11 minute read
Library News
oglecountynews.com ShawLocal.com
OFFICE 113-115 Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021
SUBSCRIPTIONS $39 in Ogle County, and $52 outside Ogle County. Singlecopy price is $1 To subscribe, make a payment or discuss your delivery, call 1-866-979-1053 Monday-Friday or send an e-mail to subscriptions@ oglecountynews.com. You also can subscribe online by going to oglecountynews.com and clicking on Subscribe.
CLASSIFIED SALES 815-220-6942 apicco@shawmedia.com
OBITUARIES 815-632-2534 phartman@shawmedia.com Deadline for obituaries is 2 p.m. Tuesday for Friday’s edition
SEND NEWS news@oglecountynews.com
Publisher Jennifer Heintzelman 815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com
General Manager Earleen Hinton 815-632-2591 ehinton@shawmedia.com
News Alexa Zoellner 815-632-2590 azoellner@shawmedia.com
Advertising Sales Patty Bridgeman 815-632-2555 pbridgeman@ shawmedia.com
Forreston Journal, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. MorrisTimes , OregonRepublicanReporter, and Polo’s Tri-County Press .
The FORRESTON JOURNAL (USPS No. 205-520) is published weekly by B.F. Shaw Printing Co., Shaw Media. Periodical postage paid at Forreston, Illinois. POSTMASTER Send address changes to FORRESTON JOURNAL, P.O. Box 237, Forreston, IL 61030. Phone 815-732-6166, ext. 2516.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2022.
SPECIAL EVENT
FFA Alumni Toy and Craf t Show March 12
Forreston FFA Alumni are excited to bring back their toy and craft show, this Saturday, March 12, at Forreston High School.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 40 farm toy and craft exhibitors are scheduled to be part of this year’s show.
A silent auction will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and participants do not need to be present to win.
One of the area’s best lunch stands will be on-site with homemade pies. To add to the fun there will be a Farm Display competition with student and adult categories, raffles for gift cards to Eickman’s Meat processing and Culver’s, and many door prizes for everyone.
Admission is $3 and there is no charge for children under the age of 5.
To celebrate this year’s in-person event, two show tractors will be featured. These tractors are the third tractors in the Hometown Series started by the Alumni to highlight local dealerships from the area.
The first 2022 show tractor is a 1/16 scale 2270 White Oliver highly detailed priced at $75. The second 2022 show tractor is a 1/64 scale 1955 Oliver with loader priced at $30. This year the Hometown Series features DeVries Implement Company, which was owned by Derald DeVries.
DeVries purchased the Ratmeyer dealership, which was located in Forreston on the corner of Route 26 and
Cherry Strett in 1971. In 1974, White
Farm Equipment became the main brand. DeVries handled Oliver, White,
New Idea, Gehl, Glencoe, Simplicity and Bush Hog over the years. In 1978, a new dealership was built on Route 72 just east of Forreston. He sold the business to Read Bros. in 1990.
COVID-19 safety guidelines should be followed at the event.
FORRESTON LIBRARY
Preschool Storytime - Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. - Preschool Storytime is back! Join us for a fun-filled time of stories, activities, and crafts each week! Please call the library for more information or to preregister.
Healthy Living/Mission Wildlife Program
- Wednesday, March 16, 1 p.m.
Join us as Joe Landmichl of the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois presents a program on lifestyle choices that may help keep your brain and body healthy as you age.
He will discuss research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, and social engagement as well as offering hands-on tools to add these recommendations into your daily routine.
He will also share a video featuring Julie Scardina of Mission Wildlife, who will explain her organization’s purpose and introduce us to unique animals from around the world.
Please plan to join us for these interesting and informative presentations.
Community Room - Looking for a place to hold your event? Our community room (with kitchenette) is available for meetings, parties, showers, family reunions, and more.
Library Hours
The library is open: Monday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2-7 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. We are closed on Friday and Sunday.
BERTOLET LIBRARY
Trustee Opening
We currently have an opening for a Trustee with a term that expires in 2023. Our Board of Trustees meets at the library on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. If interested, please contact Director Linda Schreiber at 815-738-2742 during business hours or by email at bertolet705@gmail. com.
Laura Keyes’ Suffrage Program - Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m.
Join us as Laura Keyes arrives as Elizabeth Cady Stanton on Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for equal rights for women for over 50 years, and upon her death in 1902, she left behind a legacy of her crusade for female equality and myriad writings that would inspire feminists for over a century to come.
Hear from Mrs. Stanton in 1866, when the Civil War was over but the battle for Women’s Suffrage was just beginning.
Movie Matinee - Monday, March 28, 1 p.m.
We are looking forward to the return of our movies and popcorn! Join us on Monday, March 28 at 1 p.m. as we watch the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the Colombian mountains. But when Mirabel, the only ordinary family member, discovers the magic surrounding their home is in danger, she may be her family’s last hope.
Family Game Night - Thursday, March 31, 5-7 p.m.
We hope you used your family time these past 2 years to hone your board game skills! Family Game Night returns on Thursday, March 31 from 5-7 p.m. Bring your family’s favorite game to share with others or choose from the selection available.
Paws for Reading - Wednesday, April 20, 4 p.m.
Ryan will return in April to listen to your stories.
Story Hour - Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Join Miss Jana for Story Hour and learn about animals and letters on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Registration requested but not required. There will not be a Story Hour on March 31
Craft Kits for Adults
March has us getting ready for Spring! Pick up your Cookie Cutter Seed Bird Feeder today!
Create-a-Card - Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m.
Spring is right around the corner! Join Miss Jessie on March 19th to create that perfect springtime card to send to a friend.
Plastic Recycling
We ask that you make sure plastic is clean with no debris in the donation. Also please remove any ziploc-type seals and paper/sticker labels. Thank you for your cooperation.
New Releases
Adult Books: Catawampus Christmas by Ann Charles, Calder Grit by Janet Dailey, Older by Pamela Redmond, Younger by Pamela Redmond, High Stakes by Danielle Steel
DVDs: Eternals
Picture Books: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish by Viola Butler, Huge Earthmovers by Marie Rogers (NF), How to Grow A Monster by Kiki Thorpe
IN THE SCHOOLS
Students working again w ith health care professionals
Oregon High School students will again be working hands-on with health care professionals in collaboration with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford through the Rural Healthcare Explorers Program.
The program started last year and has now expanded to allow a total of 28 students.
The Rural Healthcare Explorers Program is made possible by a $17,103 grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Dr. Louis and Violet Rubin Fund.
This program is a six-week introduction to the field of health care and prepares students wishing to pursue a degree in the health sciences.
Students learn about fields such as medicine, pharmacy and nursing through hands-on activities, discussions with local health care professionals,and a health topic exploration project.
Students at OHS received a link from the Dean of Students, Shannon Cremeens, to apply. The program will begin in April. “I enjoyed being part of the program last year because it helped me learn more about the medical field in rural areas,” said Allyssa Leary, an OHS sophomore. “I learned the importance of having health care professionals work locally.
“ I also appreciated having various guests come in and talk to us about their jobs in medicine and the pros and cons. It was a very eye-opening experience, and I am thrilled to get the opportunity to join the program again!”
OREGON NEWS
Cit y council tables decision on v ideo gaming increase
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azollener@shawmedia.com
O r e g o n C i t y C o u n c i l m e m b e r s again put off deciding whether to raise the annual video gaming terminal fee.
At their March 8 meeting, commissioners unanimously voted to table the matter until May 24. The annual fee is charged on June 1, City Administrator Darin DeHaan said.
“It gives us time to go back and look at pre-COVID and COVID revenue [from the gaming terminals] and see how much of an impact that made,” Finance Commissioner Terry Schuster said.
The matter originally was considered at the council’s Feb. 23 meeting, but council members postponed making a decision after hearing protests from local business owners who rent video gaming terminals.
At the March 8 meeting, Mayor Ken Williams proposed tabling the matter for a year to give businesses a chance to use profits from the terminals to assist in recovering revenue lost from COVID-19 impacts.
“We could wait a year without any harm to the city and then when we do it, we do it as a tiered basis,” Williams suggested.
According to the Illinois Gaming Board’s video gaming monthly revenue reports, Oregon made $173,685.95 from video gaming terminal taxes and fees in 2021.
In a separate interview, DeHaan said $40,000 of that money goes into the city’s General Fund to support general operational expenses, $50,000 goes into the City Hall Capital Improvement Fund to help pay for the upkeep of the building and the remainder is allocated to the Economic Development Fund.
“[The Economic Development Fund supports] things that spur economic growth, like downtown flowers, landscaping and watering, to our contract with an economic development consultant, website design and maintenance, brochures, newsletters, some facade grants, etc.,” DaHaan said. “We also used it to help get the farmers market started last year.”
Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media Mike Arians stands by the six video gaming terminals located in The Road House, a bar in Oregon owned by his daughter, Amy Marquis. Arians runs the establishment day-to-day.
• VIGIL
Continued from Page 3
he [her grandfather] brought with him close to heart.”
Andrews held the sunflowers – the national flower for Ukraine – as she joined others to pray and listen to songs during the hourlong vigil organized by three Oregon residents Lisa S c h u l t z , G a r y S c h r i m p s h e r a n d Veronica Mathews.
Schrimpsher, the founder of the What’s Up Ogle County? Facebook page, said Saturday’s event was meant as a show of support for the people of Ukraine.
“We just thought it would be real nice if they could be able to see that Americans supported them,” he said.
Mathews said about 75 candles were handed out for the event. “We did get a good turnout. I think it went really well. I am really happy for everybody who came out. I really do think that God or the universe will hear our prayers and hopefully Russia will stop and Ukraine will be victorious.”
Rick Elerd, pastor of the East Oregon Chapel Church of God, also helped organize the event and asked everyone to pray for the people of Ukraine. “You don’t have to be here to pray for their strength and peace,” he said.
When asked what they would do to end the conflict, Schultz said she would try to get the two presidents together to see if “there was something that possibly could be worked out.”
“Right now they need our prayers and support,” Schultz said.
Schrimpsher said by buying Russian oil, the U.S. was actually “financing their war.”
Rosemarie and Jim Farmer of Oregon also attended the vigil. “I think this was good to gather people together and show we are all united,” said Rosemarie.
“I’m a Vietnam veteran and I know what war is like,” Jim said. “It’s unnecessary. We need tougher sanctions [on Russia]. I’m willing to bite the bullet as far as gas goes to help them [Ukranians] out.”
Andrews, a retired social worker, traveled to Ukraine in 2005 to explore more of her heritage. “I had the opportunity to teach a class on social issues for 18- to 20-year-olds. They wanted to know how they could have independence like we have here in the United States and I told them they had to speak up to change the world,” she said. “We have privileges here in the U.S. I pray for humanity to win out.”
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Veronica Mathews, Rick Elerd (pastor of East Oregon Chapel Church of God), Gary Schrimpsher and Lisa Schultz organized a candlelight prayer vigil for the Ukrainian people on the east lawn of the Ogle County Courthouse on March 5.
