We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
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I took a small trip with my wife out to Lake Le Aqua Na in order to take a few pictures of the construction project out there. But after seeing nobody on site working – on a Tuesday – and the grounds in various states of construction, I was interested in finding out whether or not the Corona situation had put it on hold, or if the scheduled re-opening in 2021 was still on schedule. An email to the initial project coordinator who told us about what was planned several months ago ended up wit...
Last Sunday evening, my wife and I were outside sitting around a fire pit with our neighbors, and keeping the required six feet of separation when suddenly out of the blue our neighbor bolted upright. "What the hell is that?" she explained pointing towards the sky. We all quickly turned, and were struck by the amazing sight that captivated – and concerned us all at the same time. High up in the night sky, seeming to come from out of the darkness to the West, was a line of "stars" that was m...
Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP), the premier professional summer theatre of northwest Illinois, announces the postponement of all performances and events through the end of June. TLP staff are busily working with concert promoters and licensing agents to reschedule these dates. “We at TLP have been looking forward to the opening night of SuperStar in June and we are as disappointed with this decision as everyone is,” stated Dan Danielowski, Executive Director of TLP. “We are, however, committed to the health and safety of our employees and patro...
A church in northwest Illinois filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block part of Gov. JB Pritzker's stay-at-home executive order, especially its ban on public worship services. The suit was filed by the Thomas More Society, a conservative legal advocacy group, on behalf of Pastor Steve Cassell of Most Beloved Church in Lena, in Stephenson County. The complaint argues the governor's order violates several provisions of both the state and federal constitutions. "The spiritual well-being of the...
Lawanda Smith was only 20 years old, but she knew right away how much she wanted children in her life. She and her husband Bobby both loved children dearly, but due to infertility issues they were unable to have any of their own. Still, living down in Hobbs, New Mexico, there was a Baptist Children's Home nearby that allowed people to "sponsor" a child for one week over Christmas. The idea was that it gave kids a week where they could enjoy a "normal" family setting complete with parents,...
Fair warning – this week’s column is not “humorous” in any way, shape, or form. In fact … it leans to the depressing side. So for those who don’t want to follow me into a deep dive of the economic impact our region has been plunged into … you might want to skip this one. I’m spoiled, I realize that. Most of the people reading this have been stuck inside the confines of their front or backyard – with only the occasional trip to the grocery store or gas station thrown in – ever since the Gove...
"God Can Draw A Straight Line With A Crooked Stick" When I was a senior in high school, one of my teachers predicted that one day I would be farming 10,000 acres of land and own half the state of Wisconsin. Those were his exact words. I have never forgotten what he said or the confidence he had in me. I had another teacher who told me I'd be wasting my education if I went to Bible college instead of a university that would train me in a vocation. You know what? They were both wrong! When I...
When we first started hearing about the Wuhan Virus, which has transitioned to Covid 19, projected deaths were over 2.5 million. These projections were based on models which, since early March, have been continually adjusted downward. Now we believe the death rate from the virus will be somewhere under 100,000 per year. These early projections caused us to literally shut down a country. Influenza, or the flu, kills approximately 60 to 70 thousand per year. Daily we are told of the Covid 19...
Following a call by legislators representing Northwest Illinois to re-open Illinois regionally last week, Northwest Illinois local officials have been following suit, lending their support to a regional approach to the re-opening of Illinois economy, the first step needed toward an economic recovery from the impact of the Stay at Home Orders in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A letter sent by a 14 member majority of the Stephenson County Board to Governor JB Pritzker on April 25 urged the replacement of the current one-size-fits-all...
Despite being generally closed to the public, Stephenson County offices are staffed and meeting community needs. The work of government must continue. One particular element of that work discussed at an increasingly rapid pace is that of real estate taxes. Primary among my duties as the county's Treasurer & Collector is the billing, collection, and distribution of those property tax dollars. (One duty that doesn't fall to me is determining the amount of your tax bill – that's another office enti...
A second Republican state representative on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Gov. JB Pritzker alleging he overstepped his authority in ordering Illinoisans to stay at home to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The outcome of Machesney Park Rep. John Cabello's case could affect all state residents, as Cabello filed the suit in Winnebago County on behalf of himself and "all citizens of the state of Illinois similarly situated." Illinoisans' right to "free movement" - to leave their...
Warren Clyde E. Groom, 97 Clyde E. Groom, 97, of 416 Pearl St. Warren, IL passed away Monday, April 27, 2020 at Liberty Village Nursing Home in Freeport, IL. Clyde was born to Clara (Broge) and William Groom on February 23, 1923. In his Senior year of High School, he tested milk for DHIA Association. He Graduated in 1942, from Warren High School. He married the love of his life, Wilma R. Creighton on June 14, 1948 in Stockton, IL. They shared over 65 years together until he lost her May 6, 2014. They were blessed with 4 children, Gregory... Full story
As ironic as it may seem in our current shelter-in-place situation, next week celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week. Even though we cannot celebrate this commemoration with festivities at each of our beautiful Stephenson County attractions, instead this year's event honors the spirit of travel in recognition of the industry's strength, selflessness and resiliency. The Greater Freeport Partnership and other travel ambassadors throughout the area remain unified and supportive of each other...
The Eastland Cougars took one huge step closer to the conference title as they were able to rally back and edge past Lena-Winslow 6-5 last week. With the only undefeated conference record on the line, the Cougars got into trouble early when Lena-Winslow's Brian McCabe took the first pitch from Gabe Schrader and planted it in the Splashland parking lot for a three-run homer and a 4-2 Panther lead in the bottom of the first inning. But Schrader settled down as he shut out the powerful Panther...
The Jo Daviess County Board has established a new $250,000 Jo Daviess County Small Business Grant Program (SBSG). The purpose of the SBSG program is to help small businesses deemed “non-essential” pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s “Stay at Home” executive order, that are located within Jo Daviess County, to remain viable during the following COVID-19 pandemic. The grant program is intended to help “non-essential” small businesses in Jo Daviess County pay expenses not covered by the federal governments “Paycheck Protection Program” or oth...
Some good news came last week for those looking to play golf in Illinois: facilities were allowed to open for business on May 1. However, there is a lengthy list of restrictions that comes with the opening amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the state's stay at home order. Illinois governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order allowing golf courses in the state to open for business on May 1. But that permission came with the following caveat: Golf will be permitted under strict safety...
Unemployment in Illinois and the U.S. continues to balloon amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The state reported 81,596 first-time claims in the week ending April 25, during which time more than 3.8 million claims were submitted nationally. That means 818,917 Illinoisans filed for unemployment since March 21, and 681,041 drew unemployment benefits during the week ending April 25. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, that is about 10.7 percent of Illinois’ civilian work force. T...
The state has banned in-person graduation ceremonies of any kind because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The news came as a disappointment to students and their families Wednesday when the state superintendent of schools said districts can't hold gatherings for graduation at all. It's part of abiding by the governor's stay at home order that has been extended to May 30th. Some Districts in the state had been planning on holding "drive-thru" celebrations where students could pick up their diploma...
Urging the legislature to reconvene by Tuesday, May 5, State Representative Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) sent a letter to House Speaker Michael Madigan and the Illinois House Clerk's office saying the General Assembly must, "address important issues related to the State of Illinois' response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, as well as any other regular business to be conducted, including working toward passage of a FY 21 State Budget to take effect July 1, 2020." Chesney went on to request,...
This year's Orangeville 4th graders have worked for three weeks to prepare for their Living Wax Museum. In the past, this is a big end-of-the-year event for students, and we invite the school, families, and friends to see them perform as their "button" gets pushed. This year, the button happened to be "play" on an app called Seesaw, and only our class and families got to enjoy these wonderful performances, but they were amazing! The class learned the history of multiple characters including athl...
