M o n d a y, M a y 4 , 2 0 0 9 SOMETHING TO TRUMPET ABOUT Rockford High School senior George Goad received a scholarship to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music. Page 10
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It’s all about the sod BY JEANNIE GREGORY
The Rockford Education Foundation hosted a fundraiser on Saturday that had a unique twist. The organization took advantage of a change in field surface at Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium by selling the removed sod at $10 a piece. The REF cleverly situated the removed sod in little pots and topped them off with little footballs. The crowd gobbled them up for inspired graduation presents, birthday gifts and window sill displays. The day featured food, music and raffles, all meant to help the community celebrate another step forward for Rockford Public Schools. The Ted, located on the campus of Rockford High School, will feature artificial surface and will be ready for the 2009 fall sports season.
Rockford Independent/Jeannie Gregory Kirsten Farmer proudly displays four planters of sod she purchased from Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium on Saturday during the REF fundraiser. Farmer is the daughter of Ted Carlson.
Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium shows the results of its recent cultivation.
Rockford schools battle flu outbreak with strategic plan BY JEANNIE GREGORY
When Rockford Public Schools nurse Linda Rothenthaler was notified with what the Center of Disease Control termed a flu pandemic this past week, she calmly went into action. Rothenthaler tackled the issue by making sure the more than 7,700 students in the public school district have the best chance at staying healthy – and safe from the H1N1 flu virus. Rothenthaler, who has been in close daily contact with RPS Superintendent Michael Shibler, dispersed posters and signs to every school in the system. The signage reminds kids to frequently wash their hands, the proper way to cough (in your arm and not on your hand) and a number of other tips to stay healthy. The nurse also dispensed masks to all of the schools in the event that a child does show the symptoms of the flu. “We are prepared,” said Rothenthaler of the school district. “We had a plan in place and we opened it up
when we heard about the outbreak. We have made sure that everyone knows how important it is to wash their hands frequently. Te a c h e r s and students have Dr. Michael brought in Shibler hand sanitizers and we are reinforcing good hygiene measures.” Those measures are not only slowing down the lunch line, with every student washing their hands prior to entering it, they seem to be holding off the flu in the district. “I am looking daily at the numbers and symptoms (for the illness call-ins) and I am not concerned at this point,” said Rothenthaler. According to Rothenthaler, the schools each have a plan in place to look at a child’s symptoms and make an PLEASE CONTINUE ON PAGE 3
Authentic Mexican food to bring spice to Rockford BY JEANNIE GREGORY
When Rockford business owner Tom Cronkright was faced with empty buildings this winter he admits he was concerned. The Michigan economy is struggling mightily and Rockford hasn’t been immune to the trend. Cronkright, owner of Cronkright Ventures LLC, owns real estate on the north and south side of Courtland Street and has seen his share of the downturn in the past 18 months. His bookstore tenant fell through due to problems with financing, and across
the street two businesses – Wiggles N’ Giggles and Ram Nation – both became victims of the widespread recession. What was a landlord to do? “Basically I threw my hands up in the air,” said Cronkright during a recent interview. And then he became proactive. “I know it is a sign of the times,” he said. “And I was willing to work my way through it.” And work he did. Armed with the City of Rockford’s resident survey, maps of the city, and his belief that Rockford is a wonderful
place to conduct business he went courting. Cronkright knew what residents wanted, it was there in black and white in the survey. At the top of the list was a bookstore and an authentic Mexican restaurant. He decided to find a restaurant. “Basically (wife) Julie and I would go to church Saturday night, and after church we would decide where we were heading to eat for the weekend,” he said. “We ate a lot of Mexican food on the weekends,” he laughed. He estimates they hit a dozen
restaurants in a month. Cronkright wanted to make sure he found the right business on his own. He knew it would have to be a good mix of professionalism, business acumen and great food. He found that in three businesses and placed an invitation for the owners to visit downtown Rockford. One was based in Indiana, one in Arizona and one was a Michigan-based business, all three were open to checking out what Rockford had to offer. “All of them had heard of Rockford, but none of them had been here before,” said
Cronkright. “When they visited they were all pleasantly surprised. I took them to Peppler Park, to Reds on the River and walked them around downtown so they could meet the merchants.” Cronkright went so far as to introduce them to the school district, because to him it is a package deal. “Our contractors built a beautiful structure and community advocates such as Dr. Michael Shibler, Rockford’s City Manager Michael Young and many of his city staff assisted in painting the vision and extraordinary potential to
the restaurant owners that led to their decision to select downtown Rockford over other potential markets,” said Cronkright. “I am very grateful to all who provided assistance and support to make this happen - it was truly a collaborative effort.” In the end, Cronkright is welcoming the addition of the Mexican restaurant, Cinco de Mayo, to his property at 123 East Courtland, in downtown Rockford. “It’s thrilling to bring such a fantastic dining experience to our new building
SCHOOL
SPORTS
Two Rockford schools go green. Page 8
The softball team wins an epic battle against Jenison. Page 12
BEDLAM
SPORTS
Sign up for some great fun. Pages 4
The RHS baseball team continues win streak. Page 15
PLEASE CONTINUE ON PAGE 4 Serving more than 32,900 residents in Rockford, Belmont and the townships of Cannon, Plainfield, Courtland, Algoma, Grattan and Oakfield
Volume 14 Issue 18
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