Library News

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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.

Drive-thru brat, hot dog lunch offered by Lions on July 9

The Leaf River Lions will be having a Drive Thru Brat and Beef Hot Dog Sandwich lunch on Saturday July 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Serving will be in the old fire station next to the Bertolet Memorial building at 103 W. Second St. The lunch will consist of your choice of either a brat or beef hot dog sandwich with chips, cookie and a drink.

The cost of the meal is $5 with proceeds going toward Lions’ projects.

Oregon district offers old trophies

The Oregon School District is offering the public a chance to pick up old trophies currently on display at the former David L. Rahn Junior High in Mt. Morris.

“Numerous old Oregon/Mt. Morris junior high trophies will be on display and available for any interested community members to pick up and keep on Friday morning, July 1 from 9 a.m. to noon outside the main doors of the former Mt. Morris Jr. High gym lobby area,” said Mike Lawton, activities director in an email.

The Oregon School Board decided earlier this year to close the David L. Rahn Junior High School, located in Mt. Morris, and move seventh and eighth grade student to the Oregon High School in Oregon, located 5 mies to the east.

FORRESTON LIBRARY

Summer Reading Program

Summer reading is off to a great start and it’s not too late to join in the fun! Children in preschool through kindergarten meet Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., while students in 1st through 4th grade meet on Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m.. Both groups will enjoy stories, crafts, and exciting adventures as we “Read Beyond the Beaten Path”. Other activities are being planned throughout the summer, so keep an eye on our Facebook page and website, forrestonlibrary.org, for the latest information.

Healthy Living & Chef Christo - Thursday, June 30, 12 p.m.

Watch from home or join us at the library for this virtual program. For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age.

Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. Followed by Chef Christo teaching how to make a delectable healthy treat for the upcoming Fourth of July Holiday.

Follow along and take notes as we use healthy ingredients to make a dish that will wow all your guests for years to come. The program will conclude with a live special question and answer session.

Please contact the library to register or for more information.

BERTOLET LIBRARY

Closed, Monday, July 4

We will be closed Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

Oceans of Possibilities: Thursdays, through July 14 10-10:45 a.m.: Pre-K thru 5th graders are invited to join Miss Jana for stories, crafts, and games as we learn about everything that goes on under the sea! 10:45-11:30 a.m.: 1st thru 5th graders are invited to stay for a project geared to their ages. Miss Jana will have a more in-depth, hands-on project just for you!

Water Is Water: Thursday, July 21, 10 a.m.

Join Miss Melinda from Ag In The Classroom as she takes us through Miranda Paul’s book, “Water Is Water.” Participants will travel the water cycle. They will conduct a science experiment, make a water cycle bracelet, and create their own water cycle in a bag. Participants will discover the importance of water to agriculture. And, of course, we will have a yummy snack demonstrating the water cycle.

Adult Book Club

Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours.

Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He’s a normal Italian teenager—obsessed with music, food, and girls—but his days of innocence are numbered. When his family home in Milan is destroyed by Allied bombs, Pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps, and falls for Anna, a beautiful widow six years his senior.

In an attempt to protect him, Pino’s parents force him to enlist as a German soldier—a move they think will keep him out of combat. But after Pino is injured, he is recruited at the tender age of eighteen to become the personal driver for Adolf Hitler’s left hand in Italy, General Hans Leyers, one of the Third Reich’s most mysterious and powerful commanders.

Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.

Stop by the circulation desk to pick up a copy of the book and discussion questions.

Adult Summer Reading Program

Once again Bertolet Memorial Library will be offering an Adult Summer Reading Challenge. Reading is its own reward , but by signing up for our adult summer reading program, you have a chance to win prizes! All that is required is to register for the program and keep a reading log of titles read over the summer. For every five titles logged, you have a chance to win one of three grand prizes. Kick off and registration for teens and older readers begins June 13th. You may register at the library or call 815-738-2742. The program runs through July 30th. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the program.

Seed Catalog

We have garden vegetable seeds available for you to plant. Browse our Seed Catalog and get planting!

LEGO Club: 1st Monday of the month, 5 p.m.

Create with us on the 1st Monday of each month. We will have the LEGOs waiting for you!

Craft Kits for Adults

July is a month to celebrate freedom. Stop by the circulation desk and pick up a patriotic centerpiece to display at your next gathering. All the materials and instructions are provided in the kit.

Create-a-Card: Saturday, July 16, 9:30 a.m.

Summer is upon us. Stay cool at the library while you create a one-of-a-kind card for that bridal shower or wedding. All supplies are provided for your use.

Microsoft Excel Fundamentals: *Postponed to Oct. 17 *

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: Gilt by Jamie Brenner, Escape by James Patterson, Suspects by Danielle Steel, Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

Juvenile Books: The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne (Graphic Novel)

Picture Books: Baby Squeaks by Anne Hunter, Eggasaurus by Jennifer Wagh

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Rumble strips are coming to Lowell Park Road at its intersection with Pines Road, where more than 20 crashes have occurred since 2009.

Ogle County Engineer Jeremy Ciesiel said he ordered temporary rumble strips a few weeks ago, and plans to have permanent ones installed as part of next year’s construction season.

The project should go out to bid in March 2023, and likely will be completed around June 2023, he said.

“The cooperation of the property owners [near the intersection] by signing a petition made the process at lot easier to do,” Ciesiel said. “There was the concern about the proximity of the residents [to the rumble strips], but when they were in favor of it, we were able to move forward with it.”

Marcia Dewey, of Polo, brought petitions signed by the nearby property owners to the May 17 Ogle County Board meeting. The petitions state the residents are OK with rumble strops being added and that they are aware of the noise factor. She also had other petitions with more than 200 total signatures asking that rumble strips be put in on Lowell Park Road.

Dewey was injured in a June 1, 2021, crash at the Lowell Park and Pines roads intersection. The driver of a box truck didn’t obey the stop sign on Lowell Park Road and entered the intersection.

“I was in critical condition and am still on the road to recovery today,” Dewey said at the May 17 meeting.

From Jan. 1, 2009, to April 30 of this year, 21 crashes have occurred at the intersection located about 3 miles east of Polo, according to a traffic study conducted by Ciesiel. Sixteen of them involved drivers on Lowell Park Road who either did not obey the stop signs, or failed to yield to traffic on Pines Road after stopping.

The temporary rumble strips cost about $4,000, Ciesiel said. He expects the permanent rumble strips to cost $24,000 to $25,000, based on previous projects’ costs.

These temporary rumble strips will “be an experiment” because of the length of time they’re looking to keep them in place, Ciesiel said.

“To be honest, we’ve never had them up for more than a couple months,” he said. “I’m not sure how well it will hold up. I got a variety different than what we’ve had on previous projects in the hope we can keep them in place over the winter, but I’m not sure what a snow plow will do to them.”

Ciesiel isn’t sure when the strips will be delivered because of continued supply chain issues. As of June 23, they also still were waiting on the arrival of flashing LED enhanced stop signs for the north and south legs of Lowell Park Road, which were ordered six weeks prior, he said.

“The supply lines for just about everything we’re trying to acquire is so messed up, still,” Ciesiel said. “I never know when to expect anything. Everything just takes much longer than we would like.”

County highway department employees will install both the stop signs and the temporary rumble strips once they arrive, he said.

Sue Ramage, whose sister was killed in a crash at Lowell Park and Pines roads, said she is “so excited.” She credited Dewey’s efforts in gathering petition signatures for the addition of the rumble strips.

“I’m very happy, and I still hope for a four-way stop, but rumble strips is a huge start,” Ramage said. “It’s wonderful. I just hope it’s going to save lots of people from having an accident there, from any direction.”

Her sister, Kathleen Brooks, died July 5, 1972, at age 22. Brooks’ then-2-year-old daughter survived the crash.

“The timing couldn’t be better, because next week is 50 years since my sister got killed,” Ramage said. “So I feel like it’s for her.”

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media A motorcycle rider and his passenger tun onto Pines Road at the intersection with Lowell Park Road, east of Polo.

Happy

Independence Day

Local Investment. Jobs. Clean Energy.

Let Freedom Ring rolls out red car pet for annual Fourth of July celebration

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Mt. Morris’ annual Independence Day festival kicked off Wednesday and will continue through the weekend.

L e t F r ee d o m R i n g t a k e s p l a c e Wednesday, June 29, and Friday to Monday, July 1-4.

“Ours isn’t a huge carnival festival. It’s a small-town festival,” said Tiffany West, LFR Committee chairperson. “It reminds me of grabbing your picnic basket and blanket and coming out and having a good time.”

On Wednesday, Little Miss and Mister Firecracker were crowned. (The winners names were unavailable in time for Ogle County Newspapers’ print deadline.) The winners will represent Mt. Morris for the next year, participating in the village’s July 4 parade, as well as parades in surrounding areas, West said.

T h e J o n a s F u l t z M e m o r i a l C a r Show runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday on Wesley Street.

“This is a memorial car show,” West said. “In years past, they usually did a cruise. Last year, they chose not to do a cruise, so we’ve changed it to this.”

Friday night’s band is the Sting Rays, who perform 1950s and 1960s style music, she said.

“To incorporate that, we decided to do a ’50s and ’60s style costume contest,” West said. “That’s something new this year.”

Also new is a tractor and small engine show on Saturday, she said. That takes place in the Kable parking lot from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m., the watermelon eating contest takes place in the Bandshell yard. It has a $5 entry fee, West said.

On Sunday, the Kiddie Parade will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Main Street; registration is at noon on Wesley and Main streets. Firefighters will host water fights for kids starting at 1:30 p.m. on Main Street.

“We have an alumni gathering at the Senior Center,” West said. “It’s people from the Oregon and Mt. Morris area where they can come together and have a good time. We’ll have light snacks, and drinks can be brought in.”

T h e r e u s e d to b e a d a n c e , b u t they’ve found people would “rather chit-chat,” she said.

The fireman’s breakfast will open up events on July 4, with breakfast being served from 7 to 11 a.m. at the fire station. The cost is a donation, West said. Breakfast also will be available at the Mt. Morris Airport from 7 to 11 a.m., with the fly-in/drive-in breakfast.

Registration for Pound the Pavement is from 8 to 9 a.m. at Dillehay Park, with the run starting at 9 a.m.

“They are the biggest supporters of the festival,” West said. “They give us a large check each year. This year was $4,000.”

This year’s patriotic program –which takes place at the Bandshell stage from noon to 1 p.m. – will include a recreation of former President Ronald Reagan’s speech, as well as a motorcade, West said.

Then, at 1 p.m., the Illinois Freedom Bell will be rung.

The parade follows at 2 p.m.

“If anybody wants last minute to participate, please feel free,” West said. “Show up at registration and we’ll get you a spot.”

She encouraged past royalty to participate by either creating their own float or hopping in a convertible with a sign stating the year they were a queen or king.

“Then our grand fireworks [start at dusk],” West said. “The firework people said it was going to be a better year than last year, so I’m excited to see what they’re going to be.”

Raffle tickets to be the one to start the firework show are on sale now and will be available for purchase until 8:30 p.m. on July 4, when the winner will be announced, West said.

For a full schedule of events, information on donations and the parade, visit: https://lfrmtmorris.com.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Tinley Miller, 5, of Mt. Morris, focuses on the road as she drives a motorized 4-wheeler at the 2021 Let Freedom Ring Kiddie Parade.

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Ogle County Board members approved allocating more of the American Rescue Plan Act funds during their June 21 meeting.

A total of $77,673.39 was allocated to county departments, $39,351.06 to community organizations and $42,500 to the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District in the form of an economic development grant.

Ogle County received $9,836,809 in ARPA funds, which was delivered in two tranches; the second tranche was delivered in June.

“Last year’s money, the tranche of money we first got – the $4.98 million – we set aside $500,000 of it for monies for the economic development operations as well as grants to assist communities on economic development,” Finance Committee Chairperson Greg Sparrow said.

The county set aside 5% of the second tranche –$250,000 – for community development grants or other nonprofit entities, he said.

The Mt. Morris Fire Protection District had to complete an application in order to be eligible for the economic development grant.

Applications are considered by the Ogle County Economic Development Department, the county Finance and Insurance Committee and the Executive Committee before being sent to the full county board for final approval.

“This grant is to the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District to assist them in putting together the engineering study so they can go out and then apply for further grants through the feds [federal government] and the state in order to build a new future fire district station,” Sparrow said. “It’s my understanding that the station they’re at is over 100 years old.”

The two community organizations were the Ogle County Fair Association, which received $24,737.50 for electric work at the fairgrounds, and the Byron Lions Club, which got $14,613.56 to replace revenue lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both organizations had to apply for the funds.

ARPA allocations to county departments totaled $77,673.39 and included:

Pines Annex, landscaping/signage, $1,714.55;

Sheriff’s Office/Office of Emergency Management Agency, RAM 1500, $27,963;

Sheriff’s Office, contractual jail/communication, $34,613.64;

Sheriff’s Office, retaining wall at sheriff’s building, $11,382.31;

Buildings and Grounds, campus cannon and veterans’ memorial, $1,300;

IT, printer for economic development, $699.89.

ARPA was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. It is a $1.9 trillion package that offers “fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses and industries,” according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury website.

One program ARPA supports is the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program, which delivered $350 billion to state, local and tribal governments. Of that, $65.1 billion was designated for counties.

The amount each county gets is based on its share of the U.S. population, according to a National Association of Counties March 2021 legislative analysis of ARPA.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media The Ogle County Courthouse is located in downtown Oregon, Illinois. The Ogle County Board meets the third Tuesday of each month on the third floor of the historic courthouse. Meetings begin at 5:30 p.m.

Valebeck Counter Height Dining Table and Chairs Derekson 6 Piece Queen Panel Bedroom Set Theo Table (Set of 3) Waylowe Table (set of 3) Bayonne Sofa and Loveseat Alenya Chair

Laflorn Chairside End Table with USB Ports & Outlets