Library News

OUTDOOR RECREATION Don’t shoot off fireworks at fish and wildlife refuge

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 Refuge 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 Mississippi 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

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

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 backPrairieCat/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 weldate 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 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, 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 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 815- 946-2713 or emailing library@pololibrary.

org.

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 Coordi

nator 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.

LAVERNE J. DUITSMAN

LaVerne J. Duitsman, 77, of Forreston passed away June 25, 2020 at Presence St. Joseph Center in Freeport.

LaVerne, nicknamed Vern by most, was born May 19, 1943 and grew up on a farm in Florence, Illinois with his parents, Emmert and Margaret (Pontnack) Duitsman, along with his younger sisters Diane and Rita.

Vern attended Forreston High School. After serving in the United States Army, Vern began working at Honeywell,

DIANE A. GORSKI

Diane A. Gorski, 86, of Oregon, formerly of Geneva, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

She was the daughter of Peter and Agnes (Grenda) Vainowski, sister of the late Robert (Marie), and the late Gregory (Helga).

She was the devoted wife of the late Gerald “Jerry.” proud Mom of Donna of DeKalb, Geri of Aurora, and John

RONALD JOHN HAEDT

Ronald John Haedt of Fountain Hills, Arizona, formerly of Oregon, Illinois, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2020 with his wife Shirley by his side.

Ron was born Sept. 29, 1934 in Carrington, North Dakota. He grew up on farms in Cathay and New Rockford, North Dakota.

He graduated from New Rockford High School in 1952 and was a state champion in track and hurdles.

He received his undergraduate degree at Jamestown College, North Dakota.

He taught for two years at Bowbells and Portland Elementary schools before he left for Guam where he taught for four years.

After teaching in Guam, Ron completed his Master’s Degree at Northern where he would stay for 40 years until he retired.

Vern was an avid sports fan, and loved watching the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls and sometimes even the Cubs.

He was the voice of the Forreston Cardinals football team for many years and loved the excitement of announcing the ball games.

Vern was a regular at local auctions, flea markets, and anywhere else where

he could look for antiques and collect(Martha) of St. Johns, Florida, and loving Grandma of Jack (Kelsey) Gorski of Jacksonville, Florida, and Lauren (Steven) Mencia, of Jacksonville, Florida.

Diane grew up in Chicago’s south side, attended St. Casimir-Maria High School. In 1954, as soon as Jerry completed his

duty in the Navy and Diane received her Colorado University. He continued his teaching career in Massachusetts and in the Chicago suburbs.

He culminated his more than 35 year of teaching in St Charles, Illinois as a fourth and fifth grade teacher at Anderson Elementary and Wild Rose Elementary schools.

While teaching at Anderson Elementary, Ron met his wife Shirley who was employed by the district as a nurse. They married in 1981.

Ron enjoyed teaching (especially math), connecting with his former students, and spending time with his church communities in Fountain Hills, Arizona and Oregon, Illinois.

He was an active member and tuba ables. You would often see him driving around in his cargo van, looking for another treasure. Surviving LaVerne are his wife, Marcia of Forreston; three daughters, Lori Smith-Stuckenberg of German Valley, Angela “Angie” Walker of Rockford, and Lisa (James) Curran of Warren; sister, Dianne (Bruce) Freier of Freeport; brother-in-law, Chuck Pool; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and teaching degree from Mundelein-Loyola, they got married in St. Adrian’s Church and she began her career teaching first grade on the north side. After taking a 10-year hiatus to raise her children, the family moved to Geneva and she taught at Lincoln Elementary School in St. Charles for 22 years. In 2001 she and Jerry moved to Oregon player in various bands in both towns. He loved spending time with his three grandchildren, and was very close to his late brother’s children. He enjoyed playing his tuba, woodworking, and trips to his cabin in Northern Wisconsin. Socializing with his coffee buddies in Oregon was also one of his favorite pastimes.

Ron was a huge fan of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, and the North Dakota State University Bisons football team.

Ron is survived by Shirley - his wife of 39 years, daughter Susan Wassel (Craig) of Batavia, his sister Karen Dompier (Del) of Nobelsville, Indiana, three five nieces and nephews.

Preceding LaVerne in death are his parents; son, Billy Duitsman; and sister, Rita Pool.

Funeral services were Thursday, July 2 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston. Burial was at Florence Station United Methodist Church Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Please sign LaVerne’s guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.

com. where they enjoyed traveling, fishing, gardening, and volunteering in the local community.

Memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice and Home, P.O. Box 462, Oregon, IL 61061.

As per her request, cremation rites will be accorded. The family was assisted by Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.

com to leave a memory or condolence. grandchildren (Chase, Caitlin, McKenna), nephew Tim (Khris) of Wathena, Kansas, niece Jody (Bryan) also of Wathena, niece Diane of Kansas City, Missouri, and other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ron was proceeded in death by his parents John and Louise Haedt and his brother Milton.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, a celebration of life service will be announced at a future date.

Donations may be made in memory of Ron Haedt to:

The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, Inc., 3006 Bee Caves Road, Suite D206, Austin, TX 78746

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, PO Box 17444, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 114 South 5th Street, Oregon, IL 61061

Obituaries continue on page 19

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