CHURCH CHALLENGE
Pastor asks others to donate in challenge for Stronghold center BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com
Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center Executive Director Danny Pierce, left, accepts a $5,000 donation from Pastor David Spaulding of the First Presbyterian Church of Dixon as they stand in the courtyard at Stronghold. the Blackhawk Presbytery and is operated primarily as a ministry of the presbytery. “I would encourage you to consider what you can do,� Spaulding said. “So next year we can have a joyful year here at Stronghold.� Stronghold is still open for business for camping, retreats, or day visits with limits of people and social distancing. Call 815-732-6111 ext 613 or email reservations@strongholdcenter.org to book a trip.
OGLE COUNTY SHERIFF Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle reports the following activity July 1 Darion Brown, 29, of Rockford,was cited at 3 a.m. for driving while license revoked, fleeing to elude, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and speeding after deputies attempted to stop a motorcycle for speeding on Illinois 64 near Woodlawn Road. Brown failed to stop and continued eastbound on Illinois 64 at a high rate of speed. After traveling approximately one and a half miles the driver lost control on a
curve near the intersection with Esmond Road. As a result the motorcycle went off the north side of the roadway and into a field where the driver was ejected. Brown refused treatment from the Malta Fire Dept. firefighters who assisted at the scene. Dekalb County Sheriff’s deputies assisted at the scene with the accident investigation. Brown was released on an I-bond and was transported by a family member to the hospital for treatment with non-life threatening injuries. See SHERIFF, Page 16
• Friday, July 10, 2020
Each area presbyterian church has its own “Stronghold story.� The Oregon faith-based camp and retreat center has hosted many events over the years for people in the area, but it won’t be this year due to COVID-19. Stronghold has had to cancel its summer camp and the nonprofit has lost thousands in revenue. Pastor David Spaulding of the First Presbyterian Church of Dixon came to Stronghold’s aid this week, donating $5,000 and creating the “Stronghold challenge.� One of Spaulding’s elders called him recently and asked what could be done to help Stronghold. “We met and put a three-pronged approach together,� Spaulding said. “We looked at our budget and saw we had some money for day camps and camp scholarships. We decided to send it to Stronghold anyways and looked at some more money and approved a gift of $5,000. Congregation members were also asked to consider giving to the camp as part of the plan. “We also wanted to ask other churches and more to give, which is the Stronghold challenge,� Spaulding said. Pierce accepted the donation in a video with Spaulding at Stronghold this week. Stronghold is owned by
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Dixon church donates $5,000 to Stronghold
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