IVL-June-2013

Living Illinois Valley

Summer 2013

Brooklynn and Grey Thompson help carry on the Sisler’s Ice Cream legacy!

See our story on Page 4

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Illinois Valley Living

Illinois Valley Living feels the heat!

You just have to love summer in the Illinois Valley.

Between a myriad of festivals, activities and special events, the lazy days of summer afford all of us an opportunity to relax, enjoy and kick our worries and schedules to the curb. I hope you are enjoying your summer and have planned a host of events in the Illinois Valley in which to participate.

Can you believe it’s been one year since we launched Illinois Valley Living? I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful folks, and I’ve had many great comments from several of you! Thank you so much. Your input is integral to the success of any product we publish.

I think you’re going to enjoy the Summer 2013 edition too. It’s filled with a variety of stories about the people, places and things in a place we call home — the Illinois Valley.

I’d like to draw your attention to a special story on Page 10, titled, “Illinois Valley Living’s Women of Distinction.” I hope you’ll embrace this event. After all, the Illinois Valley is filled with women who have and continue to make a difference in our lives. I’m urging you to nominate someone today and then attend our fall luncheon too.

Enough from me ... I want you to get reading. There are some great stories inside, and I know you won’t be disappointed. Always remember I’m anxious to hear your input and story ideas. Feel free to give me a call.

Because of course ... you are important to me and Illinois Valley Living.

Have a great summer, my friends. Take some time for you. Breathe.

Relax. Exhale.

Best regards, Terri Simon, Editor

Living Illinois Valley

PUBLISHER Sam R Fisher EDITOR Terri Simon SALES DEVELOPMENT Pam Pratt-Marsh PAGE DESIGN Greg Wallace PUBLISHED BY The Bureau County Republican 800 Ace Road Princeton, Illinois 61356 (815) 875-4461

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Photo contributed

There’s never a shortage of ice cream in the Sisler/Thompson homes, and likewise, the Sisler/Thompson children never tire of the sweet, frozen treats, for which their family is known. Pictured are Annette McGinley (front row, from left), Tieg Sisler and Brooklynn Thompson. In the back row are Lucas Sisler (left) and Grey Thompson.

I scream ...

You scream WE ALL SCREAM FOR SISLER’S ICE CREAM!

Story by Terri Simon Photos by Kath Clark Photo contributed

T

here are many signs of summer ... swimming pools full of squealing children, grills layered with steaks, chops and burgers, hot and sultry nights on the front porch, gardens bursting with fresh produce ... the list is endless.

But perhaps the most significant sign of summer is right in our own backyard.

That’s right! I scream ... you scream ... we all scream for Sisler’s Ice Cream!

Situated in the small northern Bureau County village of Ohio, there’s noth-

4

ing small about the taste of Sisler’s Ice Cream or the operation behind this creamy and rich frozen dessert.

While it might seem like those familiar orange and white containers have been in your grocery store freezers forever, you aren’t far from being correct.

Sisler’s Dairy Products opened in 1908

by George Sisler, and today it is owned by his son, Bill, the president of the company; Karen Anderson, Bill’s daughter and secretary/treasurer of the company; and Dan Thompson, vice president and general manager. Other family members involved are Bill’s other daughter, Kathy McGinley, sales and ice cream assistant, and James Anderson, Karen’s husband,

who is an ice cream maker.

Aside from the Sisler family, the 15 winter employees and 25 summer employees stay pretty busy making the company’s only two products — ice and ice cream.

It’s not surprising January is Sisler’s slowest month, said Karen Anderson, who added they produce about 1,225 gallons in the month after Christmas.

But just wait until summer rolls around!

Anderson said August is the company’s busiest month, where they average about 4,000 gallons of the sweet stuff. In 2012, Sisler’s manufactured 30,000 gallons of ice cream.

“With our ice cream, we generally

Illinois Valley Living

THE SISLER FILES

Sisler’s President/owner Bill Sisler (from left); Karen Anderson, owner/secretary/ treasurer; and Dan Thompson, vice president/general manager; stand in front of a mountain of ice at the Ohio business. make it one day a week, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the off season; we even skip a few weeks here and there when we are caught up,” she said. “In the summer, though, we may make (ice cream) until 3 or 4 p.m., just to keep up with the demand.”

On the ice-making side of the business, Thompson said Sisler’s typically manufactures around 840 tons of ice in a week, which converts to 140,000, 7-pound bags or 60,000, 22-pound bags

In 1908, George Sisler began the family business, making ice cream and harvesting ice from Albrecht’s Pond. At the time, ice was sold for home ice boxes and producing ice cream.

In 1928, Sisler bought Charles Pomeroy’s creamery and remodeled his butter building for ice cream production. In the mid1930s, home refrigeration eliminated the ice business.

Meanwhile, George’s son, Bill, took a two-year dairy plant course at Iowa State University. In 1950, the ice cream operation was updated with new refrigeration and continuous ice cream freezer.

It was 1957 when George retired and Bill took over management.

The ice business was revived and continues to grow steadily. Several smaller buildings were added to the company.

Other buildings were added in 1980 and 1990; the old buildings were torn down in 1995 to add a larger refrigeration, production and storage sections.

See Sisler’s Page 6

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Sisler’s From Page 5 after the ice is sized and screened for snow removal. The company also sells its ice in 12-pound blocks. In a typical month, the Sisler’s makes about 3,360 tons of ice.

If that doesn’t get you shivering, Thompson said customers’ demands require the ice-making process be a 24/7 operation.

“Our ice production during the off season may be only three days a week, six hours per day. But during the summer, we may have production of three different shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to keep up with the customers’ demand for ice,” Thompson said.

On the ice cream side of the operation, Sisler’s creates 40 to 45 delicious flavors — some of which are seasonal, like pumpkin pie, caramel apple, egg nog, peach, mango and orange pineapple.

The company says their most popular flavor is vanilla, however, peppermint, butter pecan, chocolate and moose tracks aren’t far behind the perennial favorite. Sisler’s Ice Cream is sold in pints, half gallons and 2.5 gallon containers.

The patriarch of the business — Bill Sisler, who quickly admits he never gets tired of ice cream of which his favorite flavor is butter pecan, said the company’s key to success is fairly simple ...

“Sisler’s is locally produced with fresh ingredients by dedicated employees,” he said.

The Sisler operation in Ohio — which has expanded and changed considerably since it all began in 1908 — remains in the exact same location. It’s a tradition of sorts for the folks in Ohio.

While it’s pretty obvious the staff at Sisler’s has the operation down to a science — as they fill bags with ice and plastic containers with ice cream, that doesn’t mean the company does also have a few challenges.

Anderson said new regulations with packaging and labeling for ice cream is somewhat of a challenge, and the rising costs and minimum orders on ingredients makes it difficult to stay competitive with larger companies. Agreeing the regulations are an ongoing issue, Thompson said finding good

Sisler’s President Bill Sisler says he never tires of the creamy and tasty ice cream produced in his facility in Ohio. While he admits his favorite ice cream is butter pecan, Sisler’s produces upwards of nearly 50 flavors, some that are only seasonal. The familiar orange, white and blue containers filled with Bureau County’s own sweet treat is sold in pints, half gallons and 2.5 gallon containers. The Sislers say their most popular flavor is vanilla, but peppermint, butter pecan, chocolate and moose tracks are also favorite among ice cream lovers.

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Illinois Valley Living

employees can also be difficult, however he added, “We have a good group of guys and gals that work for us to help accomplish our goals and make us successful.”

But for every challenge, it appears as if this family-owned/operated company has a host of opportunities before them — now and in the future.

“We have loyal customers who continue to buy Sisler’s ice and ice cream and spread the word (about our products),” Anderson said. “We will continue to make quality, locally-made products that Grandpa, Dad and brother (the late Bill Sisler) devoted so much of their time to, along now with my sister and husband, who are helping to keep Sisler’s a family-owned business for as long as possible.”

Thompson agreed.

“I hope to continue to grow our business and be as successful in the future as we have been in the past. Mr. Sisler has instilled a good work ethic in us, and we hope to continue to strive to exceed our customers’ expectation,” Thompson said.

“We don’t want to be the biggest company — just the best!” he continued. “When you think about ice or ice cream, we want our name — Sisler’s — to come to mind ... locally manufactured, locally owned and operated.”

Sisler’s Ice Cream and ice can be found locally in most any store that sells those products. The company delivers in a 70-mile radius of Ohio.

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... WITH PERU MAYOR SCOTT HARL Questions compiled and photo

by Barb Kromphardt

What is the last book you read: “Presidential Courage” by Michael Beschloss.

lars, how would you spend it: My first expense would be to go to a good financial advisor.

What is the last TV show you watched: “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

People would be surprised to know that you: Actually have a heart.

Where did you grow up: I grew up in Joliet for 13 years, then I lived in Troy Grove for three years. I’ve been in Peru for 40 years.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could have just one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be: Parmesan-encrusted tilapia.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job as mayor: The challenges.

Family: My wife, Barbara; two daughters, Kelli and Kara; and three grandchildren.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be: A family picture.

Scott Harl City: Peru.

Occupation: I’m the mayor of the city of Peru, in my second term.

What is the last song you listened to: Something on the oldies station, probably by the Beatles.

8

What is the biggest challenge of your job as mayor: The one waiting for me when I finish the one in front of me.

What is your favorite thing about the city you live in: The great people who call Peru their home.

What is your favorite local restaurant: I frequent all Peru restaurants, and If you could change one thing about they’re all very good! your town, what would it be: I would like to see our town become more If someone handed you a million dol- involved in the arts.

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of WOMEN Illinois Valley Living’s

distinction

Honoring the women of the Illinois Valley — the Women of Distinction Awards focus on those ladies who make a difference in the lives of area citizens.

The premier Illinois Valley Women of Distinction Award is given to women who have made a difference in the Illinois Valley and who are representative role models as leaders in their fields and communities. Illinois Valley Living is excited to create this annual event to honor those women who make a difference in the lives of others.

What woman do you know who has gone that extra mile to benefit others? Who has taken a stand, made a difference and/ or been a role model for others? We want to hear about these wonderful women from you.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the premier Women of Distinction Award. Honorees will be chosen by a selection committee from outside the Illinois Valley area.

On Oct. 17, a welcome reception will precede a luncheon and awards ceremony, where multiple Women of Distinction Award winners will be honored and given the opportunity to share their stories.

To nominate a Woman of Distinction go to www.illinoisvalleyliving.com and click on the ad on the right side of the page to complete the nomination form. You can also fill out the nomination form on the adjoining page and mail it to Women of Distinction, c/o Bureau County Republican, Attn: Terri Simon, P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Aug. 1. For questions or more information, call 815-875-4461.

10

Illinois Valley Living

Women of Distinction identifies women who have made a difference in the Illinois Valley and who are representative role models as leaders in their fields and community. Honorees will be profiled in the Illinois Valley Living Magazine’s September issue and recognized at an awards luncheon on October 17th.

Please fill out this form completely (use additional paper if necessary) and return by August 1, 2013. Additional forms can be downloaded by visiting www.illinoisvalleyliving.com.

Today’s date:__________________________________________ Education:

A. Nominee’s Personal Information Name ___________________________________________________________ Organization/company/corp. _______________________________________ Title _____________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________________ City of residence __________________________________________________ E-mail __________________________________________________________ Hometown (childhood) ____________________________________________ Date of birth _____________________________________________________

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Family: ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Please include bio/résumé/vita

B. Achievements In the space below, please describe the nominee’s greatest personal, professional or job-related achievement. Honors or awards can be included as well as examples of a challenging problem solved, a major project completed or a product produced. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ C. Nominator *Name _____________________________________________________ Title _______________________________________________________ Organization _______________________________________________ Phone ______________________________________________________ *Email: _____________________________________________________ *Must include to be informed if your nominee has been selected

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Question compiled and photo by Terri Simon Teacher Diane Nyman’s third-graders at Lincoln Elementary School in Princeton told Illinois Valley Living readers what they like best to do in the summer. Their answers are written just as the students wrote them.

My favorite thing to do in summer is play basketball. I like to get up early because I like the sun. It makes me feel good.

Gabe Jackson

My favorite thing to do in the summer is to play baseball with my friends I like to play thrid base. Also I love to go camping it is really fun.

Payton Mangold

One of my favorite things to do in My favorite thing to do in the sumthe summer is play basketball. I prac- mer is play basketball and football tice crossovers a lot. Basketball is my with my dad and I also like to ride favorite thing to do in the summer. my bike.

Jack Bauer Bray den Scaggs I like to ride my bike it is orange I like to climb trees and read books and black. I also like to hang out with in them. I also like to play basketball my friends. My favorite thing to do is at home. I also like to ride my bike. go to the ranger.

Nolan Loch Cohen Vetter In the summer I like to ride my bike and build little things like ramps. I also like to play football and other sports. I think it’s fun to ride my electric scooter and mow the lawn.

Caden Brooks

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My brothers and I like to play baseball in the summer. I hit a lot of home runs so does my brothers. I like to ride my four wheeler in the summer.

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A few of my favorite things to do in the summer is to play basketball and go Frisbee golfing. I also like to practice softball and take walks with my family.

One more thing I like to do in the summer is to go to my friend/neighbor’s house and ride bikes together.

Megan Orwig

My favorite thing to do in summer is to go outside and play with my animals like cows, calfs, dogs, cats and pigs. My next favorite thing to do in summer is to ride my bike. My last thing that I like to do at summer is to plant trees and flowers.

Abbey Calkins

My favorite thing to do in the summer is flying kites. My mom buys a kite. We go to Zearing park to fly my kite. It has to be a windy day. I ilke to see how high it goes.

Hannah Heaton

In the summer I like to go outside and ride my bike and jump on the trampoline. I also like to do is hangout with my friends and go ride bikes with my sister Alexis. I like to swing in the summer. I like to go to the park in the summer also I like to go in the creek with my brother that’s what I like to do in the summer.

Gracie Mall

My favorite thing to do in summer is that I like to play soccer and I am on a team! Also another thing I like to do in the summer is ride my bike places!

Also I like to do gymnastics in my grass I like to play outside and run around. and jump on my trampoline!!

I like feeding the animals’. I like Olivia Alter going to my friend’s house and have sleepovers.

My favorite thing to do in summer Grace Mayes is I like to play outside with my dogs.

And ride my bike. And sometimes go My favorite thing to do in the sumswimming too. mer is look at flowers and go to the Alivia Piper park. I think the flowers are the prettiest I the summer. I also think the My favorite thing to do in summer is weather is perfect to go to the park in ride my dirtbike. I also like to ride my the summer. horse Rugby. Also work on combines Allyson Bohms and tractors.

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In the summer I like to ride my bike.

My other favorite thing to do in the summer is play soccer.

Torrie Segerstrom My favorite thing to in the summer is to ride my bike. My bike is pink and black. I like my bike.

Abigeal Wallace My favorite thing to do in summer is planting flowers. Going on a family walk to the train station.

Chole Groves For summer I like to go outside and ride my bike, I also play on my swing set, and use chalk, and soccer I like to plant flowers with my mom and play outside with my neighbors.

Courtney Atkinson I Like To Ride My BIke In The Summer. I Like To Walk My Dog. I Like To Play Outside. cc My favorite thing to do in the summer is to ride my bike and play soccer.

Sometimes I ride my bike to the park and go on bike trails and sometimes I just ride around in my naborhood. I do soccer at the park and it is really really fun.

Aubrey Vogel

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Growing the good life Story by Ken Schroeder Photos by Kath Clark

Jim Harris is a man of the earth.

Nothing suits him better than donning one of his hats, grabbing his garden tools and tending to the plants, which will turn into fruits and vegetables he will ultimately sell at the Farmer’s Market.

Harris’ five grandchildren pitch in and help with his stand — Harris’ Buy Right No. 1 produce. Quickwitted and still owning an Arkansas southern drawl, Harris not only enjoys taking his produce to market, but he also like chatting with customers and camaraderie between other farmers.

O

ne of the joys of summer is shopping through farmers’ markets, looking through fresh produce for your culinary needs. You might think it takes a lot of people to bring that produce to market, but in some cases, that’s not necessarily true.

Jim Harris of Dimmick started his farmer’s market stand last year, although he’s been growing vegetables for years.

Still speaking with a comfortable Southern drawl from growing up in Arkansas, he’s lived in the area since 1966. His farmers’ market staff consists of his five grandchildren.

“I’ve wanted to do this for years, so last year I got ‘Harris Buy Right No. 1 Produce,’ and I got okra, tomatoes, onions and squash,” said Harris. “I was in Oglesby when a guy saw the sign, and he wanted an autograph. I got another sign with the grandkids. This is ‘H & H Produce,’ it stands for Harris and Hollingsworth.”

While he might be new to farmers’ markets, Harris has some pretty good marketing strategies.

“I put the big produce up front, so people will see them and come over to see what else I have,” said Harris. “I keep a cooler full of soft drinks and Popsicles, so when kids see them, they yell and drag their folks over. I give ‘em away while their parents look.

“I’ve been growing for myself, and I’ve been giving some to my son and my daughter and the grandkids, and some to my neighbors across the road. I just gave it away,” Harris said. “But I always wanted to (sell at the farmers’ market), and I just got started.”

Harris is enthusiastic about his produce and talks about his varieties of tomatoes and squash with energy mixed with a Southern drawl.

“This one, I’m excited about; it’s a Siberian tomato. Supposedly, they come from Russia, and they came here through Alberta Canada. They say when you get a hard frost, this one will not die,” Harris said.

There are three gardens throughout Harris’ yard with dozens of tomato plants as well as squash and okra, and although he currently sells vegetables, he’s thinking about expanding in the future.

Throughout his yard, he has several

14

peach and apricot trees, most of them already showing immature fruit.

“Maybe not this year for apricots, but peaches should be ready this year.

I’ll probably try it just to see how it goes,”Harris said.

Harris’ farmers’ market stand is tidy and well-kept. Not only does he enjoy selling the fruits of his labor — literally, he also enjoys the camaraderie between buyers and other growers.

MORE THAN JUST FRESH VEGETABLES Want to give gardening a try? Along with some homegrown goodness, you might be surprised at the other benefits you might receive.

Gardening has long been known as a great way to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. And gardening has hidden benefits that can boost your overall health including better brain health.

You don’t need a big plot of land to enjoy gardening. Use containers on a porch or patio to grow a wide variety of fruits or vegetables. A five-gallon bucket with holes for drainage can be used to grow a great crop of tomatoes.

Even if you aren’t actively involved in gardening, just walking in a garden can give you a sensory experience that promotes relaxation and reduces stress.

Illinois Valley Living

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Just ducky ED VLADIKA CARVES OUT HIS OWN NICHE Story by Derek Johnson Photos by Kath Clark

E

d and Peg Vladika live on a quiet street in Princeton surrounded by neatly mowed lawns and older, well-kept homes. There’s not much that sticks out to an observer.

But, like many homes in quiet neighborhoods, it is what is happening inside that proves most interesting. Inside the Vladikas’ home, things are what some might call at bit “quackers,” especially since Ed’s special talent of carving duck decoys has taken on a life of its own.

Vladika worked for Josten’s for 47 years, making master rings from drawings. The master rings were the model for all of the rings that would be produced in that design. Vladika was part of the team that designed William “The Refrigerator” Perry’s Super Bowl ring.

Its record-breaking size was causing the molds to collapse, and Vladika is one of the guys who helped get a ring that would fit the notoriously large man’s hands and not buckle before delivery.

But that was then ...

“I always wanted to carve and never had the time, you know, when (I was) working. And, I’ve always been fascinated by ducks and wildlife. They’ve got so many colors in them,” he said. “So, when I retired, I started carving. I went

Ed Vladika works on one of his duck carvings in his Princeton home. After working at Josten’s for 47 years, Vladika dove head first into the duck pond, creating masterpieces of wooden carvings. Having always been fascinated by ducks and wildlife, he spends countless hours in his workshop, crafting replicas that will challenge the eye to decide if they are real or not. to the carving store, and I started carvers published, and that’s what I learned ing Santa Claus and snowmen first. My from,” he said, adding some of the books daughters, grandsons and everybody were published by regional decoy carvwanted them.” ers such as Lee Masters and Bruce Bork, Were they gifts? both formerly of the LaSalle area.

“No they’re not gifts. They’re just takVladika carves many different types ing them,” Peg said as she and her husof water fowl including buffleheads, band laughed about the family members loons, swans, mergansers, teals and malclaiming their treasures. lards. All of his pieces are carved out of After the holiday carvings, Vladika pre-cut 8-inch-by-4-inch blocks of bass moved on to ducks. He learned his craft wood. strictly from books.

“It’s good wood but ... it’s expensive “There are so many fantastic carvwood. It’s only around Illinois,” he said, ers from this area, but they’re all gone adding it’s a native wood and the only now. You can get some lessons in Peoone he uses. Often he has to use two ria or Chicago and places like that, but blocks and then connect the two comI bought books. I used to go to Henry plete carvings to form the entire animal. for duck decoy shows, and they had a Vladika said he uses various books to whole bunch of old books these old carv- understand the contour and coloring

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Illinois Valley Living

of the different birds. He used to only paint them. Now he carves out the different features and then paints them all in the tranquility of his garage.

For the patterns and contours, Vladika makes a paper mock-up, not unlike he did for Josten’s for all those years, and then he cuts it out. It serves as his guide. He then sits at his desk molding the wood with his tool’s, as he works through the arduous process.

“It takes a long time. All the birds are different. The bodies are a little different. Ducks are like humans; they are set a certain way, but then, they also are different,” he said.

Getting the right colors of paint can be especially tough because the paint has to be color matched to complex natural occurrences. To accomplish this, Vladika turned to yet more books to help make and apply the right colors.

He said one can buy preformed ducks and then simply paint them.

“But to me, that’s not doing it, but everybody is different,” he said.

Holding a swan, Vladika said, “This was difficult. It took me forever.” The swan was three pieces glued together with the body coming from two blocks of basswood, and the neck and head coming from another. Vladika uses dowel rods to keep the pieces intact.

Vladika doesn’t sell his decoys.

“Right now it’s just a hobby. Maybe

The process of carving duck decoys can be tedious; painting them takes just as much time. But Princeton’s Ed Vladika enjoys the challenge. Vladika learned how to carve from reading books on the subject, mixed with a good share of trial and error. While he doesn’t sell his work, he does give them to family members and has donated some to charity events. one day I’ll sell some,” he said, adding “There are so many species, and I like he gives most of his pieces to his chilto do each specie ... but I don’t think I’ll dren and has donated some to charity. live that long,” he said with a big laugh.

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Allie Leone (from left), 8, her mom, Mindy Leone, and Josie Leone, 6, searching for wild flowers at Lake Thunderbird Campground in Putnam County. Below, the family takes a few minutes for rest and relaxation amidst the quiet and serene natural surroundings.

Camp Illinois Valley

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN YOU CAN KICK INDOOR LIFE TO THE CURB Story & photos by Goldie Currie

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rab that tent, buy those hot dogs and don’t forget the matches!

The Illinois Valley offers numerous great campgrounds where you can ditch fast-paced everyday life and get a little closer to nature. Among them is Hickory Hollow Campground in Utica.

The family-owned campground was established in 2002 and started out with just 30 sites. With the demand for business throughout the years, it’s expanded to 37 acres. The grounds are owned by two families, Sandy and Fred Esmond and Louise and Gary Harmon.

Sandy and Louise both agree the Illinois Valley is a great place to camp because it’s centrally located, and summer activities are always happening all around. Having Starved

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Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park and Buffalo Rock State Park up the road is also a big plus.

Throughout the years, Sandy has seen all shapes and sizes of homes people have pulled along to camp in. One thing for certain, the camping equipment has gotten bigger.

“Even the tents used to be the little domes, and now they have three to four rooms to them,” she said.

Being a newer campground in the area has allowed Hickory Hollow to adjust their campsites to accommodate all the newer, larger equipment that pulls through the entrance.

When comparing a stay in a motel versus a stay in the campground, Sandy said the atmosphere of camping allows people to be “much, much friendlier.”

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“I can go over and sit, and they’ll come over and talk and say, ‘Hi, where you from?’ or ‘What you doing?’” she said.

Some campers in Hickory Hollow have made lifelong friends in the campground and continue to meet at their sites summer after summer.

TIDBIT FROM AN EXPERIENCED ILLINOIS VALLEY CAMPER It’s no secret that Mindy Leone of Ladd enjoys the great outdoors. Her adventures of camping date back to when she was a baby.

Her parents used to rig up a little hammock between the oar locks of a boat for her sister and herself, and they’d fish all day at the lake.

“I was about as tomboy as it gets, so I don’t remember there ever being a year growing up that I didn’t camp, fish, hunt or

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CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF CAMPING?

At right, Sandy Esmond (left) and Louise Harmon, owners of Hickory Hollow Campground in Utica take a few minutes to plan their day at campground, which is comprised of 37 acres. The two own the facility along with their husbands, Fred Esmond and Gary Harmon.

Listed below are public camping areas in the Illinois Valley

something that involved being outdoors,” she said.

The camaraderie of camping is what gets Leone back at the campsite again and again.

“Sitting around the campfire with friends and family, talking and sharing laughs, building a fire, roasting s’mores, watching the kids play and explore and appreciating nature,” she said.

Her joy of camping has been passed on to her two daughters, Allie, 8, and Josie, 6, who’ve been camping since they were 6 weeks old.

“They love nothing more than to col-

lect bugs, frogs and crawdads and make a muddy mess of everything,” said Mindy.

The great part about her camp style is she’s a tent camper – it’s a personal preference.

“I don’t mind sleeping on the ground,” she said. “I’m hoping it keeps me young.”

To Mindy, camping in a tent keeps things simple – just pop up the tent and chairs and she’s ready to relax.

“I can keep a tent in my trunk, and it doesn’t require a plug in or a tire change,” she said. “For me it’s an escape from taking care of this and fixing that around the house and from work.”

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Illinois Valley Living

• LaSalle/Peru KOA 756 N. 3150th Road 815-667-4988 • Starved Rock State Park 2570 E. 950th Road, Oglesby 815-667-4726 • White Oak Campground Route 178 Deer Park Township, Utica 815-667-4758 • Hickory Grove Campground 7478 1745 North Ave., Sheffield 815-454-2600 • Bureau County Fairgrounds Princeton 815-875-2176 • Hickory Hollow Campground 757 N. 3029th Road, North Utica 815-667-4996 *Public camping is also available along the Hennepin Canal at Locks 6, 11, 17, 21 and 22 for a fee. Visit the Hennepin Canal Visitors Center (closed on weekends) for a map and fee payment.

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Puddle jumpers!

Story and photos by Dick Todd

E

xperimental biologist Jean Rostand may have had it right, for he once said, “Theories pass. The frog remains.” Or does it?

Except during the breeding season, most frogs and toads are seldom seen.

Frog calls, usually near a body of water, are one of the most noticeable indicators of a frog’s presence. Or if you happen to be walking near water, the alarm call followed by a splash will let you know a puddle jumper is in your midst.

Each frog or toad has it own distinctive call, which is aimed at attracting a partner during its short breeding season and before the summer heat dries up the ponds. Cricket frogs click as if pebbles are being tapped together. The chorus frog call is like the teeth of a comb being strummed.

Some of the species that have a longer tadpole stage use more permanent bodies of water to ensure development. All frogs and toads go from a completely aquatic stage to a stage where they can exist in or out of the water.

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Frogs and toads go through many changes as they transform to live in two worlds. When a tadpole develops into a frog, the eyes move from the sides to the top of the body. Going from gills to lungs is another change that enables frogs to live in two worlds.

The shape of the frog’s hind foot will indicate how aquatic the animal is, from the webbed foot of a bullfrog to the enlarged toe pads of gray tree frogs, which are used to assist in climbing.

Local frogs vary in size, from a little less than an inch for the cricket frog to almost 8 inches for an adult bullfrog. Common to the Illinois Valley are cricket frogs, chorus frogs, spring peepers, leopard frogs, green frogs, gray tree frogs, bullfrogs and American toads.

Some local frogs can create their own antifreeze to survive winter weather.

Also, many can change their colors to blend with the background.

Frogs can be seen locally at Dixon Waterfowl Refuge, Mautino Fish and Wildlife Area, the Hennepin Canal, the I&M Canal and more ...

For more information, the Illinois Natural History Survey has “The Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois.”There is also the “Chicago Herpetological Society,” a group of reptile and amphibian enthusiasts.

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ONCOLOGIST DR. ALLEN VUKOV RETIRES Story by Terri Simon Photos by Kath Clark

F

or the past 24 years, Dr. Allen Vukov has been riding a train that has offered him a host of new friends, a myriad of heartaches and the opportunity to learn first-hand the courageous and multiple facets of the human body, spirit and soul. It has been a vehicle that has taught him much, but also one that has required him to spend many hours a day on the job.

On May 31, Vukov decided to step off his self-described “speeding bullet train.”

“I am ready to step off the ‘speeding bullet train’ at the station, and once it pulls back out without me on it, I will be excited to find out what and who is there,” said Vukov just a few days before his retirement from Illinois CancerCare of Peoria, which also has clinics in Bloomington, Canton, Carthage, Eureka, Galesburg, Kewanee, Macomb, Monmouth, Ottawa, Pekin, Peru and Princeton.

Vukov, who lives in Dunlap, initially began his career in Peoria in 1989 and has been an oncologist in Kewanee since 1992 and in Princeton since October 1994, when he took over for his partner, Stephen Cullinan. If you, a family member or a friend in Bureau County have been touched by cancer, no doubt the calming voice and demeanor of Dr. Allen Vukov has also touched your life. As a matter of fact, when area cancer patients discuss their treatments with each other, Vukov’s name is spoken time and time again — almost in a reverent tone, as patients speak of a man who has a real understanding of their thoughts, fears, worries and treatment options.

Dr. Allen Vukov works with registered nurse Michelle Langdon in his Princeton office. Vukov retired at the end of May. While many doctors come and go, Vukov has only worked in Bureau County/ Kewanee/Peoria throughout his career.

Growing up in Woodridge, he graduated from Downers Grove South High School, North Central College, University of Illinois Medical School and trained at Mayo Clinic for internal medicine and hematology/ oncology.

Working with cancer and those it affects for nearly a quarter of a century, Vukov has seen his share of changes.

“The greatest advances are the fact that most of the time, we now have chemotherapy that works,” he said. “In the beginning, responses were few and of short duration; now responses are better, last longer, and there are many more viable medication options for the patient.

“We know a lot more about cancer,” he

continued. “We now look at the biology of cancer and understand ‘what makes it tick.’

Our newest chemotherapy treatments are mostly targeted or focused on the specific types of cancer cells; it allows us to attack the cancer and ‘leave the good cells alone.’

This also makes the practice of chemotherapy much more complicated because you are always looking for the custom made tool to do the job in each individual patient.

Years ago it was like the way I do home repairs at home — I am not sure what is specifically causing the problem, and all I have is a hammer, screwdriver and a pair of pliers at my disposal” Vukov said other advances in cancer treatment include control of chemotherapyrelated symptoms and technology.

So imagine going to work every day and seeing people, who in many cases, are battling a life-threatening illness. They are people who are frightened, worried, scared — not just about the disease itself but also about the future. How would you handle that?

For Vukov, it is complex ...

“I have always realized that for every situation, there is a person that can play a role in helping patients learn about their problem and also can serve to give them a perspective about what can realistically be done to manage it. That’s what I have tried to do in my career. Although I have counted many patients as friends, I have also realized that I cannot stop being their “medical adviser,” who is trying to give them the best options for their predicament,” Vukov said.

“Sometimes that option is anything from observation to aggressive chemotherapy; and unfortunately, sometimes the option

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is palliation of pain and hospice. There are days that I am devastated, but no more so than my patient. Still, if that is my role, I need to maintain the highest level of honesty and control because that is what my patient needs,” he said.

A quiet and soft demeanor, Vukov helps his patients feel comfortable with him, as well as their illness. Seeing Vukov walk into an examining room, a hospital room, a chemotherapy room or anywhere throughout the Illinois CancerCare clinic located at Perry Memorial Hospital ... well, it’s like seeing an old friend walk through the door.

Inevitably, he will turn the visit into a conversation — an honest one — using analogies from everyday life and how it pertains to cancer. He has referred to his role in a patient’s cancer care as being the captain of a ship.

“The ship’s captain analogy is not so much an issue of being the boss, as it is a realization that when things are getting perilous, everyone is looking at the captain; and if he/she is hysterically sobbing and running for a lifeboat, then the situation for the patient is not controlled either,” Vukov said.

Vukov said he tries to give his patients five tools as they battle the disease: 1.

Education; 2. Dedication to their cause; 3. Listening to what the patient is saying and needing; 4. Modifying his approach to treatment, so it best fits the needs of the patient; and 5. Promising the patient that

he will do his best and not leave them.

When it comes to challenges in his role as an oncologist, Vukov said one of the most demanding objectives is to remain current, from an educational standpoint.

“Our field changes rapidly, and it is hard to maintain a razor’s edge,” he said.

And for every challenge, there are opportunities, and Vukov doesn’t hesitate to talk about the most rewarding part of his career. “(It’s) the privilege of walking into a (patient’s) room and receiving their trust.

It happens all the time in life, but it is established in seconds during an office visit,” he said.

Vukov also said he is inspired by his patients, their families and of course, his staff, whom he praised repeatedly. He said he admires the way they stand side by side with him as he works with patients.

While cancer patients will tell you they are forever changed after being diagnosed with this disease, Vukov also said the disease has taught him much.

“I am never far away from understanding that you cannot take any circumstance for granted,” he said. “All days and all moments and interactions with people are precious.”

Which translates to his retirement and those precious moments he wants to spend with his family. “(I won’t miss the) time constraints.

There is no way that I can do this part

time, and I am poor at multitasking; so it is apparent to me that unless I stop, I will never get to the many things that (my wife) Carol and the rest of my family would like to do,” he said. “My wife and I have many interests, realized and unrealized. I have long wanted to be in my marriage without the constraints of having to make the office a higher time priority than my family.”

Vukov said he wouldn’t want to spend a day without his wife and his two daughters.

“Carol has been my wife of 25 years, whom I could not and would not want to spend a day without. For every ounce of energy that I placed into work, she has placed two ounces, taking care of the domestic operations and putting up with me,” Vukov said.

“My two daughters, Taylor, 20, and Leigh, 18, both are my proudest ‘achievements.’ They are off to college! The nest is empty! I am humbled every day that God thought highly enough of me that he entrusted Carol and I to have and raise them. They are all my gems,” he said.

Vukov’s retirement was official May 31.

Illinois CancerCare oncologist Dr. Jane Liu is replacing Vukov in the Princeton/ Kewanee offices.

And if you’re wondering where Vukov is now ... perhaps you’ll see him finally being able to be the co-captain with Carol ... aboard their own ship.

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Pipe dreams MARY MCCAULEY’S ORGAN MUSIC IS LEGENDARY Story by Terri Simon Photos by Kath Clark

H

er fingers gently yet deliberately glide over the keys; her toes delicately breeze over the pedals. The sanctuary is immediately filled with the most beautiful sounds you might ever hear ... Yes, Mary McCauley of Princeton is playing the organ at St. Louis Catholic Church in Princeton.

“On Eagles’ Wings” ... “Amazing Grace” ...

The sounds resonating from McCauley’s expertise are familiar, however, the quality of musical abilities is nothing short of inspiring. “Ave Maria” ... “Jesus Tender At Evening” ... She studies the music as she plays, yet it’s obvious she knows most of the songs by heart.

Moving to and fro with the music, back and forth as her fingers and toes play just the right notes, the music undeniably fills the sanctuary but also her body, her heart, her soul. It is at these moments when it becomes crystal clear that McCauley is exactly where she is supposed to be.

McCauley began playing piano at a very young age and then quickly became acquainted with the organ.

“I think I was 12 or 13 years old,” she said, while seated at the electronic organ in the choir loft at St. Louis. “The parish priest at the time — Father Doherty — said a man was dying, and he needed someone to play the funeral Mass.”

Doherty began teaching McCauley the intricate process of playing he organ. In high school, she took lessons from Hugh Price, who taught at the Congregational Church in Princeton. It was in high school when McCauley began playing daily at St. Louis Catholic Church.

“In order for the priest to get the full $10 for high Mass, they had to have music,” McCauley remembered. “They had me play every morning before school, and I’d get $1 a day.”

Mary McCauley of Princeton has been playing the organ since she was a young girl. As a teenager, she remembers playing daily at St. Louis Catholic Church in Princeton, where she received $1 a day for her musical talents.

Later, McCauley taught classroom music in the Princeton schools for 32 years.

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McCauley left her high Mass post to attend the College of St. Francis in Joliet, where she earned her bachelor’s degree.

She later earned a master’s degree in music and studied in Europe. McCauley taught classroom music for 32 years — 25 of those years in the Princeton Elementary School District.

While she has fond memories of her teaching years, it’s clear playing the organ for parishioners is a huge part of her life, and she takes that obligation very seriously.

“Many people take organists for granted,” she said thoughtfully. “To be a church organist, you have to be dedicated. You have to be there. You have to plan. You have to study the Liturgical Calendar.”

While McCauley could probably play most songs with her eyes closed, she admits she still practices and plays the piano at home. Especially when she’s playing for a wedding and she’s not familiar with a selection of music, she’ll practice extensively to make it perfect. She often plays with her children and grandchildren for funerals and weddings, as well.

While St. Louis does not have a pipe organ, McCauley has had several occasions to play that type of organ and does her best to replicate that sound for parishioners and those who attend the weddings and funerals for which she plays. But regardless of what type of organ she plays, there’s one thing for sure ... she has to have her organ shoes.

A 1978 vintage pair of the perfect shoes she

One can’t play the organ without the right shoes ... at least that’s the philosophy of Mary McCauley, who keeps her “organ shoes” stashed in the choir loft at St. Louis Catholic Church in Princeton. While some say playing an organ is one of the most difficult instruments to master, McCauley makes it look ... and sound easy. Besides playing for Mass, funerals and weddings, McCauley said she also likes to play for her own enjoyment. needs to play an organ wait for her in the choir loft at St. Louis.

While it’s difficult for McCauley to decide on a favorite song and composer, she did say she likes classical music, Bach and of course, “Amazing Grace.” Put perhaps the musicians she admires most are her children and grandchildren, who have followed in her footsteps and are able to sing and play with all the expertise their mother and

grandmother owns.

While some have said an organ is perhaps one of the most difficult instruments to play, McCauley makes it appear easy ... with her fingers gliding across the keys and organ shoe-clad toes pushing just the right pedals, that beautiful sound is far more than just a pipe (organ) dream. Instead the music is a reality — a way of life for Mary McCauley.

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BYSTRY: WORKING HARD FOR THE HONEY Story and photos by Goldie Currie

J

ustus Bystry, 13, of Princeton is a talented teenager. Like any 13 year old, he has many interests, but perhaps the one that separates him from the rest of his peers has become a stinging success. That’s right. Justus is a beekeeper.

The fascination with honeybees started at age 6 when his grandfather took him to a friend’s house to check out his numerous beehives. Since then, Justus has become so involved in the hobby that he and his family are now taking over that same beekeeping business.

“I really like it because bees are just like a pet,” he said. “They sting you, but that’s because you’re getting into their house.”

Although he’s been stung too many times to count, a bee sting he’ll always remember is the one he got on the tip of his nose.

“It hurt,” he laughed as he reminisced.

“Justus is one of those kids that’s game for anything,” said his mother, Rachel.

“He’s the only kid brave enough to do this.”

Getting past the stingers, the sweetest thing about the beekeeping business is, of course, the honey, Justus said.

Currently, he cares for 13 beehives.

Each hive requires a check up about once a week until the harvest season buzzes in. During harvest, the Bystry family’s hives can make up to 600 pounds of honey.

Justus admits he enjoys getting out of the house and spending time with the bees. After doing it for so long, he can now tell which bees belong to which hives. He said the size of a bee’s stripes vary in each hive.

Beekeeper Justus Bystry (left) of rural Princeton works with his mother, Rachel Bystry to maintain one of his 13 beehives. Bystry, who is 13, said he needs to check on each hive about once a week. The young beekeeper has had a passion for bees since he was 6 years old, and today, that passion has turned somewhat profitable, since he sells his unpasteurized honey Learning honeybee behaviors and personalities is something that’s come natural to the Bystry family. Although they seem like experts with beekeeping, they admit it’s been just a trial-and error type of process Of all the behaviors bee’s portray, the one that never fails to amuse is their cleanliness.

“If you get a handful of dirt in their nest, they will get it cleaned out right away,” Justus said. “If you spill honey on the ground, they’ll immediately pick up

all of it.”

Although beekeeping is a big part of his life now, Justus said he plans to pursue a different career when he’s older.

“I do a lot of things, and this is just a hobby,” he said.

The Bystry family bottles their own honey and sells it locally. Unlike the pasteurized varieties in the store, unpasteurized honey includes the natural taste and healthy minerals and antioxidants people rave about. To get your hands on a bottle of Bystry honey, call 815-875-9200.

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Good, better and ... ZBest Story by Terri Simon Photos by Kath Clark

S

heffield is a tiny town in western Bureau County, but thanks to Executive Chef Eran Salzmann, that tiny town is big on taste.

Salzmann, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., is the owner of ZBest Cafe on Main, located at 129 S. Main St. Originally from the even tinier town of Mineral, which borders the Bureau and Henry county line, Salzmann is certified by the American Culinary Federation, and in 2008, he brought those culinary skills and expertise to town.

Renovating an old Main Street building, Salzmann stripped down the walls in his restaurant to reveal the original bricks; the old tin ceiling and intimate lighting add ambiance to the cafe.

Original artwork and photographs (all for sale) hang on the walls, as do a variety of awards the chef has won through the years.

Since those early beginnings on Sheffield’s Main Street, ZBest has become a popular eatery among many in the Illinois Valley area and beyond.

It’s guaranteed nobody goes away hungry with Salzmann’s sizeable portions, and the food ... well, let’s just say it will be difficult to find a more interesting and taste-tempting menu, prepared with all the skills of a chef who clearly knows his way around the kitchen.

Salzmann calls his cuisine “Midwestern comfort food with a flair.”

Chef Eran Salzmann doesn’t skimp when it comes to hearty portions at ZBest Cafe on Main in Sheffield. Breakfast, lunch or dinner ... Salzmann uses his culinary expertise to put on a feast for casual and delicious dining.

“We make most everything in house. It’s all fresh with natural meats,” he said. “Our fish is flown in every Friday for the weekend. People who know fish will be able to tell that. We serve natural pork, certified

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What’s for breakfast?

Griddlecakes as big as your plate — might want to try them with blueberries, chocolate chips or raspberries or throw the diet out the window and order the strawberry cheesecake griddlecakes; made-to-order omelets — the tomatobasil, provolone and mushroom omelet won’t disappoint; biscuits and gravy; a ZBest Skillet and more ... The selections are many, and prices range from $4 to $9. Breakfast is served Wednesday through Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. No doubt, you’ll be talking about this breakfast for a long time.

Ready to try ZBest lunch?

It’s a soup, salad and sandwich extravaganza at ZBest during the lunch hour, which is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday. All selections are made daily, including the Apple and Onion Soup topped with provolone and Swiss cheeses with grilled bread; the popular Spin Art Chicken Sandwich that includes a grilled chicken breast with creamy spinach artichoke topping and provolone on grilled wheat bread; the huge ZPork hand-pounded, handbreaded or grilled jumbo tenderloin; the Turkey Rachel with smoked turkey, coleslaw, 1,000 Island dressing and Swiss on marble rye; and many, many other sandwiches, all served with a choice of hand-cut fries, house-made chips, onion rings or red skin potato salad. No doubt

Nobody makes meatloaf like Mama did? That means you haven’t tasted Salzmann’s meatloaf — on the menu every Thursday night. a take-home container will probably be requested. Lunches range in price from $3.99 to $7.99.

Delicious dinners await ...

Serving from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 5 to 9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, dinner at ZBest is different every evening: Tuesday: The 2 for $26 special is popular, which includes one appetizer to share, two entrees (Jumbo Pork Tenderloin, Hand-Breaded Fish and Chips, 1/2-

pound ZBurger with bacon and cheese, BBQ’d Smoked 1/2 Chicken or Tuscan Ravioli) — both served with one side, plus one dessert to share. There’s plenty more to tempt you too ...

Wednesday: Wednesday night is chicken night at ZBest, where you can choose from AppleWood Smoked BBQ Chicken or Buttermilk Fried Chicken, chicken strips and plenty more chicken choices.

Not a fan of chicken? Order the 8-ounce or 10-ounce King Kut Sirloin for only $1 an ounce.

Thursday: A plethora of Salzmann’s specialties, including Daddy’s Meatloaf, AppleWood Smoked Beef Brisket, shrimp, steaks, sandwiches and more, including appetizers, soups and salads.

Bon appetit!

Friday/Saturday: The granddaddy of the menu selections, which include Chef Eran’s Steakhouse menu; seafood, chicken and pasta dishes; sandwiches, soups and salads; and a variety of specials on the weekend menu.

Dessert: Don’t leave ZBest without trying at least one of their desserts — many are so big you can share, like Caramel Pecan Bread Pudding, Triple Berry Lemon Mascapone Cake, Salted Caramel Vanilla Crunch Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae and more.

Reservations on the weekend and for larger groups are suggested. For more information, call ZBest at 815-454-2425.

Elizabeth Birkey

Illinois Valley Living

29

CORTNY HANNON TALKS ABOUT HER LIFE OUTSIDE HER CLASSROOM Questions compiled and photo by Barb Kromphardt Town where you live: Spring Valley.

Where did you grow up: Ladd.

Family: Husband – Chad; and daughters – Lanie, 12 and Maddie, 10.

Pets: Black lab – Sarah; miniature dachshund – Savvy; and cat – Cleo.

School in LaSalle.

What is the last song you listened to: “Settle Down” by Kimbra. It deals with girls breaking out of stereotypical marriage roles. In my creative writing class, my students are analyzing song lyrics to decipher the artist’s message. After hearing several girls’ song choices, I realized they were mostly your stereotypical love songs. So, I jumped on that teaching moment to show them the opposite end of the spectrum.

Occupation: Sixth-grade writing/language arts teacher at Lincoln Junior High What is the last book you read: I’m usu-

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What is the last TV show you watched: “Seinfeld.” I watch the reruns every night in bed before I fall asleep. I think it’s important to not go to sleep too stressed-out, and Seinfeld definitely makes even the most drama-filled day melt away.

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viding them with the tools to develop If you were stranded on a desert their craft. island and could have just one meal for the rest of your life, what would it What is the biggest challenge of your be: Sushi. Good sushi! job as teacher: One of the most useful pieces of information I received If you were stranded on a desert during my education is that it takes island and could only take one thing a diverse community to truly educate with you, what would it be: This a child — home, school and the surquestion always trips me up. People rounding community. Unfortunately, seem to answer it so wittily. I’m a practical girl, though, so it’s a toss-up it is oftentimes difficult to align the vision of all three of these entities. between sunscreen and my running From differing cultural or family views shoes. to financial issues, so many hurdles What is your favorite local restaurant: play into a child’s daily education.

Diversity is increasingly important, Uptown Grill. but when teaching it, there is a very fine line to walk. I think that as teachPeople would be surprised to know ers, the stress of balancing on that that you: Have finished a 24-hour adventure race, which included biking, line exhausts many of us. orienteering, rappelling and kayaking.

If someone asked you to name a I took time off from the sport when I memorable moment, what first comes started teaching because they’re both extremely time-consuming, but I start- to mind: That’s tough. I’m always connecting events around me to my ed training again this year. own life experiences. Right now, my oldest daughter just wrapped-up her What is the most enjoyable aspect first track season, so I’ve been thinkof your job as teacher: As a writing ing a lot lately about when I won state teacher, it’s the moment a student hurdles during my seventh-grade year. realizes that she/he’s an author. So many students think that reading/writ- It’s amazing how our successes as children become some of our fondest ing is this foreign concept that only memories. established readers and authors can do. I love inspiring students to realize What is your favorite thing about the that we’re all authors and then pro-

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city you live in: When I was in my late teens, I left for college swearing I’d never look back. I lived in several places – Milwaukee, Minneapolis and North Carolina to name a few – trying to establish my independence. Something was always missing, though. It wasn’t until I moved back to the Illinois Valley that I realized how much I love regularly seeing people I know.

Running into people you know and having a conversation about different facets of your life truly makes life complete.

If you could change one thing about your town, what would it be: We live in an area where school facilities is a very important topic. Several towns and counties have put this issue on the ballot over the past year. Luckily, I live in a town where the school referendum passed. I realize, though, that not everyone is excited about this. At first, before I was informed of our high school’s condition, I wasn’t sure if I agreed with the referendum. I became informed, though, and realized the importance of a new high school.

I realize that we live in an economy where every penny counts; I just wish that this didn’t need to take such a strong toll on our students. Like I said, our referendum passed, but it was too close for comfort.

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Ben Brown has been a member of the Utica Volunteer Fire Department since shortly before the April 2004 tornado destroyed much of the downtown area. Brown has since made the fire department his career. He currently works as a paramedic for the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service and is assistant chief of operations for Utica Fire Protection District.

Story and photo by Barb Kromphardt Photo contributed

T

he powerful tornado winds that brought death and destruction to the Utica and Granville communities on April 20, 2004, had an unexpected side effect.

The tornado turned a 16-year-old boy who was filling some time as a cadet in the Utica Fire Department into a young man passionate about his future as a firefighter.

Ben Brown was only 15 the summer before the tornado hit. He and a friend were sitting in a restaurant when they were approached by former Utica Fire Chief Dave Edgcomb.

“He asked what me and my friend, Kyle, were doing with our lives,” Brown said.

“He told us not to sit on our butts and play video games, and that on Monday night we needed to come to the fire station, and we could do the

34

cadet program.”

Brown was in the fire station when the tornado roared through town. When the winds died down, he helped remove ambulances from their severely damaged building, and then accompanied some suburban fire departments on building searches.

“I led the searches up my street in my neighborhood,” he said. “I knew what doors you knock on and who’s there, and to calm people down with a familiar face.”

Everything convinced him he wanted to be a firefighter instead of a meteorologist as he had planned.

“I really enjoyed every minute of what I did,” Brown said.

“The tornado kind of sealed the deal making me want to do it.”

Since the tornado, Brown has obtained multiple certifications for the fire department. He has an associate’s degree in fire science technology from Joliet Junior College, and he has earned his Certified Firefighter III designation.

He currently works for the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service as a paramedic and is assistant chief of operations for Utica Fire Protection District.

Brown’s love for firefighting has a national aspect.

In September 2005, the New York Says Thank You Foundation came to Granville and Utica. The New York Says Thank You Foundation sends volunteers from New York City each year on the Sept.

11 anniversary to help rebuild communities around the country affected by natural or manmade disasters as their way of saying thanks for the support the city received following Sept. 11.

On June 11, 2008, Iowa’s Little Sioux Scout Ranch was the site of a tornado that killed four Boy Scouts. Brown, an Eagle Scout, wanted to help. In September 2009, members of New York Says Thank You went to Iowa to

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Illinois Valley Living

help rebuild, and Brown joined them.

“I kept going with the group after that,” he said.

The next year Brown joined the group to help rebuild Mena, Ark., after its tornado, and he met some members of the New York Fire Department including a firefighter named Jimmy Sands.

Sands and others were part of the National 9/11 Flag project. After Sept.

11, a man named Charlie Vitchers, one of the site superintendents of the cleanup project, recovered a flag that had been flying on a nearby building.

In 2008, Vitchers brought the torn remains of the flag with him to Greensburg, Kan., which was almost totally destroyed by an F5 tornado. Residents and other disaster survivors helped stitch the flag back together using flags salvaged from the Greensburg tornado.

“Their goal was, starting in Arkansas, they were going to go to all 50 states and restore the flag to its original red and white stripes using patches from flags from across the country,” Brown said.

When Brown was in Arkansas, Sands told him he needed a favor.

“He comes up to me and J.R. Swietek and said – they call me McLovin – and said, “McLovin, I need some help. We’re doing this flag tour, and I need honor guard members,’” Brown said.

Brown agreed, and the next call came in March 2011.

Ben Brown places his first stitch in the National 9/11 Flag during the Illinois Stitching Ceremony. Brown and other Utica firefighers have served for the honor guard for ceremonies in several other states.

Photo contributed

“He said, ‘We’re coming to Illinois in May. I need you to line up the stitching ceremony and honor guard members for Hines VA Hospital, and then we’ll do a display at the fire station. I want an escort all the way from Hines to here,’” Brown said.

So Brown, Swietek and a couple of Utica firefighters went to Hines to serve as the honor guard.

Soon came another call to help out in Michigan, which was followed by other honor guard and stitching ceremonies in Georgia, North Dakota, Utah, Montana and Maryland.

In addition to serving as honor guard, Brown said he’s put a stitch in the flag every time.

“The Illinois patch has a piece of the flag that flew at the fire station in Utica

on the night of the tornado,” he said.

In Maryland, he helped sew the stitches from the Francis Scott Key flag onto the flag.

While the flag has been completed, Brown’s career has only just begun.

Looking to the near future, he said he hopes to soon be working full-time for a fire department while still living in Utica and keeping his position as assistant chief with the Utica Fire Department.

“I’ve worked hard for that,” he said.

And 30 years down the road?

“I’ll probably be the fire chief here by then,” Brown said with a laugh.

Brown said he continues to enjoy the never-ending challenges of firefighting.

“The job is never the same; no call is identical; and it’s a problem each time you have to solve,” he said.

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A holy trinity METHODIST CHURCHES IN TONICA, LOSTANT AND LEONORE BECOME ONE CAMPUS Story and photo by Dixie Schroeder

Forty years ago, each local church almost always had their own pastor/reveflecting upon his upcoming erend/priest. In today’s world, churches one-year anniversary as pasmust share spiritual leaders often due to tor of Tonica United Methodist, financial considerations. The pastor of Richland United Methodist and Lostant today must be able to meet the needs of United Methodist churches, Mark Nowa- not just one parishioner in one church ... kowski smiled. Nowakowski — the pastor but many. of three churches — enjoys the chal“The challenge is how can you be lenge of being a spiritual support system everything to everyone?” he said. “Each to his flock. individual church wants, needs and “What’s really interesting about the deserves their time. All of the initial chalMethodist churches is having just one lenges of a single ministry are present in church or two churches is extremely all three. Each church is currently reunusual now,” he said. “Because when imagining what their ministry is to look the church started, the elder or pastor like.” was assigned to an area or circuit. They Services on Sunday at each church are would ride on the horse and go from designed to make the church feel unique. church to church each week and preside The message will be the same, but the over that. It was up to the people to con- background stories, liturgy, songs and tinue it on, and they would. Some circuit sermon will vary from church to church, riders would have up to 12 churches.” depending on the week. Nowakowski

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said he had one parishioner “check him out” at two services on a single Sunday.

The parishioner told him afterwards that she went to church twice that Sunday because each service was so unique.

Nowakowski wants the parishioners to lead as well. The members of each church have been charged with re-imagining many areas of the three churches. There are three main parts of these Methodist churches. It is broken down into Sunday School, the United Methodist Church women’s group and the worship service.

Parishioners of the congregation have also built bridges by designing five “cell” groups of Bible study. There is an adult Bible study that meets on Sundays, and four other Bible study groups that meet during the week. Each leader of the weekly groups has been given extensive training. Parishioners are welcome at any meeting to help their spiritual growth.

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The youth ministry has also been addressed. Confirmation for seventhand eighth-graders has been re-imagined to make it more contemporary. Nowakowski said the churches have been blessed with a youth director who has had a real calling from God and does extremely well with the youth of the three churches.

Nowakowski looks to the parishioners of his churches as the key to a successful spiritual life. He noted one of his biggest challenges was making everyone understand how important they were in the church. But the parishioners of all three churches are adapting to the challenge.

Big changes are coming to the three Methodist churches. These changes have been all bought about with parishioners’ input and actions. An audio-visual ministry is being developed for each church.

The fourth Sunday of every month, there will be a puppet ministry incorporated into the services. The church’s nursery service will be starting soon. Mommy and Me, a special area that provides privacy for young mothers/fathers, will be available during church each week. The youth praise team will be leading praise music during services.

Worship numbers are up, especially in Tonica. Nowakowski has parishioners in roles to help strengthen his three churches. He is very pleased with the

Can’t be three places at once? Just ask Pastor Mark Nowakowski, who is the minister at Tonica United Methodist, Richland United Methodist and Lostant United Methodist churches. Nowakowski says the parishioners of all three churches are the key to a successful spiritual life. turnaround in this last year.

“There’s an air of growth here,” he said. “This is the wonderful thing ... there is room enough for all. We want to

Celebrating 61 years of Loving Care

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I John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

grow; we want to expand. We want folks to know that if God is calling them today to a ministry ... We want them to know that there is a place for them here.”

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Illinois Valley Living

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Hours: Monday-Thursday 11-5; Friday 11-8; Saturday 12-4; and Closed on Sunday 37

Just peachy!

SUMMER’S FIRST BLUSH ...

Recipes by Illinois Valley Living Recipe Columnist Judy Dyke Photo by Kath Clark

W

hen it comes to summer’s tasty treats, those sweet, juicy peaches have to come to mind. As children, we let the juice run down our fingers and arms, dripping onto bare toes.

As adults, we’re a bit more discreet with this succulent fruit, yet still the taste of a fresh summer peach is irresistible.

Enjoy these taste-tempting treats — geared especially for summer. We think you’ll find them to be ... just peachy!

Judy Dyke

Peach Raspberry Crisp 1 lemon 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 3 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 6 ripe peaches, peeled and halved 1 pint raspberries 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon salt Whipped cream or ice cream From lemon, grate 1 tablespoon peel, squeeze 3 tablespoons juice in large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, brown sugar, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and lemon peel.

Blend in butter until small and large clumps form. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°. Cut peaches into 1/4-inch thick slices in bowl. Toss peaches, berries, cornstarch, salt, lemon juice and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Let stand 15 minutes. In 2-quart ceramic baking dish, spread fruit. Top with crumbs. Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until filling is bubbling.

Cool 30 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Just Arrived!

2013 Jim sHore

Halloween at Hoffman’s

Summer’s Best Peach Pie Pastry for double crust pie 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger (optional) 6 cups thinly sliced, peeled peaches or frozen unsweetened peach slices Milk Sugar Ground cinnamon In a large bowl, combine the 1/2 cup sugar, tapioca and the 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix in ginger if you like. Add peaches. Toss to coat peaches. (If using frozen peaches, let stand 15 to 30 minutes until peaches are partially thawed but still icy.) On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to slightly flatten 1 dough ball of pastry for double crust pie. Roll dough from center to edge into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin. Unroll pastry into a 9-inch pie plate. Stir peach mixture and transfer to pastry lined pie plate. Trim the bottom crust even with edge of pie plate. Roll remaining dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Cut slits to allow steam to escape. Place remaining pastry on filling, trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate Fold top pastry under bottom pastry.

Crimp edge as desired. Arrange pastry cutouts around edge, if you like. Brush top with milk and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Cover edge with foil to prevent over browning. Bake at 375° oven for 25 minutes for fresh peaches or 50 minutes for frozen. Remove foil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Cool.

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38

Lou Wasilewski, Financial Advisor 110 N. Main Ave., Ladd, IL 61329 815.894.2386 x.23 • 866.894.2265 Fax: 815.894.2265

Email: lwasilewski@ncb-investments.com or visit: www.ncb-ebanc.com Securities are not FDIC insured, carry no bank guarantee and may lose value. Securities, Insurance, and Investment Advisory Services are offered through Midwestern Securities Trading Company, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Illinois Valley Living

Peachy Pork Chops

Easy Peasy Peach Cake

1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion 1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery 1/3 cup butter, cubed 6 cups day old cubed bread 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 8 1/2-ounce can sliced peaches, drained and diced 2 eggs 1 cup water 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 6 boneless pork chops (1 1/4 inches thick and 4 ounces each) 3 tablespoons olive oil Garlic salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup peach preserves

1/2 stick salted butter 1 1/4 cups self-rising flour 1/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup milk 1 can sliced peaches Preheat oven to 375°. Place butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high until melted. Pour melted butter into an 8-by-8-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar and milk. Pour mixture over butter. Pour peaches and peach juice evenly over flour mixture. Bake 30 minutes until top is slightly brown.

In a large skillet, sauté onion and celery in butter until tender, transfer to a large bowl. Add the bread, poultry seasoning, sage and pepper. Fold in the peaches. Combine the eggs, water and parsley.

Add to bread mixture, toss to coat. Cut a large pocket in the side of each pork chop, spoon stuffing loosely into pockets. Tie with string to secure stuffing. Brush chops with oil. Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. In a large skillet, brown chops on both sides. Place the remaining stuffing in greased 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Top with chops. Spoon preserves over shops. Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover. Bake 15 minutes longer until meat juices run clear.

Sunny Peaches and Cream Pie

Hill Country Peach Cobbler 1/2 cup butter, melted 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/3 cups milk 12 peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced 1 cup chopped pecans 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Vanilla ice cream, optional Preheat oven to 350°. Pour melted butter into a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth. Pour over melted butt in dish. Do not stir. In a medium bowl, combine peach slices, pecans and ground cinnamon. Spoon peach mixture over batter in dish. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with ice cream.

1 1/4 cups Graham Cracker crumbs 1/4 cup sugar 6 tablespoons margarine, melted Filling 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed Topping 1 3-ounce package peach gelatin 1 3-ounce package cook and serve vanilla pudding mix 1 1/4 cups water 2 cups sliced peeled fresh peaches or canned sliced peaches In a bowl, mix cracker crumbs and sugar, stir in margarine. Press onto bottom and up sides of an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 375° for 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. For filling: In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until blended. Fold in whipped topping. Carefully spread over crust. Refrigerate until set. For topping: In a small saucepan, combine gelatin and pudding mix, stir in water. Bring just to a boil over medium low heat, stirring constantly, remove from the heat. Cool 5 minutes. Arrange peach slices over filling. Spoon gelatin mixture over peaches.

Refrigerate for 4 hours or until chilled.

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Illinois Valley Living

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or email: dcubz50@aol.com to view Power Point of home 39

White water ahead!

AN ADVENTURE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD Story and photos by Becky Kramer

W

ho says you can’t have a white water rafting experience in the Illinois Valley?

The big Vermillion River starts its 50-mile course as a pair of creeks on the border of Ford and Livingston counties.

From there, it travels through Pontiac and Streator, eventually winding its way through Matthiessen State Park. It ends at the Illinois River near LaSalle/Peru. It is one of the rare rivers that runs from South to North in the United States.

Seventeen years ago, Bob Herbst sat at his house along the Vermillion River, watching guys carrying rafts and canoes down to the river.

“I decided at that time to start Vermillion River Rafting as a way to subsidize my retirement. The first year I started with six rafts to rent; then the next year I bought six more. I have slowly built the business over the years,” Herbst said.

Today Vermillion River Rafting is run

by Herbst with help from his wife, Ruth,

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Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. The investment products sold through LPL Financial are not insured Heartland Bank deposits and are not FDIC insured. These products are not obligations of Heartland Bank and are not endorsed, recommended or guaranteed by Heartland Bank or any government agency. The value of the investment may fluctuate, the return on the investment is not guaranteed, and loss of principal is possible.

40

of Service 67 Years

brucejewelers.com Illinois Valley Living

and family members Brett Hazen, and Patricia, Billy and Nick Semler. Everyone has a special job to do that keeps the business running smoothly.

Throughout the years, business has continued to flourish with rafters coming from all over the world, but the past three years have thrown some rough water at the folks at Vermillion River Rafting.

In 2010 and 2011, part of the river was closed while work was completed on the river. Lack of rain in 2012 has caused the river level to drop below acceptable levels to be able to raft or canoe. Through all of this, the folks at Vermillion River Rafting continue to have a positive attitude and know that next year will be better.

Rafting on the Vermillion starts at Lowell Bridge on Highway 178 south of Matthiessen State Park, where rafters travel to and are picked up at Oglesby. Rafting this 9.5 miles of river takes three to four hours, depending on the height of the river and how hard the rafters want to work.

There are 14 rapids with most being classified as a Class 1 or Class 2, which means they are easy, but when the water is above 4 feet, there will be some Class 3 rapids.

The Vermillion is a clean river with beautiful scenery such as high bluffs, beaches and woods. The best time to raft is when the river is between 3 and 6 feet deep, which in normal weather, is usually

from the beginning of May to the middle of July.

Vermillion River Rafting allows anyone age 6 and above to raft, and there is no weight limit. For a modest charge of $25 per adult and $20 per child under 16, Vermillion River Rafting supplies a four or six-man raft, paddles, life vests and rafting instructions. The company also rents kayaks for $35 a person. Non-profit organizations are charged full amount but receive a 20 percent rebate two to three weeks after the trip.

Reservations are recommended, especially on the weekends.

Vermillion River Rafting is located at 781 N. 2249th Road, Oglesby. For more information, call 815-667-5242 or email raftmaster@aol.com.

• Don’t go alone. There should be at least two rafters.

• Listen carefully to rules and instructions provided by employees.

• Understand how rough the water is as it changes depending on the level of the river.

• Stay hydrated. Drink water or sports drinks — not alcohol.

• Use proper equipment. Life jackets are required, and helmets are suggested.

• Choose your clothing wisely. Wear clothes that will dry quickly and keep you warm if rafting in cold water.

WHAT YOU GET AND WHAT YOU NEED Vermillion River Rafting provides rafters with the following items: • Raft • Paddles • Life jackets • Helmets for kids 16 and under What you need to bring: • Small cooler with water or sport drinks • Waterproof camera • Sunscreen • Sunglasses with a strap • Shoes that won’t fall off — no flip flops • Change of clothing/towels to leave in your car for after your ride

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Sowing the Seeds of Change Story by Terri Simon Photos by Kath Clark

S

mall and quaint, the aisles are filled with a variety of items that seem unusual to the everyday shopper. Brand names one sees in a regular supermarket or other store are not to be found, yet the items on the shelves easily pique one’s interest ...

Words like “No preservatives,” “No pesticides,” “No herbicides” shout from the labels, and upon examining each package, box or container, it’s obvious you’ve just stepped inside a natural food and supplement store — in this case, Seeds of Change Natural Foods at 2320 St. Vincents Ave. in LaSalle.

Mark Parsons left a sales job and opened Seeds of Change in downtown LaSalle in 1996, moving the store to its current home in 1999.

“It was something I always wanted to

try,” Parsons said. “It was at a time when the Baby Boomers wanted to get healthy; a time when they realized they weren’t going to live forever.”

Parsons said all types and ages of people frequent his ever-evolving business, which sells a variety of natural and organic groceries including many that are wheat-free, gluten-free, etc., health and beauty aids (soaps, lotions, shampoos, dental products, etc.), supplements, spices, vitamins, teas and pet items. The store also offers a refrigerated and a frozen section, cleaning products, essential oils ... and more. Parsons does not sell meat or produce, however, the items are plentiful and clearly a wide variety of products to meet everyone’s needs and tastes.

But Parsons says there’s much more to owning and operating Seeds of Change than just selling things off the shelf.

“It’s more than just the movement of

Mark Parsons, owner of Seeds of Change Natural Foods in LaSalle, studies the label on one of the many products he sells.

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products,” he said. “I have to stay on top of things; the industry changes so fast ... It’s a good industry, but there are a lot of gremlins out there.”

And then there’s the advice. Parsons spends an incredible amount of time studying his industry and the products he sells, which makes him very knowledgeable on many topics of natural foods, healthy eating, supplements and more. While the advice, information and other bits of wisdom he offers doesn’t generate a dime, Parsons said he’s often rewarded for that information.

“I probably give out more information than what we sell,” he said. “But that’s OK. I won’t sell something to someone to just make a sale. I think customers have to gain trust in me first.”

Parsons said he’s pleased with the referrals he gets from doctors, chiropractors, dermatologists and other professionals.

Often, he said people will come in looking for something specific — something natural to combat high cholesterol, menopausal symptoms, fatigue ... just to name a few.

“I think they are surprised how much better they feel, how well some (of these products) work,” he said, adding he will always suggest someone visit their doctor first to make sure they don’t require more extensive medical care.

Mark Parsons waits on a customer in his LaSalle store, where he sells a variety of natural and organic foods, health and beauty aids, supplements, pet products and more. Parsons says he works hard to stay on top of things, since the industry changes so quickly.

Parsons stressed the safety factors of his industry.

“We are very safe,” he said. “There’s never been a death caused by taking supplements.”

Parsons said he’s fortunate to have a host of regular customers — many who drive several miles to come to Seeds of Change.

“I have a lot of loyal customers. The community has been good to me. I have people who used to bring their babies in here, and now those same kids are in college,” he said with a smile.

“Young people are driving the organics right now,” he said of his clientele.

“People in their 20s to mid-30s are driving the natural food industry. There’s a strong movement, and they’re willing to spend what they need to get it.”

But at the end of the day, Parsons said the Seeds of Change is all about one thing ... and that’s prevention.

“Prevention is the key word,” he said.

“That’s what this is all about.”

Seeds of Change Natural Foods is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

For more information, contact Seeds of Change at 815-224-5894 or seedsofchange@comcast.net.

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Illinois Valley Living

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ILLINOIS VALLEY INSIDER

WHO SAID THAT? “Any pitcher who might throw at me should know I’m not giving up my day job or trying to get anyone else’s job. I just can’t think of anything cooler than being one of the boys of summer!”

— Garth Brooks

WHAT’S NO. 1?

SERMONS ON A SIGN Photos by Kath Clark

FIREWORKS AREN’T VERY ‘PET’-RIOTIC

Don’t forget to leave Fido at home when you go to view this year’s fireworks celebration, and never use fireworks around your pets. Not only can lit fireworks result in potentially severe burns or trauma, many types of fireworks (even those that aren’t lit) contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals.

Also, you might get a bang out of fireworks, however, your dog’s ears will too.

Source: Source: International Ice Cream Association ASPCA.

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Illinois Valley Living

WHAT’S GOING ON? ILLINOIS VALLEY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July

August

• Check out your local village or city clerk to find out • Aug. 2-3: Relay for Life of Bureau County at Hall High when fireworks will be shot off in your area.

School in Spring Valley.

• July 6: Tim McGraw, Concert for a Cause at Illinois • Aug. 8-11: Mendota Sweet Corn Festival in downtown Valley Regional Airport off of Plank Road in Peru.

Mendota. See www.sweetcornfestival.com for a calendar of event.

• July 10-14: Marshall-Putnam Fair in Henry. See www.marshallputnamfair.org for more information.

• Aug. 21-25: Bureau County Fair, Princeton. See bureaucounty.fair.com.

• July 10-14: LaSalle County 4-H Show and Junior Fair at the LaSalle County 4-H Fairgrounds in Ottawa.

• Aug. 30-Sept. 2: Tri-County Fair in Mendota. See http://www.tricountyfair.net.

• July 15-18: Marshall/Putnam County 4-H Show at the Marshall/Putnam County Fairgrounds in Henry.

• July 13-14: Relay for Life of the Upper Illinois September Valley begins at 6 p.m. at Mendota Lake Park • Sept. 4-8: Sandwich Fair. See www.sandwichfair.com in Mendota. for more information.

• July 20: Music on Main in Sheffield, includes a • Sept. 13-15: Homestead Festival in Princeton. See night of live entertainment, food and more on homesteadfestival.com for more information.

Sheffield’s Main Street.

• Sept. 12: Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Baker Lake • July 25-28: Bureau County 4-H Fair at the Bureau in Peru.

County Fairgrounds in Princeton.

Editor’s note: This calendar is not meant to be • July 31: Spring Valley Drum Corps International a complete listing of Illinois Valley events.

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MASON MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATES Story and photos by Donna Barker

T

he Mason Memorial Public Library of Buda is celebrating 100 years of impacting its community through books, books and more books.

With a collection of 16,000 books, 400 DVDs and 500 VHS tapes, as well as three computers for public use, the Mason Memorial Public Library can provide area residents with just about anything they could want when it comes to learning and enjoyment, according to library director Jeanne Jarigese. For that person wanting a book not found in the small town library, additional books can be ordered on loan through the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), she said.

Though the Buda library has given the community a century of learning opportunities, Jarigese said libraries aren’t quite what they used to be 100 years ago. Gone are the days when people were shushed when they talked in the library. Gone are the days when the library director was known by her frown.

Today’s library, at least in Buda, a community of 600 people, is the place where friendships are formed, laughter and music is heard and parties happen. Jarigese said she wants people to look

IVCC: the smart move

Buda’s Mason Memorial Public Library staff and board members pose for a photo in celebration of the library’s 100th anniversary, including Angie Joos, assistant library director; board member Shirley Taylor; library Director Jeannie Jarigese; and board member Marie Stabler.

1st Annual

Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens!

Saturday, Sept. 7th

10 am – 4 pm This year, 13 of the district’s top high school graduates, including six valedictorians, attended IVCC. The college awards $1,500 Helen Taylor Scholarships to district high school valedictorians, salutatorians and those finishing in the top two percent of their classes.

This year’s Taylor Scholars include Nadia Churchill-Gilstrap, Princeton valedictorian, left, Joe Dimmig, Mendota valedictorian, Joe Sydlowski, LP salutatorian, Ashlee Heider, LP top two percent, Marissa Washington, Streator valedictorian and Hannah Kosciewicz, Hall top two percent.

Join us in our beautiful country setting and enjoy an art market with over 20 artists, wine tasting with August Hill Winery, delicious home-baked items, live music, Kramer’s Kitchen food truck, fresh-picked local produce, and more.

Potter Ann Crosby will be working her pottery wheel and encourages you to participate.

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Visit: www.ivcc.edu/save for cost comparisons.

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46

Monday Saturday 8 am - 5 pm

Princeton • 815-659-3282 South out of Princeton on Route 26 for about a mile; turn right at blue tourist activities sign; follow our signs.

Illinois Valley Living

forward to coming to the library, meeting their friends and enjoying all the library has to offer. However, if there are people who are studying, she does try to tone things down a bit, she added with a smile.

In addition to all the available books, DVDs and VHS tapes, the library is also home to several pieces of original artwork and paintings done by Buda area residents through the years.

Looking back at its history, the Mason Memorial Library opened Jan. 31, 1913, at its current site, 104 W. Main St. The building was greatly damaged in a downtown fire in 1955, but village residents voted to remodel the building and held an open house for the remodeled site in 1963. The library underwent another upgrade when an addition to the library was built in 2001.

On a personal note, Jarigese said being a librarian at the Mason Memorial Public Library is all she ever wanted to do, which is what she’s done for the past 21 years. She comes from a long line of people who loved to read and loved the library. Her greatgreat-grandmother held Card No. 1 for the Buda library, she said.

With the Mason Memorial Public Library soon to start on its second century of service to the Buda community, Jarigese would no doubt agree with Henry Ward Beecher, a prominent social reformer and clergyman of the 19th century, who once said a library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.

Illinois Valley Living

THE TIME LINE FOR THE MASON MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY •A group of Buda citizens meet on Dec. 10, 1900, for the purpose of organizing a library association. Records show the association started with $82.12 donated from the Soldiers Reunion Committee, with $129 collected by subscription.

• The library was first established in rooms provided by a Mrs. Lockwood in the Lockwood Block of downtown Buda. The library was moved in 1905 to a building purchased and paid for by subscription among the townspeople. The building was the office building of Dr. O.H. Huntley and was located at the corner of Main and Center streets.

• In those early years, there was a charge of $1 per year for a membership card to the library.

• In 1912, the Mason Free Public Library was moved to the upper level of a new brick building, built by Citizen’s State Bank, between the Lockwood Block and Waite’s Store. The post office was housed in a portion of the first floor. The upper floor housed the library and two apartments. The upper floor work was financed by Lowell Mason, with the west room designated for the library, which was to be known as the Mason Memorial Library.

• The Mason Memorial Library opened Jan. 31, 1913, with an afternoon and evening reception. The deed for the entire second floor of the building was given to the library association. The deed was to be transferred to the village of Buda as soon as the village appropriated and levied a sufficient annual tax to support the library.

• In April 1913, a two mill tax was voted to support the library, with the first tax funds becoming available on June 24, 1914.

• The library building was greatly damaged in a downtown fire in 1955. In 1961, the village residents voted to remodel the building with an open house held for the remodeled site in 1963.

• An addition to the library was built in 2001.

• Currently serving on the library board are Mickey White, Shirley Taylor, Marie Stabler, Cynthia DeFreezer, Julie Hill, Ruth Ann Horwedel and Paula Kaiser. Library director is Jeannie Jarigese with assistant director Angie Joos.

Source: Information provided through Buda’s village history book.

47

ON TRACK WITH A PASSION FOR A TOWN LONG FORGOTTEN Story and photos by Goldie Currie

C

alling Dale Fiste a train enthusiast might be an understatement — especially when it comes to Zearing, Illinois — located just 12 miles northwest of Ladd and Cherry.

When he was younger, the Malden resident played with a toy train, and when in high school, he owned an American Flyer model railroad, which stayed with him until about six years into his marriage.

“I got busy being a farmer and whatnot, and I sold it,” he said of that long ago model railroad.

The years went by, and Fiste never gave a second thought about model trains until about 10 years ago, when his wife randomly purchased him a model train engine for Christmas.

“I had no idea what possessed her to do that, and I’m sure she’s revisited that decision many times because that caused a spark,” he said.

The model train engine was the powerhouse initiator that led Fiste down a fast track of wanting to build a model railroad prototype of Zearing, Illinois.

Taking the advice of model railroad magazines, Fiste began to develop a plan and vision for his railroad. Little did he know, the hankering would require years of research to unveil a somewhat clear vision of what the tiny railroad village in Bureau County actually looked like in its prime.

Although growing up close to Zearing, attending a nearby school, visiting the cold storage locker in town and hearing rumors about the train roundhouse was a kick-start to his knowledge about the village, it wasn’t enough.

Dale Fiste of rural Malden displays just a few of the many model trains/cars he has collected throughout the years. Fiste has a passion for the small town of Zearing and only collects model trains that fit into that prototype.

Throughout his search for details, stories and a chronological order of how things built-up in Zearing, Fiste was met with the hardship that not a lot of history exists anymore. Many of the Zearing railroad families have passed on; pictures have disappeared; and stories of the town are few and far between.

Despite the challenges, Fiste has come in contact with a few people who have been able to provide him with some photos and stories he’s incorporated into his research.

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“I’m at the point where I have enough that I can either prove or make a strong argument about,” he said referring to the arrangement of the businesses, homes and placement of railroad tracks in the town. “I think I’m the only soul on the face of the Earth that’s interested in Zearing’s history ... I think it’s just a shame that nobody cares what’s happening to Zearing.

“They were good hardworking people that made their living with the railroad,

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Illinois Valley Living

Dale Fiste had a toy train when he was younger. About 10 years ago, his wife bough him a model train engine, and his interest in model railroad was back on track. The Malden man enjoys collecting not only model train cars but also researching information related to the small Bureau County railroad town of Zearing. and somehow it’s just not right that we just forget about them,” he said.

The key to Fiste’s Zearing collection, which he considers a “treasure find” is a professionally-drawn map of the tracks in Zearing.

The drawn-to-scale measurements will

be more than helpful as the building stages continue in Fiste’s prototype.

Fiste considers himself a train accumulator vs. a train collector because he only buys things that will fit his Zearing setting.

“Collecting has just been one part of this journey,” he said.

His collecting doesn’t stop at the model railroad, however, Fiste has also collected remains from the old railroad town, such as parts from the Zearing’s old watertower and old railroad signals from the tracks, which had been taken down a few years ago.

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49

Day trippin’ ENJOY THE CHARM OF PONTIAC Story and photos by Donna Barker

T

he community of Pontiac may be one of the best travel destinations within a day’s driving distance for residents in the Illinois Valley region.

Large on charm and color, history and whimsy, Pontiac is located about one hour southeast of LaSalle on Route 116 in Livingston County, near Interstate 55 and the old U.S. Route 66, known as America’s Main Street.

In the center of Pontiac’s downtown area, the historic Livington County Courthouse stands like a dignified guard overseeing the community. Built in 1875, the courthouse was designed by architect J. C. Cochrane of Chicago, who also designed the Iowa

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Illinois Valley Living

State Capital. Originally heated with wood or coal burning stoves in each room, the courthouse had electricity and steam heat added in 1891, with the clocks which sit in the center spire of the building installed in 1892. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Surrounding the courthouse, downtown Pontiac has a lot to offer through a walkingtour of the community. Twenty-four, wallsized, colorful outdoor murals tell the stories of the social, economic and cultural history of Pontiac. For those who prefer the comfort of their vehicles, the tour of the murals can also be done easily within their vehicles.

Pontiac also boasts four museums with admission free to all, though donations are welcomed. Museums include the Livingston County War Museum, the new International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum, the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum and Resource Center and the famed Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum.

Continuing with the car-theme, childsized cars and trucks have been painted and decorated in various themes and are positioned throughout the downtown business district.

Pontiac also has a special affinity to President Abraham Lincoln. As a young lawyer, Lincoln visited Pontiac many times, representing local residents in legal matters and making connections which served him well

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Pontiac

From Page 51 in later years. A life-sized, bronze statue of the young Lincoln is placed at the courthouse square. Also, nine Lincoln story board markers are located in the community.

For newcomers or returning visitors, the Pontiac Visitors Center has a variety of maps and brochures available, along with information on coming festivals and summer events. Every visitor can also get a VIP button to receive special discounts from many of the local shops which line the downtown streets of Pontiac.

But Pontiac is much more than just a charming downtown.

For visitors who especially enjoy the beauty of nature, Pontiac has the Vermilion River which runs through the city, providing fishing and scenic relaxing options. The community also has several parks as well as the 300-acre Humiston Woods nature preserve.

But visitors to Pontiac shouldn’t leave town without taking time to view, and cross, one of the city’s three swinging pedestrian suspension bridges which cross the Vermilion River. Pontiac is the only city in the Midwest to have three swinging pedestrian bridges.

With plenty of available restaurants and cafes as well as lodging options, Pontiac is the perfect destination for people to relax, learn a little history in fun settings, eat good food and enjoy a great summer getaway.

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Illinois Valley Living

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53

Art as large as life Story by Ken Schroeder Photos by Kath Clark Editor’s note: In the spring issue of Illinois Living Magazine, we included a smattering of photos and biographies of artists throughout the Illinois Valley. But that list was far from complete, and we heard from many who enjoyed learning about artists from the Illinois Valley. Illinois Valley Living will continue to feature artists from the area. If you would like to be featured or you know someone who you think is a great artist, give us a call at 815-875-4461, ext. 229.

J

ohn Kettman of LaSalle has been an artist for years, starting at the ripe old age of 3. Doodling his way through school, mostly pictures of friends and teachers, he started to get serious about it in high school. Dominating a wall in his basement showroom is a painting he did at the age of 18 of the famous “Nastassja Kinski and her snake” photo.

“I saw it, and I said, ‘Wow! That would be great to paint,” Kettman said. He hasn’t looked back since.

Kettman’s work is exclusively portraits, mostly of famous figures from whom he has drawn inspiration. Facing you as you walk down the stairs to his showroom is a life-size cut-out of Al Pacino as “Scarface.”

He cannibalized a keychain that played quotes from the movie and hooked it up to a speaker, and it gives you a look into the quirkiness he enjoys.

Kettman has painted portraits of several people, mostly actors and musicians.

Around the room are paintings of singer Alice Cooper, the band The Cars, Pat Benatar and several others, many of which are signed.

Signed by the subjects. He’s taken his portraits to concerts and occasions where the star appears and managed to get them signed.

“I’ve been told by security ‘They don’t do signings,’ but I’ve taken the painting in anyway,” Kettman said. “This painting of Styx took me three tries before I finally got them all to sign it, but they were all great about it.”

Kettman has painted group paintings of all of the “American Idol” seasons’ contestants since 2006, with the exception of 2007.

“I hate what Sangina did to that season,” he said.

With the exception of the most recent painting, all of the portraits have been signed by each of the cast members.

Recently, Kettman has branched out to stand-up cut-outs. So far, he has done fullsize stand-ups of Jackie Gleason, Tippy

54

Hedron, the band Kiss and Barack Obama.

His current project is probably his favorite so far.

“It’s the Beatles from the ‘Sgt. Pepper’ album. I blew up the cover and worked from that,” he said. “There is no projector or tracing involved in any of these. It’s all freehand. Attention to detail is the key.”

To give his stand-up paintings depth, many of them are adorned with objects attached. This is especially true with the ‘Sgt. Pepper’ display.

“Those braids are the English braids from British military. My fiancee hand-

braided them for me.”

Currently, Kettman is in negotiations to sell a cut-out of Judy Garland as Dorothy to the Garland Museum. The cut-out is currently there on display, and he’s hoping that will lead to more attention to his work. But he’s not finished.

“I’m thinking about sculpture next. I’d like to do a huge 75-foot-tall statue of Abe Lincoln and have it down on Water Street.

Wouldn’t that be great? That would bring in people from all over the country!” Kettman said. “I can do it. Just think outside the box. Break out of the comfort zone.”

Illinois Valley Living

Weather or not!

W

FOLKLORE, WIVE’S TALES OR THE REAL THING?

hen it comes to the weather, many believe they don’t need a weatherman to predict what type of climate, precipitation or weather we’ll experience. Instead just ask a farmer, and no doubt, they’ll just take a look outside and offer their own prediction.

For instance ...

• If cows huddle, a bad storm is approaching.

• Expect rain when dogs eat grass; cats purr and wash; sheep turn into the wind; oxen sniff the air; and swine are restless.

• If the bull leads the cows to pasture, expect rain; if the cows precede the bull, the weather will be uncertain.

• When cats sneeze, it is a sign of rain.

• When cattle lie down in the pasture, it indicates early rain.

• Bats flying late in the evening indicates fair weather.

• When horses and cattle stretch out their necks and sniff the air, it will rain.

• If sheep ascend hills and scatter, expect clear weather.

• Wolves always howl more before a storm.

• If you spot wispy, thin clouds up where jet airplanes fly, expect a spell of

Illinois Valley Living

pleasant weather.

• Keep an eye on the smaller puff clouds (cumulus), especially if it’s in the morning or early afternoon. If the rounded tops of these clouds, which have flat bases, grow higher than the one cloud’s width, then there’s a chance of a thunderstorm forming.

• When clouds appear like towers, the Earth is refreshed by frequent showers.

(When you spy large, white clouds that look like cauliflower or castles in the sky, there is probably lots of dynamic weather going on inside. Innocent clouds look like billowy cotton, not towers. If the clouds start to swell and take on a gray tint, they will probably turn into thunderstorms. Watch out!)

• A ring around the moon usually indicates an advancing warm front, which means precipitation.

• Rain foretold, long last. Short notice, soon will pass. (If you find yourself toting an umbrella around for days “just in case,” rain will stick around for several hours when it finally comes. The gray overcast dominating the horizon means a large area is affected. Conversely, if you get caught in a surprise shower, it’s

likely to be short-lived.)

• If birds fly low, then rain we shall know. (A drop in air pressure causes air to become “heavier,” making it difficult for birds to fly at higher altitudes.)

• For every fog in August, there will be a snowfall.

• The woolly bear caterpillar predicts the winter weather. When the brown bands on fall woolly bears are narrow, it means a harsh winter is coming. The wider the brown band, the milder the winter will be.

• Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning.

(A reddish sunset means the air is dusty and dry. Since weather in North American latitudes usually moves from west to east, a red sky at sunset means dry weather — good for sailing — is moving east. Conversely, a reddish sunrise means that dry air from the west has already passed over us on their way east, clearing the way for a storm to move in.)

• A coming storm your shooting corns presage, and aches will throb; your hollow tooth will rage.

Source: Old Farmers Almanac

55

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A COMMON COFFEE FILTER COULD BE SO USEFUL? Photo by Kath Clark

break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee hey’re relatively inexpensive — filter. maybe a dollar or two, at the 5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a most. But whether you pick up a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moispackage at the local department store, ture and prevent rust. the grocery or the discount shop, you 6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free might look at the common coffee filter coffee filter. in a whole new way, after you read these 7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, fun-filled suggestions for other fantastic strain oil through a sieve lined with a ways to use these flimsy paper filters. coffee filter.

Variations of this list have been cir8. Weigh chopped foods. Place culating via email, Internet and other chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on venues for quite some time, however, a kitchen scale. nobody has stepped up to the hot plate 9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make conto say they are the actual author of venient wrappers for messy foods. these fantastic ideas. Maybe you have 10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a few other ideas of your own to add to a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a cofthe list. Either way, grab a cup of coffee fee filter to prevent the soil from going and pass on these suggestions to your through the drainage holes. friends. It’s amazing what a little cre11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. ative thinking can accomplish.

Poke one or two holes as needed in a 1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking coffee filter. in the microwave. Coffee filters make 12. Do you think we used expensive excellent covers. strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of 2. Clean windows, mirrors and coffee filters. chrome. Coffee filters are lint-free, so 13. Put a few coffee filters on a plate they’ll leave windows sparkling. and put your fried bacon, french fries, 3. Protect china by separating your chicken fingers, etc., on them. It soaks good dishes with a coffee filter between out all the grease. each dish.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make 4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you great “razor nick fixers.”

T

56

15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book.

25. Use as a disposable “snack bowl” for popcorn, chips, etc.

Illinois Valley Living

NORTH UTICA OR UTICA? Story by Barb Kromphardt

V

isitors to the Starved Rock area might be challenged by some of the local geography.

Forget about getting lost in the park.

The big question is how to find your way from Utica to North Utica ... and then to New Utica?

In fact, the towns are one and the same, as the village of North Utica is the proper name of what now is more commonly referred to simply as Utica.

Geography was generally responsible for the situation.

The original village of Utica was established in the 1830s along the north bank of the Illinois River near the site of the Indian village Kaskaskia.

Elaine Bottomley said the original village was established as a port for the boats along the Illinois River, as the boats couldn’t get past the rapids near Starved Rock.

For some time, Utica was considered to be located at the head of navigation on the Illinois River, and boats came and went with regularity. For a time, it “promised to be the metropolis of LaSalle County,” in part due to a promise it would be the terminus of the proposed Illinois and Michigan Canal.

But it was not to be.

According to “The Past and Present of LaSalle County, Illinois,” one more vote was needed to secure the passage of the Canal Act. “The man willing to give that vote was found who came to the legislature from Peru. He would not, however, vote for the canal unless the terminus was made at Peru. This necessitated a new survey, which took the canal

north of Utica, and changed the steamboat landing. This changed the whole character of the town, and all its future prospects were annihilated. The steamers would only come to Peru, and Utica could only hope to be an ordinary town on the canal route.

Bottomley said North Utica was a separate town, and development flourished there instead.

After the completion of the canal in 1848, New Utica, also called North Utica, continued to grow thanks to an abundance of natural resources — clay, St. Peter’s sand and hydraulic limestone.

Bottomley said the people debated the name and nature of the town for many years, finally deciding on the village of North Utica. North Utica was organized in 1850 and was laid out by county surveyor J.H. Wagner in 1852. It was officially incorporated in 1867.

North Utica, which is the proper, but little used, name of the present village, reached its peak population in 1900 with 1,150 people.

In addition to Utica and North Utica, there is another town that never really existed. Bottomley said the town of Science was laid out in the area, but nothing came of the plans. When Illinois became a state, the 16th section of each township was used for a school. Science was located in the 16th section.

Bottomley said when the bridge was built in Utica in the 1960s, workers found a few foundations of buildings from the original village of Utica.

Source: The village of Utica website, The 2002 North Utica Comprehensive Plan - July 2002, and “The History of Utica, LaSalle County, IL.”

UTICA’S FAMOUS SON ...

EDWARD EDSON LEE Author Edward Edson Lee, better known by his pen name, Leo Edwards, lived in Utica for nine years as a child. One of the most prolific and popular authors of his day, Lee’s story is a classic rags to riches to story.

His childhood memories never left him, and he used boyhood surroundings in shaping his plots.

Lee’s Jerry Todd series, spanning 16 books, is set in fictional Tutter, Ill., but in reality they are based on the author’s experiences in Utica. Jerry and his pals were a sort of Scooby Doo gang of the 1920s, finding mysteries and solving them.

One of Lee’s books contains this passage of his boyhood town.

“It is one of the smallest towns in LaSalle County. And instead of murdering each other, as is frequently done in the big cities, if one is to believe the newspapers, the people go to church and lodge, and otherwise behave themselves ... which is all right, of course, and proper, but it’s hard on the man who has to publish the daily newspaper.”

Source: Canal Corridor Association.

THE CANAL PACKET BOAT When the I&M Canal opened in 1848, the people of Utica and the rest of northeastern Illinois experienced a transportation revolution. Packet boats filled with passengers made the 96-mile trip between Chicago and LaSalle in 22-26 hours.

The packet boat era on the I&M Canal lasted a mere five years, but it represents one of the most colorful chapters in the history of the public transportation in Illinois. Taking a trip via packet boat consisted of two very different experiences.

Most enjoyed traveling by day in good weather, but the sleeping arrangements caused consternation for some.

At night, the captain and two of his assistants converted the boat into a floating dormitory by attaching great shelves of wood to the walls to serve as beds. The beds were arranged in tiers, the lowest being within a few inches off the floor — each additional bed 3 feet above the other.

One correspondent wrote of his trepidation. “I soon became insensible to the uncomfortable position which I occupied, although, only 6 inches above my face, a tremendous man threatened every moment to burst through the sacking which supported him; and had the cords given way, I felt I must have been squeezed as flat as a pancake. With so many passengers in so confined a space, no wonder that on the following morning I should awake with a severe headache, the effect of the heated nauseous vapours which surrounded us. Not a window was permitted to be opened: I made various endeavours to break through this rule during the night, but every window within my reach was fastened down. This, however, may be considered but a wise precaution, for the malaria from the surrounding marshy land, and especially from Mud Lake, distant about 15 miles from Chicago, which we passed within a very short distance, is very dangerous.”

Source: Canal Corridor Association.

Illinois Valley Living

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Linda Kelsey carefully applies icing to a birthday cake in her Peru kitchen. Kelsey’s cake-decorating career began when she wanted to make a train cake for her son’s birthday. From that train cake, a host of other impressive and tasty items have been created for a variety of special occasions.

bride

the the groom

MAKING CAKE WHILE THE SUN SHINES Story and photos by Barb Kromphardt

F

or some people, summer is a time of vacations and as much time out of the office as possible.

But when your job is making wedding cakes, summer means a never-ending stream of baking and decorating and mixing up yet another batch of frosting.

Linda Kelsey of Peru has been making cakes – not just wedding, but any kind of special occasion cake – for about 17 years.

And it all started with a little boy who wanted a train cake for his birthday.

“My son was 4 at the time, and he was into Brio trains,” she said.

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CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, visit Kelsey’s website, Kelsey’s Kakes, at http:// kelseysk.ipower.com/, send her an email at Linda@kelseyskakes.com, or call her at 815-223-9276.

When the local bakery couldn’t help, Kelsey picked up a Wilton cake decorating magazine for ideas.

“I said, ‘I think maybe I can do this,’” she remembered.

All of Wilton’s classes were in Chicago, but Illinois Valley Community College had a class that started that very night.

So Kelsey attended the classes and made the birthday cake in what turned out to be an eight-hour project.

That’s all it took.

“I just was hooked,” Kelsey said. “I just kept baking and giving away, and everybody said you need to sell them.”

Wedding cakes have changed considerably throughout the years Kelsey has been baking.

“When I first started, it was the stairs, the fountain and the people,” she said.

Illinois Valley Living

“Then fondant came out.”

Kelsey said brides were thrilled with the perfectly smooth look of fondant. But there was a problem.

“People didn’t want to pay for the fondant, and people didn’t like the taste of the fondant,” she said.

So while Kelsey offers the popular rolled fondant, she also tweaked her recipe for butter-cream frosting, so it looks like fondant.

Wedding cakes are more than just a glamorous decoration at weddings, at least for Kelsey.

“To me, it’s more about the taste than the look, but I have both,” she said.

“There’s nothing worse than going to a wedding and putting your fork in a bite of wedding cake, and you could tell it’s dry.”

Kelsey offers 11 different cake flavors with 12 different fillings to please every bride, groom and their guests. Each tier can have a different combination of cake and filling, and she said her most popular combinations are white cake with raspberry filling, chocolate cake with Kahlua, and strawberry swirl with cream cheese and strawberries.

“People tell me they’re good all the time,” she said. “That’s my biggest thing, I strive to have good-tasting cake.”

Kelsey said there are several new trends in wedding cakes. Many brides are showing a preference for country chic and elegant but rustic themes. Brides are also trying to save money by choosing small tiered cakes and then having sheet cakes for the guests.

But probably the biggest trend over the past year is the website Pinterest. Kelsey said it’s a rare bride nowadays who doesn’t come to see her with a print out from Pinterest.

“Pinterest is a cake decorator’s worst nightmare,” Kelsey said. “There’s no way for me to duplicate those cakes, unless I want to charge thousands of dollars.”

But Pinterest or not, Kelsey said she loves making cakes for a bride’s special day.

“I recently had the pleasure of the bride being there when I delivered the cake,” Kelsey said. “She said, ‘I so forgot I get to have your cake today!’ She had this big smile on her face and I thought, ‘That’s why I do it.’”

Illinois Valley Living

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Art in the Park

CARVE OUT AN INTERESTING PATH AT STARVED ROCK Photos by Kath Clark

of one-of-a-kind art pieces that hen we think of an art collechave never seen tion, no doubt you think of a a paint brush, quiet art museum where folks a tube of waterwander from room to room, silently tiltcolor paint or a ing their heads from side to side, while potter’s wheel? admiring walls filled with canvases and Sound interestpedestals displaying sculptures and the ing? like.

Starved Rock But wait ... is the home to What about an outdoor gallery, where the state’s largest collection of chain you are serenaded by the birds and the saw art. From majestic eagles to playful whisper of the wind through the trees? forest friends and more ... the commisSound intriguing? How about a collection sioned chain saw sculptures are scat-

W

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tered around and inside the park’s lodge — turning dead oak trees into works of art for visitors to admire throughout the scenic surroundings of Starved Rock.

Forty-some chain saw sculptures, along with a couple bronze sculptures and some cement statues, will take visitors on a lovely stroll on the wheelchair- and stroller-friendly paths. A map for a selfguided walking tour is available; at a leisurely pace, the tour takes about an hour. And don’t forget your camera!

For more information about the collection and the artists, see www.starvedrocklodge.com.

Illinois Valley Living

Illinois Valley Living

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By Terri Simon Photo by Kath Clark

smells? The smells on that porch alternated between strong coffee, strawberry shortcakes, Grandma’s nearby raspberry I try to remember my grandparents’ patch, root beer floats and sweaty kids. old farmhouse. I want it to remain crysDuring the day, the front porch was tal clear in my memory — every nook, used for a variety of tasks: Shelling peas, every cranny. I don’t want to forget a snapping beans, husking corn ... playing thing. checkers or dominoes on a rainy day, But it’s been many years since this old it was a great place to remove yourself gal played and ran through her grandpar- from the heat that radiated from the ents’ home, and quite frankly, the images interior of a farmhouse that never knew are beginning to fade a bit. Oh, there about air conditioning, only box fans in are still a bazillion memories, but by the windows. and large, the cupboards are rather bare While the front porch was where and the hallways are filled with murky friends and family and neighbors were images that refuse to take form. I try to greeted every season of the year, sumkeep everything in place — wanting to mer was when the front porch really got treasure those days forever, but age has a workout. After a long day of play, farm a way of fogging up the past a bit. chores, field work and more, the famBut even though I can’t picture the ily would begin making their way to the way everything was exactly situated comfort of our front porch around dusk. inside the house, there is one place that Shaded by the two towering maple trees remains forever ingrained in my mind ... in the front yard, the porch offered a not to mention my heart. I can still see much-needed retreat from that stifling it — that front porch at Grandma and house.

Grandpa’s house — even though the last With the kids already bathed and time I stood on it I had barely become a in their baby doll pajamas, the family teenager. settled into lawn chairs that had heard The porch wasn’t huge by old-time stories from many years gone by. The standards — built of concrete that had kids, who eagerly waited on the steps weathered from the years and surround- with glass mayonnaise jars to capture ed by rambling evergreen bushes that lightning bugs, were finally winding down had grown just big enough for grandchil- too. As the sun slipped over the horizon, dren to creep beneath them. And the the crickets began their serenade, and

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the lightning bugs began their show, urging us off the porch and into the night.

With a jar full of flashing lights, we’d retreat to the porch, tired from the long day yet unwilling to call it a night. The adults talked about everything — from the weather, the crops, the neighbors, the extended family, and they did so in hushed voices, almost as if they didn’t want to disturb the night. Yawns were frequent. And inevitably, we kids would end up climbing up on an adult’s lap ... drifting off to sleep in the sacred silence of another night on the front porch.

Today, it’s different. I seldom see a front porch filled with a family; I’m guessing air conditioning, cable TV and video games have replaced our front porches. I often see new homes under construction, and I wonder why a front porch wasn’t included in the blueprints.

OK, I do see folks sitting around in the backyard decks or their patios, but it’s not the same. After all, I think you can tell a lot about who lives inside by the front porch of a house — it’s the heart and soul of the place you call home. May your summer be filled with some wonderful front porch memories.

Illinois Valley Living Editor Terri Simon is an Illinois Press Association award-winning writer and columnist. You can reach Simon at tsimon@ bcrnews.com.

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