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Disconnect! You can live off the grid
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Plays, musicals are top-notch at Timber Lake
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Publisher Trevis Mayfield Advertising Director Jennifer Baratta Editor Larry Lough
Fantasy Castle
Transports Visitors
Havencrest – a unique and luxurious home
Magazine Editor Marla Seidell Page Design Robin Norburg Matt Lindstrom Published by
Sauk Valley Media 3200 E. Lincolnway Sterling, IL 61081 815-625-3600
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Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of Carroll County Living Magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.
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elcome to Carroll County Living
We are proud and excited to present to you the first edition of Carroll County Living, a magazine that will celebrate the unique qualities that make Carroll County what it is.
Trevis Mayfield Publisher
This magazine will focus on Carroll County and the people who live in and around the community. It will celebrate the heroes, the successes, the town’s beauty and its rich history. It will take you inside some of the most interesting places in town, and it will tell you about local trends in food and fun. And we promise it will be unabashedly upbeat. Carroll County Living will be published twice this year, with the second issue coming in August. In a community as vibrant as Carroll County, we know we will have lots of good stories to tell. If you have ideas about some people or places that should be featured in this magazine, just let us know. A special thanks goes to the advertisers who generously supported this inaugural issue, sight unseen. Without that support, launching this community-building publication would not have been possible. We hope you enjoy it. Sincerely,
Trevis Mayfield, SVM Publisher
features Living off the grid Solutions From Science teaches self-sufficiency
5 More than golf
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Railroad club takes great care to build faithful model
It’s something different!
Lake Carroll clubhouse a casual retreat of treats
Blarney Stone Popcorn offers variety of popcorn paraphernalia
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For Love of theater
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Different people with different talents
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Timber Lake in Mount Carroll for professional productions
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Things to do Calendar of spring, summer events in Carroll County
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GETTING OFF THE GRID
All Photos by Alex T. Paschal
Back-to-basics lifestyle ‘historically minded’ BY KIMBERLY WATLEY SPECIAL TO CARROLL COUNTY LIVING
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iving off the grid is not just for the “cabin out in the woods kind of people,� said Bill Heid, owner of Solutions From Sci-
among campers. Solutions From Science also sells a compact battery, Pocket Power Plus, which packs a punch. ence. “It’s small enough you can carry it wherever Although he does have his own cabin in the you go, and powerful enough to jump start a woods that is entirely off the grid, the intention bus, which we actually did one day,â€? marketing of his company is to teach people self-sufficiency, analyst Hannah Van Hyfte said. little-by-little, and offer products that help them The onsite market and cafĂŠ offers shoppers to become so. a place to begin on a small scale. It has many In the warehouse, people can learn to assemble natural and organic products on hand. solar-powered generators, invented by Heid. The Heirloom seeds, which are among the most plug-and-play aspect makes them user friendly. popular market items, are multigenerational. The most sought-after is the portable Power“Because they haven’t been genetically modisource1800, which will generate 1800 watts. fied, they are more nutritionally dense than seeds Though not large enough to power a house, you’d get at a garden center or grocery store,â€? Van it will run small appliances and other items dur- Hyfte said. ing power outages. It is also a favorite product Heid described the store’s basic approach to
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life. “In 2007, the concept, the way I have lived a good part of my life, was how and when we began the company,� Heid said. “I grew up in a small town where hunting and fishing were kind of a way of life. It really is about getting back to the basics and living off of the land and what naturally exists.� Clients who didn’t grow up the way he did are told that the lifestyle isn’t “one of those things you make a decision one day and change everything. De-grid yourself a little bit at a time.� “Maybe you’re playing your video games less, reading more books, even that is a baby step of living off of the grid,� he explained. “The grid has us racing, and we don’t have time for life. How are we going to measure success as a family? Is
money the only way to measure that?” One way is to cut away from society’s norm by being less reliant on grocery chains, power companies, big government, and large corporations. Using solar power and hunting and growing your own food are others, he said. The “grid” is a dictation of societal norms in our hurried society, he explained. “We’ve become too reliant on grocery chains and restaurants to be in charge of our food,” he said. “We can take that back.” Just sitting with your family at dinnertime each night, eating foods grown and prepared at home, is an “off the grid move,” he said. Anything that veers from what the majority of the population does is considered a step toward removing yourself from the grid. “It is being historically minded,” he said. “Maybe the world was a better place for our folks. Maybe they were more honest when Grandma and Grandpa were raised. “I go looking for things that can help people take back their lives. First thing we do is motivate them and teach them why it’s a good thing.” The education comes at no cost. The website offers pages of information and how-to guides, along with a host of products. Two of the most common misconceptions Heid hears are “It’s too expensive” and “I don’t have time.” “We all have time,” he argues. “It’s time management we lack. In the long run, they are saving their money, health and growing family bonds that are invaluable. “The kinds of conversations that happen while you’re in the garden, hunting or gathered around the dinner table with your kids … it wouldn’t happen otherwise.” s
For more info... Solutions From Science 2200 Illinois Route 84, Thomson Phone: 815-259-4552 Online: www.solutionsfromscience.com
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All Ph
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Alex T. P aschal
in La od Drive 9-11 Ironwo The Lake Carroll Golf Course, Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar is at 2
Lake Carroll clubhouse a retreat of treats BY KIMBERLY WATLEY SPECIAL TO CARROLL COUNTY LIVING
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ake Carroll Golf Course, Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar serve up some sweet deals, according to general manager Michael Schmieder. He said everyone who plays golf looks forward to a new season on the scenic 18-hole golf course. Facilities are set in a private, recreation-oriented community with rolling wooded hills, were most amenities are private. But the golf course, driving range, and putting green are open to the public. Annual membership is offered only to property owners. Non-residents, however, can make week-inadvance requests for tee times and simply pay green
YOUR SATISFACTION IS A MEASURE OF OUR SUCCESS
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fees for the day. Cart rental is available. The Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar has banquet facilities, free wireless internet, and a pro shop, all open to the public. “It has something to offer to just about anyone,” Schmieder said. “The atmosphere is casual, and the menu offers a wide variety of American fare.” Customers’ favorites include pizza, steaks, sandwiches, and a variety of pasta. The salad bar and homemade soups are offered daily, as are specials. Friday’s feature an all-you-can-eat fish fry and, Schmieder said, the “best prime rib in the county” is available on Saturday nights.
Speak from the heart.
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Engel’s Jewelry 311 Main St. Savanna, IL 61074 (815)273-2321
Serving Savanna Since 1987
Tee it up... Lake Carroll Golf Course, Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar 29-11 Ironwood Drive, Lanark Online: www.golakecarroll.com Phone: 815-493-2810 Hours: change with the season A group of guys has a cold one in the game room bar.
Sunday mornings is the only day breakfast is available, but the elaborate spread is worth waiting for, he said. It starts with an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, and at 10:30, the buffet is expanded and converted into a brunch. Sixty seats and several big-screen TVs are in the sports bar, where diners sometimes bring their meals. Banquet facilities are in the lower level. Often reserved for parties, weddings and meetings, it
accommodates 200. The patio area, where LCA hosts golf outings and other member events, can accommodate 400. The Lake Carroll club is a 5,000-acre complex that was established in 1972. There are about 2,550 lots and more than 900 homes, two swimming pools, and miles of equestrian, ATV, snowmobile, cycling and walking trails. LCA members pay $1,400 for annual dues,
which entitles them to all amenities, including free golf any time. The 640-acre lake is 65 feet deep with a beach area for swimming and about 270 boat slips. There are two marinas with picnic pavilions, a fuel stop and bait shop. The lake is stocked with walleye, northern pike and muskies. Other species include crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch, bluegill and sunfish. s
Every dinner comes with a soup and salad bar.
A half pound burger and steak fries at the Lake Carroll clubhouse.
Fiona Baumgartner delivers a couple of meals at the Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar. ‡ *22'<($5 ‡ 7,7$1 ‡ 0,&+(/,1 ‡ ),5(6721( ‡ &223(5 ‡ +$1.22.
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Historic Squires Building on Courthouse Square A 150 year-old building housing a pharmacy providing the most current products and services to the people of Carroll County. Pharmacist always on duty. All your health care products, medical equipment, cosmetics, film and film processing, magazines and books, gifts, greeting cards, school and office supplies, toys, pet products, candy, seasonal and promotional products, post cards and sunglasses.
BUSHMAN’S SERVICE Rt. 40, Milledgeville 815-225-7411
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Havencrest – a unique and luxurious home
Fantasy Castle Transports Visitors BY JEAN EGGEMEYER SPECIAL TO CARROLL COUNTY LIVING
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All Photos by Alex T. Paschal
ising up from a hill over downtown Savanna rests Havencrest Castle – likely the most unique and luxurious home in the region. The sprawling, ornately decorated, 65-room mansion opened for public tours and events in July 2013. “Havencrest Castle is a museum, art gallery, residence and fairy tale all rolled into one,” says Michael S. Dunavant, the site’s curator and event director. “It’s really a one-of-a-kind place to visit and experience.” In its first 6 months of tour operations, more than 3,500 people explored some of the castle’s fantastical rooms. The 25 rooms included in tours have been transformed into imaginative oases filled with artwork, sculpture and authentic furniture and accessories. The 80-foot long Medieval Hall, for instance, features tapestries, gilt-finished walls, knight’s armor, and a grand fireplace topped with a castle-shaped mantle, complete with back-lit stained glass windows, threedimensional turrets, and miniature gargoyles.
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“
Unlike other historical home tours, visitors here are not stopped by velvet ropes... MICHAEL S. DUNAVANT
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Each room, or suite of rooms, is lavishly decorated in its own style. The flowery and airy Fragonard Music Room is based on the 18th Century French artist’s exuberant Rococo style. The Castle’s jewel-toned Maharajah Room features vintage saris tenting the ceiling, silk cushions for lounging, and authentic Arabian lanterns. Upon entering each successive room, visitors are transported to yet another time and place. “Unlike other historical home tours, visitors here are not stopped by velvet ropes,” Dunavant adds. “You can come into each room, peer into the corners, and sit on the furniture. “The home was designed and made for entertaining, and I think that’s why people come more than once – they become very comfortable and truly enjoy the rooms.” While the rooms’ interior design is astonishing, equally amazing is that the home’s owners, Alan St. George and his late wife, Adrianne Blue Wakefield-St. George, did all of the designing and planning, and much of the hands-on work, themselves. He is a trained artist and accomplished painter and sculptor. The mansion is filled with his original works. Mrs. St. George was a talented interior designer and the creative engine behind the castle’s metamorphosis. The inspiration behind the transformation of the mansion – a portion of which is the original Queen Anne style home completed in 1901– was the intense romantic love felt between the St. Georges. They met as teenagers and spent 31 years together as husband and wife and partners in their project to expand and decorate their home in the manner of the “American aristocracy.” Sculpture and artwork in many of the rooms includes dramatic portraits of the lovers, adding to the fairy tale aspect of the spaces. “The castle provided both Mr. and Mrs. St. George with a canvas to share their talents and now it can be shared with everyone,” Dunavant says.
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Dunavant himself is another draw for visitors. A professional actor and musician, he guides all of the two-and-halfhour tours, often taking a break in the Fragonard Music Room to play guests a tune on the piano while they enjoy drinks. In addition to tours, there will be more opportunities in the near future to enjoy the magic of Havencrest Castle, according to Dunavant. He and other staff members are planning monthly themed, costumed dinners and other special events in the coming year. A welcome center and gift shop are also in the works. s
To take a tour Public tours of Havencrest Castle are available by appointment Cost: $20 a person; group rates are available Contact: Michael S. Dunavant, curator and event director 140 N. Fifth St., Savanna 815-990-7159 www.havencrestcastle.com
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For Love of Theater! Timber Lake in Mount Carroll a pro playhouse BY CASSANDRA ZIMMERMAN SPECIAL TO CARROLL COUNTY LIVING
All Photos by Alex T. Paschal
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imber Lake Playhouse, which opened in 1961 in Mount Carroll, is one of the longest-running summer playhouses in northern Illinois. Manager of theater operations Tina Stretton, 30, understands the impact the playhouse has had on the local community since its first season. It is not a community theater, but features shows that are extremely elaborate with professional actors dedicated to their craft. That is echoed in some of the actors and actresses who had graced the Timber Lake Playhouse stage, according to Stretton. “In the past we have had actors such as Jennifer Garner, Michael Gross, and Will Taylor who tours
with Kristine Chenoweth,” Stretton said. “Whether they begin their acting career here or come as guest artists, we love seeing the great talent that comes to our stage.” With more than 20,000 patrons a season, the playhouse offers a variety of shows to provide something everyone will love. The theater has put such productions as “Cats,” “Guys and Dolls,” and “Footloose.” It also holds a yearly interactive “Rocky Horror Picture Show” event, which includes a costume contest, props, and an interactive guide. This year will be no different. The preseason production “Robin Hood” will run May 7-10. Tickets are only $5.
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The theater’s season, which runs from June 5 through Aug. 24, will include shows such as “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Les Miserables.” Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Matinees begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday and Wednesday. Additionally, the first weekend of each show will have a Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. Season tickets, which are now available, cost $110 for one ticket for each of the six main stage shows. Regular season tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on May 19. Stretton is proud of the impact the playhouse has on those who live in the Mount Carroll area. “We do what we do because we love theater,”
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Stretton said. “Our purpose is to contribute to the community and culture of our area. Attending a show or a fundraiser allows us to continue our work and bring great entertainment to our patrons.� This love is echoed throughout the theater season, from those in the productions to those who attend them. The members of the productions are encouraged to get to know one another. Stretton’s favorite event is the welcome event for the actors at the beginning of the season. “it is an opportunity to meet the people who will make the productions come to life throughout the summer season,� she said. “The dinner, provided by the board of directors, is the first time many of the actors will have met. It is amazing for me to see where they will go, whether it be Hollywood, Broadway, or other avenues of entertainment.� s
Timber Lake Playhouse Manager of Theater Operations Tina Stretton is busy preparing for the coming season.
Break a leg...
Shows and Dates
The Timber Lake Playhouse Box office hours: 10:30 AM -3:30 PM Monday-Friday Phone: 815-244-2035 Online: www.timberlakeplayhouse.org Ticket Prices (Main Stage) Adults: $23 Seniors (60+): $21 Students: $17 Groups of 15 or more: $18
Main Stage June 5-15 – “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat� June 19-28 – “An Inspector Calls� July 3-13 – “Young Frankenstein The New Mel Brooks Musical� July 17-26 – “Neil Simon’s Rumors� July 31-Aug. 10 – “Les Miserables� Aug. 14 - 24 – “Shout! The Mod Musical� Magic Owl Children’s Theatre 10 AM & 1PM May 7-10 – “Robin Hood� 2 PM July 8, 10, 11 & 12; & 11AM Aug. 5, 7, 8 & 9 – “Pinkalicious�
To learn more about our skilled nursing care and physical, occupational and speech therapy communities, call (815) 244-7715.
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Different people with different talents Railroad club takes care to build faithful model BY JOHN KERMOTT SPECIAL TO CARROLL COUNTY LIVING
Although Vice President Steve Rubeckí’s son Owen, 8, has to wait six more years to be an official member of the Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club, members often let him run trains with the big guys.
All photos by Kimberly Watley
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he Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club is a mix of hobby and history, of skill and scholarship. The club has its home in a red-and-blond brick building at Main and First streets in Chadwick, mere steps from the tracks of the real Burlington
and Northern railroad line. There’s a fun and jovial mood inside, where most of the 30 club members have gathered for their monthly meeting. While the men are clearly light hearted, they’re also clearly seriously minded. The landscape of track that captures your attention as you enter the
building is no toy set. Great care has obviously been taken at every step to build a faithful scale rendering of the real thing. “We’re a group made up of different people with different talents, and we put them all together,” says Duane Imel, the club treasurer.
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It’s something different! Blarney Stone Popcorn offers variety of popcorn, paraphernalia BY JOHN KERMOTT SPECIAL TO CARROLL COUNTY LIVING
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ccording to the Popcorn Board (an actual subsection of the U.S. Government), Americans consume 17.3 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year. That means the average American eats about 68 quarts! It’s fair to say that we like our popcorn. While we can buy popped or unpopped popcorn at any grocery store, popcorn lovers will likely find a country drive out to Shannon worth the trip. Shannon is the home of Blarney Stone Popcorn and Gifts. Shannon is named after its founder, William
Shannon, but the town celebrates its connection with Ireland, the source of the Shannon name. Though the name of Blarney Stone Popcorn is a nod to the old country, everything it sells is a nod to local businesses. “All of the popcorn we have is locally grown in Lanark, and processed in our plant, just a block over from the store,” store manager Mary Van Raden said. The Shannon-produced popcorn comes from Tee Lee Popcorn, which packages it’s product for stores under the brand name Prime Time.
Tee Lee is one of the reasons Illinois ranks as the third largest popcorn-producing state in the country. Because the popcorn sold at the Blarney Stone store is produced just steps away, the prices are very reasonable, and the product is sure to be fresh. It can be bought in the store popped or unpopped, with more than 25 varieties of seasonings and flavorings. “I get the kernels from the plant, and pop it in kettles in the back,” Van Raden said. “I also make all of the flavorings here.”
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Flavorings include the classic Sweet Butter, Kettle Corn and White Cheddar, but there are the more exotic seasonings, like Garlic Parmesan, Jalapeno n’ Cheddar, and Zesty Ranch. For the popcorn lover with more of a sweet tooth, there are Carmel Apple, Turtle, Snickerdoodle, Peanut Buttercup, and Cookies and Cream, to name a few. “Our signature flavor is The Blarney, which is peppermint,� Van Raden said. “We also have flavors for each holiday of the year. Our Valentine’s Day flavor is Chocolate Covered Cherries.� Van Raden jokes that her official “taste tester� is Shannon resident – and frequent customer – Sue Harbach. “I go in there all the time,� Harbach said with a laugh, “I just love it in there! We like so many of the flavors. We like the regular butter, and the Snickerdoodle ... and the Turtle! We love that! I just think they’re all wonderful.�
Harbach says she likes to give the popcorn as gifts, too. Gift boxes and baskets are available in the store. “It’s something different, and you just can’t get it everywhere,� she said. “I’ve gotten some for Christmas presents, and when I travel I like to get some to give to our hosts.� Blarney Stone Popcorn provides a variety of popcorn paraphernalia, like stove-top poppers, special seasonings and oils. Also in stock are locally and regionally produced products such as honey, produced in Freeport, Galena Canning Company Jams and salsas, Rock River BBQ sauces and rubs, Wisconsin’s Door County Coffee and Tea, and Abdala Caramels, from Minnesota. The store also offers handy kitchen utensils. Beautiful charcoal drawings by Beth Anne Baughman and oil paintings by Diane Weaver decorate the walls of the store and are available for purchase. Beth Anne and Diane are both daughters Jim Weaver owner of the store and Tee Lee Popcorn. Blarney Stone Popcorn also offers fundraising opportunities. “You can sell the gourmet popcorn for microwave or as kernels,� Van Raden said. “You get 50 percent of the profit, whether you sell two bags or 50 or more.� s
Get poppin’! Blarney Stone Popcorn and Gifts 2 W. Market St., Shannon 815-864-2100 www.blarneystonepopcornandgifts.com Email: info@blarneystonepopcorn.com Store Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday
We invite you to stop by and enjoy our multi-level shopping experience
307 First Ave.,Sterling
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Upcoming events throughout Carroll County BY KAYLA HEIMERMAN SPECIAL TO CARROLL COUNTY LIVING March 13 Five Minutes of Fame on Market and Main; Market Street Commons, 320 N. Main St., Mount Carroll; open mic night, featuring music, poetry and storytelling; coffee, lattes, cookies, sandwiches and more; 6-9 p.m. April 10 Five Minutes of Fame on Market and Main; Market Street Commons, 320 N. Main St., Mount Carroll; open mic night, featuring music, poetry and storytelling; coffee, lattes, cookies, sandwiches and more; 6-9 p.m. April 25-26 Rummage through Mount Carroll; Mount Carroll; mtcarrollil.org or 800244-9594; city-wide garage sales May 23-25 Mayfest; Campbell Center for Historic Preservation, 203 E. Seminary St., Mount Carroll; www.visitcarrollcountyil.com, www.mtcarrollil.org, 815-244-2411; food, music, wine and beer garden, juried art show, arts and craft show, children’s activities and more June 5-15 Timber Lake Playhouse presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”; 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll; www.timberlakeplayhouse.org,
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Facebook or 815-244-2035; musical June 7 Lions Family Night Out; Old Mill Park, Savanna; www.savannail.com or 815273-2722; food, big-screen movie, games and music; 6 p.m. June 13 Annual Fireman’s Ball; south parking lot at 101 Main St., Savanna; food and music; bring lawn chairs and coolers; tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the gate, with all proceeds going to new fire equipment; 7 p.m., band at 8:30 p.m. June 19-28 Timber Lake Playhouse presents “An Inspector Calls”; 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll; www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, Facebook or 815-244-2035; mystery June 21 Mount Carroll Cruise Night; downtown Mount Carroll; “Mt. Carroll Cruise Nights” on Facebook; classic cars, music and food; no classes or judging; 4-9 p.m. June 26-29 Old Settlers Days; Lanark; www.lanarkil. com, “Lanark’s Old Settlers Days” on Facebook or 815-541-0557; food, music, beer garden, car show, antique tractor show and pull, 5K walk/run, bags tournament, children’s activities and vendors
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July 3-13 Timber Lake Playhouse Presents “Young Frankenstein�; 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll; www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, Facebook or 815-244-2035; musical comedy July 4 Fourth of July celebration; West Carroll Middle School, 633 S. East St., Mount Carroll; www.mtcarrollil.org, 815-2444424 or 800-244-9594; pork chops, parade, music, entertainment and fireworks July 4 Fireworks; West Carroll High School, 500 Cragmoor, Savanna; www.savannail.com or 815-273-2722; food, fire truck rides, face painting and fireworks July 12 Mount Carroll Cruise Night; down-
town Mount Carroll; “Mt. Carroll Cruise Nights� on Facebook; classic cars, music and food; no classes or judging; 4-9 p.m. July 17-26 Timber Lake Playhouse presents Neil Simon’s “Rumors�; 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll; www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, Facebook or 815-244-2035; comedy July 31-Aug. 11 Timber Lake Playhouse presents “Les Miserables�; 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll; www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, Facebook or 815-244-2035; musical
food and more Aug. 8-9 Lincoln Buy-Way; www.drivelincolnhighway.com; miles and miles of rummage sales along the Lincoln Highway Aug. 14-24 Timber Lake Playhouse presents “SHOUT! The Mod Musical�; 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll; www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, Facebook or 815-2442035; musical Aug. 23 Mount Carroll Cruise Night; downtown Mount Carroll; “Mt. Carroll Cruise Nights� on Facebook; classic cars, music and food; no classes or judging; 4-9 p.m.
Aug. 4-10 Carroll County Fair; Schell Park, Milledgeville; www.carrollcountyfair.info or 815-225-7444; music, exhibits, carnival, demolition derby, rodeo, tractor pull,
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