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School construction, SASED withdrawal
discussed at school board meeting
Though no action was taken, the Rochester school board addressed two major items, school construction
and the district's withdrawal from the Springfield Area Special Education District, at Monday's regular
meeting. (more)
discussed at school board meeting
Though no action was taken, the Rochester school board addressed two major items, school construction
and the district's withdrawal from the Springfield Area Special Education District, at Monday's regular
meeting. (more)
'Whisper in Time' Cemetery Walk Sept. 21
The Rochester Historical Preservation Society will hold its fourth annual "Whisper in Time" Cemetery Walk
September 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rochester Cemetery. Local residents will portray soldiers and family
members from the Revolutionary War, Black Hawk War, War of 1812 and Civil War. In addition, a new
event, Rochester Heritage Day, will be staged at the RHPS Old Stone House site from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 21. A planning committee has been working on Heritage Day plans since last fall. A
Civil War encampment, many historical craft demonstrations, food, tours of the Stone House with docents
and children's games will be featured. Entertainment from five different groups/individuals will be held
under a large tent from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 10th Illinois Cavalry Band will perform a concert starting
at 3:30. To help defray expenses, the RHPS is soliciting contributions from the community. All donors will
be acknowledged in the printed program of the day's events. Donations can be sent by August 18 to
R.H.P.S., P.O. Box 13, Rochester, IL 62563.
The Rochester Historical Preservation Society will hold its fourth annual "Whisper in Time" Cemetery Walk
September 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rochester Cemetery. Local residents will portray soldiers and family
members from the Revolutionary War, Black Hawk War, War of 1812 and Civil War. In addition, a new
event, Rochester Heritage Day, will be staged at the RHPS Old Stone House site from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 21. A planning committee has been working on Heritage Day plans since last fall. A
Civil War encampment, many historical craft demonstrations, food, tours of the Stone House with docents
and children's games will be featured. Entertainment from five different groups/individuals will be held
under a large tent from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 10th Illinois Cavalry Band will perform a concert starting
at 3:30. To help defray expenses, the RHPS is soliciting contributions from the community. All donors will
be acknowledged in the printed program of the day's events. Donations can be sent by August 18 to
R.H.P.S., P.O. Box 13, Rochester, IL 62563.
Rochester High School's Pom Squad recently
attended a four-day Universal Dance
Association camp at Illinois State University in
Normal. The 15-member squad competed
with their "home routine," which was
choreographed by six of the squad members,
receiving an Excellent rating. In addition, the
RHS squad also earned a Superior trophy for
the performances of routines that each squad
member learned and performed at camp.
Four girls were awarded All-Star recognition,
earning the opportunity to perform in Paris.
Pictured are, front (L-R): Rachael Weber
(All-Star), Kaitlyn Collins, Cassie Bax
(All-Star), Ashley Bailey, Abby Carrigan, Ellen
Bortmess; top: Rachel Miller, Amanda Baxter
(All-Star), Bonnie Butcher, Courtney Kirkham
(All-Star), Lindsay Punke, Maureen McWard,
Morgan Jackson, Madison Ingold, Marissa
Hollis; not pictured: Samantha Seiz.
attended a four-day Universal Dance
Association camp at Illinois State University in
Normal. The 15-member squad competed
with their "home routine," which was
choreographed by six of the squad members,
receiving an Excellent rating. In addition, the
RHS squad also earned a Superior trophy for
the performances of routines that each squad
member learned and performed at camp.
Four girls were awarded All-Star recognition,
earning the opportunity to perform in Paris.
Pictured are, front (L-R): Rachael Weber
(All-Star), Kaitlyn Collins, Cassie Bax
(All-Star), Ashley Bailey, Abby Carrigan, Ellen
Bortmess; top: Rachel Miller, Amanda Baxter
(All-Star), Bonnie Butcher, Courtney Kirkham
(All-Star), Lindsay Punke, Maureen McWard,
Morgan Jackson, Madison Ingold, Marissa
Hollis; not pictured: Samantha Seiz.
Minutes of June fire district meetings
I. Call to Order: The Rochester Fire Protection District Board and other interested parties met at 6:30 p.m.
June 17 to travel to the Berry Fire House to observe the building and contents. (more)
I. Call to Order: The Rochester Fire Protection District Board and other interested parties met at 6:30 p.m.
June 17 to travel to the Berry Fire House to observe the building and contents. (more)
Students return to classes August 20
All students who attend Rochester Schools will return to classes Wednesday, August 20. There will be
early dismissal for all students August 20 through August 22. Students on the secondary campus will be
dismissed at 1:50 p.m. and students on the elementary campus will be dismissed at 2:05 p.m. In
observance of the Labor Day holiday, there will be no student attendance Monday, September 1. Classes
will resume Tuesday, September 2 with buses running the regular routes. Parents are reminded that all
kindergarten, 6th grade and 9th grade physicals are due no later than Tuesday, September 2.
All students who attend Rochester Schools will return to classes Wednesday, August 20. There will be
early dismissal for all students August 20 through August 22. Students on the secondary campus will be
dismissed at 1:50 p.m. and students on the elementary campus will be dismissed at 2:05 p.m. In
observance of the Labor Day holiday, there will be no student attendance Monday, September 1. Classes
will resume Tuesday, September 2 with buses running the regular routes. Parents are reminded that all
kindergarten, 6th grade and 9th grade physicals are due no later than Tuesday, September 2.
The Rochester High School
Marching Rockets were named
Grand Champions at the Illinois
State Fair's Twilight Parade last
week. Senior drum majors
Maggie Eby (center) and Emilie
Cutler accepted the
championship plaque from
State Fair Queen Molly Reeves.
It was the RHS band's tenth
consecutive performance in the
parade and capped a week-long
camp in which the students
prepare for the busy fall
marching season. The Marching
Rockets will be performing next
in the Pana Labor Day Parade,
followed by the first home
football game, September 12
against Jerseyville.
Marching Rockets were named
Grand Champions at the Illinois
State Fair's Twilight Parade last
week. Senior drum majors
Maggie Eby (center) and Emilie
Cutler accepted the
championship plaque from
State Fair Queen Molly Reeves.
It was the RHS band's tenth
consecutive performance in the
parade and capped a week-long
camp in which the students
prepare for the busy fall
marching season. The Marching
Rockets will be performing next
in the Pana Labor Day Parade,
followed by the first home
football game, September 12
against Jerseyville.
Baseball Rockets
win first four
Rochester High's baseball team swept a
doubleheader from Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley
last Saturday, 8-6 and 15-1, to stay unbeaten at
4-0 on the year. (more)
win first four
Rochester High's baseball team swept a
doubleheader from Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley
last Saturday, 8-6 and 15-1, to stay unbeaten at
4-0 on the year. (more)
A.J. Gand delivers a pitch in
Rochester's 13-0 victory at
Riverton recently. Gand worked
the first two innings for his fourth
win of the year without a loss
and combined with relievers
Sam Jakaitis and Seth Warren
on a no-hitter. (Brubaker photo)
Rochester's 13-0 victory at
Riverton recently. Gand worked
the first two innings for his fourth
win of the year without a loss
and combined with relievers
Sam Jakaitis and Seth Warren
on a no-hitter. (Brubaker photo)
The Rochester quartet of (L-R) Alec Shunk,
Austin Shunk, Sean Ryan and Daniel
Thompson set the only new meet record at
Saturday's Invite, winning the 3200 meter
relay in 8:14.8.
Austin Shunk, Sean Ryan and Daniel
Thompson set the only new meet record at
Saturday's Invite, winning the 3200 meter
relay in 8:14.8.
Erica Bertrand of Rochester established a
new meet record by clearing 9-7 to win the
pole vault at the Sangamo Conference meet
held April 30 at Williamsville. Bertrand broke
the old mark of 9-6 held by Rochester's
Heather Cox despite competing in 20 mph
winds. She also won the pole vault at Friday's
County Meet, clearing 9-6.
new meet record by clearing 9-7 to win the
pole vault at the Sangamo Conference meet
held April 30 at Williamsville. Bertrand broke
the old mark of 9-6 held by Rochester's
Heather Cox despite competing in 20 mph
winds. She also won the pole vault at Friday's
County Meet, clearing 9-6.
STATE CHAMPIONS - Rochester
Junior High had two athletes win
first place medals at the IESA
Class AA State Track Meet last
weekend, 7th graders Blake
Pasley (pole vault) and Morgan
Alewelt (discus).
Junior High had two athletes win
first place medals at the IESA
Class AA State Track Meet last
weekend, 7th graders Blake
Pasley (pole vault) and Morgan
Alewelt (discus).
Village sending out surveys for comprehensive
plan update
Residents of the Village of Rochester will be receiving a survey in the mail this week as the village seeks
input in its updating of the comprehensive plan. (more)
plan update
Residents of the Village of Rochester will be receiving a survey in the mail this week as the village seeks
input in its updating of the comprehensive plan. (more)
Sign up now for 2008 RYAA recreational
volleyball league
The Rochester Youth Athletic Association is taking registrations for the 2008 recreational volleyball
league for boys and girls in grades third through eighth that is set to begin the first week of September.
There are three options to register this year: Tuesday, August 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Rochester
Library Community Room; Tuesday, August 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Rochester Middle School gym,
and registration may be completed online at www.ryaasports.org. The cost is $40 per player with a
maximum of $75 per family. There is a $5 discount for payments made online through PayPal on the RYAA
website. The league is split up by the following grade levels: third/fourth, fifth/sixth and a practice with pick
up games for the seventh/eighth graders. All practices and games will be held at the Rochester Middle
School. All levels of experience welcome. The RYAA is also in need of volunteer coaches, no experience
necessary. Contact Jill Menezes at 498-7636 if you are interested or have any questions. Watch the RYAA
website, www.ryaasports.org for updates on the upcoming volleyball season.
volleyball league
The Rochester Youth Athletic Association is taking registrations for the 2008 recreational volleyball
league for boys and girls in grades third through eighth that is set to begin the first week of September.
There are three options to register this year: Tuesday, August 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Rochester
Library Community Room; Tuesday, August 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Rochester Middle School gym,
and registration may be completed online at www.ryaasports.org. The cost is $40 per player with a
maximum of $75 per family. There is a $5 discount for payments made online through PayPal on the RYAA
website. The league is split up by the following grade levels: third/fourth, fifth/sixth and a practice with pick
up games for the seventh/eighth graders. All practices and games will be held at the Rochester Middle
School. All levels of experience welcome. The RYAA is also in need of volunteer coaches, no experience
necessary. Contact Jill Menezes at 498-7636 if you are interested or have any questions. Watch the RYAA
website, www.ryaasports.org for updates on the upcoming volleyball season.
School board approves conditional withdrawal
from SASED in 2009
The Rochester school board formally approved a motion to have the district leave the Sangamon Area
Special Education District in 2009 at Monday's regular meeting, culminating nearly two years of discussion
on the issue. (more)
from SASED in 2009
The Rochester school board formally approved a motion to have the district leave the Sangamon Area
Special Education District in 2009 at Monday's regular meeting, culminating nearly two years of discussion
on the issue. (more)
Rochester Mother's Club to meet Sept. 8
The Rochester Mother's Club is seeking all moms to join an exciting program. The Mother's Club will
hold its first meeting of the year at 7 p.m. Monday, September 8 in Room 201 of the Rochester Christian
Church (the meeting place has been changed). The Mother's Club is a group of mothers from
Rochester and surrounding communities who meet on the first Monday of each month. A program is
followed by a brief business meeting and a social time. Club objectives are to keep mothers informed of
child-oriented programs, community service projects and to promote fellowship among club members.
In addition, social events for the whole family are planned during the year. If you are a mom (working,
single, stay at home, part-time, step, etc.) and interested in meeting other community moms while
enjoying fun activities, join them for the welcome social Monday, September 8. For more information, call
Stephanie Fuller (641-3270) or Denise Blaney (622-5796).
The Rochester Mother's Club is seeking all moms to join an exciting program. The Mother's Club will
hold its first meeting of the year at 7 p.m. Monday, September 8 in Room 201 of the Rochester Christian
Church (the meeting place has been changed). The Mother's Club is a group of mothers from
Rochester and surrounding communities who meet on the first Monday of each month. A program is
followed by a brief business meeting and a social time. Club objectives are to keep mothers informed of
child-oriented programs, community service projects and to promote fellowship among club members.
In addition, social events for the whole family are planned during the year. If you are a mom (working,
single, stay at home, part-time, step, etc.) and interested in meeting other community moms while
enjoying fun activities, join them for the welcome social Monday, September 8. For more information, call
Stephanie Fuller (641-3270) or Denise Blaney (622-5796).