Anniversaries

Darrell, Cleo Bauer mark 65 years

Darrell and Cleo Bauer celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Aug 6.

Darrell James Bauer and Cleo Velma Scharr were united in marriage on Aug. 6, 1955 in Lima Wisconsin, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Shortly thereafter, they moved to Oregon for work on the railroad and to raise their family.

They were blessed with 8 children, a foster son, and their spouses, and 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Their home has always been filled with love. Family, or not, anyone is welcomed by them.

Darrell and Cleo Bauer were married on Aug. 6, 1955

Ed and Molly Baker were married on Aug. 8, 1970 at Disciples Methodist Church in Mt. Morris.

Ed, Molly Baker celebrate 50th anniversary

Ed and Molly Baker will marked their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 8.

They were married on Aug. 8, 1970 at Disciples Methodist Church in Mt. Morris. They lived in Columbia, Missouri, while in college and in Rockford, while Ed completed a medical residency in family medicine while Molly worked for the Girl Scouts.

They also lived in Macomb for 36 years, while Ed practiced medicine and Molly completed a PhD and taught at Western Illinois University.

They have four children, Gretchen (Greg Krogen) Baker of Culver City, California; Grant Baker of Rockford; Maren (Matt) Baker Swank of Boise, Idaho; and Mitchell (Kali Moody) Baker of Alexandria, Virginia; and grandchildren, Willa, Hollis and Rian Swank; Svea Krogen and Lila Baker.

In 2012, they retired to the Baker family farm (founded in 1843) in rural Mt. Morris. A celebratory trip with family is scheduled for next summer.

• MUM SALE

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Mums will be available for pick up from 3-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 and 9 a.m. – 12 noon Saturday, Sept. 19 at 284 Cultra Drive in Oregon, just north of the Blackhawk Steak Pit.

Contact Julie Cain with any questions that you may have or to place an order 815-519-2593.

All proceeds from the sale will support the KB Fund. The fund has been established to support those in our community that have been burdened by a medical crisis.

To learn more about the KB Fund and fundraising efforts visit: www. KBToughRun.com.

“Thank you for your continued support,” Sheffield said.

WILD WEATHER Forreston picks up the pieces after violent storm

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

It took a village on Tuesday to clean up some of Mother Nature’s mess from Monday.

Just 24 hours after Forreston sustained tree and wire damage to 48 blocks from an afternoon storm, both public and private workers had cleared “at least” 90 percent of trees and debris.

“It’s a tribute to the people around here,” Village President Mark Metzger said. “Just the fact when you see something like this everyone comes together to help each other out. We’ve had people help with patching roofs, you name it. From that standpoint, it’s amazing. On the other hand, living and growing up in this area, it’s something you’re expected to do and it really is no surprise.”

Forreston, currently under a disaster proclamation, is still without power and natural gas. Metzger and Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said ComEd would be starting its work on Tuesday evening, but there is no timeline for the return of services.

Thirteen blocks had buildings sustain structural damage. Candlelight mobile home park took the brunt of the storm, an area which Forreston Fire Department Chief Mark Daws called “basically total devastation.”

The center of operations has been Forreston’s Fire Department building. A cooling bus has been provided there for the community and workers along with ice, water and a chance to cool down.

Some residents claim they have been told they could be without power for the remainder of the week.

“I think whenever something like this happens and you’re without power, the rumor mill starts going and it escalates,” Metzger said. “They haven’t given us a time. I’m hoping it will be much sooner than the weekend. We have a lot of poles snapped and repairs that need to be done.”

The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are in the area helping those affected with food, water and resources. The Salvation Army fed 200 people for breakfast and 150-200 for both lunch and dinner on Tuesday.

A shelter was established at the Leaf River Complex for those displaced from their homes, but it was not used Monday evening.

“Nobody took advantage of it or showed up,” Metzger said. “Typically we find when this happens is friends and families take those

Alex T. Paschal/Shaw Media ABOVE: Kendall White (left), 14, Autum Pritchard, 14, Chloe Pritchard and Caylee White, 17, take a break after working to help clean

up the neighborhood in Forreston. The group lives at the damaged trailer park and went out to help clean up parks and neighbors’

yards. BELOW: A resident picks up debris that was caught on a fence.

displaced people. That’s what happened. As of right now, that shelter is no longer needed. Everyone we’ve talked to is staying with friends and family.”

Damage assessment was scheduled to begin Wednesday. Building structures will be evaluated by experts. Forreston’s Township building was among the ones to sustain damage.

“They’re going to take a look at the whole situation,” Metzger said. “I understand these engineers can detect stuff that can’t be seen with the common eye. Once we get that assessment we’ll have a clearer picture of what is damaged and what isn’t.”

The village took to its Facebook page Tuesday to advise those affected on what steps to take. They included cautioning the hiring of contractors, as village hall plans to look into which are license and insured. There is an 8:30 p.m. curfew in place in Forreston until further notice that will be “strictly enforced.”

Verizon has provided chargers and WiFi at the fire department. The Red Cross and Salvation Army donated tools like rakes and shovels to help with cleanup. Residents displaced by the storm and in need of shelter or other needs, can call the Red Cross at 877-597-0747.

Those that have been affected

by the storm that need emergency assistance should contact Tri-County Opportunities Council’s Ogle County Outreach Workers Renee 815-562-5838 or Alicia 815-718-2387.

“If people have uninsured loss or damage to property, please talk to the fire department or village officials as soon as possible,” Metzger said.

VanVickle anticipates the county and additional resources will stay in the village through at least the end of the week.

“I would imagine for cleanup it’ll be through the end of the week,” VanVickle said. “For food and things it’ll be for a while. There’s no fuel or power in town. We’re trying to support them.”

WILD WEATHER Aug. 10 storm knocked out power to thousands

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

After Monday’s storm that included winds over 100 miles per hour, 375,000 people were without power north of Interstate 80 in Illinois.

That included 7,500 Ogle County residents. Power lines were still down as of Tuesday evening. Sixteen county roads were closed due to downed line and damage, Sheriff Brian VanVickle said.

Some claimed they have been told that the could be without power for the remainder of the week while ComEd makes its way to the area to repair transmission lines and poles.

“That’s been a concern and we continue to address it where it hit the hardest,” VanVickle said. “We have the Red Cross and the Salvation Army getting people the things they need. We’re making sure everyone gets the basics.”

VanVickle said ComEd has been trying to get extra workers and was scheduled to make its way to Forreston Tuesday evening — the part of the county that was hit the worst.

Tree removal was done in areas where possible Tuesday to clear the way for ComEd when workers make their way to the area.

“With public and private help, we’re getting people back in their homes,” VanVickle said. “We’re in a good position today after a lot of work. There’s no current timeline from ComEd though.”

VanVickle said cleanup will continue through the end of the week and food and resource availability will likely be longer than that, especially for the community of Forreston, which currently has no electrical power.

The sheriff is no stranger to devastating storms. A tornado destroyed his home in 2015 near Rochelle. Storms have been common in the years since. But so has support from community members.

“That’s one thing we see,” VanVickle said. “We see storms like this every year now, unfortunately. Every time that rural midwest group comes to help people. People come from all over. That’s exactly what you expect living here.”

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

ComEd crews were busy Monday night and Tuesday repairing transmission lines across the region following the Aug. 10 storm.

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NEW BUSINESS COMING Ogle County Brewery to open in Oregon this fall

Microbrewery will have ‘something for everyone’

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com

When Joshua Skinner and Brian Wynn first discussed opening a microbrewery late last year, they were joking.

“Earlier this year, we thought it could be good for us and the community,” Wynn said. “We got serious in February.”

Now the pair and their third business partner, Mike Basciak, are working to get Ogle County Brewery open this fall in Oregon’s old National Clothing building on the corner of Illinois 64 and Illinois 2.

The microbrewery is slated to open in October or November. The city approved its liquor license at a meeting last month.

“We’re passionate about brewing beer on a large scale that we can share with others,” Skinner said. “More than sitting around with friends and family, but the entire community. There will be something for everyone.”

The beer that Ogle County Brewery produces will be organic. Its products will include blueberry blondes, porters and IPAs. Skinner and Wynn are particularly passionate about “old-school” authentic German beers.

Skinner has been brewing beer in his garage for many years. His capacity there is 24 gallons at a time. In the new operation, the owners will be able to brew in four five-barrel systems.

Liquor and wine will be served at Ogle County Brewery as well. There will be games to keep people entertained. The plan for food has yet to be devised.

“We’ll have some sort of variety of food,” Wynn said. “Finger food-type stuff will be first. We’ll be teaming up with local restaurants. In the future, we’re not sure where it’ll go. We want to help the other businesses around us.”

Skinner and Wynn are longtime county residents. Skinner manages several companies both in Illinois and Florida. Wynn has a construction background and works for Thrivent Financial. Basciak is a Florida resident.

The ownership group looked around for locations and thought about building something new

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Joshua Skinner (left) and Brian Wynn, owners of the new Ogle County Brewery, stand by one of the brick walls in the interior the old National Clothing House building in downtown Oregon. The business is slated to open mid-October in the historic building.

before talking to Oregon Mayor Ken Williams, who informed them about the old National Clothing building, owned and renovated by Mark Gale and Kevin Wiegmann.

Skinner said it was love at first sight with the building that dates back to the 1800s. Wynn agreed.

“The owners want to keep it historical,” Wynn said. “When we approached them they were enthusiastic and partnered with us on our vision. We need it operational, but we also like the historical aspect.”

Williams and the city are excited about the new business, with it filling one of the last open downtown storefronts. TIF money has been made available to Ogle County Brewery.

“It’s going to be a very interesting spot,” Williams said. “We hope to attract new business downtown. People go on microbrewery tours. Sometimes you need something to get things started.”

The microbrewery plans to have around 10 employees, Wynn said. It will start on a revolving basis, which could change depending on where the COVID-19 pandemic stands during opening.

The ownership group said it has discussed the risks of opening a new

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Concrete work continued this week on the new Ogle County Brewery that will be located in the old National Clothing House building at the the corner of Illinois 2 and Illinois 64 in downtown Oregon. Large glass windows will be installed to showcase the tanks.

business during the pandemic, but believes it’s equipped to deal with whatever COVID-19 brings its way.

The microbrewery will be selling growlers for customers to take home and it plans to have canning at some point.

Financially-speaking, the group isn’t in a hurry to open.

“The way we have things structured and financed, we’re not in a huge rush to make a huge amount of money,” Skinner said. We don’t have loans and percentages. It’s funded in house. We can semi open if we have to.”