TODAY WENDY FULMER Boomers
A Real Estate Powerhouse
Also:
• Putnam County Community Center, a lifeline for seniors
• Purpose Nutrition offers health-based products
• Easy recipes for summer
My Third Act
My youngest child graduated from high school in May, and in a few short weeks, she will be joining her older brother at college. For the first time in 20 years, my husband and I will be the only ones in our house.
I’ll no longer hear the sounds of my children laughing at and with each other or talking about the interesting things that had happened to them that day. My house won’t be filled with their music playing, their occasional arguments, or the chatter from their friends who know they can walk right into my house without knocking.
Having an eerily quiet house will take some getting used to on my part.
As much as I’ve loved being a mother – and it’s been the most treasured part of my life – I am trying to view this new chapter in my life as an opportunity. It’s a chance to rediscover old hobbies I was usually too busy for as a mom, discover some new interests, and add a little spontaneity into my life – something that I couldn’t do with two children who were in so many activities, clubs, and sports. Instead, I’ll get to concentrate on me. The idea of that is both intimi-
dating and exhilarating at the same time. I’m thinking of this time in the next four years as a test run. I’ll have a lot of time to fill, but I can also look forward to Christmas and summer breaks when my kids will be home from college and my house will come to life again.
Best wishes,
Shannon Serpette Niche Editor
A New Lease on Life 4
Save money, socialize, and navigate all aspects of aging at PCCC.
Wendy Fulmer 8
Fulmer didn’t want to become a realtor, but 24 years later, she’s glad she did.
Purpose Nutrition 12
Beneficial products for Boomers.
Summertime Favorites 15
These recipes don’t require a lot of time spent standing over a hot stove.
On the cover: After graduating from LaSalle-Peru High School in 1977, Wendy (Senica) Fulmer thought she was going to be a lifelong beautician. She went to beauty school and eventually owned a salon. Once her father, Ron Senica, founded Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course, she sold her salon to help the family business. Fulmer didn’t realize her dad had other plans; he convinced her to go into real estate to sell developments he had. She’s been in the business ever since.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
General Manager/ Advertising Director Jeanette Smith jmsmith@shawmedia.com
Niche Editor Shannon Serpette sserpette@shawmedia.com
Writers Brandon LaChance Shannon Serpette
Photographers Brandon LaChance Shannon Serpette
Designer Liz Klein
A New Lease on Life
Save money, socialize, and navigate all aspects of aging at PCCC
Story and photos by Shannon Serpette
While your golden years can be some of the best of your life, new challenges will also arise. Health struggles, financial concerns, complex government programs, and social isolation can all impact your overall happiness and well-being.
Putnam County Community Center (PCCC) is there to offer guidance and support. Whether you need help with complicated programs like Medicare, a donation-based hot meal, a library book, or fellowship, the Putnam County Community Center has it all. The center, which is located in an old school building at 128 First St. in Standard, is celebrating its 50-year anni
Facebook page.
Everyone who visits PCCC can find something that can enhance their life. Some come for the services PCCC can help them with, such as help with benefits, Alzheimer’s Disease and other disorder services, and other popular programs.
Others are mainly drawn toward the companionship aspect of going to the center.
“We draw in a lot of people who, unfortunately, are alone,” Lukosus said, adding that they get to spend time in a safe and caring environment.
“We have all kinds of benefit assistance,” Lukosus said. “Our outreach person goes through the area. It’s a very widespread area, but it’s not a very populated area. We are a small farming area.”
For those looking for a hot meal, PCCC offers lunches for those 60 and above by donation, with a recommended price of $8 per lunch. No one is ever required to pay for services. The center typically gets 18 to 25 people attending their lunches, depending on the weather and what programs are being offered,
PCCC can also help people save money in several ways, including its lending closet, which offers a variety of equipment, such as walkers and crutches. In addition, the lending closet has a good supply of adult diapers, which can be ex -
“It’s pretty packed,” Lukosus said about the lend -
The Standard Library Branch is located in the center as well, so anyone stopping by can check out a
book, which is a nice source of free entertainment.
Putnam County Rotary put in a little food pantry in PCCC that allows people to take enough food at a time for a meal or two.
“It started right before Covid. It’s very popular,” Lukosus said.
PCCC’s programs and enrollment assistance for government programs are also a big draw. The center’s stress-busting program is free, and it runs for nine weeks in a row. The AARP tax preparers come in to do simple tax returns for free for senior citizens.
Jill Franklin, PCCC’s information and assistance employee, can offer enrollment assistance for Medicare and help seniors select a plan that will save them money. Franklin has found that some people are on the wrong plan and they are losing money in the process.
“It’s a very complicated system,” Franklin said.
Franklin enjoys helping seniors save money and finding ways to remain in their own homes.
“I see people come in here, and I don’t know how they (afford to) live. And they worked their whole life. It’s sad,” Franklin said.
Franklin makes sure to stay on top of any changes to the programs senior citizens count on.
“I’m always researching Medicare and Medicaid,” she said.
The highlight of Franklin’s work days is getting to see and interact with the seniors. If she doesn’t see one of the regulars stopping in for a day or two, she gets worried.
See PCCC page 6
Lukosus
The Putnam County Rotary stocks a small food pantry at the Putnam County Community Center to help visitors who need a little extra food.
The Standard Library Branch of the Putnam County Public Library District is located at the Putnam County Community Center.
The Putnam County Community Center, which used to be a school, now serves several functions, including providing meals, hosting daily activities and programs, and offering information and assistance. It’s also the location for a small food pantry supported by the Putnam County Rotary, a lending closet, and the Standard Library Branch.
FROM PAGE 4
“If they don’t come in or call, I call them,” she said.
Rhonda Aimone, the outreach coordinator for PCCC, goes out into the community to check on senior citizens and educates
gregate meals/activities di rector at PCCC, has worked at the center for 36 years and has built incredible relationships along the way. As someone who has been there for much of PCCC’s 50-year history, Greenwood shared what some of the most fun activities have been during her time there.
“They love Bingo. The 50’s parties and the PJ parties. Everyone always enjoys these,” Greenwood said.
With many programs being overhauled and funding being cut on the federal level for many organizations right now, the staff at the Putnam County Community Center has to keep a close eye on any changes coming their way.
“We’re still getting funding, but our funding com -
Becky Lukosus, Putnam County Community Center’s executive director, shows off some of the items in the center’s lending closet. The closet has many items that can help residents save money, such as crutches, walkers, and adult diapers.
pany has asked us to do a contingency plan,” Lukosus said, adding that the plan will address what will happen if federal money dries up. Fortunately, PCCC has always enjoyed wonderful support from the commu -
nity, local businesses, and organizations, she said.
“We get wonderful donations,” Lukosus said. “The community does so much to support this center. Everybody knows we’re here. The whole community stands behind us.”
Aimone
PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER
• Information & Assistance Linking People to Benefit & Services
• Outreach Home Visits
• Congregate Meals Tues. & Thurs. ($8 Suggested Donation for those 60+)
• Certified SHIP Site (Medicare Help)
• Activities & Programs Tues. & Thurs.
• Lending Closet (Free Use of Medical Equipment)
• Family Caregiver Resources
• Alzheimer Disease & Related Disorder Services
• EngAGED Program (Reduces social isolation and loneliness among older adults)
Scan to learn more
Scan to learn more
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Pressure to Become Real Estate Agent Changes into Blessing
Story by Brandon LaChance
Wendy (Senica) Fulmer had no intention of becoming a real estate agent.
After graduating from LaSalle-Peru High School in 1977, she attended beauty school, became a beautician, and eventually started her own salon. Her path, however, was about to change because of her father’s influence.
When you see or hear the name Senica, the first thing most Illinois Valley residents think of is Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course. The founder, Ron Senica, who passed away in 2011, is Wendy’s father.
When the golf course was being created and established, Fulmer closed her salon and helped with her father’s new business. Her father had additional plans for her.
“This is when my dad convinced me to go into real estate. I had young children, and he thought it was best, but I fought it,” said Fulmer, now 65 and residing in Peru. “I didn’t want to go into real estate, but we had developments in the golf course subdivision, Golf View, Bench Subdivision, and Senica Six. There were a lot of different areas in the LaSalle area.
“My dad wanted one of us (his children) to go into real estate to help promote the lots he was selling. When I got into real estate, I was 41. No one else wanted to do it, so I did it. It ended up being the best thing for me. I was so fortunate of my background. With being a beautician and touching the heads of half of the LaSalle-Peru area, I got to know people. I also met so many people at the golf course, which helped my career, too,” she said.
Since entering real estate in 2001, Fulmer hasn’t looked backward. She was a natural fit for the world of real estate. She had the support of her father, the gift of gab, was working in the place where she grew up and went to high school, and had the
To Wendy Fulmer, being a real estate agent is like visiting friends every day. Through previous careers, Fulmer learned the gift of gab and finding out what people want. She used it to help her family and friends find homes, and other customers came to her from there.
drive to be successful.
“It didn’t hurt me that we had developments. When I got started, Oak Ridge was already underway. But I started at the same time as Golf View Subdivision was being developed,” said Fulmer, who was married to Terry Fulmer until he passed away in 2020. “I came in listing 50-something building lots at a time when the market was very, very good. I would market the lot. People would contact
me to look at it, get information, and turn around and sell their house with me.
“I was very blessed and fortunate to be in that situation. It was easier for me than other agents coming into the business. I come from a family of six, and I’m from the area. There were always people in and out of the house, and we all had friends.
Fulmer didn’t want to become a realtor, but 24 years later, she’s glad she did See FULMER page 10
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Although Fulmer will tell you she was blessed with some advantages other young, upstart real estate agents might not have, she still had struggles and obstacles. Real estate isn’t as easy as some think, but once you find your niche and understand the industry, the pros can outweigh the cons.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Having my friends and my sibling’s friends and their families helped grow my business as well,” Fulmer, who is a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker, added.
Another reason she feels she has been successful is the people around her.
“I surrounded myself with good co-workers. I do a tremendous amount of business, but I couldn’t do it without the help of others,” Fulmer said. “I’m very, very fortunate for the people around me. I collaborate with other Coldwell-Banker agents such as Chris Hopps, Karen Zermeno, TJ Templeton, and Barb Kuzma.
“I’ll bring them in. When we team up, we can do more business. Sometimes, realtors are real stingy with what they do and don’t want to share. But you do need help. The more you share and work together, the better it makes the business. I think that is one reason
why I am successful. I want to bring others in,” she said.
Of course, with any industry, there are cons.
The current market and the limited number of available lots, properties, or homes, are at the top of the list.
“It’s very stressful these days. I may list a property, and I might have four buyers for the property. It’s very difficult,” Fulmer said. “What we see as sellers is, when they list a property, you’re going to see multiple offers on these homes. We try to slow down the pace a little bit and let everyone bring in their offers. We have to look at what’s best for the seller. I could have eight offers for one property in our small area. I’ve seen that more often recently than I have in the past.
“We look at different aspects of the offer. Of course, money, the strength of the buyer, and what type of inspections they’re having, along with other factors. It’s not just money; it’s many, many factors,” she said.
“Having too many offers is a problem because you have to pick the right offer. You may only get that one time when
you’re going to get eight offers. If the wrong offer is picked and it falls apart, all the other offers could be gone because they found another property or they’re no longer interested. The momentum is lost. The urgency is gone. They may look at every nook and cranny and say there are issues with the house that they didn’t have before,” she said. “Sometimes you get one chance at doing it right.”
Also, like every other business, it’s not a cakewalk.
“Sometimes people think real estate is such an easy career to get into. I was blessed because of what my father set up for me,” Fulmer said. “I was fortunate. When I started in real estate at 41 with two kids – my daughter, the youngest, was a senior in high school – I worked three jobs. I did real estate, worked at the golf course, and was a beautician for two years. It took a while before I could free myself and just do real estate full-time.
“We often have realtors come in, quit their other job, and they think selling houses is all they’re going to do. It
doesn’t always happen like that,” she said.
Fulmer advises prospective realtors to enter the industry if they understand it can be tough and it does take work. Despite the cons, there are plenty of pros.
“It’s like visiting with friends all day long. When I was doing hair, it was like that. When I was at the golf course, it was like that. And it’s like that selling property,” Fulmer said. “You really become part of a team trying to find a home. You work with people for a long period of time, especially now because there are very few homes out there. You work with them and grow friendships.
“I love what I do, and I like it more the older I get. I am happy to get up and go to work. I’m thrilled. If someone calls me on a Sunday morning, I don’t moan and groan about it. Realty is practically 24 hours a day, seven days a week between emails, phone calls, and selling property. When I get that weekend phone call, I’m just happy they’re calling me and not someone else.”
Purpose Nutrition offers beneficial products for Boomers
When Erica Henry first consumed Herbalife products, she felt the health benefits because her body felt better. Being a customer morphed into being a business owner at Purpose Nutrition, located at 1108 Meriden St. in Mendota, because she didn’t want to keep all of the improved health results to herself.
“I got great results with the products initially,” Henry said. “I realized I could help others with the benefits of Herbalife, so I opened Purpose Nutrition to help others feel great. Our shakes are a complete meal replacement.
“They can be used as a nutritional shake as well since they have 21 vitamins and
minerals in them. A lot of people use the shakes for nutritional value because in order to eat the amount of food it takes to get your daily needed nutrition is not the easiest. It’s an easy way to get all of your needed nutrition in one meal.”
Henry, a 1999 Mendota
See PURPOSE page 14
Purpose Nutrition, located at 1108 Meriden St. in Mendota, functions on the Herbalife Nutrition, Ltd. product line. Herbalife was founded by Mark Hughes in February 1980 in Los Angeles, Calif., based on the values of healthy dieting, proper protein consumption, personal care, and sports nutrition. Herbalife operates in 95 countries, employs an estimated 9,900 people globally, and has approximately 4.5 million independent distributors.
Story and Photos by Brandon LaChance
Erica Henry, a 1999 Mendota High School graduate, opened Purpose Nutrition in 2019 after leaving a career as a sales advisor and assistant manager of a car dealership in the Chicago suburbs. She opened the business to share the nutritional benefits of the Herbalife product.
The meal replacement shakes, boosted teas, and protein coffees at Purpose Nutrition come in many different flavors. Although all Herbalife distributors have the same products and flavors, each of them can create their own masterpieces. Purpose Nutrition owner Erica Henry has fun mixing and matching fruit flavors and more for a great taste to match the nutritional value.
Purpose
FROM PAGE 12
High School graduate, left her position as a service advisor and assistant manager at a car dealership in the Chicago suburbs to open Purpose Nutrition in her hometown in 2019.
Since then, she’s seen numerous repeat customers of all ages, including many who are older and looking for a nutritional or energetic impact.
“The shakes and boosted teas are great for the older generations. The boosted teas are a clean energy drink, a natural mood enhancer, and antioxidant,” Henry said. “They’re also an energy booster because there is Liftoff in them, which is full of vitamins. There is also aloe in them, which is good for the digestive system.
“Aloe shots are also available. Herbalife aloe has 99 percent of the aloe processed out so you get the correct healthy value. My mom, Sharon Henry, calls it her ‘Magic Juice.’ She is energetic, and there isn’t any sugar, so you don’t get the crash. They just make you feel amazing,” Henry said.
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. or Herbalife International, Inc. was founded in 1980 in Los Angeles, Calif., by Mark
R. Hughes. The original idea behind the products was for dieting, adding protein, personal care, and sports nutrition.
The company operates in 95 countries, employs an estimated 9,900 people globally, and has approximately 4.5 million independent distributors, such as Henry. Each distributor or different business uses the same products but can mix and match to create different drinks.
Purpose Nutrition has many different products. There are shakes, boosted teas, protein coffee (hot or cold), protein oats, protein balls, protein chips, and BeauTeas with collagen, which is good for hair, skin, nails, and ligaments.
Throughout her six years of business, Henry has seen all kinds of customers of different ages and backgrounds. With feedback, Henry is still at 100 percent when it comes to customers, regulars or newcomers, saying the product made them feel fantastic compared to previous choices.
“Herbalife, whether it’s the shakes, the boosted teas, or other products, helps people get through the day, especially when it comes to stamina,” Henry said. “You get the energy because of the vitamins, and you don’t get the crash because there isn’t sugar. It makes you feel good.”
Summertime Favorites
By Shannon Serpette
When the weather gets warm, my family has certain recipes we like to put on the menu repeatedly. Some of those recipes incorporate a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, allowing
Cowboy Caviar
INGREDIENTS
3 Roma diced tomatoes
2 diced ripe avocados
1/3 cup diced red onion
One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
One 15-ounce can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 and 1/2 cup frozen sweet corn, thawed
1 diced bell pepper
1 jalapeno pepper, diced with seeds removed
1/3 cup fine chopped cilantro
Dressing Ingredients
One-third cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Tortilla chips for serving
DIRECTIONS
Combine tomatoes, avocado, onion, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, pepper, jalapeno pepper, and cilantro in a large bowl. Toss so ingredients are well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pour the dressing over the other ingredients and toss well. Keep refrigerated if not serving immediately.
us to make the most of our small backyard vegetable and herb garden. Nothing seems to taste better than freshly picked ingredients straight from your backyard. As a bonus, these recipes don’t require a lot of time spent standing over a hot stove. We
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Editor’s note: This mac and cheese dish is perfect when you want comfort food, but don’t have the time or motivation for the traditional method of making it. This recipe is simple and quick – the noodles cook in the crockpot, which means less work for you.
INGREDIENTS
1 pound cellentani pasta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 ounces cream cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
1 and 1/2 cup freshly shredded colby jack cheese
DIRECTIONS
Spray a crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the uncooked pasta into the bottom of the crockpot. Cut butter and cream cheese into pieces and place over top of the pasta. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the top and pour the milk and cream in. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 1 to 2 hours, stirring halfway through.
While the pasta is cooking, shred the cheeses – if you use pre-shredded cheeses, the mac and cheese may taste grainy because of the anti-caking coating. Once the pasta is ready, add the freshly shredded cheeses. Cover and keep on low for 15 to 20 minutes until it is fully melted.
try to keep things simple in the summer since we’re usually dealing with a busy schedule. So, if you’re short on time and want some simple, flavorful recipes you can pull together while not making your house hotter than it already is, give these a try.
Strawberry Salsa
INGREDIENTS
1 quart strawberries, diced
1 medium red onion, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeno, finely diced
Fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, juiced
Salt
DIRECTIONS
Place the strawberries, onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, and as much cilantro as you’d like into a bowl. Add a sprinkle or two of salt and the juice from the lime. Stir it gently together, cover, and refrigerate until it’s time to serve.
Cucumber Salad
INGREDIENTS
2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
1 thinly sliced onion
1/2 cup white or apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
DIRECTIONS
Put cucumbers in a small glass or plastic bowl. Put all other ingredients in a bowl and whisk. Pour over the cucumbers and refrigerate at least three hours. Drain cucumbers and serve.
