Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal September 29, 2016 Volume 154, Number 23 - $1.00
Road Victory
Relaxing Ride
Rabies Confirmed
Forreston traveled to West Carroll Sept. 23 and returned home with a 28-6 victory. B1
Reporter Chris Johnson finds his 32-mile bike ride relaxing. A13
The Ogle County Health Department says a cat has tested positive for rabies. A8
Ride raised money for the Village of Progress By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Winding country roads and rolling hills greeted an estimated 300 bicyclists to Ogle County last Saturday. The overcast day brought out bicyclists from all over Northern Illinois and surrounding states to experience the Tour of Scenic Ogle County (TOSOC) a 10, 32, or 62-mile ride. “It was a fun day and it was nice to see and hear how happy the people were,” said event organizer Scott Stephens. “The weather cooperated and everyone enjoyed the area.” TOSOC was being held to
raise money for the Village of Progress’s Attendance Grants. “The reason for this ride was to be a nice fundraiser for our attendance grant program,” said Village of Progress Executive Director Brion Brooks. “The grant helps provide funding to those with disabilities who are on the state waiting list.” At the end of the ride, consumers from the village were on hand to meet with the bicyclists. There were a few minor incidents throughout the day, but they were handled quickly. Stephens was one of the support vehicles for the day Mike and Deb Gale, Oregon, wave as they pedal up a hill on Ridge Road on Saturday morning during the Tour of Turn to A9 Scenic Ogle County ride. Photo by Earleen Hinton
Oregon’s Autumn on Parade returns this weekend Staff Report After a year of planning, Autumn on Parade officials are putting the final touches on the 46th annual Autumn on Parade festival, slated for this Saturday and Sunday in Oregon. “We just need Mother Nature to give us some nice fall weather,” said Marseyne Snow, president of the Autumn on Parade Committee. “We’ve been busy all year planning the festival and now this week we are tying up details to what we hope will be another successful year.” If visitors to this year’s festival see an object buzzing over the festival grounds, don’t worry— it is just the drone the AOP committee hired to film this year’s event. “We thought it would be really neat to have a drone shoot AOP from above,” said committee member Dave Boehle. “We hope to use the footage for promotional purposes next year.” Car enthusiasts and hot dog lovers should find this year’s Harvest Time Parade
especially tasty come Sunday. Festival officials received an email verification two weeks ago confirming that Oscar Meyer’s Wienermobile will be taking part in this year’s parade. “We asked them to come and they sent an email saying they would,” said Boehle. “We’re still waiting for more details.” The iconic Wienermobile, complete with its hot dog and bun sitting on top of a yellow car chassis, has been traveling highways since 1936 and fits somewhat with AOP’s 2016 theme “Celebrating the Heartland”. “We chose this year’s theme so people could showcase what they are proud of from the heartland. The festival this year is already promising to be one of the biggest and best yet.” said Snow. The ever-popular Farmers’ Market and Craft Show, held Saturday and Sunday, should not disappoint with more than 190 booths taking part. Through cooperation
with Ogle County and city officials, booths are located on the historic courthouse lawn and on surrounding city streets. Vendors will offer a variety of arts and crafts ranging from handmade wood items to homemade baked breads. On Sunday, the Harvest Time Parade, has more than 120 entries including several bands. “Most of the favorites will be back, like the South Shore Drill Team and the Jesse White Tumblers,” said Snow, who also serves as parade chairman. “Besides that we have several high school marching bands and novelty entries like the Wieinermobile, Bubble Machine, Monster Truck, Rocket Cycle, 4-H and Scout groups, area businesses and many more entries.” A post parade show by the South Shore Drill Team will again be offered on Sunday, at the conclusion of the main parade on Jefferson Street in front of the Oregon library. Also back again this year will be agriculture broadcast
Volunteers were busy on Sunday decorating downtown Oregon with cornstalks in preparation for this weekend’s festival. Pictured, left, to right are: Chad Keeteman, pastor of The Gathering Place church, Tom Mahoney, and Michelle Haas and Keaton Hudson, The Gathering Place members. About a dozen volunteers from the church helped with the cornstalks this year. Photo by Earleen Hinton
legend Max Armstrong, a perennial crowd-pleaser, who will drive his wellknown Farmall H in the parade. Armstrong will also be available to talk to festival-goers around noon
on Sunday near the Food Court. The second annual donut eating contest, for kids and adults, will be offered on Saturday from 9 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. There will be four-age
groups: 5-7 years; 8-10; 11-13; and 14-adult. The contest will be held in the parking lot on Jefferson Street, located between S. Fifth and S. Sixth Streets. Donuts are being provided by Casey’s.
Playtime in Oregon OES will have new playground By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Pep Band Energy The Forreston High School Pep Band was at the volleyball game last week to get the energy up before the game. At left, Cameron Timm, left, and Hunter Rogers perform with the Forreston pep band Sept. 20. Above, Brittany Hollis plays her trumpet while wearing a cow costume Photos by Chris Johnson
In This Week’s Edition...
Assessments, A10-A12 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B10-B14 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6
Fines, B9 Home Improvement, B5 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B8
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, A12, B1 State’s Attorney, B8 Weather, A2
Students at Oregon Elementary School will be getting their exercise on a brand new playground in the very near future. The Oregon School Board voted last week to purchase playground equipment to replace Project PLAY behind the grade school. Superintendent Tom Mahoney said the playground will be installed and ready for kids within two weeks
Deaths, B4 Robert A. Althoff Jr., Sara D. Coulman
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com