Progress 2015 Edition
Effingham’s
grain connection From seed to Siemer ... and then the world
Inside teaching the trades the resurgence of retail $ 4.95
Celebrating Effingham’s growth over the year
February 2015 • Progress 2015 1
2 Progress 2015 • February 2015
CREATIVITY HAS NO BOUNDARIES. NEITHER SHOULD YOUR NEW HOME.
YOUR STYLE.
YOUR VISION.
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YOUR DREAM HOME.
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Years of February 2015 • ProgressDISTINCTIVE 2015 3 HOMES
PUBLISHER Paul Semple GENERAL MANAGER Brian Bloom ART DIRECTORS Andrea McCloskey, Mandy Hartke EDITOR Jeff Long ABOUT THE COVER Rick Siemer’s family started a milling business in 1882. Today it’s a key link in Effingham County’s ‘grain chain.’ Local farmers grow wheat that Siemer’s company mills and area manufacturers turn into internationally known brands of cakes and biscuits and other items. Read how a grain of wheat gets to your plate on page 7. Photo by Chet Piotrowski Jr/ Piotrowski Studios
Editor’s note: Progress is a collaboration between the advertising and editorial staffs of the Effingham Daily News to bring you a comprehensive report about the businesses, organizations, groups, schools and local governments that contribute to the community we share. It’s a fascinating place, forever evolving. This magazine explores that community through advertising and news stories. We’ve tried to take a snapshot of the present, and imagine where we’re headed. We’ve also delved a bit into our history, to put it all in context. Our cover story looks at the local links in a “grain chain” that pumps millions of dollars into our economy, and puts our region on the map. At least, anyone who eats doughnuts or other products milled from grain ought to know about the crucial role the region surrounding Teutopolis and Effingham plays. Elsewhere, we look into the difficulty some have finding rental housing here. That can be seen as a good thing – we attract many businesses and people to operate them. Those people need places to live, perhaps temporarily until they buy. It can be frustrating for young families who want to make this area their home. Is there a solution? High school sports have always been a central part of our community. Athletic injuries are gaining more attention everywhere. We take a look at the issue locally, speaking to the people involved in those games for ideas about what can be done to make sports safer. Those are just a few of the things you’ll find in these pages. As you turn them, you’ll discover many things about the place where you live and the progress it’s making. Jeff Long Editor
table of contents 15
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bill Grimes, Mary Holle, Tony Huffman, Stan Polanski, Ryan Czachorski, Jeff Long, Cathy Thoele, Tyler Dixon
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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jody Hardiek: Sales Supervisor, Mona Porter, DeeAnn Bauguss, Jeanine Blankenship, Amanda Oldfield, Lucinda Herboth, Gina Harris, Deedra Castaneda PRODUCTION Linda Niebrugge, Candice Potter, Michelle Niebrugge CIRCULATION Todd Buenker: Director, Sara McWhorter, Ruth Walk ADMINISTRATION Diana Barr, Jane Herring, Sandy Goeckner 201 N. Banker Street Effingham, IL 62401 217-347-7151 www.effinghamdailynews.com PROGRESS is a publication of the Effingham Daily News produced annually. All rights reserved. Progress copies available for purchase for 4 at Progress 2015 • February 2015 $4.95 the Effingham Daily News.
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Effingham’s Grain Connection
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31 Be Happy In Your Work
15 Teaching The Trades
45 Playing Through The Pain
24 Home Is Wherever
53 Business Is Booming In Effingham
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145 CEO Experience
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154 Effingham’s Public Library
February 2015 • Progress 2015 5
advertiser’s index
Page 2......HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Page 3.............................America’s Select Homes Page 5...............................................Prompt Care Page 8.......................................Lake Land College Page 9.................Laack Flooring Innovations, Inc. Page 10-11............................Roy Schmidt Honda Page 12-13.......................Milano & Grunloh, LLC Page 14................................Sacred Heart School Page 16....HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Page 17........................................Civil Design, Inc Page 18-19........................Stevens Industries, Inc Page 20-21.....................Siemer Milling Company Page 22-23..............................Farm Credit Illinois Page 25...........................................Leisure Times Page 26.............Merz Heating & Air Conditioning Page 27...............................Sanitation Service Inc Page 28-29.........................TK Grille / Holiday Inn Page 30....................................Kremer Pharmacy Page 32-33................................City of Effingham Page 34..........Eff. County Chamber of Commerce Page 35....................................Harper Auto Sales Page 36....................................Joe’s Pizza & Pasta Page 37................Joe Sippers Cafe & Roasting Co Page 38............................................Sehy & Jones Page 39.............Thelma Keller Convention Center Page 40 – 41...........Wright’s Furniture & Flooring Page 42 – 43....................Homebuilders Plus, Inc Page 44............................................Balda Dental Page 46-47.....................Buening Implement, Inc Page 48-49..................................Kingery Printing Page 50......................Barlow Lock & Security, Inc Page 51..............................Remax Key Advantage Page 52.............................Jansen’s Heating & Air Page 54-55.....................Effingham Senior Center Page 56-57...............................Driftstone Pueblo Page 58-59.......Eff. Convention & Visitors Bureau Page 60.................Hollar’s Design with Style, LLC Page 61...................Griffin Therapeutic Solutions Page 62-63.....Al’s Tire Mart & Electronics Center Page 64..........................Scheid Diesel Service Co Page 65..................................Brown’s Drug Store Page 66-67..............Schultheis Garage & Classics Page 68.......................................Crossroads Bank Page 69.......................Austin’s Parts & Hardware Page 70-71...................Sutter Sanitation Services Page 72..........Steffen Heating & Air Conditioning Page 73.................................First Neighbor Bank Page 74..........HSHS St. Anthony’s Mem. Hospital Page 75.................................First Neighbor Bank Page 76..............................................Agracel, Inc. Page 77...............................................First Realty Page 78..........................Village Wine & Gift Shop Page 79..........Lincolnland Home Care & Hospice Page 80-81......................................Hodgson Mill Page 82-83.....HSHS St. Anthony’s Mem. Hospital Page 84..........................Roger’s Home Appliance Page 85...........................................Weber Optiks Page 86-87.............................Heartland Peterbilt Page 88-89...............................Broadway Express Page 90-91.........................Heartland Classic Cars Page 92................Sav-Mor Pharmacy & Gift Shop Page 93................................Midland States Bank Page 94.....................Weber Bros Equipment, Inc Lifeline Christian Books & Gifts Mid-Illinois Medical Care Associates, LLC Southeastern Container Page 95......................................It’s Almost Home Page 96-97...........Consolidated Communications Page 98.....................................Taylor Law Offices Page 99.......Centenary United Methodist Church 6 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Page 100.......Country Peddlers Antiques & Crafts Page 101...................................Lake Sara Marina Page 102-103......Dan Hecht / Napa of Effingham Page 104....................................Martin’s IGA Plus Page 105................Andes Health Mart Pharmacy Page 106-107.........First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust Page 108..Adam Butts,Edward Jones Investments Page 109............................Dr. Joseph Borreggine Page 110.....................Creative Designs & Display Page 112..............................................Mediacom Page 113..........................NorthSide Ford Lincoln Page 114.......................Washington Savings Bank Page 115...................................RPM Truck Repair Page 116........Interstate Batteries of S. Central IL Page 117...............................Union Jack Antiques Page 118................Marion Eye Centers & Optical Page 119.....Barns Realty, Midstate Camper Sales Page 120-121.........................Newton Merchants Page 122...............Jasper County Medical Center Page 123....................Mette’s Cabinet Corner, Inc Page 124.............................................Probst Seed O’Neill Livestock Yards Page 125..........................Mayhood Construction Page 126.....Wohltman-Aherin Insurance Agency American Family Insurance Page 127............................Bluff Equipment, Inc., Cargill-Flora plant Frisse & Brewster Law Offices First National Bank of Brownstown Page 128.......................................Cake Lady Cafe Affordable Home Imp./The Gutter Guys Page 130.............Shelby Electric Cooperative, Inc Irwin Telescopic Seating Company Page 131.....R & H Plumbing, Heating & Electrical Page 132................Greenup & Toledo Merchants Page 133..................................Village of Greenup Page 134............................Meyer Funeral Homes Page 135................Greenup & Toledo Merchants Page 136............................Prairie Heart Institute Page 137..............Seagle Tax & Financial Services Page 138.........Mattoon & Charleston Merchants Page 139....................................John Boos & Co., Heartland Human Services Page 140..............................Dieterich Merchants Page 141.......The First National Bank of Dieterich Page 142................Funneman Frontier Arms, LLC Heartland Christian Village Page 143.....................................Farley Insurance Jasper County Insurance Home Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. East End Garage Sigel Equipment Co., Inc. Effingham Builders Supply Page 146.................Eff. Terrace / Wetherell Place Page 147.......................................................Carle Page 148................The Beehive Beauty Boutique Page 149...Smith Realty Group of Effingham, LLC Page 150....................Robert Trent Jones Resorts Page 151..................Because of Mom Memorials Page 152..........................................Resale Shops Page 153..........................................Little Caesars Altamont Overhead Doors KB Learning & Toys Page 155.............................Effingham Daily News Page 156...........................................Prompt Care Page 157.........................America’s Select Homes Page 158-159.......Probst Refrigeration & Heating Page 160........................Concrete Evolutions, Inc. Page 161..................Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Page 162-163...........................4x4 Headquarters Page 164........HSHS St. Anthony’s Mem. Hospital
Continental Mills Plant Manager Mike Churchill stands in the Hopkinsville, Kentucky, manufacturing facility, where he worked in the same position before transferring to the Effingham location when it opened last year. Submitted photo
Effingham’s grain connection From seed to Siemer ... and then the world
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By Tony huffman
ucked in the soil of a farmer's field north of Effingham is a seed of wheat with a bright future.
he leafed through literature pertaining to wheat, one of many crops his family has sown into area dirt for more than 150 years.
Without leaving Effingham County, that seed will grow into grain to be harvested, milled, manufactured and sold for local and national consumption. The links in that grain chain include a family business that dates to the 1800s, a farm with similar longevity and a new manufacturing operation.
Despite the rural setting, growing healthy wheat is nothing short of scientific. Lagerhausen said soybeans and corn typically favor Central Illinois weather, but the looming presence of Siemer Milling Company in Teutopolis draws himself and others to the sometimes temperamental wheat crop.
Those businesses feed a larger economy that pumps millions of dollars into this area through transportation, seed and equipment sales, and construction projects.
“Some of what makes Illinois a great corn state can make it hard on wheat,” said Lagerhausen, who typically farms over 200 acres of Soft Red Winter Wheat a year. “Wheat is more of a dry weather crop, which works a little better in Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas.”
In the end, products are manufactured into internationally known brands. But the story begins on the fifth-generation family farm of Emil and Melissa Lagerhausen. Seed With a little snowfall on a recent February day, the Lagerhausen homestead in rural Shumway is one of idyllic beauty. At the end of a long lane rests a white two-story farmhouse, with two Ford trucks and farming implements in the adjoining barnyard. Inside, light spilled through a window where Lagerhausen sat talking about life as a farmer. His large forearms seemed out of place indoors as
The journey of Lagerhausen's wheat begins when it is planted in area fields in early October. Illinois wheat doesn’t follow what many think of the spring-to-fall grow cycle. “We plant in early October, around the third,” said Lagerhausen. “If we plant too early, the plants get too tall and it affects the wheat's ability to survive the winter. If we plant too late, the wheat doesn't get tall enough. Either way, it can affect winter hardiness.” Last fall was an example of a difficult year for growing wheat, said Lagerhausen. A wet fall pushed back planting until late October. GRAIN on page 124 February 2015 • Progress 2015 7
Kluthe Center courses, technical classes, GED classes, English as a second language classes, meet with an academic advisor and register for classes, take community courses for personal enrichment, or schedule a community meeting or training. Serving nearly 2,500 students annually, the Kluthe Center also houses academic programs, including the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, the Massage Therapy Program, Basic Nurse Assisting, Practical Nursing, and an Associate Degree in Nursing Program.
Kluthe Center bringing higher education to communities
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f the three Lake Land College extension centers, the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology, 1204 Network Center Blvd., is by far the largest, offering a variety of services and access to higher education for residents in Effingham and surrounding communities. At the Kluthe Center, students and citizens can take general education
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In 1995, less than two years after its groundbreaking, the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology, named after Minnie Kluthe, whose estate donated $250,000 to the college, opened to an excited Effingham community. The center’s modern appeal, both inside and out, complemented the nearby Consolidated Communications building, and reflected a desire by local business leaders to create an industrial park that would not only attract new jobs, but also encourage college-bound students in the community to remain in the area. The two-story, 24,000-square-foot facility houses eight technologically modern classrooms, five computer labs, a nursing, physical therapy and massage therapy lab, a science lab, a conference room, a student lounge, and 14 offices. The Kluthe Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the spring and fall semesters. Summer hours vary. For more information about the offerings at the Kluthe Center, call 217-540-3555 or email kkull@lakeland.cc.il.us.
Laack Flooring Innovations
Customer service is key
L
aack Flooring Innovations in Vandalia provides a heightened customer service that big-box stores cannot provide.
On a recent afternoon, Owner Jason Laack talked customers through the ins-and-outs of all their flooring options. He told customer Judy Cline about what types of tile would be best for a bathroom. Cline's been a longtime customer. Years ago, Laack laid tile around some pipes and his precision impressed Cline. “Jason is nice, friendly, and honest,” Cline said. “And his workmanship is excellent. I have never seen anyone lay tile better than Jason.” Jason Laack had been an installer for 15 years before he decided to start his own company in January 2012.
experience. Customers can get free estimates, choose the materials they'd like, and get an installation.
Laack Flooring Innovations can do anything that goes on a floor or wall: carpet, vinyl, luxury vinyl tile, laminate, hardwood, porcelain, and ceramic. The company also does back splashes, custom showers, and in-floor heat.
“It's convenient for the customer,” Laack said.
They have expanded their storeroom to offer custom-made cabinets (quartz, granite, Corian, and much more) and counters for any space (bathrooms, kitchens, ect.). Budget-friendly laminated counter tops are also available.
Customers won't get talked into a purchase that isn't right for them.
The storeroom in Vandalia has a lot to look at, but design galleries in St. Louis are also available with design professionals on staff. When dealing with Laack Flooring Innovations, it's a one-stop shop
Many other flooring companies only sell materials but don't install them. “I'm not very sales-y,” Laack said. “I'm honest with them. I tell them exactly what they should expect with what they are buying.” Laack has four crews that he uses to install anywhere in the area. No matter where his materials go, customers end up pleased. “We do the kind of customer service and quality installation that makes the customer happy,” Laack said.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 9
Roy Schmidt Honda
‘This is where our heart is’
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oy Schmidt Honda opened it doors on December 15th after a 20-year long process by Schmidt himself. Schmidt grew up in Teutopolis and started his journey in 1995. His road took him to Salem and Mt. Vernon before finally arriving back home in Effingham County. Schmidt said this is where he and his wife, Nancy, along with their family, will stay. “This is where we want to stay, because this is where we grew up,” he said. “This is where our heart is.” Schmidt chose the Honda brand because of the new and exciting things that are coming Honda’s way in the future. Every new Honda vehicle comes standard with rear-backup cameras and Bluetooth technology. It isn’t very often that Honda offers an open point. An open point is when a dealership is given to someone in a geographic area where there is no Honda Dealership in existence, so sales, parts and services need to be built from the ground up. Location is important for any business, but it is especially key in the location for a car dealership. Schmidt said he didn’t need to decide where the new dealership would be because Honda had already made its mind up on where they wanted it to be. Schmidt’s general manger, Matt Huelskoetter, said prior to getting the go ahead from the dealership, Schmidt had to go through a rigorous process by Honda. Honda wanted to confirm Schmidt had the financial stability as well as the high customer satisfaction rating needed to fully represent the Honda brand. “Honda is very selective...” he said. “To get one is pretty difficult.” After the location was decided, the process began on building the new dealership. Huelskoetter said they wanted everything to be the best of the best inside the dealership. Everything from the service area to the kids’ playroom is state of the art and comfortable. Schmidt and Huelskoetter want the customers to feel as comfortable as possible while on the lot or inside the dealership. 10 Progress 2015 • February 2015
“If you don’t have the customers, you don’t have anything...” Huelskoetter said. “The word of mouth can either make you or break you.” Schmidt Honda abides by the golden rule and the 100-yard yard rule. If a salesperson sees someone within a hundred yards, they are to go and introduce themselves. Schmidt is pleased with the present, but is more focused on the future of Schmidt Honda, as well as the area surrounding the dealership on West Fayette Avenue. The dealership sits on a little less than 33,000 square feet and is spread out among seven acres. “The store itself was built with the intent to grow, it’s bigger than what we need at the moment,” Huelskoetter said. “He didn’t want to build something that in two years we’d outgrow.” Schmidt echoes Huelskoetter’s sentiment and said they have more room they can grow. “It’s a little big right now, but we think in the future, three, four or five years from now, we’re going to be glad we built it the size we did,” Schmidt said. The road that runs in front of Schmidt Honda gives the opportunity for more businesses to open on the south side of town. Schmidt said they now have development possibilities around the dealership especially with interstate frontage. “It makes me feel good and it makes me feel really good that we took an area that was kind of blighted and we’ve made it into an area that’s got a lot of potential for the future,” Schmidt said. Along with the growth of the surrounding area, Schmidt said they also have to grow the service department inside the dealership. He said it’s hard to grow from the ground up. “That makes it more challenging, but we like challenges,” Schmidt said. Schmidt Honda is open Monday through Thursday with hours from 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Schmidt Honda can be reached at 800-723-8382.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 11
Milano and Grunloh
Firm
has laid the foundation of effingham for 35 years Pictured from left are partners at Milano and Grunloh, Scott Hoene, Lee Beckman and Douglas Grunloh.
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he engineering and surveying firm, Milano and Grunloh, has literally helped lay the foundation of the Effingham area for over 35 years. Although they work throughout the state, partners Scott Hoene, Lee Beckman and Douglas Grunloh take pride in their hometown. “We do most of our work locally, but we will reach out to assist anyone's needs” said Hoene. The company assists local municipalities and business people with every facet of preparing for construction. They work with regional and state governments to secure grant funds and then survey and offer engineering services on potential properties. “We strive to work with local clients to give them what they desire,” said Beckman. The three men are regulars at local government meetings, where they work to prepare the infrastructure for some of the largest projects in the area. In recent years, they have done work on the Effingham 12 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Railroad, Roy Schmidt Honda, EJ Water Cooperative, Siemer Milling Company's new office in Teutopolis, Il., Eagle Trail in Newton, North Point Subdivision in Dieterich, Il. and the City of Effingham Wastewater Treatment Plant. As a recent example, Beck's Hybrid Seed has a tentative agreement to purchase 90 acres from the City of Effingham in the Business Park for a distribution and research facility. Milano and Grunloh was hired to produce a site plan for the proposed facility, help obtain grant funds from government entities, street and infrastructure improvements needed for growth, survey the proposed property and complete the grading work to ensure proper water runoff. “It is our job to ensure all aspects of the project work correctly,” said Grunloh. Beckman noted that it is difficult to reconfigure infrastructure on a property if proper planning isn't done prior to construction. The three men are something of a
new generation at the 36-year-old business. The company, which has played a major role in the growth and development of numerous surrounding communities, was founded by Patrick Milano and Charles Grunloh. Pat retired in 2003, at which time Lee Beckman joined Milano and Grunloh as Chuck's partner. It was not long after that the office was moved to its current location at 114 W. Washington Ave in downtown Effingham. When Chuck retired in 2014, Hoene and Grunloh stepped into ownership roles and became partners with Beckman. Over the years, the workforce has grown to 22 employees, including engineers, surveyors, technicians, computeraided drafting operators and administrative professionals. Their wide array of services include Illinois Professional Engineering and Land Surveying services, as well as complete civil, municipal, transportation and environmental engineering services utilizing state-of-the-art computer programs and survey equipment. They also provide
a broad range of construction layout and material testing. “We feel our greatest asset is our employees, and our ability to work closely with our clients throughout the project to develop long-term relationships with those clients,” said Beckman. “We take pride in being a local company employing local people while working together with our clients as a team.” Grunloh, whose father Chuck was one of the two founders of the company, reflected on the road to their place in the community. “We would like to extend our appreciation to all of our clients throughout the past 36 years and hope to continue the working relationships we currently enjoy,” he said. Their staff currently has 80 years of municipal experience, including work with the USDA Rural Development, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 13
Sacred Heart School
Technology helping shape education
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hree things top the list of activities pre-k and kindergarten students said they loved about Sacred Heart School with snacks being the first answer, recess coming in second and iPads coming in third.
Hakman said they're pleased that with the recent addition of the Kids for Christ preschool program, approximately 90 percent of students attending pre-k at the school stay for the kindergarten through grade 8 program. “Our preschool is a true feeder to our regular academic program, which is a blessing to both the school, and to the families who continue their child's Catholic education here at SHS,” said Hakman. Mrs. Vicki Wenthe, Sacred Heart School principal, added that SHS is truly a family. Wenthe explained that this is mostly due to the small class sizes for more one-on-one attention in the classroom, as well as the involvement of parents and grandparents in the daily lives of their students.
Technology is an integral part of the education at Sacred Heart School and they are starting the students early with iPads, classroom computers, Leapsters and laptops. Every classroom, preschool-grade 8, utilizes SmartBoard technology and they also implement Senteo Response software that can track the progress of every student. Sacred Heart School has an Open house on Feb. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. where anyone can tour the school and learn what it has to offer their child. There is also a kindergarten “Sneak Peek” where parents interested in kindergarten are asked to attend a formal presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. to hear specifics about the curriculum, daily routines, and expectations of kindergarten. “Our Open House brings heavy traffic for our preschool and kindergarten programs,” said Christy Hakman, marketing and development director for Sacred Heart Parish.
“Every morning, the pre-school teachers and I greet the students and welcome them as they enter the building,” said Wenthe.
Will Wenthe, a 3-year-old in preschool at Sacred Heart School, plays on an iPad.
Teachers will have technology demonstrations going on in their classrooms throughout the night and school board members will be available to answer questions from potential parents.
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Wenthe also mentioned that those who attend or visit Sacred Heart School comment on the friendly, welcoming atmosphere. “At Sacred Heart School, we look out for each other. If any family in the school has a problem, we do all that we can to help out that family.”
Hakman invited anyone in the community who wants to learn more about the Sacred Heart School preschool through grade 8 program to either attend the Feb. 26th Open House or contact her at 217.347.7177. “Once you step inside our building, you feel the Sacred Heart difference, I invite those in the community to come experience the welcoming, Christ-centered atmosphere we have at Sacred Heart School.”
Our parents didn’t want us to roll up our sleeves and get dirty.
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Interest in vocational programs rebounding By Bill Grimes
or decades, the availability of vocational educational programs on the secondary level has been on a steady decline in the United States. But local educators want to buck that trend.
Realizing that the one-size-fits-all model of education isn’t effective for all students, educators are in some cases partnering with municipal governments and business leaders to develop programs that will yield skilled tradespeople. “Everybody needs somebody to work on their car,” said Julie Wollerman, regional school superintendent for Bond, Effingham and Fayette counties. Wollerman said the recognition that large-scale vocational education is worthwhile has been a long time in coming. “We’ve been raising too many people to be CEOs and not enough people to fix the copy machine so the CEO can work,” she said. “The CEO class is awesome,” she said, referring to an Effingham County program that teaches teens how to build and run their own business. “But not everybody can be their own boss.” Vocational education, formerly known as industrial education, has a long history in the United States, and an even longer history in Europe. In 1911, political scientist Holmes Beckwith wrote his doctoral dissertation on “German Industrial Education and its Lessons for the United States.” The troubled Beckwith, who shot his boss five times in 1921 before
turning the gun on himself, believed that the German system could be successfully implemented in the United States. Many early 20th century educators believed that the apprenticeship system that had been in place for many years was outmoded, and that public schools needed to take a greater role in the training of those who might not have the aptitude for a university education. Only six years after Beckwith completed his dissertation, Congress passed the SmithHughes National Vocational Education Act, which guided public policy on vocational education for decades. In the first 40 years after Smith-Hughes was passed, the number of vocational education students increased from 200,000 in 1917 to 3.4 million in 1957. As an increasing number of parents in the postwar generation, i.e., The Greatest Generation, strove to provide a university education for their offspring, vocational program enrollment began to slide. “Our parents didn’t want us to roll up our sleeves and get dirty,” said Wollerman, who attended high school in the mid-80s. The decline in vocational programming continued into the new century. That’s about the time that educational theorists began noticing the aging blue-collar population — and the lack of willing replacements from the next generation. Wollerman said one problem is the increasingly complex VOCATIONAL on page 142 February 2015 • Progress 2015 15
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
LISTEN to your heart
An amazing day in the life of a local high school counselor
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veryone believes that health is a given and strokes or heart disease happen to other people. The reality that this is not always the case surprised Jere Schuler in the most unexpected way.
Not a stranger to exercise, Schuler had pulled out his bicycle to enjoy a ride on a beautiful fall day in early September of 2014. While on the ride, Schuler experienced mild chest pain and thought very little of the incident until a couple of days later when he again experienced pressure on his chest and instinctively knew something was not right. His concerns, as well as those of his wife Sue, a registered nurse, led him to his primary physician, Eugene Dust, MD, who referred him to HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital for a cardiac stress test. Early into the stress test, he experienced additional chest pain and the test was stopped. Schuler was then immediately referred to a cardiologist at the Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. All in the same day, Schuler had a stress test, cardiac cath, and was informed that he needed triple bypass surgery. Three days later, he had triple bypass surgery and was on his way to recovery. Reflecting on his experience, Schuler shared that it “showed me the importance of paying attention to what your heart tells you, as well as how essential it is to have doctors with your best interest in mind,” he said. Working in tandem to create good relationships and expedited care, the local doctors at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital and the cardiologist teams of Prairie Heart Institute have assembled a network of exceptional physicians and surgeons to address the needs of the residents throughout Central Illinois. In Schuler’s case, Dr. Dust, his longtime physician, worked closely with Prairie Heart Institute cardiologist Robert Trask, MD, to meet Schuler’s needs and ensure a seamless transition to Springfield for care and then home again. The whole experience has changed his life in many ways. He explained, “It has made me aware of how important cardio exercise is to my life – I now have a treadmill at home to make certain that I can continue my cardiac rehab,” he said. “I also have my family behind me to help me with healthy 16 Progress 2015 • February 2015
meals and keeping my cholesterol limits low.” A father of four and grandfather of two, with a grandchild on the way, Schuler is now enjoying more time with his family, including a heightened sense of awareness of what could have happened. He said, “I think I now appreciate more the activities I get to do with my kids and cherish every moment I get to play with my grandchildren.” Schuler’s daughter Grace is a high school basketball player, and he joked, “I really enjoy sharing my insight and pointers on technique and form with Grace when we play one-on-one, but all kidding aside, we usually just play for fun.” Schuler also enjoys getting on the floor and playing with his grandchildren Will and Ella Schuler. Schuler returned to work October 15, just four and one half weeks after triple bypass. Dedicated to his work as a Mattoon High School counselor, he works with students to provide insight on how to plan for the future college or a career, academics or even personal concerns. Schuler is always anchored in the knowledge that his role is one of truly helping, being seen as someone to go to of assistance and someone to talk to about your concerns. After his experience, Schuler encourages family and friends to listen to your heart. “Since I had no family history of heart disease, I thought that my heart health was not a problem. I was basically feeling fine except for the pain I experienced during exercise. After having a triple bypass surgery, I realized that there were signs, even though they were minor, that something was wrong,” he said. “Don’t ignore any signs your body is telling you.” September 9 was a whirlwind of a day. Everything happened so fast and for Schuler it did not seem real that his heart was struggling, yet he had no symptoms. It was through the seamless care provided by St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital networking with Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s Hospital that a serious issue was discovered and treated in such a timely manner so he is still here with his family today. For further information on HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital heart health and their exceptional care providers, visit stanthonyshospital.org.
Civil Design, Inc.
Buildings, bridges and other structures born here C
Bohnhoff uses a variety of structural systems, such as steel, concrete, masonry, and wood.
Bohnhoff grew up in Dieterich and after stops in Springfield and Mattoon, decided to come back home.
“Most of my time is spent calculating the loads on a structure such as snow on a roof, wind on a wall, earthquake forces on a water tower, office floor loads on a building element, or an 80,000 pound semi driving over a bridge,” Bohnhoff said. “Then I fit the structure to its surroundings, and decide on what structural systems to use.”
ivil Design, Inc's Adam Bohnhoff is new to the company, but is not new to the Effingham area.
Bohnhoff is the structural department manager for the Effingham branch of Civil Design, Inc. The company has three other locations in St. Louis, Louisville, Ky, and Granite City. “Structural engineering is one of the several branches of civil engineering, and its applications are diverse. My daily work involves designing structures such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc. Primarily I work for state and local agencies, municipalities, architects, contractors, and developers as a consultant,” Bohnhoff said. Civil Design, Inc., a civil engineering and surveying firm, opened its doors for business in Effingham in September 2013. Since then the staff has been busy on a variety of projects across central Illinois ranging from a new school in Lebanon, multiple surveying projects, and Ameren IL substation spill control projects.
Civil Design, Inc. specializes in the following fields: site development, survey, transportation, water resources, and GIS. CDI handles initial site development for construction projects, including plans for drainage, grading, parking and road alignment. It completed a project in 2014 where they developed online GIS mapping and data collection for Effingham County. For additional information on Civil Design, Inc., check online at www. civildesigninc.com or contact Adam Bohnhoff at 217-342-2025. The Effingham office is located at 2201 N. Willenborg St., Suite 5, Effingham.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 17
Stevens Industries
Company
owned by employees pumps millions of dollars into local economy
J
ust inside Stevens Industries’ headquarters in Teutopolis, a meeting room is filled with employees discussing technology. It’s not what people expect when they picture the largest commercial cabinetry manufacturer in North America. “When I say that we make cabinets, people assume that we are carpenters,” Stevens Industries President Todd Wegman said. “But if you walk around over here – it’s all robotics. It’s not a guy cutting wood with a pencil behind his ear. It’s production level.”
that the company had such a prominent presence at a recent Las Vegas trade show. “They’re amazed that, when we go to faraway places, people know us,” Wegman said. Wegman said that the company looks to Europe for inspiration and that it’s in the midst of redefining itself as a design leader. In the past, Stevens Industries had been known largely for its manufacturing.
Stevens Industries is growing at a fast pace. The company is expecting a 20 to 25 percent growth this year and has added 50 employees in the last six months. The company is looking to add more of the best engineers and draftsmen.
“We’re changing who we are,” Wegman said.
Even though Stevens Industries is located in a small town, its reputation around the continent is massive. It has supplied the materials for bigname companies such as Kohl’s.
“Everyone can take part in any type of growth,” Wegman said. “We work for each other here. We never have a shareholder come in to say that we didn’t make enough money.”
“If you’ve been in a Kohl’s store, all the materials that you saw have come from here,” Wegman said.
The business model seems to be working. In 2014, Stevens Industries’ stock increased by 51.9 percent.
Stevens Industries has also helped shape the interiors of Apple Headquarters, Google Headquarters, and the new Exxon Mobile Headquarters.
Stevens Industries is such a large company that it helps drive the economy in Teutopolis. The company uses about 110 local companies for their services – from the local freight company to the people who fix Stevens Industries’ forklifts.
“Exxon’s headquarters is the largest new building in the nation,” Wegman said. Employees at Stevens Industries have the opportunity to travel. And wherever they go, the company’s name is well-known and respected – which sometimes surprises new employees. Wegman mentioned that a pair of new hires were shocked to find out 18 Progress 2015 • February 2015
The company is completely owned by employees. After being with the company for a year, an employee can own stock. That means hard work can literally pay off.
“I’m not sure of the exact number, but I know we spend millions of dollars locally,” Wegman said. When Stevens Industries does well, so does Teutopolis. And Wegman doesn’t see that changing. “We’re going to keep driving forward,” Wegman said.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 19
Siemer Milling Company
Supplying
the wheat flour for popular cake mixes, cookies, biscuits and more S iemer Milling Company of Teutopolis supplies wheat flour for wellknown consumer products such as Duncan Hines cake mixes, Girl Scout cookies, and McDonald’s breakfast biscuits. Starting 12 years ago, Siemer began to also serve some highly-specialized markets, and is now the foremost provider in the U.S. of a number of products that have unique and interesting applications. One of these product lines consists of wheat flour-based ingredients for the adhesive systems used in making plywood. These ingredients are generically called “extender,” because the gluelike characteristic of wheat flour provides a less-expensive extension of the chemical resins that are the primary adhesives. Siemer sells more flour extender than any other miller in the country. Several other product lines are made by the application of heat to wheat flour, bran, and germ. Depending on the desired product, the heat may be dry or provided by hot water or steam. After the material is “conditioned” by exposure to heat, it is held at a certain temperature for up to 12 minutes. This treatment creates many varied ingredients for other food products. There are four major categories of ingredients made by heat treatment: Batters and coatings. The product imparts a special appearance and mouthfeel to, mostly, fried fish or chicken. Siemer’s biggest customers in this category are Long John Silver’s and Captain D’s seafood restaurants. Naturally-modified food starches. These replace chemicallymodified starches in a variety of applications, with the advantages of a clean label, lower cost, and some superior functional
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characteristics. Siemer provides starches for KFC brown gravy, private label cream soups and tomato soup, and macaroni & cheese.
Enzyme-deactivated ingredients. Treated wheat bran and wheat germ have a longer shelf life because naturally-occurring enzymes are no longer subject to oxidation. This “stabilized” flour is used as a carrier for other enzymes that enhance the performance of some animal feeds, and of septic system cleaners. Stabilized bran is used in insect-growing media. Food Safe ingredients. Heat treatment kills microbes that occur for any reason in the flour, bran, or germ, providing an extra margin of safety in foods that may be consumed without some form of cooking. These include cookie-dough or cake-batter ice cream, seasoning blends, “blue box” mac & cheese, and Nestle Toll House cookie dough. The heat treatment system operated by Siemer is one-of-a-kind in North America. After over a decade of research and development, the process is very flexible, regularly making products that are well beyond the original scope of the system as conceived by its manufacturer. Both the extender and the heat treatment businesses are valuable contributors to the success of Siemer Milling Company, because they add value to the products made by our customers. Siemer is proud to be a family- and employee-owned company, proud to source most of our raw material – wheat – from farmers in this area, and proud to be best-value, reliable suppliers to customers around the U.S. and in other countries, as well.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 21
Farm Credit Illinois’ Commitment to the Future of Agriculture FCI Supports Community College Agriculture Programs
Pictured above L-R: Russ Deters, Bridgot Giles, Jenny Francis, Julie Crippin, Casey McClure, Landon Frye, Rod Stoll
Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) is in its second year of their community college endowment program which allows them to partner with and support two community college agriculture programs. FCI is an annual sponsor of the Illinois Post-secondary Agriculture Student (PAS) organization which provides community college students with opportunities for individual growth, leadership, and career preparation. Farm Credit’s five-year endowment is a financial commitment of more than $150,000 directed toward agriculture programs at Lake Land College, Parkland College, and to Illinois PAS. The Farm Credit Illinois Training Center (pictured above) is an example of how Lake Land college is utilizing their funds for agriculture programs. FCI is proud to make an investment in the future of Illinois agriculture.
Farm Credit Agriculture Scholarships Twenty-two high school seniors were selected to receive $1,500 toward their college education as 2014 Farm Credit Illinois Agriculture Scholars. Additionally, two students were designated as FCI’s first “Urban Agriculture Scholars.” The scholarship program, established in 2004, has awarded more than $225,000 in scholarships to 228 students during the past decade. Pictured L-R above with Farm Credit’s Russ Deters, 2014 scholars: Jacob Lidy and Taylor Musgrave both of Jasper County
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Find out more about the FCI scholarship, visit our website at farmcreditIL.com
February 2015 • Progress 2015 23
home is wherever you can find a house to rent Shortage of rental housing causes crunch for some
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By Stan Polanski
eal estate agents in the Effingham area agree that there is a shortage of rental housing.
That’s nothing new. Effingham has seemingly always had a shortage. But in the past few years, rental housing has become even harder to find. “There’s a greater shortage of single family homes than in years past,” said Terry Youngblood, real estate broker for ReMax. “People are having a more difficult time finding rentals than, say, 10 years ago.” Put Patricia and Kristopher Day in that group. “It’s been really hard,” Patricia Day said. Real estate agents and others with an interest in housing point to Pictured from left to right: Tristian, Lilly, Eliza, Patricia, and Kristopher Day sit in their rental home. the influx of construction workers Stan Polanski photo. to improve the interstate highways one excuse after the other. Our kids take care of our stuff, but it’s hard to as one reason for the rental housing explain that to people.” crunch. Professionals deciding whether to move here permanently also put pressure on the rental stock. The family hopes to buy a home in about three years. But until then, Patricia Day hopes that they can find a more adequate living situation. Some local officials say they’d like to see more affordable rental housing, but there are no clear answers to the problem. Sarah Durham has been looking for housing in the area for a couple months and hasn’t found anything. The Days have six children – with another on the way. The family has outgrown the Effingham house they rent. “It’s almost like you have to know someone,” she said. Three of their girls share a room. Two of their boys share a room. In the Durham moved to Effingham with her hallway to the left of the front door is a husband in June. She said that they are crib for the baby boy soon to arrive. In living with a friend and that their two the hallway straight ahead of the door pets – a cat and a small dog – make it is Patricia and Kristopher’s bed that difficult to find a rental house. spans from one wall to the other. “They’re very clean and well taken care “The absolute worst thing about this is of,” Durham said. “I’m a stay-at-home sharing one bathroom,” Patricia said. wife. There’s always someone home “We almost have to schedule our mornings so not everyone is trying to with them.” use it at once.” The couple might consider settling for an apartment. The size of their family makes it difficult to find a better place to live. One reason that rental housing has been limited recently is the influx of “No one wants to rent to a large family,” Patricia Day said. “It’s always highway construction workers. Because many of these workers will only
The absolute worst thing about this is sharing one bathroom ... We almost have to have a schedule our mornings so not everyone is trying to use it at once.
RENTAL HOUSE on page 130 24 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Leisure Times
Providing fun for the whole family S
ince 1982, Leisure Times has been providing the Effingham area with fun for the whole family. Owners Dennis, Nancy and Chris Kreke have a showroom full of everything from billiard tables to pools and spas. Although pools and spas were the beginning of Leisure Times, fireplaces, billiards, grills, patio and firepits are all part of Leisure Times today. Chris said new items in 2015 will be San Juan Fiberglass In Ground Pools. Selling vinyl lined in ground pools since 1982 will allow Leisure Times to offer both styles of in ground pools allowing the customer to choose which will be best for their family. Louisiana Pellet Barbecue Grills will be another new addition - this will complete the grill section having Weber as our gas, charcoal, and electric grills - The Big Green Egg - The Ultimate Cooking Experience - and now a pellet BBQ grill.
Chris and Dennis Kreke
Leisure Times prides itself on outstanding service. It has two full-time service technicians — Jared and Klent — that take care of customer needs - as well as - being the people involved in
the installation team year round. Leisure Times will celebrate its 33rd Anniversary in August. Dennis and Nancy started the business and Chris became a part of the family business in 1993. "Some people think it is hard to work with family, but in our case it has been really good," Dennis said. Besides the three of us — two of Chris’ children work at the business in the summer. We have had a lot of great people that have worked with us over the years helping us grow the business. Amy is one of those people who has worked with us going on seven years alongside Chris." Leisure Times has more than 9,000 square feet of showroom space allowing customers to see the products that will become a part of their family. "If it involves leisure and family then we can be a part of it,” Chris said. "We specialize in Family Fun - to families in Effingham and the surrounding area." Leisure Times is located at 1205 W. Jefferson in Effingham and can be reached at 217-347-0777.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 25
26 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Sanitation Service Inc.
Dedication above all else for sanitation company
S
anitation Service, Inc. “The Rubbish Gobbler” is a family owned and operated full service garbage collection, recycling, and disposal company capable of serving your entire disposal needs. They have been in the garbage collection business since the 1960s, and opened Landfill 33, LTD in 1981. During the landfill buyouts and sellouts of the 1980s, numerous national companies pounded on the door wanting the company to sell out or take trash out of state by rail. The big national hauling companies seem to sell out and change names about every five years. Sanitation Service Inc. and Landfill 33’s position has always been to remain dedicated to the Effingham area. The employees of Sanitation Service, Inc. work 362 days a year, in all weather conditions, to serve the many great businesses and residents that make the Effingham area the wonderful place that it is to live and work. Last year when it snowed 12+” and the temperature was -10 (that is 42 degrees below freezing), was the first day in 21+ years that the company did not put a truck out on the street. The employees did not take the day off, they spent most of that day working to prepare the landfill to accept trucks on Tuesday. The refuse collection business is relentless, trash always needs picked up, and holidays create even more work. That is not a complaint, just a fact. When most others relax and celebrate holidays, the employees at Sanitation Services, Inc., and Landfill 33 are gearing up to get the
job done. The landfill business is a heavily regulated industry. They give tours from Cub Scouts to environmental biology classes, and they are always amazed at what is involved in processing our waste stream, and the cleanliness of the facility. Having legitimate disposal capacity and a reputable hauling company is also a valuable selling point when attracting new businesses and industries to the area. Sanitation Service, Inc. and Landfill 33 located on East Route 33, is open to the public six days a week, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. on Saturdays. To work in the demanding conditions that they work in all year round, you must have reliable equipment, so Sanitation Service, Inc. and Landfill 33 take pride in their equipment, pride in their work, and are proud to serve the Effingham area.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 27
28 Progress 2015 • February 2015
February 2015 • Progress 2015 29
Kremer Pharmacy
Looking to grow, improve service
A
fter more than two years in service, Kremer Pharmacy in Teutopolis is looking for ways to better serve customers throughout the area as a full service retail pharmacy. “We are always looking to grow and improve our services” said Duane Kremer, registered pharmacist and owner. Compounded prescriptions are one such area. Compounding allows Kremer Pharmacy to create products which are not commercially available, and allows medications to be tailored to the needs of the individual patient. “What’s available commercially isn’t always the best fit for the patient” said Kremer. Kremer Pharmacy is a member of the Professional Compounding Centers of America. They can help correct patient’s ailments with the proper drug therapy. Compounded medications can also help with veterinarian medications for your pets. Common issues resolved with compounded prescriptions are migraines, dietary restrictions, allergies, hormone therapy replacement, arthritis, psoriasis, and pain management. For their customer’s convenience, Kremer Pharmacy has automatic refill options, prescription ready notifications via text or email and the ability to order online. Kremer said he offers additional options for patients in personalizing their order. “Multiple medications can become confusing and we are here to help
30 Progress 2015 • February 2015
simplify that process,” he said. “We can help manage their medications by synchronizing their refills so they get all their medication at the same time each month or by organizing their medications in weekly or monthly packages.” Kremer said the proudest moment in working as a pharmacist is seeing the impact his work has. “My team at Kremer Pharmacy takes pride in going the extra mile to make Duane Kremer, owner of the sure we take care of the pharmacy. patient,” he said. “Whether it is doing the little things to make sure the patient gets their medications covered on their insurance or answering all their questions, we’re just doing what needs to be done to ensure the patient gets what they need and what they deserve.” “The sincere 'thank you' we receive every day from our customers lets us know we are making a difference in their lives.”
Software engineer Mike Taylor gets lunch from the subsidized cafe at Patterson Technology Center from server Tammi Oakley. Jeff Long photo.
Be happy in your work Companies add perks to boost morale
E
By Jeff Long
very five years or so, Sarah Horner’s husband suddenly gets very interested in the progress her company is making toward reaching its financial goal.
“My husband was asking every month, ‘How are you guys doing?’” said Horner, the marketing manager at Agracel, an industrial development company in Effingham. It’s easy to understand why spouses – and employees – get so interested in Agracel’s financial goals every five years. That’s because if they are met that year, the employees and spouses get a free trip for a long weekend in some exotic locale. The company picks up the tab. This year Agracel is sending about 60 employees and spouses to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic at the end of March. When the goal was met in 2009, everybody packed up and went off to Jamaica. In 2004, a cruise in the Caribbean gave everyone a sense of accomplishment for a job well done. “Not a lot of companies do that,” said Agracel President Dean Bingham.
Maybe nothing so extravagant. But many businesses in this area and across the country are finding ways to give a little something extra to employees – beyond a paycheck and benefits – to make them feel good about their jobs and the place where they work. Forbes Magazine reported how Dropbox employees get Razor scooters to zip around the office. Other popular workplace perks around the country in 2014 mentioned by the magazine included four-day work weeks; extra cash for everything from boxing courses to dance lessons; and weekly gatherings, such as Pizza Fridays, which promote team building and camaraderie. The perks don’t have to be extravagant. Kelly Stanfield’s chiropractic office in Effingham recently held a patient appreciation day. It went over so well that he’s instituted “Rock and Roll Fridays” in the office, which go beyond the typical casual Friday. “They play the kind of music they want, and also dress differently than they typically do,” said Stanfield. WORK on page 135 February 2015 • Progress 2015 31
City of Effingham Rep. John Shimkus presents Mayor Merv Gillenwater with an award recognizing the City of Effingham as Google’s 2014 Digital Capitol of Illinois. The award recognizes the influence local businesses have in drawing customers online.
City of Effingham T
he City of Effingham might still have its small Midwestern feel, but a recent boom in business, expanded recreational activities and proactive city government look to lead the Crossroads of Opportunity long into the future. “We have so many things that provide a high quality of life,” said City of Effingham Economic Developer Todd Hull. Recreational activities in the city include the TREC Trail, various shows at the Effingham Performance Center and areas throughout the Effingham Park District. “The parks in town are really nice,” said Hull, adding that there are basketball and tennis courts, temporary ice rink, the Kluthe Pool, and much more. On the old courthouse lawn, events like the Artisan Fair and weekly farmers market mix culture and culinary tastes. In the old court house, one can get a feel for local history with the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum. “Downtown events have become more and more popular over the years,” said Hull. The Effingham Performance Center holds a variety of events, from comedians to musicians, throughout the year. Hull again reiterated that it is important for a community to have activities that serve the body and the mind. The city helped finance the EPC staying in town after it changed ownership in 2010. “We want to have as many cultural activities as possible,” said Hull. Mayor Merv Gillenwater believes there are several facets of the community that allow it to retain the small-town feel with big city amenities. “Our Public Works Department works diligently to provide our citizens with quality water and to keep our sewers, streets, and sidewalks maintained,” said Gillenwater. “We have a very professional fire department that not only reacts to fires but also proactively assists citizens with identifying possible issues that could cause fires with making sure their smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors are working property.
windows that aren't fixed, that becomes contagious,” he said. "People in Effingham generally keep their homes looking nice." He cited recent implementation of the Affordable Housing Program, which will offer 50 city residents $7,800 in home repair through a federal grant. “We are trying to be progressive when it comes to residential, commercial and industry aspects of the city,” he said. Gillenwater complimented local hospitals for their influence on the area and touted the sense of community displayed through churches, the senior center and volunteer organizations. According to Hull, Effingham is a retail hub that has been able to bring in large department stores despite the relatively small population. “We fight the number on the population sign,” said Hull, referring to larger businesses contemplating setting up shop in Effingham. “But Effingham doubles in size during the work day.” Hull said a significant step to facilitating growth in a city comes from the quality of its infrastructure. The City of Effingham has made that priority in recent years, with major improvements to the water, roadways and sewer system. “We continue to make improvements at the water treatment plant,” said Director of Public Works Steve Miller. Expanded water tank storage and other improvements to the water treatment process is part of a larger project to offer quality water to the city. The Little Wabash Channel dam, which has pooled water as the primary water source for the city for nearly 100 years, was replaced in 2014. “We have made several improvement to our systems,” said Miller. “Water quality is important to residents and businesses.”
“We have a very safe city,” added Gillenwater.
New lift stations improvements that pump sanitary sewer and water to the wastewater treatment plant have been installed throughout 2014. The city has put an emphasis on resurfacing new curb and gutters in several areas throughout town. They have also installed 12,000-linear feet of water lines and 10,000-linear-feet of sanitary sewer lines last year.
Gillenwater, who is a retired Illinois State Police Investigator, complimented local law enforcement for their efforts in that regard.
“Especially in new construction, businesses want to make sure the utilities are there to support their facility,” said Miller.
“People can walk the streets at any time and not worry,” said Gillenwater. “That is kind of unusual considering we are located at the crossroads of two major interstates.”
City Administrator James Arndt said the many efforts will hopefully guide the city to a prosperous future.
Gillenwater also cited the broken window theory as to why this may be partially true. “The broken window theory says if you have a community that has broken 32 Progress 2015 • February 2015
“The City of Effingham continues to support local businesses and work aggressively to attract new businesses to the community,” said Arndt. “We have seen good growth within our commercial businesses over the past year and we look forward to a continuation of this growth in 2015.”
February 2015 • Progress 2015 33
Effingham County Chamber of Commerce
A new year brings exciting new offerings at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce
A
t the top of those offerings is workforce development. In an ongoing effort to address the needs of its members and the community, the Chamber has developed very strong education and training programs. Using different formats on a variety of member-driven topics, the programs address an overwhelming need of employers to find qualified workers. While a lot of focus has been on fulfilling the needs of bluecollar employers, the need extends to white-collar jobs. It's not just the hard, technical skills employers are looking for, but soft skills, such as work ethic, as well. "It's a big issue and we're trying to take it in small bites," said Chamber President and CEO Norma Lansing. "We're looking at where we're at as a community. What are the skills we have in our workforce? What are skills we need we don't have today? And building that whole pipeline of training and education that we need. Those are the things we're focusing our efforts on this year." The Chamber also is working to fulfill the needs of workers by offering college credit through the training programs, which range from lunches to three-hour seminars, For the first time, the Chamber is partnering with Lake Land College to qualify the programs — which can be taught by those employed full time in their field — for college credit. "It's a great benefit we can offer to not only improve skills of employees but improve the operation of the business," said Lansing. The Chamber's focus on education goes one step further this year with the introduction of a Kickoff to Education Breakfast Aug. 5. The event gives area school superintendents an opportunity to showcase positive developments in their districts. Also brand new this year is a Resource Guide that puts everything the Chamber has to offer in one convenient brochure. Lansing said it's all a part of the Chamber's focus in 2015 on the needs of the community today and 10 years from now. "It's exciting to think about how we can make a difference for Effingham County."
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Harper Auto Sales
Family business grew from love of cars W
hen Terry Harper was five years old, he used to entertain his parents with his knowledge of car makes.
"I stood in my seat and would tell my parents every vehicle going down the road, including the year," he recalled. More than 60 years later, Harper is still into cars. After a long stint in retail management upon his 1965 graduation from Effingham High School, Terry joined older brother Jim in the auto business in 1987. After more than a decade operating lots in Decatur and Mount Zion, Terry set up shop at his present location northwest of Effingham in 1998. At one time, the Harper brothers operated a lot in Mattoon as well.
Terry has been focused on keeping a personalized experience for customers and trying to accommodate many different needs for a vehicle. "We're family owned and operated, and our inventory consists of local one-owner cars, trucks, vans, sports utility vehicles and crossovers," he said. "We take an application for credit and figure out which lender best suits the customer's needs and interest rate without dinging their credit 10 times.'
We have a very large percentage of repeat business and not by accident. We do a lot to assure that keeps happening.
Fred Jones of Harper Auto Sales said the business prides itself on its ability to draw repeat customers.
While Terry developed his interest in cars at an early age, he said the interest was likely maintained growing up by brother Jim's budding interest in cars.
"In a nutshell, what we try to do is buy a nice, clean unit, service it, and provide a discounted price to the customer," Jones said. "Our business is personal experience, not a loan that will pass from one person to another or one manager or another until you're exhausted with the experience.
During his retail career, Terry managed the old Jansen's Department Store as well as World of Clothing in Effingham for 13 years combined.
"Also, we have a very large percentage of repeat business and not by accident. We do a lot to assure that keeps happening."
February 2015 • Progress 2015 35
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta
‘Our secret recipe speaks for itself’
T
he Sicilian recipes that Joe Trupiano brought from Italy have been thrilling people in Central Illinois for years. “Our secret recipe speaks for itself,” Joey Trupiano, Joe's son, said. “Our sauce is very unique and we use high quality ingredients.” In the early '70s, the original Joe's Pizza was started in Olney. It's now owned by Joey Trupiano's older brother Tony. Since then, other locations have been sprouting up. And now, there are 10 Joe's Pizzas – with two more on the way. Even with the dramatic growth, Joey and Manny still cook and spice everything themselves at their Effingham restaurant that's been open for over 15 years. The brothers still use the same recipes that their father had learned from his father. “You just can't get Chicago-style pizzas from anywhere else around here,” Joey Trupiano said. But Joe's Pizza isn't just known for the pizza. They have flavorful, toasted sandwiches and mouthwatering pasta – among many other selections.
36 Progress 2015 • February 2015
The restaurant offers a speedy delivery service, catering, and online ordering. A party room that's great for rehearsal dinners is available to hold around 55 people. The Trupiano's success is not solely because of their traditional and homemade Italian dishes. Their friendly employees make sure customers have an enjoyable dining experience. “We've been blessed big-time with our employees,” Joey Trupiano said. “We've surrounded ourselves with good employees – who are also our friends.” The Trupianos also said that they are indebted to their customers for the support over the years. They said that none of what's happened could have been done without them. Joe Trupiano passed away in 2006. But his sons, Joey and Manny, think he'd be proud that his original recipes are making so many people happy. “I think he still sees it,” Joey Trupiano said. “He's just looking down on us. I think he'd be so proud of what's going on.”
Joe Sippers Cafe
Effingham’s First coffeehouse has become popular hub
roasting to the business are gaining greater control over their product; building the local brand of the business; and the potential for growth, including new wholesale opportunities.
J
A new coffee roaster has been tucked into the back room of the coffeehouse and resting next to it are bags of green coffee from around the world. The gleaming machine towers over Kevin as he demonstrates the way the exotic coffee beans are fed into the machine and how they are checked and checked to make sure they are roasted to perfection so customers can experience the best in a cup of fresh roasted coffee.
oe Sippers Cafe opened 10 years ago as Effingham's first coffeehouse. With ingenuity, dedication and hard work, Kevin Hiatt and his wife, Christy, have developed it into a popular community hub with a loyal clientele. The coffeehouse offered a solution for the young art majors fresh out of college who were searching for a means to support themselves, and they enjoyed creating the cafe from the ground up. “This was essentially our canvas,” Kevin said. A lot of thought was placed into the decor, atmosphere, and certainly the menu the restaurant offers. "Our menu is a reflection of our nutritional values. We choose to serve products that we are proud of. Emphasis is always on quality, and we love to source locally when we can."
“As we celebrate 10 years in business, we also celebrate the expansion of our business to roasting our own,” Kevin said. “We choose to invest in our business, our staff and our community. Our ambition is to represent the global specialty coffee industry within our small-town community by crafting an exceptional coffee experience.”
While developing and working in the business for the past 10 years, Kevin said they discovered “there was so much more to the coffee industry.” “The coffee side of it (the business) has become our passion,” he added. With that zeal the next step, they decided, was to add coffee roasting to the cafe's offerings and that project is underway right now at the coffeehouse. “Why roast?,” Kevin said, is the question people ask most often. His answer? “It's a logical next step to manufacture a product that you're already using.” The reasons Kevin feels are the most important in his decision to add
Kevin Hiatt, back left, and his wife, Christy, back right, owners of Joe Sippers Cafe, Effingham, pose with their family in front of the new coffee roaster that has been added to the business.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 37
Sehy and Jones
Practice prides itself on service For a business that’s been in Effingham since the 1930s, Doctors Sehy and Jones Optometrists won’t rest on their laurels when it comes to eye care and vision. The family-based optometry practice prides themselves on offering the highest level of service in and out of the office. They achieve this in ways such as allowing each person more time with the doctors, being on the cutting edge of the technological side of eye care and by considering the individual’s overall well-being. “It used to be, that when people thought of eye doctors, they [only] thought of coming in and getting their glasses updated,” said office manager Mike Walker. “Doctors Sehy and Jones is about your overall health, and how your eyes play a big part in detecting and monitoring other health conditions. It’s about tailoring eye care for you as an individual.” In this setting, our Doctors of Optometry are able to diagnose and treat most medical eye conditions at a high level. This emphasis on service to patients has been the mission statement of Drs. Sehy and Jones since the ‘30s, when Dr. John Sehy purchased the practice and when
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his son Dr. Mike Sehy joined him in the ‘60s. Dr. Bob Jones joined the practice in 1977 to form Dr. Sehy and Jones, with Dr. Michael “Brian” Sehy joining in 1996 and Dr. Matthew Jones, Bob’s son, joining in 2008. As natives to Effingham, the doctors of Optometry at Sehy and Jones are committed to service our community. Dr. Brian Sehy is a past president of the United Way of Effingham County and Effingham Sunrise Rotary Club, while Dr. Matthew Jones was awarded 2014 EDN “Top Community Leader Under 40” for his services to the community. In their office, you will find that familiar, friendly, highly skilled, and experienced staff truly use the newest technology to improve your eye care and day to day eye wear experiences. One of the most recent, greatest advancement in eye care has been the ability to photograph and view the entire back of the eye without the frustrations associated with dilation, a service that no other eye clinic within an hour’s drive has available. Also, many people who have struggled for years with eye irritation and constant eye watering issues would want to
know that Drs. Sehy and Jones is the only local Dry Eye Accredited Center. This service is just another way that they strive to go the extra mile for their patients. Interested in LASIK laser eye surgery? This past year, TLC (the laser center) in St. Louis recognized Drs. Sehy and Jones as their highest referral center. Dr. Robert Jones was also specifically recognized as their highest referring doctor for 2014. Drs. Sehy and Jones has partnered with TLC because of their similar values and understanding that eye surgeries should be taken seriously and that they share similar commitment toward their patients, such as their offering of a lifetime guarantee. One important way that Drs. Sehy and Jones has improved their services recently is by the addition of an American Academy of Ophthalmology Board Certified corneal sub-specialist. Dr. “Kris” Krishnasamy, MD will be seeing patients in the office of Drs. Sehy and Jones and is currently performing surgeries, such as cataract removal, at St. Anthony Hospital. Consultation appointments are available without referral and can be requested by calling Drs. Sehy and Jones directly.
If you have struggled with contact lens or no-line lenses in the past, you will be pleased to know that the practice is at the forefront of eye wear such as contact lenses and digital spectacle lens. For example, their office typically is able to prescribe and demonstrate the latest contact lens technology, sometimes months or years earlier than competitors such as a radically new daily contact lens that is a gradient lens, with the outside being made almost completely of water to allow for a smoother surface for the eyelid to interact with. Drs. Sehy and Jones has expanded the medical and vision care plans they accept. They currently accept VSP, EYEMED, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Medicare among others. VA patients tired of traveling so far for eye care? In 2014, Drs Sehy and Jones became the area’s approved VA eye care facility. “What we try to do is continually be the first place people want to go for all their eye care in the Effingham area,” Dr. Brian Sehy said. “We do that by creating great patient experiences from start to finish, and (then) maybe people even look forward to getting their eyes checked.”
Thelma Keller Convention Center
High-class venue can host any event
T
he Thelma Keller Convention Center is a high-class venue that can host any type of event.
But not everyone knows about the center’s variety, Event Planner Katie Koester said. Trade shows, proms, anniversary parties, holiday parties, conventions, class reunions, and baby showers are all perfectly suited for the center – and any other event designed to bring people together. Just inside the center’s doors are tropical ferns, large canvas paintings, and antique English storefronts that are now used for a new purpose. Everything seems to provide a sophisticated comfort.
Director of Sales Patty Fix-Greene and Event Planner Katie Koester.
The center has its own catering service and its own décor to customize each event with.
When the center hosted the first bridal show 25 years ago, only 24 exhibitors were there. For this year’s event, there were over 75.
And the family-run center has a staff that will personally make sure each event is flawless. Director of Sales Patricia Fix-Greene’s job doesn’t end after she books a customer.
And Fix-Greene said she and her staff are eager to continue growing. That’s not just good for the center, but Effingham as well. The center brings people together from all over the state and that means other local businesses can take advantage and make money from the tourism.
“You see us,” Fix-Greene said. “We put our faces out there so that everyone feels they are getting what they paid for and what they expect.”
“We are here for the community,” Fix-Greene said.
There’s proof that the staff ’s tireless work and the venue’s charm with customers works: the center has an 89 percent rebook ratio.
Any event at the Thelma Keller Convention Center will be one that will soar past expectations.
“We go above and beyond, and I think that’s why our rebook ratio is so high,” Fix-Greene said.
“You will get way more than just a meeting room or just a wedding,” Fix-Greene said.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 39
Wright’s Furniture & Flooring
Family business in Dieterich is older than the village
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right’s Furniture & Flooring is in its fourth generation of serving the Dieterich community. The family’s entrepreneurial spirit even predates the incorporation of Dieterich as a village.
In fact, the Wright family is celebrating the 126th anniversary of the business this year. Current president Tom Wright said the business’ longevity can be attributed to a number of factors. “It’s a combination of things,” Wright said. “A lot of it is about relationships and taking care of our clients. “People in the area have supported us,” he said. “Hopefully, we provide a service for them.” One has to go back to 1889 to trace the roots of what has become a wellestablished business with 22 employees. Oddly enough, the business almost never happened. George W. Wright had operated a general store and postal service in what would become Dieterich. But George W. was preparing to take the government’s offer of free land and move to Arkansas. “He had everything loaded on the train and ready to go,” Tom said. “But a gentleman who owned a local furniture store approached him and asked him to give up his spot on the train and buy his furniture store.” At that time, many funeral directors were also furniture dealers. And, George W. wanted to buy the local funeral home in addition to the furniture business. After a three-way transaction, George W. stayed in town. “He unloaded his stuff off the train, and the furniture store owner loaded up and went to Arkansas.” George W. eventually sired two sons and a daughter. Sons Abe and George B., known to friends as G.B., eventually changed the name to Wright Brothers Furniture. The brothers also operated the Wright Seed Company in nearby Wheeler. Abe never had any children, but G.B.’s son George Cedric (known by his middle name) took over the store around 1970. It was under Cedric’s leadership that the store expanded from its 40 Progress 2015 • February 2015
original storefront on Main Street into the old Krabbe Grocery Store and the original First National Bank of Dieterich building, as well as the storefront that housed an old drug store. Cedric’s sons Tom and John began working at the store as youngsters and continued through their respective college years. Tom and John’s brother-in-law Lowell Landrus managed the funeral home part of the business until he took ownership of that business in the 1980s. Tom said he wasn’t originally going to become the fourth generation of Wrights in the family business. Instead, he got a job with United Parcel Service after graduating from Eastern Illinois University in 1975. “It was an unwritten family rule that you had to work in both the furniture store and funeral home,” Tom recalled. “But they decided to split the two businesses in about 1977. “At that point, I came back into the business.”
It’s a combination of things ... A lot of it is about relationships and taking care of our clients. While Cedric is still involved in the business when in town, Tom became the president of the company in late 1980s. John is now the vice-president. Under Tom’s leadership, the Wrights bought the old Niebrugge lumberyard property on the corner of Main Street and Illinois 33 in 1993, and expanded the showroom into that space. The Wrights also branched out into the interior design business with the founding of Wright at Home Interiors in 1997. While Tom’s son Brandon is pursuing a professional career outside the family business, Tom’s son Alex works as Marketing Director at the company. He added he hopes his and John’s children Jessica, Devin and Taylor will take the family business into a fifth generation.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 41
Homebuilders Plus, Inc.
Helping take the stress out of building a home H
omebuilders Plus, Inc. coowner Marty Stock said that building a new home is almost always the biggest investment a person can make. “Building a home can be very, very stressful on people,” Stock said. “Our job is always to make it a pleasant experience. You really want to get it right and you really want someone like us.” Sitting behind a paper-laden desk, in a smallish Effingham Fourth Street facility, Stock notes quality is what keeps customers coming back. Stock and his partner Mark Wolf have been building new homes since 1975 and have the experience to build any custom-made home. The duo started Homebuilders Plus, Inc. in 1987. Stock said that the reason the company continues do well after almost 30 years in Effingham is that customers have recognized the type of work the company does. “We do top-notch quality,” Stock said. “We built our business on 100 percent quality. From day one, that’s the thing that we focused on.” The employees that Stock and Wolf have assembled over the years are experienced and relentlessly hardworking. Employee Bob Hollar has been with the company since ’92 and is a prime example of that. “Bob is a non-stop employee, who doesn’t appear to be moving fast, but he gets so much done because he never stops,” Stock said. “He’s outstanding in everything he does.” Employees have been taught everything they need to know about building homes. “We train our guys to do everything,” Stock said. While some home building companies only put up a frame, Homebuilders Plus does framing, siding, roofing, electrical work, drywall, and much of the painting. Because Homebuilders Plus does all these services, they can make 42 Progress 2015 • February 2015
sure the entire process of building a new house goes according to plan. “If you’re subbing out, you tend to have less ownership in what you’re doing,” Stock said. “You come in, you do a job, and you go. Whereas if you’re involved with that house from start-to-finish, you’re going to pay a lot more attention to detail all the way through. Your name’s on that house.” At Homebuilders Plus, the seven full time employees remain intimately involved in the home throughout the construction process. Each of the homes that Homebuilders Plus builds is designed to last a century. Stock said that it’s common for other companies to build homes that look nice, but not structurally sound and built to last. And making homes the right way is one way Homebuilders Plus is helping
Effingham. Stock puts his words to paper in a company brochure with quality construction front and center. Homebuilders Plus, Inc. emphasizes attention to workmanship, efficiency as well as innovation in construction and values engineering. While new home construction is the foundation of the business, Homebuilders Plus, Inc. also does light commercial projects, retail storefronts, churches and restaurants with the bulk of the work doing interior finishes to the business owner’s specifications. With more than 60 years of combined construction experience, Homebuilders Plus, Inc. has built hundreds of new homes, completed numerous additions and remodeling projects as well as church halls and light commercial construction projects. “We’re part of the community and
we intend to make this community better,” he said. Effingham is not the sole benefactor of these quality-made homes. Homebuilders Plus is willing to travel about 50 miles outside of Effingham. Before Homebuilders Plus starts putting together a home, they make sure every detail the customer has is considered and included. After all, it will likely be the customer’s biggest investment. “One thing that is very important in building a home is communication,” Stock said. “We lead them through the process.” Wolf draws up the plans. Then, the crews get to work. That’s when the customer’s vision becomes reality. “We ask the customer what they want and we give them exactly that,” Stock said.
For 28 Years
Your home has been our priority...
• Custom Home Building • Custom Blue Print • Residential • Light Commercial • Remodel • Additions
Marty Stock “We are completely about quality. If we don’t give our customer what they want, they won’t be satisfied. We think in terms of a 100 year home.”
1709 S. 4th St. Effingham, IL Ph: 217-342-9335 Visit us at: homebuildersplusinc.com February 2015 • Progress 2015 43
44 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Effingham's Kevin Daugherty (far right) signals down the end of the bench at a recent Effingham/Newton boys basketball game. Daugherty missed the game with a wrist injury, as did Frankie Kasdorf (center right) and Jacob Donaldson (center left). Michael Woltman sits on the far left on the photo, as he did not miss the game with an injury. Chet Piotrowski Jr./Piotrowski Studios
playing through the Pain
is old school
Area high schools address sports injuries
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By Ryan Czachorski
ffingham High School quarterback Kevin Daugherty injured his left wrist in the fourth week of the football season during a dominating Flaming Hearts win over the Charleston Trojans.
He gutted it out, getting through the season and nearly leading Effingham to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. The team fell 45-38 at Canton.
The senior was still stinging from the previous year – which ended for him after just two games, when he broke his collarbone. Now, Daugherty decided to let the injured wrist heal as he played through the pain.
But then came basketball season. Daugherty, a right-handed quarterback, could get by with limited use of his left hand. But for basketball, he suddenly needed both hands to play successfully and follow up on an All-Apollo selection in his junior year.
It was his last chance to play football for his high school. And he thought the Hearts -- then 3-1 -- had a good chance to make the playoffs.
When he finally got the wrist checked out, the news wasn’t good.
He was right about the last point. Daugherty and the Hearts went 6-3 in the regular season and won the Apollo Conference. While the Hearts continued to gel and get better as the season went on, his wrist did not. Daugherty got an inkling there was a problem three weeks after the injury, when he turned to the internet to help diagnose the pain that hadn’t gone away. “I looked on the internet for sprained wrists, and it said it would go away in a week, week and a half,” he said. “So a week and a half later I was freaking out. The pain wasn’t very bad, and I could get through it being a quarterback and playing some defense.”
“I didn’t think it was going to be as serious as it would be,” he said. “I broke the worst part, the worst bone in my wrist where I had to have surgery.” Daugherty won’t suit up for the Flaming Hearts on the hardwood this season, as the wrist surgery kept him out for the entire season. He said he expects to miss some of baseball season as well, because of the rehab the injury will require when the cast comes off. Still, he said going through the pain was worth it, even if it meant losing out on basketball. “I would (do it all again),” he said. “Breaking my collarbone last year was a horrible thing, but playing for my teammates was a big thing for me. I knew we had a good shot, I knew we were going to be good.” PAIN on page 111 February 2015 • Progress 2015 45
Buening Implement
Implement company helping farmers grow with technology
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ale Buening, Sales Manager at Buening Implement, Inc., located just north of Effingham on Highway 45, said the growth of the farm economy has allowed the company to grow while continuing to serve more of the area customers as the business approaches its 65th anniversary. “We have always tried to approach business with a progressive outlook to benefit our customers along with our own goals,” he said. “The business has grown immensely in the last 10 years. We have made two additions to the shop as well as added to the parts inventory to enable our customers to get the parts and service they have come to expect. With the recent farm economy and our work force striving, we have been able to help many farmers update their equipment, some long overdue.
that it will be passed down again sometime in the future to suitable hands. Having this sort of longevity has allowed Buening Implement to maintain a tight relationship with its clients. “It’s from serving the smallest all the way to the largest operations that keep us in business,” Buening said. The company has been able to maintain a solid relationship with local farmers while expansion has been taking place. Buening said the company has been able to expand, servicing customers within a large radius of their location and doing some business internationally. He also said the company has sent parts and implements as far as New Zealand.
I can’t stress enough how much I want to thank all our customers and staff on the success we have all shared and, with a little luck, keep sharing.
“We are navigating more towards technology,” he said. “Technology is everywhere and it just keeps growing from the first controllers to the latest advances in the industry. Guidance systems, point row shutoffs and yield monitoring are becoming such common terms in today’s industry. It just amazes me to see all the changes that have taken place and where we will go from here.” Buening Implement was originally founded in 1950 by Dale’s father and his uncles. In the 1980s, the ownership was passed down and he expects 46 Progress 2015 • February 2015
With the constant expansion, a growing economy and the world’s need for farmers, Buening said the company will be staying to serve the community for a long time to come. “We’re not going anywhere,” he said. “I firmly believe a business is either growing or dying. I’ve had that philosophy forever and in my eyes, we’re still growing. Over the last number of years, the farm economy has helped tremendously, with every year bringing another challenge and another obstacle that keeps us moving forward. It’s just amazing. I can’t stress enough how much I want to thank all our customers and staff on the success we have all shared and, with a little luck, keep sharing.”
February 2015 • Progress 2015 47
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Kingery Printing Company has grown to become one of the top 200 printing companies in the United States based on sales. We proudly serve a broad spectrum of industries and this year added the franchise food industry to our repertoire. Printing and delivering menus and nutritional guides to more than 1,900 cafés throughout North America on a regular interval may sound easy until each café creates its own unique menu lineup and print quantity. Having the ability to meet our customers’ varying requirements makes our genuine Kingery customer service, innovation, and technology shine. Promoting environmentally conscious business practices, Kingery Printing conforms to strict procurement guidelines to provide our clients with eco-friendly commercial printing services. From our chain of custody certifications to the soy ink we use, and even to the lighting initiatives in our plant – we take care to be good stewards of our environment. Today, Kingery Printing Company is owned by the children of John and Dolores Kingery. The founding vision of continued investment in the latest technologies and superior customer service are preserved and built upon by its family Board of Directors which includes, left to right: Michael Kingery, President; John Kingery, Chairman; Steven Kingery, Vice-President; and Angela Helmuth, Secretary.
Want to learn more about Kingery Printing Company? Check out our website at www.kingeryprinting.com
Kingery Printing Company • 3012 S. Banker Street Effingham, IL 62401
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Barlow Lock and Security, Inc.
Peace of Mind for companies and homeowners
A
s a three-generation business, one family offers companies and homeowners peace of mind through the services of Barlow Lock and Security, Inc. “The business was started over four decades ago by my father, Floyd, in Dieterich,” said Cathy Bierman, who along with her husband Terry runs the business. “We have been in our current location in Effingham for 15 years.” Floyd still works part time in the shop, along with our sons, Zak and Kurt. “It's rewarding work,” said Terry. “We hear from customers that fire alarm or security systems have saved their families.” The business has grown over the years with an emphasis on security systems. An incident with the company's founder actually led to the creation of the business.
like remote view camera systems. “The technology has changed a lot, but the basic concept is still the same,” said Terry. “An alarm goes off if a device is activated.” Today, however, customers of Barlow can have custom systems set up at their businesses and residences. Immediate notifications and monitoring are available on smart phones and other electronic devices. “Camera systems have really grown,” said Terry. “Remote access to your alarm system is really popular. They work great to watch employees, whether it be for production or theft.” Unlike other security companies, Barlow doesn't require monthly monitoring. Central Station Monitoring is an option.
“Floyd ran an appliance store in Dieterich,” said Cathy. “Someone broke into the business, so he installed his first security system in that business.”
“All our work is custom designed to a customer's needs,” said Terry. “You can't just do one system for everyone. People have different needs and therefore require different equipment."
The company has expanded with technology,
Terry said they can install a security
50 Progress 2015 • February 2015
system that contacts police if tripped, or it can set off an alarm. The presence of an alarm system has proven valuable to some, he added. “Just having the system makes a big difference,” said Terry, who noted an area school had issues with vandalism until they installed their system and the issues stopped. The company also works in locksmithing and safes, but their focus into the future is Security, Fire Alarms, Access Control, and Camera Systems. “We plan on growing that side of the business,” Terry added. Barlow can be reached at (800)322-7569 or 217-347-9630.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 51
52 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Todd Hull gives a presentation at a recent Effingham City Council meeting highlighting some of the many new construction projects and businesses locating in Effingham.
Business is
booming in Effingham
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By Tony Huffman
ith the national Census pointing out an emphasis on “urban migration” from a population shift to bigger cities, a recent boom in business has situated Effingham as somewhat of a geographic anomaly in recent years.
“We have towns close to Effingham who ask us how we attract so much business,” said Effingham Mayor Merv Gillenwater. “There are several reasons, but I think the single most valuable tool we have are the people who work on it nonstop.” Gillenwater said Economic Development Director Todd Hull, City Administrator James Arndt and Economic Specialist Sasha Althoff work tirelessly to find new opportunities for the city’s growth. “We are trying to put ourselves out there more by hiring Sasha,” said Gillenwater. Althoff was hired in 2014, and Gilllenwater said she has had an immediate impact. In addition to furthering the city’s exposure with social media presence, Althoff has made visiting new businesses to find out their needs an increased priority. “We sit down with businesses for a small meeting,” said Althoff. “We learn about what they do, how many employees they have, that kind of thing. We are interested if they are having any problems, and if there is anything the city can do to help.”
In addition to offering help, Althoff said the meetings serve as a valuable tool in creating new relationships. “We are also trying to have a more open relationship with businesses,” said Althoff. “Sometimes we learn about business expansion or business relationships that might bring a company to Effingham.” Gillenwater mirrored Althoff ’s enthusiasm for the visits, and he added additional benefits that result from open lines of communication. He pointed to open-thinking of city Commissioners Brian Milleville and Don Althoff, who heard from location construction firms that there was a lack of laborers. That conversation led to the creation of the Construction Trades program, which will begin training Effingham County High School students in basic trades skills next year. “We ask businesses if they are able to get the employees they need,” said Gillenwater. “We ask is there anything we can do to assist that.” The constant searching for new businesses has yielded positive results. “I think we do a good job attracting commercial projects to the city,” said Hull, who noted the city uses Business Districts, an Enterprise Zone and Tax Increment Financing District to offer incentives to local businesses. 2014 saw a variety of new companies buying into the culture of starting business in Effingham. The Fayette Avenue exit off the interstate continues RETAIL on page 73 February 2015 • Progress 2015 53
Effingham Senior Center
Helping seniors live independently
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s baby boomers quickly reach retirement age, Effingham City/ County Committee on Aging (ECCOA) also known in the community as Senior Services or The Senior Center is ready to assist them in living independently. According to Executive Director, Jean Bohnhoff, there are many services that our agency provides and not just to seniors but the community at large by saving the state money by helping those in need remain independent in their homes. “Having these community-based services are a fraction of the cost to the state than the health care cost of someone going into a nursing home, prematurely.” Bohnhoff stated. Jean Bohnhoff wants to ensure that those that are age 60 and older who have issues related to their living situation, should call the Senior Center and speak with one of our knowledgeable staff about the Community Care Program. Our Community Care Program, also known as CCP, is one of the first entries into the aging system. Per Bohnhoff, her organization services over 2,000 seniors in nine counties. Bohnhoff points out that this need will continue to grow as the senior populations needs grow. While CCP is a flagship service for the organization there are many other programs to assist seniors. Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is a program which assists seniors with frauds and scams. The program is headed up by Tom Kern, a retired law enforcement officer. This gives Tom an advantage in assisting seniors in navigating the system and possible recovery of lost money. Assistance can be anything from home repair fraud to sweepstake scams. In one instance, Kern assisted a senior with getting back $15,000 from a scam. “He is very good at what he does,” said Bohnhoff. A very popular program is the Senior Health Insurance Program,
54 Progress 2015 • February 2015
which assists seniors with the Medicare Part D process. Our trained SHIP staff can steer you through the paperwork from start to finish. SHIP staff can help seniors from such things as comparing Part D plans to enrollment to Extra Help applications. This program has an open enrollment every year from October 15th – December 7th, so keep an eye on the dates as they approach and give Senior Services a call to set up an appointment. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates on behalf of nursing home residents. Our caring staff will visit with the residents, listening to their concerns, determine if their rights are being honored, and with permission from the resident help to get a resolution to their problem and/or concern. We are very excited this year to announce the creation of the Home Care Ombudsman Program which can assist in-home seniors receiving assistance with services in their home. If a senior has concerns regarding their in-home care services please give Senior Services a call so an Ombudsman can assist you in getting a resolution. The Senior Center can also assist with Emergency Home Response Equipment, which allows seniors the ability to get help quickly at home. In addition, Bohnhoff said that the Senior Center can assist seniors with the Money Management Program. This program helps write checks, pay bills and balance check books as well as a variety of other needs. This program is an opportunity for those seniors to budget the monthly bills. “The needs of the aging baby boomers will only continue to grow”, said Bohnhoff. “In addition, seniors are living longer. Exposing our younger seniors on how to keep active, informed and educated on all aspects of growing older, programs that can benefit them and living independently is the main goal of Senior Services.”
February 2015 • Progress 2015 55
Driftstone Pueblo
Step back in time to a native american world E
ven though it is visible to the fast-paced modern world along Interstate 70, exit 76, in St. Elmo IL., taking a break from the road at Driftstone Pueblo is like stepping back into an elaborate Native American world. The entrance to the massive retail shop features large statues of buffaloes and other traditional Native American symbols, but these are just a glimmer of the size and expanse of the retail store. It features thousands of items that run the gambit of the Indian experience. Despite the success that has expanded beyond retail sales to wholesale, ownership hasn't forgotten the origin of the business. “We started in a small store in Vandalia in 1993,” said Julie McCall, who owns the business with her husband Mike. “In 2001, we bought the old Blackjack Knife building here. It was in 2004 when we built what you see today.” McCall said her mother and fatherin-law started the business out of a love for Native American culture. Her father-in-law, Mike McCall, became interested in the southwest while serving his country. “He lived out in Arizona when he was in the military,” said McCall, who noted Mike and Bobby McCall retired to New Mexico recently. “He always liked collecting this kind of stuff.” After his son, young Mike McCall, started working with his parents, a larger facet of the business was born. “My Mike is a very driven man,” said Julie. “He started importing items from around the world.” Whether it be gathering stones
56 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Above The large Driftstone Pueblo sits just off the interstate in St. Elmo. Right A variety of Native American items are available in Driftstone Pueblo.
from Brazil or beads from India, her husband travels around the world buying cargo containers full of items that end up at Driftstone Pueblo. In addition to being sold at Driftstone Pueblo, those items are then taken to Rock & Gem shows around the country and sold to other businesses. “We have a 90-page wholesale catalog and we ship around a 100 boxes a day,” said McCall. Julie's husband was out of town for an extended period in early January shipping seven semitruck and trailer loads of items to Arizona. “He does about five shows a year,” said McCall. “People go by, and I
don't think they realize what all goes on here.” In addition to the imports, the business also purchases authentic items from their contacts on Native American reservations in Arizona. “We definitely still go to the Indian reservations and buy stuff,” said McCall. “Those pieces are a little pricier, but I think it is worth it.” Seemingly unending jewelry counters have the area’s largest selection of native made turquoise & sterling silver jewelry in the Midwest. There are a wide range of sculptures, Kachinas, quartz rocks, Indian artifacts, crafting beads, stuffed animals, knives, gun holsters, dream catchers,
bone carvings, and even a stuffed armadillo holding a six shooter. We offer a large selection of books on Native history, language, crafts, cookbooks and many more to choose from. “There is something for everyone, whether they are into Native American culture or not,” said McCall. “We have regulars, who are mostly crafters, who come in for beads and rocks.” As the phone rang constantly on a random Monday afternoon recently, McCall considered the rapid growth and humble roots of the family business. “It is insane how big this has grown,” said McCall.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 57
Effingham Convention & Visitors Bureau
Spreading the word about everything Effingham has to offer W hile the City of Effingham is known as a visible location at the cross section of two major interstates, Tourism Director Jodi Thoele said there is so much more than meets travelers' passing eyes. “We have a fantastic city with over 65 restaurants, and many great attractions, including Tuscan Hills Winery, Effingham Performance Cemter and Firefly Grill, among others,” said Thoele. During her time at the helm of the City of Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, there has been a noticeable jump in visitors to the Effingham area. Nearly a 5 percent increase in tourists was logged in 2012. Thoele said the department actively pursues attracting visitors to Effingham. “The Effingham CVB office attends several trade shows a year to attract tour operators, meeting planners and sporting events to the area,” said Thoele. Because of this, Effingham sees many tour groups stop in the city, not only because of the convenient location but also because of great attractions and restaurants. The tourism office helps those groups by setting up itineraries for their stay. “Our tourism partners in the Effingham are fantastic to work with. They understand the value of tourism and help to give visitors a great experience in Effingham,” said Thoele. “The tourism office works with many attractions within the city to set up these itineraries. One such itinerary focuses on culinary tourism, which includes a cooking
I encourage people to become a tourist in their own backyard. demonstration at Firefly Grill, a visit to John Boos Co. to learn about their history and shop and then a tour and tasting at Tuscan Hills Winery. Other itineraries include stops at Mid America Motorwork's My Garage Museum, the Cross at the Crossroads, Hodgson Mill Store, antique shopping and a stop at Niemerg's Steak House and more.” Beyond the initial boon for local businesses, Thoele said visitors will ideally spread the word about Effingham.
Tourism Director Jodi Thoele and Abbey Depoister, Marketing Coordinator, stand at the Effingham Visitor’s Center. “Hopefully that busload of 50 people will go home and tell their family about what Effingham has to offer,” said Thoele. The tourism department of the city also works to attract visitors for conventions and leisure travel, along with sponsoring events. They used their media savvy to promote events like the Hobnob Festival Market at Tuscan Hills Winery last year. “We were so thrilled when Tuscan Hills Winery reached out to us about the Hobnob Market and connected us with the event coordinators. We were able to help spread the word on this great event and do all we could to help it succeed,” said Thoele. The event, which drew about 4,000 visitors, was such a success that event coordinators are already planning their return in 2015. The Effingham Tourism Office also sponsors a few of their own events, which have seen much success over the last few years. “Wonderland in Lights saw a huge increase in visitors and donations over the past few years,” she said. “This year we had almost 6,000 cars visit and raised $11,000.” With new displays in the light show, those funds will provide another expansion of the display in Community Park. “We love seeing the support for this project. It's a great way to bring families together during the holidays,” she said. Another holiday program, Holiday Lights and Festive Lights, was met with support and enthusiasm by city residents, said Thoele. “We had over 20 houses nominated for the competition, and over 700 people voted on the winning house,” she said. Like other programs by the tourism department, Thoele said she plans to expand the program to businesses and other categories next year. Thoele hopes residents can share her positive message about Effingham. “I encourage people to become a tourist in their own backyard,” said Thoele. “With over 65 restaurants and places like the EPC, bringing in nationally known acts, we are lucky. I really do encourage people to get out and experience Effingham.”
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Hollar’s Design with Style, LLC
Blending beauty with functionality
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ollar's Design with Style, LLC, in Altamont, owned by Bob and Carolyn Hollar, opened in May 2014, bringing the area a professional, award-winning design team whose goal is to work with their customers to create living spaces that blend beauty and functionality. Carolyn Hollar has been drawn to design all her life. As a youngster she would redesign, alter and customize clothes, blending colors and patterns in new, creative ways. Her life has continued with a focus on design and color as she worked first in floral design and then in other areas of decorating, before she and her husband opened Hollar's Design with Style. Her unusually high level of creativity and her spot-on eye for color she believes are something she was born with - a God-given talent. “I can't paint a picture, but give me a pile of stuff and I will make something out of it,” she says with a laugh. The design business strives to open up a universe of choices for their customers and then help them choose what fits into their individual style. “We hold their hand and walk them through it,” Carolyn said, adding that they strive to get to know the people they are designing for. “We design what they want. We just help them put it together.” Design services offered by Carolyn and her design team of Vickie Beals and Brenda Geiselman range from handling the design of spaces in a newly constructed home or business to helping with remodeling
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projects in existing structures. Trips to design shows across the country keep Carolyn and her staff on top of all the latest trends in decorating. The trending wave of home design right now, she says, is “minimalistic, a scaled back, natural look with clean lines.” Having a wide variety Carolyn Hollar is shown with a very small samof vendors makes pling of the items offered by Hollar's Design with it possible for the Style, LLC, in Altamont. business to be able to find almost anything their customers are searching for. “It is rarely that we can't find what they want,” Carolyn said. Hollar's Design with Style showroom is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, to better serve their customers. Appointments may be made by calling 618-483-5750 or visit them on Facebook @ Hollar's Design with Style, LLC.
Griffin Therapeutic Solutions
Helping people navigate a complex world
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aith Griffin became a licensed clinical therapist so she could help people navigate their complex worlds in order to live a healthier, happier life. “It’s our job to find the answers within the client,” she said of the therapists on her team, and the people who come to Griffin Therapeutic Solutions in Effingham. “We’re very accepting of who you are and where you’re at,” added therapist Linda Cummins. “We help them find their way.” Linda Cummins earned her Master’s degree in clinical counseling from Eastern Illinois University in 1997. She worked at Heartland Human Services for 33 years before coming out of retirement to join Faith. Her focus is on problems with adult mental health services, substance abuse and women’s issues. The third member of the team is Holly Westjohn, who earned her Master’s degree in clinical counseling from Eastern Illinois University in 2014. Her focus is on children, teens and adults, combining the latest methods of therapy with a natural empathy that helps them open up to her. Faith, the executive director of the agency, also earned her Master’s in clinical counseling from EIU. She has extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, and seniors with mental health issues and their families. She is skilled at working within local senior centers, the state health and human services system, and local school systems. She has broad experience in treating adults with severe and persistent mental
health illness. The office at 2313B Hoffman Drive is decorated in warm earth tones, with comfortable furniture and soothing music. It may be a mental health agency, but it feels more like a home. That’s intentional, Faith said. “I always knew when I went to school that the end game would be this,” she said. “I knew there was a need for additional mental health services in our community.” Griffin Therapeutic Solutions accepts a wide range of insurance: TriCare, BCBS, Healthlink, United Behavioral Health, CIGNA, Health Alliance, Consociate Dansig, Aetna, Coventry, and First Health.
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Al’s Tire Mart and Electronics Center
Family business is about much more than tires
Left to right, Joe, Mike, Mark and Tom Knabe stand beside a portrait of the founder Albert Knabe.
Tyler Shoemaker and Dillon Tedrick work in the automative electronics department.
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“Everything has gotten a lot more sophisticated now,” added his brother, Mark Knabe. “Cars are computerized now. The suspension systems have gotten so far advanced. Tires used to last 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Now they last 90,000.”
l’s Tire Mart and Electronics Center in Effingham has traveled much farther than the few miles from Teutopolis where founder Albert Knabe opened his service station in 1952.
Visit the center at 900 E. Fayette Avenue – opened in 1982 – for all your tire and automotive needs. You can get your farm equipment serviced, too. Beyond that, you’ll also find a wide range of car audio and home theater products, plus a knowledgeable staff that can handle your Verizon Wireless needs, from new phones to simply accessories. The company has a Verizon store at 1304 Thelma Keller Ave., too. Al’s Tire Mart decided to offer the extra services to better utilize the extra space it has. You can get your vehicle outfitted with new tires, repair services, custom audio and video systems, and get yourself a new cell all in one place. It
I’m excited to see what the future holds for us. If you don’t adapt, you get left behind. boasts the biggest automotive electronics showroom in a 70-mile radius. And Al’s carries some of the biggest tire names in the industry, including MICHELIN, BF Goodrich, Uniroyal and more. It serves customers in Effingham, Mattoon, Vandalia, and other surrounding areas. The various departments make for an eclectic mix that has carried the family-owned business into the 21st Century. “We’re just kind of an oddity,” said Tom Knabe, one of Albert’s three sons who now keep the business moving forward. “But it’s worked out very well.” 62 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Tom is president, Mark, is vice president and Mike Knabe is secretary treasurer. Mark’s son, Joe Knabe, is general manager. Mark’s daughter, Jennifer Weber, works directly with the Verizon operation while her husband, Blake Weber, is in the Home Theater department. The top tiers of the operation may be related by blood, but the Knabes think of all their employees as family. And that’s true of their customers, too. Joe earned his 2012 bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University, with a minor in business administration and a major in corporate communications. That helped make him the natural choice to tie all the facets of the business together as the GM. Like all of the Knabes, he grew up in the business so knows it from the ground up. “Moving forward, we’re going to continue to diversify our products, continue to grow our business,” Joe said. When you think about it, the seemingly separate components of the business are becoming linked – just as many aspects of every day life are becoming intertwined by technology. “I guarantee that 50 years ago my grandpa never thought about starting a car with a cellphone,” Joe said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds for us. If you don’t adapt, you get left behind.” The tire and automotive service center at 900 E. Fayette Avenue is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon. The electronics center at that site is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. The Verizon Wireless store on Thelma Keller Avenue is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and closed on Sunday.
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Scheid Diesel Service and check and clean gas injectors. They are authorized in the following lines and perform warranty repairs on the following manufactures: Stanadyne, Robert Bosch, Delphi, Ambac, Denso, Zexel and Yanmar fuel systems and Garrett Turbos and Borg Warner Turbos. Air to Air intercoolers, Denso starters, Delphi glow plugs and relays are a few items people may not realize are available.
Company can service any diesel engine
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cheid Diesel Service Co., Inc. was started May 1, 1982 with five employees in Terre Haute, IN. In 1990, the company opened its second location in Effingham, IL. The Lafayette, IN shop opened in 1999. All three locations have a fuel injection shop as well as a dedicated drive-in service area. The company has grown every year to its present 50 employees and they are still growing. The company can service any diesel engine, including but not limited to agricultural, construction, heavy duty truck, and automotive. Scheid Diesel has also made its mark in the diesel performance market with tractor and pickup truck pulling as well as diesel drag racing. Scheid Diesel are a complete fuel injection repair shop, rebuilding any diesel fuel injection pump, injectors, turbos, and able to make fuel lines
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All of our locations are equipped with drive-in service bays where we can remove and replace a fuel injection system if needed. The drivein service offers a variety of services, from oil changes to complete engine rebuilds. Scheid Diesel is an authorized parts and service dealer for the Cummins B & C series engines. The company also offers chassis dyno service up to 550HP as well as engine dyno service up to 4000HP/10,000 ft lb torque. Scheid Diesel has a variety of accessories for diesel pickups – from the daily driver who wants to get better mileage to the competition-type sports such as drag racing or truck pulling. Some of these products are TS Performance, Superchips, Edge Products, Stenbauer Performance, K&N Air Filtration, FloPro Exhaust, FASS Fuel Systems, Transmissions, Isspro Gauges, Fleetguard Filters, PacBrake Exhaust Brakes, to Lucas Oil Products, Alliant Power Products just to name a few. Scheid Diesel Service Co., Inc hosts an annual diesel pickup rally, Diesel Extravaganza in Terre Haute, IN. This event started as a TDR Rally for Dodge Cummins pickups in Effingham, IL in 1997. Due to the tremendous turnout, the TDR Rally evolved into the Diesel Extravaganza and relocated to Terre Haute, IN in 2000. The additional space of the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds allowed Scheid Diesel to open the event to all makes of diesel pickups. The 2015 Diesel Extravaganza dates are August 28-30.
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Business and Acquisitions Manager Steve Wiedman backs a Corvette out of the recently renovated shop on Fayette Avenue, which is the new home of Schultheis Garage and Classics.
Schultheis Garage and Classics
Lifelong passion for classic cars drives owner
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lifelong passion for Corvettes and vintage cars led local physician, Dr. Michael Schultheis and his wife, Jayme, an executive with Heartland Dental, to create Schultheis Garage and Classics, a specialty car dealership and full restoration facility, here in Effingham.
While continuing his medical practice, Dr. Schultheis enjoys restoring and displaying his own Corvettes at local and national events. He and Jayme have built their dealership and restoration shop on busy Fayette Avenue, where it will be seen by local residents and travelers passing through our city. The new business is sure to generate additional visits to the city through added revenue, as well as new employment opportunities. Future plans include a retail shop for performance and restoration parts, as well as automotive apparel and accessories. Steve Wiedman and Ethan Levi, co-manage Schultheis Garage and Classics, share this passion for owning and restoring classic cars. To actually look at some examples of their intricate craftsmanship in the recently renovated building just west of the Fayette Avenue underpass, their talent is unmistakable. “I like tearing things apart and putting them back together again,” said Levi, the restoration manager, about his work. “I get to take the car down to bare steel and put it back together again.” Wiedman, who is the shop's business manager after a long career in the Corvette market at Mid America Motorworks, said he loves fulfilling car owner's dream restorations. “We try to sit down with the customer and find out what they want when we are done,” Wiedman. “It is your car and your dream, so I want to figure out what we can do for the customer.” The customized restoration offers a variety of options to a car owner. “Some people want their car restored just like the factory did it, which had some distinct flaws,” said Wiedman, who has owned and restored 17 Corvettes since 1975.. Levi said he studies old photos provided by car owners and literature about the factory quirks of a vehicle before a complete restoration. “When you talk about restoration of a vehicle, that can be a broad stroke,” said Levi. “For a factory restoration, we can make a car look like it did when it rolled off the assembly line. That is down to every head marking and finish on every screw.” Other car owners prefer a flawless appearance for car shows. Moreover, 66 Progress 2015 • February 2015
some others care less about the body, but prefer customized motor work and other modifications. Regardless of the request, both restoration veterans say they will only put out quality classics.
“We won't do a cheap paint job,” said Levi. “We want a good reputation for our work. We don't want a year down the road for someone to say Schultheis Garage and Classics painted my car and now the paint is falling off.” Their insistence on quality again reflects their passion for older vehicles. “You don't know what is under that paint until you strip it down,” said Wiedman. “When you strip it off, you lay bare the history of that car.” Before the garage opened in January, a restoration was needed to the building located at 410 W. Fayette Ave. “Dr. Michael Schultheis and his wife, Jayme, took ownership of the building on Oct. 5, and I started working on it the next day,” said Levi. Like one of the cars they now restore, the former Probst Heating and Cooling building has been completely gutted and refinished. “We tore out walls, took out paneling in the ceiling to go to the industrial look, and just about everything you can imagine,” said Wiedman. The final product includes the addition of a state-of-the-art paint booth, a show room already filled with Corvettes and motorcycles for sale, and a shop filled with Snap On tools and car lifts. Work runs the gamut of automotive repair and restoration. Some of the work they do includes electrical systems, tune-ups, engine bay detailing, transmission rebuilds or upgrades to 5-or 6-speed overdrive units, frame blasting, steering work, u-joint replacements, trailing arm rebuilds, brake repairs, exhaust systems, show-winning interior restorations, gauge repairs and oil and filter changes. Wiedman added that he does appraisals for those who already own a valuable classic and need to insure its value. He noted the company is licensed to buy, sell and trade vehicles and motorcycles for classics. “If someone has a motorcycle and their wife wants them to go from two wheels to four, they can trade it in for a classic car,” said Wiedman. He reiterated the purpose of the new company, which is to put car enthusiasts behind the wheel of their dream car. For more information about the shop, visit www.sgccars.com.
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Crossroads Bank
Continuing to grow with our community T
he south side of Effingham, Illinois, was growing dramatically in the mid 1970s. Not only had Crossroads Press opened a large plant on South Banker Street, but the Village Square Mall was being built to provide the city with its first indoor shopping mall. Crossroads Bank was founded in the midst of that growth. Chartered in 1973 and opened in 1974 on South Banker Street in front of the new mall, the bank remains locally owned and operated. President/CEO Andy Grunloh said those local ties set the bank from the other financial institutions in Effingham.
William Austin has been on the board for 40 years. Three other board members; Charles Brumleve (32 years), Jerry Moon (19 years), and Joseph Siemer (14 years) have served for more than a decade, while Grunloh (five years), Chip Andes (nine years) and Eric Zeller (two years) are the relative newcomers.
We appreciate our customers, the bank is solid and our staff is friendly and trustworthy
“Our board members are all local, our business is all made up with people from the area, and our employees mostly come from the area,” Grunloh said, adding that his staff also strives to make the customer feel welcome. “We have a friendly atmosphere for our customers,” Grunloh said. One sign of that friendliness is the plate of cookies that is set by the front door every morning for the incoming customers to munch on while conducting their business. “We appreciate our customers, the bank is solid and our staff is friendly and trustworthy”, said Mr. Grunloh. Grunloh said one plus is the relative stability of the board. Attorney
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In a letter to shareholders dated January 20, 2015, Austin said the board continues to look ahead to find better ways to serve its customers.
“We continue to explore other strategic initiatives designed to improve the overall return on your investment,” Austin wrote. “Guided by our goals and objectives, together with our professional staff, we are highly optimistic that the company will experience continued success and ever-improving financial results.” Grunloh said the bank will continue to keep pace with technological innovations in the banking industry. “I think the bank is working hard to stay ahead of technology,” he said. “Technology has become such a big part of banking and we try to stay on top of that.” The proliferation of online banking services that Crossroads offers has helped the bank keep customers that may have otherwise been lost because they moved out of the area. You can live anywhere and still bank at Crossroads Bank.
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Sutter Sanitation Services, Inc.
Full service waste disposal and recycling center
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d Sutter would be proud of how his children have built Sutter Sanitation Services into a full-service waste disposal and recycling center.
Ed and wife Barb founded Sutter Sanitation in the spring of 1968. Ed and oldest son Jim had been mechanics at the old Bobbers Truck Plaza in Effingham before opening the sanitation business. At one time or another, all seven Sutter children worked in the business. Eventually, Jim, Mag, Linda and Tracy bought out their parents in May 1999. At that time, the Sutters were serving Effingham and Cumberland counties. Things started moving in the early to mid 2000s, a time which culminated in the opening of the Effingham County Transfer Station on the Altamont-Farina blacktop in the southern edge of Effingham County. A transfer station enables haulers to drop off their loads without having to use a landfill. Instead, the people who operate the transfer station take semi truckloads of trash to various landfills. “Having the transfer station gave us a more economical way to reach the farther landfills,” Tracy said. Since the 10,000 square foot transfer station opened on Nov. 11, 2005, Sutter Sanitation has been better able to meet the needs of its haulers. Tracy, who shares day-to-day operations of the business with sister Linda Moore, said Sutter Sanitation plans to ramp up its recycling efforts as time goes on, adding that increased recycling puts less of a
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load on landfills with a finite capacity. Sutter Sanitation picks up recyclables from drop boxes in Teutopolis — at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church; Effingham — at Centenary United Methodist Church; and at the Altamont city maintenance building. Overall, the company services a five-county area and employs 13 people. Tracy said it’s easy to sum up how the business has grown in the past 47 years. “We move more volume in a day than Dad would have moved in a year,” Tracy said.
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Steffen Heating & Air Conditioning
Family owned and operated with deep roots in community
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teffen Heating and Air Conditioning has been open since 1956, and they are still family-owned and operating. Due to that deep-rooted tradition in the Effingham area, they're more than willing to help out all new customers. In addition to selling, installing and servicing Rheem products the company also carries parts for a number of other brands and equipment. For General Manager Eva Haarmann, it's about keeping customers happy and being there when people need them the most. "It always quits the coldest or the hottest day of the year," she said. "We have the parts they need to get it back running. Our goal is to have satisfied customers, and we care about our customers." Steffen, located just north of Effingham, has grown from a one-man operation in 1956 to a business with between 18 and 22 people, with dedicated staffs for design, installation and service. Haarmann said they serve about a 50-mile radius. They've been selling and servicing Rheem products since 1961, and the company has a well-established reputation among the industry. While Rheem is their specialty, they also carry Weil-McLain boilers, Climaster geothermal units and have Coleman and Intertherm units for
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manufactured homes. They also allow customers to buy and install the parts themselves. Haarmann said they will overnight parts, Rheem or not, if a furnace or air conditioner breaks down at the worst time, and will make sure it's the best part and not necessarily the most expensive. "We don't try to push the highest thing on them, they try and look at the home, look at the surroundings and find what's best for each home," she said. "We have an array of equipment that fits almost everyone out there." They also stock heating and cooling equipment and parts for mobile homes. Steffen's also has a store for mobile home parts: doors, windows, skirting, plumbing parts, sinks, faucets, showers and tubs, to name a few items. Lastly, they design, install and service fireplaces: gas, wood and electric. They're happy to service fireplaces they did not sell, also. While the products change and the services expand, it's still about one thing for Haarmann and the Steffen family. "The biggest thing is that we opened our doors in 1956 and it is still a family-owned business, for three generations," she said.
RETAIL from page 53 to see growth. The Lexington Inn is under construction, with a tentative summer completion date. “I feel like that hotel will help,” said Gillenwater, who noted the city’s location is a continued benefit to economic growth. “Most of the hotels are located on the Keller Drive exit. I think new businesses will see the Lexington Inn and want to locate there.”
In another large project, construction at the future site of the new Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Center continued through the winter. The dirt and foundation work for the 80,000-square-foot facility has been completed, which is set for a January 1, 2016 grand opening.
We learn about what they do, how many employees they have ...We are interested if they are having any problems, and if there is anything the city can do to help.
That area saw a great boost in appearance and infrastructure with the recent ribbon-cutting of Roy Schmidt Honda. Hull said the underutilized area next to Effingham Truck Sales was greatly improved with the construction of the dealership, which brought about 40 jobs to the area. He added that to assist with infrastructure improvements to accommodate the dealership, additional work has been done in that area. A new roadway, Lange Avenue, connects the Fayette Avenue frontage road to Schwerman Avenue. “We also did some sewer and water expansion in that area,” said Gillenwater. “There is definitely room for growth.”
Another expansion is in the works with Beck’s Seed and Hybrid. The large seed company has a tentative agreement to purchase 90 acres of land in the Effingham Business Park for a distribution center and research facility. Hull is optimistic about grants that will facilitate the project, which would also add an infrastructure for future growth. The city plans to extend Pike Avenue 4,700 feet from South Raney Street. Hull said with the approval of the grant funds for the projects, it will hopefully move forward this spring.
Although a sports complex has long been considered by the city and other organizations in the city, the idea took a huge leap forward when Richard and Angie Workman donated $6 million toward the project. The complex will feature two pools, a gymnasium, basketball and volleyball courts and the St. Anthony’s Wellness Center.
“None of this happens overnight,” said Hull, who noted the city worked with Beck’s for 18 months. The city has seen an increase in development. A partial list of projects that were undertaken in 2014 and will either be completed or started in 2015 include: Midland States Bank, Beck’s Hybrids, Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Center, Helen Matthes Library, Veteran’s Affairs Clinic, West and Company, Grunloh Building, Famous Footwear, Dial and Dial Properties, John Boos and Company, Pinnacle Foods, Continental Mills, Hodgson Mills, Roy Schmidt Honda, Lexington Inn, Versatech, J&R Collision, Fujiyama Steak House, Miller Guns, Balda Dental, Effingham Railroad, Kay Jewelers, Dunkin Donuts, Hibbett Sports, Factory Connection, NAPA.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 73
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
committed to the younger generation HSHS St. Anthony’s launches School Wellness and CPR Programs
Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.
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Proverbs 22:6
SHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital believes in helping raise up a younger generation of children who learn how to make wise, healthy choices early in life in order to have a healthy, fulfilled adult life. As such, this past year, the hospital launched two new programs designed to help educate young children on making healthy choices and high school students on how to save a life if called into action. School Wellness Program In the 2012 Community Health Needs Assessment that St. Anthony’s conducted in partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Effingham County and Jasper County Steering Committee, one of the top priority needs identified in this area was nutrition, weight loss and fitness. To help meet this need in our region, St. Anthony’s piloted a School Wellness Program in fall 2014 in a few area schools. This program is designed to educate and instill good habits in children to increase their physical activity levels and teach them valuable nutritional lessons. Community Programs staff members teach the 10-week program to third grade classes in a number of Effingham and Jasper County schools, teaching one lesson a week. Lesson topics include information on why we should exercise, healthy snacking, bone health, thinking about what we drink and how exercise improves our concentration and sleep. Informational sheets about the week’s lesson are sent home to parents to reinforce the lesson’s concept in the home. St. Anthony’s School Wellness Program is structured similar to a school reading program. After each week’s lesson, the instructor gives the students an activity to complete, and students receive points for completing each activity. A treasure chest of prizes is available for the students to choose from for achieving different point levels. Lisa Hoelscher, St. Anthony’s Marketing Specialist, shared, “The School Wellness Program has been well-received in the participating schools, who appreciate partnering with us in this health education curriculum. The program design helps teach these valuable health lessons at an early age in a fun way, with the goal that these students develop good exercise and nutrition habits that will continue as they get older,” she said. School CPR Program While many area schools have Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) on their campus, it is crucial that teachers and students at the high school level know the basics of CPR and AED use should the need arise to use 74 Progress 2015 • February 2015
it in their school. The State of Illinois felt it was so important that they recently passed a law requiring all high school students to obtain CPR training prior to graduation. St. Anthony’s is proud to be a health care resource for the community, so to assist local high schools with meeting this requirement, St. Anthony’s is providing Community Programs staff members to area high schools to teach CPR classes to students. Certified CPR instructors teach the high school students and teachers an Adult/Child Heart Saver CPR AED for each school’s class and all receive a certification card upon completion of the course.
Both St. Anthony’s School Wellness and School CPR Programs are ongoing, with plans to continue expanding these programs to additional schools in the future. Other Child-Focused Programs St. Anthony’s has a number of other programs focused on providing education to the younger generation: •
New Brother/New Sister Class: One of the free prenatal education classes St. Anthony’s provides to expectant parents is a class for new siblings. Children between the ages of three and eight who are expecting a new brother or sister are invited to attend. Some of the issues addressed in the one-hour session are jealousy, how things will change once the baby arrives, why we have birthdays, and what babies can do.
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CANDY Camp: The hospital’s two-day CANDY Camp (Camping Activities for Normal Diabetic Youth) is held annually for children ages 5 to 12 at Effingham’s Evergreen Community Park. CANDY Camp allows children with diabetes to meet other children with diabetes and gain independence in their self-management skills. Campers have the opportunity to take part in both recreational activities and diabetes education.
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Safe Sitter Class: St. Anthony’s provides Safe Sitter classes for 11- to 13-year-old babysitters. This medically-accurate program teaches safe and nurturing child care techniques, behavior management skills, CPR and appropriate responses to medical emergencies. In this one-day class, students learn through discussion, practice, and
role play. Through the Safe Sitter class, students learn skills that will benefit them throughout their lives, especially in their future role as parents. For information about these and other community programs provided by HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, click on the “Classes & Events” tab on the hospital’s Web site, stanthonyshospital.org.
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Agracel, Inc.
Local developer has worked on industrial projects in 17 states
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n its 29 years of operation, Agracel has helped hundreds of communities in the United States maximize their economic development potential. The company has developed over 10 million square feet of industrial property and still retains over seven and a half million square feet of property in 15 states — mostly in the Midwest, South and Southeast. According to Dean Bingham, Agracel President & COO, “southern and southeastern states have been particularly fertile ground for economic development in recent years. We are proud of the jobs we help facilitate in the communities we serve. Over 7,500 people are working in the buildings we have developed.” While the company has offices in Charlotte, N.C., Jackson, Miss., and Nashville, Tenn. the company focuses most of its development efforts on rural areas. “We look for communities such as Effingham that are progressive, pro-business and right-to-work,” Bingham said. “One of the reasons we thrive in the markets we serve is that we understand the culture of those markets.”
We have such a good team here — very talented, intelligent people in every phase of what we are doing. Today’s Agracel employs 32 people with a variety of skill sets. “We have employees who will step up,” Bingham said. “We have such a good team here — very talented, intelligent people in every phase of what we are doing.” To augment the team’s professional prowess, Agracel regularly engages in team-building activities. “I think team-building is the most important thing,” he said. “If you have people pulling in different directions, you won’t get very far.” Bingham said team-building activities include group trips. In fact, in March of this year, Team Agracel will be spending an extended weekend with their spouses in the Dominican Republic. Our office also features a gym and locker space where employees can work out on their lunch hour. “We believe a healthier, happier worker makes a more productive worker,” he said. “We just don’t have any turnover.” 76 Progress 2015 • February 2015
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Village Wine & Gift Shop manager Robin Anderson, keeps them coming back. “It’s an urban ambiance in a small town,” Robin said. “Our clients are our friends, our family. It's important every time they come in the door they have a memorable experience. We see a lot of people who didn’t know each other before they came in here – and now they’ve developed close friendships.” There is live music on Friday nights, and open mic night arrives every other Wednesday. The large windows, exposed brick walls and casual seating make for a relaxed atmosphere where business and relaxation seem equally at home. The store boasts products from seven major distributors. Boris estimates that his customers can choose from about 1,500 selections of craft beer, wine and spirits.
Urban Ambiance in a small town
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n the four years Village Wine has been catering to customers from its history-rich location in downtown Effingham, it’s built a reputation for mixing a dash of big city style with shots of small town camaraderie and hospitality. “I think we’ve created a wonderful environment for our clientele that wasn’t available previously,” said owner Boris Bonutti. The vast selection of wine, spirits and craft beer draw people to the wine bar at 109 S. Banker St. Service and attention to detail by the staff, led by
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“We bring in a lot of products they aren’t going to find anywhere else in this area,” Robin said. “We’re constantly researching new products and new vintage making sure our clients get as large a quality selection as they would in a major city,” Boris added. Boris plans an expansion later this year that will increase Village Wine’s footprint downtown by 50 percent. More seating and even more products are on tap. Meanwhile, Boris is proud of maintaining the building that for years has been an Effingham gathering spot and community center. “Our goal is to continue serving that role again in the community,” he said.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 79
Hodgson Mill
Tradition meets innovation
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riving past Effingham’s industrial complex on a breezy day, the pair of swiftly turning wind turbines on the roof of Hodgson Mill’s sprawling manufacturing plant may be the only hint of the bustle of activity happening inside.
Even some long-time residents don’t realize there is a major manufacturer in their own backyard. Hodgson Mill flours, meals, baking mixes, hot cereals, whole grain pastas, and sides, as well as Kentucky Kernel Seasoned Flour and Don’s Chuck Wagon Coating Mixes, are sold in supermarkets throughout the US. The building is a central hub of grain suppliers around North America – wheat, rye, oats, corn, rice, and buckwheat from the US and Canada travel by truck and train to the building’s receiving docks. The finished product streams out by the truckload to major distribution points, and makes its way to supermarkets and retailers.
Above: The Quality Assurance Team at Hodgson Mill, in front of the facility’s traditional granite millstones.
“Our location here offers transportation across the country,” remarks Hodgson Mill Owner and President Bob Goldstein. “From here, we help feed the bigger cities around us.”
the heart of the Effingham manufacturing plant, and these workhorses grind several million tons of wheat and corn each year into flour and cornmeal. “When we say ‘stone-ground,’ we mean it,” Goldstein emphasizes. “That’s the way it’s been done for centuries.”
The company is rooted in tradition. The original Hodgson Water Mill in southern Missouri was built in the 1800’s by Alva
Hodgson Mill is also committed to innovation. For example, visitors to the manufacturing facility may be surprised that the equipment is anything but rustic. While “stone-grinding” does conjure up images of historic wooden mills with quaint water wheels like the one on the company’s logo, the Effingham facility is state-of-the-art, and has spinning wind turbines, banks of solar panels, and a sophisticated recycling program that ensures 99% of materials inside the plant are recycling.
When we say ‘stone-ground,’ we mean it. That’s the way it’s been done for centuries. Hodgson, with millstones powered by a huge water wheel. Today, a bank of North Carolina pink granite millstones sit at 80 Progress 2015 • February 2015
New, highly specialized equipment has found its way
here from all over the world. The company recently purchased new pasta production lines from Italy, and in 2015 has added two new lines from China capable of handling new types of packaging. “It’s kind of unbelievable how much we’ve expanded,” admits Goldstein. “We added onto our facility just a few years ago, and we’ve already outgrown it. We’re renting space in neighboring buildings to keep up.” Pasta Plant Manager Dave Edgington, with one of Hodgson Mill’s new pasta production machines Quinoa, chia seed, and sorghum are a few “ancient grains” that have been making headlines, and have recently been incorporated into Hodgson Mill pastas, side dishes, and hot cereals. Goldstein remarks, “It’s great that people are rediscovering ancient grains. We’ve always offered quality traditional whole grains like whole wheat, oats, buckwheat, and rye, and we’re excited to add on in a way that complements our line.” In 2014 Hodgson Mill also opened “The Mill,” a beautiful red-roofed building just off of I-57/70. It is
the only place where customers can find every Hodgson Mill product together and available for purchase – including Whole Wheat and Gluten Free lines. The building is based on the original Hodgson Mill in southern Missouri, and is made of white pine with a hand hewn finish. A casual café and a cooking school are two ideas being explored for this space. It also houses the company’s Sales and Marketing offices on the ground floor. “We invite anybody to come and visit,” adds Goldstein. “We think you’ll be amazed to learn everything we do here.”
Pasta Plant Manager Dave Edgington, with one of Hodgson Mill’s new pasta production machines.
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After experiencing tightness in his chest, Jere Schuler, a Mattoon high school guidance counselor, went from a stress test at HSHS St. Anthony’s to having a cardiac cath procedure at the Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s Hospital that same day – a process leading to potentially life-saving triple bypass surgery. It’s another example of how HSHS St. Anthony’s seamlessly partners with HSHS resources to ensure that, no matter what specialty you require, you always have immediate access to exceptional care. St. Anthony’s will always be here for our neighbors. Because together, we’re stronger.
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EXCEPTIONAL CARE.
WHEN IT MATTERS MOST.
FOR MORE ABOUT JERE’S EXPERIENCE, CHECK OUT HIS EXPANDED STORY WITHIN THIS ISSUE.
Where you come first.
stanthonyshospital.org
February 2015 • Progress 2015 83
Roger’s Home Appliance
Roots are 100 years deep in altamont
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ucked in among the businesses that line Main Street in Altamont is an appliance store with roots buried more than 100 years into the history of the town. Now owned by Roger Beccue, Roger's Home Appliance began life in 1914 as a business owned by A.V. Grobengieser who offered his customers a wide variety of items, including buggies, hardware and fencing. The business grew and diversified, adding plumbing, heating, flooring, televisions, farm implements and Maytag appliances to its stock, becoming a “superstore” where area residents could find almost anything they needed. The store passed down through the generations of the Grobengieser family - from A.V. to his sons, Art and George, and on to Art's son, Don Grobengieser, who owned the store when Roger Beccue joined the staff in 1979. By the time Roger went to work at Grobengieser's, many of the diverse items offered by the store in the past had been spun off into separate businesses - a flooring store, a plumbing and heating business. In addition to the hardware still available at Grobengieser's in 1979, the store was offering Maytag appliances and Magnavox televisions. Born and raised on a grain and dairy farm near Altamont, Roger had left for college and eight years of teaching math and science and coaching in northern Indiana, before the tug of home drew him back to Altamont. He joined the staff at Grobengieser's while it was owned by Don and Bernice Grobengieser and worked there for 23 years before purchasing the business in 2002. Walk in the door of the business in Altamont today and you are greeted by an expansive showroom offering televisions from LG and
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appliances from multiple companies, including Whirlpool, Amana, KitchenAid and Maytag, the one the business first started with. Roger's Home Appliance has one of the oldest consecutive Maytag dealerships in the United States. One thing that sets the business apart from other stores offering appliances is the quality of the employees. “I'm very proud of the employees I have,” Roger said. “They are well trained and very experienced.” The average employee at the business has 23 to 24 years of experience and the employees take part in training classes and seminars whenever they are offered. In addition to having well-trained employees, Roger said his goal is prompt, courteous service to the customers that come into the business to shop, or who need service. “We try to take care of our customers as quickly as possible,” Roger said. The stores are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Weber Optiks though they share a surname; no, they are not related! Both Webers share a goal of providing their patients with a good quality pair of glasses at a fair price. And they are aided in that goal by their dedicated staff. “They are just wonderful,” Tony said, adding that the staff members are what has kept the business such a success. Weber Optiks was chosen this year as Favorite Eye Clinic in the EDN's People Choice awards and Tony has had the honor of being chosen as the People's Choice for Favorite Optometrist for eleven years in a row.
Welcoming atmosphere houses large selection
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tep into the entrance at Weber Optiks in Effingham and you are immediately wrapped in a welcoming atmosphere. From the extensive, gleaming displays of eyewear choices to the friendly greeting from the staff, you know you have made a great choice for your eye care needs. A native of Newton, Dr. Tony Weber is a veteran of optometry of 28 years. He purchased the practice from Dr. Herbert Austin in 1986. Dr. Christopher Weber, a Teutopolis native, joined in 2012. FAQ: Even
Weber Optiks keeps up on the cutting edge of technology and equipment. This includes a unique and powerful eye scanning system called Spectralis that can help detect potentially debilitating diseases in their earliest stages and help monitor age-related diseases, such as Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration. In addition, they also offer preand post-operative care for Lasik patients and are an affiliate of TLC Vision in St. Louis where they have been recognized as one of the top referring practices in the St. Louis Metro area for the last four years. Twelve years ago, Weber's Optiks relocated to 1301 W. Evergreen Ave. Suite B in Effingham to accommodate the growing practice. Tony credits the movers and shakers in the area for keeping Effingham “a small town that's continued to thrive,” and consequently, the community's vitality has been good for business. Weber Optiks - where good vision is always in fashion.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 85
Heartland Peterbilt
Tony Griffith, owner of Griffith Trucking, and Steve Walden, general manager of Heartland Peterbilt, stand next to a Peterbilt truck outside Heartland Peterbilt.
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Crossroads make Effingham an ideal site for trucking company
ith Interstate 57 and Interstate 70 intersecting right in the middle of Effingham, a number of businesses have been able to flourish via the traffic flow through the city.
The growth of the interstate has helped grow the industry and grow business at Heartland Peterbilt, selling Class 7 and 8 trucks of various makes and models, based on the customer’s needs.
It’s possible that no business has benefited more from the interstate traffic in town than Heartland Peterbilt.
“Tony had the Illinois Department of Transportation do a study for us to show how many trucks came through this exit in a 24hour period and it was unbelievable,” said General Manager Steve Walden. “It was just a logical choice.”
The two major thoroughfares in town seem almost destined to deliver customers to Heartland Peterbilt, a company who has seen its business shift successfully from owner-operator truckers to fleet companies. Griffith Trucking owner Tony Griffith said the taxes on truckers driven per mile in southern states are much more expensive than the I-70 corridor, and that’s before the expenses that truckers can face driving through other routes. “There’s toll roads to the south, there’s toll roads to the north,” Griffith said. “The tolls are very expensive. Coming through here from St. Louis to Indianapolis to Columbus to go to Michigan, northern Ohio or Pennsylvania makes sense because there’s not a toll road here yet.” Heartland Peterbilt started in 1989 as a Marmon truck dealer, and converted over to a Peterbilt dealership in 1994. The company sells trucks and parts, along with service on trucks and even sells Peterbilt merchandise, which can be a hot item. In terms of service, Heartland Peterbilt has a VIS (Vehicle Inspection Systems) machine that can simulate road conditions throughout the country. Griffith said the machine has many uses, for truckers and beyond, helping to identify potential problems. “Every trucker in this area who has a truck that’s two or three years old needs to put it on that machine,” he said. “It’ll find everything on that truck that’s fixing to fail. Everybody from municipalities, school buses - I think every school bus should be put on the VIS machine.” 86 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Walden estimated that 90 percent of Heartland’s business is through interstate trade, whether it be sales, parts or service on trucks. Griffith didn’t mince words on the quality of the trucks at Heartland Peterbilt, which he said rarely had used trucks for sale because they routinely sell quickly. “As far as Peterbilt goes, you can’t find a better company that builds a better product that more drivers want to drive. If they’re not driving a Peterbilt, most of them wish they were,” Griffith said. Walden echoed that, and said it’s been true for a long time. “When I first started here, if you had a 359 or 379 (model), and the fenders were on it and it started, you had 10 guys who wanted to buy that truck,” Walden said. “The demand was that much.” Peterbilt’s trucks are a bit more expensive than some of the competition, Griffith said, but also said it’s due to the quality of the trucks at Peterbilt. He also said the money can be made back on the back end for those who pass through and buy or those who buy locally, due to the high resale value of the truck. It also comes down to taxes, as truckers can deduct the usage of their truck from their taxes, along with depreciation. “You can’t get a better truck for the product if you’re purchasing in the transportation business,” Griffith said. “It pays off in the long run; it’s paid off for us.”
February 2015 • Progress 2015 87
Broadway Express
Pictured is some of the staff of Broadway Express. Front row, from left: Vickey Cowger, Diana Nuxoll, Tony Griffith. Back row, from left: James Craig, James Royse, Gary Beam, Todd Daily.
Company has roots in music festival “T
he difficult done immediately – The impossible a little bit longer” Odd as it sounds, the origins of Broadway Express becoming a major company in Effingham started at a music festival in Sedalia, Missouri in the early seventies. Tony Griffith, owner of Broadway Express, had been working at Exxon in the oil business before he was laid off, and went to Ozark Music Festival in Sedalia, MO in 1974. He met a young truck driver mover, Bob Klaudt, whom had a moving truck leased to Bekins Van Lines in Hillside, IL at the event. Klaudt offered him a job as a driver’s helper, and he took it. “That was my first encounter with trucking at $75 per week and all I could eat,” Griffith said. “As days went by I told Klaudt, ‘One of these days this truck is going to be mine.” Klaudt laughed and said “Go for it!!!!” Griffith accompanied him to California and other states and destinations for the summer as part of the Bekins Van Lines Company. On the first trip to California, Tony did Klaudt’s paperwork and on the trip back to Texas, he had Tony drive – TONY WAS HOOKED!! And Griffith bought the truck three months later. He then contracted with Bekins Van Lines and through time became one of the top movers in the entire company. His experience along with some local friends that he hired and contracted to Bekins to drive his trucks ended up starting Broadway Express. In 1988, Tony purchased the Yellow Freight Terminal on Evergreen Avenue in Effingham, IL and established a regional hub for Bekins specializing in LTL loads (less than a truck load). Bekins operated this hub with dozens of trucks a day, seven days a week from 1988 to 1996. In 40 years, Griffith has moved items for well-known Hollywood celebrities like Bob Hope and Elizabeth Taylor, Generals in the Air Force including the Chief of Staff, Broadway musicals such as “Showboat”, plus the sets for “American Idol” and “X-Factor” with plenty in between. Broadway Express also moves hospital equipment, gun safes, animatronic dinosaurs and even helicopters. “The good thing about Broadway Express is we had all of these connections still in place from all of our contacts in Bekins family that were accustomed to seeing our trucks,” Griffith said. 88 Progress 2015 • February 2015
“However – it all goes back to that day in Missouri – thank God for the Ozark Music Festival and Bob Klaudt!” That set the foundation for the company that today specializes in the movement of all sizes of projects, big or small, many in the Effingham area and nationwide. The New York City-esque name and logo came from their constant hauling of shows, displays, art and musicals in the NYC entertainment arena. Also, Broadway express does heavy-duty moves locally as well, such as moving MRI machines for HSHS St. Anthony Hospital and very heavy gun safes from Rural King Supply. Even with some of the more odd items they’ve moved, it is the ability to move any and everything for a customer. “We will come out for two pieces or two hundred pieces: we have a broad spectrum, we just don’t specialize in one thing,” said James Craig of the local move division. “Locally, we may be loading furniture one day and something spectacular the next – like a rare automobile … that is a daily event at Broadway Express.” Broadway Express currently has about 40 trucks out on the road today and available from coast to coast. Locally, Broadway Express focuses on moving household goods – from a big house to a small house or vice versa – along with their many other services. “There is no job too big or too small that we can’t do,” Craig said. “We like them all; especially the challenging ones. We want the public to know there is a company right here in Effingham that can and will provide these services.” With this mindset, Broadway Express’ business model is they can do it all to accommodate their customer. That is made possible from the experience the staff has accumulated – starting with Tony Griffith sitting in a truck in Sedalia, MO, to the present day office staff to Operations Manager Alan Beard in those 24/7 days, to Gary Beam for his tireless dispatching, to Todd Daily, Diana Nuxoll, Vickey Cowger, Leah Koester, Rich Stoddard and James Royse for their enduring support for the company and to our drivers. “If you take experience and concern for your customer to heart and always try to do a good job, then you can’t fail,” Griffith said. I+Q=S Innovation + Quality = Success
February 2015 • Progress 2015 89
Heartland Classic Cars Chris Shimboff stands next to a GTO in the showroom at Heartland Classics.
An owner’s passion for classic cars
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s a child, Tony Griffith said about the only things he cared about were riding up and down the street on his bike, playing baseball, and a new device called the television. That changed when he was eight years old, Griffith lived across the street from his Godparents, and noticed one day in 1959 their son had been given a fabulous present for graduating from the University of Illinois. It was a 1959 Corvette, and its presence in their driveway would create a lifelong love of classic cars in Griffith’s life. He got to ride in it down the street and around town and an eight year old was hooked. “When I saw that car sitting in the driveway, I was drawn to it like a bee to honey,” Griffith said. “I decided then and there I had to have a car like that so I started building models.” Fast forward nine years and true to his word, Griffith eventually did get his car. His sister had gotten a 4-door Oldsmobile Cutlass, but Griffith decided that wasn’t the car for him. His first was a GTO purchased while he was in high school in the late 60’s. He worked at a steel mill at night while attending high school to be able to afford the car. After high school he joined the Air Force and bought 2 Corvettes while stationed in Utah and overseas while serving his country. He still has all three cars.
Heartland Classics business. Some restorations come from out of the country, but Griffith said about 50 percent of their business are local area car owners. Some folks will buy cars online and have them restored at Heartland Classics. Others will bring in their old garage “projects” for us to complete when they realize they have “bitten off more than they can chew.” 28 years of experience and hundreds of cars later –restorations are still a passion and his staff can certainly do the job. LaVerne Shamhart, Logan Eubank, Scott Watson, Dennis Koontz, Alec Schwerman, Wayne Russell, and Gary McKee bring over 200 years of experience to the shop and its abilities to repair classic cars for the customer.
When I saw that car sitting in the driveway, I was drawn to it like a bee to honey.
“That started an obsession with cars,” Griffith said. “My career in the moving business allowed me to start buying cars from customers that I moved, or car opportunities I saw while traveling cross-country in my truck. Pretty soon I had enough cars for a car lot, so I started selling them.”
Eventually the restored classics are shipped out to Flora, IL, Los Angeles, CA, or elsewhere. Speaking of foreign sales- the exchange has a lot to do with it as well as knowing how to ship it, he said. Don’t know how to sell your car? Heartland Classics will take a car and help the customer determine its value, and what needs to be done to sell it for the highest price via advertising, display, and the internet. Griffith has taken many cars for local residents that have been in storage-or the backyard-and helped to quickly sell them.
That “car lot” turned into Heartland Classics in Newton, IL. And now today it is a classic car and motorcycle showroom in Effingham, IL at 1901 Evergreen Drive. Griffith, the company’s owner, said it became a viable thriving business in 1987. Heartland Classics inventory today is around 200 cars.
It all started with that first Corvette sitting across the street, and Griffith’s self-admitted obsession with cars that led him to Heartland Classics. That experience and love of automobiles is now at the disposal of car lovers all around Effingham, and even to other countries.
“You will see about every muscle car ever made from 1960 to 1970,” he said “Some of them are pristine; some of them are just how they came off the road after 10 or 20 years.”
“Number one, we have the knowledge where to go with the product; number two, we know how to get it there; number three, we know how to repair it; number four, we know what it is worth,” said Griffith. “If you’ve got all those things working for you, and a customer who needs help; and you’re up front with them, word of mouth travels real fast. Success is sure to follow.”
In addition to buying and selling cars Heartland Classics does restorations for customers both local and overseas. The use of the internet (www.hclassics.com) has expanded their sales to Australia, England, Germany, New Zealand, and United Arab Emirates. Restoration of classic cars is a major portion of 90 Progress 2015 • February 2015
“Come on out and SEE our operation—We built it for YOU –the car lovers in America!!”
February 2015 • Progress 2015 91
Sav-Mor Pharmacy & Gift Shop
Extra attention for customers T
he Neoga Sav-Mor Pharmacy has a hometown feel as it serves residents of the community.
"You get specialized customer service," said the chief pharmacist and manager, Tonya Hill. "We know our customers by name. They're friends and family. I like to think they get a little bit of extra-personalized attention from us. They are not just a number, like they are at some of the places you go to." Tonya has run the store since David Falk of Decatur bought it in 2002. Born and raised in Neoga, she transferred to the store at 596 Oak St. after a few years at a Sav-Mor in Tuscola. She knows the community and the people in it. Three pharmacy technicians round out the staff: Jessica Fritcher, who has been there for three years, and Aliya Miah and Robin Montgomery, who have each been there for six years. "They know the majority of customers," said Tonya. "That's our big thing – to make people feel like not only are they our customer, but they matter. They're our friend." Besides pharmaceuticals, Sav-Mor is a one-stop shop for items such as Hallmark cards, gifts, Neoga apparel, UPS shipping, overthe-counter medication, and medical equipment such as hospital beds, walkers and wheelchairs. The pharmacy recently began a "Healthminder" program that
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allows patients to have prescriptions automatically filled when they are due. Customers get a call when the prescription is ready. There's also a smartphone app for customers to request a prescription, and free delivery to the Neoga and surrounding area – as well as free mail delivery to people outside the area. "We just try to provide convenience," said Tonya. "That's our big thing." As the only pharmacy in Neoga, the folks at Sav-Mor know how crucial the service is that they provide to residents. For example, Tonya wants to increase awareness about the importance of vaccinations. She said that goes beyond just your annual flu shot – vaccinations for everything from shingles to tetanus are also important, she said. "Our motto is, 'Keeping it Local,'" Tonya said.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 93
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Taylor Law Office
As life becomes more complex, so does the law T
aylor Law is a firm with deep roots and long history, helping generations of families.
The practice has been firmly planted near the county's judicial seat. For more than a century, its Washington Street location was immediately across from Effingham County's former courthouse and in recent years just down the street from the County’s Government Center. Within its walls, the firm continually evolved to parallel the practice of law as it becomes more specialized. The firm advances with changing law, especially as modern family dynamics change and uncertainties make legal assurances, such as estate planning, more important than ever. As life becomes more complex, so do the laws that govern it. The firm's staff of eight lawyers and twenty support staff assist in areas of litigation, real estate, business and estate planning. A talented staff recognizes the privilege of helping people negotiate life's complexities, as they assist clients through transactions, transitions, and conflict resolution. The firm recognizes its privilege of practicing in a continually evolving community and through its expertise in municipal law, helping local and surrounding communities to successfully grow. The firm continues to attract and retain talented lawyers and paralegals who are dedicated in what they do. The firm's longevity will continue by integrating young professionals
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who are able to adapt to change and meet challenges. With branch offices in Springfield and Flora, one aspect that remains consistent is meeting the needs of clients in ways best suited to those individuals, in court or in life. For more than a century, the focus remains upon the client.
Centenary United Methodist Church
Roots in community go back 180 years
Then there are those who are advocates for children. The United Methodist Women of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference operates Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana — a safe place where children and adolescents with serious emotional and behavioral disabilities can heal, learn and grow. One way the church provides comfort to the children is through quilts. A merry band of quilters — women who come from every age — faithfully quilt every Monday and donate their handiwork to the home. These stewards of the church aren't drumming up recognition or recruiting new members. They all do it for the sake of doing it, and the result is infectious as others see them actively serving their community and beyond.
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entenary United Methodist Church in Effingham transcends walls.
Its reach has been felt for 180 years and to ensure it's around for another 180, the congregation continues to care for people beyond the church. The church is putting its faith to work by developing links throughout the community and the world. Members of the church know each other by their first names. Outside the church, they are known as leaders of FISH, Catholic Charities' volunteers and builders for Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few. They are known as missionaries who quietly serve in countries, such as Nicaragua and Cambodia.
Members believe the key to helping serve others outside the walls is learning about them. The church's youth are doing just that. Whether it's spending time in St. Louis learning about hunger and homelessness from those who have been there or attending a Jewish synagogue, the young stewards are going out into the world gathering the tools they need to better serve others and become well-rounded Christian adults. It’s all apart of the church striving to live out one of the Book of James’ central themes – faith in action. "I think the more we step out of our walls and the more we're about people that is how we will continue to thrive as a community for many more years." said Associate Pastor Leanne Noland "At the end of the day, that's what it's about. It's about people, not bricks and mortar."
February 2015 • Progress 2015 99
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Lake Sara Marina
First the boat show, then the lake
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ake Sara Marina owner Howard Janis and his staff are preparing for the 2015 Lake Sara Marina Boat Show. The annual event will be held at the Village Square Mall in Effingham. Displayed at this show will be 13 boat lines and 5 motor lines. New for this year is Crest Pontoons, Excel Aluminum fishing boats and Mud Buddy surface drive motors. “We have a little bit of everything. To find a boat dealer with the inventory we have, you have to go about 90 miles,” Howard said. Customers know that Lake Sara Marina is the place to come for fishing, skiing and pleasure boats and accessories for those activities, including skis, wakeboards, tubes, boat covers, life vests, electronic, and other equipment. “Customers are more educated, learning things online. They know what they want when they walk in the door,” said Kate Bilbrey, Office Manager. Lake Sara Marina prides itself on experienced staff. Howard knows a thing or two about boating, having started with the company in sales and service 36 years ago. He has been an owner for 17 years. The staff has combined years of experience of 117. Having 4 mechanics on staff gives the service department of Lake Sara a major advantage over smaller shops. Soon Lake Sara will be building a new facility. The new location will be on five acres about 2 miles north of their current location, 500 N Keller Dr. Effingham. Plans are being drawn up now with hopes of breaking ground in 2016. “We’ll have everything under one roof,” Howard said. Lake Sara Marina has been recipients of a number of awards. Most recently they were named as a Top Ten Dealer in the US for Stratos Boats Sales. They have also been a Platinum Dealer with Evinrude Boat Motors for the past 5 years. They attribute their awards to their customer service. One example is the boat demonstrations they offer. “You wouldn’t buy a car without driving it.” Lake Sara Marina has been part of the Effingham Community for over 45 years, serving over 90 mile radius. With their upcoming expansion they are hoping to better serve their customers with an expanded accessory department and more convenient access.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 101
Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota / NAPA Auto Parts of Effingham
Car dealer’s new Napa store serves customers well D
an Hecht Chevrolet Toyota opened a new and bigger location for its Napa Effingham Auto Parts store in October 2014, not far from the dealership at the south end of Banker Street. Customers are already benefiting from new services and the attention to detail that a staff of 14 can bring. The old store had just six employees working out of about 3,000 square feet of space. At the 1201 S. Banker St. location, they have 7,600 square feet of show area that stretches across two levels. And parking? Plenty of it in the big lot. There were just two spaces at the Fayette Avenue spot, which Hecht took over in 2008. "It's a lot more room, a lot more parts and more staff," said the Napa manager, Tim Rush. "And we do have a good range of experience here. Even our young guys have been working on cars or farm equipment." Step in the store and you’ll find plenty of room to browse the row upon row of parts. "The front showroom area is almost as big as our entire store was before," said Tim, who began with the company five years ago as a salesman and assistant manager. He took over as manager three years ago. "Everyone likes the bigger space," he added. "They like the ease of getting in and out. This location has a lot more 'friendly' atmosphere." That's par for the course at a Dan Hecht operation. The family-owned business – run by the four sons of the founder – prides itself on customer satisfaction. "We take care of them," promised Jim Hecht. "It's all about making sure the customer is taken care of. That's our Number One priority." That dedication was recognized recently by the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, which named Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota an Excellence in Business Award winner. Such recognition is nice, Jim said. But it's simply a reflection of doing what he and brothers Danny Jr., Bob and Jerry learned from their dad. They've put that customer-first philosophy into practice every day since taking over the dealership in 1992. "This is what we like to do," Jim said. "We just happened to be recognized for it." The personal touch at the dealership extends to the work done in the the body repair shop, providing parts and accessories for vehicles, and performing regular maintenanceas well. The sale of new and used cars is guided by an experienced and knowledgeable staff. Meanwhile, the dealership has a service garage that allows drivers to pull in without having to expose themselves to the weather or search for a parking spot. The Hecht brothers also give back to the community. Donations come in the form of money and time, and they are proud supporters of the United Way, St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital, local schools, churches, Effingham Chamber of Commerce, Effingham Rotary, Catholic Charities and more.
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Back at Napa, Tim said that the expansion allows his staff to offer more for the customers. "We have a greater amount of things on hand that we didn't have before," he said. "A lot of tool lines have been upgraded. We didn't have room for them before. We mix paint, which we couldn't do before. And we're exploring ways to get paint in the hands of people who do home repairs." Even boaters and farmers can find parts, and people with all-terrain vehicles depend on the Napa store. "We're constantly upgrading and adding to our lines of parts," Tim said. "For example, this is one Napa store that has a fair supply of import parts in stock." Jim Hecht and his brothers have seen big changes since their dad began selling cars in 1958. But there's one thing still at the heart of what they do. Dan Hecht knew it, and his sons were raised believing it. "It still comes down to the fact that you buy cars from individuals," Jim said. "It comes down to buying from someone they trust."
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Martin’s IGA
Fuels also carries a full line of groceries, always fresh coffee and donuts made fresh daily. The Deli Department offers catering, a full line of deli meats and cheeses and its famous Monday 8-Piece fried chicken special. We sell the No. 1 ranked sandwich meats in the country, Boar’s Head Premium Products. One new addition we are offering is the Boar’s Head Sandwich Shoppe. We will create your perfect sandwich with our fresh-baked breads and many premium toppings to choose from right before your eyes. Don’t forget we can toast your perfect sandwich! Come check out this new feature. The Meat Department is our biggest kept secret. Our meat is cut fresh daily by our professional meat staff, who are always ready to help. Watch for our meat sales. We offer great savings on some of the finest products in the state. We recently added a self-service Certified Angus beef case.
Martin’s: a leader in its community
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n its 76 years in the Effingham Community, Martin’s IGA Plus continues to do what it’s known for; providing the community with a full service shopping experience and a dedicated staff to facilitate a warm-welcoming atmosphere. Martin’s IGA Plus, a long standing pillar of the Effingham community, continues to offer amenities to our community. Amenities like Martin’s Midtown Fuels, which now offers video gaming. Midtown Fuels has its friendly drive-thru service and drive-up pharmacy service. Midtown
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The Produce Department has added several new features. We added new high energy efficient cases which include a new expanded organic section. We have also brought our produce signs to the 21st century with QR Codes. These QR Codes can be scanned by any smartphone (with a QR Code Reader App) and customers will see information about that fruit or vegetable. Customers will receive information on selection, storage, nutrition facts, preparation, recipes and general information. We at Martin’s IGA are excited to continue to improve with all new high energy efficient cases in our produce, meat and deli departments. We are also planning many new projects in the future, including a new checkout system for faster service. We want to provide the greatest shopping experience for our customers. as well as offering the quality and excellence our community has come to expect.
Andes Health Mart Pharmacy
Now helping young parents
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ndes Health Mart Pharmacy is a family business that keeps expanding with the family. Owners Chip and Beth Andes work alongside son Michael and daughter Kirsten. It was the arrival of Kirsten's daughter last year that prompted the family to expand the business to accommodate young parents. "My daughter just had a baby and needed supplies but had a hard time finding them. So she looked into selling them herself," said Beth Andes. Kirsten's search led to the addition of Medela breastpumps and accessories at the pharmacy. Having used the product herself and a registered nurse, Kirsten is able to answer any questions for new moms who wish to try the product. The addition is part of the pharmacy's expansion of infant care products as well. Just as the pharmacy is meeting the needs of young residents in the community, it continues its ever-expanding reach to seniors in need of assisted care. Both locally and in other communities, Andes provides medical supplies to long-term care facilities, such as assisted living facilities and
nursing homes. For years, the pharmacy has provided those facilities with individualized packs of medication and medical supplies for each resident. The pharmacy looks to add more facilities to its list this year. Andes Health Mart also continues to provide home delivery service to individual residences, helping to further reach patients in the community. It's all apart of the pharmacy's tradition of service. "We still have the same offerings, we're just adding to what we do," said Beth Andes. Those same offerings include giving back to the community by partnering with the T1 Sweeties, a local group dedicated to aiding children with juvenile diabetes. The pharmacy works closely with the group by helping them raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and Bret Michael's Life Rocks Foundation. It's with the support of Andes' excellent pharmacists, technicians and nurses, that the pharmacy is able to continue to offer wellrounded service six days a week and stay ahead of changes in the pharmaceutical industry. "They are the ones who make it all happen," said Beth Andes.
Andes Health Mart Pharmacy Dedicated to Our Community Andes Health Mart specializes in serving our community with fast, friendly, professional service and the highest-quality medicines and health products. As a Health Mart we know there’s nothing more important than your family’s wellbeing, which is why we strive to provide personalized care to help you and your family with healthcare decisions. Visit us for ALL your healthcare needs!
Andes Health Mart Pharmacy 805 West Fayette Avenue Effingham, Illinios 62401 M-F: 7am - 6pm S: 8am-1pm | Sun: Closed 217-342-9393
@ www.andeshealthmart.com February 2015 • Progress 2015 105
First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust
Expansion will mean more branches in Southern Illinois T
where many banks compete for attention. Tzena said great service and attention to detail help her branch stand out from the crowd.
Tzena Tucker, Effingham Community President at First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, said the acquisition will open opportunities for our customers.
Mattoon-based First Mid is a top-performing community bank that has earned a five-star Bauer Financial rating. It’s been recognized as a top 200 community bank by American Banker, and was named a Small Business Administration 2014 Community Leader of the Year by the Illinois District Office.
he recent announcement that First Mid-Illinois Bancshares will acquire 12 branches of Old National Bancorp in Southern Illinois later this year creates a greater reach for the widely respected institution.
“This will be our first venture into that market, and it will expand our services in Southern Illinois. For example, once the acquisition is completed, First Mid will have branches in Carbondale, so customers from Effingham attending Southern Illinois University will have locations where they can continue banking."
We have a long, rich history in Illinois and this year we’re preparing to celebrate 150 years of service.
Other new branches will be in De Soto, Murphysboro, Mount Vernon, Lawrenceville, Harrisburg, Mount Carmel, Carmi, Carterville and Marion. The acquisition is just one example of how the company is constantly seeking ways to meet the needs of customers – especially in Effingham,
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“We have a long, rich history in Illinois and this year we’re preparing to celebrate 150 years of service,” said Joe Dively, First Mid Chairman and CEO. “We have an outstanding group of banking professionals who are committed to their customers and their communities.”
That’s good, too, for Tzena’s commitment to putting her customers in touch with the best people for specialized services. “I know how to find the people who can provide whatever it is you’re needing,” she said. “We’re a small shop with the resources of a large shop.” The Effingham branch is located at 902 N. Keller Drive.
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Adam Butts, Edward Jones Investments
“My job is to paint the landscape for my clients,” he said. “I take them from Point A — where they are at now — to Point B — where they want to be in the future.” Not all of Butts’ clients are approaching retirement age, however. He said a number of his clients are couples in their 20s who have just started a family. “We have a lot of people — new moms and dads — who want to put away money for their kids,” he said. “Then there are other people in that age group who are already trying to save for retirement.” Butts said his availability and attention to detail sets him apart from his competitors.
Saving for your kids and your retirement
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dam Butts, one of four Edward Jones financial advisors in Effingham, said he doesn’t look for his business to decrease any time soon. That’s because record numbers of people are approaching retirement, and many of them are seeking financial advice. “The biggest thing I get phone calls for is retirement,” Butts said. For those preparing to retire in the next few years, Butts can offer a plan.
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“A lot of people work during the day, so I make a lot of early morning appointments, as well as two or three evenings a week,” he said. “I try to tailor my schedule around what my clients’ needs are.” Butts began his career with Edward Jones in 2008 as a financial advisor in Springfield. Originally from Lincoln, he earned a bachelors degree in philosophy from Western Illinois University and became an accredited asset management specialist in 2011. Butts lives in Effingham with wife Kelly and daughter Lilly. A second child is on the way.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 109
Creative Designs & Display
Customer Service and creative designs
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ith over 30 years of graphic design experience, Creative Designs owner, Lisa Ruholl-Koester, said that despite the many changes in the design and print industry over the years, the bedrock of her company has remained the same. “Graphic design and customer service are the backbone of what we do,” said Ruholl-Koester. When a client walks through the doors of Creative Designs, a wide array of design and print services are available. Creative Designs offers everything from logo creation to designing and printing marketing pieces, company stationary, signage, vehicle graphics, trade show displays and more. “Sometimes people don't value us as a professional design agency, because we also provide sign and display services, which traditionally is two separate companies,” she said, reiterating the value of effective graphic design work. With several employees under her guidance, along with the innovative eye of Creative Manager Adam Ruholl, the company can take an idea and transform it into a tangible and visual marketing product. Although some companies have employees with design experience, there are varying levels of design abilities. Creative Designs prides themselves as being at the top when it comes to not only attractive, but more importantly, effective designs and displays. “We don't just send anything out the door,” said Ruholl-Koester. “There are times we have to save people from themselves. You have to keep them from getting in their own way in order to put out the best design and product possible. It is always a balance to provide professional and effective design and also please the client. We do our best to do just that.” The years of local experience have allowed the business to flourish into a multi-faceted company.
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“Our work is from the ground up, from design to the end product, all in house,” said Adam Ruholl. Ruholl-Koester said not outsourcing their output - such as printing - guarantees quality, no agency markups and quick turnaround. She explained that many companies outsource either the design work or printing, which causes a double mark-up and a larger turnaround. With additions of high-end large format printers and fine art canvas printers, they can produce everything from banners, posters, vehicle graphics, trade show displays, brochures, canvas prints, company stationary and more. “There are companies who do portions of what we do, but I don't think anyone provides a turn-key design service and the number of marketing or display products we can provide to our customers,” said Adam Ruholl. Some of their custom printing services extend to interior wall coverings, canvas wraps and other interior items. Ruholl-Koester sees interior graphic items as a bright spot in their future, along with accounts with larger companies. “We are always looking for those larger clients,” she said. “We have the capability of servicing them with our current capabilities and look forward to reaching out.” She would also like to thank her employees and all her current loyal customers for putting their confidence in the staff at Creative Designs.
PAIN from page 45 As injuries become a rampant issue in high school sports, that attitude may be good for the player in the short term but bad in the long term. It’s a problem Troy VanBlaricum, athletic trainer and girls assistant basketball coach at Effingham, sees routinely when he checks in with players. VanBlaricum also works at Effingham’s Bonutti Clinic as an athletic trainer. He said playing through the pain can do serious harm to
others are stretched thin. For example, Dieterich athletic director Donetta Ohnesorge serves as the Lady Maroons’ head basketball coach on the girls side. Before the National Trail Conference Tournament championship game against Neoga in January, a line of players walked up to Ohnesorge, removed their shoes and had the coach tape their ankles.
Kids are playing so much sports now and there’s not enough time for their bodies to recover. You also have kids who specialize in one specific sport, so they’re only using specific muscles. It’s playing a big role in the fact they don’t get any recovery time. You see some articles out there now that are saying kids that are specializing have more of a chance to get hurt. an athlete’s body.
Ohnesorge and many coaches like her wear a lot of hats, relying on themselves to properly evaluate the injury concerns of their players. “As a coach, you have some training on it, definitely not as involved as an athletic trainer would be,” Ohnesorge said. “Concussions, which they’re stressing so much, and different things, it’s hard as a coach. You’ve got to make those decisions.” She’s had to deal with the injury aspect all year, as Rachel Schmidt, a starter last season, missed the entire regular season with a knee injury.
“If they don’t tell you that they’re hurt, there’s no way of knowing,” VanBlaricum said. “I don’t know what the right answer is.”
Although it would be nice to have multiple coaches and a trainer looking at the entire team, Ohnesorge said the way she has to evaluate players can have advantages.
With sports becoming a major part of the high school experience and the number of scholarships available at the next level, it’s hard for some players to realize they need to sit out for what seems to them a minor injury.
“I do like that aspect,” she said. “I know the ones who can handle the pain, I can tell when they really are in pain. As far as true injuries, it’s hard. You don’t want to rush an injury by all means, but you do want to get them back out there as fast as you can.”
VanBlaricum said that’s the problem: Playing with a minor injury can cause major injuries.
PAIN on page 119
“Kids, ‘can’t miss sports’” VanBlaricum said of a common attitude. “We’re only hurting our kids by doing that. You have a kid that sprains his ankle in basketball season. Society says from years past just tape it up, brace it, he’ll be fine. “The problem becomes that it doesn’t heal properly. He’s limping, he goes to jump, he doesn’t land right because his ankle hurts, and he tears his ACL and he’s out for six months.” That’s when an ankle injury that would have healed with rest can turn into a much more serious injury with far greater consequences. Concussion injuries have gained particular attention at all level of sports, rocking professional, collegiate and even prep football because of the serious head injuries that can occur on the gridiron. The State Journal-Register recently reported that state Sen. Dan Kotowski has introduced a bill that would establish teams of medical professionals assigned to high school games in case of concussions, and would take the decision on whether an athlete can return to a game out of the coach’s hands. The IHSA said much of what is in the bill is already protocol around the state. The concussion problem is an issue in all sports, but none greater than football. For VanBlaricum, some of it is bound to happen with the way the game is played. “There’s going to be some concussions you aren’t going to stop,” he said. “Prevention-wise, so many kids want to make the big hit. They think they have to make that big hit to stop someone. You want your kids to be physical. But whenever kids go to make that big hit, they don’t rely on proper technique, they just put their head down and go.” Some schools, such as Effingham, have trainers around all the time. But February 2015 • Progress 2015 111
Mediacom
Super-fast broadband and advanced telecommunication M ediacom is constantly improving the fiber-rich network that delivers super-fast broadband connections and advanced telecommunication services to homes and businesses in Effingham, Teutopolis and more than 350 other Illinois communities.
Mediacom’s founder and CEO, Rocco Commisso, started the company because he believes that residents in small and mid-sized communities deserve access to advanced services that are second to none. "We make sure there is no delay in bringing better technology to the markets we serve," explained the company's area operations director, Todd Acker. "Consumers with a Mediacom broadband connection could access ultra-fast Internet speeds in excess of 100 Mbps earlier than when similar Internet speeds became available to residents in New York City or Los Angeles. "Not long after we introduced our 105 speed tier, we hit the gas pedal and revved up the speed to 150 Mbps – at no extra charge," he added. "We were one of the earliest cable companies to offer a smart-home automation and home security system that operates remotely off a customer’s secure Wi-Fi network powered by Mediacom’s broadband service." Across Illinois, the broadband service is primary reason consumers choose Mediacom over other companies. "With the proximity and capacity of our fiber network, we typically
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provide the fastest Internet speeds in all areas of the communities we serve," said Acker. "Ongoing investments ensure ever-faster speeds – our customers experienced eight speed boosts in a dozen years, at no added cost. On average, we’ve increased Internet speeds by 50 percent every 18 months."
We also double network capacity every 18 months to keep pace with bandwidth demand as consumers stream more video and businesses use more broadband-dependent applications. In the early days of cable, subscribers received just a single service – clear television reception with additional channels. Today, as a result of constant innovation and billions of dollars in private capital, Mediacom uses a fiber-optic network designed and built to deliver content in a variety of ways. Besides your favorite sports and entertainment channels on your television, the content also arrives via any wired or wireless screen at any time to match the convenience and choice of the viewer. Meanwhile, Mediacom’s fast speeds make it easy for a family to let everyone stream their own choice of movies onto different devices, at the same time and without buffering.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 113
Washington Savings Bank
Merger will strengthen bank After more than 130 years of service to the Effingham area, Washington Savings Bank continues to look for ways to better serve its customers. That's why the bank, founded in 1883, has an agreement in place to merge with First Federal Savings and Loan Association in Mattoon. The merger is expected to be finalized sometime before June 30 of this year. Bank President/CEO David Doedtman believes the merger will strengthen what is already the largest and strongest customer-owned bank in Effingham County. Doedtman believes the merger will have multiple benefits for both Washington Savings and First Federal. "This allows us to offer trust and investment services to our customers," said Doedtman, noting that First Federal has extensive experience in both areas. "Our customers have been asking for these services for quite some time. Now we will be able to offer all types of trust services, escrow
Our employees will remain the same and continue to serve our customers and the Mattoon community with their remarkably high level of customer service. services, investment planning, individual and small business retirement plans and a full line of investment services.” Doedtman said the merger will nearly double the bank's lending power, enabling Washington Savings to enhance its ability to help local small
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businesses grow and create employment opportunities in the community. "This really helps us with lending to small businesses for bigger projects in the area." When combining our increased lending ability with our other traditional and electronic business banking services, we can be a tremendous partner in helping a business grow,” he said. Customers in the Mattoon market will benefit from the online and mobile services that Washington offers including free online and mobile bill payments, person to person payments, online loan applications and the soon to be introduced ability to deposit a check by taking a picture of the check with a mobile phone. No day-to-day service changes will be felt by customers at either bank. Both Effingham locations, as well as the Mattoon location will remain the same, although First Federal will be taking on the Washington Savings Bank name. Doedtman will serve as President and CEO of the combined bank, while current First Federal President/CEO Jon Spitz will become Senior Vice-President and Mattoon Market President. Spitz said his Mattoon customers will benefit greatly from the merger. "Combining with Washington Savings Bank will allow us to offer a more complete suite of deposit, loan and electronic banking services to our customers while maintaining our legacy as a customer-owned financial institution," Spitz said. "While the name on the bank might be changing, our employees will remain the same and continue to serve our customers and the Mattoon community with their remarkably high level of customer service.” "This is a win-win situation for all our customers," Spitz added.
RPM Truck Repair
Growth has just begun for Effingham Company R
PM (Reliable Professional Maintenance)Truck Repair of Effingham is a bustling shop owned and operated by Shawn and Donna Fitzjarrald. Under the couple's guidance, the heavy truck repair shop, located at 2400 S. Raney Street, has thrived and grown from a small startup in May 2008 to a major repair shop that today boasts 15 employees. And the growth has just begun. RPM works on semis, equipment, diesel pickups, bucket and boom trucks, hydraulics, chippers, tree trimming equipment, APUs and farm tractors. They also sell parts and do a few on site mobile repairs. The technicians at the repair shop can diagnose and repair electronic engines and transmissions, whether mechanical or electrical, and rebuild engines, transmissions and rear ends. The business also does chassis and drive-line repairs; major and minor hydraulic repair; rebuilds on buckets, booms, cranes, cylinders and motors; air-conditioning on all makes and models; and perform electronic programming. Shawn's energy and enthusiasm for his business is obvious as he explains his passion for mechanics began at an early age. A native of Xenia and a graduate of Flora High School, he began in the repair business working with his father in a shop ran out of their garage. He moved on to other facilities, eventually becoming certified with Cat, Cummins and International engines, but according to Donna, “he has always had an entrepreneurial spirit.” Donna, a graduate of Effingham High School and Sparks Business
College, is an integral part of the business. She and Shawn were married in 1998 and settled in Altamont where they are raising the next generation of the business - daughters, Shaelee and Adrien, and son, Harrison. In addition to being partners in their marriage, the couple are partners in the business as well. In addition to RPM exploding in size in the past seven years, the Fitzjarralds just purchased an additional repair shop, Biernbaum's Garage, a family owned business specializing in heavy trucks since 1953 and located in Palestine, Illinois. The Fitzjarralds will retain the Biernbaum name and will keep up the business' great reputation. RPM services customers across a wide swath of Central Illinois, from Shelbyville to Flora, Greenville to Newton and Olney. The addition of Biernbaum's will increases the reach of the business and add five new members to the Fitzjarrald family. “We don't really have employees,” Donna explained with a laugh. “We have family.” Shawn added, “When I wake up each morning and go to work, I am responsible for my employee's family.” Both Shawn and Donna are excited about the future of their businesses, and further expansions down the road are already under discussion. For right now, they are focused on taking care of their customers and living up to their mission statement, “We strive to be a step above the rest in the truck repair industry. Why? Because we care! Fixing trucks, it's what we do!”
February 2015 • Progress 2015 115
Interstate Batteries of South Central Illinois
Company now has more options for dealers
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arry, Karl and Kent Jansen purchased the Interstate Battery Distributorship in 2010 located in Mt. Vernon. Since that time, the Jansens have taken a single warehouse location, 500+ dealer base distributorship and grown it into a dual location, 1,000+ dealer base in 23 counties in Southern Illinois. By adding the second location in Effingham in 2012 and renovating the Mt. Vernon warehouse in 2014, the business is offering better service and more options to its dealers. Interstate Batteries Systems promotes “Outrageously Dependable”, and Larry and his team are committed to supplying the number one replacement battery in the USA to its customers with service second to none. Conveniently located at 510 West Jaycee Ave., Larry and his team of experts have every battery on hand including auto, truck, ag,
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lawn & garden, powersport, and marine to meet all your needs. They also carry a full line of back up batteries, emergency exit light batteries and alkaline. Interstate is a green standard approved business and has a special commitment to responsible and safe battery handling practices; in fact, Interstate Batteries recycles more batteries than we sell and with 60 years of experience they know quite a bit about the right way to handle batteries. We are environmentally conscious and we care about the communities where we live, play and raise our families. We are not only the #1 replacement battery in America, but we are also the #1 recycler of lead-acid batteries in the United States, achieving one of the highest recycling percentages of most industries.
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Marion Eye Centers & Optical
Most comprehensive eye care in the region Marion Eye Centers & Optical is proud to have opened an office in Effingham. Dr Ahmad wants everyone in the region to have medical, surgical and optical eye care on the level of St Louis, Memphis or Nashville, without having to travel far from home.
Dr. Maqbool Ahmad and his sons, Dr Faisel Ahmad and Dr. Omar Ahmad
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ow in its 42nd year, Marion Eye Centers & Optical proudly continues their commitment to providing the most comprehensive, highest quality eye care in the region. Founder Dr. Maqbool Ahmad has seen the practice expand to 35 offices across southern Illinois and southeastern Missouri, and, most recently, grow to include the area’s first state-of-the-art surgery center, dedicated exclusively to eye surgeries.
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Marion Eye Centers has grown into a multi-specialist group with physicians, surgeons, optometrists and a staff of almost 400 to serve patients with practically any type of eye disorder. Their experienced professionals are available to treat cataracts and issues ranging from agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), which involves the degeneration of retinal cells in the macula and is one of the most common causes of visual impairment among today's elderly, to diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. “These are areas where recent technological and medical developments have significantly increased a patient’s chances of retaining their vision,” said Dr. Faisel Ahmad. “But two things remain critical: we have to catch it early, and, in the case of diabetic retinopathy, the patient must vigilantly manage their blood sugar postoperatively.” Not only does Marion Eye Centers & Optical maintain the highest standards for safety, accuracy and precision, but they also have on-site the most advanced equipment available in the country, including the SLT laser for glaucoma treatment, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for optic nerve and retinal imaging, the YAG, Argon, Focal, PRP and Diode lasers and lasers for iLASIK.
PAIN from page 111 For many high school athletes, the games go on all year. When one sports season ends, another starts. Daugherty quarterbacks the football team, and then plays basketball. He plays baseball at Effingham and American Legion ball during the summer. While playing several sports presents a risk of injury because of the constant activity, VanBlaricum and other experts say that at least it’s good to have a variety of activities – each using different sets of muscles. Some students focus on one sport and play it year round, honing their skills to make it on to the next level. But that’s where trouble can arise, because the muscle used in that sport never get a rest. “Kids are playing so much sports now and there’s not enough time for their bodies to recover,” VanBlaricum said. “You also have kids who specialize in one specific sport, so they’re only using specific muscles. It’s playing a big role in the fact they don’t get any recovery time. You see some articles out there now that are saying kids that are specializing have more of a chance to get hurt. “I feel personally it’s better, that they’re not specializing. Any athlete needs recovery time in there.” Regardless of whether the school has trainers, it all comes down to communication and letting the right people know when problems arise on the field, hardwood and diamond. While trainers and coaches always have their eyes out for signs of injury, the communication in every aspect of the athlete’s life can make the difference, VanBlaricum said. “Developing a relationship with not only the athletes and the coaches, but the parents,” he said. “If they have a relationship with you and they trust you, that just makes everything work so much better. Parents can come and tell you that Johnny’s complaining of knee pain whenever he comes home from practice, can you take him off to the side and look at him?” Still, an athlete like Daugherty says following that line of thinking and sitting out is harder mentally than it is physically. “Everyone will tell you to stay positive,” he said. “The hardest thing out there to do is sit on the sidelines, watching your teammates play. Even missing practices, wanting to be out there with your teammates, especially your final year being a senior. All your expectations from when you’re a kid, seeing those varsity letters and players go out the door.”
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(618) 783-2362 120 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Louis Ochs “A Nice Place To Do Business” www.louisochs.com 806 S. Van Buren • Newton, IL
(800) 541-6247
Newton Expert Collision Center
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• All makes and models • Loaner Cars • Complete Restorations • Motorcycles 107 E Washington St Newton, IL 62448
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Jasper County Medical Center The center, affiliated with Richland Memorial Hospital, opened in February 2013 in the former Brush Creek Medical Center. It specializes in family practice, women's health, general surgery consultations, and orthopedic surgery consultations. "I can prescribe medicines, and order diagnostic tests. I consult with specialists," said Janet, who has been a nurse for 42 years, and a nurse practitioner since 2005. She treats children, adolescents, and adults for common and acute illnesses. With Richland Memorial Hospital just 20 minutes away in Olney, Newton residents aren't completely isolated from advanced medical care. Stierwalt and Kuenstler provide an important link in the community's well-being.
Serving newton for Richland Memorial Hospital
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anet Stierwalt, a family nurse-practitioner, has joined Melissa Kuenstler, a women's health nurse-practitioner, at Jasper County Medical Center in Newton.
"It's a rural clientele," Janet said. "We can provide those services for outlying areas. There's obviously not enough doctors to go around. We are filling in that gap." Melissa Kuenstler sees females, ages 13 and older, for services ranging from breast exams to screening for cervical cancer.
They are the first stop for healthcare in the small, rural community that has no doctor with full-time office hours.
She said one advantage of the medical center in Newton is that teens don't have to be out of school for half a day or longer because of a trip out of town to the doctor's office. Melissa grew up in Olney, so she understands demands on healthcare in rural areas.
"If you fell down outside and you think you broke your leg but you can still walk, come in and see me," said Janet. "If you broke your leg, I'll send you to the hospital."
"The difference is that we don't have any specialists that are around the corner," she said. "They have them in Olney and Effingham. If they need a pediatrician or a surgeon, we send them where they need to go."
122 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Mette’s Cabinet Corner, Inc.
Putting customer satisfaction first
T
he products and services offered at Mette's Cabinet Corner speak for themselves – but of course, recommendations from customers to family and friends contribute to Mette's success. "We try to put customer satisfaction as a top priority," said Julie Steffen, a second-generation co-owner at Mette's. "We get a lot of customer referrals that way." The family-owned business opened in 1981, and sells cabinets, counter tops and accessories for kitchens, bathrooms and various areas throughout the house. Custom cabinets are built in their shop with state-of-the-art equipment. Their stone shop allows Mette's to fabricate granite and quartz counter tops in house, giving them total control on scheduling and quality of the finished product. In some cases, this can get the product out to their
customers more quickly, as they don't have to outsource counter tops to a third party. It also keeps jobs local. "A big part of the business relates to the services we offer before and after the sale," Julie said. Customers meet with designers before purchase, and measuring is done to ensure an exact fit. State-of-the-art machinery is used to cut the materials before an installation crew comes to do the job. Mette's Cabinet Corner has one of the largest showrooms in the area; it offers a wide variety of materials, which allows the employees to work with budgets of all sizes. Variety also means having a unique kitchen. "A broad offering allows customers to not only choose, but helps them put their individual stamp on their home," Julie said. "We're looking at expanding our door styles and custom cabinets," Julie added. Mette's also specializes in walk-in showers and tubs, designed for easy accessibility for the elderly or people with disabilities. They have both on display. While the first and second generations are in management at Mette's Cabinet Corner, the third generation has begun to assist with the business.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 123
GRAIN from page 7 Growth is dormant until spring, but with a little help from Mother Nature, the seeds start growing as soon as the weather warms. “We like to see snow cover in the winter because it insulates the wheat,” said Lagerhausen. “It wasn't that way this year. But we aren’t in charge of the weather, so we take what comes.” While snow acts as a nurturing blanket, frozen ground can cause problems. “A dramatic freeze and thaw cycle can actually pull the wheat out of the ground,” he said. Once spring hits, farmers again hope for steady temperatures. “If you get a hard freeze after wheat produces its joints in the spring, it can kill a crop,” he noted.
Right Emil Lagerhausen stands in one of his wheat fields north of Effingham. Wheat from his fields are milled and manufactured locally into food products that are consumed across the United States. Tony Huffman photo. Below Stephen Smith and Calvin Schnabel analyze the production schedule. Chet Piotrowski Jr. photo/Piotrowski Studios
After monitoring the crop for weed control, nitrogen and moisture, Lagerhausen said that, ideally, the wheat will grow from March 20 to June 29. Too much rain can be devastating during that period. “As wheat is flowering in late May, the head is open. If you get too much rain, you have to use fungicide to control the 'Fusarium Head Blight.'” Fusarium Head Blight is caused by excessive moisture in the wheat plant, which can lead to a toxin and harm its ability to be produced. Although growing wheat in Central Illinois is not easy, it's easy to understand why farmers here grow it anyway. “If Siemer's mill wasn't here, we probably wouldn’t grow it,” Lagerhausen said “The local market is required.” That Soft Red Winter Wheat, used primarily in finer milling applications such as cakes and cookies, is then harvested and trucked to Teutopolis. “Growing food is what the farmer does,” said Lagerhausen. “Everything we grow on a farm ends up on someone's plate." Mill Anyone who has been down Main Street in Teutopolis knows that a line of semitrucks and trailers often snake out of Siemer Milling Company. The trucks are constantly importing the raw harvest in and milled product out. President Rick Siemer, whose family started the business on Nov. 6,
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124 Progress 2015 • February 2015
1882, cares deeply about the milling industry that runs in his German blood. “Flour milling is an ancient industry,” said Siemer. “There have always been flour mills in the United States. Oliver Evans began the Industrial Revolution with mechanized flour milling in the 1790s.” Siemer said the technology of milling has seen only a few significant advancements in the last several hundred years, but specific changes GRAIN on page 126 have made the process more efficient.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 125
GRAIN from page 124 “There were over 14,000 mills in the country in the 20th century,� said Siemer. “Most of them were quite small and only served a local population. In a little over a century, there were only 170 mills in the country producing flour for a population three times what it was.� Siemer credits the employees at Siemer Milling Company and his industrious ancestors for giving him the chance to grow the company. Siemer described that growth as he sat in the new building
mind seems to work like the mill itself – constantly turning, and churning out a refined product.
“The goal is to obviously get as much flour as possible," said Siemer.
“Mills haven't change fundamentally,� said Siemer. He noted that the earliest milling was done by grinding stones.
Up to 7 million bushels run through the mill a year, which is then sold to food manufacturers who produce everything from Girl Scout cookies to Red Lobster's biscuits. Siemer said his family has been searching for broader business opportunities since the mill's inception.
“Roller mills, which we still use today, were a revolution," Siemer said. "There has been no similar revolution in the last 175 years.� Siemer said wheat kernels, like Lagerhausen's, are run through two rollers, set a fraction of an inch apart.
I feel very good about the business we are in,� said Siemer. “I feel proud about the people involved in this business and our ability to maintain and grow it. constructed in front of the huge silos that have long been features of the village. Bricks from the old property were incorporated into the new structure, and the interior and exterior are inviting. Large windows grace a modernstyled office, bustling with activity. The open concept appears to match the mind of a man whose
“The two are running simultaneously,� said Siemer. “The steel rollers run at a slightly different speed. The grain isn't crushed, but sheared. You want to break it open so the endosperm spills out and you get flour.� Sifters separate flour, which can be re-milled for a smoother texture.
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126 Progress 2015 • February 2015
“Back when we discovered original account books, I was fascinated to see in the late 1800s that we were shipping flour to Liverpool, Belfast and South Africa,� said Siemer. “I don't know how they had the opportunity to export, but they were doing it.� Early documents indicate that Siemer Milling Company shipped a large amount of flour by rail to St. Louis in the early 1900s, which was then one of the nation's largest cities. Today, Siemer sends flour to manufacturing facilities around the Midwest. A plant in Centralia makes nearly all the Duncan Hines Cake Mix in the United States. Girl Scout cookies are produced in South Dakota, using Siemer flour. Within Effingham County, that
fine Soft Red Winter Wheat, which is ideal for cake mix, goes to Continental Mills to be made into flour for doughnut mix sold nationally and at local grocery stores. “I feel very good about the business we are in,� said Siemer. “I feel proud about the people involved in this business and our ability to maintain and grow it.� GRAIN on page 128
February 2015 • Progress 2015 127
GRAIN from page 126
He's also satisfied to be a crucial link in the local grain chain that produces food for national and international consumption.
Manufacturers are already recognizing the productivity of this area's grain chain.
“When I look at some businesses here, while they are very good businesses that offer good jobs that provide good living for their employees, they have to buy raw materials from somewhere else,” he said. “That isn't saying anything bad about those businesses at all, but we have been sunk into the soil of this area for a long time.”
Manufacturing
To continue producing at a high level, Siemer said his company relies on farmers to supply the grain and manufacturers to purchase the milled product. “We are very fortunate in a typical year when we can get all our grain from Central Illinois,” said Siemer. “It becomes more difficult every year as farmers say, 'If I can make 200 bushels of corn and 60 bushel of beans, why should I worry about wheat?'” Siemer hopes the security of a local mill will continue to persuade farmers to produce wheat.
The tight supply line is working like gang-busters for larger manufacturers. Continental Mills, a predominately West Coast company, has expanded into the area because of their relationship with Siemer Milling Company. “Continental Mills was originally founded in Seattle,” said Mike Churchill, who is the plant manager for the new Continental Mills manufacturing center, located in the old Krispy Kreme plant in Effingham. “The company was West Coast focused. As the company was expanding, there was a need for an opportunity to move East.” Continental Mills built a manufacturing center near Siemer Milling Company's other location, Hopkinsvville, Kentucky, where Churchill, a Central Illinois native, previously worked. “One of the most important pieces for our product line was a good flour
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Left Packaging supervisor and assistant head miller Kenneth Stice makes sure the stock is grinding properly. Right Stice visually checks the sifters.
supplier,” said Churchill. “We have built a very strong relationship with Siemer's. We are literally right next door to them in Kentucky.” After a strong and steady growth in their partnership in Kentucky, the business was looking to expand. “We needed to make some tough decisions about how fast that facility should grow, and looking at our options, we decided because of the strong relationship with Siemer's that we could expand here.” The silos towering over Continental Mills look similar to the ones at Siemer’s. Flour is transported across the creek from Teutopolis in local trucks. That kernel of wheat, now flour, will see yet another local step in its journey. “Typically, the single biggest ingredient we use in Continental Mills' plants is flour,” said Churchill. “Being relatively close to a flour mill is very important for a facility.” Churchill compared his plant to someone making a cake at home. It's just on a much larger scale. “Our flour flows out of those silos outside, and we put it into a big tank that is basically a scale,” explained Churchill. “Smaller ingredients are added in 50-pound bags. We put it on pallets, wrap it up, and send it out.” Although he would not go into specifics, Churchill said growth at the plant is coming. Churchill, an engineer, said renovations have been continuous to increase efficiency. “We have invested into the control systems of our process,” he said. “Also, we have trained employees how to work that system.” The automatic control system allows for consistent production of their food products. He noted that the previous Krispy Kreme factory was a
perfect fit for Continental Mills. “They say the heart of a plant is the mixer,” he said. “Those are the same mixers that were put in originally.” Of the 17 employees that run the facility, 13 were rehired from the previous operation. “The employees have a great family-focused mentality,” said Churchill. “I can teach someone how to run a machine if I need to, but it is harder to teach someone how to work. We don't have that problem.” Despite Continental's high output, Churchill reminds himself and his
You get emotions and anxiety in any business, but I remind people of one thing, we are making doughnuts, so think of all the smiles we are putting on people’s faces. employees about the basic goal of their production. “You get emotions and anxiety in any business, but I remind people of one thing,” said Churchill. “We are making doughnuts, so think of all the smiles we are putting on people's faces.” Churchill also praised all the local links in the grain chain. “It takes grain coming out of the fields; it takes Siemers to mill the wheat; it takes our company to manufacture; and it takes our customers who turn that mixture into doughnuts for people to eat,” he said. “We are proud to be a key part of that chain.”
February 2015 • Progress 2015 129
Rental Home from page 24 be in the Effingham area for the duration of the road repairs, they want rental housing. “They were scrambling for places,” Norma Lansing said, president of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. “They’re only going to be here for two to three years. And they didn’t want to live in a motel for several years.” Whoever doesn’t get housing either has to settle for an undesirable option or take a rental house in another community and endure a commute.
The Days say landlords assume that renting to a family with six kids means damage is inevitable. And for Durham, her two pets have been a red flag. Landlords need to believe that they will make a profit before they accept a tenant, Youngblood said. “Say the tenants put a pet in there and it destroys all the carpet in a matter of months,” Youngblood said. “To replace the carpet would cost about $5,000. The landlord doesn’t make that much on rent to begin with.” “You can’t make money on that,” he said.
“They move outside the area and drive to Effingham,” said Donna Smith, owner of Smith Realty. “They end up living elsewhere until something is available in the Effingham area.”
One example that Youngblood vividly recalls is when he checked in with a tenant after six months. Youngblood called what he saw absolutely filthy.
Medical professionals looking to test out Effingham have also been having rental woes. They don’t want to permanently commit to their home before knowing they want to stay long term. Youngblood said that Effingham loses a legion of potential workers due to the shortage.
This disconnect between the landlords and tenants has an easy fix however.
Patricia Day said she’d like to have a room just for her incoming baby, but because the lack of space in the family’s home, the cradle is in a hallway. Stan Polanski photo.
Much of what is available in the rental market is not affordable for the families seeking them. Youngblood said that a lot of the people hunting for rentals are young families with spouses in entry-level positions. It’s actually more affordable to buy a house in many cases. “It’s a difficult scenario,” Youngblood said. “The rents have to be so high due to mortgages, taxes, and insurance.” For a three bedroom home with two bathrooms and a garage, the monthly rent should be between $900 and $1,000 Youngblood said. They’re going for more than that in the Effingham area. Youngblood said another reason for the rental housing crunch stems from the landlords’ growing distrust of tenants.
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“Tenants being better stewards of the property will change things,” Youngblood said. “That’s going to improve the rental availability.” It may take some time though. Youngblood notes that most tenants take care of the property.
“If a landlord gets a good tenant, it can be lucrative for both parties,” he said. “Rentals are a good investment option.” Lansing and the chamber of commerce are trying to get developers to build more affordable homes for rent. But even though the absence of rentals can be frustrating for potential tenants, Smith said it highlights the fact that the Effingham area is growing. ‘It’s a good sign,” she said.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 131
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Village of Greenup at Haughton Park will include new sod on the baseball fields, new concession stand and new lights. Kimble pointed to Evapco, an industrial air conditioning production plant, as positive economic growth. “Evapco is working on a big new expansion,” said Kimble. “They might be hiring 50 to 150 new employees on top of the 300 they already employ.” Kimble hopes the village's location along Interstate 70 will continue to make businesses grow in the area. She noted that businesses and citizens alike benefit from the city run utilities.
‘a quiet, good place to live’
R
esidents consider themselves lucky to be able to call the Village of Greenup home.
“This is a quiet, good place to live,” said Greenup Mayor Tom Bauguss, who noted the low crime rate makes the village family friendly. Jill Kimble, the village's clerk, said anytime she leaves the area, it reminds her of the special place she calls home. “I went up north to visit my daughter, who is in school in the Chicago area, and I realized when I left that the rat race isn't for me,” said Kimble. Kimble loves the small-town feel and camaraderie between those in the community. “Everyone knows everyone here,” said Kimble. The small-town community has a variety of features that Kimble thinks make it a great place to call home. An upcoming renovation
“We have some of the lowest electricity, gas and sewer rates in the area,” she said. For entertainment, the community is host to Cameo Vineyards, Chances R Bar and Grill and Backyard BBQ. A summer activity that gives residents something to look forward to every year is our county fair. “The Cumberland County Fair is just out of town,” said Kimble. “It brings a lot of people to the area.” The fair will be held from Aug. 15 to Aug. 22, and will feature harness racing, tractor pulls, 4-H shows, musical entertainment, demolition derby and a carnival for children. Other upcoming events include a Hootenanny dance on the first Saturday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Greenup Municipal Building that includes free musical entertainment. An Easter Egg Hunt will be put on at the Cumberland County Fair Ground on March 28. Kimble said the Greenup Fall Festival at the Greenup Municipal Building lawn on Oct. 1-3 is another popular event. “You still have that nice hometown feeling in Greenup,” said Kimble.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 133
Meyer Funeral Home career, while Jason Meyer — a farmer's son from Hardin and Johnson Counties in deep southern Illinois — has been working since 1994 at the funeral homes the couple now own. While Jason said he aspired to be a funeral director since he was seven years old, Lisa didn't begin mortuary school until after the couple married in 2006. "I had always dreamed of owning my own funeral home and serving families as if they were my own," he said. In addition to arranging any type of funeral or memorial services needed, the Meyers also offer many choices of pre-planning services for families concerned about making decisions in a time of grief. Lisa said the couple has already received a number of compliments about the quality of service they provide.
Serving families with compassion
W
ith the purchase of three area funeral homes, Jason and Lisa Meyer are serving area families with compassion while continuing the tradition of longstanding commitment that has been in place for many years. The Meyers finalized the purchase of Bishop Funeral Home in Greenup, Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton and the Blake-Wright Funeral Home in Dieterich on April 14, 2014. All three funeral homes are now known as Meyer Funeral Homes. Neither Jason nor Lisa is any stranger to the area. Lisa (Fischer) Meyer grew up in Yale located in Jasper County and was trained for a business
134 Progress 2015 • February 2015
"Many families have come to us and said we made one of the hardest times of their lives as easy as possible," she said. Jason and Lisa are continuing a tradition of service at all three locations. The funeral home in Greenup was established by the late Dale and Evelyn (Fisher) Bishop in 1930. The funeral home in Newton was established in 1931 by the late Louis “Boots” Markwell and has been serving the area in the same location for 84 years and the funeral home in Dieterich was established in 1889 by the Wright Family. Jason said he and Lisa plan to build on the rich tradition that has been established at all three locations. "The names have changed to Meyer Funeral Homes, LLC, but the commitment to quality service has remained the same," he said.
WORK from page 31 When his staff exceeded a goal for the number of patients seen during the appreciation day, everyone went to lunch. “On us,” Stanfield said. “We closed our office, which we never do.” Stanfield said providing such extras are good for business. “It’s all about building enthusiasm,” he said. Sometimes the extra benefits have another purpose: Encouraging healthy lifestyles among employees. That can come in the form of a fitness center on site, or perhaps a subsidized cafeteria with a healthy selection of meals to choose from. When the new complex that houses Patterson Technology Center in Effingham opened in 2011, it included a cafe with a Starbucks, and also a fitness center. “Meals that would cost $7 or $8 around town, we’re providing for about five bucks,” said Roy Shelley, the facility manager at Patterson, which serves dental, medical and veterinary clients in the U.S. and Canada. “It’s about affordability and convenience. WORK on page 139
Agracel President Dean Bingham tries the equipment at his company’s fitness center.
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February 2015 • Progress 2015 135
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
ignoring leg pain?
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Prairie Heart Institute at St. Anthony’s offers advanced non-surgical procedure for relief of PVD
SHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is committed to providing advanced health care to the region, particularly cardiovascular services through its long-standing partnership with nationally-recognized Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois. This partnership means that the residents of this area don’t have to look any further than Prairie Heart at St. Anthony’s for advanced heart care. One of the more recent advances in cardiovascular care that is now being offered in Effingham is the non-surgical treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). Peripheral Vascular Disease is also commonly used to refer to Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). With PVD, the arteries outside of the heart and brain have narrowed due to a build-up of plaque which reduces the blood flow. As a result, some parts of your body do not get the oxygen they need. This can involve the upper and lower extremities such as arms and legs (the most common types), as well as the carotid and renal arteries, feeding blood to the brain and kidneys. People with PVD are three to four times more likely to die from stroke or heart attack than people of the same age who do not have PVD. People should watch for symptoms that they may be experiencing PVD: • • • • • • • •
Dull, cramping pain in their hips, thighs or calves. Pain in their legs during exercise. Numbness or tingling in their legs, feet, or toes. Changes in skin color (pale, bluish, or reddish discoloration). Changes in skin temperature or coolness. Impotence. Infections or sores that do not heal. Thickened nails.
Those experiencing these symptoms and referred to St. Anthony’s by their physician are screened with a diagnostic ultrasound performed by the hospital’s highly qualified vascular staff, all of which are Registered Vascular Technicians. Once diagnosed, people with PVD can continue their care and treatment locally at the Prairie Heart Institute at St. Anthony’s. Prairie Cardiovascular physicians can perform Peripheral Vascular Interventions (PVI) at St. Anthony’s which can remove the plaque and restore the flow of blood through the artery through PVI angioplasty and stenting. This outpatient procedure involves a catheterization similar to a cardiac catheterization. During the procedure, a tiny puncture is made of an artery in the groin followed by an x-ray guided catheter-based balloon which is dilated (opened and expanded) in the area of severe blockage. This is typically followed by inserting a stent that keeps the diseased artery open to its normal size. Leah Finley, RN, Cardiovascular Services manager, explained what it means to the residents of this region to have procedures such as the Peripheral Vascular Interventions offered at Prairie Heart at St. Anthony’s. “We are proud that we can offer the latest in advanced technology to those in our community and surrounding area, combined with highly 136 Progress 2015 • February 2015
trained, compassionate staff to care for you. Now, many patients with PVD can be treated with a procedure that is much less invasive and less risky than a standard surgical procedure, with positive outcomes similar to a standard surgery procedure but with a much shorter recovery time,” she said. “Most patients go home the same day with just a small dressing and feel immediate relief of the pressure they felt before the procedure because their normal blood flow has resumed. The only follow-up care is a vascular post-procedure ultrasound to assess the outcome of the procedure. From diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, it is quality, advanced care in your hometown,” Finley said. People experiencing symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease should speak with their doctor about being tested for PVD at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.
Who is at Risk for PVD? PVD is a common condition that affects approximately ten million adults in the U.S. PVD is slightly more common in men than in women and most often occurs in older adults over the age of 50. Risk factors include: • High blood levels of the bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. • Low blood levels of the good HDL cholesterol. • Cigarette smoking. • Diabetes mellitus (both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes). • High blood pressure or hypertension. • Chronic renal (kidney) failure. • Overweight or obesity. • Physical inactivity. • Family history.
Seagle Tax & Financial Services
A personal Touch to finance W hen Brett Seagle (rhymes with eagle) opened his new Seagle Tax & Financial Services office in the old Illinois Department of Public Aid building last summer, he also opened wa new chapter in his business career. Seagle said he is using his status as the only Dave Ramsey "endorsed local provider" for tax services in the immediate area to grow the business, now that he has his own digs. "My connection with Dave Ramsey is my niche in this area," Seagle said. To earn endorsed local provider status, Seagle went through a six-hour interview process in which he agreed with many of the principles set forth by Ramsey on his nationally-syndicated radio show. "It's almost like being a personalized accountant," he said. "We'll talk about budgeting and minimizing debt, just like Dave does on his show." Seagle said he often works with investment advisor Alec Ring, who has an office in Seagle's building. "Alec is a Dave Ramsey ELP for investing and long-term care, so we kind of team up," he said. In addition to the Ramsey connection, Seagle is a QuickBooks pro advisor — showing clients that he has the proficiency to help them use the popular accounting software. Seagle, a direct descendant of the first family to build a home in Altamont, graduated from Altamont High School in 1993 and received an accounting degree from the University of Illinois in 1997. After passing the Certified Public Accountant exam and working in public and industrial accounting
for several years — while doing tax work on the side — he opened his own tax preparation and business consulting business in 2004. He spent his first five years as his own boss renting space in the Bushue Human Resources building at 104 N. Second St., before moving across town to the old Effingham Chamber of Commerce building at 105 S. Maple. He bought the old Public Aid building last April, and, after renovations, moved into the new space on July 17. Seagle has a lean operation, personnel-wise. Office manager Nikki Boldt is the only employee. That way, he says, accounting clients will always be assured that he will take a personal interest in their operation. "I want to be big enough so I can do everything, but I always want the client to be able to talk to me," he said. Seagle said his goal is for the client to become increasingly self-sufficient in their business affairs. "I try to get them to where they can do a lot on their own," Seagle said. Seagle said it's his personal service that sets him apart from other providers. "I try to get to know each client," he said. "It's more personal than just the tax return, because I also get into financial planning advice." Seagle is also active in the community, serving as treasurer of both the Effingham Sunrise Rotary Club and the St. Anthony Booster Club. He also coaches his daughter's basketball team in the Upwards league at Cornerstone Christian Church.
February 2015 • Progress 2015 137
Mattoon & Charleston
138 Progress 2015 • February 2015
WORK from page 135 Shelley estimates that nearly 70 employees use the cafe for breakfast, and up to 140 stop in for lunch. “Our chef is able to cook anything you can dream up,” Shelley said. So, if you have a special diet or special request, she can accommodate that.” Smaller but still effective perks at Patterson also include a free charging station for electric cars, and a “dress for your day” policy that brings casual Friday to the office every day – provided the employee has nothing on tap that day requiring more formal business attire. Like Patterson, Agracel also has a fitness center. It has a separate entrance and is open to family members of employees, even after hours. Employees get a half hour per day to use it during work hours that is not counted as part of lunch.
Agracel employees enjoy the beach during a trip to Jamaica. The company paid for the trip after reaching its financial goal. Submitted photo.
“There’s a big push on health and wellness,” said Horner, the marketing manager. “It’s our belief that if our employees feel well, they’re going to be productive employees.”
“We want to reward the team for success,” added Bingham, the Agracel president. “If people are more healthy, and happy in their job, and they like what they’re doing, they’re going to be more productive.”
February 2015 • Progress 2015 139
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February 2015 • Progress 2015 141
VOCATIONAL from page 15 nature of modern manufacturing. “At one time, you could walk out of high school and get that job,” she said. “Now, the skill level has risen so much that you need additional skills before you walk in that door.” Some areas have embraced the regional vocational center model. The Okaw Area Vocational Center in Vandalia is a long-running example of such a program. At Okaw, founded in 1967, students from participating schools spend a half-day at the center learning a myriad of skills ranging from agricultural power mechanics to graphic design. Other Okaw programs include a certified nursing assistant program, computer-aided drafting, auto mechanics, culinary arts and building trades. Principal Nick Casey said students in the building trades program are working on the center’s 43rd house. Okaw students are all juniors and seniors selected by principals and guidance counselors at their respective schools. The 300 or so students are split into morning and afternoon sessions. Feeder schools include Altamont, St. Elmo, Brownstown, South Central, Vandalia, Greenville, Hillsboro, Pana, Ramsey, Mulberry Grove and Sandoval. Effingham Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan said his district doesn’t participate in the Okaw program primarily because of the distance to Vandalia. But, he said, that doesn’t mean he’s not thinking about increased ways to offer vocational programs. “It’s no secret that we would like to have that kind of facility in Effingham,” Doan said. “A lot of the reason we do not has to do with funding.” Drawing on the success of the CEO class, educators, businesspeople and municipal officials are developing classes in manufacturing and building trades. Effingham Unit 40 students are studying manufacturing skills for the first time this school year, while a county-wide construction trades class is slated to begin this fall. The construction trades class is the brainchild of Effingham city commissioners Don Althoff and Brian Milleville, who lobbied the county’s five public school boards in an effort to help share funding for the class. The Effingham City Council also kicked in $75,000 for the first year, after proponents pointed out that the average age of skilled construction workers in the Effingham area older than 50. Milleville said it’s time to renew focus on vocational programs because of the current job market — and the average age of workers in many
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Vandalia High School senior Blake Cripe works on a welding exercise at Okaw Area Vocational Center in Vandalia. Bill Grimes photo construction occupations. “There’s a lot of good-paying jobs that don’t necessarily require a college degree,” he said. “With construction, a lot of people in that workforce are getting older. “That brings up the question of who’s going to build the factories, or roads, or houses, when those people get ready to retire?” he asked. “So, we have to find high-quality tradespeople to fill those jobs.”
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Rick Workman speaks during the ‘CEO Experience’ program. Bill Grimes photo. 144 Progress 2015 • February 2015
‘Ceo Experience’
caps successful business program for high school students
K
BY Bill Grimes
eynote presenter Rick Workman exhorted those attending the recent “CEO Experience” to become lifelong learners.
Several successful professionals attending the event at Thelma Keller Convention Center said that’s exactly what they were doing. When asked why he was there, Effingham attorney Bill Totten had a two-word answer. “To learn.” Totten added five more words to his initial answer, however. “How to grow my business.” Farmweld founder and trail advocate Frank Brummer had a similar answer. “I just want to be a lifelong learner,” Brummer said. Workman, the founder of Heartland Dental Care, described how growing up on a farm in Ingraham admittedly set him apart from many of his dental school peers. “I wanted to use my story as a way to inspire other people,” Workman said after his 45-minute presentation. “If a kid from Ingraham can turn out OK, anyone can do it.” Workman has done more than turn out OK. He helms a business that supports 640 dental offices in 29 states, employing nearly 7,000 people, including 1,000 dentists. Workman said it all began with an idea. Ideas should be written down, he added. “If you don’t write it down, it’s a wish,” he said. At one point during the presentation, Workman had more than 500 people at Thelma Keller Convention Center write down an idea on a napkin at their table. It worked for him, when he wrote down an idea to a potential partner. “Eleven years after I started the group, I had 11 offices and no partners,” Workman said. “But I said we could grow this to 20 offices in the next five years and we’ll sell out to an insurance company because they will need us.” Five years later -- in 1997 -- Heartland Dental sold 21 locations to an insurance company. The company has grown exponentially since then, with multiple business partners. Workman said the original idea behind Heartland Dental was to enable dentists to focus on being dentists. “I thought we could surely teach other people how to do it better and faster than if they (dentists) had to do it all alone,” he said.
Workman exhorted the crowd to always look for “a better way.” “Don’t be afraid to challenge the norm,” he said. Workman also told the group they better learn how to handle change — and they should never stop learning. “Things have changed amazingly in the last 20 years and they will change even more in the next 20 years,” he said. “But be a perpetual student. You need to keep learning the rest of your lives.” Another key to success, Workman said, includes developing measurement criteria, or benchmarks. “Almost all industries have benchmarks,” Workman said. “But benchmarks really didn’t exist in dentistry until we put them in place. But it all began with a napkin.” Workman hailed the concept of the CEO class and expressed a desire that many current students would settle in Effingham. “I hope that in 15 or 20 years, some or most of you are in a position to help Effingham grow and prosper,” he said. There were plenty of opportunities for learning during the program. Other speakers included Craig Lindvahl, the first teacher of the CEO class for area high school students; John Perles and Amy Guy of Momentum Builders, educational consultant Susan Hanfland, human resources generalist Jennifer Vahling, marketing consultant Deb Bohannon, hand surgeon Nash Naam, and Steve Witges of Farm Credit Illinois. Current and former CEO students also led breakout sessions. St. Anthony High School senior Sam Wortman said attendance increased from 409 last year to nearly 600 this year. “The program is gaining in popularity and people are starting to see the benefit in it,” Wortman said. “People realize what a great tool it is,” added Dieterich senior Devin Aherin. One of the schools that began a CEO program this year was Newton High School. Preston Street was among the Newton CEO students at the Feb. 4 event. “We wanted to show support for the Effingham County program since they put on a great event with great speakers,” Street said. Program leaders recently announced that two CEO Classes will be offered in the 2015-2016 school year. Kristine Sayers from Beecher City Junior-Senior High School has been hired to facilitate the second class. Kent Probst from Teutopolis will also continue as an instructor, officials said. A total of 42 students will be selected to complete the two classes. February 2015 • Progress 2015 145
Wetherell Place / Effingham Terrace
Family Atmosphere K
athy Bruce, administrator at Wetherell Place, said one of the priorities at all of the residences of Community Living Options is the feeling of being among family. “We try to function like a family here,” she said. “We’ve had residents here since we opened in 1988 and staff who have been here 25 years.” Community Living Options, with an additional location at Effingham Terrace, is opened for residents who have been diagnosed with a developmental disorder by age 18. The residence has room for 16 residents. Bruce said the goal is to bring residents ready to interact with the world, getting jobs and learning to take care of themselves. She said it was important to empower residents to be able to rely on themselves as much as possible. “Everything they can do, we encourage them to do it themselves,” she said. Much of that empowerment comes from doing things together. The residents are taken on trips and to outings outside of the facility and all eat together family style every day. “It’s really amazing,” said Brenda Everett, Resident Services Director at Wetherell Place said. “The meal time is huge.” Bruce said the meal is a major part in finding the right employees to come to work at any of the Community Living Options homes. While staff are required to have 120 hours of academic and on the job training and a direct service certificate, she said it's important to still have staff who understand the residents and the environment they will be working in.
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“We encourage them to come and have a meal here before they start,” Bruce said. "It’s really intended to see if you’re the type of person that can fit in here.” Bruce said the variety of individuals at the facility help to create a situation where all of the residents get to know each other and are able to learn from each other. “We’ve had many different ages here,” she said. “The younger ones learn from the older ones and older ones learn from the younger ones. They get a chance to be with each other. The younger ones encourage the older ones to get up and do things outside.” Bruce said that sense of community has given residents a chance to call the facilities a home. Bruce said providing an atmosphere where residents are comfortable and find a sense of community tends to encourage growth and selfreliance, and helps to benefit staff as well as those they serve. "It's a wonderful program and I'm still in awe of the individual achievements we are so fortunate to be part of," she said.
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The Beehive Beauty Boutique Hair & Nail Salon
Megan Looman gives a haircut at her new shop, The Beehive Beauty Boutique Hair and Nail Salon, in Dieterich.
Recently opened, looking to expand
T
he road to the recent opening of The Beehive Beauty Boutique Hair and Nail Salon may have had twists and turns along its way, but owners Megan (Hartke) Looman and Donna Hartke are thrilled with the final destination along South Main Street in Dieterich. After college studies that included degrees in Cosmetology, Nail Technician, and Business and Marketing Management, Looman began working throughout the area. Although opportunities brought her close to opening a new shop in Effingham and Teutopolis, she began to look closely at market. “There are several beauty shops in T-town and Effingham,” said Looman, who lives in Bishop with her husband. “I heard from people in Dieterich that they were tired of driving out of town to get their hair done.” Seeing a need for a full-service beauty shop in Dieterich, Looman
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again took her time to consider the future location for the business. After looking at a few locations, she settled on a piece of property on the busy thoroughfare. “Dieterich has been growing so much lately,” said Looman. “There is such a unified mindset for growth in this community.” The business opened just after the first of the year, and Looman is already wanting to add more stylists to her staff. “We had to turn some people away on a recent Friday,” said Looman, who is looking to add another person to the six-person staff. Looman first considered renovating a piece of property, instead, she built new on the empty corner lot where the local grocery store once stood. The new store, built to match neighboring facades, now offers a state-of-the-art boutique experience. All new equipment, including everything from high-end pedicure chairs with Magna Jet systems and message to styling stations, is offset by the 50's theme with a touch of bling. “I have always loved the 50's era,” said Looman of the inspiration for shop decor. “I wanted to have a theme with some character, and hopefully, bring back some memories.” Everything from the custom light fixtures to the retro furniture, even the name, The Beehive, are throwbacks to an era thought of with great fondness. “I think I was born in the wrong decade,” joked Looman. Another emphasis in the design of the 3,200-square-foot building is the ability for socializing. “I want people to feel comfortable visiting in the space,” said Looman. “Beauty shops like this were some of the only times a stay-at-home mother was able to get out and socialize with others.” In addition to boutique items for sale, the shop offers everything needed to look and feel beautiful. There are hair services for the entire family, pedicures, manicures, massage therapy, facials, body waxing, ear piercing, makeup application, spray tanning and more. Another new perspective on the ageless field of beauty salons is a full line of healthy hair products, which are parabin and sulfate free. “I think we are going to do wonderful,” said Looman.
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150 Progress 2015 • February 2015
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Because of Mom Memorials
Preserving memories for solemn and joyous occasions F ollowing her mother's death in 2006, Dana Krohn became inspired to learn a technique after a relative had taken some of the flowers at the funeral and had them turned into beads. The keepsake intrigued Krohn. When she realized sending the flowers to a company to make such beads would take months, Krohn decided to learn the process herself. "I picked and hunted different information until I found a recipe that I thought created a beautiful, yet durable, flower petal bead," said Krohn. For nearly eight years, Krohn has been perfecting the technique of preserving memories for solemn, as well as joyous occasions, including weddings, communion, prom, homecoming and anniversaries. In addition to flowers, fabric, hair and even pet ashes can be made into beads. The color of the beads also can be altered to reflect the loved one's favorite color or interest. The beads can be made into bracelets, necklaces, rosaries,
key chains, rear-view mirror dangles, bookmarks, ornaments or any other accessory.
Krohn and business partner Dana Ratliff have the privilege of hearing customers' stories. As the technique grows in popularity, Krohn said many are turning to her business for gift certificates as a way to give loved ones another lasting customized way to remember. "I've met a lot of interesting people," she said. Because of Mom Memorials is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday or by appointment. For more information, visit www. BecauseOfMomMemorials.com, email becauseofmommemorials@gmail.com or call 217-412-3827.
For nearly eight years, Krohn has been perfecting the technique of preserving memories for solemn, as well as joyous occasions.
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Resale Shops
152 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Your Paper. Your Way. Everyday.
Effingham’s Daily Source for news, sports, opinion, entertainment and more.
201 N. Banker St., Effingham 217-347-7151 or 1-800-526-7205 www.effinghamdailynews.com
February 2015 • Progress 2015 153
Renovation work is scheduled to be finished in June, converting a former bank into Effingham’s new library. Tony Huffman photo.
‘Effingham Public Library’ may replace ‘Helen Matthes’ name
A
BY TOny huffman
s work continues converting the old Fifth Third Bank on Third Street in Effingham into a new library, a new name is likely for the community gathering place.
“The board is considering changing the name of the Helen Matthes Library to the Effingham Public Library,” said Library Director Amanda McKay. The work remains on schedule to be finished in June. The change in name for a library that serves both Effingham city and county residents would better reflect that broader community, said McKay. “We want to reflect on our service to the whole community,” she said. McKay noted the library board will further discuss the possible change and likely vote on the issue at its March meeting. She emphasized that an area of the new library will honor Helen Matthes, the woman who has been its namesake since the mid-1950s. “We aren’t sure how, but we are going to honor her,” said McKay. Funds for the current library were made available by Paul Eiche, a former mayor of the City of Effingham. He named the property after his mother. “In his will, he provided for this library to have a new building,” said McKay. “His gift allowed us to have this building. We know the Helen 154 Progress 2015 • February 2015
Matthes name evokes good memories in the community.” The renaming is a small part of a large change coming for the many library enthusiasts in Effingham County. McKay said demolition is nearly complete on the bank’s interior of the Third Street structure, making way for the library renovation. “They are about to start putting all the pieces back together,” she said. In the 27,000-square-foot building, the new library will include expanded tutoring rooms, quiet study rooms, fiction and genealogy sections, a 150-seat meeting room, smaller meeting room, long-term lease space for a business, a book sale room and an innovation lab that will give local businesses the ability to exhibit different types of products and machinery they use. There will also be a drive-through book drop-off and a casual sitting area with coffee and various periodicals. McKay said the library is still striving to reach its $2 million goal for donations to the project. With $1.5 million raised so far, funds are expected from the sale of the current library. Loans are also available for the remaining cost of the $3.5 million project, but the library hopes to borrow as little money as possible. Donations can be made at the library or at effinghamlibrary.org. Construction is scheduled to be complete by June 3, with a move in date set for before the 2016 school year.
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Prompt Care
Medical practice continues to grow A
fter more than 30 years in business and more than 10 years doing business as Prompt Care, the Arora family’s medical practice continues to grow and look for other ways to serve Effingham and its surrounding communities. “Before Prompt Care, people with acute illnesses had to wait a long time to see their regular healthcare provider, or in some instances, were forced to go to the ER,” said Dr. Narinder Arora, who specializes in both pulmonary and internal medicine. “My goal was to create access to good, quick medical care and be able to see patients on the day they needed to be seen.” Narinder’s wife, Dr. Arvinder Arora, who also specializes in internal medicine, had a busy practice in Stewardson in the early 1980s. She also served as an ER physician for many area hospitals. She was on her own for about 15 years until she decided to work at Prompt Care as a primary care physician. “I miss my old practice in Stewardson and all the great people I met while traveling as an ER doctor,” Arvinder states. “Fortunately, a lot of my old patients were loyal enough and made the drive to come see me in Effingham after I started practicing medicine with my husband at our 156 Progress 2015 • February 2015
new office.” Now, the business may be expanding. Narinder said he would like to open up more Prompt Cares in communities like Effingham. He states , “After working in the ICU setting as a pulmonologist for so many years, I look forward to focusing more on primary care and opening up more locations that can offer same-day health care.” Recently, the staff has once again expanded. Narinder’s son, Dr. Navi Arora, joined Prompt Care last July. Navi was born and raised in Effingham and watched his parents practice medicine on a daily basis. “I watched how much they loved their jobs and how much they enjoyed helping sick people,” said Navi. “I feel blessed to be back in such a great community.” Navi also stated that he wanted to continue what he learned during his residency at SIU School of Medicine as he worked in the family business. “I look forward to carrying on the mission of the medical school which is to continue to assist the people of central and southern Illinois in meeting their healthcare needs through education, patient care, and service to the community,” he said.
DESIGN + BUILD S
mericasselecthomes.com February 2015 • Progress 2015 157
PHOTOGRAPH BY KATE KEY
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Probst Refrigeration and Heating Probst Refrigeration and Heating's new location on Jefferson.
S
‘we treat people like they want to be treated’
ince Probst Refrigeration and Heating started in Effingham 32 years ago, owner Jerry Probst said he has seen a growth in business every year. Probst attributes the progress his company has made over the years to following a simple rule. “We treat people like we want to be treated,” he said. Probst Refrigeration and Heating sells and services heaters, generators, refrigerators, air-conditioners, and appliances.
“We’re a family oriented business and that goes back to treating people the way you want to be treated,” Probst said. “I try to follow that rule and it very well takes care of things. Employees, if you treat them right, stay with you.” And treating employees right means that they will treat customers the same way. “Happy employees mean happy customers,” Probst said. Probst said he often gets showered with praise for his company’s work.
Four months ago, the company relocated to a bigger building at 318 W. Jefferson Ave.
“I get people – it seems like everyday – complimenting somebody or something about our business,” he said.
“It’s fabulous,” Probst said.
His company has come a long way since Probst started in his father’s garage in 1983.
Probst’s company was at its previous building on Fayette Ave for 23 years. Within the first year at the Fayette location, his business had tripled. He credited the central location and the exposure that came with it. Although the location on Fayette had served his company well, a move was in the works for awhile. “We pretty much outgrew the building we were in,” Probst said. “We were out of room. We had been out of room for several years actually.” Over time, his staff has also grown. Probst has a crew that specializes in furnace and air conditioning installs, a crew that does nothing but appliance installs, and a crew that only does repairs. “We’ve got somebody on staff to take care of pretty much anything,” Probst said. Some of his employees have been with Probst for 20 years. “I think that says a lot about our company,” Probst said. “People that come to work here tend to stay here.” Why do his employees stay? For the same reason his customers love the company.
Even so, he never doubted that his business would be successful. “I put my faith in God,” Probst said. At the time, a young Probst had experience working for other heating and air companies. But he didn’t like having to work under a boss. “I knew I didn’t want to work for somebody else,” he said. “I had done that and didn’t care much for it.” Probst’s confidence wasn’t ill-led. His company has been building it’s customer base and has been expanding its inventory of appliances. Probst Refrigeration and Heating is posed to continue on the same path. What does Probst envision for his company in the next batch of years? The same results as the last 32. “Continued growth,” he said. For most of his life, Probst has lived in Effingham. All his family is there. And he’s happy he chose to start his business in the town. “I think it’s a great place to have a business,” Probst said. “It just seems that Effingham is continually growing and progressing. This is where we intend to stay indefinitely. February 2015 • Progress 2015 159
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February 2015 • Progress 2015 161
This is one of the many vehicles outfitted with aftermarket off-road parts by 4X4 Headquarters.
4x4 Headquarters
From mud bogs to the streets, we have you covered W
hether it’s tackling the biggest mud bog or turning heads at a local jeep run, 4x4 Headquarters is expanding in their approach of retrofitting off-road vehicles.
The company is proud sponsors of local charity jeep runs for ALS and Breast Cancer to Schools. They also now offer free loaners and as well as pickup and delivery in Effingham.
The company looks to further modify your favorite recreational vehicle with the recent acquisition of Crush’s Audio. They are now a full installation shop of all audio and custom sound systems. Systems include Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, Focal, ARC and Audison. The shop has become a “one stop shop” for all your vehicle needs.
4x4 Headquarters is BBB Accredited and proudly serving the central Midwest and beyond. 4x4 Headquarters is here for all your Jeep, Truck and SUV needs. More information is available at 4x4headquarters.net.
They also provide the availability of window tinting when in season. When turning off the paved roads, the company continues to thrive with all 4x4 aftermarket suspension. Some items include lifts, bumpers, LED light systems, tires, wheels, side steps, bed covers, exhaust systems, ring and pinion setup and differential lockers and leveling kits and the list is continuous. Customers continue to come from all over the United States and with deliveries to Costa Rica and currently one to South Africa. Assistance is also available for those needing advice or confirmation on what works best for their vehicle.
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