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Vacancy Filled!

By Keith Bardell

Freeport Illinois- Today it was announced that a possible 35 new jobs are coming to Freeport. The mall manager, Joan Welt, announced that there was a new hardware store coming to town. Click on the pic and see the vid. Wow! There will be a new hardware store coming to us, and it will be at the Lincoln Mall. Home Hardware has chosen the mall for it's new location.

     The administrative manager of the Home hardware store, Ruth Snelting, said,"We are taking over the old Big Lots area."

     "More stores brings in more traffic, which brings more potential," said Ann Rippy of the Garden Deli, which is already located in the mall.

     The chain has been up and running since 1926, and the established store hopes to make it in Freeport, and provide the town with an easily accessible place to shop for their home improvement needs.

 See announcement Video.....

Eight Local Agencies Receive Grants

Freeport Illinois- The Community Crisis Response Grant delivered the good news to the eight agencies in Freeport that they are the recipients of grant money. The Community Crisis Response Fund is a collaborative effort formed between the Freeport Community Foundation, the Community Vision 20/20 and the United Way of Northwestern Illinois, according to the Freeport Community Foundation. The Crisis Fund helps the agencies that are struggling in these tough economic times.

     "Voices received a grant for a plumbing problem," said Anita Rumage, (pictured) executive director of Voices. "It’s wonderful for the community to give us what is necessary for us to do what we do."

     Rumage said there was just about a one-month turnaround from when the grant was applied for, to when they received the grant.

     "We also have a heater and air-conditioner unit that needs to be replaced," said Rumage. "They run around $10,000."

     The community was challenged to match funds dollar for dollar up to $25,000, along with the grants. So far, a little over $53,000 has been raised. The eight agencies that received the grants were:

The American Red Cross,

Assault and Abuse Services of Stephenson County

Boys & Girls Clubs of Freeport and Stephenson County

Contact of N. Il.

FHN’s Family Counseling Big Brother Big Sister Mentoring Program

New Horizons Counseling Center

Salvation Army, Freeport

Voices DV

For more info contact:http://www.freeportcommunityfoundation.org

Meet Hello Galena Artist: Hendrica Regez
 
Meet Hendrica Regez, Hello Galena's featured artist for October. Take time to meet her at Hello Galena's shop Friday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

     An environmentalist, Regez gathers inspiration from nature. "I draw from it and express a given mood," she said.

Her medium is acrylics used in a technique that combines the spontaneity of watercolors with the texture of impasto. She prefers to use strong colors in a limited palette and many glazes. Her subjects are taken from nature and more or less abstracted, which gives them a "less is more", "Zen-like" quality. Her style is uniquely her own, lying somewhere between abstract symbolism and hyper-surrealism. She has invented her own iconographic language to communicate concepts and emotions.

     Her work is owned and displayed by private collectors and organizations nationwide and throughout Europe.

Regez, who grew up in Germany, has always been interested in creating beautiful things. Her father painted for a hobby, and she utilized the steady supply of drawing and painting materials that were on hand. Although she trained and worked as an electrical engineer, she maintained her interest in painting. Now she works full-time as an artist.

Regez's artwork may also be seen in Galena at the Railway Cafe and the American Eagle Gallery. Plus, appointments may be made to see her work at her Westside Studio. To make an appointment, contact her at (815) 776-0557. Of course, her art is on sale at Hello Galena at 121 N. Commerce St., in Galena. The website is www.HelloGalena.org for directions on finding the artist co-op. More October Events

Photo supplied

October 10-11, SILVER CREEK AND STEPHENSON RAILROAD ANTIQUE STEAM TRAIN RIDES AND SILVERCREEK MUSEUM. 2954 S. Walnut, Freeport.11 am to 4 pm. All aboard as a 36 ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses, including an antique red caboose reported to be the oldest in the state, and three passenger flatcars for a four mile ride through farmlands and across a bridge 30' above Yellow Creek. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts. Browse for novelties in the Freight House Gift Shop. Visit the Silvercreek Museum filled with early Americana and featuring the 130 ton Cooper Corliss Steam Engine and its over 25' fly wheel. The museum will feature homemade soups, sandwiches and dessert. Train: Adults: $6; Children under 12: $3; Cab Rides: $10; Museum: Adults: $3; Children Under 12: Free.

(815-235-2198)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement

HCC Foundation Announces Scholarship Named for Joey Stott click here

40TH ANNUAL THRESHING AND ANTIQUE SHOW

September 18-20, 40TH ANNUAL THRESHING AND ANTIQUE SHOW. Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut, Freeport. Friday and Saturday: 7 am to 6 pm; Sunday: 7 am to 5 pm. The Stephenson County Antique Engine Club proudly presents this annual event, "The Freeport Show". It offers over 300 antique steam and horse-powered engines and equipment, and gas engines. This year's feature is horses and horse-powered equipment. There will be a huge parade daily at 1 pm, a large flea market, a large display building offering home antiques, crafts, demonstrations, old-time music and farm miniatures, a Sunday non-denominational church service beginning at 8:30 am, Gasoline Alley (featuring Rawleigh and Rawleigh-Schryer), sawmill, and blacksmith shop. A variety of large and small steam engines will be in operation; there will be threshing demonstrations with both steam and gas tractors, and working demonstrations throughout the show grounds. Also ride the Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad antique steam train (Adults: $6; Children Under 12: $3), and visit the Silvercreek Museum (Adults:$3; Children Under 12: Free). Great food is offered including a variety of food stands, plus breakfast from 7 am to 9:30 am and a Noon Dinner from 11 am until 1 pm. A Midwest Championship Antique Tractor Pull will be offered on Friday at 6 pm and Saturday at 4 pm. A Farmer's Hitch Class Horse Pull will be held on Saturday at 7:30 pm. On Sunday, enjoy the River Rat Racers with their lawn mower races at 3 pm at the grandstand. Adults: $6; Children under 12: $3; Season Pass: $15. (815-235-2198)

More September Events

Sonic Drive-In  Open in Freeport

Freeport Illinois-  Sonic is now open and they are located at 1811 S. West Ave. in Freeport (across from the Meadows Shopping Center.)   

Illinois colleges and universities prepare for MAP Grant cuts

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinic to be held at Highland Community College

FREEPORT— The Stephenson County Health Department and Highland Community College will be holding a seasonal flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday, October 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Ray and Betty Stamm Health Science Nursing Wing on the Highland College campus. The cost is $25.00, or Medicare Part B (red, white and blue card). Highland Community College nursing students will be assisting with the immunizations.

Maps and directions are available at www.highland.edu.

FHN Walk to Remember is October 4

FREEPORT, Ill.,  — The FHN Perinatal Grief Group will hold its annual Walk to Remember on Sunday, Oct. 4. The Walk to Remember is a special ceremony for parents and families who have lost a baby (through miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn loss) to share their grief and remember their loved one.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. in the Globe and Deaconess rooms on the lower level of FHN Memorial Hospital. (Please remember that all visitors to the hospital must check in at the registration desk in the Atrium.) Families will gather for a brief program and to decorate balloons. The group then will walk together to Bidwell Park to release the balloons. After the balloon release, the families will gather again in the Globe and Deaconess rooms for a light snack.

A Walk to Remember, named for a poem on the subject of losing a child by Kathie Mayo, is an annual event held both to honor those lost and comfort those left behind. Families release balloons in memory of their little angels, with the wish that all who see or find the balloons will know that their children were real, were wanted and are loved.

For more information on the group or the Walk to Remember, call Patty at 815-599-6221.
 

Freeport Fusion Festival Held at Read Park SK 8

Freeport Illinois-  The Freeport Fusion Festival was held on August 15.  This is the annual skateboarding competition that featured music and skateboarding contests.

    "This is one of the first years that we haven't been rained out or rescheduled,"  said Berin Jackson the Park District's athletic director. 

Full list of competition winners CLICK HERE   

Hometown Heroes Happening Held Saturday

     Freeport Illinois- The Red Cross held the "Hometown Heroes Happening" event at their building on West Galena Avenue in Freeport on Saturday August 15^th.

     The public was invited to join in the silent auction and cookout fundraiser and also invited to shop at the vendor booths. The goal was to raise money for a new defribulator and to celebrate the American Red Cross Northwest Illinois Chapter’s new, grant-funded classroom. Each vendor donated a portion of their sales to the cause.

     Also on hand for entertainment was Rick of Rick’s Chainsaw Art. He performed his chainsaw cutting artistry and donated one of his works to the Red Cross.  Photo Gallery and Vendor List CLICK HERE

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Freeport Fusion Festival Held at Read Park SK 8

Freeport Illinois-  The Freeport Fusion Festival was held on August 15.  This is the annual skateboarding competition that featured music and skateboarding contests.

    "This is one of the first years that we haven't been rained out or rescheduled,"  said Berin Jackson the Park District's athletic director

Winners:

 

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Check Presented to the United Way

 

The Freeport Area Young Professionals Network (FAYPN) donated $1000 to the United Way of Northwest Illinois. FAYPN worked the Cub Food’s Brat Stand in July to help raise the money for United Way. Pictured from left to right: Marsha Mulligan of United Way, Autumn Musser, Andrew Garnhart and Alison Kepner all FAYPN board members. 

 

Way to Go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Archive:

The Civil War is Remembered This Weekend in Freeport

Freeport Illinois- The Stephenson County Historical Society is displaying some of it’s Civil War artifacts at HCC this weekend in conjunction with the HCC’s stage production of "The Civil War."

     The exhibit featured a select group of Civil War artifacts that are on display from the Stephenson County Historical Society in their exhibit titled "Stephenson County In The Civil War." There is an 1861 Springfield Musket and an amputee kit featured in the exhibit.

     "Many of the items were inherited from the Taylor House that was donated to the historical society," said Cassandra Steele of the historical society. "We accept articles (offered to the museum) only if we can store them and care for them properly."

     Ryan Hiser was asked by HCC to attend and greet the public dressed as a Civil War Soldier. His ancestors lived in German Valley at the time of the Civil War. Hiser started his re-enacting career when he was only 8 years old. He owns his own "gear," and is a graduate of HCC.

     "I have loved history since I was a little kid," said Hiser.

     One local resident is currently doing his own research of the African-American contributions to the war and how they were treated afterward. His name is Steven Cole and he is portraying Fredrick Douglass in the play. Cole is researching some unmarked graves in the local area which are believed to be the graves of African-American veterans of the war. This will be the focus of an upcoming feature article here at SeeFreeNews.com. Photo Gallery

Forever Fundraiser and Coffee Too!

Freeport Illinois- The date is moving ever closer to the grand opening of Contact’s Curbside Coffee and Heck’s Frozen Meals and Deli venture.

     Contact of Northern Illinois has discovered a new way in which to keep much needed funds flowing in. They are poised to open their Contact’s Curbside Coffee, a place in the northwest end of Freeport at 1100 W. Galena Ave, on July 23. The grand opening will coincide with Heck’s "business-after-hours," and Burger Throwdown competition on the same day sponsored by Heck’s and the Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce, also in conjunction with Joe’s Fest.

     Lori Heck, the owner of Heck’s, had initially catered an event for Contact and fell in love with the services that they provide the community with. The idea for the sales of coffee came about after the "A Taste of Contact," event that was held in April at Heck’s. That event brought people out to taste some of the food prepared from the A Taste of Contact recipe book. That book is currently for sale for only $8 and will be available at Heck’s. Heck spoke with Pamela J. Werntz, the executive director of Contact of Northern Illinois, and the two decided that the concept of a for-profit business helping a non-profit business could become a reality and benefit both.

     "(This will) help to keep our not-for-profit services going," said Werntz. "Our Board of Directors and volunteers believed in it so much that they donated (the funds) to cover the start-up costs."

     They are planning also to offer tea and cappicino along with pastries to compliment their "downhome tasting" coffee. Curbside service will be offered M-F 6:30 am to 9:30 am. Regular store hours are Tues-Fri. 9am-6pm and Sat. 8-3. They want to be your "First Contact of the Day!"

Curbside service 815-232-9400. For more info about Contact CLICK HERE

FHN Healthcare Savings Series Begins

Freeport Illinois- Cutting back on unhealthy activities is just one of the ways discussed at the first in a three part series at FHN’s Healthcare Economics Speakers Series.

Dr. Shawn Shianna (pictured) was the guest speaker and addressed many issues to a public group at FHN on Tuesday June 30. The group was also allowed to ask questions about their healthcare cost concerns. The powerpoint presentation touched on many topics of concern about healthcare costs.

     "The big-expensive things we don’t have the answers yet," said Shianna speaking of the national healthcare cost crisis.

     Shianna also said afterwards that they also have software that can help to monitor patients. Dr Shianna earned his degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford. He has practiced in Freeport since 1989 and is board-certified in otolaryngology and sees patients at the FHN Family Healthcare Center-Kunkle Blvd. For more information visit: www.fhn.org/healthcaredollar and our Local July Events Page 

Will Hydrogen Change Freeport?

Freeport Illinois- A local team announced Friday June 26 that there may be new technology that has been invented that may change our future.

     Richard M. Sherman, president of Sherman Art in Freeport, and Micheal J. See, president of Global Vanguard Innovations held a press conference to announce a new way to harness the power of hydrogen. See explained to the group a little of what he has developed. He says that he has received a "provisional patent," on his invention that will be an alternative to the conventional fuel cell technology. Details were not divulged at this time, but he did hold up a sketch of his invention that is what he feels will also help to change Freeport.  The pair feel that this could be a boost to our economy.

     The pair say that the first stage of the production could entail re-tooling of existing businesses in the area to be involved in the production process. See calls this plan "A" and said that plan "B" would be the production of the hydrogen itself.  When hydrogen is burned it produces water.

     "(This could,) replace the engine as we know it," said Sherman. "It’s an entirely new technology."

They did want it known that they are looking for investors and hope to be "shovel-ready," in two years time.

Press Conference Video CLICK HERE

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Comes to Freeport

Freeport Illinois- The Stephenson County Health Department at 10 W. Linden St. was host to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile on Tuesday, June 23.

     The Care Mobile is a mobile care center that travels to children who are in need of medical and dental care. These children may be uninsured or under insured. The funding for the Care Mobile comes from many sources, including the coin and pop tabs that are collected at the local McDonalds. The local monies collected are allocated for the areas in which they are collected.

     Funding also comes from the Ronald McDonald House Charities and a large portion is also donated by the Rockford Health System Auxiliary. Individuals and corporate sponsors also contribute and the cost per child averages about $45.

     "We are definitely seeing an increase in the number of children here in these economic times," said nurse practitioner Toni Ellinson. "(About) every six months we visit the area and offer free medical and dental exams for the children."

     The Care Mobile will return here in December. On board today also was Kristi Briggs an All Kids representative. This Care Mobile is sponsored out of U.W. of Madison and services Boone, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties. For more information you may call Toni Ellingson at 815-971-5810.                                                         Pictured: Toni Elligson(right) Kristi Briggsleft)