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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.

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Fidlar elected bishop of Nor thern Illinois Synod of ELCA

A former interim pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in rural Forreston has been elected bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The Rev. Stacie Fidlar of Rock Island was elected June 18 to serve a six-year term as bishop during the synod assembly which met online June 5 and 12 and then in person at Augustana College in Rock Island on June 17-18.

Fidlar was elected on the fifth ballot with 219 votes to 111 votes for the Rev. Dr. Janet Hunt, pastor of First Lutheran Church in DeKalb. A total of 166 votes was needed for election.

She is the first woman bishop in the history of the synod.

The bishop-elect has served as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rock Island since 1999. She served as pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Seneca from 19951999 and as interim pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Forreston in 1995.

Fidlar earned her bachelor’s degree in religion with Asian studies concentration from Augustana College in Rock Island in 1991 and her master’s degree in divinity from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1995.

She completed the Shalem Institute Group Leaders Program in 2002 and participates in ongoing continuing education with foci on leadership, spirituality and foundation management.

Fidlar will take office Sept. 1 and her installation is scheduled for Oct. 8 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will officiate the installation.

Retiring Bishop Jeffrey Clements has served as bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod since 2016.

Photo provided by Jeff Schlesinger and Sarah Wilson The Rev. Stacie Fidlar of Rock Island was elected June 18 to serve a six-year term.

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 bat or beef hot dog sandwich with chips, cookie and a drink.

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

Church pancake breakfast in German Valley on July 16

The Silver Creek Reformed Church ACTS Ministry will serve a pancake breakfast on Saturday, July 16, from 7 to 10 a.m. at the German Valley Fire Station, 600 Church St. in conjunction with the annual German Valley Days festival.

Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, applesauce, milk, orange juice and coffee will be on the menu. Costs are $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-12. Those ages 5 and under are free.

Proceeds will go to mission work.

BERTOLET LIBRARY

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.

Movie Matinee Monday, July 25, 4 p.m.

Mei Lee is a 13-year-old girl who is torn between being her mother’s obedient daughter and the chaos of her youth. As if that were not enough, when she gets too excited, she turns into a big red panda. Don’t miss it or you’ll turn red with envy!

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.

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.

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Two mature trees on the north side of the old Ogle County Courthouse campus were removed Tuesday for safety reasons, according to a county official.

“They are a liability. They’re dying,” Ogle County Board Vice Chairperson Patrica Nordman said at the June 21 county board meeting. “Part of the stewardship that we’re going to be building upon, we’ll be trying to look at Illinois trees that are native to Illinois. We’ll be looking at putting new trees up.

“They also will be doing trimming of the canopies because we have quite a few dead areas up there also,” she added. “So just an FYI. We’re not trying to kill the trees. We just want to maintain safety.”

A crew from Timberman Tree Service in Rochelle cut down the trees Tuesday morning and ground their stumps.

Nordman posted this news release Tuesday:

Ogle County Courthouse Lawn Tree Forestry, Oregon

The beautiful courthouse located in Oregon, IL, needs attention on the north side. The two large trees located either side of the Veteran’s Memorial are very old. Those trees have served the county well but need to be removed for safety. The trees will be removed July 5, as well as additional canopy work will be done.

This fall watch for reforestation and planting of the Illinois State Tree the White Oak.

Thank you for understanding and patience in advance.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Two large mature trees, located on the north side of the Ogle County Courthouse Square, were cut down Tuesday. A county official said the trees needed to be removed for safety reasons.

POLO PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENTS THE 2 0 2 2 O U T D O O R C O N C E R T S E RI E S

FREE FAMILY EVENT ALL CONCERTS START AT 7PM

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MAY 21 CLASSIC COUNTRY, CLASSIC ROCK AND OLDIES

SAT Turas

JUN 18 IRISH/CELTIC FOLK

SAT Project Nostalgia

JUL 16 CLASSIC ROCK AND OLDIES

SAT The Lone Canary

AUG 13 FOLK/AMERICANA

POLO PUBLIC LIBRARY SAT The Beaux 302 W. MASON ST. POLO, IL 61064 SEP 17 CLASSIC ROCK, 60s-90s For updates or more information call 815-946-2713, email library@pololibrary.org Made possible with funding from or visit pololibrary.org or Facebook.com/Pololibrary

L et Freedom Ring marks 59 years of family f un

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Let Freedom Ring’s 59th year went well, despite a monsoon-like downpour on Ronald Reagan’s reappearance.

“It was a great turnout most of the weekend,” LFR Committee Chairperson Tiffany West said.

L e t F r e e d o m R i n g i s M t . M o r r i s ’ annual Independence Day festival. This year’s event took place Wednesday, June 29, and Friday through Monday, July 1-4.

The Little Miss and Mister Firecracker contest drew six entrants, with the winners declared on June 29. John Murphy, 4, was crowned Little Mister, and Ahniya Wheeler, 5, earned the title of Little Miss.

More than 1,000 people attended the Friday night concert, West said. Saturday was a bit slower, but still good, she said.

Friday was the night LFR committee members were selling root beer floats, which ended up presenting an interesting challenge. Committee members ran out of root beer and ice cream a few times, forcing them to go on grocery runs.

“We served about 200 root beer floats that night,” West said.

Sunday drew the largest ever number of entries – 35 children – to the Kiddie Parade, and although a heavy rain on Monday chased away a few people following the Patriotic Program, they were able to start the Grand Parade only a few minutes late, she said.

“It looked like it was a great turnout for the Patriotic Program,” West said. “The weather, I believe, did impact the bell ringing right after the Patriotic Program.” (Story on page 5)

The downpour cleared up in time for organizers to make the call around 1:30 p.m. that the parade would start just after 2 p.m., she said.

“Once we made that call, everybody was great and joined in and got ready to do their part in the parade,” West said. “It worked out great. I do feel that we didn’t have as many turn out for the parade because of the weather. Normally, the streets are lined, and for the most part it was, but there were patches here and there where there weren’t people.”

That rain shower was the biggest challenge, she said.

On Monday evening, Jeff Warren was selected as the 50/50 raffle winner, and Dawn Hale’s ticket was picked, signaling she would be the one to set off the fireworks show.

July 4, 2023, lands on a Tuesday, which will present its own challenges, West said.

Still, she’s looking forward to it.

“I always look forward to the parade and fireworks,” West said. “Just everybody getting together and having a good time.”

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media ABOVE: 2021 Let Freedom Ring Queen Katelyn Bowers rides with this year’s Little Miss and Mister ahead of the Oregon school band during the Let Freedom Ring Grand Parade in Mt. Morris on July 4. LOWER LEFT: The Let Freedom Ring parade marshal was Carol Reckmeyer. She was driven by Jan Dietrich. LOWER RIGHT: The Bramm family of Mt. Morris was at full attention as they watched the Let Freedom Ring Grand Parade on July 4 in Mt. Morris. Pictured are Nate, Ellen, Charlotte, 2, Annabelle, 5, and Bramm, their golden doodle.

Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media ABOVE LEFT: Immanuel Arellano, 15, of Mt. Morris, competes in the Let Freedom Ring watermelon eating contest July 2 in Mt. Morris. Immanuel won the teen division. ABOVE RIGHT: Grey O’Louke, 7, of Oregon, dances to The StingRays musical performance on the Mt. Morris campus July 1. The event was part of the village’s annual Let Freedom Ring festival.