Page 10 - Jane Lethlean News Today

Like many people in the Midwest, conversation between people often revolves around the weather.

Childrens Hands-On Museum in Freeport has reopened by reservation only. It will be open Friday & Saturday through March with ongoing evaluation of the COVID-19 situation.

Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard FREEPORT — Groundhog Day was extra special for students at Aquin Elementary-St. Joes Campus on Tuesday as they watched the Aquin mascot — standing in for a groundhog — predict an early spring by not seeing his shadow. The event was part of Catholic Schools Week. Among other things, the students made signs to predict whether the Aquin “groundhog” would signal the end of winter. Several Aquin Catholic High School students were on han...

Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard LENA — Winterfest first began more than 30 years ago as a way to get people out of the house and bring the community together to participate in a variety of events built around the theme of snow. The COVID-19 pandemic had organizers scaling back on the festivities this year by keeping the events smaller. On Saturday, the king and queen were crowned, with Dick and Danita Emford serving as official royalty to events including a scavenger hunt, a Fro...

Awender Audiology opens in former Advanced Hearing location Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard FREEPORT — Leanne Namio began to lose her hearing in her 30s. Her condition is inherited, and she ultimately sought help at the urging of her husband and children. Over more than 30 years, she suffered through the frustrations of using many hearing aids, only to find that too many only added noise and didn’t help her achieve “normal” hearing. It took education for Namio to get whe...

Indoor dining has returned to Stephenson County after coronavirus metrics have improved in the area.

Jane Lethlean Special to the Journal-Standard FREEPORT — Nearly 140 people were treated Sunday to a history lesson and Tim Connors portrayal of Benjamin Franklin, thanks in part to a bad case of pandemic hair. It was 1706 when historical figure and one of the founders of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, was born. But Connors brought Franklin to life via an online re-enactment over the weekend for a unique history lesson via Zoom. Connors first portrayed Franklin 20 years ago in t...

Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard FREEPORT — Cal Wescott returned to his hometown roots in Freeport 30 years ago by purchasing a locally owned furniture business, and he is now helping second- and third-generation customers "find the right fit” with their furniture and appliance needs at Rite-Way Furniture & Appliance in downtown. After working in corporate retail for 14 years, Wescott said he longed to own his own business. The opportunity arose for him to purchase Rite-Way and...

Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard MONROE, Wis. — For many art centers and museums, COVID-19 has hit with a vengeance with directors and their boards scrambling to find new ways to showcase art and hold classes for art education. Monroe Arts Center in Monroe, Wisconsin, is getting ready to hold four virtual art classes for adults. The first one will begin in February, with others to follow through May. “It’s important for us at the Monroe Arts Center to stay connected to the c...

It was more than 20 years ago Tim Connors first portrayed Benjamin Franklin in the musical “1776” at Highland Community College.