News Briefs 10/12/2023

In the news: a long bike ride, comedy night, student teacher, Frenchman's Frolic, and cemeteries

News Briefs 10/12/2023
Derek Beegle gives a video report on Facebook on Aug. 18, 2023, during his bike ride from Texas to Illinois.

This summer, a 2007 Hononegah graduate, Derek Beegle, rode a bicycle from Texas back home to Illinois - specifically, from the Texas Gulf Coast to Loves Park, IL. It's quite a story... expertly told by managing editor/standup comedian Kevin Haas of the Rock River Current.


Speaking for comedians, Mustangs Bar Grill in South Beloit is having free comedy nights each Wednesday until May. So even when it's cold and snowy, we can laugh. This week's show (Oct. 11) featured Ryan Webb, Max Sorich, Kadeem Fuller, and Nina Kern.


DaKoda Windsor from South Beloit, IL, who is studying Early Childhood Education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's College of Education and Professional Studies, is serving as a student teacher at Ledgewood Elementary School in the Kinnikinnick CCSD #131 School District through the middle of January 2024.


The Macktown Living History board is meeting on Monday. Agenda items include volunteers for Frenchman's Frolic (Oct. 21-22, 2023) and archaeology updates (it was the site of Native American campsites 8,000 years before Stephen Mack settled there). Sarah Froeliger Kissinger is a new member of the board.


Roscoe Township has appointed a new cemetery committee to help with its three cemeteries - Pinnacle Hill, Willowbrook, and Roscoe - after the retirement of Joan Robare and Mary Ryan.  The members are Nola (Hunter) Carnine, Tracy (Schoonover) Terry, and Michael McGinnis. Township Supervisor Bob Nowicki will supervise. The committee will help with grave preparations, funerals, and cleanup days, and will learn to use the Township's drone-enhanced, GPS-enabled cemetery management software.


The Rusty Wheel Tavern is hosting a Celebration of Life for its former co-owner Tom Gaffey, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 529 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, IL 61080, fondly known as "The Wheel." Tom passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 in his home surrounded by family.