1 • Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - Shopper’s Guide
2017 Summer Registration Dates
Serving the communities in Stephenson County
Shopper’s Guide
VOL. 79 • NO. 16
YOUR FREE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
Lady Broncos winning streak finally stopped SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Many coaches have expressed their feelings of the importance of a loss, for a team that seems to have a lot of things going for it. It brings perspective back to the forefront. Sometimes it takes a momentary lapse to help a team resume normal activities, following a seemingly cruise-control opening to a season. At times it also becomes clearer that some teams are just a little bit better than others, right out of the gate. They have more speed, better pitching or exceptional defense. The wins seem to continue to add up as the feeling of invincibility grows. Then the unthinkable occurs. The squad loses a big match and stops their winning ways. Great teams are known to play through this perennial problem and come out stronger as a result. For the Orangeville Lady Broncos there may be something to that theory. Time will tell. That could prove to be a problem for many other teams across northern Illinois, if it comes to fruition for the Lady Broncos. Orangeville opened the 2017 spring sports season with eleven consecutive wins. They outscored their victims 149-20 and they blazed to the front of the pack as a result. A loss to Wheaton-St. Francis on Saturday, April 8, 10-4, stopped the season-opening win streak for Orangeville, but it didn’t really have a major affect on the Lady Broncos or their standing, near the front of the pack, in small-school Illinois softball. The Lady Spartans play in the Chicago Catholic, Girls Catholic Athletic Conference. They are a DuPage County school with a sizable enrollment. Orangeville won’t get another shot at them during the regular sea-son. It was a game to let go. There even isn’t talk of a post-season rematch Based on student enrollment numbers, the Chicago-area school and its much larger student population was
expected to give the Lady Broncos problems. They had a lot more kids to work with and they played in a heavily-populated and highly-talented conference. Orangeville entered the spring sports season with a student population of 111 registered with the IHSA. With the parochial school multiplier wedged into the mix, Wheaton-St. Francis’ student enrollment numbers are around ten persons shy of 1,300. Orangeville got back on track and resumed their winning ways a couple nights later. They defeated Eastland 7-0 before turning their attention to preparedness for the opener to their home and away series with the Dakota Lady Indians. On April 11 it began. Orangeville lost. The 3-2 decision was the closest final since an April 8 win over Lena-Winslow, 8-7, was logged in the final scorebook. It was their first NUIC loss of the season. A night later the Lady Broncos pounded Galena 17-1 and added five to their total a day later in Dakota as they exacted revenge 22-10. A Match with Warren/Stockton on Monday, April 17 opened this week of games. Durand and East Dubuque pay a visit over the next two nights before Orangeville heads east to Durand to close out the season series with the Lady Bulldogs.
Questions please call the Park District Office 815-369-5351 278487 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017
Pearl City’s ‘Breakfast Club’
COURTESY PHOTO Shopper’s Guide
Pearl City’s “Breakfast Club” Book Club, had its first meeting on Tuesday, April 4. The group, made up of ten students and two teachers, meets on Tuesday mornings before school to read and discuss a book. The students also have some assigned reading to do on their own before the next meeting. This time, the group is reading The Westing Game.
Ag and natural resources scholarship availability announced The R. C. Miller Agriculture Scholarship Fund is seeking individuals interested in applying for a scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year. Funds are given to help college and university students who are, or will be, studying agriculture, natural resources or related programs with an emphasis in conservation. Those chosen to receive the award will be awarded a $1000 scholarship. To be eligible to apply, individuals must be residents of Stephenson County and be enrolled in an agriculture or related degree program with an emphasis in conservation.
PR SRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHINGLLC
By Chris Johnson
Lena American Legion: Saturday, April 22 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 26 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday, April 29 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Applicants must be accepted at their chosen college or university and be a full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 hours per semester. The R.C. Miller Scholarship was established by Miller, a life time Stephenson County resident and ardent supporter of agriculture, natural resources and conservation. Miller,
who died in 2007, left a legacy in the community for his support of a variety of programs and efforts, especially youth and conservation causes. To receive an application, please call the U of I Extension-Stephenson County at 815-235-4125. Completed applications are due by June 23, 2017 to the U of I Extension Of-
fice-Stephenson County, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd, Freeport. If requested, the application can be emailed to applicants for completion. The Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation Board is responsible for selection the scholarship winners. Past recipients may re-apply for consideration each year.
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