Red wreath campaign was successful

Dear Editor,

The “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign was a great success again this year thanks to all of your hard work!

The program is very simple, a wreath is placed on the front of the Mt. Morris Firehouse.

The wreath was covered in red bulbs. If a fire occurs during the holiday season caused by holiday decorations, a bulb will be changed to white.

Thanks to our safety conscious citizens we were able to keep the wreath red for the entire holiday season.

The Mt. Morris Fire Department truly appreciates everyone’s help to make it another fire safe holiday season!

Rob Hough

Mt. Morris Fire Chief

Thank you for purchasing gifts

Dear Editor,

The Forreston Lions Club would like to thank everyone who purchased Angel gifts this year.

We also thank the Forreston schools for collecting a huge amount of food to pack the food baskets. There were 62 baskets delivered.

We want to thank Phil’s Fresh Eggs for donating a dozen eggs for each food basket.

Thanks also to the Forreston United Methodist Church for its huge donation.

Special thanks to our Forreston Leo Club for helping with the whole project.

We would never have been able to do the job without their help.

Thank you,

Larry Dikkers

Shannon

Concerned with restaurant name

Dear Editor,

I am writing in reference to the painted sign on the side of the building of the newly established restaurant “Jackass BBQ”, located at 501 Washington St., Oregon.

As a former resident of Oregon, on a recent visit ‘home’, imagine my surprise when I saw, in six-foot letters on the side of the building, the words “Jackass BBQ”.

First, I would like to say that I am not a prude. Second, I have no intention of dampening anyone’s entrepreneurial spirit or interfering with their income. That is not the intent of this letter.
That being said, I am appalled that this was allowed. Oregon is a historical, charming, quaint, sleepy little town nestled along the banks of the Rock River.

I have seen Oregon grow and change through the years, for the better.

The Forward Oregon Committee and the Oregon Chamber of Commerce should be commended for their efforts and dedication to enhance Oregon, through renovations of the north, south, east and west ends, with many wonderful improvements to buildings, roads and sidewalks, enabling tourists visiting Oregon to enjoy our shops, restaurants, parks and special events.

With all the words in the English language, this is what Oregon wants to highlight? The word ‘jackass’ is considered offensive to some.

The letters are so large that they are impossible to miss. You can see them from any direction as you are passing through the main intersection of Ill. 2 and Ill. 64.

I am quite sure that was the intent of the large lettering, as advertising and exposure are both valuable to any new business, understandable.

However, the word “jackass” is not appropriate and should not be allowed to be splashed on the side of any public building for all to see!

Being one to not become part of the problem, perhaps a solution would be to have an appropriate awning or small sign hanging from the front, but certainly not six foot visible letters!

I am sure there are those who would disagree with me, but I felt compelled to write my thoughts. I have family and many friends who live in Oregon.

Seeing this word on the side of a building in the sweet town where I grew up has left me perplexed, sad and disappointed.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Rundlett

Wading River, N.Y.

215 food baskets were delivered

Dear Editor,

The 12 member churches of the Polo Community Council of Churches provided food donations and volunteers to assemble and deliver 215 Christmas baskets to needy families in the Polo area on Dec. 15.

Special thanks is extended to the John Deuth Family for their donation of more than 220 pounds of pork sausage.

The generous donation of 220 4-pound hams by Don and Janice Conn is also greatly appreciated.

Both families have made these donations for several years which has contributed greatly to the success of this project.

The SuperValu grocery store in Oregon provided many food items and the loaves of bread; the committee appreciates the cooperative spirit.

All excess food donation or food which were not delivered or claimed were donated to the Polo Lifeline Food Pantry.

The Polo Church of the Brethren coordinated the efforts this year and its committee wishes to thank all volunteers for their generosity and help.