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Sports
G oal for Cardinals is the same – w in another state title
By ANDY COLBERT For Shaw Media
As Forreston partakes in summer football camp, the goal remains the same – win a state title. With a resumé of three championships since 2014, why not dream big?
The Cardinals have been in the fight every year since 2010, with nemesis Lena-Winslow usually standing in the way. Four times since then, Le-Win has knocked Forreston out of the playoff and the Panthers will be the team to beat in 1A again.
“The best thing we can do is leave that conversation to others,” Forreston coach Keynon Janicke said. “We’re fortunate to be that one team that has been able to beat them.”
In 2016 and a memorable 2018 upset, Forreston indeed knocked Le-Win out of the playoffs. In Janicke’s first year as coach, the Cardinals had a memorable fourth-quarter drive to win the 2021 regular-season clash between the two.
Both Forreston and Le-Win had to breathe a sigh of relief when the IHSA announced they would be going to a 1-32 seeding for all classes, thus possibly avoiding early knockouts among NUIC powers. Unfortunately, that decision was reversed when gas prices began to rise.
“It was just pulled out from under us,” Janicke said. “We can’t control it, but it would have been cool to go 1-32.”
Fans will have to wait until Oct. 21 to see what is usually the most anticipated regular-season game of the year in 1A. Forreston will be the host school, but if past results are any indication, there is no such thing as home field advantage in the rivalry.
The conference will again have nine teams, as West Carroll returns after a one-year absence and East Dubuque departs for a coop in Wisconsin, the third school district in the conference to do so.
West Carroll did not have enough juniors and seniors to play varsity last year and will rely heavily on freshmen, sophomores and a handful of juniors.
With many small schools struggling with numbers, Forreston comes in with a summer roster of 13 seniors, 10 juniors, 12 sophomores and 15 freshmen.
“ I ’ m e x c i t e d f o r t h e t e a m . T h e energy is through the roof and the kids haven’t missed a beat,” said Janicke, a former Cardinal himself. “They cooperate well, ask good questions and love the weight room.”
This year’s group doesn’t have the star players as some of the teams in the past had, but there remains enough skill and depth to run a no-huddle offense with a rotating stable of running backs.
“We lost some ball carriers and are asking role players to step up,” Janicke said.
Among those will be juniors Kaleb Sanders, Micah Nelson and Owen Mulder and seniors McKeon Crase and Quinten Frederick. The quarterback will be senior Broc Smith, who returns from a back injury.
“Our line leaders will be Drew Diete r m a n , C a s e y D e V r i e s a n d K y l e r Gantz,” Janicke said. “Casey is the last DeVries coming through. It’s been awhile, about 11 years since we haven’t had one.”
The defense should come together quicker than the offense with more returners on that side of the ball.
“We can fine tune and be aggressive,” Janicke said. “There is a lot of guys at different positions we can move in and out.”
In a tradition started several years ago, summer camp has a 7-on-7 competition against alumni players.
“Townspeople and families come out to watch,” Janicke said. “We usually have 2-3 alumni teams, a varsity skills group and a fresh-soph team. We even let the linemen have a team. They are more funny than good, but try their best.”
This year, the older alumni took it to the varsity, with Robert DeVries and AJ Christensen leading the way.
“Robert can still fling it and AJ can outrun everyone,” Janicke said. “We put two guys on him and couldn’t stop him. Next year, we might have to triple-team him.”
Janicke is assisted by a large number of coaches in what has always been a home-grown product, one that symbolizes a true community-driven football program.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Forreston lineman Casey DeVries blocks a teammate during a recent camp drill.
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Improved Illinois bike maps blaze new trail
The Illinois Department of Transportation has new and improved Illinois Official Bike Maps, a free and convenient resource showcasing the state’s vast bicycle network of trails, paths and streets.
Maps for each of IDOT’s nine districts include new features and designs officials say make them easier to understand, while including more information on noteworthy stops and attractions easily accessible by bike.
“Bicycling is a healthy, viable and environmentally-friendly option of transportation in cities, towns and rural areas throughout our state,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said. “These maps will provide residents and visitors a valuable and handy tool to plan for their daily travels as well as trips for fun and recreation.”
The maps continue to feature information on local trails and paths, in addition to recommended bicycle routes on local streets and connections to transit. Details on attractions such as campgrounds, parks and other points of interest also are included.
Improved design and markings were incorporated to make the maps easier to read while providing a regional perspective of bicycling resources and interests in a paper format preferred by many bicyclists. The nine unique covers also reflect the diversity of the state’s bicycling community and environment. To order a map, visit https://idot.click/ bikemaps.
BERNIECE ELNORA (HARTJE) DAVIS
Berniece Elnora (Hartje) Davis passed into her Heavenly home on July 29,2022 with family by her side. Berniece was born on July 17, 1928 and recently celebrated her 94th birthday. She is the daughter of William and Louise (Kreimeyer) Hartje Sr. and grew up near Leaf River with twelve mostly older siblings, thus the recipient of many hand-me-downs during her childhood. Berniece graduated from Leaf River High School in 1946 and then graduated from Rockford Business College. She married Duane Davis in 1947 and they moved onto the family farm southeast of Leaf River where they resided for 60 years until his death. They raised two children, Sharri (Roger) Eickman (Geneseo) and Quentin (Rachel) Davis (Forreston), who gave her four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren whom she loved so very much. Berniece was secretary and bookkeeper for Davis Oil Company, which she and Duane operated for over 30 years. She owned Paradise of Plaster and Crafts, and helped operate the Lunch Bucket restaurant located in their commercial building in Leaf River. She was a collector of dolls, especially Kewpie’s, and enjoyed sewing and quilting. In recent years she enjoyed living at WinnPrairie Assisted Living in Freeport where she had many special friends and staff members and spent much time reading and keeping pictures in family albums. Berniece and her husband found time to travel, taking driving vacations with family to most corners of the United States, and later on trips to the Bahamas and Hawaii. They enjoyed the Missouri Ozarks so much that they purchased a home on Table Rock Lake near Branson where they enjoyed many shows, including their favorite gospel quartet the Foggy River Boys. She was a member of the Leaf River United Methodist Church and the Leaf River Historical Society. Berniece is survived by her two children, grandchildren Renee Eickman (Craig), Kyle (Jamie) Eickman, Tracey (Mark) Robinson, and Daniel Davis, great-grandchildren Mitchell and Carter Robinson and Kenneth and Elsie Eickman, and sister Lorraine Cheek. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and eleven siblings. The funeral will be at Park Hills Evangelical Free Church in Freeport on August 6th, with visitation before from 10:00 until time of funeral at 11:00. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, with arrangements being made by Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home. Memorial donations can be made to the Leaf River Historical Society and to WinnPrairie.
NELLIE V. WINTERS
Born: October 15, 1948 in Rockford, IL Died: July 26, 2022 in Mt Morris, IL Morris, and many other activities spanning the world of art and music. Nellie is preceded in death by her parents and siblings John Berg, Phillip Berg, and Bonnie Kopcio. She is survived by her children Nathan (Jackie Krull) Winters, Ryan (Lisa) Winters, Matt Bernhard, Natalie (Tracy) Kinder, grandchildren Emma Krull, Owen Winters, Alexis Edenshaw, Brody Winters, Nolan Winters, and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Nellie is also survived by her sister Hilary Belcher, and sister-in-law Lynn Berg. Cremation rites have been accorded with a private family gathering to be held at a later date. Arrangements by the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon. Online condolences can be left at www.thejonesfh.com
Nellie V. Winters age 73 of Mt. Morris, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday July 26, 2022 at Pinecrest Manor in Mt. Morris, IL. She was born on Oct. 15, 1948 in Rockford, IL the daughter of Harold and Vergene (Davey) Berg. Nellie Worked for many years as a Music Teacher at the Franklin Grove Elementary School in Franklin Grove, IL. She was a member of the Flute Club of Rockford, Mendelssohn Choir, United Methodist Women’s Club, Kable Band of Mt. Morris, and many other activities spanning
RICHARD EDLUND
Died: July 30, 2022
Ashton, IL – Richard M. “Rich” Edlund, age 43, died Saturday, July, 30, 2022. He was born August 11, 1978 in Morrison, IL the son of Robert and Laury (Black) Edlund. He graduated from Ashton High School in 1996 and attended Whiteside Area Vocational School for auto body. He served his country in the U.S. Army for 10 years as a 62F crane operator. Rich valued the time he spent with his family and friends greatly. He was proud of his military accomplishments. His hobbies included riding his Harley, his dog Vern, and tinkering on tractors and trucks. Rich had worked for Ideal Metal Fabrication, Grover Tree Service, PBM, Janssen Ag Services and most recently as a truck driver. He was predeceased by his grandparents Don and Marie Black, and Cecil and Hazel Edlund, his infant sister Gayle Edlund, brothers Raymond and Tom Edlund, his fiancée Susan Locke, and his military brother Ricky Hosch. He is survived by his parents Robert and Laury Edlund of Ashton, IL; siblings: Terri (Drane) Parker of Jacksonville, FL; Bobby (Alena) Edlund of Key West, FL; Kathy (Tony) Berg of Byron, IL; Ann Edlund of Rockford; Donna (Rob) Burlo of Stillman Valley, IL, and Anthony Edlund of Ashton; many nieces and nephews including a special niece Cheyanne Edlund; many great nieces and great nephews; his special adopted mother Jody Schmidt and her daughter Katie (Steve) Early. Funeral service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. 7th Street in Oregon, IL with the Rev. Timothy Mitchell pastor of the Dixon United Methodist Church officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the funeral home. Private burial will be held at the Washington Grove Cemetery. A memorial fund is established in Richard’s name. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to leave a condolence or memory of Rich.
JAMES ‘JIM’ A. JETER
Born: September 16, 1977 Died: July 24, 2022
Jim Jeter, affectionately known as ‘Bonez,’ passed away Sunday, July 24, 2022 after a short battle with cancer at the age of 44. Jim was born Friday, September 16, 1977 in Dixon, IL to Dave and Evie Baker. He was a welder by trade, employed at Hennig, Inc. A lifelong resident of Oregon, IL, graduating from Oregon High School, class of 1996.
Jim was an avid Buffalo Bills fan! He enjoyed grilling and smoking all kinds of meats. He loved fishing and boating on the Rock River with family, friends and his dad, Dave. Jim also enjoyed bowhunting, snowmobiling and playing Poker. He collected many trinkets, mainly M&M’s, Wizard of Oz and Marvel. Jim enjoyed the company of others and will be remembered by many for his sarcasm and his distinguished laugh.
Jimi s survived by his parents; his children, Katelin Wright-Jeter; Dillon (Chelsy) Jeter; Adrianna (Cody) Jeter, their mother and former wife, Sara Wright; andIzzy Jeter and her mother Sarah Pax Thorell. A PROUD Papa to Kyrah, Remrey and Koa. He is also survived by his siblings, Dawn (Nick) Russi; Rick (Julie) Jeter and Viv Baker. Special cousin and “brother” Brian Black; and significant-other Deb (her son Kadin) Paske.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Michael; Grandpa and Grandma Bond; Aunt Fran Shields; and Uncle Gary Black.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Oregon Ambulance personnel and the staff at Javon Bea Hospital.
Services were held at Finch Funeral Home, 405 E. Hitt St., Mt. Morris, IL with Pastor Douglas Cowan officiating. Visitation was held on Sunday, July 31, 2022 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. in Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL. Funeral services were held on Monday, August 1, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. Burial was held in Daysville Cemetery, Oregon, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Rick Canfield of Oregon was selling his homegrown sweet corn during Cornfest at the River’s Edge Experience in Oregon on Monday. The event also included kids’ events, roasted sweet corn and other food items.
Mag ical masquerade par ty at Stronghold raises $3, 565
An immersive masquerade fundraiser for Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center featured sweet treats, a fire dancer, fairies and more.
A Midsummer Night’s Masquerade took place July 23. Attendees dressed for the occasion, many sporting magically inspired costumes as they explored the castle and its grounds, had their fortunes read, listened to music, enjoyed dance performances and were waited on by fairies.
The event was produced by Liz Vos, of Vos Marketing and Events, and Candace Rivera, of Hazel’s Cafe. Vos and Rivera presented Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center Board member Howard Strong and Executive Director Danny Pierce a check for $3,565.01 following the event.
“We’re so thankful to have had this opportunity to assist Stronghold and plan the event,” Vos said in a news release.
Kunes Country, of Oregon, was the presenting sponsor. Central Bank, Sue Gowers, Ring DJ Service, Schuster/ Steele, Rock River Pirates (Kris and Jimmy Martinaitis), 102.3 The Coyote and Manheim Solutions. Byron Dance Academy, the Oregon High School Madrigals, Hydrobar, Rock River Center, Oregon SuperValu, Ogle County Brewery, Hazel’s Cafe and Holiday Memories Lighting were community partners.
Vos thanked the sponsors and community partners for their support, and the Stronghold staff for hosting and their help.
“Our many thanks to all of you for sharing our love for new experiences in Oregon,” Vos said. “We loved being among the fairies and surrounded by magic for an evening.”
The second annual A Midsummer Night’s Masquerade is set for July 22, 2 0 2 3 . L e a r n m o r e a b o u t s u p p o r t i n g Stronghold and their work by visiting https://strongholdcenter.org.
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