🌱 Patch AM: Will Rockford’s deep freeze change your holiday light plans?

Good morning Rockford! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Will Rockford’s deep freeze change your holiday light plans?
• Meet the Rockford priest turning Midwest history into award-winning fantasy
• How Rockford welcomed home Illinois Guard soldiers from combat zones overseas

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Sunshine, with a high of 31 and low of 25 degrees.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 37, low: 32.
• Tuesday: More clouds than sun, with a high of 44 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Cold weather impacts outdoor holiday light displays across Rockford (wifr.com) — Rockford’s beloved outdoor light displays, including Illuminated at Anderson Japanese Gardens and All Aglow at Sinnissippi Park, are feeling the impact of this season’s early cold and snow, with some lower attendance and schedule tweaks. Organizers say visitors are now timing trips for milder evenings, and both attractions remain open into January, giving families more chances to enjoy the lights despite the chill.
   

2. Local author cultivates history, spirituality and fantasy into award-winning novels (chronicleillinois.com) — A Rockford-based priest and novelist, E.R. Barr, is gaining national recognition for his Christian fantasy and thriller books, including a recent gold medal from Reader’s Favorite. Serving in the Diocese of Rockford, he weaves faith, history, and Midwest landscapes into award-winning stories available to local readers online.
   

3. Approximately 550 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment Ahead of Holidays (977wmoi.com) — Hundreds of Illinois Army National Guard soldiers recently returned from deployment, including a Dec. 12 welcome-home ceremony in Rockford that reunited families just in time for the holidays. The 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment served in seven Middle Eastern countries, earning numerous combat and achievement awards for security and base defense missions under hostile conditions.
   

4. City First Church donates over 2,000 toys to RPS 205 students (wrex.com) — Rockford Public Schools students at Ellis, Conklin, Constance Lane, and McIntosh elementary schools just received more than 2,000 donated toys from City First Church. Volunteers, staff, and even Santa helped make sure each child got an age-appropriate gift, bringing extra joy to families who might otherwise have little or nothing under the tree this year.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday December 22

• Golf Driving Range
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am
• Drop-in Softball
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am
• RPD Indoor Softball League
  Mercyhealth Sportscore One , 1288 Elmwood Rd. , Rockford
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Golf Driving Range
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am

Wednesday December 24

• City Offices Closed - Christmas Eve
  Rockford, IL Calendar Rockford, IL 61104

Thursday December 25

• City Offices Closed - Christmas
  Rockford, IL Calendar Rockford, IL 61104

Friday December 26

• Stateline Fastpitch Softball Tournament
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
• Rockford Thunder MLIS Game
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  6:30 pm

📣 Rockford Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• Brunch with Santa
  The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge , 416 S Main St 12th Floor , Rockford
  10:00 am
• Holiday Pops - Rockford Symphony Orchestra
  Coronado Theatre , 314 N Main St , Rockford
  3:00 pm
• Winter Development Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Drop-in Softball
  Atwood Center Indoor Sports Center
  10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Rockford PatchAM possible:

• Mike’s Mowing & More Inc — (815) 721-4464
  Property Maintenance, Tree Removal, & Landscaping

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• MAIL THEFT ALERT....
  Hey all, I've received a couple of calls about a silver/gray sedan car going to mailboxes and stealing contents. This is prevalent especially when… (Nextdoor Coventry Creek)
• Lose dog on 9th ave around 9 pm Friday night - kinda brownish with white.
  went running West on 9th Ave from 19th street corner. Haven’t seen it around here so unsure where it belongs. (Nextdoor Keith Creek)

• TRAFFIC ALERT: An adult male pedestrian was hit in the 3900 block of Broadway and was taken to a local hospital for serious injuries. Please avoid... (X: RockfordPD)
• A suspect was taken into custody after stealing an ambulance in Rockford, fleeing from police and traveling through McHenry County before being... (X: LMCScanner)

• Wendy's posted a job opening for Shift Manager - Downtown State St in Rockford. Apply here.
• Walmart posted a job opening for Produce Associate in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.

Ok Rockford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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