ROCHELLE — More than 20 local couples married 50 years or longer gathered Thursday for a Valentine’s Day brunch hosted by the Rochelle Community Hospital Foundation at The REC, with one couple marking 70 years of marriage. The free event welcomed couples from Rochelle, Ashton and across Ogle County for a morning meal and recognition.
Michelle LePage, marketing manager at Rochelle Community Hospital, said, “We did do this back in 2015, and we’re kind of circling back around. We kind of took a hiatus for COVID and everything, and so it’s nice to get everybody back together. It’s really an opportunity for them to get to connect and see each other as well.”
Catering for the event was provided by Ralfie’s BBQ and Catering, offering biscuits and gravy, pulled chicken sliders, and pasta salad for the honored couples.
Rochelle Community Hospital has served the community since 1965 and provides local health and wellness services.