• CHAMBER AWARDS Continued from page 5
serious financial issues. This person makes trips to purchase groceries at her expense, averages almost 40 hours a week doing things for the kitchen and the VFW. the post would have failed if not for her volunteering to keep it going.” That would be tragic, Hazzard said. “The Oregon VFW post is a nonprofit organization,” she said. “Their proceeds all go toward providing benefits for veterans and those in need. Our community is very thankful for all they do.” Coulter said she was just helping the VFW stay open through the pandemic and “didn’t realize that anyone was
really paying attention.” Saving the VFW was a matter of teamwork, she said. “I was just cooking. That’s all,” Coulter said.
Other awards
Simply Home, owned by Chris and Diane Weber, won the Welcome to the Chamber award. Oregon United Methodist Church was given the Civic Leadership award. The Business of the Year award went to RE/MAX of Rock Valley. Chamber Executive Director Liz Vos was surprised with a special award – the “Going Above and Beyond” award – presented by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Alexa Zoellner – azoellner@shawmedia.com
Mary Coulter (center) poses with Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Rebecca Hazzard (left) and board Vice President Michelle Carreno at the Chamber’s annual awards dinner Aug. 19. Coulter was named Volunteer of the Year.
OBITUARY
LOCAL BRIEF Ogle County Democrats to host annual fundraiser Sept. 19
The Ogle County Democrats are host a fundraising luncheon Sept. 19 at the Lorado Taft Campus of Northern Illinois University in Oregon. Tickets are $50 for an individual and $80 for a couple. Each ticket gives the ticket holder a chance at winning raffles being held, with the grand prize of $1,000 being drawn that day along with other cash prizes. Dinner is included with the ticket price. Raffle tickets also are available for non-attendees at $50 each; ticket holders need not be present to win. The event begins at 1 p.m., and a turkey dinner luncheon with all the fixings will start at 2 p.m.
BETTY BLEISTEIN
Guest speakers invited include U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Other local candidates may also be there to speak. The speakers will begin at about 3 p.m., and the raffles will be drawn after the speakers conclude. Funds raised will go to Democratic candidates running for local, state and national office in 2022. The Taft campus is located in Lowden State Park, at 1414 N. River Road, Oregon. For tickets or information, contact Fundraising Chairman Steve Jones at 779-5374006 or at sub_insignia@yahoo.com. The Ogle County Democrats meet monthly at 6:30 p.m. at the Oregon VFW on the first Tuesday of each month.
Born: November 20, 1944 Died: August 12, 2021 Betty Bleistein, 76, slipped away from our arms into the loving arms of Jesus on August 12, 2021. She was born on November 20, 1944, in Chicago, IL, to Russell Haak and Zola Bailey Haak. When she was just a toddler, her family moved back to the family farm after her father finished his duty in the Army. She grew up a farm girl and lived her entire life in Polo. She met the love of her life, Joe Bleistein in high school. They were engaged at their Christmas dance senior year and married June 29, 1963. For many years Betty was a stay-at-home mom to Scott and Kelly. She began working as school secretary at Centennial School in Polo. She then worked for Kreider Services in Dixon IL. While there, she attended Sauk Valley College, earning an associate degree. She moved on to a position in the office of the Dixon Correctional Center. While there she finished her bachelor’s degree in accounting at Western Illinois University. She worked in accounting at the correctional center until her retirement.
IT’S YOUR WRITE ‘Jack of all Trades … and Jill’s too!’ organizers say thanks
To the Editor: Thank you! The hunt for something special and unusual to the everyday need became the mantra at the “Jack of all Trades … and Jill’s too!” third annual barn sale at Maple Hill Farm. Our sale continues to get bigger every year because of the unbelievable donations from our communities. This year, our sale included merchandise from Neighbor’s going out of business and three estates. Every year, The Soap Shoppe provides us with soap to sell and a friends gives us plenty of golf balls to sell by the dozen. This fundraiser sale for Serenity Hospice and Home is attended by people who have a connection with the organization or know that we get some pretty great things. It truly fills us with joy to see the support and hear people’s stories. We continue to hold this sale be-
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cause it has a meaningful and fulfilling purpose. The “Jack of all Trades … and Jill’s too!” is a four-day sale for which we get outstanding PR from radio stations, newspapers, bulletins and business marquees. This year’s success is reaching $15,000. What more can we say but thank you, everyone! With sincere gratitude, Karen Virnoche and James Brown Oregon
Betty was very active with the Polo Public Library, serving on the board for many years. She was also active at her church, St Mary’s Catholic Church in Polo serving on many boards and councils. She was a member and served as a leader with AFSCME Local Union 817. Up until her passing she was also very active at the Polo Senior Center. Betty is survived by her husband of 58 years, Joe; son Scott with wife Shelly and children Conor, Maeve and Ava; and daughter Kelly, with husband Scott and children Anna, Leah and Maya. She is also survived by her sisters, Beverly Pace and Pat Haak; sister-in-law, Donna Niemczyk and husband Denny, brother-in-law Bob Bleistein and wife Rickie;and several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; nephews, Brian Pace and John Pace; and brother-in-law, Jim Bleistein. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 3rd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Polo from 9 to 11 a.m. Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery will follow immediately after. Cremation has been accorded. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials in her name to the Polo Public Library or the Polo Senior Center. To send condolences please visit www. polofamilyfuneralhome.com Polo Family Funeral Home is handling the services.
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