2014 Visions - Homegrown

Morris Daily Herald Special Section Saturday, February 22, 2014

HOMEGROWN

Phillip A Ortiz O.D.

Timothy P. Orti z, O.D. Angelo Marino , O.D.

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Modern farm family

Local farmers work to educate public about their work

By JEAN TYRELL

Shaw Media correspondent

ife for a family farm involves a great sense, not only of producing a crop, but also of bringing a product to market.

The modern farm family finds a need to be involved in understanding who buys their farm products. Two Grundy area farm families have found that educating the consumer about what they do as farmers is a component of what it means to farm today.

The Jeschke family of Mazon and the Sulzberger family of Kinsman both are involved in visiting with the public about their work in farming.

Donna Jeschke knows the day-to-day business of life on the farm, where she has lived since the 1970s on land owned by her father. But the newer reality for Donna and her husband Paul as farmers is that many do not know where their food comes from. This has led to her involvement in a program that brings mothers, specifically mothers of younger children, to visit her farm.

The program, in its third year, targets about 25 moms from the Chicagoland area. The women visit four farms throughout the year, including Donna’s, to get an idea about what happens on the farm.

The visits include different types of farms – those that produce livestock and those that produce crops, like the corn and soybeans grown by the Jeschkes. The program, which is operated in conjunction with the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Beef Association, hopes to give the consumers a direct look at farm operations and a look at how safely food is produced.

“We want the moms to be involved in the process, to go back home and use social media, Facebook, Twitter, etc., so [they] can tell [their] friends what we do on the farm,” Donna said.

Donna and her husband

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

The Sulzberger family, (from left) Tyler, Zack, Ava, Carrie and Brent, enjoy working on their Kinsman farm together as a family. approach this process with the idea that only about 1 percent of the population of the United States lives on farms, so she understands that many non-farm people are disconnected from the reality of the normal day operations of a farm.

From the top, Donna will tell you that farming is exciting, and in the years that she and her husband have farmed, technology has continued to play a larger role in making the work of farming more precise. Technology, such as GPS systems, gives higher accuracy to chemical and fertilizer application. This in turn makes the process more efficient and less harmful to the environment.

She shared this knowledge with the moms who

visited last May. “Moms have tough questions. They make the buying decisions [for their families] at the grocery store. We show them what we do here,” she said.

One mom, she said, admitted that she wanted to put the best food on the table for her children, and asked about the difference in price between the organic and the non-organic milk that she could purchase.

“What better way to have them know about what we do than to bring them to the farm. There really are no secrets,” Donna said.

Donna’s enthusiasm conveys her passion about the family business.

“Everybody ought to try to grow something. It’s a great experience to watch it

grow,” she continued.

Although not having farmed as long as the Jeschkes, Brent Sulzberger, 37, and his wife Carrie, who farm north of Kinsman, consider farming an occupation and a lifestyle.

“I’m a jack-of-all trades in this job,” Brent said. “I’m a businessman, a mechanic, an agronomist, and I pretend to be weatherman,” he said with a smile.

With needing to be knowledgeable in so many areas, a farmer learns both his own strengths and weaknesses, he said. There are times when outside help is needed, but Brent added, he is able to problem solve and figure out what needs doing and when.

For Brent, the variety in any given day on the farm, keeps him going and inter-

Museum of the Grundy undyy County Historical und rical Society The Grundy County Historical Society was established in 1923 The our Grundy County Society was established in 1923 the and exhibits haveHistorical been located in many places including and our exhibits haveand been located in many places including the courthouse, storage a small space on Liberty Street. Today courthouse, a small space onofLiberty Today we we are proudstorage to be inand a space dreamed by ourStreet. founders. are celebrating our 5th year as a museum in a space dreamed of by Our exhibits include quilts, military, Mazon fossils, our founders.

Indian artifacts, a 1900 living room, a 1900 dry goods store, a tool Our exhibits include quilts, military, Mazon fossils, Native shed as well as photos and information on people, places, and American artifacts, a 1900Stop livinginroom, a 1900 dry goods store, a events in Grundy County. toolsee shedusastowell photos and information on people, places, and and findasout more. events in Grundy County. Stop in and see us to find out more.

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His college background in agriculture business and agriculture education gives him some basic tools for meeting and talking to people, as he has also addressed the mother’s group that visited Jeschke farm.

“I enjoy visiting with people and talking about farming in general. I try to keep abreast of the industry and what affects me mostly,” Brent said.

His wife Carrie talked about the closeness to their nearby relatives, a closeness that she felt other families might not have who don’t work as closely together.

The couple both emphasized that farming is not a nine-to-five job. They recognize that other occupations offer a person a chance

to remove themselves from work, or leave that job on weekends; however their farm work and their family life are intertwined.

“We work under the direction of the weather and the seasons,” Carrie said.

Hours during planting and harvesting, spring and fall, are long, and they work until the work is done.

“I would have to say,” she said, “it involves a lot of teamwork. My kids are very involved, when they see their dad go out, even in this weather, even with the snow, they want to be outside.”

“The life teaches them to be hard workers. They see their dad working, and they want to be right in there,” Carrie continued. “What they view as fun, a city kid may not see as fun.”

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www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Saturday, February 22, 2014 •

3

Majority of Grundy County land used for agriculture

By JEANNE MILLSAP

G

In a recent newsletter, the Grundy County Historical Society wrote about the history of corn, or maize, as it used to be known.

The Olmec civilization, which preceded the Mayans in Mexico, then later the Mayans cultivated several varieties of corn, which spread throughout the rest of the Americas beginning in 2500 BC. There also is a “you-pick” farm in Mazon. Olive Berry Acres produces several varieties of red, yellow, and black raspberries, as well as rhubarb and strawberries.

There are also Christmas tree farms in the county and tree nurseries.

Spring Grove Nursery in Mazon grows shade, ornamental and evergreen trees on its 90 acres of land.

Its diverse selection includes Sun Valley red maple, Frontier elm, Homestead elm, State Street maple, and London plane tree. It has a loyal band of purchasers including individuals, landscape contractors, garden centers, municipalities and park districts.

Shaw Media correspondent

rundy County has some of the richest, most fertile soil in the country and has provided a living and sustenance for families for decades.

More than 78 percent of county land is used for agriculture, according to Grundy Economic Development Council statistics, generating a total crop dollar amount of more than $102 million annually.

The vast majority of agricultural product is corn and soybeans. The 479 farms in the county produced 101.1 bushels an acre of corn in 2012 and 43.9 bushels an acre of soybeans.

“The bulk of what we grow here is corn and beans,” said Tasha Bunting, Grundy County Farm Bureau manager.

It’s the soil conditions, the climate, and the flat topography that make the crops grow so well locally, she said. Farmers rotate their corn and bean plantings to

Photo provided

The vast majority of agriculture product in Grundy County is corn and soybeans. reduce pests. The vast majority of the crops are used for livestock feed or industrial purposes, such

as the production of ethanol. They are shipped by barge, rail and an occasional truck.

The nursery began in 1999 by owners Jamie and Becky Thomas.

The land was previously farmed by Becky’s father, Doug Harford, who used no-till, leaving the soil very rich.

“It’s a good, rich black soil with a lot of organic matter,” Becky Thomas said. “You can pretty much grow anything in good soil.”

Trees are a long-term crop, as well, she added, and they don’t take a lot from the soil. The nursery currently has between 30,000 and 40,000 trees. Harvests depend on the particular growing season, but she said they harvest around 10 acres each year and plant about the same amount.

Grundy County also has a couple of pumpkin farms, the most wellknown of which is Dollinger Farm in Channahon.

And, although Grundy County is not necessarily known for its livestock, the USDA reported that in 2006 and 2007, there were 6,600 hogs and pigs, 2,200 cattle and calves and 1,400 beef cows.

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4 • Saturday, February 22, 2014

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Close to home

High school internship program aims to retain youth for county workforce

By JEANNE MILLSAP

Shaw Media correspondent

G

rundy County has a lot to offer young people fresh out of high school or back home from college.

Its communities are clean with fresh air and low crime rates, there is not much traffic congestion, a lot of open space, a strong faith community, many service clubs, and communities like Morris have a vibrant downtown with a hometown feel.

But many young residents decide to settle elsewhere, citing few job opportunities in their hometowns.

“In a nutshell,” said Julie Buck, executive director of the Community Foundation of Grundy County, “a lot of kids are not aware of the great careers here in Grundy County, with many wages above $100,000 a year. ...

There are great opportunities here.”

Buck cited high-tech jobs and opportunities in nuclear energy, chemical manufacturing and medical positions.

And even in the health care sector, she said, there are jobs for IT, finance, maintenance and more.

The Grundy Area Vocational Center provides training for many types of careers that do not involve four-year degrees, she said, and there is Joliet Junior College for higher education.

Experts agree that it’s important to have a young population to keep a county growing.

At a Grundy County Growth Conference in October, Craig Schroeder, director of Youth Development for the Center of Rural Entrepreneurship, presented.

“The way to attract youth to stay in their community is

Morris Daily Herald file photo

Twelve local high school students received a summer internship through a program spearheaded by state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, and the Grundy Economic Development Council. to provide them with opportunity early on. ... Youth in your community may well represent your greatest resource for economic growth and community sustainability,” he said at the conference.

One way the area is looking to expose what the county offers is a high school internship program. State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, spearheaded the idea of a summer internship program that began in the county last year in response to a desire of Grundy

County leaders in education and industry to retain local talent to serve as a pipeline for future workforce.

Rezin contacted the Grundy Economic Development Council for assistance, and the program was off and running. The core committee included the four area high schools – Coal City, Gardner-South Wilmington, Minooka and Morris. The Grundy Area Vocational Center also played a major role in collaborating with the

districts.

Juniors and seniors applied for the internships by submitting a portfolio of their qualifications, including school transcripts and a resume. The selection process was competitive with 60 applications for the 12 positions.

Coal City School District 1 Superintendent Kent Bugg has been a key supporter of the internship program.

“It’s been a focus of mine for about five years,” he said.

“We have so many talented kids here who go to college then don’t come back. We have amazing kids, and we don’t want to lose them to communities like Naperville and Chicago. ... We need to keep the best and the brightest here in Grundy County.”

Bugg said the number of internships will double this summer, with more businesses signed on to the program.

Buck said the Community Foundation also awarded a grant to Joliet Junior College

to purchase a network for Career Connects of Will and Grundy Counties that is available to all local schools.

The online program brings together students, job seekers, educators and businesses to help students and job seekers achieve their career goals and meet the workforce development needs of the communities.

The network connects those wanting to know about careers in the county to real-life professionals.

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homegrown

Saturday, February 22, 2014 •

5

Bank on tradition

Grundy County National Bank committed to community for 150 years

By JESSICA BOURQUE

I

Shaw Media correspondent

n 1864, America was in the midst of a Civil War, Nevada was admitted as the 36th U.S. state and “In God We Trust” was inscribed on all U.S. coins for the first time.

Much has changed in 150 years, but the Grundy County National Bank has remained.

Since opening its doors more than a century ago, the bank has stayed committed to serving its community.

“It’s about helping people and fulfilling dreams,” said Kevin Olson, current president and CEO of Grundy Bank.

“You’re dream might be to buy a car, start a business or buy a house. If we can help you finance that dream, then we’ve done our job.”

This year will mark 150 years of business for Grundy Bank, making it the fourth oldest bank in Illinois. For 147 of those years, the bank has stood at the same location – on the corner of Liberty and Washington streets in downtown Morris.

Olson said much of the bank’s success stems from its personalized care and hometown atmosphere.

“We strive to provide a little home cooking that people can’t get at some of these bigger banks,” said Olson, who has served as president since 1984.

“Our bread and butter is to provide more of a TLC type of care. People come here and we know them by name.”

Personal banker Judy Buttry has worked at Grundy Bank since the early 1960s and said the bank has always played an important role in the community.

“We’ve just always been here for the people,” Buttry said. “We do our best to cater to them and work with them.

Most of the people who work here are also involved in

Photos provided

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

the community through our churches or local organizations.”

For years, Grundy Bank has sponsored the Fourth of July fireworks display, organized the annual hot dog eating contest, hosted brown bag lunches on the courthouse lawn, and been involved with countless community events.

Olson said at one of the first board of trustees meetings, the original members passed around a hat to fund the opening of a local school.

“Serving the community has always been very import-

ant to us and it’s not just what the bank does, with our name on it, it’s also what our employees do,” Olson said.

DiAnn Chamberlain, assistant vice president of Grundy Bank, said she remembers when the bank hosted the Taste of Grundy County, which featured local businesses and restaurants.

“It was a huge event and really a lot of fun,” Chamberlain said.

While the overall mission of hometown service has remained the same, Grundy Bank’s daily operations have

enormously changed over the last 150 years.

“We handwrote everything, all the ins and outs and receipts,” said Chamberlain, who has worked at the bank since 1974. “We didn’t really have the computers we have now.”

Olson said before computers, the tellers would spend hours adding up everything using pen and paper.

“It was a lot of work, but it didn’t seem like it then because we didn’t know any better,” Buttry said. “It was hard to learn the computers, but once we did, it was

ABOVE: Grundy Bank employees lined up in front of the bank for a photo in their uniforms. TOP: Grundy Bank employees had their portrait taken in front of the annual poinsettia tree that decorated the lobby during the holidays during the 1960s and 1970s. LEFT: Grundy Bank employees in 2014 no longer wear an official bank uniform. much better.”

Chamberlain said even the clothes have dramatically changed over the years, as all the female tellers were required to wear uniforms.

“They were like a miniskirt with a little jacket – they were very interesting,” Chamberlain remembered. “On certain days, the tellers would have to wear these little rust-colored dresses.”

Today, Olson said Grundy Bank is thriving, owning more assets than ever before.

The bank has about $180 million issued in home loans to

local residents. Olson said the bank also has financed several local businesses and farmers in the area.

“If you walk down Liberty Street, or anywhere in our area, you will come across businesses that we have worked with,” Olson said.

He said even with the added competition of larger, national banks, Grundy Bank is here to stay.

“Unlike with a lot of those larger banks, here, you can ask for us by first name,” Olson said. “We love being a part of this community.”

6 • Saturday, February 22, 2014

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www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

Made in the county

From plastics to natural gas products, Grundy manufactures diverse goods

By JEANNE MILLSAP

Shaw Media correspondent

M

any may not realize the manufacturing base that exists in Grundy County. Except for the industrial complex on Route 6 between Morris and the Channahon/Minooka area, many go unnoticed.

“Between the output of power and plastics and the products from natural gas liquification,” said Nancy Norton Ammer, Grundy Economic Development Council CEO, “Grundy County manufactures a significant amount of goods.”

Industries find the county an attractive production of wares for reasons that include the proximity to the Chicago area and the existing transportation infrastructure, including rails, interstates and pipelines.

“We have multiple pipelines that crisscross Grundy County,” Ammer said.

Natural gas pipelines come in from Canada and North Dakota, she explained, and supply the product to industries, which use the gas to make other products shipped out by other pipelines or rail and truck.

LyondellBasell is one of them, Ammer said. The company is one of the largest petrochemical facilities in the Midwest and makes ethylene from natural gas liquids. The ethylene is then converted into polyethylene plastic resins, used as building blocks for plastic containers, children’s toys and other items around the world.

AkzoNobel makes surfactants used in petroleum, rubber, detergent and other industrial uses. Next door, Aux Sable produces ethane, propane, butane and other products from natural gas.

Energy is also produced in

Coal City’s Chicago Aerosol produces several personal care products, such as hairsprays, mousse, sheen spray, shine sprays, body sprays, shave cream and deodorant. large quantities in Grundy.

Dresden Generating Station produces enough energy from its full-scale private nuclear plant to power 1.5 million homes. According to the GEDC, nuclear power accounts for nearly half of all Illinois power generations.

Another electricity producer is new to the county.

Horizon Wind Energy has 132 turbines in Grundy. According to the Business and Industry Training Update, by the year 2025, Illinois will need to produce 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources such as wind. The Renewable Ener-

gy Group also is an energy-producer, generating 60 million gallons of biodiesel per year at its Seneca plant.

Other goods made in Grundy County, according to Ammer, include synthetic polymers used for adhesives and coatings by HB Fuller, formerly Forbo Adhesives, and a broad line of automotive filters

by Illinois Tool Works Filtration Products, or ITW. Reichhold Chemicals manufactures a line of polyester resins used for coatings and adhesives, and Northfield Block Company produces concrete blocks for landscap-

ing, building construction and other uses.

Coal City’s Chicago Aerosol produces several personal care products, such as hairsprays, mousses, body sprays, shaving cream and deodorant. Wally Bransen, the company’s CEO and president, said the plant has been in Coal City for several years and with current ownership since 2002. It employs about 120 people and has another branch in Bridgeview.

“We’ve enjoyed being here,” Bransen said of the Coal City facility. “There is a good pool of employees in the area, and we have good relation-

ships with municipal and county officials.”

Grundy’s industrial plants make good neighbors, Ammer said, usually paying good wages, having a low turnover, and contributing heavily to tax rolls.

Caroline Portlock, executive director of the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce, also lists some out-of-the box services and tourism pleasures the county produces.

“From a service/tourism standpoint,” Portlock said, “I think about the fond memories produced by time spent at any one of our community festivals

Photo provided

… Minooka Summerfest, Coal City Oktoberfest and Grundy County Corn Festival, to name a few, and the sense of accomplishment from the racers at Grundy County Speedway.”

Fossil hunters, including museum professionals, bring home one-of-a-kind samples from the Mazon River area as well, she added.

And it would be remiss not to mention the remarkable jewelry, paintings, sculpture and other works of art made in Grundy County and sold to buyers all over the country in numerous downtown Morris galleries and stores.

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8 • Saturday, February 22, 2014

www.morrisdailyherald.com • Morris Daily Herald

All in the family

Younger generations carry on businesses their parents started

By JEANNE MILLSAP

I

Shaw Media correspondent

t’s a cause for celebration when younger generations become involved in a family-owned business.

Parents are proud when their children are interested enough in their life’s work to pursue it as their own livelihood, and sometimes the enterprise is extended into third or even fourth generations.

Grundy County boasts several multi-generational businesses, including Ortiz Eye Associates and McGrath Office Equipment.

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

Chris (left) and Jeff Borgstrom are managers of McGrath Office Equipment in Morris, a store owned by members of their family for three generations.

Ortiz Eye Associates

The Ortiz family is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its business, begun in 1964 by Dr. Phillip Ortiz, who was actually a part of a family business in Sandwich before he moved to Morris.

“My father-in-law was an optometrist, and he and my wife talked me into going to optometry school,” Ortiz said.

“I worked with him in Sandwich.”

Ortiz established his own optometry practice in Morris in 1964 at the Tratt Clinic, invited by Dr. Tratt, himself.

His whole practice was a 14 x 17 foot area.

“Everything was in that small space” Ortiz said, “the waiting room, the examining room, the office. ... Back then, it was just a patient and a doctor.”

Ortiz charged $7 per eye exam. Five years later, he moved the practice farther west on Bedford Road, to its current location. It began in a 9,000-square-foot house, then years later was reconstructed as the office it is today. Ortiz added hearing services to the clinic when he noticed several of his patients who came for

Photos provided

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

The Ortiz family is celebrating the 50th anniversary of their business, started in 1964 by Dr. Phillip Ortiz (left). Tony Ortiz (right) worked as an optician at the family business before retiring last year.

Cousins Tim (left) and Chris Ortiz carry on the family legacy at Ortiz Eye Associates, following in their anybody else. He began with fathers’ Phil and Tony Ortiz footsteps. glasses were hard of hearing.

His son, Timothy Ortiz, joined him as an optometrist in 1991.

“With my grandfather and my dad being in the business,” Tim Ortiz said, “it was kind of a natural progression. ... It was great. We really never had a cross word.”

At one time, the clinic had four Ortiz’s working there, including Phillip Ortiz’s brother, Tony, an optician who just retired last fall, and Tony’s son Chris, an optician

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who still works there. Phillip Ortiz is retired now, but still travels on eye care missions trips through an organization he helped create, I Care International. He will serve on one this month in Honduras.

McGrath Office Equipment

Four brothers of the third generation run McGrath Office Equipment today: Bob and Mark Borgstrom run the Joliet store on Jefferson Street, and

one typewriter. When he sold Chris and Jeff Borgstrom run it, he used the money to buy the downtown Morris store. two more, and with his skill, The brothers run the stores, the business expanded. but it’s all eight children of His wife Irene, who won Robert and Priscilla Borgstrom awards for her fast and acwho own the businesses. curate typing skills, ran the The office equipment store with him. The Morris store began in 1936 when the store opened in 1965. Chris grandfather of the current Borgstrom said he and his owners, Joe McGrath, opened siblings helped with the family a store in downtown Joliet. He business. had worked at the Underwood “When I was a kid growing Typewriter Company and reup,” he said, “I used to help alized he could sell and repair during the summers. Typewriters were the biggest part of the typewriters just as well as

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Borgstrom would pick up the typewriters in school classrooms, bring them to the store for repairs and cleaning, then return them. The biggest part of the business now, he said, is copiers and multi-function machines and networking the machines with businesses’ existing computer systems.

Borgstrom said it’s been good working with the family business.

“We’re lucky,” he said. “My parents raised us well. All eight of us get along well.”

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 •

9

On their marks

County filled with well-known and not-so-known historic landmarks

By JEANNE MILLSAP

Shaw Media correspondent

G

rundy County is full of historic landmarks, some of which are well-known, and others that are a little more off the beaten path.

Grundy County Historical Society President Donna Sroczynski, Morris Area Public Library historian Debbie Steffes and Mazon resident Richard Payne helped identify a sampling of these local landmarks.

Morris

Steffes said the old Gephard Brewery at the far west end of Washington Street in Morris is certainly a local landmark. What is today a crumbling red brick building was once a thriving industry that produced and shipped beer throughout the state. It closed during prohibition, and Steffes said its brewing equipment was sold to China.

Sroczynski said the foot bridge at Calhoun Street on the southwest side of downtown Morris also is not to be missed. The triple intersection steel truss bridge is one of the last ones around and was built as a railroad spur that led to the Woefel Tannery.

“If you look up,” Sroczynski said, “you can see the steel’s labeled, ‘Carnegie.’ I think it’s a fantastic bridge and a fantastic place to take pictures.”

Chief Shabbona’s grave is also a local landmark. It’s in Evergreen Cemetery on Evergreen Road next to the caretaker’s house. Shabbona was a hero to early white settlers and saved many lives when he warned them of the approaching attacks in the Blackhawk Wars.

Gardner

In 2011, local volunteers finished refurnishing a historical diner car that served meals in back of the old Riviera Restaurant. It sits beside the fire department now, just behind village hall. The diner began as a horse-drawn streetcar in the late 1800s. It was later purchased by a private citizen who had it moved to Gardner to convert to a diner with his mother as the cook. The diner’s fresh pies, stew, fried chicken and homemade bread

were considered some of the finest that could be found anywhere.

Today, the diner is opened for special events.

Gardner’s two-cell jail itself is also a fascinating landmark. It was built in 1906 and used until the late 1950s. Visitors can get a feel for what it must have been like to serve time in jail in those days.

Diamond

Many drive by the Diamond Mine Disaster Monument every day not even knowing it’s there.

Steffes said the monument marks the day in February 1883 when 69 coal miners were killed in a disaster that spurred the creation of the Illinois mining safety laws.

An early thaw created a large lake above an abandoned section of the Wilmington Coal Mining and Manufacturing Company’s mine there.

The weight of the water collapsed the old tunnels, and the water rushed into the active sections and drowned most who were working there.

The monument is on the north side of Route 113, east of the Diamond village offices.

Carbon Hill

The Carbon Hill School Museum at 875 N. Second St. is a wonderful experience, Sroczynski said. Originally a two-room school house built in 1893, it now is a restored example of education in that era and of local coal-mining history.

Kinsman

Sroczynski describes the interior of Sacred Heart Church in Kinsman as beautiful. The Colonial-style building began as a small frame church in 1869. The current building was constructed in the 1880s.

The historians said interesting sites in the area are too numerous to mention, but also include the Campbell Pharmacy building on Depot Street in Mazon; the Bohemian Hall in downtown Coal City; and the Farmers’ First National Bank building on Mondamin Street in Minooka.

To learn more about local history, visit the Facebook site of the Museum of the Grundy County Historical Society-Illinois.

The Sacred Heart Church building in Kinsman was constructed in the 1880s.

Heidi Litchfield - hlitchfield@shawmedia.com

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