44 minute read
caught in Sterling
from Mt. Morris Times
by Shaw Media
CRIME UPDATE South Carolina murder suspects apprehended
Couple caught in Sterling on July 17 after 3 weeks on the lam
BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawnews.com
DIXON – Suspected murderers Jorden E. Johnson of Sterling and Latisha D. Evans of Rock Falls were arrested in Sterling early Friday morning, Lee County Sheriff John Simonton said in a news release.
The Lee County Joint Operations Group took the two into custody in an unoccupied house in the 1500 block of East Fourth Street; they are being held in Whiteside County jail pending extradition to South Carolina, where they are charged with bludgeoning a man to death in a motel where the two were staying, and of critically injuring a woman who was staying with him. Jorden E. Johnson
The two have been fugitives in that case for nearly 3 weeks.
A task force with members of the Lee and Whiteside County sheriffs departments, Sterling, Dixon and Rock Falls police departments and state police, with assistance from the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, was formed to focus on their appre
A Oregon man was killed shortly before noon on Saturday, July 18 when his pickup went off the road in the 3000 block of South Daysville Road and overturned. hension.
Evans, 20, and Johnson, 28 – who had shaved off his long hair and thinned his beard in an effort to avoid detection
Latisha D. Evans – are charged in Georgetown County Court with murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and grand larceny.
They are accused of killing 66-yearold Jack Kendree Jr. in the Rodeway Inn in Georgetown on June 28. His body was found in his room the morning of the 29th – Johnson’s 28th birthday.
Kendree died of blunt force trauma to the head; a bloody wrench was James Kirchner, 72, was southbound on Daysville Road when his 2018 Ford F-150 pickup truck left the roadway, overturned, and came to rest in a small grove of trees, the found in the nearby room Evans and Johnson were renting, according to the Georgetown police incident report. A woman staying with Kendree was found critically injured and bleeding outside the room.
Kendree’s Ford Taurus was found east of Harmon 6 days later, on July 4; it had been set on fire.
Johnson has an extensive felony history, and also is wanted in Whiteside County, where a man was stabbed in an argument after a party on Aug. 17.
He is charged with being a felon using or possessing a weapon, punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison, and four counts of aggravated battery,
FATAL WRECK
Man killed in July 18 accident
punishable by 2 to 5 years. Ogle County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The Oregon Fire Department and EMS responded to the scene. No further information about the accident was released.
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LOCAL HISTORY Jenny Wren serenades during morning waterings
BY BETTY OBENDORF Curator, Polo Historical Society
It has been a busy week and the heat has definitely been turned on.
I get out early in the morning and late in the evening to water my flowers. Even then the humidity is of such that I have trouble breathing so I hasten back inside.
This morning I stayed out just a few minutes longer to listen to the Jenny Wren as she or he sang beside their home.
I have always loved those little birds probably because my grandmother always had them and protected them from intruders. I still remember the day she took after a snake that attempted to get into the Jenny Wren box.
This spring after we had moved, I hung the box close by the patio. After the Jenny Wrens arrived the one kept chattering at me until I finally figured out something was wrong.
I examined the home that they had used each year and found all the stuff in the box and shifted to the front. I pushed it all aside and then the bird went into the box immediately.
The bird was certainly waiting for me to get it ready for eggs to be placed. When I go outside I always get serenaded.
This week I finally spent several hours at the museum putting some things away.
When Marcie Garman Gilroy left Polo, she had told me she had several boxes of memorabilia
All About Birds/The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The House Wren is commonly known as the Jenny Wren.
that needed to go to the museum.
She had been a faithful member for many years and the day came when she moved quite a distance away to live with her daughter. All those boxes have now come into the museum and I am starting to go through them.
Several beautiful dishes that had been given away by businesses and they had to be washed and placed in the cases. Milk bottles from Tip-Top Diary, an unusual strainer that is very old and I forget what business had their name on it.
It is always very interesting going through boxes and finding treasures of the past. There were Polo High School yearbooks and some very old plat books.
I spent quite a bit of time walking back and forth until suddenly I was tired. Time to go home.
As I left I grabbed a book by Horatio Alger, Jr. that was in Marcie’s box from 1910. His books always had an interesting story line and on these hot days I could read.
Later on in the week Lester and Darlene Brooks stopped by with a picture of the Class of 1914 of Polo High School. His father Joseph Brooks was in the picture and of course none of the people were named so I get to find out who they all were in the picture.
If I am lucky the names will be on the picture at the museum. If not then I will go to the newspaper of that year and hope the picture will have been in the paper.
Another mystery to solve.
On Friday Eagle Point neighbors stopped by to say hello. We enjoyed visiting with Diane Brown and Melody Reap on that hot day and while they were still here Kathy Pasch from Forreston arrived.
She had a book for me to sign that would be mailed to Canada. Our Civil War book is still going strong and we keep mailing out copies. Kathy and I were to have been honored at Springfield and that has been put off for a year.
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LOCAL HISTORY The first mayor of Oregon lost 8 of 11 children
James Gale moved to Oregon in 1835, 1 year before city’s founding
Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events important in the Oregon area’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society. The following is one of a series of the articles he has written.
BY OTTO DICK
It’s amazing what James Gale accomplished during his lifetime despite losing seven of his children before they reached the age of maturity.
His son George V. died at the age of 26. James and his wife Caroline are buried at the Gale plot with eight of their children at the Riverside Cemetery.
A cast iron chair sits near the grave marker.
James was born Nov. 2, 1806 at Concord, New Hampshire. This was 12 years before Illinois obtained statehood and 30 years before Oregon City was founded.
He attended local schools before attending the military school at West Point in 1824 and then moved to Boston in 1827. He worked as a Merchant’s Clerk before opening a merchant business in 1831.
In 1832 he married Caroline Gibson who was born in Francistown, New Hampshire. While living in New Hampshire their first son James V. Jr. died at the age of one month.
The Gale family moved to Oregon in 1835 one year before Oregon City was founded and built a cabin.
He engaged in farming until 1848 when he engaged in the mercantile business with Thomas Potwin. In the year 1852 the firm of Gale and Potwin built the first saw-mill near Oregon.
Gale was chosen and appointed to many public positions. He was the first Recorder of Ogle County which position he held for 11 years and the first Justice of the Peace of Oregon.
Twice he served as Supervisor of the town of Oregon. He was the Postmaster of Oregon and elected a member of the Legislature of Illinois for 1863-64.
Gale was elected for the first two terms as Oregon’s first mayor in1870 and 1871 and reelected in 1879. During this time span he served as
ABOVE LEFT: James Gale arrived in Oregon in 1835. ABOVE RIGHT: This newspaper clipping shows an artist’s rendition of the cabin Gale built near Oregon in 1835. BELOW: This chair is located at site of James Gale’s monument. Gale was the first mayor of Oregon.
Vice President of the Chicago and Iowa Railroad which came to Oregon in 1872.
The first train to Oregon was named James V. Gale. James died in 1881, at age 79 he was the oldest resident of Oregon.
I’ll mention again what an amazing life our first mayor lived while living with the deaths of 8 of his 11 children.
In 1870 he wrote a very interesting diary. He explains what live was like during his lifetime.
The following comments about people of Ogle County are from his diary. These give an interesting view about local citizens and the wording in his diary is interesting.
Each of the following are from his narratives about some of the early settlers. I choose not to include the names. Each sentence describes a different person.
“He was not well balanced although a man of Fair Talents. He pretended to have been once a captain in the English Cavalry. A gentlemanly sort of man but was prejudiced again the eastern people. The most pleasure he took was in making money. He was a strong abolitionist, would carry his views to extremes, and has had a good deal of trouble with his neighbors.
“He finds a great deal of fault with other men. We do not fear them, only to look at them with contempt and pity. The old saying is ‘It is darkest just before day’. Men that are born mean always die so. His wife once wrote a book, she thought she was a literary woman, but was mistaken in her calling. John Phelps is a Dunkard in his religious views. He does not know his age, he raised a family of 23 children.”
So when you drive by the small cemetery on North 3 rd Street the metal chair marks the spot of the monument of our first mayor James Gale and his family.
When I drive by the chair reminds me of the many infant deaths that occurred among our early settlers.
Curbside Pick-Up, Limited Services
We are offering curbside pick- up now! Hours for curbside will be Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. -6 p.m. and 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. You can put holds on items in our Library through our catalog or by calling the library at 815-732-2724. Please leave a message if we do not answer and we will get back to you as soon as possible. NO returns will be accepted in person, these items must be placed in the book drop. We look forward to seeing you all soon!
We are fine free so anything checked in will not have a fine. Patrons can place their holds on all materials. Interlibrary Delivery will be resuming at the end of June.
Please be advised that there may be delays. All notices for holds will come from library staff members. PrairieCat has turned OFF all notifications. We do not have an option to turn them on for only our library. We will call or email all patrons to notify them when to pick up their items. No overdue or bill notices will be sent. We will call to notify them when their items are ready for pickup. Please update your contact information if needed.
Library staff is Thanks to Alyssa quarantining returned Parker from Lorado items for a period of Taft Campus, Jeff time. Recently returned Ludwig, bee wranmaterials may remain gler, Ronda Himert, on your account lonJune and Evee, and ger than usual. When Melinda Charbonneau, checked in, library staff University of Illinois will backdate materiExtension, for providals. No overdue fines ing a new approach will be charged. to summer reading
All patron cards that programs. have expired in March, Thank you to all our April and May have participates, adult and been renewed through youth, for sharing in July 1. Keep a lookout around town for this unique summer the Oregon Public Library Super experience.
2020 Summer Readers Live Here yard signs! Reading Program Adult Summer
– Dig Deeper, Read, Reading Program - Investigate, Discover! through Aug. 10
The 2020 summer reading program Join others who are “too old” for has concluded. A huge thank you to our the Children’s Summer Reading Prosponsors, Exelon Corporation, Oregon gram. More details will come through Park District, E.D. Etnyre & Company, our Facebook page and Website: [ FN Smith Corporation, Stillman Bank, http://www.oregonpubliclibrary.com./ ] Friends of the Library, Farrell, Holland, http://www.oregonpubliclibrary.com. Gale Funeral Home, Scott Stephens State Farm Insurance, Jay’s Drive –In Absolute Science Videos and Oregon Lions Club, for helping to Absolute Science is an amazingly make our summer program possible. fun and educational program aimed at children of all ages to become engaged in the world of science through their demonstrations and experiments.
They offer a variety of fun virtual shows that you can view again and again anytime from now until Aug. 31 by clicking on the links posted on the Library website or in your Readsquared account.
Video Story Time
We will continue to post a Video Story Time to our Facebook page on Thursday during the summer reading program. It might be just stories and suggested activities or maybe some off- site guests. So check out the Oregon Public Library Facebook page.
Library Book Clubs
The 2WBC meets Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
The Afternoon Book Club meets Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. to discuss The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin.
Books on Tap Book Club meets on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Cork n Tap to discuss The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.
Saturday, August1•7:00 a.m.–Noon Forreston High School Call 815-938-3130 for an appointment or more information
This sports physical meets IHSA eligibility requirements for all sports. It does NOT meet the requirement fora9 th grade school physical or for new students from out-of-state.
A portion of the Sports Physical Form must be completed and signed by a parent BEFORE the exam. If a parent does not accompany the student,aConsent for Medical Care Form must be signed and brought with the student. IHSAexam forms and FHN Consent for Sports Physical forms can be found at www.fhn.org/areasportsphysicals. Masks are required.
Sports Physical Cost: $ 20
Please make checks payable to FHN. Cash orCheck only. Debit/Creditcards not accepted FHN donates all proceeds from the sports physicals to the school.
Thank You!
Thanks to all the kids who participated in our summer Take and Make kits. We hope you enjoyed them! Be on the lookout for our upcoming kids opportunities this August and September.
New Adult Fiction
Half Moon Bay by Jonathan & Jesse Kellerman
The Order by Daniel Silva
Cajun Justice by James Patterson
Stop in or call 815-738-2742 to place a hold or check out these items
School Supply Time
It’s school supply time again. SSET 4 School will once again be collecting donations of school supplies for the students of Forrestville Valley School District.
This is the 17th year for school supply distribution.
Thanks to the continued generosity of the Forrestville Valley Community - this program continues to thrive! Bring your donations of school supplies to Bertolet
Plastic Recycling
We are still collecting soft plastics for recycling. Bring in your clean, dry bread, cereal, zip top, and grocery store bags. We also accept outer package wrap from items such as paper towels and multi-pack items.
FORRESTON LIBRARY
Library Closure, Appointments
While the library is still closed, anyone needing to send a fax, make copies, or use a computer for taxes, employment, etc. may call the library and schedule an appointment to come in or call or message the library to schedule a half hour time slot to come in and check out materials.
Only members of one household may come in at the same time and everyone over the age of 2 must wear a mask. Call the library at 815-938-2624 for more information.
MT. MORRIS LIBRARY
Curbside Pickup, Inter Library Loans
Curbside Pickup hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Note that hours are subject to change based on demand and public health.
We will notify of all changes as they come. Inter library loans are available.
Mt. Morris patrons can place holds through the catalog or by calling or emailing. Update your contact information if needed.
Library staff is quarantining all returned items for a period of time. Recently returned materials may remain on your account longer than usual.
When checked in, library staff will backdate materials. No overdue fines
POLO LIBRARY
Denny Diamond at the 2020 Out
door Concert Series - Aug. 1 - 6 p.m. - Polo Library Pavilion
The second evening of the 2020 Outdoor Concert Series is with Denny Diamond, who performs covers of Neil Diamond and more.
Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. You’re welcome to bring a picnic to eat while enjoying the music. There is plenty of room to practice safe social
Curbside Pickup
Curbside pickup is still being offered. Pick up times will be scheduled when there is a request. Interlibrary loans have resumed. Due to quarantine policies, delivery may take longer than usual. Call, Facebook message, or email forrestonpubliclibrary@gmail.com for more information.
eBooks-WiFi
As always, eBooks are available through Axis 360 and Biblioboard. For more information on creating an account, contact the library to get set
will be charged. New library cards: Patrons can call or email the library to renew or receive new library cards. Contact the library at 815-734-4927 or mmlib@mtmorris-il.org for more information.
Summer Reading Program
All books needed to be logged in by July 25. We will be contacting everyone who reached their goals about prizes. Thank you to everyone who participated in the program. It was very different this year, but we hope you enjoyed it. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
End of Summer Virtual Talent Show
All summer long you can email pic
distancing.
Coffee With a Cop - Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m. Weather Permitting, Library Pavilion If the weather is questionable, call 815-946-2713 before leaving home to check on the status of this program up. The internet is accessible outside the library by connecting to the WiFi. No password is required.
Summer Reading Program
Weekly activity packets are now available for Preschool-Kindergarten and first through fifth grade. A new topic will be introduced every Wednesday as we “Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, and Discover!”
School Supply Collection
In cooperation with the SSET 4 School program, the library will collect school supplies for local students. The greatest need is for spiral notebooks, 2 pocket folders, loose leaf notebook paper, glue, colored pencils, markers, and crayons. New or gently used backpacks will also be accepted. You may drop supplies off anytime between now and Aug. 7.
Library Updates
Like our Facebook page to stay up to date with the most current information on our summer activities. Also, if you have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact us through email, Facebook messenger, or by phone.
tures or videos of your or your child’s talent to cindy@mtmorris-il.org. Submissions will be accepted until July 25. A video compilation will be edited and added online on Aug. 1.
Get a Library Card
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mt. Morris and Oregon Public Libraries are temporarily waiving nonresident fees and offering that anyone living within the boundaries of the Oregon Unit School District can sign up for a temporary library card.
This special card will allow access to the library’s electronic resources for a limited time period which will be helpful in supporting students’ e-learning as well as meet other informational and recreational needs. This temporary card is valid until Sept. 1.
To apply for a free temporary card, please email Mt. Morris library at mmlib@mtmorris-il.org.
Position Available: program coordinator
Responsible for children and adult programming, handling press releases and media- online and print, performing general library duties, and maintaining bulletin boards and displays.
This is a part time position. All interested applicants please send resume and letter of interest to Mary Cheatwood at mmlib@mtmorris-il.org.
book on Polo Library’s Facebook page - facebook.com/pololibrary.
Online Resources
Download Axis 360, OMNI/Overdrive, Libby, and Biblioboard for books and audiobooks. Links to these resources are available at pololibrary.org. Investigate, Discover!” Our 2020 Summer Reading Program has gone digital. All ages welcome. Go to pololibrary.org to register.
Wi-Fi Access
Wi-Fi is available outside of the library building by joining the Polo Public Library Guest Access network, you do not need a password. Call 815-946-2713 or email library@pololibrary.org.
LIVE MUSIC Free concert at Polo library on Aug. 1
The Polo Public Library, 302 W. Mason St., will have a free concert on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Denny Svehla, aka Denny Diamond, has spent more than 20 years traveling the country performing the songs and telling stories of the inspiration behind the music of Neil Diamond.
Svehla performs a list of hits and selections that graced the tracks of your favorite LP’s, 8-tracks and cassettes.
This is an outdoor concert so there is plenty of space to social distance.
Denny Svehla, aka Denny Diamond, will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 1 at Polo Public Library.
Attendees should bring their own chairs or blanket to sit on and a picnic to eat while enjoying the music.
Call the library at 815-946-2713 for more information.
• Oregon Republican Reporter • Mt. Morris Times • Tri-County Press • Forreston Journal
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Call 815-632-2518 to subscribe today!
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SPECIAL EVENT Benefit rummage sale set for July 30-Aug. 2
If you are looking for a barn and yard sale that could completely furnish your home and yard, look no further than the Jack of All Trades and Jill’s Too Barn Sale.
The sale, located at 1194 W Mud Creek Road north of Oregon, will be held July 30-Aug. 2 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., rain or shine. Masks will be needed to enter and distancing will be important.
All proceeds from the sale will go to the Serenity Hospice and Home.
“Rummage is coming in every day,” said organizer Karen Virnoche. “Car loads of heirlooms, items from re imaging a room, possessions that accumulate over the years, fishing, hunting and camping gear along with tools like you never seen before, and bits and pieces of this and that are being delivered to the barn.
“We all know it is important to recycle. This is the perfect place
to find something that can be transformed into a treasure,” said Virnoche. “Why not come and look – you may find something unique to refurbish.”
Virnoche said there are many items that will help customers renovate or provide an accent to a room. “Yard and garden items are a great bargain too. Vintage is the word. There are too many collector pieces to describe,” she said. “Five estates have donated rummage and antiques because they are moving or downsizing. If you have come to the sale in the past, please come again. If you have never come to the sale, you don’t know what you are missing and this is the year to find out bring your friends. There is something for everyone.”
For more information, call Virnoche at 815-973-2050.
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SPECIAL CLASSES Serenity Hospice Home offers free 8-week grief class
“Understanding Your Grief,” a free 8-week class will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Aug. 4-22 at Serenity Hospice Home, 1658 S. Illinois 2.
The structure of the group will follow the book by Alan D. Wolfelt, noted author, educator, and grief counselor, which covers 10 touchstones in the areas of physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual growth to help through the grief process.
Wolfelt has written many books about healing after the loss of a loved one and is considered a leading grief educator. The class will be facilitated by Cathy Warren, Serenity’s bereavement coordinator.
“I am very excited to offer a class like this one,” said Warren. “Our grief groups are usually open-ended and people come and go as they travel through their own journey of grief. This is a more structured approach and the participant will know exactly when it will end.”
Each participant will receive a free copy of the book.
In an effort to contain the spreading of the COVID-19 virus, temperatures will be taken upon entering the building, and face masks are required.
PUBLIC VOICE
Impromptu parade, bell ringing was held in Mt. Morris on July 4
Dear Editor,
It has been rumored that Mt. Morris held an unofficial 2020 bell ringing ceremony and July 4 parade. Yes, there were both!
As a hometown girl, who wouldn’t consider spending July 4 anywhere but Mt. Morris, I fretted for days over this year’s unusual Independence Day and canceled Let Freedom Ring Festival.
I have always been intrigued, gripped by the words John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams, on 3 July 1776: (This day, July 4) “ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, Games, Sports, … Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
As a former LFR Committee member, LFR Chairman, and Co-Chairman with my husband, Rich, my sadness and disappointment were justified.
After more than 70 years of consecutive Mt. Morris’ July 4 th celebrations, in 2020 there would be no public evidences, “no great anniversary Festival” that is synonymous with our village, our essence.
So, at 12:30 p.m. this July 4, Rich and I parked our truck on Wesley Avenue in front of the band shell and surveyed the campus. Earlier we concurred that it was appropriate to transport our antique church bell uptown and uphold the 60 year old tradition of ringing bells across the nation at exactly 2 p.m. Eastern.
On Saturday morning we shared our plan with Bill and Kathy Clark who had suggested (through social media the previous day) that an impromptu “all are welcome” July 4 parade was in order.
Festival grounds were desolate, eerily silent, totally devoid of revelers or a single other person, not one. In my mind’s
The bell was rung 13 times, no less and perhaps slightly more for good measure. All applauded. As for the parade, it began at 2 p.m. from the Church of the Brethren and followed the LFR parade route. There were approximately 20 units with decorated cars, trucks, and golf carts. Notably, the Jerry Wickam American Legion Post #1148 from Leaf River unit led the parade. Flags waved, hands waved, horns honked, and our bell rang. The parade was homespun, totally unexpected, welcomed, and most importantly, came from our hearts! At left, Rich Mongan stands in front of the bell shortly before 1 p.m. on July 4. At right, a bell was in the back of the truck. “It was an emotional moment for me. We were the only ones on the campus,” said Connie Mongan who submitted the photos. Worthy of note is that the parade was dedicated in memory of LFR Committee Member Janice Hough who with her eye I saw the thousands of jubilant festiLenny Wells (Vietnam Veteran); Jeff and sister, JoLynn Ward, planned, organized, val goers, young and old, acquaintances, April Bold; a nice young couple with their and implemented the official LFR Festival classmates, neighbors, friends, family, young daughter; and us, Rich (Vietnam Parade for over 20 years. and strangers who had enjoyed past fesVeteran) and me. The impromptu parade and the ringing tivities over my lifetime. Lacking an honor guard and orator for of a nondescript church bell by a few
Tears streamed down my face. We the occasion, Kathy Clark improvised village citizens solemnized the day and had the time to notice “ONE NATION asking us to join in singing the Star Spangave “public evidence” of the abiding UNDER GOD” omitted from the west wall gled Banner prior to ringing the bell. spirit of July 4 in Mt. Morris where Freeof the band shell. Also missing, the red, Beholding our fledgling group, I sugdom Rings regardless of circumstance. white and blue bunting proudly displayed gested our best option was to recite the Sincerely, annually for the holiday. Pledge of Allegiance. Connie Mongan
We strained to read the names of the Socially distanced, united we stood. Mt. Morris friends and family who built the yoke for the bell tower and carved their names there.
All have passed.
We reminisced about our times at the LFR helm and our appreciation for Clarence “Sandy” Sandstrom’s tireless efforts and determination to make Mt. Morris “the destination” to spend Independence Day. We paid homage to fallen Vietnam sol diers Don Hendricks and Ed Remmers. • LLawn Maintenance • Pressure Washing • Spring/Fall Cleanup • Landscaping • Gutter Cleaning • Snow Removal • Free Estimates M i P W hi
As 1 p.m. grew near, a little over a dozen people appeared: Samantha Bow“When Perfection Matters” | Call Steve Hershberger, Owner ers (2019 Let Freedom Ring Queen) and her mother; Bill and Kathy Clark; Stan 815-973-6215 (Vietnam Veteran) and Angie Burke, SM-ST1792557
SPECIAL EVENT Flip Flops and Blood Drops Blood Drive Aug. 3
Drive is in honor of twin sisters who were born prematurely
The American Red Cross is joining family and friends to host the Flip Flops and Blood Drops Blood Drive in honor of Lana and Ellie Troha, on Monday, Aug. 3.
The event is from noon to 6 p.m. at the VFW Building community room at 318 4th Ave. in Rochelle.
Appointments are strongly encouraged to abide with social distancing guidelines.
All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross window cling and a $10 Visa gift card (via email), courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last.
In April 2014, Gabby and Derek Troha went on a Florida vacation anticipating wearing flip flops, enjoying sunshine and smiles as they waited for the birth of their twin girls in August.
However, while there, Gabby was rushed into emergency surgery at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. The girls, Lana and Ellie, were born later that day at 23 weeks 5 days and placed in the NICU.
On April 28, Ellie’s health took a turn for the worse and she received a blood transfusion in an effort to help save her life.
Unfortunately, it was not enough and Ellie passed away from a bacterial infection.
A week later, Lana caught the same bacterial infection in addition to having a meconium blockage in her intestines and a grade three brain bleed. Within her first four months of life, Lana miraculously survived all complications and received eight units of blood.
Looking at Lana now, it’s hard to imagine she once weighed 1 pound 6 ounces and was 11 inches long at birth. Today the 6-year old is healthy, happy and continues to grow, thanks in part to generous blood donors and lifesaving blood donations.
“Hosting the Flip Flops and Blood Drops blood drive is a wonderful way to remember Ellie, honor Lana and help patients in need,” Gabby said. “Last year’s blood drive was
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a huge success and I want to again reach out to the community for their support and collect even more donations to help save more lives.
“Our family feels forever blessed by the turnout and support to not only our girls who both needed blood, but those who need it now, and to those who rely on the blood that’s on the shelves at the very moment.”
For the last eight years Gabby has been a team leader for the collections staff for the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region.
“Never did I expect that when I started eight years ago, that my own daughters would need the gift of blood,” Troha said. “The Red Cross is not just a job to me, it’s much more personal than that. Every day I go to work I am reminded why I’m there and who I’m helping. Every donor has a story and it’s equally important for them to donate as it is for me to be there. Without each other there wouldn’t be a supply of blood to help save lives.” 2018 was the first year the blood drive was held in the twin’s honor and to date 90 life saving donations have been collected.
Lana and Gabby Troha
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to protect the health of all those in attendance.
To donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.
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BAILEYVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
303 W. Franklin St., Baileyville Pastor Gary Branam www.baileyvillebaptistchurch.org
BAILEYVILLE REFORMED CHURCH
400 W. Center St., Baileyville Pastor Bruce Otto 815-235-1201
BROOKVILLE & ELKHORN
UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES
Brookville: 17725 W. Chamber St. in Brookville Elkorn: Corner of Wilson Mill &
Brick Church Roads
CHANA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 606 Main St., Chana Pastor Matt Smith 815-732-7683 chanaumc@gmail.com
CHRIST OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH 2035 Ill. Rt. 26, Dixon 815-284-4554 Pastor David Andermann 815-632-6767
OPEN BIBLE 302 S. Franklin St., Polo Luke Schier, Pastor 815-946-2848 PoloOpenBible.org
CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CHURCH Polo Campus 205 N. Jefferson Ave., Polo Pastor Chris Bradshaw 815-837-5255 polo@crossroadscn.com www.crossroadscn.com
DISCIPLES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 102 N. Maple St., Mt. Morris Pastor Julie Bunt 815-734-4853 www.disciplesumc.org
EAST JORDAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
22027 Polo Rd., Sterling
Jim Miller, Pastor 815-626-0104
EAST OREGON CHAPEL CHURCH OF GOD
107 N. Daysville Rd., Oregon Pastor John Guthrie 815-732-2960 or 815-732-6569
EBENEZER REFORMED CHURCH
2997 N. German Church Rd.
EMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 764 N. Stillman Road, Oregon (Payne’s Point) Pastor Andrew Kayes 815-732-2424
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF MT. MORRIS 102 S. Seminary St., Mt. Morris Senior Pastor Bruce McKanna Associate Pastor Logan Murphy 815-734-4942 www.efcmm.org office@efcmm.org
FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH 801 W. Oregon St., Polo Pastor Jeremy Heller 815-946-3588
FAITH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 402 Second Ave., Forreston Pastor Scott Ralston Church 815-938-3203
FAITH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 702 E. Dixon St., Polo Pastor Brian LeBaron 815-946-3212 faithumcpolo
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 505 Hill St., Oregon Pastor David Snow 815-732-2642 www.fbcoregon.org
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) 200 S. Fifth St., Oregon Rev. Karen Gerhard Conner 815-732-2894 www.fpcoregon.com
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
FORRESTON GROVE CHURCH
7246 N. Freeport Rd., Forreston Presbyterian Church in America Pastor Drew Jones 815-938-3605 www.forrestongrovechurch.com
FORRESTON REFORMED CHURCH
501 Third Ave.
FREEDOM LUTHERAN
CHURCH, ELCA
GERMAN VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Church and Main Streets Pastor Don Plock
GRACE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
8210 E. Edwardsville Rd., German Valley
Pastor Eric Schlukebir 815-362-6601
LEAF RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH 6941 N. Mt. Morris Rd., Leaf River Pastor Billy Hardy 815-738-2205 leafriverbc@gmail.com
LEAF RIVER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 104 E. Rt. 72, Leaf River Pastor Sung-Eun Kim 815-345-3038
LIGHTHOUSE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 4938 S. Daysville Rd., Oregon Pastor Matt Smith
MT. MORRIS CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 409 W. Brayton Rd, P.O. Box 2055 Mt. Morris, IL 61054 Pastor Ginny Haney Phone: 815-734-4573
NORTH GROVE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
10384 W. Coffman Rd.,
Forreston
Pastor Mark Phillips
Church: 815-938-2194 Pastor’s Cell: 760-550-4563
OREGON CHURCH OF GOD
860 W. Oregon Trail Rd. Pastor Michael Hoffman 815-732-6847
OREGON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 200 S. Fourth, Oregon Rev. Megan Smick 815-732-2994 oregonumc@outlook.com
PINE CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH 5076 S. Lowell Park Rd. Pastor Charlotte Hoppe 815-946-3949
POLO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN Congress Ave. & Webster St. PoloCob3@rgmail.com
PRAIRIE DELL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 16032 W. Coffman Rd., Shannon 815-864-2448
RIVERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
609 S. 10th St., Oregon
Craig Arnold, Pastor 812-236-1213
ST. BRIDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1000 Ill. 64 West Oregon Rev. Eldred George 815-732-7211 www.saintbrides.org saint.bride.church@gmail.com
ST. JAMES
LUTHERAN CHURCH
6024 N. Columbine Rd., Forreston Rev. Karyn Kost 815-661-6315 pastorofstjames1850@gmail.com
ST. MARK’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 201 N. Division Ave., Polo Pastor Terrie Wilder 815-946-2919
ST. MARY CHURCH 301 N. Fourth St., Oregon Father Joseph P. Naill Office Phone 815-732-7383 Office FAX 815-732-4742
ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH 213 N. Franklin Ave., Polo Father Joseph P. Naill 815-946-2535
ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 114 S. Fifth St., Oregon 815-732-2367
ST. WENDELIN CATHOLIC CHURCH
18 S. Linn St., Shannon
Rev. Michael Bolger 815-864-2548
SAUK VALLEY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 416 Prospect St., Dixon John Lewis, Pastor 815-677-9199
SILVER CREEK REFORMED CHURCH 326 S. Bunker Hill Rd. German Valley Pastor Grant Mulder 815-362-2129
TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 308 E. Brayton Mt. Morris Pastor Josh Ehrler 815-734-6354 trinitymmil@frontier.com www.trinitymmil.net
VAN BROCKLIN-FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3582 Bolton Rd.., Freeport Pastor Dawn Barr 815-291-0601
WEST BRANCH CHURCH
OF THE BRETHREN
4014 West Branch Rd.,
Forreston 815-938-2586
How to submit church news
Changes in church listings and articles about special church services and events can be emailed to news@oglecountynews.com. For more information call 815-732-6166 ext. 2591.
BUSINESS FEATURE Ranch sees increase in business due to COVID-19
Grass-fed beef is key to herd health and the environment
BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com
Dan Dietrich is a fourth generation farmer on his family’s land north of Mt. Morris.
But he doesn’t raise livestock the way the generations before him did. And he doesn’t do it the way other area farmers do, either.
Dietrich Ranch offers grass fed, pasture-raised products from animals without hormones and antibiotics. Eighty percent of sales goes to wholesale customers and 20 percent is sold to individuals in larger portions and different cuts.
“I wanted to be more holistic,” Dan Dietrich said. “It helped me get a relationship with the customers. It’s a market for beef that’s clean in nature. There’s a premium for our beef. It’s not a huge difference. We still have a good local product. It’s a different marketing system.”
The meat industry has been impacted greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some meat processing plants were closed due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Restaurants being closed changed what products were in demand in markets. Many farmers were stuck with low prices or had nowhere to take their livestock.
Because Dietrich Ranch is directto-market, it didn’t have those problems. Dietrich booked processing dates a year and a half in advance.
“This has been a problem in agriculture for a long time,” Dietrich said. “We have only so many markets we can sell to. When you are a price taker, you’re selling at whatever. I can be a price maker. That attracted me.”
Over the past few years, Dietrich has finished about 100 head of cattle a year. This year, he’s looking at 250-300 because of an increase in interest and people looking to shop local with the pandemic going on.
Dietrich would like to see the meat industry swing back in the direction of local producers. He believes COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the problems in the industry and has acted as a catalyst in ways that could keep money local and help small communities thrive again.
“People are becoming aware of how valuable local meat can be,” Dietrich said. “COVID-19 just woke people that maybe didn’t see the
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@shawmedia.com
ABOVE: Cattle graze in the shade at Dietrich Ranch in rural Mt. Morris. The farm provides customers with grass fed locally raised and processed beef. BELOW LEFT: Dan Dietrich closes a gate on Dietrich Ranch. BELOW RIGHT: Dietrich Ranch also raises free-range chickens for meat. The ranch has seen an increase in the number of customers looking for locally raised beef and chicken.
advantage of that. If something disruptive happens with the grocery store, where will we go? That’s here. Back in the 1950s, that’s how everyone did it. They knew a farmer and bought it directly. Now it’s a natural reaction.”
Growing up in the mid to late 90s, the Dietrich family had several operations. Dan’s dad had hogs and his grandfather had cattle. His uncle milked cows.
And then the older generation retired. Dan wanted to keep going. The infrastructure on the family farm was old. Grass fed beef was gaining popularity.
In 2009, Dietrich seeded grass and turned cattle out in the pasture and started implementing more holistic practices. The health of the land is important to him.
“People are out here seeing the landscape and the health of the cattle and cleanliness,” Dietrich said. “There’s little erosion from water and rain. The soil is improving. Once they see that, it’s cool. The great tasting beef is just a bonus.”
The farm has three parcels. Dietrich rents the 200 acres that livestock graze over from the family and runs it mostly alone. He always had an interest in continuing the
operation and wants to be viable for future generations. He has an eightyear-old daughter and a six-year-old son.
“When you’re fourth generation, you don’t want to be the one that lost it,” Dietrich said. “I have a love and interest for it. It keeps me motivated to continue to learn and figure out a way. I want it to be there for them and set examples for other farms and people just starting out.”
Dietrich Ranch also offers pork. lamb, and chicken.
For more information, visit https://www.dietrichranch.com or call 815-973-6879.
EDUCATION Polo superintendent tackles pandemic head on
Kelly Mandrell is the new leader of the Polo School District
BY CODY CUTTER ccutter@shawmedia.com
For new Polo schools Superintendent Kelly Mandrell, the COVID-19 challenges are mounting, and she has spent the first couple of weeks in her new position trying to figure it all out and get her district ready for learning, in whatever capacity it turns out to be.
At the moment, does she know what school will be like?
“Not yet,” Mandrell said. “A lot of people are working toward their plans, and there’s a couple of ideas.”
Tackling the major issue has taken up lots of desk and computer time for Mandrell and other superintendents in the area. As many as two or three webinars a day are devoted to preparing the district for the coming year, and with each webinar comes a slew of amended plans.
“As with any new job, you’re always learning,” Mandrell said. “You’re just constantly learning and finding out about the community, as well as the way the school works.”
Because of the time devoted to these sessions, she hasn’t met everyone she needs to within the district yet, but will soon, she said.
“With the guidelines constantly changing, this is kind of what I need to be doing right now. I’ve started
YOUR ENVIRONMENT
The next Ogle County Solid Waste Management electronic recycling drop off will be held on Friday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the County Annex Building, 909 Pines Road.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, guidelines put in place by the OCSWMD for acceptable electronic items are: • All residents must show a valid Ogle County identification (driver’s license, voter registration card, recent utility bill) • Residents must stay in their vehicles at all times with the windows closed. • Electronic items must be clear of original packaging and must be making appointments with people, so that’s a good thing.”
During her first week, Mandrell put out a survey to parents of the district’s students seeking their feedback about school procedures – social distancing, face masks, and learning methods – that may come in the fall.
The responses, Mandrell said, have been “good” and should help her put together a plan for learning by next week. Once that plan is out, another survey is planned based on that plan.
Don’t expect things to be set in stone, she said.
“As we put out our plan, we also know that our plan is going to update,” Mandrell said. “With any school year, there are going to be some ups and downs, and this is just kind of the bigger one that’s one that we have to really work on and figure out a little quicker.”
Mandrell is one of four new superintendents in the region, and the more experienced school heads have been quite the help for her and the other rookies, she said.
“It makes you feel very welcome,” she said.
Mandrell was principal at Pearl City Junior-Senior High School for 7 years. Prior to that, she was a counselor at Forreston schools, and taught kindergarten at Stillman Valley and Rochelle schools for 1 year each.
Staying home to serve her community was a prime factor in seeking the position, she said. Her husband, Jon, is vice president of academics and student services at Sauk Valley loaded into trunk, truck bed, trailer, or rear of a van or SUV, and easily accessible to county to remove. • A limit of seven bulky items per vehicle will be accepted (a box or tub loaded with smaller items is considered one bulky item. •. Microwave ovens are $5 per unit. Tape an envelope with payment to the outside of the device before arriving with cash or check (exact amount only; no change available), payable to Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department. • Anyone feeling ill or those who have items from a residence tested positive for COVID, are asked to recycle at a later date.
Michael Krabbenhoeft/Shaw Media
Kelly Mandrell, new superintendent of Polo schools, has kept busy during her first couple of weeks on the job. Her district, like others here and nationwide, is devising ways to safely return students to school in the fall.
Community College in Dixon, and before that was Polo’s police chief. They have two daughters, Laynie and Macie.
Each of the district’s three principals – Andy Faivre at the high school, Mark Downey at the middle school and Melydi Huyett at the elementary school – are back this year, and that has helped the transition process, Mandrell said.
Mandrell’s predecessor, Chris Rademacher, had been in education for 31 years, and was superintendent at Polo for 17. He is the reigning Polo Chamber of Commerce Citizen of
Accepted items include all televisions, computers, computer monitors, computer hardware and cables, printers, FAX machines, copiers, scanners, video gaming items, VCRDVD players, cable and satellite boxes, cell phones, tablets, laptops, radios, stereo equipment (no wooden speakers), digital clocks, holiday light strands, extension cords, phone systems, calculators, shredders (no plastic tubs), rechargeable batteries, CFL bulbs, and printer ink cartridges.
Non-acceptable items are: Items smoke detectors, coffee makers, toasters, bread makers, vacuum cleaners, fans, heaters, air conditioners or the Year, in honor of his personal fundraising efforts for the community, which have tallied more than $26,000 during his two decades in town.
Now, Polo’s new schools chief looks to be just as impactful.
“I’m enjoying it,” Mandrell said. “It’s a great district to work for, and I’m privileged to work with the great team that I have here within the school district and the great community Polo is.
“We want to keep everyone who is part of this district safe, and that’s
Ogle County electronic recycling event July 31
our main goal as a district.” dehumidifiers, lamps, power tools, alkaline batteries, LED bulbs, exercise equipment, medical equipment of any kind, toys or drones, business or institutional electronic items, and any packaging from electronic items such as boxes, plastic wrapping, and Styrofoam.
Recycling events may be cancelled or abruptly ended due to weather conditions, warehouse volumes, staffing issues, events related to the COVID19 global pandemic, or for other uncontrollable events or situations. Call the OCSWMD at 815-732-4020, go to oglecounty.org, or Ogle County Solid Waste Management Dept. on Facebook for more information.
