Business News

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

The owner of a downtown salon, w@sh, had planned to expand during Spring Break 2020.

As the world was closing down, Meggan Dickson-Grennan, was sweeping up the dust and hauling in new furniture.

Because of closures and mitigations, w@sh didn’t host a large second anniversary or grand re-opening party.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on 2020, the Oregon Chamber and its ambassadors made sure to give credit where credit was due, and reached out to Dickson-Grennan to congratulate her efforts with a ribbon cutting in honor of the w@sh expansion.

“w@sh has more than doubled in working space and employees,” said Liz Vos, chamber director. “The Chamber recognizes Meggan’s hard work and continued dedication and investment in our community.”

“What I see every day seems like no big deal. It’s refreshing to see w@sh though other people’s eyes. Thank you for acknowledging my hard work,” Dickson-Grennan said.

Pictured, left to right, are: Oregon Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Candace Rivera, Joanne Canfield; Chamber Director Liz Vos; w@sh owner, Meggan Dickson-Grennan; and Oregon Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Hilaree Lombardo. Photo supplied

FORRESTON LIBRARY

Christmas in the Country & Virtual

StoryTime with Santa - Dec. 4-5

Due to capacity restrictions, we are not able to host our annual “Cookies and Cocoa with Santa” this year. However, we will be open Friday evening from 4- 7 p.m. for children to stop in and pick up a Christmas craft and sign up for our raffle prizes. Then on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., join Santa on our Facebook page as he reads a fun Christmas story that goes along with the craft.

Library Hours OREGON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Sensory Friendly Santa at the

Library - Nov. 27-28 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment.

We are offering a Sensory Friendly environment for Santa. Do you have a child with sensory needs? A child that can’t wait in line? This quiet environment will allow one-to-one time with the jolly man in front of our fireplace (COVID regulations must be followed). Bring a camera for pictures!

Zoom Story Time

Dec. 17, 10 a.m.; register at least one week before to receive a craft kit and the Zoom link.

Video Story Time

10 a.m. Thursdays on the library’s Facebook Page.

The library is now open with the following hours: Monday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 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. Masks are required for everyone over the age of 2 and children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a responsible party. Curbside pickup is still available for anyone who wishes to use it.

Library Board Positions

Only a few more weeks remain to

Yoga with Jennifer - 9:30 a.m. Saturdays Due to COVID-19 violations, only five spots are available. Registration is required.

December Distraction

Tuesday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 19, when Oregon Public Library District cardholders check out reading material, they may receive a scratch-off ticket for every 3 reading material items checked out for a chance to win some readable prizes. Scratch off your ticket and see if you win. Winning ticket holders may select one of the prize packages that are now on display at the Library. Ask one of our librarians for more info.

Library Book Clubs

Afternoon Book Club, Wednesday, pick up nominating petitions for anyone interested in running for the Forreston Public Library Board. There will be three positions open and they are each 6 year terms. Please call the library at 815-9382624 or stop in for more information.

Preschool Activities

Looking for fun, engaging activities for your preschooler? Our Grab n Go packets include a Scholastic story paper with a different theme each month, accompanying worksheets/coloring pages, and a code to access online stories and activiDec. 16, 12:30 p.m., “A Christmas Blizzard,” by Garrison Keillor.

Books on Tap Book Club, Thursday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. at Cork n Tap, 305 Washington St., “One Day in December,” by Josie Silver. 2WBC Book Club, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m., “Mr. Dickens and His Carol,” by Samantha Silva.

Maker Monday’s, Take and Make

Crafts - Ages 18 and up. Registration required at 815-732-2724. Kits are available.

Take It Tuesdays

During COVID. Craft kits will be available for pick up on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Kits vary and are first come, first serve. New kits available on the fourth Tuesday ties. Call to reserve yours or stop in and pick one up for your favorite little person.

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 recently revamped website at forrestonlibrary.org. If you have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact us by phone at 815-9382624, email at forrestonpubliclibrary@ gmail.com, or through Facebook mes-

saging. of every month.

New Library App

This allows patrons to check library accounts, search for items, place holds, and see library events from a mobile device. Download the PrairieCat Mobile app today! Search for PrairieCat Mobile on your device’s app store, connect with your Oregon Public Library card and you are all set.

Friends of the Library Grab Bag Sale

This is an ongoing sale and the bags are in the library labeled by genre. Bags are $5. There are approximately 8-10 books in each bag.

New Online Resources

Brainfuse is one of the nation’s lead-

See OREGON LIBRARY, Page 20

Free Chairs

Is your household e-learning? Does your workstation need a new chair? We have several office/computer chairs available for free so everyone has a comfortable chair for their daily learning and working.

Hat and Mitten Tree: Again this year, we are collecting warm hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens. Hang your contribution on our tree by the end of the year. They will be distributed through the

POLO LIBRARY

Curbside Pickup

Mondays - 2-6 p.m.; Tuesdays - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Wednesdays - 2-6 p.m.; Thursdays - 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Fridays - 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; ans Saturdays - 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Step 1 - Log in to your PrairieCat/ Encore account and request items for pickup. You can also call 815-946-2713 or email library@pololibrary.org at least one business day in advance of preferred pickup day with a list of items you would like to check out.

Need a suggestion? Library staff are happy to select several books for you to try.

Step 2 - Call 815-946-2713 to schedule a date and time for your contactless pickup Please remain in your car and allow library staff to place your items in your trunk or back seat.

Step 3 - Drop items off as you are finished with them. Our book drop, located to the left of the Congress Street door, will continue to be open 24/7.

Additional Curbside Services

We are still offering copy/print (.25/ Black and White .50/Color) and fax ($1/ page). We also offer home delivery at no

• OREGON LIBRARY

Continued from Page 19 ing online tutoring providers serving a diversified client base of libraries, school districts and colleges/universities and is found throughout the country including Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Suffolk, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Sacramento and San Diego. Brainfuse users receive personalized tutoring via a versatile and user-friendly online classroom.

Brainfuse HelpNow offers a personalized homework help in core subjects (math, reading, writing, science and social studies) including SAT preparation New Life Community Center in Forreston in January.

Wednesday WhoDunIt

Wednesday WhoDunIt will resume after the holidays. Put a new mystery title on your Christmas wish list!

Family Story Time

Family Story Time will resume after the holidays. In the meantime, Miss Jana will have weekly take-home crafts available each Monday, beginning Nov. 30. Stop in to pick a craft for your little one extra charge for patrons who are unable to use curbside pickup. Please call 815-946-2713 for more information and to schedule an appointment or home delivery.

Homemade for the Holidays -

Wednesday, Dec. 9 - 10:30 a.m. - On Facebook.com/pololibrary

Ms. Melanie shares a craft for kids (recommended K-5rd Grade) to make for the holidays! This video will air on Wednesday the 9th, but will stay available to watch on Polo Library’s Facebook page.

Library Cards

Did you know that if you live in the Polo School District and are under the age of 18 you qualify for a free library card?

Any person of student age (4-18 years old) living in the Polo School District qualifies for a free Polo Library card, whether you attend Polo Schools, private school, or are homeschooled. Family cards, which parents can use too, are only $20 a year if you live outside of Buffalo Township and have a student living in your household. As always, if you live in Buffalo Township, you are The Adult Learning Center is included in the HelpNow suite.

Brainfuse is available to all library patrons from the public computers at the library or from any computer with internet connection simply by going to the Oregon Public Library website and logging in with your library card.

Scholastic Teachables provides educator-created & expert-vetted teaching materials.

Unlimited online access to the best classroom-tested printables. It has a wide variety of free printable worksheets for grades prekindergarten through eighth that span over many different skills. Go to the Library website to do over the break.

Reminder: We are unable to collect soft plastics at this time. Also, we regretfully cannot accept book donations right now. We apologize for the inconvenience. We ask that you refrain from depositing your plastics and book donations unattended. Thank you for your cooperation.

New Releases

Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction (Im)perfectly Happy by Sharina Harris able to get a Polo Library card for free. Stop by the library today to sign up for a card or, if you’ve lost your card, pick up a new card. Call 815-946-2713 or email library@pololibrary.org with questions.

Library Petitions Available

Nominating petitions for four board positions at Polo Public Library District are available for pickup at the library. Please call 815-946-2713 to arrange a time to pick up your nominating petition.

Current board members are Dan Baker, Donna Baumann, Josh Faivre, Marie Monaco, Sarah Rowland, Julie Sanders, and Susan Zook.

Four of the seven positions will be open for election to four-year terms. The election will be held on April 6, 2021.

Library board members must be, on the date of the election, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years old, a registered voter, a resident of the State of Illinois and must have resided in the library district (Buffalo Township) at least one year at the time he or she files nomination papers.

To be considered for election, candiand log in with your library card number.

New Releases

Fatima (Rated PG-13)

The Crown-The Complete Third Season (Rated PG-13)

Misbehavior (Rated PG-13)

Grant-The Complete Miniseries (Rated

R)

Friendsgiving (Rated R)

The Great-Season One (Rated R)

Dying In A winter Wonderland by Vicki

Delany (Paperback Mystery)

Murder In The Margins by Margaret

Loudon (Paperback Mystery)

Christmas Card Murder by Leslie

Meier, Lee Hollis, Peggy Ehrhart (My tery) Deadly Cross by James Patterson

The Awakening by Nora Roberts

Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty

Someone Else’s Secret by Julia Spiro

Children’s Fiction

Merry Christmas Peppa with Peppa

Pig

The Most Wonderful Gift In the World by Mark Sperring

How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christ-

mas by Jane Yolen dates must file a petition with 13 signatures of qualified voters who live within the library district.

The candidates must complete a statement of candidacy, a statement of economic interests, and may complete an optional notarized loyalty oath. All necessary forms are included in the candidate’s election packet available at the library.

The filing period is Dec. 14 through Dec. 21. Packets returned after Dec. 21 will not be considered for candidacy.

Packets may be obtained and filed during library hours: Monday – Thursday form 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This information is provided as a public service. For further information call Ellen Finfrock, Library Director, at 815-946-2713.

Wi-Fi Access

Wi-Fi is available 24/7 outside of the library building, even outside of library hours. You can access the Wi-Fi by joining the Polo Public Library Guest Access network, you do not need a

password.

A Crime Of A Different Stripe by Sally Goldenbaum (Mystery)

The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves (Mystery)

Murder At An Irish Christmas by

Ca lene O’Connor (Mystery)

Holiday Lights by Debbie Macomber (Fiction)

Gobble, Gobble Murder by Leslie

Meier (Mystery)

A Very Merry Match by Melinda Curtis (Paperback Romance)

Wildflower Road by Janine Rosche (Paperback Romance)

Pizza-A Love Story (Rated Non-Fiction 641.824 PIZ)