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PUBLISHER Jennifer Heintzelman EDITING & PAGE DESIGN Rusty Schrader PUBLISHED BY Sauk Valley Media, 113 S. Peoria Ave. , Dixon, IL 61021 DO YOU HAVE A STORY IDEA FOR LAKE LIFESTYLE? E-mail rschrader@saukvalley.com FOR ADVERTISING ...

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ick Judge is like most parents: He loves taking his kids for a trip to the lights fantastic, making magical memories checking out the colorful Christmas lights.

But during those trips, Judge’s kids get to play a game most other kids don’t: Guess which lights Dad put up.

Climbing ladders, hooking wires and brightening neighborhoods — and people’s spirits — are what Judge and his staff does at Six Point Services from October to December. During the rest of the year, it’s primarily an exterior cleaning business, but Judge and his staff trade cleaning gear for Christmas cheer during the yuletide season, decking homes with lots of jolly lights.

The joy he sees from his kids while riding around a cold December night is a heartwarming feeling he likes to be able to share with customers.

“We’ll just go around and see lights,” Judge said. “My kids love lights. It’s always a game to see whose are Daddy’s lights.”

Nick Judge, owner of Six Point Services, and his trusty assistant and deer in charge of cheer.

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POINT SERVICES PHOTO: SIX

Your point persons for making your Christmas merry and bright ... Six Point Services owner Nick Judge (left) and his crew, Matt Fowler, Trent Strohecker and Rylie Stewart, had a hand in nearly 90 Christmas light installations in 2022, and many more customers have already planned to utilize their services this holiday season.

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“Daddy’s lights” have found a home on many houses throughout the area, and Judge and his crew pride themselves on giving customers lights to behold. That eye for detail and being able to see the big picture is in Judge’s nature: Before starting his business 3 years ago, he was a mechanical engineer who made parts for Caterpillar construction equipment.

“You go by a house that has Christmas lights, and you’ll think it’s nice,” Judge said. “When you go by a house that we do, that’s Someprofessionally done, it’s noticeable and it stands out more. times, Six Point Everybody gets to enjoy those lights.”

Services takes its light Exterior cleaning and Christmas light installation show on the road for a good may seem an unlikely duo, but it actually makes sense. cause, like making seniors’ days, Businesses that do exterior house cleaning already have by making their night. Here, the to gear needed for the job — ladders and such — so it’s company truck was all lit up last year actually a good fit. When the weather warms up, Judge Judge will come to your home, for a trip to Monroe, Wisc., where and his crew are on the job, cleaning homes, roofs, make measurements and share they drove through senior assisted driveways and decks, gutters and more. His brother Josh design ideas. Have an idea of your living facilities for people who has owned a similar business, which also does Christmas own? He can make that work, too — couldn’t get out to see the light installation (Judge Services in Carbondale), since 2014. but the lights have to come from Six Christmas lights.

When Nick had trouble finding an engineering job after Point. moving to the area, he found his brother’s business to be an The LED lights come in red, blue, green, inspiration to start something similar. In addition, having such a pink, teal, purple and two shades of white; as well as a multi-color strand. Professional grade clips are used business would help him get to know the area more, he thought. to keep the strands straight, and mechanical “He’s made a nice, successful business for himself,” Judge timers are provided to keep the lights on at the said. “That appealed to me, and I wanted to start a business desired times. where I could get out into the community and be involved.”

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PHOTO: SIX POINT SERVICES

When they’re not getting homes all decked out for the holidays, they’re cleaning decks , and siding and roofs too — anything outside the house that needs cleaning. The business’ mascot switches gears too, trading a pressure washer for a string of lights.

Six Point can take on jobs big and small, he said. No more untangling strands, trying to figure out which bulb is burned out, getting up on ladders and channeling your inner Clark Griswold. Leave it to Judge and his crew.

Installation of lights begins in October during the height of gutter cleaning season, and tear-down takes place in January, weather permitting.

Installation diagrams are provided to each customer. Whenever there is a problem with the lights, say a bulb goes out or high winds knock down a strand, Judge and his crew are a phone call away from a fix.

“Christmas lights bring a smile to everyone’s face,” Judge said. “When we’re done, our customers get excited and can’t wait to turn on their lights. They know it’s going to be the talk of the neighborhood.”

Some of places Judge decorates are part-time homes for the holidays.

“A lot of the times with the customers that we have where it’s a second house for them, they comment to me that when they come back here for the holidays, they want to come to a house that’s bright and lit up, as opposed to being dark,” Judge said. “It’s just fun for them.”

He’s also got commercial clients who like to spread some holiday cheer.

“Doing commercial businesses, we hear two things,” Judge said. “They’re doing it for employee morale; they’re leaving or coming in seeing the lights, and it makes them feel good. Then for customers, they like coming in and seeing the lights. The storefronts are going to stand out more, and their employees appreciate it.”

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It takes a lot of lights to make things bright, and Six Point Services owner Nick Judge keeps them stored in bins and ready to go each year, just waiting for customers to give him the green light to get their home or business ready for the holidays or other special occasion.

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The light work is like a holiday gift that keeps on giving for Judge, too. The light Don’t be installation has helped left hangattract new clients as ing, leave your well as bringing in lights to the pros. more business from Go to sixpointservices. existing ones. Last com, find it on Faceyear, nearly 90 homes book, email nick@ were decorated with sixpointservices.com Six Point’s Christmas or call 815-990-8937 lights, and Judge to arrange for a light estimates about 130 installation in time for different homes will be the holiday season. decked out this year.

Six Point Services also His work can also offers exterior cleaning be a gift to others, too. of homes; soft house In keeping with the and roof washes; and holiday spirit, Judge concrete, deck and offers the opportunity gutter cleaning. for each of customers to submit a home whose owner could use a little TLC during the holidays with a free Christmas light installation.

Perhaps it’s someone who is going through a major illness, had a death in the family, or have children who are struggling. Whatever the case may be, Judge wants to help.

“If there’s a family that’s not going to have a great Christmas for one reason or another, they’ll nominate those,” Judge said. “In the last two years, we’ve picked out two different families and we put up a bunch of Christmas lights for them. It’s a way to give a little extra holiday cheer.”

Judge estimates that his the business installed about 2 1/2 miles of lights last year, with a customer base that stretches about an hour’s drive from its Lena location.

They’ve had customers from as far as Belvidere to the east, Dubuque to the west, and points in between.

Wherever they go, one thing’s for sure: They’ll make their customers’ Christmas merry and bright.

Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

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Some examples of Six Point Services’ work, including the house below, the former home of Tom and Sandy Bogusevic in Section 31 of Lake Carroll.

Six Point Services’ services aren’t just for Christmas. The team can decorate for other occasions, too, like this patriotic display in Stockton for Independence Day (above), and the Lena Fall Festival (top). With lights that can be catered with custom colors, they can brighten things up for any holiday or special occasion.

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By Cody Cutter | Sauk Valley Media

you look at the calendar, the next two holidays coming up are ones of thanks — giving thanks for all that we’re blessed with, and giving thanks to our nation’s service members who’ve helped make those blessings possible.

If you look in stores, you’d think it was Christmas already.

Holiday displays are up, merry merchandise is on the shelves — ’tis the season to be jolly … earlier and earlier and earlier.

Christmas is the nation’s No. 1 holiday. American’s spend billions on it each year and countless hours getting ready for it.

Retailers practically plan for it year round.

The rest of us, however, don’t start gearing up for the holiday until most of the pages are flipped on our calendar, and now is definitely that time.

If you’re one of those people who like to plan ahead — whether it’s making your Black Friday list and checking it twice while you’re still nibbling on Thanksgiving turkey, or getting ready to flex your fingers for Cyber Monday shopping — then you might want to start thinking about things to do during the holiday season, too.

We’re not talking about being first in line for the Door Busters or figuring out which family member is going to bring dessert to the Christmas meal. We’re talking about the kind of gift you can’t buy in a store: memories with family and friends.

We've compiled a list of Christmas-themed events within roughly an hour's drive from Lake Carroll — events such as town-wide celebrations, Christmas walks, holiday music concerts and other events. Some of the fun begins in mid-November, other events kick off right after Thanksgiving, and others are closer to the holiday itself — a lot more than just 12 days of Christmas, to be sure.

You can even get a little Christmas shopping done at local shops and craft and vendor shows.

With so much going on for Christmas, taking a break from the holiday hustle and bustle can be a gift in itself, so take a look at the Christmas list on the following pages and see if there’s something that’ll get you in the holiday spirit without breaking the budget.

Maybe it’s a festive function you’ve been to before, or maybe you’ll find a new event that you can turn into a tradition. Maybe it’s a one-and-done destination, or maybe you fill your tank and fill your day with holiday happenings. Whatever the case may be, have yourself a very merry Christmas event …

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with reenactors of Galena’s Civil War generals; period dress encouraged; admission $60, or $80 to sit at the General Grant table; More info: desotohouse.com, 815-777-0090 Savanna Museum and Cultural Center, 406 Main St.; decorative Christmas trees on display from local businesses and individuals; More info: go to savannamuseum.org, find it on Facebook or call 815-275-1958

Eagle Point Park, 3900 N. Third St.; 40 lighted displays, 500,000 lights, castles, streams and a gingerbread lodge all on a 1-mile loop; 6-9 p.m.; More info: symphonyoflights.org or Facebook

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jarrett Prairie Center, 7993 N. River Road; 30 vendors and crafters, concessions; free admission; More info: byronforestpreserve.com or 815-234-8535

9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Northland Mall, 2900 E. Lincolnway; decorative Christmas trees on display, silent auctions, business sales, veterans tribute; More info: Northland Mall on Facebook

Downtown; Love Light tree ceremony, craft shows, downtown Christmas walk, $1,000 giveaway, Christmas light display. More info: Rockfallschamber.com/hometownholidays or find Rock Falls Chamber on Facebook for more information and updates.

Downtown; decorated storefronts, visits from Santa, lighting of the Holiday Hero Tree at 5 p.m. Nov. 18, horse-drawn carriage rides from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 18; More info: greaterfreeport.com, 815-233-1350

6:30 p.m.; along Boyd, Leland and Burns streets. Christmas tree lighting to take place at VitaPlus Ag Center, 300 N. Boyd St. Hot chocolate and cookies served. More info: Find Celebrate Lanark on Facebook.

Centennial Park, 508 E. 11th St., Rock Falls, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; horse-drawn carriage rides on Nov. 25; occasional appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus; More info: Facebook and visitrockfalls.com

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Eastland Junior-Senior High School, 500 School Drive; about 40 craft tables and vendors, photos with Santa, concessions available; More info: eastland308. com or 815-493-6301

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Galena ARC, 11084 U.S. Route 20; local crafters and artists, raffle drawing, bake sale, breakfast and lunch stand, and kids only shopping area; admission $3, children 10 and younger free; More info: galenaarc.org, 815-777-2211 7 to 10 p.m., DeSoto House Hotel, 230 S. Main St.; a night of dinner, dancing, music and fun

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Noon to 12:30 p.m., Colfax and Seventh streets in Byron; 3:15 to 3:45 p.m., Main Avenue and Grant Street in Clinton; lighted 14-car train display, musical performances, food donations; More info: cpkcr.com/en/community/holidaytrain Note: The Holiday Train also will roll through, without stopping in, Leaf River, Lanark, Mount Carroll, Savanna and Sabula en route from Byron to Clinton.

5 p.m., downtown, centered around 123 N. Commerce St.; parade of Christmas decorated Jeep vehicles, tree lighting, Christmas treat sale to benefit families affected by domestic violence; More info: visitgalena.org, 815-281-0673 3 to 8 p.m., downtown; carnival, vendors, food and drink, Santa appearance, tree lighting; More info: oregonil.com or 815-732-2100

11:20 a.m., White Pines Playhouse, 6712 W. Pines Road; comedy with evening and matinee shows; see website for tickets; More info: whitepinesinn.com and Facebook Downtown; Small Business Saturday, visits with Santa, soup supper, Love Light Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. and parade at 6:30 p.m.; More info: prophetstownil.org or 815-537-5139 DeWitt Operahouse Theatre, 716 Sixth Ave.; $5 admission; beer and wine available as well as concessions; doors open at 6:15 p.m.; movie starts 7 p.m.; More info: business.dewittiowa.org

Light display with plants at dusk; Nicholas Conservatory, 1354 N. Second St.; combined with light show across the road at Sinnissippi Park; More info: nicholasconservatory.com, 815-987-8858

6 to 7 p.m., 1419 S. Galena Ave.; More info: aquinschools.org, 815-235-3154

6 to 7 p.m., 100 S. Summit St.; More info: pcwolves.net, 815-443-2715

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Citywide event; merchants ring in the holiday season with refreshments and Christmas sales, photos with Santa, strolling Dickens characters, Festival of Trees and more; More info: mtcarrollil.org or 815-244-4424 Downtown; Christmas tree lighting, visits with Santa, and other Christmastime fun; More info: discoverdixon.com or 815-284-3361

Citywide event, Christmas tree lighting, caroling, treats at 5 p.m. Dec. 1 on U.S. Route 20; special business events and a Santa appearance downtown; More info: villageofstockton.com, 815-947-2515.

7 p.m., Ferguson Fine Arts Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road; More info: highland. edu, 815-599-3718 Winneshiek Players theater, 228 W. Clark St.; theatrical performance of the popular children’s holiday film based on the “Peanuts” comic strip; show times: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, and 2 p.m.

Dec. 3; More info: winnesheikplayers.org or 815-232-7023

Downtown; lighted Christmas parade, visits with Santa, tree lighting and more; More info: enjoyrochelle.com, cityofrochelle.net or 815-562-6161

Holiday shopping, children’s activities, lighting of the Library Plaza Christmas tree, live entertainment, Santa, music and fireworks at 8 p.m. at the Riverfront; 5 to 8:30 p.m.; More info: sterlingmainstreet.org Byron Museum, 110 N. Union St.; holiday trees decorated by local businesses and organizations throughout the museum; 6 p.m.; More info: byronmuseum.org

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until dusk when all the lanterns are lit and the canyon is aglow. More info: Find Wierenga’s Heritage Canyon on Facebook.

Citywide event; family fun with a Kids Carnival from 9-11 a.m.; Santa arrives via fire truck at 9 a.m.; Children’s Movie; Window Walk through the town; lighted parade at 5 p.m. and lighting of the Christmas tree at 5:15 p.m.; More info: business. dewittiowa.org

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Green Street Plaza, downtown Galena; local artisans with holiday items, food vendors, live music, caroling, kids’ activities, wreath sale, silent auction; More info: galenaholidazefestival.com, 815-200-6827

All-day, various sites; Santa visits, drop off letters to Santa, holiday sales and children’s activities at downtown businesses; Santa Dash race and 1830s Christmas reenactments and decoration displays at Apple River Fort; More info: elizabeth-il.org/calendar/annual-events, 815-990-8618

Downtown; features lighted parade, decorations and holiday entertainment; More info: morrisonil.org/annual-events

Downtown; pancake breakfast, craft fair and holiday bake sale, children’s Christmas party, story time with Mrs. Claus and lighting of the village square; More info: mtmorrisil.net, “Mt. Morris Christmas on the Village Square” on Facebook

9 a.m. to noon, Silver Creek Train Museum, 2954 S. Walnut Road; bake sale also included; More info: thefreeportshow.com, 815-235-2198

Citywide event; celebrate the season with holiday happenings and shop local businesses; events throughout the day include Breakfast with Santa, craft show and entertainment and tree lighting; More info: polochamber.org and Facebook

Wierenga’s Heritage Canyon, 515 N. Fourth St.; demonstrations, desserts, and holiday delights. Experience an 1800s holiday, and stick around

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6:30 p.m., 633 East St.; More info: wc314.org, 815-224-2002 Activities around North Second Street and 19th Avenue North; get your holidays going with a fun walk through the historic Lyons neighborhood; store specials and Santa appearances; More info: clintoniowatourism.com Freeport High School, 701 W. Moseley St.; Music and short performances; 7 p.m.

Dec. 7 and 8, 2 p.m. Dec. 9; More info: fsd145.org/Domain/8, 815-232-0400

7 p.m., Ferguson Fine Arts Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Road; More info: highland.edu, 815-599-3718

Downtown; horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, door prizes and a visit from Santa; More info: franklingroveil.org or 815-456-3030

Downtown; visit the Grinch, Santa, and Sinterklaas, play snowball hockey, take in the tree lighting, cheer on a luminary-lit 5K run along the dike next to an authentic Dutch windmill. Downtown shops host special activities for the whole family. More info: Cityoffulton.us/tourism/calendar-of-events.html

6:30 p.m., 500 Cragmoor; More info: wc314.org, 815-273-7715

9 to 11:30 a.m., Kalmes Restaurant, 100 N. Main St.; visits with St. Nick, cookie walk, candy games in a historic Luxembourg-style restaurant; organized by the St. Donatus Luxembourg Heritage Society; More info: stdonatusluxsociety.org or 563-773-2480

7:30 p.m., Clinton High School, 817 Eighth Ave. South; annual holiday performance by the Clinton Symphony Orchestra; More info: clintonsymphony.org or Facebook

White Pines Playhouse, 6712 W. Pines Road; featuring lunch and a show; 11:20 a.m.; see website for tickets; More info: whitepinesinn.com and Facebook.

6 p.m., 100 E. Eighth St.; More info: dist399.net, 815-225-7141

7 p.m., 601 E. Main St.; More info: fvvsd221.org; 815-938-2175 7 p.m., 701 W. Moseley St.; band, choir and orchestra concert; More info: fsd145.org/Domain/8, 815-232-0400

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of Galena’s bed and breakfasts and their dining rooms and parlors, food samples; cost is $10; More info: visitgalena.org, 815-777-4100 7 p.m., Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road. Showing of the 2018 movie featuring one of Dr. Seuss’ most popular characters in a classic Christmas story; $10 admission for adults, $5 for children; More info: timberlakeplayhouse.org/movies or 815-244-2035

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CCUTTER@SHAWMEDI TER/ A.C OM CUT Y D CO

wife and

Karen and Keith Ruter have owned Smokin’ Gun Worx, a firearms dealer and shooting range in Forreston, since 2013. “We try to have a lot of fun here,” Keith Ruter said.

“We like to keep people excited about the shooting sports.”

By C dy Cutter Sauk Valley Media

he owners of a Forreston gun shop are firm believers that firearms can be an important part of our personal safety, but they also know that’s not the only role they play.

People can take up arms for sport, to have fun with friends, improve their dexterity, enjoy team-building time, build confidence — they can even be part of a date night.

And there’s more to Smokin’ Gun Worx than just being a gun shop.

There’s the store, of course, where you can buy handguns, rifles and shotguns, and knives, but while you’re there you can pick up ammo, supplies, clothing scopes, and other merchandise. But that’s just the beginning — there’s a whole range of firearmrelated services under one roof: a pair of indoor ranges, classes for all ages and training for all skill levels, gunsmithing services, shooting leagues, special events and more.

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CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

Karen ’ r te Ru of Smokin rGun Worx in Fo a range reston prepares lity has target. The faci al vertical both a tradition well as target range, as g one with movin s. et targ

“We try to have a lot of fun here, we really do,” Keith Ruter said. “We like to keep people excited about the shooting sports.”

Keith and his wife, Karen, have owned the shop for nearly 11 years, and in that time they’ve turned it into a one-stop shop for all things firearms — but the shop doesn’t stop there. At smokingunworx.com, people will find firearms videos, news, tips, classes and events calendars, and access to the shop’s inventory at its online store.

No firearm leaves the facility without going through background checks, and state and federal regulations are adhered to strictly. Appraisals and trades can be arranged as well, as well as applications and renewals for FOID cards and concealed carry licenses.

In addition, Smokin’ Gun Worx also offers a full line of in-house gunsmithing services, from cleaning to conservation to customization. Firearm need repaired? A professional gunsmith will diagnose and fix the problem.

While business is a big part of Smokin’ Gun Worx, education is another. Concealed carry, hunter safety, youth shooting, home protection and general usage classes are held throughout the year. Instructors are licensed by the National Rifle Association and/ or the United States Concealed Carry Association. Mens and womens shooting leagues also are offered.

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There’s more to technique than just taking aim at a target, and understanding each and every step along the way is a key part of the education process.

“Think golf: When people golf, there’s a techOM IA .C nique,” Karen said. “There’s a way to hold your MED AW club, and there’s a way to hold your firearm. There’s a way to position your body, how to hold your hands and how to look down the barrel. What are you looking at? There’s a whole lineage of techniques, and it can be a very competitive sport within yourself. Some people take it to the next level, but once you love a sport, you have to do it.”

The indoor range has two levels, each equipped for rifles, shotguns, and handguns, and each with a top-of-the-line filtration and ventilation systems that’ll have customers breathing easy, knowing that the air quality is top-notch.

One range has stock targets on a moving zip line from near to far, while the other offers moving targets. The ranges are separated by a few feet of concrete for safety, and a range safety officer is on hand.

The ranges have played a big part in introducing people to the sport of shooting. Sometimes, customers come in and they’re unsure about shooting, but when the smoke clears, they’re hooked.

O

S:

Shoot, shop and train ... In addition to a wide range of weapons, Smokin’ Gun Worx sells ammo, parts and supplies, scopes, knives, clothing, accessories, like the concealed carry purses at left, and more

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CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

“We’ve heard many, many times: ‘I didn’t realize how much fun I was going to have at a shooting nrange,’” Keith said, and they can’t wait to come back Keegin Todd, gu ’ Gun for more. “It’s neat to see the transformation of that.” smith at Smokin the at le rif a irs pa The Ruters experienced that transformation themWorx, re s er off ss ne si selves. For years, Karen had seen Keith enjoy firearms, shop. The bu ir and pa re of e and eventually she became interested in them as well. lin ll fu a ices. rv se ce an en “It used to be that firearms were his thing, but now I nt mai have firearms and I have girlfriends who have firearms,” Karen said. “I’ll come home at night, and we’ll talk about technique. It’s brought a unique dimension to our relationship. This is something that we can do together.”

Customers can bring their own or rent a handgun or rifle — or they can bring out the big guns and do some shootin’ Old West style, with a Gatling gun that they can rent.

Couples can even find a home on the range.

Monthly “date nights” have been popular events at Smokin’ Gun Worx, an idea Karen came up with.

Couples can bring their own guns or rent ones for an hour of range shooting and enjoy a catered meal from one of the local restaurants. Some couples enjoy it so much they come back for more, Keith said.

“It’s a lot of fun. It really is,” Keith said. “A lot of times, a couple comes in and one of them is a shooter and the other one is not, or maybe they are both novices and don’t know a lot about it. We wanted something fun for people to do as a couple, and made it a ‘date night’ theme with a meal together, and then go out and do something fun like that. We see a lot of smiles from them. We really do.”

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One day of each month, parents with valid FOID cards can bring their children ages 16 or younger to the range for a free shooting session. It’s one of the ways Smokin’ Gun Worx promotes gun safety and shooting sports to youth throughout the region. The Ruters are also strong supporters of local high school trapshooting programs (Eastland High School, whose boundaries include Lake Carroll, has a trapshooting team).

Stressing the importance of safety to younger users is especially important.

“The kids from firearm families are very focused,” Karen said. “You have to be focused when you’re using a firearm, and these kids are taught from an early age to respect their firearm. When they come in here, they are good customers. They are kids that listen.”

The Ruters have come to know several parents who may not be all that interested in shooting at first, but have children who really enjoy it, and through that are able to find a common interest. They’ll see their child get excited about hitting a target and end up wanting to try it themselves.

“They want to do well and shoot their target,” Keith said. “We’re there for them, encouraging them to do so and giving them multiple different styles [of firearms] that they are comfortable with shooting. We don’t want a lot of recoil, which is going to defeat the whole purpose. We want them to see that, when you are safe with this, it’s a fun sport to get into and very rewarding when you hit that target correctly.”

Emphasis on safety and compliance, offering quality inventory and education, and maintaining a clean and positive appearance makes a superior firearm range business stand out among others. Smokin’ Gun Worx has a five-star rating from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association for the firearms industry. It is the only five-star rated range in northwest Illinois.

“It’s been a neat thing to see things grow the way it has,” Keith said. “Yes, there are other ranges around; but, no, there aren’t any other five-star rated ranges around. It’s really neat to have those accolades to use to draw people in.”

Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

Smokin’ Gun Worx, 8785 N. Baileyville Road in Forreston, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday.

Go to smokingunworx. com for more information, a schedule of classes and special events or to shop online. Find Smokin Gun Worx at Facebook, Instagram (@ SmokinGunWorx) and YouTube (@SmokinGunWorx).

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River City Ale House owners Jennifer Magnafici and Justin Humphrey have a lot on their plate — Jennifer also runs a day care and Humphrey works as a lineman — but they’re never too busy to find time to pay a House call on their customers: “It’s refreshing to come here from our day jobs because we get to interact with the public,” Magnafici said.

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

day care owner and lineman walk into a bar …

Sounds like the start of a joke, right? Actually, it’s the start of a business plan — no kidding.

Jennifer Magnafici, who also runs The Early Years Academy day care in Morrison, and Justin Humphrey, a lineman with the electricians union out of Rockford, recently took a short trip from bar hoppers to bar owners after a visit to an area pub inspired them to open up a place of their own back home: River City Ale House.

How short of a trip was it? About a week. The Dixon couple, who enjoys visiting restaurants and bars throughout the Midwest, were at Pub 225, a martini bar in Milledgeville, when the idea hit.

“Honestly, this was something we never really aspired to own, it was totally an on-a-whim, impulse decision,” Magnafici said. “We went out one time and were up in Milledgeville and saw this cute little place [Pub 225]. We went out on a Saturday night, talked about it on Sunday, this place came for lease on Monday, and by Tuesday we had decided that we were going to do this.

No previous thought, no previous

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Michael Robillord serves customers at River City Ale House’s outdoor seating area.

The genesis was speedy, but River City Alehouse has already become a busy place since opening last October, owing in large part to the couple’s vision for the business: offering distinctively different, and delicious, dishes and drinks.

The drink menu includes domestic and regional craft beers, 10 different martinis, a few wine selections, Moscow mules in fruity flavors, and a handful of both signature and seasonal cocktails.

Holiday-themed cocktails are also available, such as for the Fourth of July, St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Some of the seasonal cocktails available in the spring and summer include a Drunken Mermaid with Tito’s, blue curaçao, simple syrup, lime juice and watermelon seltzer; and a lavender lemonade of limoncello, lavender syrup, creme de violet and lemon juice.

There’s even something a little fishy on the menu: a Fish Bowl cocktail, with Tito’s rum, peach schnapps, blue UV, Sprite, Nerds and Swedish fish, served in a bowl-like glass.

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“It’s crazy, the things that we’ve brought in here,” Magnafici said. “It’s one of those drinks that gets better the more you drink it, and the Nerds kind of infuse into the rest of it.

It’s a doozy.”

If it’s a bite to eat you’re looking for, River City Alehouse’s food is as distinctive as its drinks.

For breakfast, served 8 a.m. to noon on the weekends, sandwiches, bowls and omelets highlight the menu, along with jumbo muffins of French toast strudel and blueberry lemon. Want pulled pork for breakfast? That’s not often found at most other restaurants, but it’s here as part of one of the bowls. Burgers, wings, salads, chicken sandwiches and a big pork tenderloin round out the lunch and dinner menu.

River City Alehouse beefs up its burger menu, too, with more than just your basics on a bun — and sometimes they’re not even on a bun. How about the Doughnut Mention It: a patty between two glazed donuts, with raspberry jam and candied bacon; a Cheesy Street Corn Burger with elote corn dip and a patty smothered in jalapeño sauce; or a peanut butter and jelly burger with cookie butter, jam, bacon and cheddar cheese. The burgers are a blend of ground chuck, brisket and short-rub black Angus beef.

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

With so much on his daughter’s plate already, Jennifer’s dad, Keith Miller, was worried at first when she told him she and Justin were going to open a bar, but once they hit the ground running — “We both go at about 150 miles per hour,” Magnafici said — he was their biggest fan.

“We opened in October and he unexpectedly passed away Christmas morning. I’m so glad that it worked out the way that it did, because he was able to come in and really see it full circle. He just loved this place, and I’m so thankful.”.

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Pulled pork breakfast bowl

Other sandwiches include a Bigger Than Texas grilled cheese with a huge hunk of melted cheese, bacon and blistered tomatoes between two slices of Texas toast; a veggie wrap; and chicken and waffles, topped with hot honey sauce. They even have a favorite from north of the border in poutine, so there’s no need to travel to Canada for the fries, beef gravy and cheese curd dish. You can try a bit of Bavaria, too: a plate-size pretzel, made from a foot of thick pretzel dough twisted into shape and served with beer cheese and mustard.

For dessert, you can try a fried pearl sugar waffle a la mode, chocolate lava cake, or cheesecake made by the CheeseKake Ko. of Rochelle. The cheesecake has been a big seller, Magnafici said.

CheeseKake Ko. is run by a two sisters, one of whom used to work with Magnafici at her day care.

That’s a pretty impressive menu, especially considering that food wasn’t even part of the couple’s original plan: Magnafici and Humphrey had originally just wanted to have a martini bar, but they heard there was a demand for a place with unique eats.

“The more we researched the market and talked to people within the community, and everywhere I heard, ‘Dixon needs something different,’” Magnafici said. “We decided, you know what, we have to go with that. We tried to focus on something different, so we took ordinary items and put kind of a different twist on it. Our menu kind of reflects that, the base of the Grilled pyramid is a traditional concept, but everything has a different twist to it.” peach Juggling a business along with their other jobs keeps the couple plenty busy, so it’s a good salad thing Magnafici and Humphrey are built for speed.

“We both go at about 150 miles per hour,” Magnafici said — but it took a little convincing for some people to get behind their juggling act. Adding a business to their already busy lives was a concern at first for her father, Keith Miller. However, she convinced him that it was all going to work out, and he soon became one of River City’s regulars.

From his usual seat at the bar, Miller was able to see his daughter and her boyfriend turn their whim into a successful business before he suddenly passed away on Christmas morning. Photos of Miller can be found in the restaurant, a Pretzel with beer cheese and mustard way to keep his memory alive, Magnafici said.

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“When we started this project, I called my dad and told him that I was going to start a bar,” she said, and he thought she might be taking on too much. “We opened in October and he unexpectedly passed away Christmas morning. I’m so glad that it worked out the way that it did, because he was able to come in and really see it full circle.

He just loved this place, and I’m so thankful.”

The couple enjoys being able to mingle with their customers, and they’ve been able to not only spend time with old friends who stop by but make some new ones, too — some who are new to The Petunia City. With its strong tourism base, and being off of an interstate, Dixon has proven to be a good spot for people wanting to enjoy the local flavors of the community, Magnafici said, and they’ve met people who’ve just been passing by and stopped in, and others who’ve made their bar a destination during their day trip.

“It’s refreshing to come here from our day jobs because we get to interact with the public,” Magnafici said. “One of my favorite things is when someone comes through town and they aren’t from Dixon, I’m like, ‘How did you find this place?’ It’s nice to hear that people are traveling through town, and they’re using their Google Map to navigate our city.”

Humphrey feels the same way too, and enjoys being able to see the design work at River City Ale House that he and some of his friends did put to good use.

“I enjoy the fact that people enjoy it,” he said. “The feedback from the community – ‘It’s a great place to eat,’ ‘I love going there,’ ‘It’s nice, it’s classy’ — It was something for the community, and there was a need for a different kind of menu as far as breakfast and lunch.”

The food and drink menu will rotate once more come fall, which the couple hopes will give people another reason to return.

“Traditionally when you go to a bar, they don’t have the time to do this stuff, they just don’t,” Magnafici said. “That was kind of our vision: We wanted to have something different all the way around, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.” n Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com

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For a Sterling pedal peddler, No matter how many times he goes along for the ride, he never forgets how much fun it is,

even after all these gears

By Cody Cutter | Sauk Valley Media

ost of us hit the gas pedal when we want to get somewhere.

Bryce Mead prefers a different kind of pedal.

The ones he likes come in pairs and rely on people to get them moving, around and around and around — and he’s not alone. The Sterling businessman and bicyclist is among the millions of Americans with a passion for pedaling, a passion he shares at the shop that bears his name and with the local bicycling community that he helped start more than 20 years.

Mead is both a former professional cyclist who’s competed all across the country, and the owner of Mead’s Bike Shop in downtown Sterling, where riders ranging from the casual to the committed can find gears and gear — a full-service bicycle store and repair shop.

Mead’s is more than just a bicycle shop though, it’s a place that welcomes fellow cyclists to enjoy the benefits of bicycling.

He also promotes weekly and special event rides throughout the area.

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Bryce Mead has sold all kind of bicycles from his shop for 20 years, and also owns stores in Loves Park and Peoria Heights in the Rockford and Peoria areas. The 1999 Rock Falls High School graduate once raced professionally before dedicating himself full-time to his business.

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Whether you’re looking for a basic bike for an occasional ride, “As a community, we really proor you’re a committed pedal pusher, Mead’s shop fits the bill. He’s mote cycling in general,” he said.

The shop also sells parts and accesgot bikes for all ages and abilities: bikes built for the road, bikes sories, clothing, car racks and built for off road, bikes for fitness, bikes for fun. He’s even got more, as well as offering electric bikes that’ll give your feet a helping hand. service and repair.

The store carries mostly bikes from the Waterloo, IowaThere’s a different based Trek Bicycle Corporation, but also has other brands, kind of feeling being on a including Sun, Electra, Strider Sports, We The People and Rabicycle versus driving, dio BMX-style bikes. Recumbent bicycles — where riders Mead said, especially in a seated position pedal three wheels from a seat close when the weather is to the ground — also are sold, along with child trailers for nice. the little ones who want to come along for a ride.

“If you’re driving Electric models have been popular for about a decade, a car and doing a 62and in recent years have become even more advanced, mile loop, you don’t equipped with different bells and whistles, including see the same things touch-screen controls to shift gears and smartphone-conthat you can see on a trolled features. Bikes like these can help give you boost bicycle. If it’s 20 miles, when you need it and hit speeds of nearly 30 mph.

40 miles, 60 miles, it “Any time it’s a windy day, the electric bikes can make doesn’t matter. I’ve been C cycling more enjoyable,” Mead said. “Any time you get /C R able to ride all over in the E T Pete tired, you can turn the assist on and make it easier. Got UT country, and a lot of people YC Shapero COD a hill? You can turn the assist on. You can make it as easy asked me while I was racing works on a as you want or as hard as you want, so you can definitely why I stayed in Sterling. It’s a very safe bicycle at get your workout in, but if you get tired you can still do a location to ride a bicycle in. The Mead’s 30-mile ride if you wanted to, and make it as easy as you Midwest in the summer time is want.” exceptional with great views.”

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Gears and gear ...

Mead said battery-powered bicycles are still a new thing to some people, especially ones who grew up with Stingrays and banana seats, but he’s more than happy to help them shift gears and learn about something new.

Part of the enjoyment of owning a bike shop is to educate people on the changes and trends in the cycling world.

Electric bikes were first popular in Europe before entering the United States market. Mead began selling them 12 years ago, and it only took a couple of years before there were more on the sales floor. Now there are close to 50 of them in his shop.

As with anything, the more features there are and the higher the quality, the heftier the pricetag. These days, a high-end performance road bike can set you back 13 grand, but those kinds of rides are reserved for serious cyclists. There are plenty of models out there that are more affordable — “We offer bikes for just about anyone,” he said.

“Whatever the customer is looking for, we got it,” Mead said. “The bike industry isn’t what it used to be, even from 10 years ago it has changed so much. It’s really unbelievable.”

Change has come from communities, too, as growing numbers of cities embrace the cycling community by installing and expanding bike paths.

Rock Falls Tourism launched a bicycle-sharing program in 2019 to promote exploring trails and being active outdoors. Riders can rent one of eight bikes from a site at RB&W District Park on the riverfront. Elsewhere, Dixon and Sterling have expanded their pedestrian/bicycle paths in recent years.

Growing up in Rock Falls in the 1990s, its boundaries weren’t big enough to contain Mead’s love for cycling. One of his first jobs was working for Kyle and Shelly Anderson at the former Mr. K’s Mud, Sweat and Gears bike shop on First Avenue as a mechanic, and that helped him immerse himself into the world of professional cycling.

Whether Mead graduated from high school in 1999, and would go on you’re takto compete in major national events, including the Tour of ing a short California, Tour of Georgia and Tour of Missouri as part of the off , ride g lon trip or a Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team. l, trai road or on a “These were worldwide events as well, so there Mead’s has a bike were also Tour de France professionals like Alberto to suit any need Contador, Levi Leipheimer, and Lance Armcs, ctri ele ts, ben and any age — racers, recum t. strong during his [comeback] run,” Mead said. for com built for bikes built for speed or bikes “I was able to race against all of thcyclists: clo The shop also carries gear for these individuals in a highre. ing, helmets, shades and mo tier of cyclists.”

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38 | A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | November 2023

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While racing professionally, Mead opened his bike Weekly rides also are organized through the shop in 2003 near the Sterling Post Office. He later reloshop, ranging from 18-25 mile rides to 35-40 mile ones. cated to Bazaar Americana near the foot of the Avenue On Wednesday nights from May to September, 10-mile G bridge in Sterling before buying the former Ben “time trial” rides are held on Ridge Road south of Rock Falls for bikFranklin printing shop on Locust Street 10 years ago, ers of all abilities — and the rides come with a prize: the rider with where his shop remains today. the most improved time from the previous week gets bragging rights Mead’s decision to open a store came not long until the next ride. Rides are also organized for charitable organizations. after Mr. K’s closed, and he sought to keep cycling The shop also hosts bicycle workshops and classes.

— both casual and racing — a part of the Twin One of the largest rides Mead organizes is the Free Mondo, formerly Cities lifestyle. Having someone behind the called the Farm Mondo. The inspiration for the name of the ride through counter whose heavily invested in the biking Whiteside County’s farm country comes from “fondo,” the Italian word community helps give customers confidence for a bicycle race of more than 75 miles. There used to be a fee to particiin his abilities. pate, but after the Covid-19 pandemic, the fee was dropped and the name “Over time, you grow a sense of the evoluchanged to reflect the free ride. tion of what’s happening, but when you’re The most recent Farm Mondo, on Sept. 10, was comprised of a cyclist’s traveling and you’re competing, you do learn a choice of four loops: 18, 28, 42 or 62 miles, with the longer route spanning to lot more and see all kinds of different aspects,” nearly both east and west ends of the county. The terrain ranges from mostly Mead said. “When you’re racing professionally, flat and somewhat hilly for the shorter rides, to a little of everything for bikes are handled differently than, say, one sold the longer ride, including riders going up and down the large bluff east of in a bike shop. It’s given me a chance to be a little Fulton. better about being a bike mechanic and to spread “It’s repetitively flat, but if you get near the bluff it starts getting that information to our other mechanics of how a hilly, and then as you get closer to Coleta, there’s a few more big bike should be handled in a race platform. Definitely hills. We had a lot of new riders come with brand new bikes, traveling and seeing all of these other systems people who couldn’t normally do these rides are now calling in place, it definitely gave me a lot of different us and asking about it. So that’s one positive about electric viewpoints.” bikes, it gets people back out and able to do things that

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The success of establishing a cycling community in the Twin Cities inspired Mead to do the same in larger cities. He opened up shops in the Peoria and Rockford areas, both named Trek Bicycle, and has organized riding events in those areas as well. Mead began his first Free Mondo for the Peoria area this year, and plans to add one in Rockford next year. The Peoria ride, which encompassed both flats and hilly terrains north of the city, attracted 70 riders, including a few from Sterling and Rock Falls.

“When we opened up, there wasn’t a really community per se,” Mead said. “Now, we’ve kind of grown it, and we were able to open in Peoria and Rockford with the same philosophy of providing a great product and treating people right. We’re getting more people back to getting on bikes, and it’s definitely worked here, so we’re going to make it work in Peoria and Rockford as well. Hopefully we can have that continued success.”

A child exploring his hometown on a bicycle, a young man working in a bike shop, competing in races, opening his own shop — it’s a journey that’s come full circle for Mead, a circle with spokes that began spinning all those years ago when the Twin Cities served as a backdrop for a life-long love of bicycling, and where those wheels are still spinning today.

Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

Feel the need for Mead?

Mead's Bike Shop, 414 Locust St., Sterling, 815-626-4601 Online: meadsbikeshop.com and on Facebook Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Trek Bicycle shops in Loves Park and Peoria Heights also are part of the Mead’s Bike Shop umbrella.

Loves Park: 4169 N. Perryville Road, find Trek Bicycle Rockford on Facebook, or call 815-636-0664 Peoria Heights: 4111 N. Prospect Road, find Trek Bicycle Peoria on Facebook, or call 309-966-1239

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40 | A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | November 2023

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A Guide To

Lake Carroll Real Estate

Are you looking to enjoy the Lake Lifestyle?

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mak

KAYLA BLOC Broker/Own 815-475-806

FawnRidgeRealty.com $649,900

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28-70 LAKE CARROLL 1-85 FARRAGUT LNBLVD

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42 | A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | November 2023

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CON

make broker pictures / font larger KAYLA BLOCK Broker/Owner 815-475-8060

29

$299,000

ted on rroll

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CYNDY GRIFFIN Broker 815-238-7597

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WATERFRONT l 25-60 Cottage Hill l 2.04 A TURNKEY and well • $215,000 *DEEDED SLIP | 24-118 Wagon Wheel Dr | 4.08 A maintained on 8.24 PRIVATE • $34,500 DEEDED SLIP l 31-15 Medinah Enjoy Dr l 1.07 the A WOODED ACRES. • $29,900 outdoor DEEDED SLIP l entertaining 24-22 Hidden Ranch larea!

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info@fawnridgerealty.com A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | November 2023 | 43

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44 | A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | November 2023

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A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | November 2023 | 45

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• .34 acre • 80 ft frontage • Fresh remodel

• Built 2003 • .62 acre • Fire pit • NiCor Converted

We have buyers and are in need of listings, let us add YOUR home to our list of “SOLDs”!

• .25 Acre • Built 1988 • Turn Key sale

• 2 Car plus garage • 1.03 Acres • Fire pit

by For Sale lty roll Rea Lake Car

LOTS FOR SALE TOM MILLER

31-39 SOLD 16-57 & 58 SOLD

Please give us a call for a market analysis of your home.

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Amy Barnes Designated Managing Broker 815-238-8360

www.BarnesRealtyInc.com

866-493-2300

SOLD 19-67 EDGEWOOD COURT, LAKE CARROLL WOODED CUL-DE-SAC LOCATION! 3 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths | 3911 Sq. Ft. | Call Margaret 1.70 Acre Lot | 2 Car Garage | 378 Sq. Ft. Bonus Room | $455,000

SOLD 25-11 HOMEWOOD DRIVE, LAKE CARROLL NICELY UPDATED! 3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2478 Sq. Ft. | Call Margaret 1.80 Acre Lot | 2 Car Garage | Move In Ready | $290,000

SOLD 3-406 WHITE TAIL CIRCLE, LAKE CARROLL SCREENED GAZEBOO! 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1344 Sq. Ft. | Call Margaret 0.78 Acre Lot | 2 Car Garage | Cathedral Ceiling| $240,000

VACANT LOTS

5517 DAGGERT ROAD, MT. CARROLL RURAL LOCATION! 4 Bedroom | 2.5 Baths | Call Amy 0.68 Acre Lot | 3 Car Garage | $239,900

County View | 16-170 Stonehedge Dr. | $1 Country View | 16-169 Stonehedge Dr. | $1 Country View | 12-166 Rosewood Ln. | $5 Country View | 3-650 & 651 Fawn Ridge Dr | $10 Country View | 12-219 Spring Creek Dr | $1,000 Wooded | 13-102 Quail Hollow Dr. | $2,000 Wooded | 12-245 Birchbark Ct. | $3,900 Wooded | 2-291R Park View Cr. | $19,900 Deeded Slip | 31-76 Country Club Ct. | $24,900

PRICE REDUCED 17-11 WHITEWATER DRIVE, LAKE CARROLL UPDATED WITH FINISHED WALK OUT! 3 BEDROOM | 3 BATHS | 3000 SQ. FT. | CALL AMY 0.58 ACRE LOT | 2 CAR GARAGE | CUL-DE-SAC | $347,900

PRICE REDUCED 1901 CHICAGO AVENUE, SAVANNA BEAUTIFUL BRICK BUNGALOW! 3 Bedroom | 2 Baths | Call Amy 0.99 Acre Lot | 4 Car Garage | $169,900

Doug Moll Managing Broker 815-238-3626

4041 ILLINOIS ROUTE 84, THOMSON MOVE IN READY! 3 Bedroom | 1.5 Baths | Call Aime 0.44 Acre Lot | 1 Car Garage | $119,900

Aime Heldt Broker 815-291-8256

Trish Oppold Broker 815-541-7138

Margaret Rominski Broker 815-291-5269

5156 RIVERVIEW CIRCLE, THOMSON NEAR MISSISSIPPI RIVER! 4 Bedroom | 2 Baths | Call Aime 1.46 Acre Lot | 5 Car Garage | $224,900

Gary Ludwig Broker 815-541-5959

24490 Payne Rd, Shannon, IL A Shaw Media Publication | Lake Lifestyle | November 2023 | 47

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Why Wait For A New Boat?

Huge Sale Of In-Stock Crest Pontoons & Crestliner Fishing Boats Professional Fall Services Let us winterize your Outboards Inboards Stern Drives PWC’s Ballast Tanks/Boat Heaters Shoreline Dock & Lift Removal Boat & Pontoon Bottomcleaning Detailing Pickup & Delivery Storage

2023 Crestliner MX 19

2023 220 SLC

Factory Authorized Repair Center For Minn Kota & Garmin Trolling Motors Bait & Tackle Shop Now Featuring 13 Fishing Products

Factory Trained Technicians In

24565 Zier Rd, Lanark (815) 493-6401

SM-ST2113509

7,000 sq. ft. Showroom Competitive Prices • Dedicated Staff Largest Accessory Dept. in the Area Quality Service from Factory Trained Technicians On Water Service • Indoor Storage • Dock & Lift

Call for Your Complimentary Custom Dock & Lift Solutions

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