OUTDOOR RECREATION
Bangs and booms can disturb nesting birds, other wildlife STAFF REPORT
THOMSON – Those heading to the Mississippi River for a boating or camping trip should be aware that while most of the Refuge land and water is open for public enjoyment, offices and visitor centers will remain closed until further notice. Fireworks are not allowed on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Ref-
uge due to their disturbance to wildlife and the litter they leave behind. The abrupt lights and sounds are often seen as a threat by nesting bald eagles and easily startle great blue herons and other colony nesting birds. The shock of fireworks can cause wildlife to flee, ending up in unexpected areas or roadways, flying into buildings and other obstacles, and even abandoning nests, leaving young vulnerable to predators. Also, litter from firecrackers, bottle rockets and other explosives can be choking hazards for wildlife and may be toxic if ingested. The Refuge includes most islands and beaches on the Mis-
sissippi River from Wabasha, Minnesota to Rock Island, Illinois. Check the maps located at www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/map.to see where boundaries are. Federal law enforcement officers will be patrolling the Refuge looking for fireworks as well as glass bottles, which are banned on Refuge beaches. The fine for glass bottles is $175; $225 for fireworks possession and use. Officers also want to remind people of the importance of wearing their personal floatation devices (PFDs) while on the water. Go to www.fws.gov/midwest/ news/IndependenceDay.html for more information.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
A great egret walks in the water near Lock & Dam 13 near Thomson.
POLO LIBRARY PrairieCat/Encore online ordering. We ask that you continue to return items, as you are done with them, through the book drop that will continue to be open 24/7. After items are returned, they will still appear on your account while they are quarantined, then they will be checked back in and backdated to when they were returned. 2020 Outdoor Concert Series - July 11 - 6 p.m. Polo Library Pavillion We will be kicking off our 2020 Outdoor Concert Series with The Beaux, a classic rock (1960s-1990s) cover band. The concert starts at 6 p.m. Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on. You’re wel-
come to bring a picnic to eat while you enjoy the music! There is plenty of room to practice safe social distancing. Story Time with Ms. Phyllis At 10:30 a.m. every Saturday through June and July, Ms. Phyllis will be reading a picture 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. 2020 Summer Reading Program June 1 - July 31 - “Dig Deeper: Read,
Investigate, Discover!” Our 2020 Summer Reading Program has gone digital! We have programs for all ages. Visit our website, pololibrary.org, to register. Wi-Fi Access Wi-Fi is still available outside of the library building by joining the Polo Public Library Guest Access network, you do not need a password. Questions? If you have any questions or comments, please let us know by calling 815946-2713 or emailing library@pololibrary. org.
MT. MORRIS LIBRARY Curbside Pickup, Inner Library Loans Curbside Pickup will remain an option for patrons wishing to remain outside. Curbside Pickup will happen during the hours of 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday. Please note that hours are subject to change based on demand and public health. Mt. Morris Patrons can place holds through the catalog or by calling or emailing. We will call to notify them when their items are ready for pickup. Please 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 back-
date materials. No overdue fines will be charged. All patron cards that have expired in March, April, and May have been renewed through July 1. Please contact us for further renewal. Summer Reading Program! Summer Reading Program is upon us! Unlike years past we will have no in person programs. Instead we will be using an online resource to track books, provide missions to complete at home, and track rewards. We will have fun rewards for those who reach goals at the end of the summer. This will include Mary Cheatwood dressing up as either a Princess, a Clown, or a Dinosaur if we collectively
can read 1700 books! New Missions - Every Monday Log onto READsquared for new missions every week. These Missions are activities you can do at home and may include take home materials you can pick up from the library with your books. Completing Missions earns you badges! Take Home Materials The following Kits will be available to pick up from the library while supplies last. These can be picked up curbside along with books. Starting June 22- PreK: Dinosaurs in playdough, Kids: Dinosaur Dig kits Starting July 6- All: Family Tree activity/craft, All: This is how I do it book
End of Summer Virtual Talent Show All summer long you can email pictures 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! 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.
• Friday, July 3, 2020
Library Building Reopening - July 1 Starting Wednesday, July 1, the Polo Library building will be open for patrons to come in, browse, and check out items. Our hours for the month of July will be Mondays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesdays 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. -5 p.m., Thursdays 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. , Fridays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. We request that you wear a mask when entering the building. For those unable to wear a mask or who prefer not to enter the building, we will continue to offer curbside delivery. You can place an order by calling 815-946-2713, emailing library@pololibrary.org, or through
REGIONAL NEWS | Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com
Don’t shoot off fireworks at fish and wildlife refuge
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