Gale Suanne (Cherry) Newhall, Viola M. Nighswonger

Free live music in Mt. Morris July 2

Mt. Morris’ own Aireloom Music Studio Musicians will provide free live music for the crowd on the Campus during the annual Let Freedom Ring Festival on July 2 from 4 to 8 p.m.

First up, local duo Acoustic Axis opens the afternoon of free live music on the bandshell from 4 to 5 p.m. Guitarists and singers Kevin Remrey and Larry Ubben, with guest percussionist Gary Saunders, perform blues and classic rock from Leadbelly and Jimmy Reed through the Who and Tom Petty with passion and style.

Next, Aireloom Music Studio owner Mary Ley will be performing after a two and a half year hiatus with her Native American Flutes, classical and acoustic guitars from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Ley will share some folk, kids songs, Spanish, French and patriotic tunes.

Closing out Saturday’s lineup of free live music is local musician Chris Kolling, a guitar player and song singer, performing from 7 to 8 p.m.. The music he performs includes some familiar classic rock and roll as well as original material. Kolling teaches guitar and other instruments at Aireloom Music Studio in Mt. Morris.

Concessions for the evening will be provided by the Ogle County Pork Producers, who will be serving their famous butterfly pork chop sandwiches, chips, drinks and dessert from 5 to 7 p.m., just south of the bandshell. LFR’s watermelon eating contest will happen on the Campus at 6:30 p.m. after Ley’s show.

Reagan’s 1963 bell dedication to be revisited in Mt. Morris

President Ronald Reagan, portrayed by Mark Tremble of the Performing Arts Guild, will “return” to the Mt. Morris campus at noon on July 4.

He will reminisce about his 1963 visit to the village to dedicate its first Illinois Freedom Bell at the Veterans Memorial Fountain.

“Reagan’s bell dedication speech, reminiscent of the ’60s reverberates throughout the years. It was delivered about six months after the Cuban Missile Crisis and four years before he became governor of California,” organizer Sally Gray said. “He served eight years as the 40th president of the United States starting in 1981.”

Reagan’s motorcade will arrive at the campus shortly after the program begins. He will be joined on stage by choir and band members from the junior and senior high schools of the Oregon Community Unit School District.

“The students are from Mt. Morris and Oregon. The program finale will be performed by a barbershop quartet singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’” Gray said. “The official State of Illinois Freedom Bell adjacent to the century-old Reckmeyer bandshell will be rung immediately following the patriotic program. All are invited to participate in ringing the giant bell.”

The Let Freedom Ring grand parade begins at 2 p.m.

“Reagan’s bell dedication transitioned the theme of the Mt. Morris July Fourth Festival in the late 1950s from ‘An Old Fashioned Fourth’ to today’s ‘Let Freedom Ring,’” Gray said. “Our 2022 campus celebration combines both traditions including an invocation, the pledge of allegiance, speeches, a choir, band, barbershop quartet, bell ringing and The Star-Spangled Banner.

“Come celebrate Independence Day in Mt. Morris. Enjoy Let Freedom Ring’s July Fourth Patriotic Program at noon on the Mt. Morris Campus at Wesley and Main. Help ring the giant Freedom Bell. Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, water, maybe an umbrella and a lawn chair,” she said.

FIRST FRIDAYS

Music at First Fridays on July 1

The First Fridays Open Mic returns on July 1 to K’s Sports Bar in Oregon.

“The monthly event attracts many talented performers, but musicians and singers of all skill levels find acceptance from its supportive audience. Each performer is allowed 15 minutes, and everyone can also join in on a jam session at the end of the show,” said Lowell Harp, organizer.

The show starts at 7 p.m. “Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations. Sign-up for performers is at 6:45 p.m.,” Harp said.

K’s Sports Bar is located at 408 E. Washington (Route 64) in Oregon. Interested parties who have questions can contact Jerry Tice at 815-449-2660.

Photo supplied Jerry Tice and Marianne Geiger have formed the core of the Mountain Grass bluegrass band for many years. Last May was Marianne’s last First Friday performance. She has moved out of the area and will be missed.

Lois Nelson Memorial Walk, Fun Run Pound the Pavement July 4

Join the community for the 20th anniversary of the Lois Nelson Memorial Walk and Fun Run on Monday, July 4, beginning at 9 a.m. at Dillehay Park in Mt. Morris.

This family focused walk and run commemorates Lois Nelson love of the Fourth of July holiday and honors her memory in raising funds for Northwest Illinois Special Olympics and the Let Freedom Ring Festival.

Pound the Pavement is a scenic walk/fun run that travels about 4 miles around the streets of Mt. Morris and follows the route that Lois walked every day in any kind of weather.

Registration for the event is $15 per person and includes the 20th anniversary T-shirt. Registrations and checks made out to Lois Nelson Memorial Fund may be sent to Brittany Drozd at 408 Bruce Lane, Mt. Morris, IL 61054, or emailed to bnelson85@ gmail.com.

Check-in for the event begins at 8 a.m. July 4.

The walk/fun run is open to all ages and those with strollers, bicycles or in wheelchairs are also encouraged to participate.

No prizes or times will be given for the event but water and cookies will be served after the walk.

Sponsorships are also encouraged and may be sent to Brittany Drozd with the same registration address and deadline.

OBITUARIES

GALE SUANNE (CHERRY) NEWHALL

Born: March 27, 1971 in Freeport IL Died: June 13, 2022 in Goodyear AZ care following in her mother’s footsteps to work with the local ambulance and becoming a nurse. In 2001 she moved with her family to Phoenix AZ, where she continued to nurse. The last few years had seen her end up on disability and moving out closer to her brother in Goodyear AZ. She was active with his family and in going to Crossroad Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Morris and Donna Cherry. She is survived by her twin brother Michael Cherry. A Memorial service will be held July 2, 2022 at Crossroad Baptist Church in Litchfield Park AZ.

Gale Suanne (Cherry) Newhall was born 03/27/1971 and passed suddenly on 06/13/2022. She grew up in Forreston IL and pursued healthcare following in her

VIOLA M. NIGHSWONGER

Born: August 31, 1926 in Forreston, IL Died: June 22, 2022 in Byron, Illinois

Byron, IL - Viola M. Nighswonger, age 95, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022. She was born August 31st, 1926 at the family farm in Forreston, Illinois, the daughter of Edward and Henrietta (Ruter) Johnson. She graduated from Forreston High School in 1944. After graduation, she worked at both MicroSwitch and Kable News in Mt. Morris. Viola married Harold E. “Bud” Nighswonger on August 28, 1948 in Forreston. Harold preceded her in death on March 24th, 2003. Viola was a mother and homemaker, and she enjoyed being a 4-H leader, Girl Scout Leader, and volunteer at the Byron Forest Preserve. She also worked in Byron at the Sno-White Bakery, Ben Franklin Dime Store, Murphy’s Restaurant in the Cacciatore’s Grocery Store, and caring for the landscape at Byron Bank. Viola enjoyed being outdoors and caring for her yard, which led to her working for her son-in-law on the grounds crew at Rockford Country Club, Prairie View Golf Course, and his landscape business Just Turf. She was a former active member of the Forreston Grove Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, and she most recently attended Grace Fellowship Church in Freeport. Viola especially enjoyed spending time with family and attending family events. Viola was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bud, her brother Leo Johnson, and her son-in-law Steve Storz. She is survived by her two daughters Sheila (Harvey) Bolen of German Valley, IL, and Cindy Storz of Oregon, IL; one grandson Joshua (Stacey) Bolen of German Valley, IL; two great-grandchildren Amos and Anstina Bolen; and one sister-inlaw Vera Johnson of Forreston, IL. Private family burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Freeport, IL. A celebration of Viola’s life will be from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 17th, 2022 at the Byron Museum, 110 N. Union St., Byron, IL 61010. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Viola’s name to the charity of your choice. Visit Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.to leave a condolence or memory of Viola.