Congratulations, Rochelle…. you did it again!

You proved that you are a caring community by making the From the Heart event the biggest one yet!

Over $68,000 was raised, which will be distributed to several nonprofit groups serving our community. The community did this by buying calendars, being sponsors, donating for the silent auction or attending.

When this event kicked off several years ago I was a bit skeptical because the cost of a ticket is pricey. Boy, was I wrong. This year I did not attend in person, but I did buy a virtual ticket…. hopefully I will feel comfortable enough to go back in person next year.

Hicks BBQ

It’s great to see Hicks’ BBQ buying and renovating a building downtown. Rochelle is lucky to have two fantastic BBQ vendors in Hicks BBQ and with Ralfie’s BBQ. It’s great to see the support local people give these businesses.

McDermott

I want to give a big shout out to Tom McDermott. Tom and I are on the museum board. As you probably know, Tom does a history column for the paper. Every time I read his column I learn something about the people or community.

I love the stories of WWII soldiers. Not all are happy endings. As you know, war does not always have a happy ending.

But they are all interesting.

Recently he talked about a soldier finally being returned home from a European battlefield. Stanley Larsen was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in 1945. His remains were not recovered and identified for 50 years, but in 2002 he returned to Rochelle. It was a poignant and touching account of a young man who died protecting our democracy from the Nazi threat.

Terry Dickow may be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com