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ROCK VALLEY SHOPPER 06302025
l or Email Questions? Cal 9-6850 ail.com • 815-73 gm @ ily yl da on ellis VOLUME 37, ISSUE 16
MONDAY June 30, 2025
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Rock River Center marks 50 years of service ‘If someone is in need of assistance, we will find a way...’
BY JEFF HELFRICH MANAGING EDITOR
GoFundMe for Avery started A GoFundMe campaign has been started for Oregon’s Nathan Avery. Section B
Anders presented with winnings The Rochelle VFW recently presented its Queen of Hearts winnings. Page 8
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OREGON — On June 21, the Rock River Center in Oregon held a 50th anniversary celebration open house. The event included a dedication of the building to James and Catherine Ehnen, historical photos, former staff and board members, and a performance by The Four C Notes, a Frankie Valli tribute band. Rock River Center was established in 1975 and its mission is to provide resources, activities and services that improve the quality of life for Ogle County’s older adults, the disadvantaged, caregivers and the greater community. All Ogle County residents have access to services at the Rock River Center including assistance with Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, property tax freezes, benefit access assistance, license plate discounts, caregiver as-
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
On June 21, the Rock River Center in Oregon held a 50th anniversary celebration open house. The event included a dedication of the building to James and Catherine Ehnen, historical photos, former staff and board members, and a performance by The Four C Notes, a Frankie Valli tribute band.
sistance, and heating & energy bill assistance. RRC offers support groups for low vision, caregivers,
cancer and diabetes. Rock River Center works with other senior centers in the county to
provide information and assistance. See RRC page 3
O’Rorke Construction to cease operations after 29 years ‘I’m really proud of the fact that we got to work together as brothers...’ BY JEFF HELFRICH
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78 59 81 61 OBITUARIES • John C. Pedersen • Robert ‘Bob’ John Piros • Dorothy Noble See page 4
INSERTS • Felker Foods • Polo Fresh Food • Menards
MANAGING EDITOR
HILLCREST — Longstanding Rochelle and Ogle County-area business O’Rorke Construction will cease operations around the end of June as its owners and brothers John, Dominic and PJ O’Rorke will be retiring. The family business, incorporated in 1996, has been in operation for the past 29 years. Raised on a farm, the O’Rorke brothers learned how to use carpentry tools and how to repair buildings and work on machinery. After high school, all three of them worked for construction companies and made the decision to go into business as partners. O’Rorke Construction grew and hires were made and later on they built their Hillcrest location. “We’re all getting older,” Dominic O’Rorke said. “You’re more limited on things you can do as you get older. I want to spend more time with my family and enjoy the rest of my life and not be under a lot of stress all the time. We have a couple projects that are started that we’re wrapping up and then we’ll be done. Working with family has been great. It’s been great to have family to rely on and back you up on everything. It’s been great to have the support of family here and everybody at home.” PJ O’Rorke said the business worked on jobs
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
Longstanding Rochelle and Ogle County-area business O’Rorke Construction will cease operations around the end of June as its owners and brothers John, Dominic and PJ O’Rorke will be retiring.
scaling from bathroom remodels in homes to construction work on large hotels. One of the most complicated jobs it ever did was building a large log home for Ron and
Marianne Tilton when working with logs was a new experience for them. See O’RORKE page 3