Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal April 20, 2017 Volume 154, Number 52 - $1.00
Byron Relay Win The boys track team earned first place during the annual Byron Relays. B1
Recycle
County Board The Ogle County Board held its monthly meeting Tuesday night. B2
Electronics recycling events will be held on Saturday, and April 28. B1
Trustee says goodbye after 16 years of service By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com The Forreston Village Board said goodbye Monday to a trustee who has served for 16 years. Village president Mark Metzger thanked Marc Stamm, who did not seek to run for another village board term this past election cycle. “Marc, you’ve done a great job and served the board faithfully for so many years,”
said Metzger. “I’ve been thinking about this since I saw you didn’t file paperwork in March, and we just want you to know how much we appreciate you.” “I just think it’s time to let someone else have a turn,” Stamm said. “I’ve enjoyed serving a lot, and loved working with everyone. I made a lot of friends.” Stamm’s seat will be filled by Vickye Norris, who says she’s ready to serve and give back to the community.
In another matter, the board has discussed the possibility of vacating Chestnut Avenue, as per a request from resident Romaine Capps. A shed build on Capps’ property on the southwest part of town, between Elm and Birch streets, reaches out onto property owned by the village. “I’m not looking to make a large profit,” said Capps. “I just want to be able to sell the property, and not leave a future buyer with a
legal battle.” During the April 3 meeting, the board opted neither to vacate Chestnut Avenue, nor to sell the southeastern railroad property nearby, due to developmental possibilities with the Tax Increment Financing and Business Development Districts. “We want her to be able to sell her property without an issue,” said Metzger. “We’re going to find how to legally make that happen, likely in the form of an easement, but
that’s what we’re going to figure out.” The board also granted a variance and building permit to Rock Falls based Turnroth Sign Co. to build a sign for Dollar General, who is moving into the lot at the corner of Ill. 26 and Baileyville Road. The permit request was to build the illuminated, doublesided sign facing north and south towards residential areas. “We typically don’t allow
this, because a lit sign facing residential areas becomes a disturbance after hours,” said trustee Ken Toms, head of building permits. “However, the sign is set to automatically turn off after the store closes, and if it’s not going to shine towards homes at night, we think we can make it work.” The village board meets again on Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the village hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Permit application times Forreston Village Board trustee Ken Toms, chairman of building/demolition, sign, fence, and pool permits, wants the public to know that permit applications are due no later than the Wednesday before a village board meeting. Applications submitted later will have to wait until the next board meeting.
PACT puts on spring show Tickets are available By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com An actress and director, both involved with Polo Area Community Theatre (PACT) since its inception, have switched places for the group’s latest production. Kristin DuBois, founder and artistic director for PACT, has directed 21 shows for the Polo-based non-profit theatre group. Her daughter, Miranda Blankenbehler, has been involved in 33 out of 35 shows, whether as an actress, stage manager, or behind the scenes crew. The spring comedy of “Everyone Loves Opal” sees them trading hats; Blankenbehler will direct the show while DuBois’ acts on stage, both firsts for their PACT résumés. “I’m really grateful for this cast,” said Blankenbehler. “It’s nerve-wracking feeling like I have to uphold PACT’s reputation, but everyone has been very supportive and confident in me.”
Is it weird directing your mother, who has been PACT’s leading director since its creation? According to Blankenbehler, the transition has been smooth. DuBois plays Opal Kronkie, an optimistic and cheerful hoarder who lives at the edge of the municipal dump. Things get interesting when Opal’s life is invaded by three aspiring crooks named Gloria, Bradford, and Solomon, played by theatre veterans Tori Highley, Travis Fisher, and Doug Smith respectively. The comedy, which author John Patrick calls “A prank in three acts,” contains messages of having faith in people, forgiveness and redemption, and knowing when to simply ask for what you want. “Everybody Loves Opal” opens on Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. Showings will also include Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at http://www. polotheatre.org , and are also available at the Polo Public Library, Polo Sub Stop, and First State Bank.
Egg-celent Find Ten-month-old Miles Rupp, Hazel Green, Wisconsin, flashes a huge grin as he shows off the package of candy he found April 15 at the Leaf River Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt at Bertolet Memorial Park. Photo by Vinde Wells
New Harvard bank location opens Monday in Oregon By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com After years of planning and months of construction, The Harvard State Bank will officially open its brand new building in Oregon next Monday, April 24. A week-long grand opening will be held May 1-6 at the new bank on the northeast corner of Washington (Ill. 64) and Sixth Streets. The community is invited to stop by to see the new
bank building and the staff. The celebration, with daily giveaways, will be capped off with a cook-out prepared by the Ogle County Pork Producers on Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Someone will leave with a new grill on Saturday. The Harvard State Bank’s commitment to Oregon and the surrounding area began in 2009 when it purchased the Rock River Bank at the corner of Washington and Fourth (Ill. 2) Streets. “Expanding our footprint to the Oregon community
In This Week’s Edition...
was a great decision for our bank,” said Phillip Lehmann, CEO and president of the bank. Bank directors soon realized the bank was rich in history, as well as dedication to the community it had served since its founding 133 years ago. Oregon resident and businessman Peter Hastings organized the Ogle County Bank in 1884 and served as its president after its incorporation in 1907.
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Library News, A2
Turn to A3 The Harvard State Bank’s new building on the northeast corner of Washington and Sixth Streets in Oregon will officially open April 24. Photo by Vinde Wells
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B3 Property Transfers, B3 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, B1-B2 State’s Attorney, B4 Weather, A2
Deaths, B4 John F. Brown, Lyle Manning, John D. Muyskens, Irvin M. Seuring
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com