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Will 2022 be the year for F4 jet memorial? In early 2018 a handful of veterans and some community members met in Lena to explore the possibility of making an F4 Phantom Jet Memorial in northwestern Illinois. The site in Lena on Main Street was selected, as the land was donated to the committee for the purpose of a memorial. After filling out the paperwork and filing it with the State of Illinois, the group acquired one of the last remaining F4s (most of the others were being used for target practice). The only problem was that the jet was located in New Mexico. Some members of the community attended a fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and met Jim Talbert from the Almogordo, New Mexico Airport. Jim offered to move the F4 from the air base to his airport and store it until funds were raised to bring it back to Illinois. The offer was quickly accepted and a timeline was set to take possession. After the generosity of the northwestern Illinois communities, selling of engraved pavers and grants, the funds were raised to pay the initial cost of bringing the aircraft to Lena. On one of the coldest days in history, with sub-zero weather, World Wide Aircraft of Nebraska brought the jet and Lyons Well Drilling of Stockton
helped unload it at its temporary position at Rafters just outside of Lena. The aircraft will remain there until it has been restored and painted. Over 100 pavers have been engraved that will be placed at the memorial. All donations are appreciated but there are categories which will receive special recognition-Bronze level $250, Silver level $500, Platinum level $5,000 and Diamond level $10,000. The committee is very appreciative of all who have donated. As for most everyone, 2020 was not kind. That has not diminished the enthusiasm of completing this project. The project has required pylon engineering , “buttoning up” the jet for display, and ongoing fundraising. Future plans include painting of the jet, construction of the pylon, moving the jet to the permanent site, lifting the jet up onto the pylon, and completing the work on the Memorial Park. At this time, help is still needed and more funds need to be raised. There are many individuals and businesses who have been very generous in donating services. If your organization would like someone from the committee to speak at a meeting, committee members would be happy to do so.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
The F-4 jet that is currently sitting on Rt. 20 by Rafters outside of Lena will be moved to a permanent site on Main Street in Lena. The memorial project started in 2018 and will likely be completed this year.
The committee has continued to meet monthly and is moving forward with plans to finalize the memorial which will have the motto- To Honor, To Educate, To Inspire. The committee hopes that by the end of 2022 they will be able to have the dedication of this F4 which is definitely something that everyone in northwestern Illinois should be proud of.
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Lady Broncos off to 3-0 start By Trenten Scheidegger SPORTS REPORTER
The Orangeville-Aquin softball coop is off to a great start after taking third in state in 2021. Lon Scheuerell, the Broncos’ Head Coach, is in his 21st season at the helm. Scheuerell’s career record improved to 441-179 after Orangeville-Aquin got off to a 3-0 start for the 2022 season. Scheuerell has big expectations for this year’s team, as they return five starters from last season’s 21-3 squad. The five returning starters are a talented core with senior shortstop, Tessa Janecke, and four sophomores in second baseman, Megan Holder, catcher, Meghan Carlisle, first baseman, Hanna Broge, and outfielder, Laney Holland. Three of those players were All-Conference players or better. Janecke returns off a season in which she won the NUIC Most Valuable Player award, First Team All-Conference, and First Team All-State. While
Janecke is committed to play hockey at Penn State University her talent isn’t lost on the softball field. The senior led the team offensively with nine homeruns and a batting average over five hundred. Holder provides another serious bat for the lineup as well as an exceptional wall in the middle infield. The sophomore second baseman returns off a season in which she posted a .445 batting average with two home runs, while earning Second Team All-Conference. Carlisle is another key factor on both sides of the ball as she comes off a freshman season with a .402 batting average while earning Second Team All-Conference Catcher. The trio are expected to lead the way, but the Broncos have talent up and down their lineup. Scheuerell spoke about some holes the team will have to fill this year and how they plan to do so. “We will have to replace Tori Plowman who was our main pitcher,last year. We have a trio of pitchers that
we hope to use this season”, Sherell shared. Those three pitchers include Leah Baker, Holland, and Janecke. While Plowman leaves big shoes to fill, Scheuerell is confident with Carlisle behind the plate. The Broncos will also put a strong defense behind their pitchers as Scheuerell said, “We have a strong middle infield with Janecke at shortstop and Holder at second.” With such a solid roster, it’s no surprise to see such expectations surrounding the Broncos. Scheuerell spoke about the team’s goals saying, “We hope to compete for a conference championship and have a postseason run.” The Orangeville-Aquin head coach recognizes that is easier said than done, however. “The NUIC conference is going to be as tough as it has ever been since I have been coaching. Last year four of the six teams won Regionals”, Scheuerell explained.
See BRONCOS, Page 6
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