Library News

2 MT. MORRIS TIMES MT. MORRIS TIMES MO RRIS BE AT oglecountynews.com ShawLocal.com OFFICE 113-115 Peoria Ave. MT. Dixon, IL 61021 Mt. Morris Times / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Mar 25, 2022 SUBSCRIPTIONS $39 in Ogle County, and $52 outside Ogle County. Singlecopy price is $1 To subscribe, make a payment or discuss your delivery, call 1-866-979-1053 Monday-Friday or send an e-mail to subscriptions@ oglecountynews.com. You also can subscribe online by going to oglecountynews.com and clicking on Subscribe. CLASSIFIED SALES 815-220-6942 apicco@shawmedia.com OBITUARIES 815-632-2534 phartman@shawmedia.com Deadline for obituaries is 2 p.m. Tuesday for Friday’s edition By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com The Village of Mt. Morris soon will welcome a new face to the position of police chief. On March 22, village trustees voted to hire Michael Cicchetti as chief at a rate of $34.65 per hour. An exact start date is not yet set, but it will be after Cicchetti gives his two-week notice at the Sycamore Police Department. “It was very, very close,” Law Enforcement Trustee Chris Kolling said. “All three

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815-632-2502 jheintzelman@shawmedia.com individuals [were] highly qualified. There was just no way to go wrong.”

Cicchetti was one of three finalists out of a large pool, Kolling said. He said he, Vill a g e P r e s i d e n t P h i l L a b a s h a n d t h e three-person Police Commission reviewed 17 applications, interviewed seven people virtually and the final three in person.

“Lots of factors in the collaborative decision to make Mike the final choice,” Kolling said. “For me, it was his familiarity with the village, having been here as an officer.”

Cicchetti previously worked for the Mt. Morris Police Department for five or six years, Kolling said. He was unsure of the exact dates.

Kolling said he’s looking forward to an easy, open line of communication between himself and Cicchetti in order to make sure the police department’s wants and needs

Michael Cicchet ti named new police chief Longtime Chief Jason White are heard by the board. “It works well with Chief White and me. set to retire soon I expect it to work well with Mike Cicchetti,” Kolling said. “When we met with him, it was my impression that I was not going to have any challenge having a conversation with him. He’s communicative and easy to understand.” Current Police Chief Jason White is retiring after a long career with the village. “I think it’s great,” Kolling said. “It is the moving on from one long period of Chief White into another one, but it’s good. It’s as good as I could have hoped it would have been, because we go from this long period of, ‘This is the way it is,’ into a new space, a new thing, it’s like, ‘What’s going to happen?’ There’s a question, but I feel confident it will be good.”

The Oregon High School music department had a successful day at IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 5.

There were several “best of day” awards given to OHS band and choir students: Brandon Rowe (Snare Drum Solo), Brandon Rowe (Drumset Solo), Ethan Schafer (Saxophone Solo), Olivia Wynn (Vocal Solo), Vocal ensemble (Jennica Ciesiel, Ellen Hodson, Liz Mois, Sophia Stender, Imagin Terlikowski, Olivia Wynn), and Vocal Ensemble (Wesley Immel, Isaac Ebert, Brandon Rowe, Dom Terlikowski, Miguel Vazquez-Barragan).

Music students do well at solo, ensemble contest “Overall, Oregon High School students were awarded with 58 Division I ratings and 24 Division II ratings. The OHS music department is currently ranked in fourth place among Class B schools throughout Illinois,” said Zach Hall, OHS choir director.

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General Manager Earleen Hinton 815-632-2591 ehinton@shawmedia.com

News Alexa Zoellner 815-632-2590 azoellner@shawmedia.com

Advertising Sales Patty Bridgeman 815-632-2555 pbridgeman@ shawmedia.com

Mt. Morris Times, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. MorrisTimes , OregonRepublicanReporter, and Polo’s Tri-CountyPress .

The MT. MORRIS TIMES (USPS No. 365-440) is published weekly by B.F. Shaw Printing Co., Shaw Media. Periodical postage paid at Mt. Morris, Illinois. POSTMASTER Send address changes to MT. MORRIS TIMES, P.O. Box 8, Oregon, IL 61061. Phone 815-732-6166, ext. 2516.

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Display Case Showings

‘Watch’ us this month as we have a display of alarm clocks ringing in March! Local collector, Lori Peterson, is showcasing her collection of clocks in our display cases. ‘Wind up’ your excitement and come visit this ‘alarming’ display! We are always looking for collectors or artists who are willing to share their treasures in our display cases. If you are interested, please call, 815-734-4927.

Masks Optional - Thank you! We want to remind everyone that you still have the option of having your materials delivered to your vehicle. If you have holds waiting for you, call us to tell us you are on your way, and we will bring them out to your vehicle when you arrive. Call us if you need more information.

Spring Break Drop-In Activities

School will be out from Spring Break sooner than you think. Want a creative craft for the kids to work on during their time off? ‘Spring’ into the Mt. Morris Public Library for a great craft and some super books! They can be taken home or completed here while you browse for a new book! Oregon School’s spring break is March 28-April 1.

Quiche & Scone Sale Coming Soon!

Be on the lookout for our Quiche and Scone sale coming in April! We will be offering a variety of delicious items! Yum!

Storytime-Wednesday’s - 11:15 a.m.

Let’s become super heroes! This week, March 30, we will be reading books about super heroes like Ladybug Girl! We will be reading books and creating a craft to take home! Come join our SUPER story time at your Mount Morris Public Library! All preschool-age children are welcome.

Lego Club Returns!

Lego night returns on Thursday, April 21, from 6-6:45 p.m. Bring a friend and build some fun with Lego bricks! All Children and parents are invited – ages 4 and up. Children under 8 need to bring a parent with them!

Adult Book Club

The March book is The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs. Copies are available at the library. This group will meet in-person at the library on Monday, March 28 at 3:30 p.m.

Illinois Libraries Present: Nick Offerman & Jeff Tweedy

Wednesday, April 27, 7 p.m. CST - That’s right.... We are truly honored to have Mr. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and friend of Nick Offerman joining ILP’s virtual event on Wednesday, April 27. Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram for the link to sign up for this awesome event.

Explore More Illinois

Explore More Illinois is a cultural pass program that provides discounts at museums, visual and performing arts centers, park districts, and more around the state. Use Explore More Illinois to find fun and educational places to go on a free afternoon or for a little getaway. Explore More Illinois is easy to use with your library card. Visit the library’s website to browse attractions. You can find the information on our resource page.

Rock River Center

The Rock River Center has a representative in our library the second Thursday of every month. Services provided by Rock River Center are designed to enable older and disabled persons to remain independent, thereby avoiding costly long-term care. No appointment necessary but, if you want to make an appointment with the Rock River Center you may call 815-732-3252.

Adult Programming

We are trying to get back into the swing of offering monthly programs for adults. We would love to hear from you. Do evenings or weekends work better? Do you have any program ideas? Do you have a program you would like to share? Contact Mary Cheatwood at the library.

Additional Services Offered

We make copies (25¢ per black and white page). We fax ($2 for the first page and 50¢ each additional page). We can scan a document and send it to email ($2 per document). You can use a computer without a library card for $1. Resume software is available on our computers. Come visit us and let us help you!

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media ABOVE: Oregon High School teacher Kimberly Radostits poses with some of her students after receiving the award for being chosen 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Officials surprised Radostits with the announcement in her classroom on Tuesday morning. BELOW LEFT: Radostits holds the award she received from State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala (right). BELOW RIGHT: Radostits reacts by covering her face with her hands as she unexpectedly meets Ayala before learning she had been chosen 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

• TEACHER OF THE YEAR

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e x p l a i n A y a l a ’ s p r e s e n c e – w a s rev ea led, and the real bomb she ll dropped:

Radostits is the 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

“I’m honored,” Radostits said. “I guess I did not see this happening, but I’m excited about it. Like I had told my friends, I was in a really unique posit i o n – t h a t i f I w o n o v e r a l l s t a t e Teacher of the Year, it’s going to push me out of my comfort zone, and I am going to grow in ways that I couldn’t have ever imagined.

“And if I didn’t win, I win, because I get to hang out with these people every single day,” she added, motioning to her students. “That’s how I feel. I mean, talking about the perfect situation, it was a win-win. … I love this. So yeah, let’s do it. I look forward to the future.”

The Illinois State Board of Education has sponsored the Teacher of the Year program since 1970, according to the ISBE website. It recognizes “the best of the teaching profession” in the state, with all public and nonpublic pre-K-12 educators who have more than five years of experience eligible to win.

Radostits works with students who “need a little extra support and who really resonate and have a relationship with her,” Ayala said of Radostits’ nomination. She helps students study and get ready to pass classes.

“All those things, and that’s one of the most important reasons – her work with students,” Ayala said. “But also, her work during the pandemic and su ppo rt ing t e ac h e r s. So t ha t wa s something that was very important as well.”

Radostits is the best teacher he’s ever had, said Andru Holland-Jones, 14.

“She’s honestly the best teacher I’ve ever had,” Langley said. “Like, she’s a total sweetheart. She’s really helped me out, like really got me on a good path. I wasn’t doing too well my freshman year. She’s the reason that I’m doing better this year.”

Her entire career, she’s felt like a w i n n e r , s a i d R a d o s t i t s , w h o h a s worked at Oregon High School for 15 years.

“I felt like a winner all year. I felt like a winner my entire career,” she said. “I can see myself no place other than Oregon. And I truly believe that we’re doing some awesome things in this district that I’m excited to share.”

Michael Glenn chosen as director for Oregon’s new CMA A A facilit y

A former executive director at The Next Picture Show in Dixon has been hired as the executive director of the new Coliseum Museum of Art, A n t i q u e s & A m e r i c a n a (CMAAA).

Michel T. Glenn will lead the recently formed not-forprofit that is focused on renovating and repurposing the historic Coliseum building in downtown Oregon to create a new cultural center for the area.

Glenn’s background includes roles as executive director of Hopegivers International in Columbus, Georgia and Executive Vice President of the National Religious Broadcasters Association in Washington, DC.

Most recently, he served as executive director of the Next Picture Show, a community fine arts center in downtown Dixon.

“Mike is an exciting addition to our team. His background and skillset are what we need to guide the building renovation, develop partnerships with businesses and organizations, and create the programs and events in order to foster a creative environment for Oregon and the surrounding area,” said Ron Bry, CMAAA Board Vice President.

The Oregon Coliseum opened in 1922. The art deco facility at 124 N. 4th Street was once a center of activity for the community.

Sitting on the edge of the Oregon Commercial Historic District renovation has already started with plans for a south entrance ramp, new lighting, construction of permanent display cases, and the addition of a Digital Media Studio on the second floor.

CMAAA’s mission is the acquisition and display of art, antiques, Americana and history, including both permanent and rotating exhibits, and provide a venue for artists representing all facets of art an opportunity to host exhibitions and offer their Michael Glenn creations for sale through museum store. a “Oregon and the county offer tremendous cultural resources. The Coliseum will be an integral part of the community and reflect the values and quality of life. In conjunction with some of the other area attractions, we expect to help draw local and long distance visitors. In addition, when you look to relocate it can be more than a good job and quality of schools that can make the difference,” said Glenn. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e p r e s s r e l e a se issued announcing Glenn’s hiring, the CMAAA will collaborate with the City of Oregon, Oregon School District, Park District, Library, Serenity Hospice & Home, Village of Progress, Ogle C o u n t y H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y , D e p o t Museum, Chana School Museum and others to help create a gathering place for the community, as a showcase for the rich historic and artistic heritage of the region, and a place for schoolchildren and future generations, to learn about roots in Midwestern values. Progress reports will be posted on the CMAAA website and soon to be launched Facebook page with plans for an official opening in late 2022 or early 2023. For more information, visit to www. cmaaa.org or contact info@cmaaa.org.

SPECIAL FUNDRAISER

Serenity Home and Hospice fundraiser is April 6

Serenity Home and Hospice will host its first Art Dash Fundraiser at Cork and Tap, 305 W. Washington St., Oregon, on Wednesday, April 6 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Tickets are divided into two categories, “Dasher” which cost $100 and “Spectator” which cost $50.

The fundraiser will feature 50 local artists from throughout the nine counties that are serviced by Serenity, all of whom have donated original artwork worth at least $100.

After the “Art Preview”, three attendees who have purchased “Dasher” tickets will be randomly selected to dash for an art piece of their choosing. Every “Dasher” will have the opportunity to go home with an art piece.

“Spectators” will not have the opportunity to “Dash” for art. Both “Dashers” and “Spectators” will be able to enjoy live music, light bites, view the art, and mingle with many of the artists.

For more information, call 815-973-2050.