21 minute read
Business News
from Mt. Morris Times
by Shaw Media
BUSINESS NEWS Rural Renovators builds social media following
BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
Nobody shares secrets in the construction business, especially older generations.
Except for Kyle Stumpenhorst.
The Rural Renovators owner started taking pictures and videos years ago because he wanted current and future customers to know what they were getting. As social media evolved, so did Stumpenhorst’s Franklin Grove construction company. The Sterling resident took videos that showed his process. And people liked it.
“Clients loved it and could see what was happening,” Stumpenhorst said. “They understand what it takes. I saw it added value to the brand. People were searching for Rural Renovators.”
Rural Renovators specializes in post frame buildings, which are multi-use barn structures. A YouTuber wanted to build one in New York 2.5 years ago and found Stumpenhorst on social media and hired him to do it.
That YouTuber told Stumpenhorst he had to start a channel of his own. He did. Rural Renovators now has 449,000 subscribers on the video platforms.
“When people want to build a garage, they’ll look,” Stumpenhorst said. “I never expected it to blow up. I wanted customers to know what they were getting. Now it’s a ton more. I get asked to travel around and shoot content with tool makers for educational things. A lot of people enjoy it.”
Stumpenhorst thinks social media’s biggest benefit is that it’s a community of like-minded individuals looking to elevate their craft. He found others were more likely to share their trade secrets if he shared his.
Seeing comments and videos made by others on social media showed Stumpenhorst that in order to take the best picture or video, he had to build better.
“It’s moved me to look at the operation and skillset and improve,” Stumpenhorst said. “Old-time carpenters do the same old stuff and don’t help anybody. I get messages from people across the world that say I changed their lives and ABOVE: Greg Haas hoists panels up
to Kyle Stumpenhorst at the Oregon Music Garage job site behind Ukulele Station America. The new 2,000-square-foot facility will sell ukuleles, guitars and accessories, a provide space for lessons, live music and open mic events.
AT LEFT: Haas hands Stumpenhorst tools.
Alex T. Paschal/Shaw Media
helped.”
Stumpenhost turns down 10-12 jobs each day. He works in the area, despite having offers to do jobs around the country due to his following.
Stumpenhorst recently went camping with his family in Virginia and was recognized from his videos. Rural Renovators sells t-shirts on its site and the YouTube channel receives ad revenue due to its high number of viewers.
“Ad revenue is part of the YouTube scheme, it’s not my career,” Stumpenhorst said. “That’s icing on the cake. YouTube could be gone tomorrow and my work won’t change. I started selling the t-shirts because I couldn’t afford to send them to everyone who wanted one. That’s what I used to do, but I started getting too many requests.”
Stumpenhorst used to think that competitors would take his secrets and use them against him if he put them out on social media. But that hasn’t happened. He actually wants someone to recommend when he can’t do a job. He recently told a customer he can’t do a job until next year.
Competitors may be able to replicate what Stumpenhorst does in his videos, but that isn’t all of the equation, he said.
“You can show the horse the water,” Stumpenhorst said. “You can show them the secrets. But they have to care.”
Stumpenhorst started in 2007 as a small remodeling contractor. He did bathrooms, kitchens and decks. He eventually got bigger and built houses, which he didn’t enjoy as much. He doesn’t like being at long jobs with contractors that don’t care as much as he does.
With post frames, Stumpenhorst can control the entire project and its quality. On a job, it’s just him working with one or two contractors. He has no employees.
Among Stumpenhorst’s favorite jobs was a high-end storage facility for a golf cart business in Amboy. Rural Renovators builds passion projects like Oregon Music Garage, a music shop currently in progress.
The company builds hunting lodges, man caves and family fun barns with things like basketball courts. Rural Renovators has won three building of the year awards.
“I think there’s a lot of contractors that will do a post frame,” Stumpenhorst said. “We specialize in it. I’m the salesman, owner and the guy swinging the hammer.”
Hat and Mitten Tree
Again this year, we are collecting warm hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens. Hang your contribution on our tree by the end of the year. They will be distributed through the New Life Community Center in Forreston in January.
Winter Take & Make Crafts
Miss Jana will have craft kits to keep your kids from getting antsy as we lead up to Christmas. Stop by each Monday
MT. MORRIS LIBRARY
Santa Countdown Fun
We have a fun “Santa Countdown” sheet available as a fun way to count down daily to Christmas. Call the library at 815-734-4927 or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.com to reserve yours.
Virtual CATCH Club
CATCH Club (with the U of I Extension) is moving to virtual starting Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. This is suggested for grades 3-5. Contact the library 815-734-4927 or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.com to get the you can pick up ahead of time from the library.
Light Up the Village, Parade and Tree Lighting
Mt. Morris Public Library, in conjunction with Light up the Village, will be doing a small raffle for both adults and children. Every time you check out books (NOT every book you check out) between Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 will get an entry into the raffle. We will pick the winner on Saturday, Dec. 5. We will also have to-go craft kits available – bead ornament for children, book page orna-
POLO LIBRARY
Curbside Pickup
Mondays - 2-6 p.m.; Tuesdays - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Wednesdays - 2-6 p.m.; p.m.
Step 1 - Log in to your PrairieCat/ Encore account and request items for pickup. You can also call 815-946-2713 or email library@pololibrary.org at least one business day in advance of you would like to check out.
Need a suggestion? Library staff are happy to select several books for you to try.
Step 2 - Call 815-946-2713 to schedule to pick up your take & make craft kit for the week!
New Releases
Adult & Young Adult Fiction: Can’t Ride Around It by Ann Charles; Murder in Season by Jessica Fletcher; The Diplomat’s Wife by Pam Jenoff; Crying Laughing by Lance Rubin; The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs
Juvenile Fiction & Non-Fiction: Figment 2: The Legacy of Imagination, Vol ment for teens and red napkin poinsettias for adults to pick up on Saturday.
To-Go Craft Kits!
Kids Craft (ages 3-9): “Pom Turkey” available while supplies last. We will provide everything except glue. Adult Craft for ages 19 and up is Rock Painting, we provide everything! Call the library (815-734-4927) or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.org to reserve yours.
Free Library Cards for all OCUSD 220 Students
Mt. Morris Public Library and Oregon Public Library, in conjunction with program where all students qualify for a free library card. Information and forms will be sent home from the school. Contact the library at 815-734-4927 for more information.
To-Go Craft Kits
Kids Craft for ages 3-9: “Pom Turkey” available while supplies last. We will provide everything except glue. Adult Craft for ages 19 and up is Rock Painting and we provide everything! Call the library at 815-734-4927 or email dawn. mtmorrislib@gmail.com to reserve and a date and time for your contactless pickup Please remain in your car and allow library staff to place your items in your trunk or back seat.
Step 3 - Drop items off as you are finished with them. Our book drop, located to the left of the Congress Street door, will continue to be open 24/7.
Additional Curbside Services
We are still offering copy/print (.25/ Black and White .50/Color) and fax ($1/ page). We also offer home delivery at no extra charge for patrons who are unable to use curbside pickup. Please call 815-946-2713 for more information and to schedule an appointment or home delivery. 4; Wrong Way Summer by Heidi Lang; The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
Children’s Fiction: Milo and Monty by Roxana DeRond; A Little Bit Brave by Ncola Kinnear; August the Tiger by Marieke van Ditshuizen
Wednesday WhoDunIt
Wednesday WhoDunIt will resume after the holidays. Put a new mystery title on your Christmas wish list!
Zoom link. There will be a craft kit that
Thursdays - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Fridays - 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.; and Saturdays - 10 a.m. - 2
preferred pickup day with a list of items
OCUSD 220, are partnering for a pilot
Family Story Time
pick up yours.
Virtual Storytime & To-Go Kits
Virtual Storytime will be at 11:15 a.m. via Facebook Live every Wednesday. Weekly Storytime themed kits will be available and will include a free book, a craft, a letter book, stickers and tracing page. Call the library at 815-734-4927 or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.com to pick up yours.
Family Storytime
In-person family storytime is available on Fridays by appointment and for one family at a time. It will last approximately 30 minutes and will include books, rhymes and a craft. Masks will be required for ages 3 and up and you will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon entry to the library. Call the library at 815-734-4927 or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.com to register.
Browsing & Computer Use By Appointment
We are open for browsing and computer use by appointment; call they library to schedule a time. Masks are required and you will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon entering the library.
Homemade for the Holidays -
Wednesday, Dec. 9 - 10:30 a.m. - On Facebook.com/pololibrary
Ms. Melanie shares a craft for kids (recommended K-5rd Grade) to make for the holidays! This video will air on Wednesday the 9th, but will stay available to watch on Polo Library’s Facebook page.
Teen Trivia Night - Wednesday, Dec. 16- 6 p.m.
Get on Zoom with other teens to play trivia games on Kahoot! The trivia subjects we will play are holiday, books, and movies. First place winner gets a candy bar of their choosing! To register, join the “Teen Trivia Night” event on
Family Story Time will resume after the holidays.
Reminder: We are unable to collect soft plastics at this time. Also, we regretfully cannot accept book donations right now. We apologize for the inconvenience. We ask that you refrain from depositing your plastics and book donations unattended. Thank you for your cooperation.
No unaccompanied children are allowed in the library at this time (do not bring your children if you will be using the computer). Browsing is limited to 30 minutes and computer use to one hour.
Curbside Service and Interlibrary Loans are available during regular business hours. Mt. Morris patrons can place holds through the catalog, by calling or emailing. Library staff is quarantining all returned items for a period of time. Recently returned materials may remain on your account longer than usual. No overdue fines will be charged. New library cards: Patrons can call or email the library to set up an appointment to renew or receive new library cards. Please bring a photo id and a second form of id with current address. Contact the library at 815-734-4927 or mmlib@ mtmorris-il.org.
Open Trustee Positions
We have two Trustee positions expiring. If you are interested in being in the Spring elections, packets are available for pickup from Village Hall.
facebook.com/pololibrary
Ghosts of Christmas Past Zoom Program - Thursday, Dec. 17 - 7 p.m.
Join us as local author Kathi Kresol shares some of the strange stories she has found in her research that shows sometimes the “holiday spirit” can be more than we bargain for!
Visit pololibrary.org for more information
Book Subscription Box - Grades 6-12
The book subscription box contains one book to read and some goodies. You pick the genre, we supply the book! Email library@pololibrary.org and ask for
See MT. MORRIS LIBRARY, Page 22
New Library Procedures
Oregon Public Library has shifted to touch free services due to the Tier 3 mitigation. We will only be offering curbside pick up and appointments for computer use, printing or faxing.
If you are interested in curbside pick up or a computer reservation please call 815-732-2724. Holds can be placed three different ways:
Over the phone with Library staff at 815-732-2724, or through our NEW mobile App - PrairieCat Mobile.
Log into your library account with your library card number and PIN (last four digits of the library card number).
Once your requested items are available for pick up you will receive the automated notification from PrairieCat. Call us at 815-732-2724 after you receive this notice to schedule your curbside pick up.
Remember to check our Facebook posts or the local papers for new releases! You can also talk to the librarians for book recommendations and to place items on hold.
December Distraction
Tuesday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 19. When Oregon Public Library
• MT. MORRIS LIBRARY
Continued from Page 21 a Book Subscription Box form, fill it time when your box is ready! Read the book while you enjoy some treats, then return the book in the book drop.
Yoga on Facebook - Third Monday pololibrary
Just because we’re taking a break District cardholders check out reading material, they may receive a scratchoff ticket for every 3 reading material items for a chance to win some readable prizes.
Scratch off your ticket and see if you win. Winning ticket holders may select one of the prize packages that are now on display at the Library. Ask one of our librarians for more info.
Zoom Story Time
Dec. 17, 10 a.m.; register at least one week before to receive a craft kit and the Zoom link.
Name That tune and Music Trivia
Night - Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m
This event will be a live virtual event. Musician Dan Fogel will run the interactive fun evening of musical trivia just in time for the Holidays. Registration required 815-732-2724 and must present Oregon Public Library Card to participate.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt – Virtual Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m.
Prizes to local shopping venues. Scavenge around your house for various holiday items. Be the fastest and-or have the most items in your home and win. Go to ZOOM.com and enter the following: Meeting ID: 858 1160 3753 Passcode: 111976 Participation is open to everyone, but from doing yoga together doesn’t mean your yoga practice needs to suffer! On the third Monday of every month at 6pm on facebook.com/pololibrary we will post a yoga video to get you stretching and moving.
Virtual Storytime - Saturdays 10:30
Every Saturday morning head over to Polo Library’s Facebook page to watch They air each Saturday at 10:30am, but must show Oregon Library Card to receive prizes. Call for more information.
Ugly Sweater Contest
Send pictures of you in your Ugly Christmas Sweater to be entered into our giveaway. Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Dec. 18 and the winner will be announced Dec. 19 during Candlelight Walk. Send to cbergoply@gmail.com 1st Prize: $10 SuperValu Gift Certificate, 2nd Prize: $5 Village Bakery Certificate. Must be Oregon Public Library District Patron.
Paint Your New Year’s Eve Glass -
Make and Take Kits Available Dec. 28
Pick up your free kit to paint your wine glass and toast the New Year in style. Kits include wine glass, two paint markers, and stencils. Instructional video available on our website. Registration for kits required, 815-7322724. Must be Oregon Public Library District Patron.
Library Book Clubs
Afternoon Book Club, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 12:30 p.m., “A Christmas Blizzard,” by Garrison Keillor.
Books on Tap Book Club, Thursday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. at Cork n Tap, 305 Washington St., “One Day in December,” by Josie Silver. 2WBC Book Club, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m., “Mr. Dickens and His Carol,” by Samantha Silva. you can watch them any time! Stop by the Library to pick up your “Storytime in a bag” with a fun craft to go along with the book that was read. If you have a book you’d like to hear read for Saturday Storytime, email Ms. Melanie at melaniew@pololibrary.org
Pinterest Party at Home
Stop by the Library, or email library@ pololibrary.org, for instructions to make this month’s craft.
Online Resources
Maker Monday’s, Take and Make
Crafts - Ages 18 and up. Registration required at 815-732-2724. Kits are available.
Take It Tuesdays
During COVID. Kits vary and are first come, first serve. New kits available on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
New Library App
This allows patrons to check library accounts, search for items, place holds, and see library events from a mobile device. Download the PrairieCat Mobile app today! Search for PrairieCat Mobile on your device’s app store, connect with your Oregon Public Library card and you are all set.
Friends of the Library Grab Bag Sale
This is an ongoing sale and the bags are in the library labeled by genre. Bags are $5. There are approximately 8-10 books in each bag.
New Releases
Artists of The Rock River Valley by E. William LeFevre (Non-Fiction 759.1733 LEF)
The Luckiest Man: Life with John McCain by Mark Salter (Biography BIO MCC)
A Promised Land by Barack Obama (Biography BIO OBA)
Eleanor by David Michaelis (Biography
out, and we’ll call you to set up a pickup
of the Month - 6 p.m. - Facebook.com/
a.m. - Facebook.com/pololibrary
Ms. Melanie read a children’s story.
WINTER BUILD SALE If you can dream it, we can build it
Begin your search today at ClearyBuilding.com
• Commercial • Home • Suburban • Farm • Unique • Horse
BIO ROO)
Download Axis 360, OMNI/Overdrive, Libby, and Biblioboard for books and audiobooks. Links to these resources are available at pololibrary.org
Wi-Fi Access
Wi-Fi is available 24/7 outside of the library building, even outside of library hours. You can access the Wi-Fi by joining the Polo Public Library Guest Access network, you do not need a password.
Rochelle Veterinary Hospital Dr. NicoleD Ni l MarquardtM dt Dr. Taryn Pfeiffer Dr. Lynn Deets Dr. Steve Baker Boarding • Groomingd Dentistry • X-ray SurgicalLaser • Gas Anesthetic Laser Therapy 1381 North 7th Street, Rochelle 815 - 562- 5207 Hours: M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am- Noon
RYAN ANDREW WAYNE KEKELIS
Ryan Andrew Wayne Kekelis was born April 4, 1989 in Painesville, Ohio but lived most his life in Illinois; most recently Oregon.
Ryan loved politics, football, and trying new foods. He also loved to travel; to see new places and meet friends
RILEY DEGN SMITH-HANNA
With deep sorrow, we announce that Riley Degn Smith-Hanna, 24, passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
Riley was born in 1996 and was the daughter of Hilary Hanna and Grant Smith.
Though her time with us was cut
JOHN B. ROE
GRAND DETOUR — John B. Roe, known as Jack, of Grand Detour, Illinois, and Holmes Beach, Florida, died November 27, 2020, at the age of 78 from a very rare untreatable form of cancer known as Myelofibrosis.
He enjoyed horse racing, golf, reading and traveling. He attended Oregon, Illinois schools and graduated from Centre College of Kentucky in 1964.
He attended American University, George Washington University, with political honors and the University of Illinois Law School 1967.
He was elected Ogle County State’s Attorney in 1968 and was the youngest state’s attorney in Illinois history.
He taught Criminal Justice at Sauk Valley and Kishwaukee Colleges for 5 years. He was admitted to practice in the United State’s Supreme Court in 1969.
He served two terms in the Illinois Senate 1973-1979. While in the Senate he sponsored the
Illinois Campaign Disclosure Act requiring candidates for public office along the way. He leaves behind many of these friends he met throughout his journey.
He will be missed by his mom and dad in Cornell, Illinois; his maternal grandma in Virginia; his paternal grandma
short, she was well known for her vibrant personality, her love of animals and her fierce loyalty to family and friends.
We will always remember Riley’s fun-loving, independent spirit and piercing blue eyes, and we take comfort knowing that she’ll be spending her days with her Hexi and Gam in heaven. to disclose their contributors and their expenditures. He sponsored Governor Thompson’s Class X anti crime bills providing for mandatory sentences for crimes of violence such as murder, armed robbery, rape etc.
He sponsored the Horse Racing Act of 1976 completely revising the administration of horse racing in Illinois and the No Fault Divorce Act.
He also obtained the money necessary to construct the Rochelle, Illinois overpass.
He was appointed Chief Justice of the Illinois Court of Claims by Governor Jim Thompson in 1979. Grade School Board Dist. 230 from 198284.
He practiced law in Rochelle from 1973-1995; first as JOHN B. ROE; then as ROE & MALLON; then ROE, MALLON & TESS. in Ohio; his two aunts, Angie in Virginia and Gina in Ohio; as well as two very special friends - his cousins Ken in Virginia and Corrine in Ohio.
As Ryan finished his earthly travels, a few special people were there to cheer him across the finish line: his “great” grandpa, his adored Aunt Kerri, and the two brothers he never met.
Ryan completed his journey on earth
To know Riley was to know her unmistakable laugh. Her passion for life and constant joking always brought a smile to whomever she was with. Her mom often said that Riley “liked to
He was Appointed Circuit Judge in 1995 by Illinois Supreme Court and was elected Circuit Judge in 1996.
After retiring as a judge in 2000, he to Revise and Rewrite The Illinois CrimiAbraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, Illinois; served as faculty at Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida, Adjunct Professor; was a Certified Florida County, Circuit and Family Mediator; was a Certified Mediator U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida and U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois; was a Florida Bar Association Arbitrator and Mediator; was Certified Mediator and Arbitrator 12th Circuit, Florida and 15th Circuit, Illinois; was a Manatee County Florida Administration Hearing Officer; and was an arbitrator for New York and Nasdaq Stock Exchanges.
The Roe family has lived in Ogle County since 1837, his great grandfather John B. Roe was the first Doctor of Ogle County.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis of on November 25, 2020. Our comfort is knowing we will meet him again in heaven where our adventures together will be eternal.
Ryan would not want flowers; he liked to help people. He would prefer you send donations in his memory to: Grass Roots Food Panty, 405 N 4th St, Cornell, IL 61319.
choose the path less traveled – just like her mother”.
Riley is survived by her two parents, her aunts and uncles, cousins and many friends who will forever be comforted by the fond memories they have of her.
May we all appreciate and remember how fragile life is and that it should be
IN BRIEF
Hunters killed 47,147 deer during first firearm season
Hunters in Illinois killed a preliminary total of 47,147 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois Firearm Deer Season Nov. 20-22 compared with 50,173 deer taken during the first firearm weekend in 2019.
Illinois’ seven-day Firearm Deer
He was a member of the Rochelle
Season will conclude Dec. 3-6.
Other deer hunting opportunities in the weeks ahead include: Muzzleloader - Only Deer Season, Dec. 11-13; Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Dec. 31 and Jan. 3, Jan. 15-17, 2021. Archery Deer Season continues through Jan. 17. 2021 (archery deer hunting is closed Dec. 3-6 in counties open for firearm deer season).
was a member Governor’s Commission nal Code; a member of The Board of the
lived to the fullest.
For more details on deer hunting, open counties, and other information, check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DeerHunting.aspx
First week totals for area counties were:
County 2019 2020
Carroll.............. 432................ 351 47 years, who was his companion, love, best friend, and caretaker; son John B. “Ben” Roe IV (Irene) Roe, Grand Detour; step daughter Julie (Jim) Watt, Oregon, Illinois; grandchildren, John Benjamin Roe V and Mary Margaret Roe, Grand Detour; Justin Watt and Emma Watt, Chicago; Sister Ruth Roe Arth, San Francisco, California; and many nieces and nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his mother Jane Gilbert Roe and father, John B. Roe II.
Private family burial at Lighthouse Church Cemetery, Ogle County.
Unger Horner Funeral Home and Cremation services in Rochelle assisted the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, it was Jack’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to: Foundation for Focus House and Community Programming, P.O. Box 491, Rochelle, IL 61068. To send on-line donations, visit: https://www.paypal. com/paypalme/FoundationFocusHouse.
DeKalb .............. 80...................77 JoDaviess........1,005 ........... 1,027 Lee.................... 311................ 334 Ogle .................. 436................ 437 Rock Island...... 415................ 461 Stephenson ...... 365................ 405 Whiteside......... 373................ 420 Winnebago....... 398................ 372
