12-12-2023 5:53am

News Briefs 12/12/2023: memories

Michael McGinnis Editor

Santa gave Mayson a candy cane and a pink toolbox, and life is good for the Roscoe four-year-old. Photo: Amy Schubert

The Village of Rockton parks and recreation department is gauging interest in a girls flag football league or team. You can comment on Facebook or contact the Village office if you A) have a daughter who is interested, B) would like more information once a team or league is formed, or C) just generally support the idea.

Former Roscoe police chief Jamie Evans has died at age 47 after battling cancer twice. We will bring you memories from her life in an upcoming story.

Rockton resident Scott Dimke has died at age 50 on Dec. 8, 2023. He was the 8th grade assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School in Rockford. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday afternoon, December 17, 2023, at the Lynx Golf Course at Westlake Village in Winnebago, IL.

The Roscoe VFW continued a decades-old tradition as World War II veteran John Rossato laid a wreath into the Rock River in observance of Pearl Harbor Day - one of the few such ceremonies in Winnebago County. Our reporter Jean Seeger covered the event last Thursday- also a decades-old tradition.

Coming today: more photos and videos from Roscoe's Hometown Holidays, including old-time singers, rein-goats, and a model train.

Three Roscoe college students performed in the annual Christmas at Augustana College program in the Quad Cities on Dec. 2-3, 2023: Andrew Frieden in the Augustana Brass Ensemble and Augustana Symphony Orchestra; Kailynn Catalani in the Augustana Symphony Orchestra; and Max de Buys in the Augustana Concert Chorale.

At University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Hononegah grad and trumpeter Noah Brockway is one of twenty students musicians chosen to play in Jazz Ensemble II next year, a jazz big band including saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and rhythm section. He is also a member of the school's Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

After 25 years, Angelic Organics Learning Center on Rockton Road has changed its name to Farmers Rising. They say, "Small and regenerative farmers are essential to building a sustainable local food system. At Farmers Rising, we create space for farmers to learn from one another, grow their businesses and their practice, and connect with eaters, partners, and advocates for local food of all ages and walks of life." The center is open to the public for special events and programs, school field trips, even summer camps.

Amy Schubert, a new Roscoe resident, was delighted when an assistant manager at Lowe's, dressed as Santa Claus, gave a candy cane to her four year old daughter, Mayson, but they were even more excited when he gave her a free pink Kobalt mini toolbox (practically sold out everywhere, she says). The little girl "brought it home and she quickly filled it with her play makeup and set it in a special spot in her room."

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