Serving the Forreston area since 1865
FORRESTON Journal
February 1, 2018 Volume 155, Number 41- $1.00
Cardinals Win
Lecture Series
IAPD Award Winner
The Forreston Cardinals pick up a solid win against the Amboy Clippers. B2.
Learn about prehistoric dogs at Byron’s Jarrett Center. A6
Oregon Park District Commissioner Dan Engelkes received a 2018 Rising Star Award. A7
Forreston students show their sportsmanship at bee By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com A Forreston student won the grade school spelling bee while sportsmanship won the day. Fifth grader Lucas Nelson was ultimately the winner of the 25th Scripps annual school spelling bee after a nail-biting 25 rounds, narrowly edging out runner-up Sophie Lewis. All of Forreston’s spellers deserve credit, considering five students went into the 11th round, where many schools have finished by then. By round 14, only Nelson and Lewis remained, and that’s when things got tense. The pair played spelling tug-o-war, traded rounds of missing a word while their opponent spelled their first word correctly, but missed their second. This trade went on for more than 10 rounds — alternating near misses, both spelling correctly, or both misspelling — until finally Lucas nailed both dexterity and marmalade for the win. “I’m feeling good, it was fun,” said Nelson, humble in his win. He’ll go on to compete in the regional bee held at Dixon High School on Feb. 22. The sportsmanship and support the entire cast of
participants showed eclipsed the impressive length of the bee and skill of the finalists. It’s not uncommon for youngsters to get frustrated and emotional when eliminated from competition, particularly when enduring the pressure of standing in front of their peers. “I’ve told the kids that if they’re nervous, it’s okay to be that way, because it means you worked hard at something, and you care about it,” said bee pronouncer and FGS principal Jonathan Schneiderman. “It’s a lot to stand in front of peer, teachers, and their principal, and compete. They conquered this, and that’s something they can take in life with them.” With that in mind, as the 15 participating students began to be eliminated oneby-one, none of them sulked or brooded. Instead, they sat down and cheered on the rest of the spellers. “Hopefully that has something to do with Forreston Grade School in its entirety, and the culture and lessons they’ve learned from Lucas Nelson, 2018 Forreston Grade School spelling bee champion, and runner-up Sophie Lewis, stand with FGS principal Jonathan their preschool teachers, all Schneiderman after the bee. The pair went to a nail-biting 25 rounds before a champion was crowned. Photo by Zach Arbogast. the way up to fifth grade,” said Schneiderman. Nelson and Lewis walked these situations with positive them for the fact that 14 of awesome group.” Heather Schiesher, FGS views. Each time one would join away with medals, but the them would ultimately make fifth grade teacher and head “We really focused a lot a mistake, and that’s okay. them back on the bleachers, every participant deserves of the spelling bee committee, on growth mindset here; we They moved on, and handled they were met with high recognition for their conduct said the staff has been learn from our mistakes,” themselves in a sportsmanlike fives, fist bumps, or hugs, and both during and after preparing the kids to look at said Schiesher. “We prepared way, and they’re just an always encouragement. competition.
Vintage collectors will offer treasures at February Finds Mt. Morris to host event this Saturday By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Kris Brunner and Howie Herman pose with just a few of the antiques and collectibles that will be in their booth Feb. 3 at February Finds at the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge. Photo by Vinde Wells
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B8 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6
Finding vintage treasures is a lifelong interest for two Mt. Morris co-workers. Howie Herman, of Mt. Morris, and Kris Brunner, of Stockton, will be among the vendors displaying and selling their collectibles at February Finds Antique and Collectibles Market on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge. The two were hard at work last week, getting items like an 1880s trunk, 1940s lunch box, tinker toys, and even a wire protector for a light bulb ready to take to the annual event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. “We collect things from many sources — anything you call vintage — from the 1950s and 60s to the mid-1800s,” Herman said. “Anything we think people would use or enjoy displaying.” He said they find items at auctions, get them from friends, and even pick them up off the curb. “We like to save things from the landfill,” Brunner said with a smile.
Fines, B5 Honor Roll, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, B4
The two discovered their mutual interest in “old things” when they both went to work at Pinecrest Community. Two of the more unusual things in their collection are a diceshaped green car shifter knob and a fancy birdhouse. “Who has a birdhouse that looks like a French chalet?” Herman asked with a grin. Although they try to respect the original use as much as possible, some items are ideal to be repurposed. For example, a wooden magazine rack is just the right size to hold record albums. “Very few people have magazines anymore,” Herman said. He said his grandparents and parents loved and collected antiques, which piqued his interest. Brunner said she mother liked to attend rummage sales, which got her interested. “Old things tell stories about how things used to be,” Herman said. Brunner agreed. “Some people just prefer things with a history,” she said. Both like to be part of February Finds because it’s local and because it’s the first show and market of the season. “If you have a little cabin fever, it’s a great place to go,” Brunner said. “It’s fun.”
Property Transfers, B4 Sheriff’s Arrests, B4 Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B 2
The market is a fund-raising event for the Moose Lodge and the Mt. Morris P.E.O, a philanthropic organization where woman celebrate the advancement of women and help educate women through scholarships, grants, and awards. Merchandise includes 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, Majolica pottery, Fiesta ware, enamelware. More than 20 carefully selected dealers have reserved booths. All displayed antiques, vintage collectibles, and artwork are for sale. Admittance to this event is $3 per person. Children 12 and under will be admitted free and must be accompanied by an adult. Parking is free, and the building is handicapped accessible. A bake sale will be held in conjunction with the market, with all proceeds benefiting the Let Freedom Ring festival. Food and beverages, prepared by the Moose, will be available for purchase. No food or drinks will be allowed in the designated market area.
Deaths, B5 James W. Cratty, John I. Mershon Sr., William S. Noonkesser, Todd Pfab
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com