwood Inn and National Bus Trader were approved by a vote of 23-0 with one abstention. Board member Wayne Reising (Oregon) said the businesses are clients of his and abstained.

Maxson was approved 24-0.

The vote for Public Auction service was 13-10 in favor with board member Lyle Hopkins (Polo) abstaining. His wife owns the business. That was the reasoning behind board members voting against it.

“It gives a perception and we don’t need to work with that,” board member Dan Janes (Stillman Valley said. “We have enough issues. I can’t support it with it being an active member on the county board. I think it sets a precedent.”

Jeff Helfrich/Shaw Media

Ogle County Board Chairman John Finfrock (center) leads a virtual meeting of the board from the Ogle County Courthouse on July 21.

• Oregon Republican Reporter • Mt. Morris Times • Tri-County Press • Forreston Journal Only $39 a year for subscribers living in Ogle County. Call Diana at 815-732-6166, ext. 2518 to subscribe today!

FRIDAY, JULY 31 AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 9A.M.— 4 P.M. 402 E. LINCOLN ST. MT. MORRIS, IL ESTATE OF RUSS AND JANE DIETRICH

Garage/Basement treasures