Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal February 12, 2015 Volume 152, Number 42 - $1.00
Two Advance
Valentine Sale
Library Grants
Two Polo-Forreston wrestlers advance to compete in this weekends sectional. B1
Several local libraries received grants to offer services. B3
The annual St. James Valentine Bake Sale will be held on Friday in Forreston. A2
February Finds draws a near record crowd By Vinde Wells Editor Mild weather, winter doldrums, and a variety of treasures all led to a near record crowd Feb. 6 at Mt. Morris’ annual antique and collectibles market. The fourth annual February Finds, held at the Mt. Morris Moose Family Center, drew an estimated 500 people, possibly matching the best crowd ever, according to event organizer Edie White. “It was great. We had a great turnout. We don’t have everything totaled up yet, but it may have been our largest crowd ever,” White said Tuesday. Sunshine and temperatures in the 40s offered a pleasant day for people to get out, especially after the blizzard that left more than a foot of snow behind the previous weekend. “I think everyone who came was looking for things to add to their collections,” White said. “And people came out to socialize. I think they wanted to get out
because it’s winter.” A varied array of merchandise also drew the crowd, she said. “We had 22 vendors with a lot of different things to offer,” she said. Merchandise included antique furniture, antique tools, primitives, tins, lamps, vintage clothing and jewelry, tin toys, collectibles, quilts and linens, artwork, stamps, postcards, tin lunch pails, local advertising memorabilia, Depression Glass, pottery, and enamelware. A bake sale put on by the Let Freedom Ring Committee was almost sold out by early afternoon. Robert and Evelyn Thomas took advantage of the almost spring-like day to drive up from Dixon. Robert said they weren’t looking for anything in particular Saturday, but usually come to the event. “We enjoy looking,” he said. “And it’s not far from home.” Vendors were also pleased with the crowd.
Janell Miller and Judy Bright, both of Mt. Morris, talk with Kris Brunner, Stockton, about items for sale at Brunner’s booth Feb. 6 at February Finds at the Mt. Morris Moose Family Center. Photo by Vinde Wells
Howie Herman, Mt. Morris, was enjoying a brisk business at the booth of collectibles he was sharing with Kris Brunner, Stockton.
“It’s been a good show,” he said. “It was packed this morning and it’s been steady all day.” He said the shoppers
seemed interested in primitives and in finding bargains. “I’ve seen people walk by with old windows, chests,
and old jars,” Herman said. Marla Buskohl, Polo, was also pleased with the number Turn to A3
Snowshoeing hike offers some scenic winter views By Chris Johnson Reporter
Pirate Discovery Jaiden Schneiderman, Ella Ingram, and Aspen McGlynn show off their pirate hats and hooks Feb. 5 at Discovery Night at German Valley Grade School. The event was sponsored by the PTO. Photo by Barb Wells
Hiking through one of the many trails at the state parks in Ogle County may seem like a difficult task in the winter months. However, thanks to snowshoes, the trails open up a unique landscape. “It was beautiful,” said Julie Cheatham, Polo, after finishing a hike through Castle Rock State Park on Saturday morning. Feb. 7. Cheatham was one of 10 people taking part in a snowshoeing event through the Oregon Park District. Snowshoeing is an activity that anyone who can walk can accomplish, said organizer Candice Holbrook. “The thing about snowshoeing is you do not have the ability to get out of control,” said Holbrook, who is the park district’s recreation program manager. “In cross country skiing you have the possibility of flipping. You will never get out of control while
snowshoeing.” “You are not going to be like ahhhh, there is a tree, I am going to hit it,” said Julie, who was on her third snowshoeing hike. Hikers were shown how to strap on snowshoes and prepare trekking poles at Nash Recreation Center before heading to the park. Once at the park, Holbrook had everyone in
the group practice walking in snowshoes before heading out onto the trail. “I want to get people to enjoy being outdoors,” said Holbrook. “Having people fall in love with snowshoeing and being outdoors in the winter is fun.” Throughout the hike Holbrook encouraged the Turn to A3
Semi driver ticketed after crash near Polo Two truck drivers escaped serious injury Feb. 6 in a crash approximately three miles west of Polo. Ogle County Sheriff’s Police said a semi tractortrailer combination vehicle driven by Reuben Smith, 52, Chicago, failed to yield the right-of-way to a Dodge Ram 3500 pulling a loaded 30-foot gooseneck trailer, driven by David Knapp,
57, Saginaw, Minn., at the intersection of U.S. 52 and Freeport Road. According to the crash report, Smith was northbound on Freeport Road, attempting to turn left onto U.S. 52 when his vehicle struck Knapp’s, which was westbound on U.S. 52. The crash occurred at 12:09 p.m. The collision caused Knapp’s truck and trailer to
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slide and roll over onto the passenger side, blocking both lanes of U.S. 52 at the intersection. The semi partially blocked Freeport Road. Smith was transported to CGH Medical Center, Sterling, by Milledgeville ambulance. He was checked over and released. Knapp was taken by Polo ambulance to KSB Hospital,
Birth, A4 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B8-B12 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6
Dixon. His dog was taken to the Polo Animal Hospital, where it was checked over and kept until Knapp was later released from the hospital. Smith was issued citations for failure to yield at an intersection and for being over length on a non-truck route roadway. The Polo Fire Department assisted at the scene.
Fines, B7 Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B3 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B3
Candice Holbrook, Oregon Park District recreation program manager, leads a group of 10 on a snowshoeing trip through Castle Rock on Feb. 7. Photo by Chris Johnson
Sheriff’s Arrests, B6 Social News, A4 Sports, A11, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3 Zoning Permits, B7
Deaths, B5 Arthur W. Dietze, Albert L. Horrell, Donald L. Miller, Phyllis Ruter, Alice M. Shetler, Bradley A. Thomas
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com