Oquawka – A retiree who returned home to Oquawka is trying to recruit volunteers to restore some of the buildings around town. Stan Banta grew up in Oquawka and as a youth went to Boy Scout meetings in what's now the abandoned 1901 fire station. Banta says he's asking the village board for permission to refurbish the older buildings as a way of helping the town. The board has not yet decided to offer financial support for the project. Banta will seek donations of materials as well. He estimates about half of the value of the work will be donated labor, the other half will be materials. Banta says after the fire station, the next building to be worked on will probably be the Senior Citizen Center.
Retiree Starts Fix-Up Campaign for Old Buildings
