a scaled-down festival

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VILLAGE BOARD Scaled down Sauerkraut Days approved

Social distancing and crowd limits will be part of the plan for festival

BY EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@oglecountynews.com

A scaled-down Sauerkraut Days was narrowly approved by the Forreston Village Board on Monday.

Jane Koeller, representing the Sauerkraut Days Committee, asked trustees to approve three events for the celebration which includes food trucks, a sidewalk painting competition, and craft fair.

“In the downtown parking lot we’d like to have two or three food trucks, and one depending on their availability July 31 and Aug. 1 and then again on Aug. 7-8,” Koeller said. “This would strictly be for carry out. We will not have any picnic tables set up.”

“Then on July 31 and Aug. 1 we’d like to have kids and individual families decorate sidewalk squares, using social distancing,” Koeller said. “And on Aug. 1 we’d like to have a craft show with vendors on Walnut Street or Cherry Street, 10-feet apart, zig-zagging down the street. We can limit how many vendors that come in.”

Koeller said she did talk to an Ogle County Health Department official who approved the plans as long as Phase 4 social distancing requirements were

followed.

Village President Mark Metzger raised concerns over limiting attendees, if needed.

“There’s been so many events cancelled, what if we get 200-300 people?,” asked Metzger. “How are we going to monitor it?”

Koeller said the area could be roped off and attendees would have to sign a waiver before entering.

Forreston Police Chief Mike Boomgarden said he thought most people would adhere to social distancing rules.

“It’s not like we have beach,” he said. “Everyone is pretty much playing by the rules.”

Koeller said it is possible the committee won’t have any vendors who want to take part. “We are not sure who will want to come,” she said.

Metzger said he would not want anyone to contract COVID-19 at the events.

“We have a town of 1,400 so 10 percent would be 140 and if that many people became sick that would just be horrible,” Metzger said.

Village Clerk Michelle Drayton said she had attended area farmers’ markets and those had an entrance and exit with one-way traffic.

Koeller said the committee could set the craft fair up in a similar way and would limit it to a total of 50 people, which included vendors.

“We could have them go in one way and sign a waiver if that helped ease concerns,” she said.

Trustee Monty Cotter agreed that oneway traffic through the craft fair would be “very” important.

“I don’t think there will be huge crowds,” Cotter said who made a motion to approve Koeller’s request as long as guidances from the Illinois Department of Public Health were followed. “We would have to follow the state guidelines.”

Trustees Cotter, Ken Toms, and Ken Vinnedge voted yes. Trustees Gary Buss, Vickye Norris, and Jeff Freeze voted no.

Metzger had to break the tie and voted yes.

The board also approved the following permits: • Sign permit for Smokin Gun Worx. Toms said the new sign will have 2’ aluminum letters and be 3’feet above the ground. He said he did not know if the sign would be lighted or not. • Permit for a storage shed and patio for Kyle Vinnedge, 107 Meadows Court. • Permit for sidewalks and new patio fir Todd Warren, 307 S. Walnut.

In other action, the board raised the minimum age to operate a UTV in the village to 18 years and changed the July 20 meeting to July 27.

BRIEFS

Lions Club annual ham sales

The annual Forreston Lions Club Ham Sale has returned. The Lions will be selling smaller 8-12 lb. hams, however due to the pandemic, they will not be hosting the traditional three days of “walk-in” sales.

This year, you must preorder your ham with any Forreston Lions Club member, and your ham will be available for drive-through pick-up every Thursday in July between 5-6 p.m. The downtown Forreston pick-up location will be in the parking lot on the south side of the Forreston Library.

The Thursday pick-up dates are July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, between 5-6 p.m.

Place your order with any Forreston Lions Club Member, or specifically call Lion Alice: 815-938-3552, Lion Ilene: 815-938-3556, Lion Liz: 815-541-3522 or Lion Michelle: 815-821- 3270.

This year’s smaller hams are a Smithfield John Morrell Black Forest Ham, which is a boneless, fully-cooked round ham. The hams average 8-12 lbs. and the price will range $30-$45.

SSET 4 school gears up for 17th year

It is no secret that school will be different in the upcoming school year. The one constant that will always be the same – is that students will need school supplies.

“Because there is always a need – we are once again collecting school supplies for students in the Forrestville Valley School District. This is the 17 th year of the supply drive and the need is as great now as it was in 2003.,” said Jane Koeller, one of the organizers of the drive.

Collection bins will be located at the Bertolet Library in Leaf River, the German American Bank in German Valley, Koeller Forreston Hardware and the Forreston Library in Forreston. The supplies will be collected from July 6 through Aug. 7.

“All supplies are welcome, but the greatest need is for the following items: Spiral notebooks, 2 pocket folders, loose leaf notebook paper, glue, colored pencils, crayons, and markers. New and gently used backpacks will also be accepted,” Koeller said.

The supplies will be distributed to any family, in the Forrestville Valley School district, that qualifies for the free/reduced lunch program. This includes in person learning, e-learning, and/or homeschool students.

The supplies will be distributed on Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. - noon at 405 S 4 th Avenue in Forreston, or by calling 815-266-1095.

If you have questions concerning the school supplies, or would like to make a cash donation, contact Koeller at 815-266-1095. Or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ pages/SSET 4 School.com

“This program continues to succeed because of the wonderful community support,” Koeller said.