Serving the Mt. Morris area since 1967
MT.Times MORRIS May 28, 2015 Volume 48, Number 13 - $1.00
Headed to State Members of the Hawk track team qualify for the state meet. B1
Slated to be Razed
Memorial Walk
The county will demolish the former Jackass restaurant building this year. A10
It is time to sign up for the annual Lois Nelson Memorial Walk. A7
Rainstorms hold off for Memorial Day ceremony By Vinde Wells Editor Skies turned dark and clouds threatened rain, but skirted Mt. Morris as residents gathered Monday at the band shell to remember the men and women from their community who gave their lives in service to their countries in numerous wars. “We enjoy the freedoms and privileges our veterans have secured for us, in our democracy, every day of our lives,” said Memorial
Day speaker Doug Wean, a decorated Vietnam veteran himself. “We are so blessed to live in a nation where our youth still volunteer and dedicate a part of their lives to service and country.” He told about his friend Mt. Morris resident Frank Floski who was too young to enlist in World War II. “He finally wore down his dad, a World War I veteran, to cosign his enlistment form so he could serve his country during the war. This spirit of selfless service is what
makes America great.” Wean recounted that since the Revolutionary War, America has had 48 million veterans. “They come from all walks of life, from all socioeconomic backgrounds and races. They are from the plains of Kansas, the innercities of Chicago and New York and they are from the small towns, villages, and the farms of the South and West. And they are from Turn to A2
Board hire part-timers to help with mowing By Vinde Wells Editor Recent wet weather means the Village of Mt. Morris needs more help to keep up with mowing. The village board voted Tuesday evening to hire two part-time employees for $10 to $14 per hour for the sewer and water departments to mow grass and help with other summer projects. Trustee Jeff Pennington
said the grass has been growing so fast that the staff is unable to keep up with mowing around the wastewater treatment plant, well house, and other village property even with help from the parks staff, who are also swamped. He said the part-timers can also help with other projects the water and sewer departments usually do during the summer. Trustee Jon Murray voiced
concern over how many hours part-time employees can work before exceeding guidelines in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s health care law, that work make them eligible for full-time benefits. Village attorney Rob LeSage said he will research the question and advise village officials later this week. Turn to A3
Gary Swisher’s dog Kenne snoozes on his lap during the Memorial Day service Monday at the band shell. Also pictured from left are: Jeanine Price, a U.S. Navy veteran, Jean Noonkesser, Shirley Babb, Oregon, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Linda Swisher. Photo by Vinde Wells
Concerts begin on Sunday The summer concert schedule in Mt. Morris will kick-off Sunday afternoon with a special celebration of life concert in memory of the late Paul Mastny.
Archtop Brownie, who played last year as Lance Brown and Friends, will perform May 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the band shell on Kable Square in downtown
Rebuild benefit is Saturday
Class of 2015 urged to keep on learning By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountynews.com
Grubsteakers was destroyed by April 9 EF4 tornado By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecountymews.com A benefit is planned this Saturday to help rebuild a landmark restaurant destroyed last month by an EF4 tornado. The Rebuild Grubsteaker’s Restaurant Fundraiser Benefit will be held Saturday, May 30 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16060 E. Lindenwood Rd., Lindenwood. Owner Ava Mirtoska said Tuesday that she is thankful to everyone who is working to organize the event. “I’m very grateful to have so many people working to put this thing together and help me out,” she said. “The restaurant was there for 100 years. I don’t want the story to end with the tornado. I want the story to go on, and Grubsteaker’s to be back.” The well-known restaurant, located at the intersection of Ill 64 and 251, was demolished by the tornado that swept through eastern Ogle County around suppertime on April 9. Mirtoska was recognized by the Ogle County Board two weeks after the storm for her actions that night when she saw the storm approaching and quickly ushered her customers and employees into a storm cellar. About a dozen people rode out the Turn to A10
Mt. Morris. The Kable Concert Band will play its first concert of the season on Wednesday, Turn to A2
At left, OHS Valedictorian Benjamin Baldwin speaks the OHS commencement while at right, Salutatorian Erika Waldsmith delivers her address. Photos by Randy Stukenberg.
Courtney Tucker, Emily Nelson, Jenny Cahill and her niece Talia Nolasco pose for a photo after graduation ceremonies at the Oregon High School May 24 Photo by Randy Stukenberg
In This Week’s Edition...
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B8-B14 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B5
Library News, A3 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B7 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
Social News, A4 Sports, A12, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B4 Weather, A2
Oregon High School’s Class of 2015 heard a familiar theme Sunday afternoon when commencement speaker Seth McCanse encouraged them to make learning foremost in their lives. “It’s not about making the perfect choices,” said McCanse, a 1995 OHS graduate. “It’s about learning.” McCanse’s remarks echoed the district’s mission statement to “Educate students to be lifelong learners who are productive, responsible citizens.” McCanse urged the class of 104 to face the future unafraid. “Mistakes are the power tools for the future,” he said. “Have the courage to keep taking chances.” McCanse drew a laugh from the crowd when he recounted that in planning his talk he thought back to the speech given at his own graduation two decades ago. “I don’t remember a word of it,” he admitted. Then, he said, he tried to think about what he had wanted from a graduation speech back then. “Well, for one thing, I wanted it to be short,” McCanse said, bringing more laughter from the audience. Valedictorian Benjamin Baldwin encouraged his classmates to embrace the changes that will inevitably occur in their lives. “Change is everywhere,” he said. “Every change is an opportunity for personal growth.” He pointed out that not all change is good and is, in fact, sometimes a loss. Baldwin said the death of classmate Trevor Cox during his freshman year was a loss he still feels. “Trevor was a true friend,” he said. Baldwin recommended connecting with others, showing loved ones that you care, and being kind. He gave a special “shout-out” to his twin Harry just for “being my brother all these years” and also for helping him hone his graduation speech. Besides being the top senior academically at OHS, Turn to A10
Deaths, B3 Robert A. Gigous, Nancy J. Kaczmarzyk, Paul S. Kaminski, Darrell D. Rothermel
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com