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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.

Forreston and German Valley grade schools will welcome a new principal on July 1.

On March 16, Forrestville Valley Board of Education members voted to hire Ryan Schrader to replace current Principal Jonathan Schneiderman, who is resigning at the end of this school year, Forrestville Valley School District Superintendent Sheri Smith said.

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to work in such a great school district as Forrestville Valley,” Schrader said. “I look forward to joining an exceptional team of educators and working closely with students and families in this already great school and strong community. What an amazing honor it is to be a part of such a great district where student success and continued growth is a priority.”

Schrader, who will be relocating to the area with his wife and three children, graduated from Aurora University where he earned undergraduate teaching degrees and a master’s degree in educational leadership, Smith said.

“He has 15 years in education, including seven years at an elementary school, one year at a middle school and seven years in administration as middle school dead of students and elementary principal, she said.

“We are excited to continue great leadership in our district and look forward to adding Mr. Schrader to the administrative team,” Board of Education President John Reining said. “Mrs. Smith continues to secure high quality staff and programs for our students, and I believe Mr. Schrader will be a strong contributor in our pursuit for excellence at Forrestville Valley.”

Elementary Assistant Principal Christy Garnhart, Forreston Junior/Senior High School Principal Travis Heinz and FJSHS Assistant Principal/Activities Director Kyle Zick welcome Schrader, Smith said.

“Mr. Schrader is a great fit for our teaching staff and administrative team,” Smith said. “His experience at the elementary level will allow for the continuation of great things for our students in Forrestville Valley and we are excited to have him join us.”

BRIEFS

Family movie night

Faith Lutheran Church in Forreston is hosting a family movie night on April 2.

The movie, “Overcomer,” will be shown in the church sanctuary starting about 7 p.m.

Snacks and drinks will be provided. The church is located at 402 Second Ave., Forreston.

Leaf River Lions “Breakfast with Bunny” is Saturday, April 16

The Leaf River Lions will be serving, “Breakfast with Bunny” on Saturday, April 16 from 7-10 a.m. in the Bertolet Memorial building in Leaf River.

The menu will be pancakes, waffles, French toast scrambled eggs and whole hog sausage. Also available will be blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes as well as strawberries and whipped cream on the pancakes or waffles.

Children 10 and under will eat free while the cost for children 11-13 years is $4, ages 14 and over is $7 and All You Can Eat is $9.

After breakfast, at 10 a.m., the Lions will be having their annual Easter Egg Hunt in Bertolet Park, weather permitting. The Easter Egg hunt will be moved inside the Bertolet building if weather is bad.

The Easter Egg hunt is open from toddlers to 8 year-olds. The hunt is divided into three age groups, 0-4 years, 5-6 and 7-8, with prizes awarded for each group.

The next Lions dinner on April 24 will be the roast pork loin dinner in support of the Summer Daze Festival. That dinner will consist of roast pork loin, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, dinner roll, applesauce and cake for dessert.

The cost of the meal at the door is $6 for children ages 6-13 years and $10 for 14 years and older. Children 5 and younger eat free.

Advance tickets are available saving $1 per dinner at the Bertolet Library or Lions Paul Lindstrom, Connie Hartje, Kathy Rose, Josh Lamping and Dorothy Mahon.

Advance tickets will be available April 1 and sold until Saturday, April 16.

BERTOLET LIBRARY

Women’s History Month - In recognition of Women’s History Month, Bertolet Memorial Library is highlighting its collection of titles about Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the struggle for women’s rights.

When Stanton was born in 1815, women couldn’t vote or hold elective office, couldn’t keep the wages they earned, and weren’t even allowed to speak in the public arena. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, leader of the Women’s Suffrage movement, launched a revolution when she drafted the first organized demand for women’s rights in 1848 at Seneca Falls, N.Y. In her words, “Our struggle shall be hard and long, but our triumphs shall be complete and forever.”. Check out our collection of titles on Women’s Suffrage.

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 2nd 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. Movie Matinee - Monday, March 28, 1 p.m.

We are looking forward to the return of our movies and popcorn! Join us 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.

National Library Week - April 3-9

Stop in during National Library Week. We will have adult and youth raffle baskets , a scavenger hunt, and our annual Guess-Me Jars! Prize winners will be drawn on April 11.

Lego Club - Monday, April 4, 5 p.m. Lego Club returns for ages 5 and up on Monday, April 4.

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, April 23, 9 a.m.

Spring is in the air! High school graduation season is just around the corner. Create a one-of-a-kind card for that special graduate!

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: The Match by Harlan Coben, The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery, A Safe House by Stuart Woods

DVD: Redeeming Love, West Side Story, Picture Books, Applesauce Day by Lisa J Amstutz, Dress-Up Day by Blanca Gomez

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media ABOVE: Oregon High School teacher Kimberly Radostits poses with some of her students after receiving the award for being chosen 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Officials surprised Radostits with the announcement in her classroom on Tuesday morning. BELOW LEFT: Radostits holds the award she received from State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala (right). BELOW RIGHT: Radostits reacts by covering her face with her hands as she unexpectedly meets Ayala before learning she had been chosen 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

• TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Continued from Page 3

e x p l a i n A y a l a ’ s p r e s e n c e – w a s rev ea led, and the real bomb she ll dropped:

Radostits is the 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

“I’m honored,” Radostits said. “I guess I did not see this happening, but I’m excited about it. Like I had told my friends, I was in a really unique posit i o n – t h a t i f I w o n o v e r a l l s t a t e Teacher of the Year, it’s going to push me out of my comfort zone, and I am going to grow in ways that I couldn’t have ever imagined.

“And if I didn’t win, I win, because I get to hang out with these people every single day,” she added, motioning to her students. “That’s how I feel. I mean, talking about the perfect situation, it was a win-win. … I love this. So yeah, let’s do it. I look forward to the future.”

The Illinois State Board of Education has sponsored the Teacher of the Year program since 1970, according to the ISBE website. It recognizes “the best of the teaching profession” in the state, with all public and nonpublic pre-K-12 educators who have more than five years of experience eligible to win.

Radostits works with students who “need a little extra support and who really resonate and have a relationship with her,” Ayala said of Radostits’ nomination. She helps students study and get ready to pass classes.

“All those things, and that’s one of the most important reasons – her work with students,” Ayala said. “But also, her work during the pandemic and su ppo rt ing t e ac h e r s. So t ha t wa s something that was very important as well.”

Radostits is the best teacher he’s ever had, said Andru Holland-Jones, 14.

“She’s honestly the best teacher I’ve ever had,” Langley said. “Like, she’s a total sweetheart. She’s really helped me out, like really got me on a good path. I wasn’t doing too well my freshman year. She’s the reason that I’m doing better this year.”

Her entire career, she’s felt like a w i n n e r , s a i d R a d o s t i t s , w h o h a s worked at Oregon High School for 15 years.

“I felt like a winner all year. I felt like a winner my entire career,” she said. “I can see myself no place other than Oregon. And I truly believe that we’re doing some awesome things in this district that I’m excited to share.”

Michael Glenn chosen as director for Oregon’s new CMA A A facilit y

A former executive director at The Next Picture Show in Dixon has been hired as the executive director of the new Coliseum Museum of Art, A n t i q u e s & A m e r i c a n a (CMAAA).

Michel T. Glenn will lead the recently formed not-forprofit that is focused on renovating and repurposing the historic Coliseum building in downtown Oregon to create a new cultural center for the area.

Glenn’s background includes roles as executive director of Hopegivers International in Columbus, Georgia and Executive Vice President of the National Religious Broadcasters Association in Washington, DC.

Most recently, he served as executive director of the Next Picture Show, a community fine arts center in downtown Dixon.

“Mike is an exciting addition to our team. His background and skillset are what we need to guide the building renovation, develop partnerships with businesses and organizations, and create the programs and events in order to foster a creative environment for Oregon and the surrounding area,” said Ron Bry, CMAAA Board Vice President.

The Oregon Coliseum opened in 1922. The art deco facility at 124 N. 4th Street was once a center of activity for the community.

Sitting on the edge of the Oregon Commercial Historic District renovation has already started with plans for a south entrance ramp, new lighting, construction of permanent display cases, and the addition of a Digital Media Studio on the second floor.

CMAAA’s mission is the acquisition and display of art, antiques, Americana and history, including both permanent and rotating exhibits, and provide a venue for artists representing all facets of art an opportunity to host exhibitions and offer their Michael Glenn creations for sale through museum store. a “Oregon and the county offer tremendous cultural resources. The Coliseum will be an integral part of the community and reflect the values and quality of life. In conjunction with some of the other area attractions, we expect to help draw local and long distance visitors. In addition, when you look to relocate it can be more than a good job and quality of schools that can make the difference,” said Glenn. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e p r e s s r e l e a se issued announcing Glenn’s hiring, the CMAAA will collaborate with the City of Oregon, Oregon School District, Park District, Library, Serenity Hospice & Home, Village of Progress, Ogle C o u n t y H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y , D e p o t Museum, Chana School Museum and others to help create a gathering place for the community, as a showcase for the rich historic and artistic heritage of the region, and a place for schoolchildren and future generations, to learn about roots in Midwestern values. Progress reports will be posted on the CMAAA website and soon to be launched Facebook page with plans for an official opening in late 2022 or early 2023. For more information, visit to www. cmaaa.org or contact info@cmaaa.org.

SPECIAL FUNDRAISER

Serenity Home and Hospice fundraiser is April 6

Serenity Home and Hospice will host its first Art Dash Fundraiser at Cork and Tap, 305 W. Washington St., Oregon, on Wednesday, April 6 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Tickets are divided into two categories, “Dasher” which cost $100 and “Spectator” which cost $50.

The fundraiser will feature 50 local artists from throughout the nine counties that are serviced by Serenity, all of whom have donated original artwork worth at least $100.

After the “Art Preview”, three attendees who have purchased “Dasher” tickets will be randomly selected to dash for an art piece of their choosing. Every “Dasher” will have the opportunity to go home with an art piece.

“Spectators” will not have the opportunity to “Dash” for art. Both “Dashers” and “Spectators” will be able to enjoy live music, light bites, view the art, and mingle with many of the artists.

For more information, call 815-973-2050.