Grundy County’s Own Magazine October 2014
Women of distinction Three area women recognized for making a difference in Grundy County
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of WOMEN distinction
The Morris Daily Herald’s Women of Distinction honor represents the women of Greater Grundy County who give of themselves for the betterment of others. There are many women in our community deserving of this honor. From super moms to impactful teachers, it’s difficult to imagine the Morris area without these role models. This year, we received nearly 20 highly qualified nominations, and our selection committee had a difficult time narrowing down the field to three final recipients. All of these women are an inspiration. They get up every morning, despite the weather and illness at times, in order to serve others. They care for the young and old, the sick and the strong. They run households, businesses and nonprofits, sometimes squeezing in time for their own higher education. It’s amazing how much one person
MORRIS DAILY HERALD MORRIS DAILY HERALD
can accomplish in one day, but just look around our community and you’ll see the fruits of their labor. But most times, these women go without the recognition they deserve. They may receive a “thank you,” but rarely have a day dedicated to their efforts. That is why we recognize these women. They deserve a day of thanks and celebration. We are proud to call them neighbors and know you are, too. So congratulations not only to our recipients Judy Miller, Lori Watson and Linda Wiesbrook, but to all of the women who were nominated. A nomination means at least one person in the community feels that person’s efforts are worthy of this award. They took the time to submit detailed summaries of each nominee. To all of our nominees, thank you for your selfless service to others and our community.
Grundy County’s Own Magazine A division of Shaw Media • 1804 N. Division St., Morris, Illinois
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General Manager: Robert Wall Managing Editor: Christina Chapman-Van Yperen Shaw Media Writer: Hannah Kohut Photographer: Heidi Terry-Litchfield Columnist: Terri Schlichenmeyer Ad Director: Rich Ponulak Art Direction and Design: Rob Szekely Ad Sales Representatives: Gina Ringer and Denise Pankey
GO magazine is published four times a year by the Morris Daily Herald (A division of Shaw Media), 1804 N. Division St., Morris IL 60450. The entire contents may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or part, without written permission of the publisher. Advertisements appearing in GO magazine are not endorsements by the publisher. The publisher is not responsible or liable for errors or omissions in any advertisement beyond the paid piece of that advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission from the publisher. © 2014, Morris Publishing Company.
OCTOBER 2014 • GO magazine 3
Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk Three Decades of Service in Morris When Judy Miller graduated high school in themselves or support their thoughts; they the community of Auburn, Indiana, she thought also learned about so many different things,” her small-town days were finished. Judy explains. “I know I sure did!” She had dreams of living in a large university city And after teaching for so many years, Judy and someday teaching college. Life, however, led has become part of many extended families. her to Morris, a town almost identical to Auburn. “After a while, I began teaching my students’ “My husband, Alan, got transferred to Morris for his job,” Judy said of her husband of 43 years. “I never thought I would settle in a small town, but I did, and I just love it now.” Since moving to Morris in 1972, Judy has taken many active roles in the community. She began teaching English at Morris Community High School in 1973, where she retired 35 years later. But teaching was more than a series of lesson plans to Judy: It was an opportunity to help shape the lives of her students. “Teaching was the first defining moment for me,” Judy said. “You help students better define themselves through writing and expression, and in turn, they feel better about themselves. They also Judy Miller is one of three recipients of the 2014 became better thinkers.” Women of Distinction award. Judy enjoyed cultivating young minds so much that she began coaching the school’s speech team. kids, and now my students’ grandkids are in the There, Judy was further able to help students middle school,” Judy said with a laugh. “But it’s so form their own ideas and opinions, and taught wonderful being a part of so many lives. I just love them how to defend their views and back seeing them grow and go on to have good lives.” their arguments. But aside from teaching, Judy has another “They not only learned how to express creative passion: The theatre.
4 GO magazine • OCTOBER 2014
By Hannah Kohut | Shaw Media Writer Before she and Alan began their family, Judy was active in the Morris Community High School theatre department as well as the Morris Theatre Guild. The theatre allowed Judy’s comical, vibrant personality to shine through and inspire others. “People in the theatre community are just excited about what they do,” Judy said. “And I love doing comedy. It’s even more fun because you can make people laugh and forget about their worries.” Now that she is retired, Judy is back full-force in the theatre world, rejoining the Morris Theatre Guild and serving a variety of roles, from directing to acting, to being the Guild’s secretary for this theatre season. Judy’s passion for helping others doesn’t stop with teaching and the theatre. Since retiring, Judy has stepped up her volunteering with the Morris Lions Club, of which she and her husband have belonged to since 1999. “My husband was a long-time member, but I was always helping out with things,” Judy recalled. “He said I was doing the work, I might as well pay my dues, so I did!” Through the Lions Club, Judy serves the community in many ways, from baking hundreds of goodies at a time for events, to making Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the less fortunate. However, Judy said it’s the work they do for the sight and hearing impaired that has the most impact on her. Every summer, the Morris Lions Club heads to Hudson, just north of Bloomington, for the annual East Bay Lions Camp. There, she and her fellow Lions members plan several events to benefit the impaired. In turn, Judy is learning a few things herself. “For instance, I learned how to applaud if you are hearing impaired; you wave your hands in the air,” Judy said. “I come back from camp every year with more knowledge in my suitcase. I just love going there.” And while most retirees take advantage of the nowork lifestyle by sleeping in every day, Judy is up
“ I just love seeing
them grow and go on to have good lives.”
early every morning. That’s because she and her husband volunteer to be at the local PADS homeless shelter at 2:45 every morning. “It’s a tough shift to fill,” Judy says. “We don’t have any kids at home anymore, we are both retired. We have the time to volunteer during that early shift. If we don’t do it, then who will?” Judy and Alan spend the wee morning hours preparing breakfast for the shelter’s guests and packing lunches. They also help wake everyone and get them ready for their days. To her, it’s not a labor. It’s simply doing her part. “If you’re in the boat, grab an oar,” Judy said of her community philosophy. “If you’re here, you might as well work to make it better.” Judy says she did not see it coming when she was selected as one of the Morris
~ Judy Miller
Daily Herald’s Women of Distinction for 2014. “I was still pining over which wonderful lady I was going to nominate,” Judy said. “I was just totally amazed!” Judy was surprised with the news by her nominator and fellow Guild member Andrea Gustafson. Andrea walked in on theatre practice with a bouquet of flowers and announced the news to Judy in the middle of play practice. “When the nominations were announced, there was only one woman who came to mind immediately, and that was Judy,” Andrea said that night to the theatre group. “Judy, you do so much for everyone else. You are deserving of this award,” Andrea said to Judy. Judy and Allan have two sons, Scott (Nicole) and Todd, and three grandchildren, Violet, Winnie and Jack. n
It’s back to work at the Morris Theatre Guild for Judy, just moments after learning she is a recipient of the 2014 Women of Distinction award.
The Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Women in Business are proud to support the 2014 Women of Distinction The Grundy County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business is a professional support group that offers mentoring, education and networking opportunities in an effort to help women in the community to grow professionally and personally. The group is open to anyone who wishes to meet other women and share in the daily issues and challenges faced in the workplace and in life. For more information, please visit the Chamber website at www.grundychamber.com, or join the Facebook group Grundy County Chamber Women in Business.
The Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides a multitude of services to our communities, but our top priority is our members. Businesses that invest in a chamber membership benefit from: • Member-to-member business referrals • Grand opening events and member business spotlights • Member-to-member expense cutting discounts • Exclusive business-related news updates • Monthly member networking opportunities • Continuing business education seminars and workshops • Targeted programs for women and young professionals
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OCTOBER 2014 • GO magazine 5
One Teacher Energizes an Entire Community Proof that Learning is Fun It was another day on the job for Lori Watson. The third-grade teacher at Coal City Elementary was at the marker board in front of her class, showing them how to group pairs in different ways. Then, her class was disrupted by a stranger, a friend and her boss. Her friend was holding a bouquet of roses while the stranger and her boss
Library. “Don’t you want to know why we are all here?” It was then Danielle told Lori she had been selected as a 2014 Woman of Distinction. That “stranger” was a Morris Daily Herald staff member taking photos. Lori’s mouth gaped. “You have to be kidding me!” Lori said to
Lori Watson was nominated for her creativity and passion in and out of the classroom, inspiring the Coal City community with her interactive learning units.
were snapping photos. Lori paused, never dropping her marker, then went right back to teaching. “Mrs. Watson!” exclaimed her friend, Danielle Diamond, a librarian for the Coal City Public
6 GO magazine • OCTOBER 2014
Danielle, before hugging her and hearing cheers from her students. Lori, of Coal City, was nominated by Danielle to be a Woman of Distinction for her tireless passion for teaching and making learning exciting
By Hannah Kohut | Shaw Media Writer for all students. However, there was one teaching unit that inspired Danielle to make her nomination — the one on the Iditarod dogsled race. “Mrs. Watson is the third-grade representative for the school district’s science committee,” Danielle said. “She contacted me at the library to find resources on the Iditarod races, wanting to incorporate math, geography, weather and reading lessons into this unit.” Lori spent hours preparing for the interactive unit that included a special bulletin board, in which students were assigned to follow actual Iditarod mushers through the 1,000-mile race and track their progress on the bulletin board. Eventually, the students began discussing the race at home at their dinner tables. Entire families began following the race as it trekked through Alaska. Soon, many in Coal City were enthralled with a race that was half a continent away. But Lori didn’t stop there; she knew the unit had to be an especially memorable one for her students. On May 6, Lori brought Iditarod musher Hugh Neff to her classroom, along with his dog Walter. They spent the entire afternoon with Coal City Elementary students, telling stories and answering questions. “The kids just loved it,” Lori said. “It was just amazing that we could incorporate every core subject area. The kids were learning so much and they didn’t even realize it.” While teaching is now Lori’s driving passion, it isn’t her first career. She began as a businesswoman working in human resources. When her own children were infants, she took a job substitute teaching. That’s when the teaching bug bit. “I always said if I ever had the chance, I would go back to school for my master’s degree in teaching,” Lori recalled. “After my family settled in Coal City, I did just that.” Now in her 10th year of teaching, Lori is proud
Lori Watson (left) is congratulated by her nominator, Danielle Diamond.
to say she has spent her entire teaching career at Coal City Elementary, fulfilling a dream of living, working and teaching in that community. “I can’t imagine teaching anywhere else,” Lori said. “The staff members here are like my family. Everyone works together so well and bounces ideas off each other. I work with a fabulous team.” Danielle said she is proud to know Lori and did not hesitate when deciding to nominate her for the Women of Distinction award.
“ I can’t imagine
teaching anywhere else… I work with a fabulous team.” ~ Lori Watson
“I had to be sneaky about it,” Danielle said. “I told her I was working on a top-secret project and that I needed some information from her.” “I thought it was strange that she wanted to know the names of my family members,” Lori said with a laugh. “But, I just thought she was taking a college course and needed information about someone for a project.” Lori holds a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising and business administration from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Saint Francis. She and her husband, Mitch, have a son and daughter, Brandon and Krista. n
Kathy Lambros
Women are the Heart of our Bank! Kathy Lambros is the Branch Manager of the Morris banking facilities. “Being a banker is a rewarding and important position,” says Lambros. “I’m able to see how the bank makes a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis with financial assistance. Because we do our job well, our bank and our community continues to grow and prosper.” All of our staff has a passion for banking and for our neighborhoods — helping create and form personal relationships with our customers on a daily basis. Standard Bank salutes all women in the workplace. Serving Grundy & Will Counties Morris
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Leading a Surgical Team with Strength and Passion A Journey to the Top Not everyone is made for a high-stress, critical career. When patients trust you with their life, there is no time to second-guess yourself or others on your team. It takes someone of incredible strength, resiliency and faith to succeed in the medical world, especially in the operating room. Linda Wiesbrook is one of those few. Linda, a registered nurse and now director of surgical services at Morris Hospital, was nominated by her boss, Kim Landers, to be a 2014 Woman of Distinction recipient. Because of Linda’s nevergive-up attitude and desire to help others in their health and careers, she has been selected as one of this year’s honorees. “Linda will do anything to make this hospital successful,” Kim said. “I knew there was something special about her the moment I arrived at the hospital. She has a dynamic attitude and is a role model to the staff members.” Linda, a resident of Morris, now holds a position hard to attain. As director of surgical services, Linda has the difficult and challenging role of managing a busy operating room, coordinating surgeries and doctors along with her own staff members, while mentoring her fellow nurses along the way. “Many do not understand what it takes for a female R.N. to run a mostly male-dominated surgical suite,” Kim explains. “It’s not for everyone.” Linda was surprised with the news of her award by Kim, who had lured Linda into the hospital lobby for a meeting. Instead, Linda’s boss greeted her with flowers and the real reason for their meeting. “I nominated you as a Woman of Distinction for this year, and I’m here to tell you that you were selected,” Kim said to Linda.
8 GO magazine • OCTOBER 2014
By Hannah Kohut | Shaw Media Writer
Linda was floored. “No way!,” Linda said as Kim embraced her for a hug. “I had no idea!” Linda’s career in nursing began early in her life. Even as a freshman in high school, Linda knew she wanted to care for others. Her family’s physician, Dr. Roth Sr., inspired her as a child through his caring ways. “He was very encouraging to my brother about going to college at the University of Illinois,” Linda remembered. “He was just such a wonderful man.” After graduating from Minooka High School, Linda decided to attend nursing school. But first, she took at a job at one of the local nursing homes to test the waters. “My dad told me if I couldn’t do that job, then I couldn’t Linda Wiesbrook R.N., is the director of surgical be a nurse,” Linda said. “It was services for Morris Hospital. probably one of the best decisions I have made.” have a clue. Nursing is the only thing I’ve ever While at the nursing home, Linda learned wanted to do. It’s a unique field that changes about the special level of care required for senior every day, allowing you to work with a variety of patients. They require patience and comfort, and specialties and surgeons. I love the intuitive and the utmost of physical care. Soon after, Linda critical environment.” began nursing school at St. Joseph Hospital School Now as a manager, Linda is able to guide the of Nursing in Joliet and graduated in 1978. Since other nurses to success. then, nursing has been her entire life. Kim says Linda is more than your run-of“If you told me tomorrow I couldn’t be a nurse the-mill nurse, though. Aside from giving her and that I couldn’t be in the operating room, I patients the highest quality of care, she strives don’t know what I would do,” Linda said. “I don’t to ensure her department has the most state-
of-the-art surgical equipment and constantly strives to find ways to improve, always asking questions and seeking new solutions. “She understands technology and how it can work best for the surgical services department,” Kim said. “It’s a special skill that many registered nurse leaders do not have. It is the attitude of the professionalism, advocacy for patients, and service to others that clearly set Linda apart.”
“ I am so honored.
So very honored to be among some very deserving women.” ~ Linda Wiesbrook
On being named a Woman of Distinction, Linda knows it carries with it the responsibility of being a role model to everyone in her community. “It’s a representation of an individual who has invested in a career emotionally,” Linda explained. “It’s a calling. It’s someone who is very passionate about what they do. And I do admit, I am. And I am so honored. So very honored to be among some very deserving women.” Linda and her husband have two daughters, Jill and Julie. Linda also volunteers once a week to help children with special needs exercise. n
Linda Wiesbrook, is surprised by nominator and coworker Kim Landers about her Women of Distinction win. Linda was nominated for the Women of Distinction honors for her unyielding dedication to patient care and staff success.
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OCTOBER 2014 • GO magazine 9
Columnist
The Bookworm Terri Schlichenmeyer
Something familiar Susan Gloss weaves a tale of friendship and simple comforts in the cozy light-hearted drama - “Vintage.” The sweater is like an old friend. Once upon a time, it was your mother’s favorite garment. Back then, it was sophisticated and elegant, with beads and bangles that must’ve made her feel terribly chic. Today, it’s a little beat-up. It’s missing beads, is worn on one elbow, and it’s as far from haute couture as you can get, but you really don’t care. Wearing it makes you feel warm, inside and out and, as you’ll see in “Vintage” by Susan Gloss, new friends can give you that same feeling. Ever since Violet Turner got divorced, left her small Northern Wisconsin hometown, and moved to Madison, life was almost exactly what she’d envisioned. Hourglass Vintage, the clothing boutique Violet owned, fulfilled her dream of a career in fashion, which was something she wanted practically her whole life. She loved her business and her customers - but as for the dream of raising a family, well, at thirty-eight and divorced, Violet figured that dream was dead. April Morgan would never wear the
1950s-era wedding dress she got from Hourglass Vintage. For one thing, at five months’ pregnant, she’d never fit into it. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. She and Charlie were in love, but his parents didn’t approve of an eighteen-year-old whose mother had been mentally ill. They wanted their only son to marry a society girl, and they’d withheld funds for Charlie’s medical school until he came to his senses. That kind of stress wasn’t good when you were just starting out, and an unplanned baby didn’t help. Charlie couldn’t take the pressure, and now April was alone. Amithi Singh’s daughter didn’t want her mother’s colorful saris – Jayana didn’t want anything to do with tradition – so Amithi brought the clothes to Hourglass Vintage. She wasn’t sure why she’d kept the saris in the first place but it was time to get rid of them, just like she’d get rid of her cheating husband. Forty years ago, when her arranged
marriage was new, Amithi put aside her hopes and followed her husband to America. So much had happened since then. Could she again change her life as easily as she changed her wardrobe? You know that “ahhhhhh” feeling you get when you come home and slip into your favorite around-the-house clothes? Yep, that’s the kind of comfort you get when you slip into “Vintage.” Starting each chapter with a clothing description to set the tone, author Susan Gloss tells a story of friendship, dream-keeping, and great outfits. It’s a cute tale with likeableenough characters and it’s light on the drama – but here’s where I think the appeal of this novel lies: it’s as familiar as an old sweater, in a good way. Reading it is like wrapping yourself in coziness – and isn’t that why you love novels like this? I think if you’re tired of heavy drama, screaming plots, and unbelievable characters, this book is the perfect antidote. Grab your sweater, grab a chair and grab “Vintage.” You might find that it’s just your style. n
“The Bookworm” is written by Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with her two dogs and 11,000 books.
10 GO magazine • OCTOBER 2014
Local History The interurban went past Chapin Park, located on Chapin and Lisbon Streets. This photo was taken around 1910.
~ The Interurban ~ The Interurban was a popular mode of transportation in the early 1900s. This was the first Interurban Car over the Illinois Valley Traction Line in Morris.
(photos submitted by Conley Jacobson)
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OCTOBER 2014 • GO magazine 11
Mammography Screenings Really Do Save Lives. If it's been more than a year since your last mammogram, it's time.
The American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual mammograms for all women beginning at age 40.
“Getting an annual mammogram is very important. I’m proof of that.” - Candy Matteson of Mazon Breast Cancer Survivor
When you have your mammogram at Morris Hospital or the Morris Hospital Ridge Road Campus in Channahon, you can count on: • The highest quality exam with digital mammography • Computer-aided detection • Interpretation by board-certified radiologists • A softer, more comfortable exam with the MammoPad® breast cushion • Special touches like warm gowns, pretty décor and soft lighting
Call 815-942-4105 to schedule your mammogram at Morris Hospital or the Morris Hospital Ridge Road Campus in Channahon. A physician’s order is required.
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