16 minute read
Night Out
oglecountynews.com ShawLocal.com
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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 .
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LOCAL NEWS
School Supply Drive enters its 18th year
With school supplies starting to line the shelves it is time once again for the SSET 4 School Annual School Supply Drive.
This is the 18th year for helping Forrestville Valley students on free/reduced lunch start school with a new backpack and new supplies.
This effort is not possible without phenomenal community support.
“We are once again asking for your help so students can start school with new supplies,” said volunteer Jane Koeller.
Collection boxes are located in German Valley at German American Bank; Leaf River at Bertolet Library; and Forreston at Forreston Public Library and Koeller Forreston Hardware.
All supplies are needed – but the greatest need is for notebooks, folders, colored pencils, and markers.
The supplies will be distributed on Tuesday, Aug 10 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 405 4th Avenue in Forreston.
“You can find us on Facebook at SSET 4 School.” Koeller said. “As always, this program only succeeds because of the phenomenal community support!”
SPECIAL EVENT
National Night Out is Aug. 3
Ogle County citizens will have the opportunity to meet and interact with law enforcement officers on a whole different level next week during National Night Out.
Ogle County’s third National Night Out is scheduled for Aug. 3, from 5-8 p.m., in BJ Way Park. The park is behind the Byron Fire Department.
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Byron Police Department and the Byron Fire Department, VanVickle said. The sheriff’s office has partnered with Oregon law enforcement in the past, but try to move the event around the county, he said.
Planned activities include: a display of emergency vehicles; K-9 demonstrations; water activities; bounce house and inflatable slide; and food and drink, including a Kona Ice Truck.
FORRESTON LIBRARY
Teen/Adult Reading Challenge
July 1-Aug. 7
There’s only a week left in our reading challenge, but it’s not too late to join! Stop in for more information and a chance to win prizes for doing what you love: reading!
School Supply Drive
We are currently accepting donations for the SSET 4 School program. Items most needed are: single subject spiral notebooks, loose leaf notebook paper, pocket folders, washable markers, crayons, colored pencils, glue and glue sticks, pencils, scissors, and black, blue, or red pens. Donations will be accepted until Monday, August 9th. Let’s help all our students start the school year with the supplies they need!
Display Cases
Several vintage photos from past Sauerkraut Days celebrations have been added to our display case. Stop in and see if you can identify any of the former Sauerkraut queen contestants and past community members!
Library Hours
The library is open the following hours: Monday 10 a.m.-1 pm, 2-7 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. We are closed on Friday and Sunday. Curbside pickup is still available for anyone who wishes to use it.
Library Updates
Please like our Facebook page to stay up to date with the most current information on our plans and activities and also check out our website at forrestonlibrary.org. If you have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact us by phone at 815-938-2624, email at forrestonpubliclibrary@ gmail.com, or through Facebook messaging.
BERTOLET LIBRARY
Pint-Sized Olympics
Calling all kids! Join us for Olympic-themed games and crafts on Thursday, Aug. 5. Make your own Olympic rings craft, compete in the Straw Javelin Throw, and time yourself in the Washer Race. Register for your time slot today at 815-7382742!
School Supply Drive
As you are preparing school supplies for your student, please consider grabbing some extra supplies for families in the Forrestville Valley School District. Once again, they are collecting school supplies to distribute to families in need. They would love to have crayons, pencils, notebooks, and folders. Any standard supply is needed, even backpacks.
So grab an extra pair of scissors or another set of colored pencils to share. Bertolet Memorial Library is accepting these donations through Aug. 5. Thank you for helping prepare the students for a successful year of school!
Farmers Grow a Rainbow
On Thursday, Aug. 12 at 10 a.m., join Miss Melinda from Ag In The Classroom as we learn about the rainbow of fruits and vegetables grown by farmers. Please register by calling 815-7382742.
Smartphone for Android
Do you feel like your smartphone is smarter than you? Are you tired of asking your kids for help? Join us for a Smartphone for Android program on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 4-6 p.m. Instructor Jeremy Monigold, Highland Community College Lifelong Learning, will lead the class in an overview of the basic features of an android phone, managing contacts, modifying settings, how to keep your phone secure, and more. Bring your questions! Call 815-738-2742 by Aug. 12 to register.
Create-a-Card
Create-a-Card is back! Join Jessie on the third Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. Make a special card for that special someone or occasion. Weddings, birthdays, holidays... the only limit is your imagination!
Plastic Recycling
We are pleased to be accepting clean, soft plastics for recycling. We ask that you make sure plastic is clean with no debris, mulch, animal feed in the donation. Also please remove any ziploc-type seals and paper/sticker labels. These items are not acceptable in the recycling program. Thank you for your cooperation.
New Releases
Adult Books: Santa’s Sweetheart by Janet Dailey; A Death Valley Christmas by William W Johnstone; False Witness by Karin Slaughter
SPECIAL EVENT
It’s Fair Time! Count y fair r uns through Sunday
Take a twirl on the tilt-a-whirl, watch thrills and spills at the rodeo, and tap a toe to music this weekend at the 167th Ogle County Fair.
The fair kicked off Wednesday with the Ogle County Fair Queen Pageant and is packed with entertainment, activities, and good food through Sunday, Aug. 1 at the fairgrounds on Lime Kiln Road, just north of Ill. 64 a mile west of Oregon.
The Big Hat Rodeo will offer buckin’ broncos, roping, and trick riding on Friday evening, and with the always crowd-pleasing demolition derby on Saturday. Both events will be held in the grandstands.
The fair will wrap up on Sunday with an all-new event. Popular blues and rhythm & blues band The Jimmys will perform a free concert in the grandstands from 1 to 4 p.m.
“Since it’s a new event we’re not planning to charge. We’re going to accept donations since it’s our first time out of the gate with music,” said fair board president Tom Simpson.
The Jimmys, led by keyboardist and organist Jimmy Voegeli, have performed across the Midwest, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean and draw record-setting crowds to the Mt. Morris Jamboree with their annual performances.
With an $8 admission fee, Simpson reminded fair-goers that the event is family-friendly and affordable.
Besides free unlimited carnival rides, the fee also covers ground shows, such as Dan Dan the Farmer Man Comedy Rainmaker Shows and the Wild World of Animals.
Children age 3 and younger get into the fair free but each will need a $4 wristband to ride at the carnival. Wristbands are available at the gate.
Projects and exhibits will be on display throughout the fair at the 4-H show and adult and junior open shows. Topics range from traditional livestock, foods, vegetables and fruits, clothing and crafts, floriculture to beekeeping, electricity, woodworking, and computer science.
Other entertainment throughout fair includes the Ta-Da Robots, Chainsaw Carver Dave Ferrell, and the Brian Holt Magic Show with performances on Friday and Saturday.
Musical entertainment at the Lions Shelter will be First Friday on Friday, July 30, and John Lindhorst & Strummers on Saturday, July 31.
Shows are from 7:30 to 10 p.m. each evening.
For more information on fair events, visit www.oglecountyfair.com
For fair coverage throughout the week, visit www.oglecountynews.com.
Photos by Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media The 167th Ogle County Fair offers plenty of family fun through Sunday. The fair also includes the Ogle County 4-H Fair. TOP LEFT: A 4-H member shows one of her goats. TOP RIGHT: A participant in the Big Hat Rodeo tries to ride a bull. This year’s rodeo is on Friday night. BELOW: The grandstands will be packed again for the ever-popular demolition derby. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday night. Visit www.oglecountyfair.com for more scheduled events and ticket information.
MT. MORRIS JAMBOREE
Dave Weld and The Imper ial Flames on Aug. 6
July 30
Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers will perform on July 30, at 7 p.m. at the Mt. Morris Jamboree in the Warren Reckmeyer Band Shell.
“This band, who has appeared during all eight Friday Concert seasons, always has the crowds line-dancing on the grass to toe-tapping while sitting in lawn chairs and on the new benches,” said Jamboree organizer Larry Ubben. “Lyle Grobe has been performing for many years starting in the early 1950s with two brothers, Harry and Richard Hackbarth.”
Aug. 6
Chicago Blues veteran Dave Weld and his band, The Imperial Flames, is on the stage for the Aug. 6 installment of the Mt. Morris Jamboree.
The free concert starts at 7 p.m. at the Warren Reckmeyer Band Shell in downtown Mt. Morris.
“Dave Weld, born in Chicago, was first influenced as a child when he found an old Victrola in the basement and wore out the blues 78’s. He moved to New Mexico, and studied guitar under Kurt Black, a jazz player who worked with Benny Carter in New York,” said Jamboree organizer Larry Ubben.
Weld was drawn back to Chicago after hearing Howlin Wolf on the radio and found that he was welcome on the West side of Chicago. He started sitting in at many clubs and landed a gig with Hound Dog Taylor’s band, Brewer Phillips,Ted Harvey, at Sweet Peas on 43rd St.
Weld then moved on to the 1815 Club on W. Roosevelt, which was owned and operated by Eddie Shaw who had Howlin Wolf’s band, the Wolf Pack. Weld was under tutelage from JB Hutto, a Grammy awarded Blues Hall of Fame slide man from Georgia.
“He studied at JB’s house and one day met his nephews Lil’ Ed and James Young (Pookie), and played with them on the west side for ten years. They collaborated and started the ‘Blues Imperials’,” Ubben said.
Bruce Igauer from renowned Chicago Blues label, Alligator Records found them and recorded them in a historic session “Roughousin’” and they started doing world tours.
In 1988 Dave decided to start his own band “Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames”. This band featured the most authentic seasoned blues veterans in Chicago.
“Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames, is an authentic, real deal blues band, high energy with versatile talent, variety, and a cohesive show that includes original driving houserockin blues, boogie and Soul,” Ubben said.
Concessions for the evening will be served by Ralfie’s BBQ.
“Come enjoy the meal, music and fellowship starting at 6 p.m.,” said Ubben. “It’s opening night for the new show themed, Radical Botanicals at the Encore Art Gallery next door on the first floor of Old Sandstone, open from 6:30-9 p.m.”
Encore’s Artist in Residence, Annie Timmer will also be hosting kids art activities near the Freedom Bell just to the north of the Band Shell during the concert.
“Local small business vendors will often be joining all the activity on the Campus with fresh produce and crafts as well as Grandpa’s Ice Cream truck,” Ubben said.
Attendees are asked to bring a blanket or chair or sit on the new benches in front of the band shell.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Pinecrest Grove Community Center, 500 Evergreen Lane, just 7 blocks south of Illinois 64 and west of McKendrie Street.
Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames to perform Aug. 6 at Mt. Morris Jamboree.
O ur B est S hot
T R U S T. PR O T E C T. MO VE FO R WA RD.
When you get vaccinated, you make your community a safer place. Getting vaccinated will help stop the spread of COVID-19. Protect yourself and those around you so we can defeat this virus that has taken so much from so many. Be part of the solution – get vaccinated – and let’s move forward together. It’s our best shot. Learn more at osfhealthcare.org/vax.
COVID-19 & EDUCATION
Universal mask wearing recommended for K-12
By RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@shawmedia.com and ALEXA ZOELLNER azoeller@shawmedia.com
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its masking recommendations Tuesday, saying that masks should be worn by everyone in schools, regardless of their vaccination status.
But the area’s regional superintendent for schools says the pattern in which guidelines have been released make it difficult for school leaders to plan. All schools in Illinois have been directed by the governor to have students attend school in person.
Some area districts have faced vocal opposition from parents and others opposed to masks for students, saying it should be parental choice.
By mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced it was “fully adopting” those revised guidelines. “While data continues to show the effectiveness of the three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the U.S., includi ng against the Delta variant, we are still seeing the virus rapidly spread among the unvaccinated,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the IDPH, in a prepared statement.
Ezike said that the risk is greater for everyone if the spread of the virus is not curtailed. “We know masking can help prevent transmission of COVID-19 and its variants,” she said. “Until more people are vaccinated, we join CDC in recommending everyone, regardless of v a c c in at i o n s t a t u s , w e a r a m a s k indoors in areas of substantial and h i g h t r a n s m i s s i o n s , a n d i n K - 1 2 schools.”
That’s the news that area school districts have been waiting on before finalizing their return-to-learn plans and welcoming back students to fulltime, in-person learning in less than a month.
The IDPH said it would be updating the school FAQ document. Earlier on Monday, it posted an FAQ based on the July 9 CDC recommendations, which included masking for unvaccinated students but not the entire school population.
Regional Superintendent Chris Tennyson, of the Regional Office of Education 47 for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties, said the change could be a bit confusing for superintendents and school boards as they go by an IDPH FAQ one day and a different one the next.
“It can be frustrating for superintendents and school boards to plan the year out when things can change so quickly,” he said. “I’m sure they’re taking time to review the new guidelines, and they’re working with local health administrators to do what’s best in their main interest, which is the health and safety of students and staff.”
Another important piece for the districts is to have strong layering protocols in place such as cleaning, sanitizi n g , s o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g a n d o t h e r measures to keep the risk of potential spread low, Tennyson said.
The districts have a bit more leeway with planning, compared to stricter mitigations that lumped rural areas in the same boat as Chicago and other larger metros, he said.
“I’m glad that we do have some local control at this point,” Tennyson said. “Our office will continue to work hard with districts to get back to learning and be safe.”
The new recommendations further state that all should wear masks indoors in counties where COVID-19 transmission is substantial or high. The IDPH considers “substantial transmission” to be in areas were there are 50 to 99 cases per 100,000 population over a seven-day period; “high transmission” is areas with more than 100 cases per 100,000 over the same seven days.
In the surrounding counties, Carroll County is the only one labeled highrisk. Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties all fall in the moderate range, which comes before substantial and after low risk.
Kelly Mandrell, Polo Community Unit School District superintendent, and Tom Mahoney, Oregon Community Unit School District superintendent, both said they had not had a chance to review the CDC guidelines as of Tuesday evening.
Polo’s school district is making a recommendation for students and staff to wear masks, Mandrell said in a July 22 letter to families. Masks are mandated on district transportation.
“We’re going to be watching and seeing how our metric numbers go within the school and community and see if there’s a reason we would have to mandate masks,” Mandrell said Tuesday.
“There is very much a chance that it could change by tomorrow, by the following week,” she added. “Week-byweek it can change.”
Mahoney cited essentially the same guidelines that Polo put out — masks are recommended, but not required, except on district transportation.
“The process is always the same — collect all the information, collect any of the feedback we receive, and then based on that, if there’s a need to make a change, make the change and reissue the updated guidance,” he said.
Last Monday, Mahoney said the Oregon School Board was waiting for further guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health before deciding what the district’s mask policy will be for the upcoming school year.
But parents present at that school board meeting urged school officials to eliminate mask requirements and let parents decide what would be best for their children.
Six of 18 parents present at the meeti n g s p o k e o u t a g a i n s t a n y m a s k requirement.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media ABOVE: A homemade “Unmask Our Children” signs stands in a residential lawn alongside Illinois Route 2 in Lee County. Some parents have asked school boards not to require children to wear masks when the school year starts. BELOW: Doug Shafer talks about his opposition to mandatory masks for school students and questions the educational curriculum as he speaks to the Oregon School Board on June 21.
