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Library News
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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. MorrisTimes , 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.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2021
Village board members urge Oregon School District to hold onto building for two to three years as ‘safety net’
By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com
M t . M o r ri s V i l l a g e B o a r d t r u s t e e s d e c l i n e d t h e O r e g o n S c h o o l D i s t r i c t Board’s offer to take ownership of the David L. Rahn Junior High School building.
“We strongly recommend that the Oregon School Board reconsider pursuing any disposition of the DLR building for a period of two to three years,” Village President Phil Labash read from a prepared statement at the village board’s June 14 meeting. “This includes the potential transfer of DLR to the Village of Mt. Morris.”
Oregon School District Superintendent Tom Mahoney went before the Mt. Morris Village Board on May 24 at the behest of school board members to ask if village officials were interested in the property. Discussion or consideration of the transfer was not on the agenda for that village board meeting, so trustees were unable to talk about, or take action on, the matter at that time.
On Tuesday, village trustees unanimously voted to decline the offer of ownership following a closed session. The closed session lasted less than 10 minutes.
School board members on Feb. 22 voted 4-2 to close DLR at the end of the 2021-22 school year, despite pleas from Mt. Morris officials and residents to keep the school open. Seventh grade and eighth grade students will attend Oregon High School, which is 5 miles to the east in Oregon.
DLR was the last remaining school in Mt. Morris. The Mt. Morris School District merged with the Oregon School District in 1994 because of financial reasons.
Mahoney first proposed closing DLR in May 2021, citing decreasing enrollment throughout the district and increasing maintenance costs at DLR as reasons to do so.
“We continue to believe this decision is wrong, shortsighted and not in the best interest of students, staff and district families,” Labash said. “Immediate disposition of the building through sale, transfer or demolition will eliminate a critical safety net, should serious issues arise as a result of this decision.”
David L. Rahn Junior High School is located on Brayton Road in Mt. Morris.
Owners of Patchwork Inn to speak at ‘Those Were the Days’ on June 25
Chris Martin asked Kent and Kathy Lawrence if they would like to make a presentation at the June 25, “Those Were the Days” program held at Oregon Depot Museum.
Their response was why?
His response, “Tell us why did you come to Oregon; why are you involved with the Patchwork Inn; and why you are involved with The Coliseum of Art, Antiques and Americana? Tell us your story.”
Good questions, so in a weak moment, they said yes and will present a talk on their energy efficient home, (called Kickapoo Dwelling) and their public space (called Kickapoo Center), as well as how they became involved with the Patchwork Inn, and some of its history, and the Coliseum. The program begins at 10 a.m.
The Executive Director of the Coliseum Museum (CMAAA) Mike Glenn will also be present.
The discussion will not be historical in nature, although it will contain “history of the Patchwork Inn” as Kent and Kathy have come to know it.
The Lawrences said they have come to truly enjoy learning about aspects of Oregon via presentations at the Oregon Depot Museum and hope the public will enjoy a slightly different view from relatively new residents.
Photos provided At left, an old photo shows visitors standing on the upper porch of the Inn. At right is a recent photo of what the Patchwork Inn looks like today. It is located in the 100 block of North Third Street in Oregon.
OREGON LIBRARY
Book Clubs
Books On Tap will meet Thursday, June 23, at 6 p.m. at Cork N Tap to discuss The Cactus by Sarah Hayward.
Teen Book Association will meet Saturday, June 25 at 10 a.m. to discuss Legendborn by Tracy Deonn.
Cocktails and Crimes will meet on July 10 at 2 p.m. (grab a book to find out where).
The 2WBC Book Club meets Wednesday, July 13 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire.
The Afternoon Book Club meets Wednesday, July 20 at 1 p.m. to discuss The Rose Code by Kate Quinn.
Crime, Killers and Wrongful Convictions: A hodge-podge of true crime research and stories from central Illinois, June 20, at 6:30 p.m.
In-person Virtual Program - Illinois Wesleyan University psychology professor Amanda Vicary will discuss some of her research into why people, especially women, are drawn to true crime and also will discuss two central Illinois cases of potential wrongful convictions. Registration required, www.oregonpubliclibrary.com.
An Evening with Chef Kwame Onwuachi - Wednesday, June 22 at 7 p.m. - Virtual Event
Join award-winning chef and former Top Chef contestant Kwame Onwuachi as he discusses his new cookbook My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, visit www. oregonpubliclibrary.com or call 815-732-2724.
Alexa Zoellner/Shaw Media A group of friends pose for a photo at the Polo pool on May 28. Left to right are Zoe Menke, 13; Emma Dougherty, 14; Cassady Helfirch, 11; Piper Menke, 10; and Ryplee Custer, 13. The pool, located at Keator Park, opened on May 27 for the 2022 season.
Lois Nelson Memorial Walk and Fun Run Pound the Pavement is 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’s 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 the Lois Nelson Memorial Fund may be sent to Brittany Drozd at 408 Bruce Lane Mt. Morris, IL 61054 or emailed to bnelson85@gmail.com.
Registration must be received by June 22 to guarantee a T-shirt. 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 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 encouraged and may be sent to Brittany Drozd with the same registration address and deadline.
Kable Band Concerts continue on Wednesday nights in Mt. Morris
Kable Band Concerts will continue Wednesday nights until Aug. 3 in the Warren Reckmeyer Band Shell on the Campus in downtown Mt. Morris. The concerts are free.
The Kable Concert Band will be performing the second concert of its 126th season on June 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Bruce McKanna will be the vocal soloist. McKanna is a well-known Mt. Morris resident and has performed with the Kable Band many times.
The July 4 patriotic concert will be behind the David L. Rahn Junior High School prior to the fireworks.
Swim for free at the Polo pool June 24
The Polo Park Board, in conjunction with Polo High School’s undefeated football teams of 1957 and 1958, are offering a free day of swimming on Sunday, June 24.
“This is a free day of swimming for everyone coming to the pool between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.,” Polo Park Board President Larry Loomis said. “The event is being sponsored by Polo High School’s undefeated football teams of 1957 and 58. Spokesperson Craig McGuire announced earlier this year that members of the team wanted to provide for a free day of swimming for Polo citizens given in the name of Polo High’s undefeated seasons some 65 years ago.”
At the conclusion of the 1 to 5 p.m. swim event, a drawing will be held and the winner’s name drawn will be given a crisp $100 bill, courtesy of the 1957-58 football squads.
“The winner must be present to win the prize. Hope to see you June 24!” Loomis said.
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