1-04-2023 11:50pm

A look back at 2022 in Roscoe and Rockton

Michael McGinnis Editor

Design: Michael McGinnis

Our communities were changed by the year 2022. The past year, like the 185 years before it, has left Rockton and Roscoe with joyful memories as well as sobering ones.

We had times of celebration: Old Settlers Days, Roscoe Fall Festival, and many others. At Rockton-Roscoe News, we applauded the victories of the Cassioppi family and the creativity of the Barker family. Our hearts and eyes lit up at the work of Roscoe's Mr. Christmas. We remembered the glories of the Wagon Wheel Resort and the early days of Rockton Christmas Walk. We honored Bud and Sue's Market for selling plants in Roscoe for 62 years.

We had our disagreements too, in 2022, over whether children should wear masks in school, when to go trick or treating, how to make intersections safer, where multi-family housing should be allowed, and what to pay for garbage collection. We discussed the exploits of law enforcement, which around here is usually done quietly, but sometimes gets exciting enough to attract special attention. Firefighters also did their duty in assisting with vehicle collisions and house fires.

Last year we lost several memorable people in our community. Pietro Girgenti founded Pietro’s Pizza. Jim Gardner founded Jime Z's Sports Bar in Roscoe and owned Ye Olde Pub in Rockton. Wally Hanson was superintendent of Kinnikinnick School District. Denise Irving taught 5th grade at Kinnikinnick School. Catherine Burdick worked at the Roscoe public library. Michael O’Brien is remembered as the Good Wood guy in Rockton. Billy Close owned Lucky Lock in Roscoe. We lost several all too soon, all too tragically, including Nathan Shockley, Jack Baumann, Ashley Hardin, Brad Buisker, Ben Schoenhardt, Colton Rohs, and Rikki Friend.

In 2022, we brought you stories about new businesses (including two thrift stores), hometown events, elections and candidates, and hundreds of other stories. What will 2023 bring? The most reliable way to find out is to sign up for daily home delivery in your inbox. Subscribe to our free newsletter if you haven't already. And please consider supporting our work financially.