The Herald

Macktown Living History brought past skills into the present, honored Native Pride

MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
	Lucy Adrignola shared information on Native American culture at Macktown.

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER Macktown Living History welcomed families, and visitors to an event showcasing Native Pride on Sunday, April 13. Educational opportunities were opened to learning the culture of various tribes, while trying hands on  activities. Featured tribes that information was presented on included the HO-Chunk, Sauk, Kaskaskia and […]

 
 

Fun heated up as the Hononegah HOPE Foundation created a ‘Touch of the Tropics’

MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
	Hononegah High School teachers Cari Vanderheyden, Aara VanGalder and Jenny Decker took a moment to capture Touch of the Tropics memories.

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER Flamingos and palm trees sat on tables, transforming CUinto Hononegah Community High School’s “A Touch of the Tropics” on Saturday evening, April 5. Guests were given leis to wear by friendly volunteers. Many guests wore Hawaiian themed clothing, some dressed in captain outfits while others opted […]

 
 

New ball fields at Hononegah honor memory of former student, history of former teams and coaches

COURTESY PHOTO The Herald
	Kelsey Field was being dug up on opening day of the baseball/softball season. The topsoil that was removed was used to regrade the former Rockton Grade School property where the HCHS Rugby team practices.

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER When the Hononegah Indians baseball team returned to Weber field on opening day, the first game was played on new turf, surrounded by a stunning view. Enhancing the style of the buildings a brick face was chosen to cover the dugouts and the backstops. The girl’s […]

 
 

Tony Barlow Charity games bring out fierce competition, strong support of local organizations

MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
	Tony Barlow Games organizer, retired teacher Mike Rhines was joined by Angela Luton and Yesenia Jimenez of DEFY-Domestic Abuse Shelter Beloit Center. Tony Barlow's family joined them; pictured are: Tony's dad Sam and mom Bev, his sister Amanda,  and Amanda's husband Dominic with their two sons, Sal and Sam.

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER Tony Barlow’s family watched from the stands as the Prairie Hill Elementary and Willowbrook Middle School district #133 staff took on students in fierce volleyball  and basketball games,  played for a good cause on Thursday, March 20. Beyond the nets and baskets these games now hold […]

 
 

Whitman Post Elementary School Principal presented with ‘Outstanding Principal Award’

MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
	Mrs. Megan Forsythe is the well deserved winner of the 2025 Golden Apple "Outstanding Principal."

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER Golden colored balloons, and a banner that was hung on a wall with the words, “Outstanding Principal,” surrounded the gymnasium in Whitman Post Elementary School (WPES) on the morning of Wednesday March 19 where students, staff, teachers, members of the community, friends and family gathered to […]

 
 

Rockton Township Historical Society hosting docent workshop to greater benefit museum visitors

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER The main goal of Rockton Township Historical Society (RTHS) is to preserve Rockton’s history by keeping it alive through different means. One of the key ways they reach out to the community is through tours of the RTHS Green Street Museum. Leading the tours are dedicated […]

 
 

Four candidates vying for three Trustee seats in the Village of Rockton

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER Rockton Village President John Peterson and Village Clerk Christina Stewart are running unopposed in the upcoming election on April 1. Peterson will continue as Rockton Village President in his second term. Peterson served as a Trustee since 2009 before being  sworn in on May 4, 2021 […]

 
 

February Tree of the Month: Eastern White Pine

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER REISETTER The Herald
The Eastern White Pine at Phillips Cemetery in Rockton is considered the largest of its kind in Illinois and will be listed on the Illinois Big Tree Register. This one is NIL’s Tree of the Month for February 2025.

In January of 2024, the Natural Land Institute (NLI) launched their Legacy Tree Program’s Tree of the Month recognition and is pleased to continue this program for 2025 to highlight trees of historic significance with interesting stories, in addition to finding very large trees that qualify for the Illinois Big […]

 
 

Spirit of sisterhood, friendship, and ladies celebrating ladies evident at Rockton Galentine’s Day party

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARDE GANN AND BETTY KENDALL The Gazette
	2025 Mr. PHS Josh Frank (center) with attendant Brooklyn Connell (to his left), 2024 Mr. PHS Drew Lapp (far right), and co-chairs Teagan Kasper (far left) and Anna McLevige (to Frank’s right). Josh also received the Best Answer Award and Mr. Congeniality. Key Club members and co-chairs Teagan and Anna are both juniors this year and have been involved with Mr. PHS for all three of their years of high school so far.

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER   Three hours of fun were spent celebrating the spirit of sisterhood, friendship, and ladies celebrating ladies was found at a Galentine’s Day party in downtown Rockton on Thursday, Feb. 13 where up to 16 places opened doors to fun. The first Galentine’s Day party was […]

 
 

Rockton Yeti Fest drew thousands of visitors from different locations

COURTESY PHOTO The Herald
	Vikings In Black created a perfectly sculpted Blackbeard.

By Marianne Mueller REPORTER Thousands of visitors discovered pure winter fun at Rockton’s Yeti Fest. Four days of pure winter fun started on Wednesday, Feb. 5 and ran until Saturday, Feb. 8. Yeti Fest is billed as “A festival where the abominable snow people of Rockton and their friends come […]

 
 
 
 
 
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