Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal February 16, 2017 Volume 154, Number 43 - $1.00
Ready for Regionals
Jail Info
Day of Dabbling
Boys basketball teams are playing their final games before next week’s regional. B1
Information about the proposed jail is in the mail. A7
Sign-up now for the annual 4-H Day of Dabbling event scheduled for Feb. 25 A4
Family seeks justice
Club marks 100 years
By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com
By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com A well-known Leaf River area organization will celebrate 100 years of community service this week. The Merry Martha Club, formed Feb. 22, 1917, will hold its 100th anniversary dinner on Feb. 18 at the Bertolet Memorial Building, Leaf River. The ladies of the Silver Creek community south of Leaf River met a century ago at the home of Mrs. John Long for the purpose of organizing a women’s club. It was the intention of the club to develop community interest, have social affairs, and to aid charitable enterprises whenever possible. Members did sewing projects which were sold and the proceeds given to community projects. The first slate of officers was elected as follows: president, Mrs. Roy Stukenberg; vice president, Mrs. John Long; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Murray Welty. Since the day of its
Merry Martha Club members Jan Lawrence and Sharon Nordman hold the club’s centennial quilt. The two were selling raffle tickets Feb. 11 at the Leaf River Lions Club breakfast. Lawrence made the quilt. Photo by Vinde Wells
organization was George Washington’s birthday, they chose the name Merry Martha for the club in faithfulness to their country. The 14 ladies present for the meeting became charter members of the Merry Martha Club. They were Mrs. John Long, Mrs. Roy (Bessie) Stukenberg, Mrs. Jack (Ruth) Cornell, Mrs. Martin (Anna) Zellers, Mrs. William (Ada) Hammond, Mrs. Murray (Alice) Welty, Mrs. Grayson (Cora) Welty, Mrs. Clint (Edna) Croft, Mrs. Fred (Emma) Cornell, Mrs. Fred
(Minnie) Paul, Mrs. Merritt (Maude) Felker, Mrs. Floyd (Ella) Zellers, Mrs. Wilbur (Emma) Zellers and Miss Virgie Welty. In the by-laws of the club, membership dues for the year were 25 cents to be paid in advance and each member paid one cent at each meeting. The refreshments were to consist of not more than two kinds of food and one drink. Each member was asked to wear a plain house dress. If any member was absent, she was asked to pay five cents. The meetings were to be held
the first and third Fridays of each month. Eligibility required that members live on either side of the square bounded by Leaf River Road, West Grove Road, Mt. Morris Road, and Town Line Road. Within a few weeks of the first meeting, Mrs. Ben Horst, Mrs. Ray Avey and Mrs. Henry Schreiber became members of the club. During the years, amendments were added to the by-laws of the club such as: Turn to A3
The family and friends of a Rockford woman killed last summer in a boating accident came to the Ogle County Judicial Center Tuesday morning seeking justice and answers. “We’re here for Megan. We just want some questions answered,” said Dave Swaziek, Rockford, the father of Megan Wells. Wells, 31, died June 24, 2016 when two boats collided on the Rock River three miles north of Oregon. Swaziek and a dozen or so family members and friends gathered Feb. 14 in front of the judicial center after a pre-trial hearing for Marc Mongan, 46, who has been charged with two misdemeanors in connection with the crash. The group held signs with Wells’ photo, and some also wore pins bearing her picture. Mongan is charged with operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol and reckless operation of a watercraft and has pleaded not guilty to both. Swaziek said he believes Mongan has received special treatment from the court system and should have been charged with felonies rather than misdemeanors. He filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and has received a 149-page document that includes the report of the conservation officer who investigated the accident. Turn to A2
Oregon student sending treats to overseas troops By Zach Arbogast zarbogast oglecounty news.com
Alumni Games Above, FGS Principal during the week, basketball player on the weekends, Jonathan Schneiderman introduces the day’s events during the Forreston alumni basketball game Feb. 11. Below, jerseys from throughout Forreston High School’s history could be purchased in the cafeteria during the alumni basketball game. Photos by Zach Arbogast
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B5-B10 Entertainment, A6 Marriage License, A4 Oregon Police, B3
Inspired by her brother, Oregon sophomore Isabelle Nelson is organizing a “Treats for Troops” program that will send care packages overseas to servicemen and women. Snacks, toiletries, hygienic supplies, and simple tokens of appreciation are just some of the items she hopes to include in the packages. The program is slated to launch in mid-April and she is currently seeking donations. Nelson, age 15, found her inspiration through her brother Ian, age 27, an Army Captain who has served twice in Afghanistan - first in 2012 and again last June. “My brother loves getting things from home,” she said. “It got me thinking that it would really stink to see someone getting nice things from people that care about them, and not get any themselves.” That home in question is Oregon, where Isabelle and Ian have grown up with their parents Michael Nelson and Margo Gardner.
Property Transfers, B3 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3
To Donate
Are you interested in donating some items to troops overseas? You’ll need to start by contacting Isabelle Nelson at 815-353-9646, or via email at isabellenelson01@gmail.com. The list of recommended goods includes: chocolate or other candy, baby or Lysol wipes, cotton-swabs, lotion, Chapstick, toothpaste, shaving cream, body and face wash, shampoo and conditioner, eye drops, mouthwash, antacids, vapor rub, books, magazines, DVDs, batteries, handheld games, board games, sheets or pillow cases, socks, peanut butter, protein bars, granola bars, popcorn, gum, ketchup, honey, dried fruit, beef jerky, coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate, and assorted water flavorings. Nelson says that more than anything, unique handmade goods, letters, cards, or artwork are wanted, since the most important thing to many overseas troops is knowing people back home appreciate them. Nelson first showed the program concept last December at the Open Program Fair at the Oregon High School, which displayed several community service projects being coordinated by OHS sophomores. Since then, she has received donation offers from the local churches and businesses; Oregon United Methodist, Aspiring Health Chiropractic, and Oregon Elementary are on board, to name a few. When the baskets are
ready, they will collectively be sent to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, where the military will distribute them to troops. Currently, Nelson is still networking for funding and donations, but when it comes time to get the packages assembled and sent, she’ll need a team. “The Open Program has a service day on April 13, and I’m hoping I can get the other students to help me,” she said. “If that doesn’t work, I may try to recruit the public.”
Deaths, B4 Donald J. Arshem, Angela G. Bergstrom, Arlyn E. Bryson, Marian I. Ditzler, Robert L. Donegan, Sally M. Fager, Carolyn S. Janicke, Robert A. Karrow, Thomas J. Leddy III, Phyllis E. Mennenga
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com