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OGLE COUNTY NEWS
Serenity Shed celebrates sixth anniversary
Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Sep 24, 2021
6 IN THE CLASSROOM
Forreston student’s photo to be in state calendar
A photo by Samantha Appel, a sophomore at Forreston High School, is one of the winners picked to be part of the state’s calendar. Appel was notified Sept. 15 by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, that her photo will be included in the calendar. Frerichs hosts the ‘Cream of the Crop Photo Contest’ each year, encouraging children from across Illinois to submit their most innovative, scenic snapshot that depicts their vision of agriculture. Winning photos from the contest are featured in a calendar. “With Samantha’s passion for agriculture and great art technique she enjoys taking pictures from around our beautiful area,” said Forreston teacher and FFA Adviser Kelley Parks. “Samantha takes advanced art as well as agriculture classes. The picture she submitted is from one of her family farms in German Valley. She looks forward to continuing to show off our beautiful area to the state of Illinois! To order a calendar, visit www.illinoistreasurer.gov.
Samantha Appel’s photo was one of the winners picked to be part of a state calendar.
OBITUARY DAVID LYNN VIETMEIER Born: August 4, 1943 Died: September 16, 2021
David Lynn Vietmeier, 78, of Forreston, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021, at FHN Memorial Hospital, with family by his side. David was born on August 4, 1943, in Freeport, the son of Lorence and Mildred (DeVries) Vietmeier. He graduated from Forreston High School. David married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Kilker, on August 18, 1962. David had a lifelong love of farming, he also worked at the Forreston Ready Mix for many years. He was known for his outgoing personality and his strong faith in his savior, Jesus Christ. He attended North Grove Evangelical Church in Forreston for many years. His life can best be described by Provers 20:7, which says, “The
just man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.”. Surviving is his wife, Shirley Vietmeier of Forreston; three daughters, Stephanie (Ken) Schubert of Dakota, Jodi (Neal) Langill of Forreston, and Jacki (Kurt) Kaiser of Forreston; three brothers, Robert (Barbara) Vietmeier of Mt. Carroll, Gerald (Gwen) Vietmeier of Rockford, and Dennis (Barbara) Vietmeier of Pinegree, IL. David was blessed with eight grandchildren, (Jenna, Kyle, Lindy, Cassidy, Emily, Grace, Aaliyah, and Ella) and six great-grandchildren (Landon, William, Lincoln, Lilah, Miles, and another great-granddaughter due in December 2021). David was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be noon Friday, September 24, 2021, at North Grove Evangelical Church, Forreston. Pastor Tim Hotchkiss will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A memorial has been established in David’s memory. Please sign his guestbook and share a remembrance in his memory.
The Serenity Shed recently celebrated its 6th anniversary. The Shed opened in downtown Oregon as a bereavement center and volunteer workshop where anyone could come to create. The items created are then sold at their retail center to help support Serenity Hospice. The Shed has played a significant role in countless lives through the years including children and teens. “When experiencing a death, people often tend to focus their attention on the adults grieving and try to distract kids from what they are feeling,” said Cathy Warren, bereavement coordinator and manager of The Shed. “But children and teens need to face their grief head-on just like adults. They need support, encouragement and resources to help them deal with their emotions.” Serenity has expanded their children’s resources to include day camps. The next day camp will be held at the Nash Recreation Center on Saturday, Oct. 16. Call Warren at 815-732-2499 for more information or to register. Participants may also register through the Oregon Park District online or by phone. The Shed has also become a distributor for Dixie Belle chalk paint products and they offer a variety of art and crafting classes throughout the year. They have also teamed up with BerryView Orchards in Mt. Morris who sell their handmade items in their gift shop. The Shed is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Eagle’s Nest Art Group to open its studio on Saturday, Oct. 2 Eagle’s Nest Art Group will open its studio at Conover Square Mall on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Oregon’s Autumn on Parade festival. The group of over 60 local artists will have a variety of original art work on display, includKathy Raum ing oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings; photography; drawings; calligraphy; glass work; jewelry; ceramics, as well as other 3-dimensional art. Also, a wide selection of artist-created prints and cards are available for
sale. “Come and browse and meet some of our local artists,” said Marsha Behrens, ENAG member. “This year’s show is dedicated to the memory of ENAG member Kathy (Mary K.) Raum of Oregon. To honor Kathy’s life, her art work and her long service to ENAG, we are pleased to include a display of her original art in this year’s fall show.” ENAG continues to support the fine work of Hands On Oregon with original art for sale at the show to benefit their work in our community. The studio is on the second floor of Conover Square Mall, 201 N. Third Street in Oregon. For more information about the group and its offerings, call 815-7327783.
Janet and Tom Champley
Oregon Lions recognizes 2021 Chamber award winners
The Oregon Lions recognized its award winners during the Oregon Chamber of Commerce dinner Aug. 19. The Citizens of the Year award went to Tom and Janet Champley. The Volunteer of the Year award went Mary Coulter to Mary Coulter.
Republicans to meet Sept. 28
The Ogle County Republican Central Committee will their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ogle County Courthouse in the County Board room.
Chris Roper candidate for Illinois Governor will be attending the meeting.
No Those Were the Days in Sept. The Oregon Depot program, Those Were the Days, will not hold a September session due to the recurrence of COVID-19. For more information about the programs, call Roger Cain, 815-757-9715, Otto Dick 815-440-0639 or Chris Martin 815742-8471.
