Dixon Living_Winter 2020*

A

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 440 Sterling, IL 61081

*****ECRWSSEDDM***** Postal Customer

PUBLICATION • WINTER 2020

inside ...

2

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

cover sto

ry

Play Video Poker & Slots Here Must be 21 or older to game. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800GAMBLER. (1-800-426-2537) 80 S. Hennepin Ave, Dixon, Illinois

(815) 288-9335 Bar hours: Mon-Sat 10am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm • Kitchen hours: Mon-Sun 11am-7pm D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

3

RUSTY SCHRADER/SVM

4

D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

B cover sto

ry

STORY CODY CUTTER | FOR DIXON LIVING

aseball umpires can make or break a game, with a “yer out!” or “steeeee-rike!” making the difference between winning and losing. It’s no wonder they can take plenty of ribbing when they run afoul of spectators who don’t see things the way they do.

Dixon’s Al Morrison was no exception – but it didn’t take long for people on and off the diamond, from youth baseball players to coaches, to realize that Al always had his eye on the ball. That impeccable talent for making the right call not only earned him lasting respect, it earned him a place in local history, a place he still holds today, more than 50 years after his passing, as the man behind the name of the Al Morrison Memorial Baseball League.

With a keen eye, a masterful interpretation of baseball rules, and a strike call that could be heard blocks away, Al was the kind of ump both teams wanted behind the plate.

It’s an accomplishment made all that more remarkable considering the admiration he earned came at a time when Black Americans struggled to gain respect in a country where baseball was as American as apple pie, but equality wasn’t.

Continued on page 6

D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

5

Continued from page 5

Though it’s been decades since his passing, memories of him calling games live on in the hearts and minds of those who were there to see him in action – and his name lives on with those who were born decades after he died, in the Al Morrison Memorial Baseball League.

“He treated everybody with respect. A great guy,” said Alex Paisley, who coached little league teams and played adult softball games that Morrison umpired. Paisley is the lone surviving member of the board of directors who made the decision to honor Morrison.

Things might have turned out differently, though, had Morrison not taken a job as a bellman at the Dixon Hotel in 1942.

Morrison was born on Oct. 19, 1905, in Sparta, a small community about 50 miles southeast of St. Louis in southern Illinois. He was the son of Frank and Ellen (Crafton) Morrison, also of Sparta. He married Jennie W. St. James in 1926, and had two daughters, Regenia and Lois. Morrison developed a love for baseball in his teens, playing his first games at age 17.

Continued on page 7

RIDE TO VOTE Early Voting in Illinois for the November 3, 2020 General Election starts on September 24. LOTS is here to help you get to your Early Voting location. One phone call and we’ll get your ride to vote scheduled.* For Early Voting location and hours information for Lee and Ogle Counties, please visit us at

LOTSIL.ORG/RIDE-TO-VOTE/ To schedule your ride, call us at 815.288.2117! *See our website for our low cost fares.

SM-ST1824407

6

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

WITH

Continued from page 6

He continued to play and remained active in the local Jaycees program there until just a couple of years before the family moved to Dixon, where he remained interested in all things baseball – and when games needed umpiring, he answered the call.

His contributions to the game didn’t end there, though. Al was a gem when it came to helping out on the diamond. No matter the situation, he could offer advice on the fly, or the fly ball. He could fix a batting stance, teach kids how to choke up or down on the bat, or tell them when to make a run for it.

His teachings had a profound effect on Paisley, who welcomed his advice and assistance.

“He was always teaching,” Paisley said.

“When he was umpiring, if he saw a kid do something that he didn’t think was right, he’d tell him about it and correct it, and tell him that you can improve that by doing this to it. He was coaching all of the time he was umpiring.”

Games were played at a few sites in and around town over the years, but primarily at Reynolds Field and Lincoln School, both on the west end, and Washington Field by the school of the same name on the northeast side.

Jim Higby grew up on Dixon’s west end, where he watched several games; and if he ever was running late for the start of one, he knew because he could hear Morrison’s strike call from quite a distance.

“I’d go down there and watch baseball games that he’d be umpiring,” Higby said. “I can picture him in my mind calling a strike. I remember him saying ‘Streeeeeeeek!’ He had a body movement that went with it: He’d hold his right index finger and kind of turn to his left and holler that.”

Continued on page 8

SVM FILE PHOTO

Baseball players in the Al Morrison Baseball League stand for the nation anthem in May 2017, during the League’s 50th anniversary celebration in Dixon

WE ACCEPT MEDICARE & MEDICAID

MALE WELLNESS PANEL

FEMALE PANEL #1

INCLUDES ALL THE TESTS BELOW AT A DISCOUNT

INCLUDES ALL THE TESTS BELOW AT A DISCOUNT PRICE

OTHER AREA LABS=$1,667.00

OTHER AREA LABS=$1,305.00

✔ CBC ✔ CMP ✔ CRP H ✔ LIPID ✔ PSA

✔ CBC ✔ CMP ✔ CRP H ✔ LIPID ✔ THYROID PROFILE ✔ COMPLETE UA

250

$

✔ TESTOSTERONE ✔ COMPLETE UA

200

$

Offering thousands of tests at prices you can afford.

We are here to help 832 N Galena Ave., Dixon Mon.-Fri 7am-4pm 815-677-9384 www.valulab-dixon.com D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

7

Continued from page 7

“Other people remember, ‘Steeee-rike!’

He could have done it both ways,” Higby said.

Seeing those games when Morrison was behind the plate made a big impression on Higby.

“I was a Cubs fan and I’d make trips to Wrigley Field in Chicago while I was still in grade school, so I kind of knew some of the procedure there.”

The Jaycees league wasn’t the only program that Morrison umpired. His reputation and command behind the plate also helped him land work with American Legion ball, city and church league softball, and even the occasional high school game, all while holding down a job and taking care of his family.

SVM FILE PHOTO Morrison wouldn’t lug suitcases for long at the Dixon Hotel, which had nearly 30 rooms and stood where the Kitzman Lumber parking lot is today; he and his family, who lived at the hotel with Al, eventually moved into a place of their own on West Sixth Street.

By that time, he started working at the Medusa Cement plant (now St. Marys Cement) on the northeast edge of town as a miller, working there 23 years and eventually moving up the ladder to shop foreman.

Not only did the plant provide him with an income, his umpiring work did as well – but not for Morrison. He donated all of his umpires checks back to each league he worked for.

He treated everybody with respect. …

He was always teaching. When he was umpiring, if he saw a kid do something that he didn’t think was right, he’d tell him about it and correct it, and tell him that you can improve that by doing this to it. He was coaching all of the time he was umpiring.

Alex Paisley

Above, throwing out the first pitch at the season opening of the Al Morrison Baseball in Dixon on May 13, 2017, to celebrate the League’s 50th anniversary.

Continued on page 9

Ukulele Station America Is Growing Ukulele Station America Is Open During Construction Of The New Addition

  

The World’s Smallest Ukulele Shop With The Largest Selection Of Ukuleles & Accessories

1000 Washington St • Oregon, IL • (815) 994-1246

ukulelestationamerica.com 8

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

Continued from page 8

He also was an active member of the Second Baptist Church, which at that time was just a short walk around the block from the family home up, until his later years. He once served as superintendent of the Sunday School program.

The Morrisons’ two daughters attended public school. Regenia, a 1944 Dixon High grad, grew up enjoying sports of all kinds, especially basketball and softball. Lois, who graduated high school a year later, was part of the school’s glee club.

Even with Dixon’s best baseball official donating his baseball earnings back to the Jaycees, by the 1960s the group could no longer afford to support a baseball program.

That’s when the youth baseball structure in Dixon was reorganized, and a new organization was established by a board of seven directors. When it came time to decide to put a name on it, they didn’t have to weigh the choices long, or look far.

“It was just a no-brainer,” Paisley said. “He was the first guy whose name popped in any of our heads when we talked about it. It was the Jaycees League, and we needed a name for it. ‘Al Morrison’ jumped out of all of our mouths.”

The organization’s seven original directors – Paisley, Isaac “Ike” Mercer, Delbert “Speed” Saunders, Ernie Michaels, Barry Royster, George Oswalt, and John Preston – were unanimous in their decision to name their organization after Morrison. Paisley and Mercer lived to see the 50th anniversary of the organization’s founding. Mercer died in 2019.

SVM FILE PHOTO

Isaac Mercer throws out one of the first pitches on May 13, 2017, at the Al Morrison Memorial Baseball League’s season-opener in Dixon. At the time, Mercer was one of two surviving members of the league’s first board, which was formed in 1967. Mercer would pass away two years later, on Jan. 26, 2019.

Continued on page 10

THE WORLD’S BEST ROOF

• Low slope/flat roofs • Industry’s leading warranties • Maintenance free performance • Provides savings on your energy bill • High quality workmanship • The best long term investment for your building • Leak proof • Duro-Last comes in white, lite gray, dark gray and tan Commercial • Industrial Residential Roofs 705 Illinois Ave, Mendota, Il 61342

INC. IL License: #104-005528

D i x o n

815-539-5142 Authorized Contractor

www.northernillinoisseamlessroofing.com

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

9

Continued from page 9

Unfortunately, Al didn’t live too long after the organization was named in his honor, but he was around long enough to see his grandchildren play on the same fields he once stood on.

He passed away at the age of 62, on Oct. 10, 1968, after a long illness and was laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery. Jennie would live another nearly 30 years, until 1998, when she died at age 91. Their daughters, who also have since passed, raised Morrison’s four grandchildren.

Morrison’s legacy isn’t just confined to Dixon; he also was an honored member of the National Baseball Congress, a national association of amateur baseball players.

It’s estimated that more than MORE INFORMATION 15,000 children have been a part For more information and of either the baseball programs in news about the current season, email almorrisonwhich Morrison was a part of, or baseball@gmail.com or go the league named in his honor. to almorrisonbaseball.org.

In recent years, an average of 500 players have joined the various leagues – ages 5 to 16 –from Dixon, Amboy, Ashton, and Franklin Grove involved.

The two older leagues are named for Dodgers Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax and Yankees Hall of Fame slugger Mickey Mantle, both players who were sure to have been idols of the young kids who swung a bat or hurled a windup during the 1950s and 1960s, with Morrison calling the game behind the plate. n

FROM THE ARCHIVES ....

Al Morrison – in his own words

Baseball umpire Al Morrison was given an opportunity to address the public through Dixon Telegraph sports editor Dave Nightingale’s “Knight’s Round-table” column on Aug. 10, 1956.

Whereas another Jaycee-sponsored baseball season is about to close and since I have been connected with it in an official capacity for the past few years, I have a few comments I wish to make.

I am generally known around town as “Al Morrison, Alias: BadEye, Blind Tom, The Man With The Seeing-Eye Dog” and other enAL MORRISON dearing names. A glance at my baseball background reveals that I have been connected with the sport for the past 34 years, 18 of which I was an active player.

Although I don’t set myself up as an authority, I do believe I have some observations which would help to make a better game for the sponsors, the team personnel, the fans and those fellows without whom the first inning would not be completed – the umpires.

Any of my criticisms are not intended to reflect personally on anyone who has taken a part of this year’s program. They are only one man’s opinion – mine – and anyone disagreeing with them should let me know the time and behind which barn to meet him.

I’ll make it my business not to be there.

I consider this year’s program a decided improvement over former years, especially for those children who were a part of the Future League and the Little League. My knowledge of what took place in the Future League is mostly hearsay as my time was spent with the Little League, PONY League, Church League, City Softball League and the Legion. Some of the things I’ve heard coming out of the Future League were not what I call commendable.

Quality Men’s Wear Find all of the latest clothing, shirts, suits, athletic & sportswear

Continued on page 11

Rock River Hospice & Home

“Home for the Holidays”

2020 FESTIVAL OF TREES Trees on Display for Viewing Only November 9-21 ~ Northland Mall

Trees on display for viewing only in storefronts at Northland Mall. Trees included in online auction November 17-21.

Country Store

November 12-21 ~ Northland Mall Sponsored by Sterling Federal Bank Johnson Oil Company & CGH Caring Fund

ALWAYS ON SALE

Holiday Wishes Non-Gala Event November 9-21

TUXEDO RENTAL AVAILABLE Screen Printing & Embroidery Sc School & Sport Uniforms

kaleels.com 10

D i x o n

L i v i n g

Heat Transfer

2 0 2 0

Sponsored by US Bank & Astec Mobile Screens

Online Auction

Presenting Sponsors

Breck & Sheri Loos

November 17-21

Online auction for trees, table settings and baskets.

Check www.hospicerockriver.org or the Rock River Hospice & Home Facebook Page for links to the Auction

Holiday Hustle 5K Nov. 30-Dec. 5

Complete your 5K during the week and tag Rock River Hospice & Home on Facebook or Instagram for a chance to win a prize. Sponsored by CGH Medical Center, Sauk Valley Bank, Breck & Sheri Loos, Frantz Manufacturing

Register at www.hospicerockriver.org or on our Facebook Page

Continued from page 10

ate from the players, but from the The undesirable incidents did not eman of the purposes of the program one , adults. If I have been informed correctly l fry. It can’t be done by bickering, was to teach sportsmanship to the smal squabbles, etc. among the big fry. adults at the games would hardly I have been told that the conduct of some people – for good. If the parents will be a way to win friends and influence facts, I believe an improvement will be take into consideration some pertinent the facts are: The sponsors and experishown among them next year. Some of to play the game as it should be. It may enced fans don’t expect little Johnnie led a baseball. have been the first time that he ever hand ing is slow, his ability registers think his , slow y His reflexes are extremel doesn’t know the game yet. If just he just above zero and the big thing is that neighborhood of where he the in with w thro to s in that first year a boy learn wn to him, he deserves a thro or batted is looking and catch some of the balls . later come will ts poin grade of excellent. The finer g the boys’ necks every time they do To the fathers: I would say stop ridin essionable age and we don’t know impr very a something wrong. The are at minds. Try patting them on the back what complexes may be shaping in their – and build their confidence in theml awfu look with praise – even if they did selves instead of tearing it down. r, they are just little boys. STOP To the managers and coaches: Remembe them. Treat them as children. Here are yelling directions and misdirections at I saw them. One time, a batter walked as hing two contrasting examples of coac ng that bat.” The first pitch was down to the plate and the manager yelled, “Swi manager yelled the same thing even The it. the middle and the batter looked at le and the batter looked at it again. louder. The next pitch was down the midd even louder, “Swing that bat.” The d yelle The manager took a deep breath and as it came down the middle. batter, confused, looked at the third pitch

t of three balls and no strikes. The Another example: The batter had a coun take the next one. The next pitch to voice of manager told him in a natural tone g. I looked to see what the manager was almost in the dirt and the batter swun behind the dugout holding his over was was going to do. I didn’t see him. He not upset. sides, laughing. He understood – was ns while they are on the field – leave uctio instr g givin Stop nts: pare To the e run from your boy’s bat because, hom a for ng that for the coaches. Stop looki know that it was because the defense the chances are, if he gets one you will t know the game, and most parents don’ you was weak. Don’t expect much. If ’t know was so ignorant. He kept his don’t, be like the man that people didn mouth shut. interested, for one cause or another: To those who have suddenly become a a ball game. When someone expresses Don’t believe everything you hear at ump the t abou talk really mean it. They desire to “kill the umpire,” he doesn’t e but they don’t really mean it. It is just ther out is he when es nam and call him griping. Who ever enjoyed a ball game of om cust part of the good old American t? The umpire is just the logical guy. without finding something to gripe abou thing about umpires in general which some Not long ago, I heard a lady say a boy playing on a team which had one was very amusing. She apparently had h the umpire (me) called the runner game out of 13. After a close play in whic lost so many games.” She didn’t really out, she said, “Now I see why they have friends the guys and gals who rib me mean it. I count among some of my best when they are not present. them miss y when I’m out there, ad I reall efying, courageous men who succumb On behalf of those stout-hearted, self-d are, believe it or not, human, with They : to the pleas of “Will you umpire?” are fallible. They are going to continue human frailties and weaknesses. They have a time allotment of split seconds, to make mistakes since their decisions ys unfavorable to one side. I believe plus the fact that their decisions are alwa n ty. they call them to the best of their abili

DREAM IT. SEE IT. BUY IT.

ey!

K e th ot G ve e‘ W

ALLERGY

Now accepting new patients at Dixon Medical Center GET YOUR ALLERGIES TREATED TODAY!

815-284-1600

1321 N. Galena Ave, Dixon, IL • www.cghmc.com

randy Dix wine Lane 815-28on, IL 8-0998

CALL US TO DAY !

EEric Bird

B Broker/Owner ((815) 973-6768

an outpatient department of CGH Medical Center

THERICA HEEREN, PA-C, MS

1688 B

K Kevin CConsidine

D Doug Weber W eber

TTina DeMay D

Andrew A BBrockwell

Br Broker/Auctioneer (8 (815) 739-8155

Br Broker (8 (815) 222-5806

Br Broker (8 (815) 499-9625

Br Broker (8 (815) 440-8214

www.BirdRealtySells.com D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

11

GETTING

BETTER all the time anny Langloss is passionate about being a leader.

It shows in where his career has taken him: up the ladder. Langloss, 45, has been in a position of leadership for nearly 20 years, from the day he was promoted to sergeant in the Dixon Police Department, which he joined in 1996, to the day he became chief in 2008, to the day he took on the job of city manager in 2017.

But Langloss isn’t done climbing yet. He’s still reaching for the top. For excellence.

How does he do it? One step, one day – and one percent – at a time.

STORY CODY CUTTER PHOTOS ALEX T. PASCHAL | FOR DIXON LIVING

Continued on page 14

View all listings online at SaukValleyProperties.com

Thinking of buying or selling?

Call us now!

Beth Wilson Managing Broker/Owner

Angie Harrison 815-973-6070

Gary Davey

815-440-3687

Shawney Evans 815-973-0383

Michelle Wilson

Kirk Staples

815-440-8193

815-440-0803

Curt Repass

Wendy Olson

815-440-8307 Beth@SaukValleyProperties.com

Melissa Plock 815-677-1364

815-622-8318

815-994-2700

335 W. Everett St. | Dixon, IL 61021 Office: 815-288-2881 SM-ST1824385

12

D i x o n

L i v i n g

| W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

When Danny Langloss isn’t working as Dixon city manager, he’s producing a podcast and traveling the country speaking about what it takes to be a strong leader.

Your Voice Has POWER We Believe You. We are Here to Help.

We Offer FREE and CONFIDENTIAL Services for All Genders and Ages.

• Sexual Assault Counseling • 24-Hour Crisis Intervention

• Legal Advocacy • Medical Advocacy

• Services available in Spanish ywsauk.org Funding provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

24-Hour Hotline: 815.626.7277 & 815.288.1011 D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

13

There are so many critical issues facing our country — social

justice, racism, racial inequality, gender discrimination, crimes against children, substance use disorder, mental illness, poverty, food insecurity, and lack of equal access to education.

There’s one common thing that will solve all of these problems, and that’s

leadership Danny Langloss

Continued from page 13

The Peoria Heights native said he’s learned an important lesson in life and leadership: Be 1 percent better than the day before, and those percentages will add up to success, and for Langloss, a lifelong mission to train others to follow in his footsteps and become leaders in their own right.

“We’re always pursuing excellence,” Langloss said. “There’s no arrival.

There’s always a better way, always ways to get better, and we got to try to be at least 1 percent better, if not more, every day. We’re committed to excellence, and we’re pursuing excellence. It’s a lifelong commitment to find ways to be better, to serve better, and to do better.”

One the of ways he’s found is using technology’s tools to build tomorrow’s leaders today.

He’s created a website, dannylangloss.com, where podcasts are available in which he talks with people he’s met or worked with through his years of public service to help others become better leaders.

“A podcast is a way to reach people all over the world with your own messages, and have that positive impact,” Langloss said. “It’s a way to showcase others, and to showcase great, progressive, innovative ideas related to leadership.

“My desire to do that was to give back, and one of the things that always motivates me is to be in a position where you can make an impact.”

When Langloss isn’t working at City Hall, he’s writing, researching, speaking and listening about ways to be better at being a leader – all while being a leader at home with his wife, Valerie, and two children.

Driven to motivate, inspire, and help people and companies reach their full potential, Langloss has delved into the leadership mindset, employee engagement, creating high-performing teams, cultures of leadership, organizational excellence and change, and crisis leadership.

He constantly looks for new, progressive strategies to drive additional engagement from employees, drive ownership and establish a commitment to excellence. He’s spoken at national and state conferences on leadership, substance abuse, brain health, and protecting children from child predators.

His presentations include creating cultures of leadership, employee

14

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

engagement, a community-based approach to the War on Drugs, and how Dixon dealt with the $54 million Rita Crundwell embezzlement controversy. Public trust in city government had eroded due to Crundwell’s record-breaking theft, and Langloss was looked upon well enough to be tapped as an interim city manager to help restore that trust. That involved moving away from the chief’s desk temporarily, but once Dixon established a revamped governing system, he went back to being chief.

Nearly two decades after experiencing his first leadership role as a sergeant, the city once again looked to Langloss to fill a more established city manager position – and he came into that role with even more experience than before.

One of the things that drives Langloss is to be in positions that make a big impact. When he was coming up through the ranks of the police department, and now as city manager, he would go to conferences and listen to keynote speakers in an effort to improve himself.

Now, he’s the one doing the speaking. For more than 10 years now, he’s given presentations about topics he’s passionate about: crimes against children, substance use disorder, mental illness and leadership.

The improvements have no destination, he said, it’s an endless escalator of growth.

“This is a high-pressure industry and a high-pressure job, and it’s easy to get burned out,” Langloss said. “Those speakers can help flip the switch and help hit the reset button.”

Some of the people Langloss has interviewed as part of his podcasts include Aurora Police Chief Kristen Simon; Julie Hruska, a life coach and CEO of Powerful Leaders LLC; Heather Younger, founder and CEO of Customer Fanatix, an organization dedicated to inspiring and training leaders to put their employees first; Bill Wooditch, who runs a multi-million-dollar insurance and risk management firm with best-selling books written about leadership; and Dr. Charlie Cartwright, a popular employee engagement specialist who is sought after by many companies throughout the nation and the founder of People Success Labs to inspire leadership.

Continued on page 15

Continued from page 14

Each speaker shares their experiences, principles and strategies with listeners.

“The leadership principles and lessons that people can take from those experiences and the conversations can be applied to any business, any organization and any situation,” Langloss said.

One of the community leaders who Langloss sometimes has turned to for advice is KSB Hospital President and CEO Dave Schreiner. Every leader has their own style of leadership, and Langloss values Schreiner’s values-driven leadership as something that can work for aspiring leaders.

Schreiner currently is taking a doctoral course in values-driven leadership at Benedictine University in Lisle, and was happy to share his philosophy earlier this year in one of Langloss’ podcasts.

“I’m thrilled with the work that Danny’s doing,” Schreiner said. “He’s bringing in leaders that have important voices and important messages. What a tremendous resource for people to either have leadership aspirations or people that are leaders. I have a lot of respect and smile every time I see him put out a new podcast.

“He’s working real hard at it, and I’m proud of him. I think Danny’s doing an important thing.”

Being a leader isn’t about just being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in your charge, Langloss said. Two important people in his life who set the foundation for his leadership skills are his father, Danny Langloss Sr., who told him, “you can accomplish

HOME OF YOUR NEXT

anything you set your mind out to accomplish, and the only person who can stop you is you,” – and the late police lieutenant, Harry Ulferts, who established a high standard of work that Langloss admired in the department.

“That initial experience is a transition because you go from being responsible for doing your job and frontline tasks to being responsible for and helping others do their job and front-line tasks,” Langloss recalled about his first days as sergeant. “There was definitely a growing period there. I had some solid values and beliefs about what the responsibilities of a leader was that stay with me today.”

“It’s about giving people the tools and the resources they need to do their job, and then get out of their way.

I realized those things when I became a sergeant, but I couldn’t have articulated them the way I can today.”

Langloss began his podcasts in the second week of July, and his words have traveled far and wide: They’ve been listened to in six continents and been downloaded more than 2,000 times.

When he finds some time, Langloss would like to one day fulfill a longtime goal and write a book about creating cultures of leadership.

“I’m just trying to add value. If people find value in the content I’m sharing, that’s great,” Langloss said.

“The biggest thing for someone trying to realize their full potential is to realize that there’s never a destination. There’s so much to learn, and I’m getting better every day.” n

FOLLOW THE LEADER

Learn more about how Danny Langloss can guide people toward effective leadership by visiting dannylangloss.com, where podcasts from various professional leaders nationwide are available, and to read articles from Langloss about effective leadership.

Langloss also is on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter (@DannyLangloss).

I E A M T Y D N

IN HOUSE FINANCING. INTEREST RATES AS LOW AS 2.99%

DEAL!

FREE $50 GAS CARD WITH PURCHASE

SM-ST1824563

800 S 4th St • Oregon • (815) 881-8287 www.tntmotorsales.com D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

15

m a e r st r k o w 16

D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

Tom and Kathi Sherman had a big hand in turning the id ea for Water Wonderland in to a reality, but the couple is qu ick to point out that the splash park was truly a com munity project. “We’re most happy with the way it turned out an d how the who le community came toge ther to do it; th at’s what I thought was sp ecial,” Kathi sa id. “So many people in this project wer e just hard, hard workers. That means more th an just giving money.”

STORY CODY CUTTER PHOTOS MICHAEL KRABBENHOEFT

W

hen the Dixon Park District and the city teamed up last year to find a way to give the community’s kids a place to have some fun in the sun, Tom and Kathi Sherman decided to go with the flow.

They joined the effort to bring a splash pad to Meadows Park, putting their money where their hometown is, to the tune of a six-figure gift that will keep on giving for generations to come.

Now one of Dixon’s newest attractions, the splash pad – its colorful apparatus with streams of water that can be activated with a touch of a hand – is one of the coolest hotspots in town.

“We’re most happy with the way it turned out and how the whole community came together to do it; that’s what I thought was special,” Kathi said. “So many people in this project were just hard, hard workers. That means more than just giving money.”

Water Wonderland had its grand opening in July 2019 – in all, a $550,000 project largely funded by community donations, including the Shermans’ $200,000 donation.

The 70-by-70-foot splash pad has 23 water features and two zones geared toward children ages 2 to 5 and ages 5 to 12, landscaping, a pavilion, restrooms and a paved parking lot.

Audrey (left) an d Madeline Pend ergrass get a good dous ing at Water Wonderla nd in July 2019. Sights lik e this have been familiar on es at the splash park since it opened last year .

Continued on page 18

D i x o n

L i v i n g |

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

17

Continued from page 17

This summer, it opened using a wristband system so there would only be as many as 50 people at once – a precaution with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – with a small staff on site.

The Park District and city both committed $100,000 and raised $140,000 in community donations, while local businesses and volunteers donated labor. Park District staff recently completed $9,000 in improvements, as well as spiffing up its partner in play, the Wooden Wonderland playground adjacent to the pad. “It’s by this nice Wooden Wonderland, and it’s our own little Disney,� Kathi said.

The Shermans believe children have plenty of fun while playing outdoors instead of being cooped up inside, and when it came time a few years to help restore a longtime local attraction on the south side of town, they called up their friend – the late mayor Jim Burke – to get something done. The Memorial Pool at Vaile Park was aging and rapidly deteriorating, and Kathi really wanted to find a way to revive it once again.

Continued on page 19

Ten Franchises - One Location  � � � � ­ €

� ‚ ƒ � �„

… ƒ †…… ‡‡ƒƒ

SM-ST1825976

18

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

People coming together to make their community a better place? Now that rocks! This plaque gives a shout out to the Shermans and others who helped make Water Wonderland possible.

Continued from page 18

Unfortunately, as it turned out, Memorial Pool was beyond saving as a pool – it later became a skate park and even that has since closed – but the Shermans were determined to help bring something fun outdoors to their community. They helped bring a warming house to the ice skating rink at Page Park a couple of years ago, but that would only be of use for 2 or 3 months out of the year.

Inspired by seeing splash pads on travels throughout northern Illinois, the Shermans wanted to bring one to town. While Vaile Park eventually got its splash pad a couple of years ago, the Shermans sought to bring one to Dixon’s north side.

“There were several splash pads in the area, and looking at them, seeing what they had, and I thought it looked very interesting,” Tom said. “The city’s been good to us, and we decided we could give back to the city.”

The Shermans moved to Dixon in 1972 when Chicago-based E. Edelmann Company (now Plews/Edelmann) expanded its operations to town to the former Admiral appliance facility east of town on state Route 38.

Tom was tapped as the top guy for the new automotive parts plant. He and president Donald Edelmann were convinced Dixon was a great town

for their new operations when Don happened to take a glance inside a window at the former Kline’s Department store downtown.

“We’re walking down the street by the store, and the window had a display with a ceramic boxer dog,” Tom recalled. “Don said, ‘My daughter collects those, and that is really a nice looking ceramic.’ So we went in, and [owner] Fritz Herzog was there. He said, ‘Can I help you?’ And Don said, ‘Is that boxer for sale?’”

The ceramic boxer was simply a display item and not for sale – but it didn’t take long for Herzog too change his mind; according to Tom, Herzog crawled into the display, got the dog for Edelmann, and said, “Here, I want your daughter to have this.’”

“That’s very typical of people in Dixon,” Kathi said.

“It was a great start, and we’ve been here ever since,” Tom added.

Tom and Kathi have been married for 55 years and retired for the last 25. They weren’t the only Shermans to contribute to the splash pad: Their sons, Warren and wife Paula, and Wesley and wife Tammi, helped their parents out with the endeavor, as did several other local businesses and families. Other donors have their names on a plaque affixed to a large rock near the pad’s entrance.

Photo on page 20. Story continued on page 21

Service You Can Count On

2704 Locust St, Sterling • 815-626-8911 www.garagedoorspecialists1.com

Serving the Sauk Valley Area for Nearly 40 Years!

SM-ST1824561

D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

19

e r Mo o f in

William McClain keeps cool in July 2019 at Water Wonderland. The splash park has 23 water features, a landscaped area with a fountain, picnic tables with solar-powered chargers, paved parking, and a pavilion and restrooms.

The splash pad is at Meadows Park, 1312 N. Washington Ave. Call the Dixon Park District at 815-284-3306 for more information.

ALEX T. PASCHAL/APAS-

CHAL@SAUKVALLEY.COM

20

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

Continued from page 20

Not everything at Water Wonderland is for play.

Some of it is just for looks, like this landscaped area featuring a bubbling fountain and waterfall.

The Shermans have step great-grandchildren who’ve come to town to experience the fun that they helped make a reality.

“We notice coming over here that it’s not just children, but it’s been mothers and it’s been grandparents,” Kathi said. “We’ve been stopped on the street to be thanked by people our age who say, ‘We took our grandchild to over, and, oh, they had so much fun!’

That’s what I like to hear.”

The oceans and lakes are quite a distance from Dixon, but having fun in the water while outdoors became something of a “godsend,” Kathi said, when the coronavirus hit.

“My feeling has always been that children need things to play outdoors. There’s been talk about building an indoor pool, but no, kids need to be outside. With this coronavirus this year, it’s been a godsend.”

The splash pad became so popular that people were running out of places to toss their garbage during visits to the park. Kathi heard from someone about a lack of trash receptacles at the park, and a quick call to Duane Long at the Dixon Park District fixed that.

“Duane Long and Danny Langloss are two of the most awesome fellows at getting something done,” Kathi said. “Dixon’s been very progressive lately. I think these young guys are doing a fabulous job.”

“It’s a great indication that it’s being used,” Tom said. “It’s a great place for families and kids right now.” n

GAME ON AT More staff testing More PPE

Gaming Cafe

More online bereavement sessions

RELAX & PLAY IN OUR CLEAN & SANITIZED ENVIRONMENT.

More COVID-19 training

JOIN OUR BIRTHDAY CLUB TO RECEIVE PROMOTIONS, WIN FREE PLAY $’s & PRIZES IN OUR EXCLUSIVE DRAWINGS

Serenity Hospice is doing More to keep families, staff, volunteers and patients safe.

PLAY SLOTS & VIDEO POKER HERE Must be 21 or older to game. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

(815) 632-3521

1202 W 4TH ST (RT 2) • STERLING (Across from Dairy Queen)

815-732-2400 www.serenityhospiceandhome.org D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

21

Damien Considine walks through a prairie restoration area at Meadows Park in Dixon.

Considine has been working for more than a decade to restore and maintain a patch of land that’s like a looking glass into the state’s past, when it truly lived up to its reputation as The Prairie State. He said maintaining the prairie patch is “a labor of love.”

22

D i x o n

L i v i n g

| W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

In a

stateof mind

A one-man W force of nature

hen there’s a fuzzy little tick trefoil or two lingering somewhere on Damien Considine’s clothes, it’s because he’s been to work on his beloved prairie.

Those pesky and persistent pods that cling to clothing belong to a plant that’s just one of many that Considine looks after on a 2-acre patch of land along a walking trail toward the back of Meadows Park.

The tick trefoils don’t STORY CODY CUTTER PHOTOS MICHAEL KRABBENHOEFT | FOR DIXON LIVING bother him. In fact, once he picks them off, they can be tossed back into the prairie and enjoy a new cycle of life, like many of the other plants in the patch.

Considine, 65, has seen many different plants come and go from the prairie he maintains, which is owned by the Dixon Park District.

For nearly 15 years, he’s had a hand in caring for the plants and watching them grow, products of nature, nurturing, and nutrients.

And Mother Nature’s son does it all on his own time.

is leading a grass-roots movement in a Dixon park, where he’s been preserving a piece of the past by making nature’s beauty his duty for more than a decade

Continued on page 24

D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

23

Continued from page 23

There’s more to taking care of the prairie than just having a green thumb – there’s a science to maintaining the balance of nature, and this Park District volunteer has shared nature’s living science lesson with others, giving occasional tours through the tall, thick patch.

Just don’t ask him about every single Latin term of each flower – “Just tell me the common name,� he’ll tell the experts he consults – and he’ll make it simple for those who want to know more about the prairie plants. “What’s cool about the prairie is that you’ll always remember the plant when you go harvest the seed,�

Considine said. “It’s kind of a reward-and-work type of thing. You get rewarded for the work that you do.

You go out and harvest wild indigo and then you come back to see the plant and go, ‘Oh, there’s the seed head that I picked and now I can see the plant that it produces.’�

Considine is no stranger to prairie life. During his time bow hunting for deer at Nachusa Grasslands, he would be awed by the prairie’s beauty – and that’s planted the seed of idea: bringing a piece of the prairie to Dixon.

Continued on page 25

6734 N German Church Road, Byron, IL

5 OFF $

25

$

purchase Expires 3/31/21

107 S Hennepin Ave. Dixon (815) 677-9492

The action heats up this fall/winter!

RESERVE YOUR BAY TODAY!

SM-ST1825827

24

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

Continued from page 24

With help from his wife, Roberta, and fellow prairie enthusiasts Rusty Cox and Denton Swarts, they spent weeks hand-picking seed and scattered about 175 pounds worth on the patch.

“The prairie’s a labor of love for plants, not only for forms, but for grasses and sedges,” he said.

The 2-acre combination short- and tall-grass prairie contains between 40 and 60 different types of plant and insect species. Most of the plants consist of grasses, native forbs and little shrubs.

“These plants are pretty cool when you start studying them and figure out what they do to survive and propagate,” Considine said.

Some plants can be pretty relentless as they strive to survive.

Autumn olives or spotted napweeds, for example, can be an invasive plant because they can grow too thick and take up space for other plants. That’s why Considine makes it a point to come out to the prairie every other week from the start of May: to make sure the wrong plants are out and the right plants can thrive.

The New England aster provides a pop of purple at the prairie restoration area at Meadows Park in Dixon. Considine can’t help but marvel at nature’s handiwork.

“People think I’m crazy being a male and having so much enthusiasm for beautiful plants like that, but you can’t tell me that thing ain’t pretty.”

Continued on page 26

The Softener Man Repair on all makes & models

Service Call Special

$29.95

Serving The Area For Over 30 Years

$200 OFF

any water conditioner or iron filter!

815-323-1622 815-625-3426 EXPIRES 12/31/20 COUPON MUST BE USED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE.

We invite you to stop by and enjoy a multi-level shopping experience

CARS815.com

307 First Ave., Sterling Monday-Sunday 10am-4pm

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

25

The gentian flower, with its deep blue blossoms, is just one of many plant species that can be found in a prairie restoration area at Meadows Park in Dixon.

Continued from page 25

Every plant has its own growth timeline, which is another reason he keeps coming back.

“You have to learn what’s good in a prairie, and what’s bad in a prairie,” Considine said.

Each plant reaches a point where it’s at its most lively, and with the right combination of nutrients, the colors can really pop. During a walk-through of the prairie in late September, Considine noticed, to his surprise and excitement, some low-laying gentians beaming an intense blue color among the green and beige leaves and stems.

Even with all that color, the best way to experience it is to immerse yourself in it; even as bright as they are, they still can’t be seen from the nearby trail. At the full bloom, the gentians will stay that way for about 2 weeks before transforming into a seed head.

“That’s a reward for all of the work that you do when you try and bring the seed. Sometimes you bring the seed and sometimes you get a result and sometimes you don’t. I’m absolutely ecstatic.

“People think I’m crazy being a male and having so much enthusiasm for beautiful plants like that, but you can’t tell me that thing ain’t pretty.”

Even with decades of experience walking through prairies, there are still many things Considine is learning about flora and fauna. The 2-acre prairie is a continual work in progress, and thoughts have come to his mind sometimes about creating walkways through the middle, or perhaps splitting the prairie in two. Splitting the prairie would retain an insect habitat when the prairie is undergoing a prescribed burn.

“If you burn this all at once, then the insects have no place to go,” Considine said.

Among the plants found in the Meadows Park prairie …

• White indigoes: The seeds are inside, and when picked, they can be repropagated in other locations in the prairie • Indian grass • Compass plants and prairie docks, both of which have a rough and coarse texture • Brown-headed bush clovers • Mountain mints, which smells like mint up close when the stems are squished or snapped • Tall and short coreopsis • Wild quinine • Various goldenrods • Purple and white prairie clovers • Echinaceas (pale purple coneflowers) • Pinstamens • Brown-eyed Susans • Indian Plantains • Carpenter cup plants • Porcupine grass

26

D i x o n

L i v i n g

Continued on page 27

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

Damien Considine inspects some seed pods from the wild white indigo plant. “What’s cool about the prairie is that you’ll always remember the plant when you go harvest the seed,” he said. “It’s kind of a reward-and-work type of thing. You get rewarded for the work that you do. You go out and harvest wild indigo and then you come back to see the plant and go, ‘Oh, there’s the seed head that I picked and now I can see the plant that it produces.’”

Continued from page 26

The patch undergoes a burn in the spring, which regenerates it by getting rid of all of the duff on the ground so that the seeds “can do their thing,” Considine said. He also is a state-certified burn boss and helps coordinate the burns.

“You have to have controlled burns in order for a prairie to thrive,” he said. “Not to survive, but to thrive.”

Considine has volunteered with the Dixon Park District for 20 years.

For just as long, he’s also volunteered with The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Audubon Society, and as a director for the Middle Rock Conservation Partners, which works on prairies throughout Lee and Ogle counties. He’s done plenty of work at Nachusa Grasslands, not just on prairies, but he also helped build fencing when the bison came to Nachusa a few years ago.

He can go from one park to another on successive days. The day before

he was wowed by the bright gentian plant, he was running a forestry mower for Middle Rock.

“If the conservation group had to pay an operating group, it would be $50 an hour; that’s the value I can bring to the organization, is that I run that machine for free,” Considine said.

Considine created the prairie with not only the goal of growing plants and growing people’s interest, but growing the prairie. He’d someday like to see the patch extended out east toward the Rock River on what now is cornfield.

It’s estimated that less than 0.1% of Illinois’ original landscape remains, and Considine’s mission is to maintain, and even restore, as much as possible.

“I really enjoy the beauty that it offers to the public,” he said. “It’s turned out absolutely great. n

N w h e r e i s Diixton?

S Around and around we go, where we stopped ... Do you know? Here’s a clue: It’s a good place to horse around. What is it, and where is it? Answer appears on page 30

D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

27

Local op

Sh

g n i t n Pla s d e e s the

gn, t up an “Open” si u p to g n ki o lo is reet has When someone erce and Main St m m o C f o er b r in the the Dixon Cham usiness incubato b a : it g an h to nant is the perfect place test temporary te la s it d an – n w to grow heart of down g some bloom to in av h to d ar rw looking fo

28

D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

STORY CODY CUTTER PHOTOS ALEX T. PASCHAL | FOR DIXON LIVING

T

he Willey Flower Company and the Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street share a similar mission: Grow, grow, grow.

For Brandi Willey and her children, that involves growing plenty of unique and colorful flowers for their customers to enjoy.

For the Dixon Chamber and Main Street, it means growing its business community.

The Willeys have teamed up with the Chamber Main Street to open a brickand-mortar business at 115 S. Hennepin Ave., a place that formerly housed J Boutique, which earlier this year moved to a bigger location nearby.

The Chamber Main Street owns the building – it used to be the Main Street headquarters – but when that merged with the Chamber and moved down the street a few years ago, the building became an incubator project, designed to help fledgling businesses get started and grow to where they can be self-sufficient on their own property.

Continued on page 30

ISX 800 ™ ™

Inspired by her sons Cooper and Owen’s 4-H projects, Brandi Willey is opening Willey Flower Company in downtown Dixon, in the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street’s business incubator. The business stemmed from the kids’ plan to show the flowers at the 4-H fair, but when COVID derailed that, they headed to the farmers market, and now, to their own shop. “I kind of started thinking that maybe it was something that we can make bigger,” Brandi said.

The ISX™™ 800 800 features features the thenext nextgeneration generationininFerris Ferris® ® independent suspension suspensiontechnology; technology;the theForefront Forefront Suspension System.

System.

Ready to find your style?

TM FOREFRONT FOREFRONT INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENTSUSPENSION SUSPENSION SYSTEM SYSTEM TM

23" 23" TURF TURF FRIENDLY FRIENDLYREAR REARTIRES TIRES TM iCD iCD CUTTING CUTTINGSYSTEM SYSTEMWITH WITH2-BELT 2-BELTDECK DECK TM

DECK DECK WIDTHS: WIDTHS:52" 52"//61" 61" ENGINE ENGINE OPTIONS: OPTIONS:

Briggs & Stratton®®Commercial Series Briggs & Stratton Commercial Series Briggs & Stratton®®Commercial Series EFI Briggs & Stratton Commercial Series EFI Vanguard®®810 Vanguard 810 Kawasaki®®FS730V Kawasaki FS730V Kawasaki®®FT730V EFI Kawasaki FT730V EFI

Duette® honeycomb shades

$X,XXX 00 6,999

$

Model: 5901XXX

Model: 5901790

Sweetwood Interiors

Stop in to see our remodeled showroom!

ABC LANDSCAPES 123 Mower Ave, Cityname, NY 53139 (456) 789-1011 • abcwebsite.com 815-626-4600 2900 Polo Rd., Sterling, IL 815-239-2600 2430 S. Pecatonica Rd., Pecatonica, IL www.peabudysinc.com

SM-ST1824415

Window Treatments • Flooring • Accessories Lighting • Furniture • Upholstery 107 Main St., Forreston, IL 815.938.3681 Toll Free: 877.938.3681 Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Sat closed Appointments can be made anytime to suit your needs www.sweetwoodinteriors.com SM-ST1824386

D i x o n

L i v i n g

|

W i n t e r

2 0 2 0

29

Continued from page 29

Incubator projects are nothing new to the Sauk Valley: There is one at Sauk Valley Community College, and another at the Small Business Development Center in Sterling.Chamber Main Street’s incubator is housed in a one-story building downtown, a short walk away from other small businesses.

The Chamber Main Street helps businesses by offering reduced rent and access to its marketing programs, business membership coordinator Mary Oros said.

“The purpose of it really was to develop a space where entrepreneurs can come in with less of an initial expense to get started, and to see if their business can thrive and grow to potentially be a viable business in the community,” Oros said.

“The hope of it would be that they would realize that they’re going to grow and from there they would grow to a bigger space.”

J Boutique, which sells women’s clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry, and is owned by Jenny Koch, opened there 3 years ago and eventually grew to the point where they could venture to its own building – they’re now just a short walk down the street at 123 W. First St. – which is three times larger than the incubator space.

“It did exactly what it was designed to do,” Oros said.

The Willeys now aspire to have similar success with their flower and earthly goods shop. The Willey Flower Company grows their own flowers off site and, as of now, sells them at the Dixon Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and Saturday morning. When the incubator needed a tenant, the Willeys stepped forward.

What started out as a 4-H project for Brandi’s children will make the next leap forward when Willey Flower Company opens its doors in November. When the initial plan for the flowers, using them for the 4-H fair, was halted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, that led the family to the farmers market, where Cooper, 15, and Owen, 14, have become known for their flower table.

“I kind of started thinking that maybe it was something that we can make bigger,” Brandi said. “COVID threw in a wrench for plans for the 4-H fair, so we went ahead and the boys started selling their flowers at the farmers market every Wednesday and Saturday morning.”

Continued on page 31

“Your Next Fence”

Your best option in Agricultural, Residential, and Commercial fences.

Fast, friendly service and quality workmanship.

Call now to schedule your Fall project!

Serving Lee, Ogle, Whiteside & Carroll Counties and beyond

Mary Oros, business membership coordinator for Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street, talks about what went in to getting the business incubator ready for its latest tenant. “The purpose of it really was to develop a space where entrepreneurs can come in with less of an initial expense to get started, and to see if their business can thrive and grow to potentially be a viable business in the community,” she said.

N

w h e r e i s iDtix?on

S

ANSWER

There’s not many places in Dixon where someone can stand inside and be over someone standing outside, but the turret (seen from below in the photo on page 27) at The Stables bar is one of those places.

This turret is one of four that used to be along South Galena Avenue in decades past.

Lori Erbes, GRI

Designated Managing Broker/Owner

Over 30 Years Experience 815-535-6295 1922 Tower Rd. • Sublette, IL 61367

SM-ST1824559 SM-ST1 824559

30

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

SM-ST1824558

lorierbes@gmail.com

Continued from page 30

The Willeys have spent much of their recent afternoons and evenings getting the place prepped, starting with paperwork early in the day and ending with physical work with getting things built inside the store. The kids are learning many aspects of business and are just as involved as their mother, who works in marketing at Wahl Clipper in Sterling.

“It just kind of turned into a bigger thing for us,” Brandi said. “It’s been great for them. They’ve learned about growing and managing a business, entrepreneurship, and they’ve seen what it takes to bring all of the things in for a store – how to inventory it and how to manage your pricing.”

The pandemic temporarily halted the Chamber Main Street’s plans to fill the building, but it wasn’t too long after its start when Oros and Willey started talking. The application process takes some figuring out to do, and it involves a detailed business and marketing plan not just for the current stay in the incubator, but for the foreseeable future as it starts to grow wings. The business enters into a contract, which the Chamber Main Street reviews yearly.

The family-based aspect, and having flowers grown locally, were big factors in allowing the Willeys to have the incubator space, Oros said.

“Her business plan killed it. It was amazing.

Their type of business and their plan was really what this type of incubator space was geared for.”

Brandi’s marketing experience at Wahl helped, too.

“It really helped me build a good business plan. One of the bigger parts of my job is to find products that people want, and that’s really played into the things that I brought in.”

The 60-by-30-foot, one-story building, originally built in 1900, has a large storefront, a back room where the Willeys plan to keep their flower coolers, and a restroom. Main Street had been in the building since 1993, when it ws donated to them by John and Peggy Beier of the former Beier and Company in town.

“It’s neat that we are able to have this space to help grow our business community,” Oros said.

The Willeys also plan to have lines of paper goods, such as cards and puzzles, which are made from seed paper, so they can be planted when they are done – being as “earth friendly as possible,” Brandi said.

“My family is a huge part of this,” she said. “If it weren’t for them, we really wouldn’t be doing this. My kids are super important to me and for them to be involved.” n

MORE INFORMATION For more information on the Dixon Chamber and Main Street incubator program, email info@dixonnow. com or call 815-284-3361.

Willey Flower Company plans to open for business in November.

Find it on Facebook or Instagram @WilleyFlowerCompany.

Delivering great advice, value and selection for every project.

THANKFUL FOR YOUR BUSINESS During this season of gratitude, I’d like to thank this community for choosing my agency to protect the things you’ve worked hard for.

Robert Maltry, Agent 709 N Brinton Ave Dixon, IL 61021 Bus: (815) 288-4206

cabinetry | flooring | doors windows drywall | Insulation | hardware | lumber siding | molding | millwork | roofing | & more

We are here for you during these difficult times.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

815-288-2255

411 W. 1st Street, Dixon, IL American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & Its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 008897– Rev. 1/19 ©2016 – 13047554

Mon-Fri 7am-5pm | Sat 8am-Noon www.kitzmans.com

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

31

STAY COVID-FREE AND

CARRY ON When Joe moved into Heritage Square, He brought a self- constructed model of his home on Chamberlain. In August, a shell of a doll house had been donated. Joe lovingly took on finishing the project: cutting shingles for the roof, cutting siding with a butter knife, laying floors, building stairs, wallpapering. He meticulously covered every detail: Right down to stately deep blue. Many supplied the furnishings: including Carrie Holloway who made the curtains. Joe proudly displays thee house in the lobby for all to see.

Art Tofte

Art A Tofte, before COVID, was out and about the communityy going from one event to another: Cards, Bingo, Lightening, McDonald’s coffee, frequented the Elks, Moose, VFW, LCCOA and many more.

He is now seen throughout the day working on puzzles; the more pieces, the more challenging. The 500 piece puzzle pictured is a gift from his son for his 98th birthday –October 5th. He has a system of drawers and boxes by color. Art says He will be busy doing something else and all of a sudden think, “Oh I know where that particular piece is, then rush over and put it in place”.

620 N. Ottawa, Dixon (815) 288-2251

www.heritagesquaredixon.com 32

D i x o n

L i v i n g

2 0 2 0

Joe Venier