Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press July 30, 2015 Volume 157, Number 45 - $1.00
Vintage Base Ball
Colored Wings
The Band Plays On
The Oregon Ganymedes will play in a World Tournament next month. B1
Butterflies were the stars at Elkhorn Creek near Forreston. B1
The Mt. Morris Kable Band will continue after a long-time director puts down his baton. A8
Polo residents would like a grocery store but… By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Polo residents expressed their support last week for a new grocery store opening in town, but also voiced some concerns. Vicki Hunt summed it up. “I think everyone in town wants a grocery store,” she said. “But what kind of store are you giving us?” During a town meeting July 23 at the Polo Fire Station, Hunt and other residents fired questions at Ahmad Farraj, Rock Falls, who said he plans to open his grocery store around Sept. 15 in the former Polo Super Valu building at 203 S. Division Ave. (Ill. 26). Alderman Randy Schoon agreed with Hunt. “I don’t think there’s a person here who doesn’t want a grocery store in town,” he said. “Having said that I have some concerns.” The city has been without a grocery store for almost eight years. Polo Super Valu was owned and operated by Paul and Terri Koenck for many years.
They sold the store to Yong Shim in 2007, and it closed several months later. Some of the concern came from issues that arose when Shim owned the store. “The last owner wasn’t a very good experience,” said Diane Bishop. “I wanted to support my community but I didn’t shop there.” Schoon and others weren’t impressed with the upkeep of the grocery store property and other properties Farraj owns. “Ahmad’s properties around town look tough,” he said. Dick Butler said the store property has weeds growing up and doesn’t look ready to open. Mayor Doug Knapp said Farraj has already completed several repairs to the building Jessie Ross asked Farraj about the variety of products the store will stock. Farraj said he will carry name brands as well as generic brands. “We will have quality food,” he said. Polo Economic Development Committee (PEDC) member Mike Faivre said that while a small store
like Farraj is planning can’t compete with the variety offered by large chains, it can fill a niche. Farraj said the store will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and will employ approximately 20 people on two shifts. Jared Monroe asked if the jobs will be full-time or parttime. Farraj said that would depend on how busy the store is. Harold Folkers, who lives outside of Polo, asked Farraj about his experience in the grocery business. Farraj said he currently has a store in Davenport, Iowa, and ran one in Chicago for several years. Butler also asked for revenue projections. Mayor Doug Knapp said he and Farraj have estimated the store will bring in from $700,000 to $900,000 annually. Farraj has approached the city council several times over the last few months to request financial incentives to help him with building repairs and start-up costs.
Ahmad Farraj answered Polo residents’ questions July 23 about the new grocery store he plans to open. Photo by Vinde Wells
No objections for a new officer By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Polo residents had questions but voiced no objections last week to hiring a fifth full-time police Turn to A2 officer. At least 80 people crowded
into the meeting room at the Polo Fire Station July 23 to attend a town meeting called by the city council. The purpose of the meeting was to obtain public input on hiring another officer and on a new grocery store slated to open next month. Most of the discussion
By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Passionate and excited children anxiously awaited their turn to talk to fair judges Saturday afternoon at the Ogle County Fairgrounds. No one was more excited then five-year-old Elizabeth Kennedy, a Cloverbud with the By-Y-Badgers 4-H club in Byron. “I love to paint,” she said as she showed her project to everyone that walked by. “It is easy to do but it is fun.” When asked about what her project was that she made for the fair, Kennedy did not hesitate to describe her painting. “I painted on the board,” she said. “Their are rubber bands on the board that gave me this look.” This was the first year for Kennedy at the fair and she
even wanted to tell people about her sister’s project, which was basic sewing skills. After waiting for her turn to talk to the judges, Kennedy walked over to the judge with her head held high and a huge smile on her face. Every 4-Her entering a project in the county fair had similar stories of their passion for their projects. From the youngest Cloverbuds to the seasoned veterans, projects were brought before the judges by the 4-Hers. Chelsea Eden has been exhibiting for years and decided to try something different this year. “The painting is oil,” Eden said. “I like how this painting allowed me to get out of my shell and do something different.” In previous years, Eden has entered paintings but had always used different mediums to create the art. When talking to the fair
Soaring Eagles 4-H member Kaeden Motszko, left, listens as Ogle County Fair exhibit building judge David Shuman, Polo, points out features of the Farmall M project Saturday afternoon during the judging of the 4-H projects. Photo by Chris Johnson
judges, the 4-Hers had the opportunity to learn tips and techniques on how to get better in the future. Jerry Young, a carpenter with a shop in Leaf River, was one of the judges. He listened to By-YBadgers member Ryan Reeverts talk about a cutting
board, before asking basic questions about the project. Questions included, what would you do different next time, what tools did you use, why did you select this type of wood, and what did you learn while making this project? These questions would be asked of everyone
Young judged that day. He did not say any technique was right or wrong on the project, but did make suggestions on how the 4-Hers could improve their carpentry skills for future projects. Turn to A2
Ogle County fair offers a variety of activities By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com Preparations for opening day of the Ogle County Fair had fair officials, volunteers, and participants working long hours early this week. The 162nd fair opened Wednesday and runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds on Lime Kiln Road, just north of
Ill. 64 a mile west of Oregon. Plenty of help and a favorable weather forecast had fair board president Harlan Holm feeling good Tuesday morning. “Preparations are going quite well. Things are coming together,” he said. “We’ve had a good turnout of new volunteers. They’ve been showing up here at the fairgrounds and asking what
In This Week’s Edition...
Turn to A2
Festival returns Friday
Kids passionate about 4-H work Exhibits help children learn
at the 75-minute meeting centered on the grocery store. Alderman Troy Boothe said the council has been discussing the fifth officer to free up Police Chief Dennis Christen for administrative
they can do to help.” With a forecast of temperatures in the 80s and only slight chances of rain, it appeared that Mother Nature would do her part as well. “Weather-wise we are looking pretty good, too,” Holm said. “It’s supposed to be in the mid to high 80s and rain is slightly possible on Wednesday and Sunday. We can handle that.”
Church News, A5 Classifieds, B7-B10 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B6
He said the carnival arrived Monday afternoon and workers set up rides late into the night. The grounds shows were also getting ready for their performances on Tuesday. “I think they’re going to put on real good shows,” Holm said. Volunteers were also working Tuesday to get the livestock barns ready for 4-H
Marriage Licenses, A4 Oregon Police, B5 Public Voice, A8 Property Transfers, B5 Sheriff’s Arrests, B3
and open show exhibitors, who were slated to arrive Wednesday afternoon. Tickets to the fair can be purchased at the gate for $8 per person which includes unlimited carnival rides, grounds shows, and most entertainment events. Tickets to the grand stand shows are $10 each.
Social News, A4 Sports, B1, B2 State’s Attorney, B3 Weather, A2
Turn to A2
A weekend of family activities will highlight the Forreston Sauerkraut Days. Festivities kick off Friday, July 31 with family night in the park. Visit Memorial Park for karaoke, food, games, a cake walk, and a bounce house starting at 5 p.m. The activities go until 9 p.m. The weekend continues Saturday morning with the annual American Legion Car and Bike Show at 8 a.m. Cars will be on display until 4 p.m. A sauerkraut dinner will begin at 11 a.m. along with a petting zoo, craft and vendor show, Lions Club cheese sale, games, and a bouncy house. The Forreston State Bank will provide free ice-cream to anyone that purchases a sauerkraut dinner. All of these event go until 4 p.m. Stick around for a pork chop dinner at the fire station from 5 to 8 p.m. For the adults, a beer garden will be held Saturday from 12 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and will feature a variety of live entertainment, food, and drink options. Sunday morning will be a community breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the fire station. Sausage, coffee, orange juice, pancakes, and biscuits and gravy will be served. The morning will also have a community church service at Memorial Park at 9:30 a.m.
Deaths, B6 Sara D. Haugen, Mary R. Martin, Melody Martinez, Donald L. Woodin
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com