Otto’s Column

from Forreston_Journal-05-06-2022

Betty’s Column

a critical concern for the global poor, and more specifically women in poverty.”

Nyamwange began planning Etana in April or May 2020, when she was 14. That July, she began to write the project’s computer code. It took about four months before she had a workable code, she said.

“There was a really specific program I had to build,” said Nyamwange, who also designed Etana’s physical product. “I didn’t know how to code before I started, which is why I think it was a long process.”

Nyamwange attends the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a college preparatory public high school in Aurora for 10th to 12th grades. The tuition-free, residential school enrolls students from throughout Illinois and offers a curriculum that emphasizes STEM – science, technology, engineering and math.

Around January, she began working on a prototype of the physical device, which is solar-powered and includes a built-in fingerprint scanner.

The biometric characteristic used by Etana is a fingerprint, Nyamwange said. After a woman scans her fingerprint, Etana converts the data into binary and uploads it to a public server through blockchain in a way similar to how text messages are sent, Nyamwange explained.

Blockchain is a distributed digital ledger that stores data on a “peer-topeer” network which continually updates so that copies of the records are stored on computers around the world. Participants have their own private keys that act as personal digital signatures for accessing their data.

Nyamwange said she chose blockchain because it creates immutable servers.

“No one can change and alter it [the identification information],” she said. “If you have someone that’s able to change it or work with it, it introduces bias. A lot of people are against these women having identification and giving them these freedoms.”

In her MIT Solv[ED] project description, Nyamwange wrote that, “… the women in my family were my inspiration. All strong and intelligent, they were met with cultural barriers constantly trying to reduce them to nothing.”

Both of Nyamwange’s parents were born in Kenya, and the rest of her family still lives there.

“I designed Etana for women and girls who remind me of myself,” she wrote. “I would call them dreamers met with cultural barriers constantly trying to reduce them to nothing.”

The funding she received from the three prizes currently is going toward making a prototype she’s happy with and toward getting a patent, Nyamwange said. Once that’s done, Etana will go into a pilot program.

Each Etana costs around $50 to make, but Nyamwange plans to use a low income client business model, meaning the client wouldn’t pay anything. That’s where getting funding is incredibly helpful, she said.

Ideally, the first time Etana is used it will be in an area of the world for which it’s intended, she said, noting that there are many logistics to figure out, including travel, to make that happen.

“These awards put into perspective that it can, and probably will, happen,” Nyamwange said. “I can see it [Etana] on a track where it could be really helpful to a lot of people in a little bit of time.”

Photos provided by Elizabeth Nyamwange Elizabeth Nyamwange, 16, of Byron, works on a social impact innovation project she is developing called Etana, a cost-efficient device for women in developing countries.

LOCAL HISTORY

What was Sandsucker Hole is now called Carnation Park

BY OTTO DICK

If you lived on Webster Street from the Rock River to Sixth Street and north to the old fairgrounds in Oregon you could have seen a Burlington Switch Engine pulling gondola cars loaded with sand and gravel from Sandsucker Hole.

This narrow gauge railroad spur ran all the way to Byron and was used to lay the road bed for the Blackhawk Trail that is now Illinois Route 2.

Sandsucker Hole was the name given to the sand and gravel operation along Rock River, one-half mile south of the bridge. Conco was a sand and gravel company that operated from 1918-1936.

It was called Sandsucker because the operation sucked sand and gravel from the bottom of the river that was loaded into gondola railroad cars located along the bank. This material was used as roadbeds for Routes 2 and 64, and the first Mud Creek bridge, as well as sewer and water projects.

Conco also shipped loads of mason sand to Iowa for brick and stone work.

Sandsucker was a popular swimming hole. Conco posted no swimming s i g n s a f t e r s e v e r a l d r o w n i n g s occurred.

In 1936 the Burlington Railroad stopped the Conco operation because it felt the dredging operation might cause damage to the piers holding the railroad bridge up.

Today this is a wonderful place to fish and observe the geese and pelicans. Marilyn and I use the parking lot and always look forward to seeing the first pelicans.

Thanks to the Lions Club for furnishing the fishing and observation

Photo supplied by Otto Dick ABOVE LEFT: This fish was caught at Sandsucker in 1916. ABOVE RIGHT: Pelicans can often be seen on the sandbar that sits in the two channels of the Rock River just the east of the park.

platform. It’s named Carnation Park and operated by the Oregon Park District. However, we think of it as Sandsucker Hole. • Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.

SPECIAL EVENT

2nd annual Pelican Fest is Saturday, May 21, in Rockton

The 2nd annual Rockton Pelican Fest will be held May 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Rockton, a free family oriented event that gives people of all ages the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the return of the American White Pelicans to the Rock River and nearby Nygren Wetland Preserve during their migration period.

The event will be presented by the Village of Rockton, JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery, Natural Land Institute and Sinnissippi Audubon Society.

Families and individuals will be able to spend time together exploring historic downtown Rockton, local shops, restaurants, outdoor vendor booths, participating in activities, attending lectures about birds and other wildlife.

Local shops and restaurants will have pelican themed specials, the booths will host kids activities and some might even have a live bird to see. Rockton Village Hall will host presentations at 11 a.m. by Hoo Haven, a wildlife rescue organization, with their pelican, Rocky Road.

At 1 p.m., Jennifer Kuroda, President, Sinnissippi Audubon Society, will talk about Peregrine Falcons. Talcott Free Library will host kids activities, displays and other information related to pelicans and wildlife.

Stateline Mass Transit District will be providing free shuttle bus service from downtown Rockton to the Nygren Wetland Preserve Wildlife Overlook (3714 W. Rockton Rd., Rockton) throughout the festival.

A knowledgeable volunteer will be there to greet visitors and to talk about birds and other wildlife. Free guided walking tours of Nygren Wetland will start at the Wildlife Overlook at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. An Early Bird Walk is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at the Wildlife Overlook presented by Sinnissippi Audubon Society.

Rockton Pelican Fest is also sponsored by Winnebago County Pheasants Forever and Sinnissippi Audubon Society.

For more information about participating businesses and specials, booths and kids activities, and other information visit: www. naturalland.org, www.sinnissippiaudubon. org, and www.jillraefinallyart.com.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media A white pelican stretches as it preens in the sun while sitting on a log above the Oregon dam.

The First Fridays Open Mic returns on May 6 to K’s Sports Bar in Oregon.

The monthly event attracts many talented performers, but musicians and singers of all skill levels find acceptance from its supportive audience. Each performer is allowed 15 minutes, and everyone can also join in on a jam session at the end of the show.

The show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations. Sign-up for performers is at 6:45.

K’s Sports Bar is located at 408 East Washington (Illinois Route 64) in Oregon, close to several restaurants.

Interested parties who have questions can contact Jerry Tice, at 815-4492660.

Polo Woman’s Garden Club’s perennial plant sale May 7

The Polo Woman’s Garden Club will be having its annual perennial plant sale on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Polo Community High School AG department, located behind the high school.

This sale will be the same day as the opening of the Polo FFA Greenhouse!

All plants are dug from local gardens, so they are “proven winners”. If you have perennials you would like to share for the sale, please contact Carol Lindstrom at 815-973-2058 or Beth Green at 815-299-1416.

“Beautiful garden raffle baskets are on display at the First State Bank-Polo and the Blackhawk Area Credit Union. Try your chance to win them,” said Green.

Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The drawing for the baskets will be held at the plant sale on May 7. You do not need to be present to win.

“All proceeds from the sale will be used for the advancement of gardening, city beautification, programs to stimulate an interest in co-operative gardening among amateurs, and to aid in the protection of forest, wildflowers, birds, and all pollinators,” Green said.