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Library News
oglecountynews.com ShawLocal.com
OFFICE 113-115 Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021 815-732-6166, ext. 2592
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Oregon Republican Reporter, Ogle County News and oglecountynews.com are a division of Shaw Media. Ogle County Newspapers also prints the Mt. Morris Times, Forreston Journal and Polo’s Tri-County Press.
The OREGON REPUBLICAN REPORTER (USPS No. 411-420) is published weekly by B.F. Shaw Printing Co., Shaw Media. Periodical postage paid at Oregon, Illinois, 61061. POSTMASTER Send address changes to OGLE REPUBLICAN REPORTER, P.O. Box 8, Oregon, IL 61061. Phone 815-732-6166, ext. 5306.
Antiques, collectible market in Mt. Morris on Feb. 4
The annual February Finds Antiques and collectible market will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge 1551 Family Center, 485 East Hitt St.
Admission is $3 a person, with children younger than 12 admitted for free.
Twenty-plus dealers will be featuring vintage items, retro decor, primitives, glassware, pottery, artwork, old toys, local advertising, furniture, baseball cards, fishing lures, linens, jewelry, military items, vintage political, local maple syrup, and much more.
Bobbi’s Country Catering will have baked goods available for sale.
The Moose Lodge will have food and drinks available for purchase starting with breakfast burritos in the morning and lunch items through the day.
LIFELINE FOOD PANTRY
By SHARON WALLACE Volunteer
The Lifeline Food and Self-Help Project Lifeline is located in Conover Square, 201 S. Third Street, Oregon.
For the month of December, we served 77 families, 124 adults and 55 children for a total of 179 served. We wish to thank everyone who has donated food and gifts to Lifeline. We do appreciate everything we receive. Thanks for all your help and donations.
We are in need of cake mixes, frosting mixes, Hamburger Helper, instant potatoes, Jello, canned fruit and marshmallows. Your donations help us very much.
Lifeline hours are: Tuesday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. food and clothing; Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m., clothing only; Friday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., food and clothing; and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. clothing only.
The Lifeline Food and Self-Help Project was created to provide food for people of low and fixed incomes in the Oregon community.
Food trucks will be visiting on Feb. 4. Feb. 18 and March 18.
For additional information, call Sharon at 815-564-8234.
OREGON LIBRARY
Book Clubs
Is This Just Fantasy? Book Club meets Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Library to discuss A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross.
Books on Tap meets Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. to discuss Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
The 2WBC Book Club meets Feb. 8, at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.
Cocktails & Crimes will meet Sunday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. (grab a book to find out where).
The Afternoon Book Club meets Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. to discuss the The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams..
Virtual Author Visit Watch Party - Saturday, Feb. 11, 3-4 p.m.
Love the graphic novel series Real Friends? Join us for a virtual author visit with writer, Shannon Hale, and illustrator, LeUyen Pham! They will talk about their books, answer your questions, and share an engaging activity. Registration begins now and can be done by going online or calling 815-732-2724. For more info, call the Library.
Winter Blues Bundle - Through Feb. 10
Not sure what to read, do, or need something to keep you busy during these cold winter months? Winter Blues Bundle! Each bundle will have a hand-picked book, magazine, DVD, and some fun activities. Complete the registration form online at www.oregonpubliclibrary.com or stop in the library to complete one.
Preschool Story Time (18 months- 5 years)
Join us at the Library for stories and crafts on Mondays at 10 a.m. Registration is required. Go online or call to register.
YOGA -New Day – Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Functional Yin-Yasa - This class is a hybrid of yang (active yoga) with yin (passive yoga). We will use fundamental yoga postures combined with functional movements to build strength and warmth followed by passive, long-held poses to help with flexibility and mobility of the joints and soft tissues. A yoga mat and blocks will be useful props for this class! All levels welcome.” Oregon Library Patrons only. Registration required, this class fills quickly. Please call 815-732-2724 or visitwww.oregonpubliclibrary.com.
Prairie 101: Create Your Own Prairie - Saturday, Feb. 4, 10:30 a.m.
Prairie used to cover millions of acres in Illinois, but where did it all go and how do we get it back? Whether it’s your backyard or back forty, the resources to create native habitat are out there, but the key is knowing where to look.
Locally, we have many groups that advocate for the restoration and recovery of prairie, offering helpful insights, and providing examples of what’s possible with a little bit of knowledge and dirt under our fingernails.
Come learn the basics of prairie, as well as where to gain the experience, skills, and confidence to start a project of your own. Austin Webb, Assistant Superintendent of Restoration/ Maintenance at Byron Forest Preserve and President of Middle Rock Conservation Partners will share his experience and expertise in prairie restoration. Registration is required, so go online at www.oregonpubliclibrary.com or call 815-7322724 to sign up.
Murder Mystery Date Night Box – Pick up on Valentine’s Day
Looking for something unique to do on Valentine’s Day with your significant other or bestie? Register for our Murder Mystery Date Night Box. The box will contain a murder mystery to solve, an adult craft and a special surprise. Register is open from Feb. 1 to Feb. 8. Boxes can be picked up on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Puzzle Library
The library has a free puzzle library. Take a puzzle, leave a puzzle. This is open to anyone in the community.
OPLD Dial-A-Story
Need a quick story? Call 815-732-2724, follow the prompts and presto...a story! Children’s stories are changed monthly. Current story- What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada
Oregon Writers Group - 2nd Tuesday each month at 10 a.m.
The OWG is a gathering of writers or writer-wannabes who meet to support each other and further their own writing. The purpose of the group is to help and encourage you in your writing. If you need brainstorming ideas, we can help suggest ideas or aid with the creative process.
Passport Services
The Oregon Public Library offers Passport Application Processing. Patrons seeking Passport Services should call the Library prior to their visit to ensure that an official processor is available at that time and for a checklist of items, you will need for the appointment.
Sen. Duckworth comments on why she supported $1M grant
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
The Mt. Morris Fire Protection District’s effort to secure funds for a new home base still has a ways to go.
A b o u t $ 1 . 1 3 m i l l i o n h a s b e en secured for construction of a new fire s t a t i o n t h r o u g h f u n d r a i s i n g a n d g r a n t s , b u t t h a t ’ s o n l y one-quarter of the estimated cost.
“I’ll estimate our total project will cost $4 million to $4.5 million,” said Scott Diehl, Fire Distri ct Board of Trustees p r e s i d e n t . “ W e ’ r e t a l k i ng maybe two years till we get this thing done; that’s an estimate, too.”
T h e e x i s t i n g s t a t i o n i s nearly 100 years old and features low ceilings and narrow overhead doors, is constructed with porous brick and doesn’t have space for outdoor work. The building originally was a car dealership and farm implement service station.
A site for the new station hasn’t yet been finalized, but they’re working on it, Diehl said. He declined to comment on specific locations, citing ongoing negotiations.
“We’ve got a couple locations in mind,” he said. “I’m trying to get it done as soon as possible, but I don’t have it done yet.”
The Mt. Morris Fire Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is shooting to raise $2 million through donations and fundraisers. Fire District trustees and staff are working to secure $2 million to $2.5 mill i o n i n g r a n t s , a n d h a ve hired a specialist to help them seek and obtain such funding. Fire Foundation fundraising The foundation has raised “just a hair over $89,000” so far, Foundation Board President Susan Scott Druschel said. “ I d o t h i n k w e ’ v e d o n e well,” Scott Druschel said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but everything starts with one small step.”
The Mt. Morris High School alumni Facebook group is running a Mounders legacy donation challenge to see which graduating class can raise the most money, she said. The challenge kicked off Jan. 3 and will run through March with a class being highlighted each week.
“The One Mounder and Mt. Morris High School symbol is still visible every day – it’s on every Mt. Morris
fire engine,” Scott Druschel said. “The legacy remains.” She encouraged anyone interested in making a legacy donation to also Sen. Tammy Duckworth contact classmates and let them know about the fundraiser. “It takes a lot to get to $2 million,” Scott Druschel said. “I’m really proud of the community. They’ve done an
Photo provided The Mt. Morris Fire Protection District is seeking to construct a new fire station. Their current one, pictured here, was built in 1924 and is too small to offer a safe environment from which to serve the community, Fire Chief Rob Hough IV said.
See FIRE STATION, Page 4
Temporary r umble str ips not holding up well at L owell Park, Pines Road intersection
Permanent rumble strips to be added later this year as part of paving project
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
Roughly 60% of the temporary rumble strips on Lowell Park Road at its intersection with Pines Road remain.
“The temporary rumble strips are holding up as well as anticipated, which isn’t very well,” County Engineer Jeremy Ciesiel said following the Jan. 17 Ogle County Board meeting. “You can still feel them. They’ll still g r a b y o u r a t t e nt io n a s y o u c o me through, but the snowplows did tear them up as we were thinking they would.”
T e m p o r a r y r u m b l e s t r i p s w e r e installed at the end of July 2022 in hopes of alerting northbound and southbound motorists on Lowell Park Road that they are to stop at the intersection, which is located in rural Polo. Motorists on Pines Road do not have a stop sign.
See COUNTY BOARD, Page 7
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media Temporary rumble strips were placed on Lowell Park Road leading to the intersection with Pines Road last year. The Ogle County Highway Department put the strips in place hoping to alert northbound and southbound motorists driving on Lowell Park Road that they are to stop at the intersection. Motorists on Pines Road do not have to stop at the intersection.
• FIRE STATION
Continued from Page 3
excellent job. It’s not where we need to be, but they’re supporting us.”
Fire District grant applications
O n J u n e 2 1 , 2 0 2 2 , O g l e C o u n t y Board members approved the Fire District’s application for a $42,500 econ o m ic d e v e l o p m en t g r a n t . T h o s e funds are coming from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation.
“We can put that toward site assessment and purchasing real estate,” Diehl said.
The Fire District is working on a loan application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program for the full project cost, but first must secure a location for the n e w f i r e s t a t i o n , D i e h l s a i d . T h e USDA’s Rural Development Program supplies loans for capital projects, he said.
“It’s our cheapest interest rate,” Diehl said. “That’s why we’re going that direction. There’s just an awful lot of paperwork involved. The loan application is 50 to 60 pages.”
They might or might not receive the full amount they request, he said. It will depend on how their loan application is analyzed.
The majority of the money secured so far is coming from the federal government’s fiscal 2023 budget.
The federal government allocated $1 million to the Fire District for design, engineering and site work of the new fire station in its fiscal 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Dec. 29, 2022.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth submitted the project for inclusion in the federal budget as congressionally directed spending. She said the project earned her support for several reasons.
“The fire station, it’s been 100 years without any updates, so these updates are critically needed,” Duckworth said. “I put my priority on this, gave this to the leadership and said, ‘When the Omnibus passes, this is a top priority for me. Of all the things I’m asking for, this is one of my very top priorities.’”
That the project went up against similar projects across the country and was able to secure the full funding requested said a lot about the Fire District’s need, she said.
“The fact that they have continued to operate and meet the needs of the community despite having a fire station that is essentially obsolete by any modern standards” is remarkable, Duckworth said. “They’re performing and stepping up to the plate and continuing to do the work instead of just walking away from it.”
A project’s fiscal responsibility is very important to her, Duckworth said.
“I’m not going to throw money if this Fire Protection District had not gotten their ducks in a row and had an actual plan, knew what they needed to do, knew exactly what they needed to fund, was willing to come up and do the fundraising themselves,” Duckworth said. “If they didn’t have all of that in a row, no matter what the need was, I wasn’t going to fund it.”
Diehl said that if the USDA Rural D e v e l op m e n t l o a n a p p l i c a t i o n i s approved, the $1 million will flow directly there and come off the Fire District’s loan balance.
“The biggest thing is we can’t put so much money into the project that we can’t operate as a Fire District,” Diehl said. “We have to fund our ambulance and fire.”
— Senator Duckworth
Card shower planned for Ila Mae Sieberns’ 90th birthday
The family of Ila Mae Sieberns of Oregon is holding a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday on Feb. 3.
Ila was born in 1933, the daughter of Howard and Eva Rogers, of Ohio, Illinois. Her family includes her late husband, Ken Sieberns, who passed away in April 2020 after 70 years of marriage; her late daughter Susan, who passed away in August 2020, and husband Hilo Hanson, of Plano; daughter Sharon and husband Brent Stanford, of Homewood; grandson Sean of Denver, Colorado and granddaughter Maddi and husband Jonah Buckels of Homewood.
Cards of congratulations will reach her at The Meadows, 510 N. State St., Apt. 202, Franklin Grove, IL, 61031.
Ila Mae Sieberns Ila Mae Sieberns was born in 1933.
Pat Bronkema to mark 85 years on Jan. 24 with card shower
A card shower is planned to celebrate the 85th birthday of Pat Bronkema on Jan. 24.
Cards and well wishes can be sent to: 204 W. Logan St., Forreston, IL 61030.
“Happy 85th birthday to a very special mother. Love you,” your daughters Deb Brady and Dawn Wood. Pat Bronkema
A lumni games are Saturday, Jan. 21, at Forreston High School
Forreston High School’s girls and boys basketball teams will be holding alumni games on Saturday, Jan. 21, in the high school gym.
The event will begin at 3 p.m. with the women’s game followed by a co-ed game at 3:30 and the men at 3:45.
The number of alumni participating will determine game matchups. Twenty-minute games will be played with decades playing against each other based on alumni’s graduating year falling on an even or odd year.
Band, Cheer and Dance also will be hosting their alumni night at that time.
Contact Kristin Crase (cheer) at kcrase@fvdistrict221.org, or Hanna Kasten (dance) at hkasten@fvdistrict221.org.
Band members can contact Travis Cunningham at tcunningham@fvdistrict221.org.
Participants are asked to bring a white and a red T-shirt for the games. Shirts also will be available for purchase.
All participating alumni, including past coaches and their immediate family, will be admitted free to the game.
The high school boys basketball game versus Oregon High School will follow the alumni games starting at 5:30 p.m., with the JV contest followed by the varsity game around 7 p.m.
Anyone interested in attending and/or playing in the alumni game can contact Jake Groom at jgroom@ fvdistrict221.org. with your name and graduating year.
We ask for a $10 donation the day of the game to cover the costs.
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