DC Magazine - Fall 2023

FunME Events

Takes on Scotland

LOCAL FAMILY FARM AND THE NEXT GENERATION

CLASS VI WINES AND CHARCUTERIE

EVER SO FNBO.

INSIDE

Photography:

Project Manager: Lisa Angel

Writers: Kelley White

Layout & Design: Kristin McKenrick

By: Kelley White

Newlyminted Class VI opened its doors in DeKalb on May 5 of this year. Already, they are making waves in the community, presenting delicious wines and charcuterie boards with a focus on perfect pairings. Owner and founder Thomas Sherman is an Army Veteran with years of experience sampling flavors and beverages around the world.

“I grew up in Detroit and attended high school in St. Charles” says Sherman. “I joined the army, met my wife and then I had to go to Korea for an unaccompanied tour, so my wife went to live with my parents in St. Charles while I was gone. When I returned she had been accepted to NIU. So when I got out of the army, we stayed in

DeKalb. I went back into the military for a while and retired in October. When we were thinking of ideas for me to do, I thought of a wine bar, so we opened it.”

Sherman’s time abroad in the military informed his palate and helped him to determine what flavorings he wanted to incorporate in the new wine bar. “One, I like good food and good wine and one of the things I’ve been able to do successfully is create charcuterie boards where the flavors work well together,” says Sherman. “Then, I have some really exciting wine that pairs well with them. One in particular, a wine from the Columbia River Valley in Washington, is a red blend that goes with with everything. It’s truly amazing that it tastes good on its own, but when you have it with food, it really changes the flavor.”

The burgeoning restauranteur had his last military assignment in Ukraine where he was able to sample fine wines and cheeses. “I’ve been exposed to different food and different flavors from around the world,” he says. “There are a lot of good wines and cheeses that exist in Ukraine. They have a really

good Georgian wine. I’ve traveled all over the world and to some interesting places and that’s one of the things I’m trying with the wine bar, incorporating different wines that you can’t find in grocery stores.”

Sherman stocks wines from places like Uruguay, Slovenia, France, Italy and Spain. “One of my goals to opening a wine bar in DeKalb was making it approachable,” he says. “It’s for the people that like good wine, and I have some wine for collectors. All of our servers know all the wines that I have here.”

DeKalb was an ideal location for Class VI as, in Thomas’ opinion, it was a little light on boutique wine bars. “It seemed like an interesting idea to create the market for a wine bar in DeKalb and we were researching and went all over Illinois, finding wine bars in all kinds of interesting places – even the smallest towns have them,” says Sherman. “DeKalb is where we keep our stuff. When I retired from the military, we were in Dalton which was about an hour and a half away so there was a big appeal to opening here.”

Why call his new wine bar Class VI?

Sherman once again brings his military background to the forefront, honoring the classes of supply. “Class I is food, Class III is fuel, V is ammunition and Class VI is personal items, so it all falls under that,” says Sherman. “And if you go to army bases, there is a dedicated building for the Class that is the liquor store on army bases. And the same font I use on my menu is the same font on the outside of the liquor store on army bases, which, again, is Class VI.”

If wine isn’t your thing, craft cocktails are also featured on the extensive menu. “I have some classic cocktails, like the martini,” says Sherman. “I try to set myself apart from other bars by using ingredients that are a little more exotic. For the martini, I use a really outstanding French gin and a very legit dry vermouth from Spain. The Last Word is kind of like the official drink of Detroit and the Old Fashioned is, in my opinion, the best one you’re going to get in the area. The drinks are a little

more expensive but the ingredients going into them are quality and a little more exotic.”

On his charcuterie boards, Sherman tries to incorporate flavors from the Mediterranean for The Andy, adding sardines with brie cheese and dried cherries. For The Frank, Sherman provides Red Bear Berkshire pork salami with black truffle and sea salt, whole grain mustard, Andrew & Everett Pepperjack and Marieke Smoked

With a large inventory of lovely apartment and duplex homes and a variety of floor plans, there really is something for everyone. Apartments and duplexes feature spacious rooms, well-appointed kitchens, laundry, garages, and access to our onsite dining venues, fitness center and pool. More importantly, we are building friendships and memories. We offer the guarantee of future care and peace of mind. To visit one of these apartments or duplex homes contact Liz Hoppenworth at 815-756-8461 or email lhoppenworth@oakcrestdekalb.org.

Gouda. Or maybe you’re taste runs more toward crackers, creamy garlic cheese, olives, almonds and more with The Dennis. There are so many choices to pair with the perfect libation, complimenting the eclectic flavors perfectly.

If you have a sweet tooth, you can look forward to enjoying desert in a jar with choices like cheesecake, tiramisu and chocolate mousse.

Sip on well-balanced cocktails or choose the perfect label from a carefully curated

reserve list featuring vintages like Smith & Hook Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2019 or Gianni Gagliardo Barolo 2017. And, of course, Class VI provides wine by the glass including selections like Goats Do Roam Dry Rose 2022, Dibon Cava Brut and Witness Mark Pinot Noir 2020, to name a few.

Any way you slice it, Class VI is a unique establishment not to be missed, with a worldly, flavor-forward restaurateur at the helm.

By: Kelley White

FunME Events Takes on Scotland

FunME Events is at it again, and this time, they’re jet-setting to the land of Scots, golf and darn good whisky. Michael Embrey, creator of FunME and excursion leader, is ready to welcome folks to enjoy the people, history, music and culture of the ancient and beautiful Scotland on their next tour.

“Rolling hills and rugged coastlines, mythical creatures, and elusive monsters, quiet fairways, and boisterous bagpipes, this tour of Scotland is a study in stark contrasts among the most beautiful of classrooms,” says Embrey. “Hitting the highpoints of the Highlands from Glasgow to Edinburgh, you’ll cruise on beautiful Loch Lomond, ferry to the dramatic Isle of Skye, and visit the home of golf, St. Andrews.”

Music

Scotland is one of Embrey’s favorite adventures through FunME, especially with his musical background. The Music

Tattoo is an unmistakable hit for tourists with its fanfare and unrivaled pageantry. “The largest entertainment attraction in the world is the Edinburgh Tattoo,” says Embrey. “Despite its vast scale and long-running popularity, the Edinburgh Tattoo is the capital’s boldest and brashest cultural gathering.”

The Tattoo is a major part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is held at the gorgeous Edinburgh Castle, featuring a dazzling display of fireworks. You’ll be able to take in a kaleidoscope of entertainment, from massed bands and dancers to army regiments, display teams and more. Every year, this event attracts a whopping total of 217,000 visitors to the city and the castle itself.

Castles

Speaking of castles, Scotland wrote the book on the classic and romantic architecture that is so recognizable around the world. “One of the best things about Scotland is that no matter

where you find yourself, a castle is never far away,” says Embrey. “As integral to the Scottish landscape as its pristine lochs and lofty mountains, the country’s castles rank amongst the most iconic in the world.”

Embrey notes that, historically, there were up to 3,000 castles at one time in Scotland, which makes up for one castle for every 100 square miles. “Some grand estates allow an incredible stay in their historic rooms, some even allow camping in the stunning grounds outside,” says Embrey.

Some of the most memorable visits include Cawdor Castle, a fairytale-like structure; Eilean Donan, one of the most photographed castles located on a tidal island; Edinburgh, where they hold the music Tattoo, and Balmoral Castle, which is home to the King of England.

While out in the wilds of Scotland, Embrey also suggests visiting Loch Ness, a lake that is home to perhaps one of the most famous legends in the world.

Beverages

You’d be hard-pressed to go through life without hearing about Scotch at least once, but there is more than the smooth liquid gold to enjoy when it comes to food & drink in Scotland. “For those looking to try out a new brew (beer) in Scotland, you may want to know that their beers tend to be considerably stronger than the average beer and are almost always served up by the British pint, which is 26 fluid ounces instead of the American 16,” says Embrey. “So, before drinking, you may want to consider your tolerance, and how long you’re willing to stay. Because of this, and the huge difference in taste in Scottish beers, bartenders are usually happy to pour you a small taste before you commit to a full pint, so don’t hesitate to ask.”

Kilts

Yet another iconic image from Scotland: kilts.

The Scottish are deeply proud of their heritage and each grouping of people had their own tartan to emblemize their clan. “The first time specific Scottish subgroups were identified by their tartan happened in 1739, when the British military began to organize fierce Highlanders into regional fighting regiments that wore particular tartans as part of their uniforms,” says Embrey. “However, it was another 80 years before kilts became part of a panScottish identity, and the gentry in the Lowlands began to scramble to define their own ‘clan tartans’—something they had never worn before. Most of today’s known clan tartans were invented by weavers and revisionist authors using fabricated ‘historic’ sources in the early 19th century.”

Even here, in America, we celebrate tartans and Scottish history as a whole. “The annual Tartan Day celebrations in America - founded by US Senator Lott in 1998 - take place on April 6th, every year, because that is the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath,” says Embrey.

He also notes the day has become somewhat convoluted by

grandstanding since the holiday was originally supposed to hail the countless contributions of Scots in the creation of the United States and their very important history here.

“That’s what the original resolution, passed by the United States Senate in May of 1998, formally creating the holiday, clearly say it’s all about,” says Embrey. “And the virtually identical resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May of 2005, says the same thing. There is a great deal there for both Scots and Scottish-Americans to understand and celebrate.”

History

Interestingly, Scotland seems to have had a marked influence on our own Declaration of Independence with many historians noting the Declaration of Arbroath inspired the Revolutionary Wartime document. “The Declaration of Arbroath is seen by many as one of the most famous documents in Scottish history,” says Embrey. “It was written on April 6, 1320, but its words continue to inspire some in the Scottish independence movement, 700 years later. Its broader message is a call for the right of Scots to rule themselves - but some claim its significance has been overstated and its purpose was simply to shore up the reign of King Robert the Bruce.”

Embrey explains that it was originally a private missive endorsed by 39 Scottish barons to Pope John. “They were appealing for help to end the wars of independence with England which had been going on for decades,” he says.

Culture and the Environment

Alongside her rich history, influence, inspiration and tradition, Scotland has so many reasons to visit her unparalleled scenery.

“Every aspect of Scotland lends itself to those rare, life-affirming moments,” says Embrey. “Between the supernatural showcase of scenery and charming cultural idiosyncrasies, there are many reasons people need to visit Scotland at least once in their lifetime. The rolling countryside, bustling cities, icy mountain peaks, and charming villages all combine to provide an excellent destination for your dream vacation bucket list holiday, whether you’re looking for an actionpacked break, a cultural adventure, or a relaxing retreat.”

Embrey also encourages green thumbs and animal lovers to explore the verdant paradise of Scotland. “Between the fractals and mathematical equations embedded in the Garden of Cosmic Speculation and the philosophical garden poetry within Little Sparta, to Jupiter Artland and Dunbar’s Close hidden in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the flower power is verging on way too much,” he says. “Scotland is home to a plethora of different fauna. Deer, highland cows, otters, puffins, red squirrels, seals, whales, and dolphins are all some of the native wildlife that is possible to see.”

Consider a tour, especially to Scotland with FunME Events. Travel is simply necessary to open the mind, get inspired and see more of the wonderful world and all her people. “It’s so important to recharge and energize,” says Embrey. “You learn something new every time.”

FunMe Events

To

A Generational Legacy: Yaeger’s Family Farm

By: Kelley White

Jessica Yaeger grew up on a beautiful farm off Route 38 in DeKalb where generations of her family have helped foster life, love and bountiful harvest. Today, they offer plenty to their community and serve as a legacy for all DeKalb families.

“The farm itself was purchased in 1941 by my great-grandparents on my dad’s side,” says Yaeger. “Then my great-uncle, David Yaeger, started the farm in 1967. Originally, he started

off growing flowers for his mother’s garden. He had a green thumb and he loved growing plants. Neighbors always commented on how wonderful the flowers were, so they started asking him if he would groom their flowers and that’s how it all began.”

Starting out selling flowers from his mother’s garage, David Yaeger found overwhelming success, so he decided to build a market outside of Cortland in 1967 on the same property as the house he grew up in. “It started

out with a small, open-air market and one growing house, and then he expanded into vegetables, fruits and sweet corn,” says Yaeger. “From there, we’ve grown into pumpkins and then they developed the distributing business. We purchase jarred goods from Amish and Mennonite families, and we’ve been doing business with them almost from the beginning when my great-uncle set out to find really good jams and jellies. They made these lasting relationships with Amish and Mennonite families.”

Yaeger’s is closed through the winter, opening mid to late April for the market and greenhouse seasons before rolling right into vegetable season. “We have three acres of vegetables we grow and then fifteen acres of sweet corn,” says Yaeger. “We transition at the end of summer into fall with a ten-acre pumpkin patch. We do free hayrides out to the pumpkin patch where people can pick their own pumpkins and we also bring some into the lawns if people don’t want to do that.”

Growing up, Jessica found a deep, abiding love for the farm – especially the greenhouse. “I think some of my earliest memories are from being in the greenhouse and I remember being so short that I couldn’t see the greenhouse tabletop, so I could only see the bottom of the trays and the plants,” she says. “I remember just running through the greenhouses and my dad teaching me how to plant. I used to think that was the coolest thing in the world. We have a big tub we put all our soil in when we’re potting to make it more efficient, and I remember just playing with the soil.”

As she grew older, Jessica transitioned into helping her parents in the garden, learning how to pick vegetables, weeding and how to take care of the plants. From that point forward, she has continued to take on more responsibilities.

Overall, the farm is still run by Jessica’s parents after her father took over in 2003 from his uncle, Jessica’s greatuncle David. Slowly, Yaeger is helping take over more tasks from her parents with the goal of running the entire business when her parents retire. “It means the world to me, I grew up on this farm, I spent everyday here, every weekend here and I loved it,” she says. “We made it a family event. In the fall, all of us were there – me, my siblings, my parents, my grandparents. We were the ones giving people hayrides and helping with pumpkins. It’s such a big part of who I am, and it’s helped me become the person I am.”

One of her favorite aspects about working on the farm is being able to see her family, and work alongside them, each and every day. “Growing

up, I got to see my grandparents and work alongside my parents and my siblings, and I think that’s really unique because not a lot of people have that opportunity,” she says. “My favorite thing is a toss up between greenhouse season, when all the flowers are in bloom, and fall. There’s just something magical about the fall and the fact that all of us come together on those weekends to help out and to be there and be a part of it.”

To the community of DeKalb, Yaeger’s has been a fixture in the county for multiple generations with parents who once visited the farm as kids now bringing their kids to take a photo, experience a hayride and pick out a pumpkin. “I think it means tradition, especially, and that’s one of my joys with working in the market – that I get to interact with my customers,” says Yaeger. “So many people tell us that they’ve been coming here since they were little. There is a tradition that the community has built around it, especially with the pumpkins. It means so much just to see how the community has supported us and we support them, too.”

Every year, Yaeger’s works with area food pantries, the food bank and DeKalb Food Mart, especially in the summertime. “We donate a lot of produce to them,” says Yaeger. “We’ve gone to the 4H fairs quite a bit and support a lot of the young kids with their projects as well.”

New this year are a variety of specialty pumpkins in different shapes, sizes and colors. Yaeger’s will also feature their apple bread again this fall – a resounding favorite – and they have started selling coffee cakes as well with new flavors like pumpkin and apple walnut. “We want to let people know that, on the weekends in October, we always have hayrides going, weather permitting, and the parking is always free and the hayrides to the pumpkin patch are always free,” adds Yaeger.

To the Yaegers, family is the most important aspect to life and they conduct their business as such. “I think the point that we really want to get across is that we are family owned and operated as well as a familyoriented business with both our family and our customers,” says Yaeger. “We try to make it affordable and as family friendly as possible.”

As the years go on, the Yaeger family farm will continue to delight each new generation of DeKalb, servicing the community and flourishing under loving hands. “It means a lot to help it continue through one more generation,” says Yaeger. “I saw how much pride my great-uncle and my grandpa and my dad put into it and just to be able to say, ‘we’re going for another generation,’ means a lot.”

With Love, for Cars and Community

Bill White’s C.A.R. Hospital going strong for over 30 years

By: Kelley White

One of the most dependable businesses in DeKalb, Bill White’s C.A.R. Hospital, has stood for over three decades, and supported DeKalb as a pillar of the community. The secret to their success lies in the strength of their family and the bond between founders Bill and Vonei White.

“We met at Brown’s Grocery in Sycamore and have been married for 37 years with 4 children and 11 grandchildren,” says Vonei. “Bill was working at Joyce Pontiac when he decided to own his own business, which we opened on June 3, 1991.”

At the start of their business, Bill had two lifts in the back of the 1940 DeKalb Ave. building in Sycamore and an air compressor in their office that would have to be shut down to answer the phone. Bill had also brought a technician from Joyce Pontiac along with him to start the shop.

“He did everything on a vehicle such as engines, transmissions, brakes, oil changes, steering and suspension, change all fluids, diagnostics, electrical, exhaust, and other services,” says Vonei. “He continued with a very busy shop until 1998 when he had the opportunity to purchase the Big A auto parts building, our present location at 303 N. 7th. St. in DeKalb.”

Bill and his technician hit the ground running in their new location, spending hours remodeling the building, partitioning the shop and putting in an office space. “They made a very nice waiting area with chairs, TV, puzzles, coffee, tea, hot cider, cocoa, water and pop,” says Vonei. “We brought in many antiques to put in the big waiting area and put in a nice customer service counter while continuing to be extremely busy.”

When Bill decided he needed to hire more help, Vonei stepped in, quitting her job at the DeKalb Post Office to work full time at the C.A.R. Hospital. “Over the years we have added technicians, a service advisor, office personnel and a public relations person that helps with our community involvement,” says Vonei. “We are a very friendly, honest, family-oriented shop and we now have 4 lifts and an alignment machine, keeping our equipment current.”

As a technician, Bill is ASE Master Certified, Advanced Level Certified, a Certified Service Advisor and a Certified Parts Specialist. “We have ongoing training to keep the technicians up to date on vehicles and diagnostics,” says Vonei. “We also have

ongoing training in shop management. Our training, experience and use of only the highest quality parts allows us to offer a 2-year or 24,000-mile nationwide warranty on most repairs. This warranty is twice as long as most dealers.”

Every part of their business is about making the effort to connect to their customers, treating them like family and focusing on honesty. “We have a shuttle to give customers rides to and from home or work and we have always been very involved in the community,” says Vonei. “Bill is also a former automotive instructor at Kishwaukee College.”

The Whites have hosted blood drives at the C.A.R. Hospital and have always been involved with and supported the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce as well as Sycamore’s Chamber of Commerce. “We received Business of the Year in 2000 from the City of DeKalb and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for involvement in the community and good business practices,” says Vonei. Vonei is also very dedicated to the community, having received the Athena Award in 2001 for involvement in the community and business. After 20 years on the Corn Fest Board as Secretary, being part of the Board and Secretary for the DeKalb County Credit Union, sitting on the Women of the Moose Board for 20 years and receiving many awards, including College of Regents Award, it’s safe to say she has built a strong foundation for her legacy in DeKalb.

For his part, Bill is on the Advisory Committee for the Automotive Department at Kishwaukee College and on the Board for the Moose Legion, having been on the Moose Board for over 20 years. “He was involved with and fixed a car that was given away to a person in need,” says Vonei. “We have helped many people in need with getting their cars fixed with help from our local part vendors. We give to many organizations in the area such as Positively Pink for cancer, police golf outing, and pig roast for police and fire departments, sponsor baseball and basketball teams, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we give free oil changes to Veterans on Veterans Day, music boosters, sports boosters, continually support Stage Coach, Egyptian Theatre, support many PTO/PTA fundraisers, along with many local benefits as they come up. We have also had multiple customer appreciation days with a cookout with the help of Lee Auto Parts, NAPA auto parts, and Carquest with many give aways.”

For Bill and Vonei, the C.A.R. Hospital is about family and honesty. “We are honest with what the vehicles need,” says Bill. “If we see it needs something other than what you brought it in for, we’re certainly going to tell you about it, especially if it’s safety related or breakdown related. We certainly will not push for stuff that isn’t needed just to create sales.”

With a business so dedicated to the community, it’s no wonder they have generational regulars coming back time and time again. “Of course, we are going to do our best to serve the community,” says Bill. “They have certainly supported us.”

Dependable & Compassionate Home Care Services in the Comfort of Your Home

Services Include:

• Personal Care-Bathing, Grooming, Dressing, Mobility

• Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care-Personalized care plan for Stability, Support, and Compassion.

• Hospice Support-24 Hour Home Care, Medication Management, Compassionate Care & Family Support.

• Chronic Illness Care-Tailored to the individual’s needs for the Best Care Plan

• Home Helper-Light Housekeeping, Prepares Nutritious Meals, Grocery Shopping and more.

• Transportation-Safe transportation to various appointments and activities.

• Companionship-Activities the individual enjoys such as walks, crafting, Reading, Chatting/Storytelling.

We are here for all of your loved ones needs.

10:30am-12:30pm

sycparks.org

Experience the beauty of art amongst the wonder of nature while providing valuable exposure and support to local artists.

A variety of visual artists will have work on display and for sale. Kids art activities available from 10:30am-12:30pm. Food, beer, and wine will be available for purchase.

Presented by: