Estelle Black was born and raised in Rockford. Several years ago, she shared her life experience for an oral history project chronicling 66 African Americans who have lived in the Forest City for 25 years or more.
In recent years, Illinois has seen a gradual increase in refugees from Myanmar, also known as Burma. As these immigrants try to establish a new life, volunteers in one city are trying to raise public awareness about their growing presence.
Rockford's On the Waterfront is no more. The Rockford Register-Star reports the 29-year-old festival is $344,000 in debt. The newspaper says organizers this week will begin notifying hundreds of sponsors, volunteers and nonprofit groups of the cancellation.
