Oregon Company Donates $100,000 to Help Restore the Black Hawk Statue

It's been close to three years since I've moved to the Rockford area, and in those three years, I think I've been to Lowden State Park at least four times.

My boyfriend and I would take his motorcycle for a ride down Route 2 on hot summer days and crisp fall afternoons to take in the breathtaking views of the colors of fall; and each time we'd make the trip, we'd stop at the park for some Kodak moments and rest.

Sadly, those Kodak moments didn't include pictures of us with the Black Hawk statue, because each time I've been there, it's been wrapped in black.

Now that it's been uncovered, and restoration efforts are officially underway, it'll be time to make another visit very soon; and hopefully by the time I make that next visit, the Eternal Indian will be near fully restored.

Thanks to an Oregon company, it's getting closer. According to Sauk Valley Media, E.D. Etnyre & Co., an asphalt machinery company, donated $100,000 to help bring the statue back to life.

Robin Etnyre, the company's corporate communications specialist, says,

As two of the community’s oldest residents, both the Eternal Indian and E.D. Etnyre and Co. have called the community of Oregon home for over 100 years; without either, the community would just not be the same.

$300,000 in private funds is what is needed to cover the cost of repairs and donations are still being accepted.

To make a donation, you can make checks payable Oregon Together: Black Hawk Restoration, C/O Stillman Bank, 1445 state Route 2 N., Oregon IL 61061.

There are also two fundraisers coming up:

• 4:30 p.m. on July 27 at The Cliff Dwellers Club on South Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
• 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at Giovanni’s in Rockford.

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