Serving the Polo Area Since 1857
POLO
Tri-County Press September 29, 2016 Volume 159, Number 2 - $1.00
Fifth Place
Relaxing Ride
Rabies Confirmed
The Lady Marcos placed fifth in their home volleyball tournament. B1
Reporter Chris Johnson finds his 32-mile bike ride relaxing. A13
The Ogle County Health Department says a cat has tested positive for rabies. A8
Longtime Polo couple named Citizens of the Year By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Emotion showed on the face of Beverly Burkardt as she and her husband Bill accepted their Polo Citizen of the Year Award. “This is really such an honor for Bill and I,” Beverly said. “Who would have ever thought that we would have this honor? We have so much to be thankful to this whole community that has helped us out tremendously. That is why we give back. “Thank you for everything everyone has ever done for us.” Bill, too, is grateful for the support his family has received. “Wherever you go, you try and get along with everyone,” he said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. People have been so good to me.” The Burkardts aren’t boastful, and many of their charitable contributions, big and small, are done quietly and without recognition. In fact, whenever he’s asked how he’s doing, Bill’s standard response is “Better
“This is really such an honor for Bill and I,” — Beverly Burkardt than I deserve.” But Polo City Attorney Tom Suits, who introduced the Burkardts and gave them their plaque at Monday’s Polo Chamber of Commerce annual dinner meeting, begs to differ. “Let me tell you a little about our newest Citizen of the Year,” Suits said. “Bill and Bev have owned and operated Burkardt’s LP Gas for the past 34 years. They employ 19 people, all of whom are treated like family.” They also own Edgewood Golf Course, where the Polo High School golf team practices and hold meets, free of charge. They sponsor several blood drives each year at the course, and “Bill personally calls more than 75 people to ask them to donate,” Suits said. “For all who donate, a free round of golf is given.” They have a pink Cancer Awareness truck, they donate to the American Cancer
Society and sponsor Relay for Life fundraisers. “They support many families in need of financial and emotional support,” Suits said. “They also visit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and make personal donations.” They support Shriners Hospital for Children and the Smile Train. Since 2012, the Burkardts have awarded scholarships to Polo High School seniors. “They thought of giving one or two scholarships per year, however, the decisions were so difficult, they have given 37 scholarships to date,” Suits said. They also donated an electronic sign to the chamber, which uses it to promote local events, and gave the city four flag poles. “Thank you for your service to our community,” Beverly and Bill Burkardt react after learning they were named Polo’s Citizen of the Suits said. “Polo is very Year Monday night at the annual Polo Chamber Dinner. Photo by Chris Johnson proud of you.”
Autumn on Parade is this weekend Staff Report
Time for Chili Muriel Casinger serves Dan Lawton a cup of chili at the Polo Rehabiliation’s booth at Polo’s Chili Cook Off on Sept. 24. Photo by Earleen Hinton
After a year of planning, Autumn on Parade officials are putting the final touches on the 46th annual Autumn on Parade festival, slated for this Saturday and Sunday in Oregon. “We just need Mother Nature to give us some nice fall weather,” said Marseyne Snow, president of the Autumn on Parade Committee. “We’ve been busy all year planning the festival and now this week we are tying up details to what we hope will be another successful year.” If visitors to this year’s festival see an object buzzing over the festival grounds, don’t worry— it is just the drone the AOP committee hired to film this year’s event.
“We thought it would be really neat to have a drone shoot AOP from above,” said committee member Dave Boehle. “We hope to use the footage for promotional purposes next year.” Car enthusiasts and hot dog lovers should find this year’s Harvest Time Parade especially tasty come Sunday. Festival officials received an email verification two weeks ago confirming that Oscar Meyer’s Wienermobile will be taking part in this year’s parade. “We asked them to come and they sent an email saying they would,” said Boehle. “We’re still waiting for more details.” The iconic Wienermobile, complete with its hot dog and bun sitting on top of a
yellow car chassis, has been traveling highways since 1936 and fits somewhat with AOP’s 2016 theme “Celebrating the Heartland”. “We chose this year’s theme so people could showcase what they are proud of from the heartland. The festival this year is already promising to be one of the biggest and best yet.” said Snow. The ever-popular Farmers’ Market and Craft Show, held Saturday and Sunday, should not disappoint with more than 190 booths taking part. Through cooperation with Ogle County and city officials, booths are located on the historic courthouse lawn and on surrounding city streets. Vendors will offer a variety of arts and crafts ranging
from handmade wood items to homemade baked breads. On Sunday, the Harvest Time Parade, has more than 120 entries including several bands. “Most of the favorites will be back, like the South Shore Drill Team and the Jesse White Tumblers,” said Snow, who also serves as parade chairman. “Besides that we have several high school marching bands and novelty entries like the Wieinermobile, Bubble Machine, Monster Truck, Rocket Cycle, 4-H and Scout groups, area businesses and many more entries.” A post parade show by the South Shore Drill Team will again be offered on Sunday, at the conclusion of the main parade on Jefferson Street in Turn to A2
Scenic ride raised money for the Village of Progress By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com Winding country roads and rolling hills greeted an estimated 300 bicyclists to Ogle County last Saturday. The overcast day brought out bicyclists from all over Northern Illinois and surrounding states to experience the Tour of Scenic Ogle County (TOSOC) a 10, 32, or 62-mile ride. “It was a fun day and it was nice to see and hear how happy the people were,” said event organizer Scott Stephens. “The weather cooperated and everyone enjoyed the area.” TOSOC was being held to
raise money for the Village of Progress’s Attendance Grants. “The reason for this ride was to be a nice fundraiser for our attendance grant program,” said Village of Progress Executive Director Brion Brooks. “The grant helps provide funding to those with disabilities who are on the state waiting list.” At the end of the ride, consumers from the village were on hand to meet with the bicyclists. There were a few minor incidents throughout the day, but they were handled quickly. Stephens was one of the support vehicles for the day Mike and Deb Gale, Oregon, wave as they pedal up a hill on Ridge Road on Saturday morning during the Tour of Turn to A9 Scenic Ogle County ride. Photo by Earleen Hinton
In This Week’s Edition...
Assessments, A10-A12 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B10-B14 College News, A4 Entertainment, A6
Fines, B9 Home Improvement, B5 Marriage Licenses, A4 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B8
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, A12, B1 State’s Attorney, B8 Weather, A2
Deaths, B4 Robert A. Althoff Jr., Sara D. Coulman
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com