Belvidere Daily Republican: FEATURED NEWS

City and state split road repair work

Nov. 6, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

BELVIDERE – While the Illinois Tollway remains tattered with orange signs and cones, the intersection of State Street and North Appleton Road is clear of that color.

A joint construction effort between the Illinois Dept. of Transportation and Belvidere Public Works at the intersection, has been completed. The project originated from an arrangement between the two government agencies, in which they share the repair duties along State Street, with IDOT assuming a bit more of the responsibility than the city.

“We basically have a 60/40 agreement with IDOT (for State Street),” Belvidere Public Works director Brent Anderson said. “(IDOT) have to do the two inside lanes and center turn lane, while we’re responsible for the outside lanes and storm sewer.”

The project began earlier this fall and traffic was narrowed for roughly a quarter mile, from the intersection to Doc Wolf Drive. Anderson said the project was to replace concrete sections remaining from the last overhaul of that stretch of road, in the 1980s.

 

Belvidere veteran completes American Legion College

Nov. 5, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS – They came here from nearly every state not knowing what to expect.  They were challenged from the beginning to demonstrate creativity, leadership and innovation. They are the 56 members of The American Legion College class of 2013, among them, Terry Abdelnour, a member of American Legion Post 77 in Belvidere.

Members of the class of dedicated, Legionnaires completed a six-day course that saw them lay a solid foundation for American Legion post revitalization in a variety of settings to include a rural area, the inner city, suburban communities, metropolitan areas with special emphasis given to working with the Armed Forces. They were also provided the instruction and tools to construct resolutions for American Legion activities at their respective posts for presentation at a mock department meeting.

The National American Legion College is designed to reinforce a volunteer’s leadership, management and communication skills.  This helps prepare young members of The American Legion to lead the nation’s largest wartime veterans organization on the local and state level.  The importance of mentorship for both other members and special groups in the community was a central point to several of the activities for the class.

“Your journey is just beginning. Now you must take this new found knowledge back to your post, district and department and pass this on to others,” American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger told the graduating class.

Abdelnour was nominated by organizational leaders in the state of Illinois.

 

Belvidere Veterans Day Parade Nov. 11

Nov. 5, 2013

BELVIDERE -- The annual Veteran's Day Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11.

Bruce Anderson, parade marshal, will lead the parade from City Parking Lot 5 (between Main St. and Whitney Blvd.) and proceed to the State Street bridge for a brief ceremony.

A rifle squad will assemble at the bridge, and Chaplain Roger Myers from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1461 will offer a prayer. Gold Star Sisters Marilyn Orr, Ann Castro, and Vi Luedtke will cast memorial wreaths upon the water. After a rifle squad salute and Taps, the parade will proceed to the Veteran's Memorial on West Lincoln Ave.

The ceremony at the Veteran's Memorial will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1461 Commander Greg Kelm, Ladies Auxiliary President Kathy Rhoda, American Legion Post 77 Commander Marilyn Riske and Ladies Auxiliary President Tina Abdelnour. Master of ceremonies, Greg Kelm, will be this year's guest speaker.

A closing prayer will be offered.

In case of inclement weather, ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. at VFW Post 1461, 1210 W. Lincoln Ave. For information, call the VFW at 815-544-2014 or the American Legion at 815-547-7216.

 

Flora Grange annual Fall Roast Beef Dinner fundraiser to take place Sunday, Nov. 10

Nov. 1, 2013

BELVIDERE-- Flora Grange #1762 invites the public to its annual Fall Roast Beef Dinner, on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Flora Grange Hall, 2105 Stone Quarry Rd., three miles south of Bypass 20 (Appleton exit).  Please note the Stone Quarry Bridge over the Tollway is closed, so please use Pearl Street to Bates Rd as an alternate route.

Reservations are being taken for two servings at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Adults are $12 and children ages 6-12 are $5. Call (815) 985-8544 or (815) 494-6927 or (815) 222-6173. Tickets will be available at the door. Carry outs available.

The dinner features a super homemade salad bar and a bake sale of homemade delights and, of course the mouth watering and tender and tasty roast beef prepared by the member “chefs” of Flora Grange.

Proceeds from the dinner will go toward Flora’s community service projects -  so enjoy a good home-cooked meal and help others at the same time.

The Grange is a national organization based in Washington DC with 2100 chapters throughout the country. The Grange membership consists of families supporting agriculture and their local communities with a wide variety of community service projects. Flora is one of seven chapters in Boone County which own and operate the Boone County Fair, among other projects.

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