16 minute read
Betty’s Column
LOCAL HISTORY
Peek Home made for a big night at the Polo Senior Center
It was a good thing it was decided to move our May meeting to the Polo Senior Center because the place was packed. We had 86 there for the program on the Peek Home and it was a great evening.
Beth attempted to Zoom our program for those who could not make it but that did not want to work. We also need to invest in some lapel microphones for future use.
When you hold a microphone, it has to be right up to your mouth to be effective. People are afraid of a microphone in the first place. Then it is very difficult to hold your notes and a microphone at the same time.
One needs to have a good podium to spread your notes out and then one hand always keeps the microphone up to your mouth. The other hand works with your notes. The entire process is not easy especially when you have nearly 90 people in the room.
It was good visiting with those you had not seen before COVID. We have been shut up for entirely too long and it was nice to have something in the community.
It was great to have Tom Nelson from the city and he still loves Polo. He loves to walk around in the community and sit on a park bench. It is still hard to imagine being dropped off at the Peek Home as a 6-year0old child.
But children are resilient and they learn to adapt. So far we have records of 298 children that called Peek Home their home. We also realized there were some not recorded toward the end and at different times. We are adding those names since we do not want to miss anyone.
We need to make a display at the museum of the Peek Home and that is one of our to-do things on the list. We also need to finish the display of the churches and the Lutheran Church is one of those that did not get done years ago.
We will plan on starting that in June and Lori, our Lutheran Church secretary, will help. Lily is now on board for the summer so the young ones will have good ideas.
Last week, Linda Poole, Linda Gall, Lily and myself spent one afternoon getting Aplington House ready for the school tour of the seventh and eighth graders.
I looked up at one spot and realized that the early 1900 portrait of the Plum children had not been brought up to Aplington House and I knew exactly the spot where I wanted it.
Lily went back to the museum, carried it back to the house and hung it up for me.
The frame is very beautiful and it looks lovely on the wall beside the clock that Paul Graehling made for Polo Historical Society many years ago. I love the hand painted picture of the children.
T h e c h i l d r e n a r e D o r i s P l u m Blough, Gladys Plum Clayton and Lowell Plum. Thank you to the Blough family. Now I need to make a card so people know who they are.
We still have more to do to get ready for the school students later on in May. It will be a big day and 15 people will be helping to give some of the history of Polo and Buffalo Grove.
POLO HISTORY Betty Obendorf
• Betty Obendorf is a retired teacher and a volunteer for the Polo Historical Society.
SPECIAL EVENT
Club luncheon, auction May 14
The Polo Women’s Club Annual Luncheon/ Auction is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m., at The Polo Senior Center, 101 W. Mason St. in Polo.
The lunch/auction donation price is $15 and tickets will be sold through Monday, May 2. Contact a Women’s Club member, Louise Hall at 815-946-2198 or Beth Green at 815-299-1416 for tickets.
The lunch will include a gourmet sandwich, chips, salad, dessert and beverage (catered by the Polo Senior Center).
Profits from the luncheon and auction are used to support local charities and organizations.
(continued from previous page)
Manganese
Nitrate [measured as Nitrogen]
Sodium
Radioactive Contaminants Combined Radium 226/228 Gross alpha excluding radon and uranium Volatile Organic Contaminants
2021 59 59 - 59 150 150 PPB N
2021 1 0 - 1.1 10 10 PPM N This contaminant is not currently regulated by the USEPA. However, the state regulates. Erosion of natural deposits. Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
2021 3.9 3.9 - 3.9 PPM N Erosion from naturally occuring deposits. Used in water softener regeneration.
Date Highest Level Detected Range of Levels Detected MCLG MCL Units Violation Likely Source of Contamination 2021 1.1 1.1 - 1.1 700 700 PPB N Discharge from petroleum refineries Discharge from petroleum factories; Discharge from chemical factories.
Construction on the bridge carrying Illinois 64 over Pine Creek in Ogle County will begin Tuesday, May 17, weather permitting. The bridge is located three miles west of Mt. Morris.
The Illinois Department of Transportation project will include replacing the approach slab to the structure. One lane of traffic will be maintained using temporary traffic signals and a barrier wall. Work is expected to be completed by June 29.
Construction on three bridges on Illinois 64 and Illinois 72 in Ogle County were also slated to begin on May 11.
Those projects are the Illinois 64 bridge over the Rock River in Oregon, t h e I l l i n o i s 7 2 b r i d g e o v e r B l a c k W a l n u t Creek west of Stillman Valley and the Illinois 72 over Kilbuck Creek east of Davis Junction.
All projects involve bridge deck patching. At t h e I l l i n o i s 6 4 R o c k River bridge, there will be staged construction with one lane of traffic m a i n t a i n e d i n e a c h direction.
The Illinois 72 bridges will have one lane of traffic maintained by a barrier wall and temporary traffic s i g n a l s . A l l t h r e e p r o j e c t s a r e expected to be completed by June 15. “ M o t o r i s t s c a n e x p e c t d e l a y s a n d s h ou ld a l l o w e x t ra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are u r g e d t o p a y c l o se attention to changed condit ions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment,” an IDOT news release said.
“Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,535 miles of highway and 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the R e b u i l d I l l i n o i s c a p i t a l p r o g r am , which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation.
Accomplishments through Year Two included about $5.2 billion in i m p r o ve m e n t s s t a t e w i d e o n 3 , 0 2 0 miles of highway and 270 bridges a l o n g w i t h 4 2 8 a d d i t i o n a l s a f e t y improvements,” the release said.
For IDOT District 2 updates, view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Library says thanks for fundraising support
Dear Editor,
The Mt. Morris Public Library recently held a Quiche and Scone Fundraiser to help fund the various programs of the library.
We would like to thank the community for its support. We received 38 separate orders and were able to raise just over $1,300. We were given a Thrivent grant to help offset our expenses.
We would like to thank the Disciples United Methodist Church for allowing us to use their kitchen and fellowship hall. We were also grateful for the help from Gary Melvin and Pastor Julie when we had issues with the ovens.
Thank you to the wonderful group of women who did all the hard work – Becky McCanse, Julie Mastny, Joyce Duncan, Lori Wolff, Karen Urish, April Bold and Denise Welsh.
The library staff did a wonderful job of taking the orders and getting the word out.
The library board and staff would like to express our appreciation to the community that supports and encourages us. Thank you for helping to make our fundraiser a success.
Sincerely, Mary Cheatwood, Director Mt. Morris Public Library
Thanks for supporting the Art Dash
To the Editor,
Thank you to everyone who made the inaugural ART DASH for Serenity Hospice and Home a success. It was great to see the community come together, interact and support such a worthwhile organization.
Fifty artists, the business community, corporate and individual sponsors and volunteers contributed to this memorable evening. The fun-filled evening included “dashers” going home with an original piece of art while spectators watched them dash.
Everyone enjoyed culinary delights during the art preview and at intermission the guests were treated to desserts from local businesses.
We appreciate everything everyone did to make this fundraiser a success and look forward to next year.
Regards, Karen Virnoche and James Brown, Oregon Event Organizers
LOCAL NEWS
Farm Bureau scholarship winners announced
Kayla White, Renee Gehrke, Megan Hagemann, Jack Richolson, Hannah Seaworth, Isaac Charbonneau, Breanna Cisketti and Grace Pfeiffer were all recently named as recipients of scholarships awarded by the Ogle County Farm Bureau in 2022.
Kayla White was awarded the Del Flessner Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. This scholarship was created to honor the legacy of longtime Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Del Flessner.
She is the daughter of Ryan and Michelle White. Kayla is a 2020 graduate of Stillman Valley High School and is currently majoring in agronomy at Highland Community College with plans to attend Iowa State University next fall.
Renee Gehrke and Megan Hagemann were named winners of the $1,000 General Farm Bureau Scholarship.
Renee is the daughter of Jason and Kathi Gehrke, Byron. She is a 2021 graduate of Byron High School and currently attends Highland Community College majoring in dairy science. She plans to continue her studies at Iowa State University next fall.
Megan Hagemann is the daughter of Brad and Jean Hagemann, Mt. Morris. She is a 2020 graduate of Forreston High School and attends Highland Community College majoring in animal science.
Jack Richolson was named the recipient of the $1,000 Don Bybee Memorial Scholarship, sponsored through the generosity of the Bybee Family to honor Bybee for his many years of service to agriculture in Ogle County.
Jack is the son of Brad and Julie Richolson, Lindenwood. Jack will graduate from Rochelle Township High School this spring and will continue his studies at Iowa State University studying agriculture business.
Hannah Seaworth is the recipient of the Mark Detig Memorial Scholarship awarded in the amount of $1,000. This scholarship honors the late Mark Detig for his service to the Ogle County Pork Producers Association and Ogle County agriculture.
Hannah is the daughter of Todd and Norna Seaworth, Lindenwood. Hannah will graduate from Stillman Valley High School this spring and continue her studies in biology at the University of Louisville.
Isaac Charbonneau is the Ag Technology Scholarship $1,000 winner. Isaac is the son of Melinda Charbonneau, Leaf River. He graduated Byron High School last year and will continue his studies at Kishwaukee Community College majoring in diesel mechanics.
Grace Pfeiffer is the recipient of the Mary LeFevre Memorial Scholarship, sponsored in cooperation between the Farm Bureau and the Jeff and Joyce Tremble Family. The scholarship focuses on students pursuing careers in health care.
Grace is the daughter of Jason and Angela Pfeiffer, Davis Junction. She will graduate from Stillman Valley High School this spring and will attend the University of Wisconsin – Platteville majoring in biology. The scholarship is awarded at $1,000.
Breanna Cisketti was awarded the George LeFevre Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship also is funded with the cooperation of the Jeff and Joyce Tremble Family, recognizing LeFevre for his lifelong service to Ogle County agriculture.
Breanna is the daughter of Brian and Brandi Cisketti, Polo. Breanna will graduate Polo High School this spring and go onto study agribusiness at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville.
This marks the 24th year that the Ogle County Farm Bureau has awarded scholarships to member dependents who seek to pursue course studies in agriculture at an accredited institution of higher education.
Scholarships will again be awarded in 2023 and applications will be available in January. For information on the Ogle County Farm Bureau Scholarship Program, call Ron Kern at 732-2231.
ABOVE: A Ganymede third baseman catches a pop up during Saturday action at the 18th Annual World Tournament of Historic Base Ball in 2021. The Ganymedes play a doubleheader at home this Sunday, May 15, in Oregon before heading to Dyersville, Iowa, to play at the Field of Dreams. RIGHT: Justin Early of Oregon connects as he bats for the Oregon Ganymedes at the 18th Annual World Tournament of Historic Base Ball at Greenfield Village in Michigan last August.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
Ganymedes gear ing up for the Field of Dreams
Oregon’s vintage base ball team, the Ganymedes, will be playing at a famous baseball field May 27 and is inviting Ogle County residents to plan now for an evening of history and fun.
“ W e h a v e r e n t e d t h e F i e l d o f Dreams Movie Site field in Dyersville, Iowa, for an 1867 rules match between the Oregon Ganymedes and the Canton Cornshuckers Base Ball Club of Canton, Michigan, on Friday, May 27, from 7 to 10 p.m.,” said team captain Mark Herman.
The teams will have exclusive use of the field under the lights for three hours, but team members can arrive much earlier to warm up along with the public.
Herman said there won’t be any tall corn, but getting a weekend rental with corn was going to be very hard as weekend night youth baseball tournaments sponsored by Field of Dreams get first dibs and are very popular.
The site is also booked for the new MLB August blockout dates for their annual game and few vintage teams will be getting games there in the future.
Dyersville is a scenic two and a half hour drive from Oregon.
If you’d like to see the team before the Iowa game, the Ganymedes are at home on Sunday, May 15, at 1 p.m. w i t h a d o u bl eh e a d e r a g a i n s t t h e McLean County Prairie Chickens of Normal. The games will be at the Chana School Museum in Oregon. These games will be using 1860 rules.
The Ganymedes’ run for a title at the 18th annual World Tournament of Historic Base Ball ended with a “wellplayed” loss to perennial tournament champion the Saginaw Old Golds in August, capping the Oregon-based team’s ‘best-ever’ run at the unique competition, held at the Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan.
The team, founded in 2005, plays at Iron Chest Field at Oregon Park East next to the historic Chana School.
Vintage rules base ball (spelled as two words in the 1800s) is played with authentic wool uniforms, no gloves, and gentlemanly conduct.
For a list of 1867 rules, visit the Ganymedes Facebook page.
Bus Trip to Field of Dreams
The Oregon Park District is offering a fan bus for the event which will leave Oregon at 12:30 p.m.
Prior to the game, enjoy dinner at Chads Pizza & Restaurant.
The bus trip fee, $45 for residents of the Oregon Park District and $48 for nonresidents, is for transportation only.
All other attractions, shopping and meals are on your own. There is no admission fee to the game.
Register online at oregonpark.org or by calling 732-3101.
Ogle tax bills mailed, f irst installment due June 10
Property tax bills for Ogle County land owners were mailed on May 6. The first installment will be due on June 10, with the second installment due on Sept 2.
“This single document will contain tax information and payment stubs for both installments. Therefore, property owners need to save this bill as no additional notice will be mailed prior t o t h e s e c o n d i n s t a l l m e n t , ” O g l e County Collector Linda Beck said in a news release.
Payment methods include cash or check (payable to Ogle County Collector). In-person payments can be made at the Treasurer’s office or at any bank in Ogle County.
The Treasurer’s office is in the old Courthouse located at 105 S. Fifth Street in Oregon. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays. The mailing address is Ogle County Collector, P.O. Box 40, Oregon, IL 61061.
Mailed payments must be postmarked by the due date to be considered timely. Late payments will incur a fee of 1.5% per month or part of a month after the due date and must be remitted by mail or at the Collector’s office.
Beck’s office is also offering the option of online credit card payments. “You may go to the Ogle County website at www.oglecounty.org and then select the Treasurer’s department. Choose the Online Tax Payments link and click the Pay Now button. Fill in the information as prompted. Be sure to receive a payment conformation for your records. Please note that this service carries a fee; review the convenience fees prior to making payment,” she said.
The treasurer’s office is located in the historic Ogle County Courthouse in Oregon
SM-ST1976511
Get Started at ClearyBuilding.com
Suburban, Homes & Cabins, Farm, Commercial, Horse, Unique
• Proven Reliability Since 1978 • Debt-Free, Your Money Is Safe • Search Our Buildings • Virtual Planning • Financing Available Celebrating our 45th Year in Business
Featuring:
