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PA I D Permit No. 440 Sterling, IL 61081 *****ECRWSSEDDM***** Postal Customer

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P.O. Box 498 Sterling, IL 61081

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Spring/Summer 2016

Polo man keeps his eye on the sky, head in the clouds

Lost his marbles? Heck no!

He’s making them!

A field test that yields great success for those who pass o g l e

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COVER • STORY L

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Publisher Sam R Fisher Advertising Director Jennifer Heintzelman Editor Jeff Rogers Magazine Editor Kathleen Schultz Page Design Breanne Hunter Published by

Sauk Valley Media 3200 E. Lincolnway Sterling, IL 61081 815-625-3600 Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of Sterling-Rock Falls 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.

Relieving stress through tiny works of art

E L E A L C U I UK AMER N O I T A T S

kuleles

U We Sell

es w

ssori e c c A d an

kuleles

100 U ith Over

At All k c o t S In

20 Times

Visit us on Facebook & UkuleleStationAmerica.com for Store Hours, Lesson Schedules, Specials, Etc.

1000 W. Washington Street, Oregon, Illinois 61061 (on Route 64 at the intersection of 10th Street and Mix Street)

(815) 994-1246

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Contents 5

5 – Larry Acker

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Polo native makes a living tracking the weather

11 – Sweetwood Interiors Noreen can help make your house a home

15 – Pepper Mill Generous portion sizes and a good atmosphere draw customers to local diner

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18 – Marble Man Chuck Werstine uses hobby to relax and relieve stress

25 – Chatty Lady Creations

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Donna Kuntzelman designs for all occasions from her Leaf River store

31 – Athletico Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine “We only get one body in this life,” Oregon facility owner says

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34 – The Bauer’s Detasseling Youths who work for the Oregon company get so much more than a paycheck

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S Polo prognosticator makes a living keeping track of weather patterns

BY TERRY THOMAS | PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL SPECIAL TO OGLE COUNTY LIVING

itting amid piles of paper, documents, and books, Larry Acker expounds on the weather. It is something that has fascinated him his entire life.

And it is something that he has seriously studied for more than a half-century.

“The weather affects everything, from crops and commodity prices to finance and the entire economy,” the rural Polo native said. “It even affects things like disease and war cycles. In fact, we’ve just started another war cycle.”

Conflict over resources has been a determining factor in world history, Acker continued, and resource availability has a lot to do with the weather.

“Take water or energy. Without enough water or sources of energy, things get pretty tough, and you have conflict. Weather is the number one environmental influence.”

For Acker, the weather moves in cycles, and understanding those cycles is a key to understanding the past, the present, and what can be expected in the future.

“I’ve been with weather all my life,” he said. “My great-grandfather kept some weather records. and he eventually gave them to me, and I started using them to figure out cycles.”

Acker’s great-grandfather bought the family farm in 1883 and maintained his records through his adult life. Acker and his wife, Sibyl, still live on the property a half-dozen miles northwest of Polo.

Continued on page 7

Weathered Eye Weather spotter Larry Acker checks one of two rain gauges he has set up in his rural Polo yard.

Acker keeps data for the National Weather Service.

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Tomorrow, anything could happen It could be the best day ever or it could be a day of dark clouds. No one knows what tomorrow holds. Call today to get prepared for your future and protect what matters most.

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Byron | 815-234-2886

Mt. Morris | 815-734-7911

Continued from page 5

In his quest to understand weather patterns, Acker has copiously supplemented his great-grandfather’s records over the years.

One of his three computers is filled with data that he has compiled from numerous sources, including the National Weather Service and the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, North Carolina.

Another is connected to the National Weather Service’s forecasting website and contains the most current information on weather throughout the United States and the world. The computer also is connected to various commodity futures programs.

“I use the records to figure out the cycles,” Acker said. “I have no idea how many cycles there are, but we’ve identified them deep into history.”

Cycles can be brief (a few days or years) or truly large-scale. One cycle he has identified ran for 510 years, he said.

Moreover, Acker identifies weather patterns and climate cycles not just nationally but across the globe. “I went worldwide several years ago,” he said. “Now I do weather forecasting for all over the world.”

The information he collects and interprets

allows him to advise government agencies, businesses, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and individuals on what to expect from the weather and how it might impact society and the economy.

Acker travels extensively presenting his

prognostications. “We’ve been all over the Midwest,” he said. He has just returned from a trip to Kansas and Oklahoma, where he made presentations to several financial organizations and energy companies.

Continued on page 9

Inside of a hurricane rain gauge is the collection vessel and a measuring rod. The doubled walled steel structure is sunk 3 feet into the ground to withstand the worst weather Illinois can throw at it.

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113 South 4th Street Oregon, IL o g l e

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Continued from page 7

His information is also distributed to clients through his various publications, including his bimonthly “3F Forecasts” newsletter, which is also the name of the company he has formed to promote his findings. The three Fs in the title stand for futures, farming and finance.

The newsletter contains commentary and forecasts for the United States and major sites across the globe.

For example, the September/October 2015 edition includes forecasts for places like Moscow, Sao Paulo, Hamburg, New Delhi, Havana, Sydney, and Tokyo. Another includes forecasts for various locations in the United States.

He supplements the bimonthly newsletter with two weekly updates, called “Hotlines”. One covers weather forecasting, while the other deals with movements in commodity markets.

He also does consulting work for several government agencies, including the National Weather Service, NASA, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

To assist him in his work, Acker maintains an inconspicuous box in his yard. It is a National Weather Service weather station, and contains equipment to measure a wide array of common weather phenomenon, like daily high and low temperatures and humidity.

Information Acker collects from the box is sent daily to the NWS, and helps provide the service with accurate information on local weather conditions.

All of this is accomplished from his office, located in the original house built by his great-grandfather. Today, the farm still includes 300 acres.

At one time, Acker, 74, farmed the land himself, but now he rents it out.

In addition to farming and weather forecasting, Acker has worked in a variety of occupations over his life, including stints with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and even as a substitute teacher. He also is a military veteran.

Acker possesses a bachelor’s in geochemistry and a master’s in economics and agronomy, both from the University of Illinois-Champaign. He has also done Ph.D. work in weather history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He and Sibyl have been married 43 years. They have three grown daughters and two grandchildren Acker has been publishing his analyses and forecasts for more than 30 years, and he claims a high level of accuracy. “We’re about 80 percent accurate up to a year in advance,” he said. “And we’re accurate way out in advance.”

One of his publications, in fact, provides annual forecasts for the central United States that run until Jan. 1, 2051.

He also has compiled mountains of information on weather history.

One document he shows off lists 56 major weather events that have impacted northern Illinois since 1900.

Given his focus on weather cycles and patterns, it’s not surprising that Acker has considered current theories about global warming – and he’s not a big fan.

“We’re not really in a global warming cycle right now,” he said. “The last 18-and-a-half years have not been that warm. They’re only looking at certain parts of the world. Some places are warmer, but other places aren’t.”

It is just one observation that has come from a lifetime studying the weather and climate patterns.

Acker doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon. Business is still brisk, and his interest continues unabated.

“We’ve got a lot of stuff here, and we’ve only touched the surface,” Acker says after explaining his work for nearly 2 hours.

“I’m retired but I still work long hours, and now I can concentrate fulltime on the weather.” s

There’s nothing high-tech about Acker’s Hydrothermograph.

When wound up, the device tracks temperature and humidity for a 7-day period.

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Noreen Sweetwood’s husband, Dennis, builds these unique couches from car parts.

You can reach him through her shop.

Sweetwood

INTERIORS

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oreen Sweetwood knows how to make a house a home. And, she can help you do it, too.

Sweetwood’s shop, Sweetwood Interiors, offers one-stop shopping for all types of flooring, tiles, draperies, blinds, shades, paint and wallpaper, as well as furniture, art and interior décor, – and most importantly, expertise.

Folks can come browse her showroom for ideas, or Sweetwood, a certified interior decorator, will meet with clients by appointment, in store or in home, and give advice that will help them get exactly what they need to pull off their projects.

Local decorator does it all, at her shop or in your home or business STORY BY LONNIE C. MILLER | PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL SPECIAL TO OGLE COUNTY LIVING

Continued on page 13

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CHILE pepper

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An appointment usually lasts an hour to an hour and a half, and any consultation fee incurred will be deducted from any services, products or materials bought. After that, she stays on the job for no additional design fee.

Sweetwood has professional contractors available to ensure expert installation, because warranties on certain products will be voided if the installation isn’t done according to the manufacturer’s exact instructions.

“Having a good consultant-designer throughout your project can save you time, money and heartache,” she said.

And while she works diligently to fulfill clients’ vision for their home or office. she also consults on small commercial projects.

Her shop is in a beautiful old building that once housed a funeral parlor, In it, you’ll find a full line of Hunter-Douglas blinds and beautiful tiles for all rooms.

“Decorating is my passion,” she said. “To get those little finishing touches in, like the backsplash in the kitchen or bath, ... I call it jewelry for your room, ... or some beautiful blinds or window treatment – it just brings the whole project up a notch and makes the space more inviting.”

Sweetwood Interiors also has plenty of décor “bling”: lamps, clocks, accessories, and the like

are artfully displayed throughout her store.

Her three part-time staffers also can help hunt down special items or materials.

In her 36 years in the business, Sweetwood has built a strong reputation throughout the region, and her customers come from all over – Lanark, Lake Carroll, Byron, Rock Falls

and Sterling.

“Don’t always assume that a tiny store in a tiny town is going to be the most expensive,” Sweetwood said. “We have great products at reasonable prices, and we can explain the differences between quality furniture and some that’s of lesser quality.” s

Shop Sweetwood

Sweetwood Interiors is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Find it on Facebook, or call 815-938-3681 to learn more.

Industrial-style furnishings also are popular at Sweetwood Interiors.

Home accents of all kinds also are available in store, or staff can help you special order.

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Ogle County

We’ve Got You Covered When you need to see a doctor, your family deserves the very best. SwedishAmerican is pleased to offer three clinics in Ogle County to care for you, with locations in Byron, Davis Junction and Rochelle. No matter which location you choose, you’ll be connected to great doctors and nurse practitioners who are part of the northern Illinois health system that has won the most awards for quality and excellence.

In addition to primary care, our clinics offer other convenient services, like on-site lab and X-ray, as well as Saturday hours. Our Rochelle clinic also offers OB/GYN. To learn how we can meet your needs, or to schedule an appointment, please call one of our three Ogle County clinics today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Byron Clinic

Davis Junction Clinic

Rochelle Clinic

230 West Blackhawk Drive (779) 696-1300

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380 IL Rte 38 East (779) 696-9050

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The

Large portions, friendly staff

PEPPER MILL

The crispy onion rings come with homemade ranch dressing.

STORY BY JERMAINE PIGEE | PHOTOS BY MICHAEL KRABBENHOEFT SPECIAL TO OGLE COUNTY LIVING Continued on page 17

Chicken Jockey, The Pepper Mill’s signature dish, is served with sweet and sour sauce and a side of rice with red peppers.

The salad bar.

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803 First Avenue Forreston, IL 61030

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Continued from page 15

T

he portions are so large, doggie bags are inevitable.

Most diners at The Pepper Mill end up taking food home.

“I can have a meal for dinner, and I have lunch for the next day,” said Linda Miller, a Mount Morris resident and a regular at the restaurant since its beginning.

The quality of the food, the large portions and the friendly service is what keeps people coming back, said host Kaltrina Kamberi, daughter of owners Jockey and Lindita Kamberi.

“You get a really good amount of food for what you pay for,” the 22-year-old said.

“No one ever finishes eating their plate of food, because you are given generous portion sizes.”

The Pepper Mill, named after a former restaurant in the Chicago suburbs, has been serving up steaks, seafood and other comfort food since 1994.

Jockey, 59, immigrated to Chicago in the 1970s from communist Macedonia.

He spent about 20 years in the restaurant business there and in the suburbs before moving to Mount Morris and opening The

Pepper Mill, Kaltrina said.

The Kamberis’ cozy, casual restaurant has two separate dining areas, one that boasts a salad bar, and the other that features a large, fully stocked bar, with TVs above.

Some of the more popular menu items are beef liver and onions, the ribeye steak sandwich and barbecue ribs.

I ordered another local favorite, Chicken Jockey – five pieces beer-battered chicken breast strips served with a tangy sweet and sour sauce. I also ordered onion rings, a popular appetizer, which I had with homemade ranch dressing.

The dishes were full of flavor and seasoned well – and Kaltrina was right: I ended up taking half of my meal home.

“This is a place where everyone has been, and they know this is where you come to get good food,” she said.

Miller agrees.

“I have never gotten a bad meal here,” she said.

“This is a good atmosphere, the servers are very nice and the food is very good.

This is the best place to come for food in town.” s

The Pepper Mill 10 E. Hitt St., Mount Morris 815-734-4141

Online: Visit The Pepper Mill on Facebook Hours: From 4:30 to 9 p.m.Tuesday-Thursday; from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday- Saturday; and from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday Atmosphere: It’s a small-town family-friendly atmosphere.

Definitely a place to bring a date, your family or a group of friends or co-workers.

Service: The servers are really nice.

Tracy Nason, who has waitressed there 7 years, is the self-proclaimed “top dog,” and very entertaining.

Sound level: It’s a good place for a conversation, but it can get hectic on Friday and Saturday nights.

Chef recommends: Chicken Jockey Top appetizer: Onion rings Salad bar: Yes Drinks: Fully stocked bar Video gambling: Yes Reservations: Highly recommended on Friday and Saturdays.

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Visit our museums, Weiskopf Observatory, or attend one of our family-friendly events and learn about the natural world around you.

Enjoy a Golf Digest 4-star rated course complete with GPS electric carts, and the region’s only family golf program.

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7993 North River Road, Byron, IL (815) 234-8535 Learn more at byronforestpreserve.com or prairieviewgolf.com o g l e

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the

MARBLE MAN STORY BY LONNIE C. MILLER | PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL SPECIAL TO OGLE COUNTY LIVING

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isa Werstine thinks her husband can do just about anything.

Now, Chuck is a creative kind of guy. The shop foreman at DeKalb-Sycamore Chevrolet restores cars and builds custom hot rods, as well as creates in his garden, his shop and his basement. He also plays ice-hockey in Rockford a couple times a week.

One winter’s day, though, thinking he was bored, Lisa showed him a YouTube video about making marbles.

Now, Chuck has a well-ordered, 4-foot-long industrial table in his basement, a torch, glass rods and a couple of kilns with which he produces his one-of-a-kind spheres.

Marble-making has become a nice outlet for him. “It’s relaxing,” he said.

He has no formal training. What he does have, though, is an eye for color and pattern, which shows in his tiny gems.

Mixing and matching his own colors, his one-of-a-kind marbles are made by trial and error, or by happy circumstance.

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Even his “failures” become works of art. Lisa calls them “worry stones:” creative and colorful, beautifully rendered 2-inch, silkysmooth glass disks. Just gazing at one can relieve stress.

Chuck, who also makes wall hangings and other artistic glass pieces, calls the process of allowing the glass to form itself into a fluid shape “slumping”.

He explained how marble-making works: “Glass is made up of crystals, and when you heat it to the temperature of about 2,000 degrees, those crystals get all out of order.

So, you have to put the marbles or the worry stones, through a kiln at 1,000 degrees to cause the crystals to realign into a solid piece of glass again.

“If that step isn’t done, the marbles just fall apart into tiny pieces.”

He starts with several glass rods, each with its own distinctions – clear, colored, or opaque, some fillagreed, others with metallic flakes or crystals inside. Each lends its own magic to the marble.

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“

Glass is made up of crystals, and when you heat it to the temperature of about 2,000 degrees, those crystals get all out of order.

So, you have to put the marbles or the worry stones, through a kiln at 1,000 degrees to cause the crystals to realign into a solid piece of glass again.

CHUCK WERSTINE

“

Photos continued on page 21

Rochelle man forges tiny works of art

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Northern Illinois Most Trusted Propane Company 12420 W. Penn Road ~ Polo, IL ~ 815-946-3081 www.burkardtslpgas.com

The Health & Wellness Center at Rochelle Community Hospital opens on Monday, April 11, 2016.

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We look forward to serving you at our new location!

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900 N. Second Street ● Rochelle, IL 61068 815-562-2181 www.rochellehospital.com

Top Left: Chuck Werstine selects a rod of aventurine glass, a shimmery, gold element. Top Right: After heating and layering, Werstine molds the glass to the proper shape. Middle: A man of many hobbies, Bottom left: complimentary colors to create a swirl pattern.

Bottom right: overnight to harden.

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Member Owned and Operated

Providing insurance coverage for local homes and farms since 1869.

Byron Insurance Agency 132 W. 2nd St. #10, Byron 815-234-3211 www.byronins.com Office@byronins.com

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Our Contact Information | www.bradfordmutual.com | 120 W. South Street, Franklin Grove | 815-456-2334

a truly local

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Owned & operated by your neighbors In Dixon.

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Continued from page 18

He creates smaller glass pieces in various colors to add to each created piece.

His preheating hotplate is at the ready, slowly heating both glass and molds, so the glass doesn’t break when it’s introduced to the higher heat of the torch.

Heating a glass rod in the torch’s flame until it glows and becomes soft, Chuck begins to form the marble. Molten glass is turned continuously, shaping one-half of the sphere at a time.

Chuck is constantly smoothing, turning the small red-hot glass against the edge of the molds, until it becomes the perfectly round shape needed for the marble.

It definitely takes skill.

When one-half of the glass glob is formed to Chuck’s satisfaction, he transfers the hot glass to another glass rod, and continues the process of turning, smoothing and finishing the marble while it’s red-hot.

He snips off the little point on the base of the marble where it was attached to the glass rod. Then it’s off to the kiln, to fire for several hours at 1,000 degrees.

Each marble takes about 30 minutes to create, depending on the complexity of the pattern, plus kiln time. s Top: Werstine uses small colored bits to decorate the inside of the marble.

Middle: A collection of Werstine’s works of art with a vintage leather pouch.

Bottom: Werstine does not sell his marbles, but sometimes gifts them.

To learn more

Even though there’s a huge marble collectors market, Chuck Werstine doesn’t sell his little gems. He might give them away as gifts, sometimes, if you’re lucky.

He is, however, generous with his time in explaining his craft. Reach him at 815562-3945 to schedule an appointment.

Creative Designs

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Open: Tues-Fri 9:00-4:30, Sat 9:00-12:00

Creativeinc2@aol.com o g l e

Carol Bellows

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600 Gale Street • Oregon, IL 61061 • 815-732-3004

Homemade whimsy from a ‘Midwest friendly’ dynamo PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL

Continued on page 27

Chatty Lady Creations o g l e

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onna Kuntzelman is a petite package of energy and creativity, with an infectious smile and a self-proclaimed chatty nature. “Midwest friendly,” she says.

And she finds a way to enhance or beautify everything she touches.

Her biggest project this year, though, has been the opening of her own shop, Chatty Lady Creations.

Kuntzelman opened in October in space she originally used a workshop, in the north corner the River Valley Complex, a former school building.

Today, the quaint little store is chock full of hundreds of flower arrangements, home décor items, Raven’s Brew coffee and chocolates. She also sells her unique and collectible dolls, which she makes from paper clay. Halloween fans, especially, will like these figurines.

She designs for all occasions, including weddings, special holidays, birthdays and for sports fans.

Donna Kuntzelman, owner of Chatty Lady Creations of Leaf River, designs all the flower arrangements the store sells.

Continued on page 29

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These unique paper clay figurines are what started Kuntzelman down the path to her business. Each is one-of-a-kind and handmade. In fact, the Halloween display (above) is up year round, to showcase her creations.

Continued from page 27

Her creations are not necessarily all her own.

She’ll try to make any ideas her customers come up with come to life, within a budget they can appreciate.

“I never tell anyone ‘no’,” she said, and “I shop for bargains, and pass that savings on to my customer.”

Customers can browse the store Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, or by appointment.

Have a chat with Donna

Chatty Lady Creations is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, or by appointment, in the Leaf River Complex at 605 Main St. Find the shop on Facebook, or give her a call at 815-2227238 for orders or appointments.

“I live just down the street, so I can pop into the store in 2 minutes if you call me.”

Can’t find what you’re looking for on her shelves? Have a chat with Donna, and you’ll come away with a one-of-a-kind work of art. It may take 24 hours to a week to turn around, depending on how long it takes to source the materials.

At customers’ requests, she refinished small pieces of furniture and cupboard doors, among other items.

In her inventory recently, she had an old distressed dresser, quilt stands, hand-crafted pillows, fresh and silk flower arrangements of flowers, “sugared” fruit centerpieces, candles, candy and coffee on sale.

Thursday is a great day to pop in: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., she serves Raven’s Brew coffee or herbal teas, and muffins or scones. She sets up tables just outside her shop door and folks stop by just to enjoy the coffee and the company. s

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Chad Brinkmann works on a client’s knee at Athletico Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in Oregon. Brinkmann, who opened the facility in December 2014, said, “We make sure that the patient does not get lost in the health system.”

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nlike many medical treatments, when it comes to physical therapy, a patient often can choose among caregivers.

“I would venture to say that most people don’t just take their car to any mechanic, but (rather) to someone they trust,” said Chad Brinkmann, who opened Athletico Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in December 2014.

“The same principal should apply even more when it comes to one’s health. We only get one body in this life …”

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Continued from page 31

But how to make an informed choice?

“There are five helpful questions for patients to ask when deciding where to have the physical therapy,” Brinkmann said.

• What type of experience, advanced degrees, or certifications does my therapist have?

• What specialized equipment does he or she have to help me reach my goals?

• Will I be working with the same therapist for every visit?

• How soon are you able to get my therapy started?

• Do you accept my insurance plan?

Athletico treats work or sports injuries, and offers pre- and post-surgical therapy, joint replacement therapy, musculoskeletal and orthopedic rehabilitation, gait and balance training, athletic injury prevention and rehabilitation and work conditioning.

Injury screenings are free, and the clinic accepts all major insurance coverage and Medicare.

“At Athletico, we make sure that the patient does not get lost in the health system,” Brinkmann said.

Office coordinator Amber Reed will verify your insurance coverage so there are no unsettling revelations after you start treatment. She will help with scheduling, too.

According to its website, athletico.com, Athletico has clinics in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin, and employs more than 4,000 clinical and administrative staff offering more than 40 specialty rehabilitation, outreach, and fitness services.

For example, Athletico has provided athletic training services for the Oregon Hawks through athletic trainer John Cain, who has worked in the Oregon schools for 26 years.

Brinkmann, who has doctorate in physical therapy, a master’s in health administration, and certifications in manual therapy and Astym treatment, believes continuing education is the best way to obtain the latest information and provide the very best care, to help patients

Chad Brinkmann (right) and office coordinator Amber Reed form the winning team at Athletico. “My favorite part of my job is helping my patients meet and surpass their goals during their rehabilitation,” Brinkmann said, “so that they can return to their prior level of function.”

To make an appointment Athletico Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at 116 N. Third St. in Oregon.

After-hours appointments can be scheduled.

Go to www.athletico.com or call 815-513-9400 for more information. recover more quickly.

To that end, he takes advantage of the advanced classes, training opportunities and programs the company offers.

“The medical field is constantly changing. You either keep up with current changes in health care or fall behind. I try to learn as much as I can for the benefit of my patients.

“My favorite part of my job is helping my patients meet and surpass their goals during their rehabilitation so that they can return to their prior level of function,” Brinkmann said.

“I try to make the therapy setting a fun environment for them, as it is not fun to be in pain or disability after an injury. The nice part of working in a small community such as Oregon is that I often will see former patients in the community or they will stop by the clinic and let me know how they are doing.”

“I went into the field of physical therapy to help others, and Athletico has been a great fit to put my skills to work as I feel that we go above and beyond the care that they would get elsewhere.” s

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The Bauer’s Detasseling company, operated by (from left) Christine, Anthony, Darlene, Cletus and Joe Bauer, backs up its motto, “Where you can be successful in any field” by writing letters of recommendation for youths who work multiple summers.

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The Bauer’s Detasseling plants a serious work ethic in its young crew

BY LONNIE C. MILLER | PHOTO BY MICHAEL KRABBENHOEFT SPECIAL TO OGLE COUNTY LIVING

I

t’s a rural rite of passage: Kids as young as 12 often get their first taste of being a grown-up by earning money detasseling corn.

Many kids get that first taste at The Bauer’s Detasseling. And they keep coming back for more.

It’s more than just a paycheck, though. Detasseling requires focus, and discipline, and hard work done by hand in the hot sun, at the crack of dawn. It’s work that can define a kid, and set him or her on the right path.

That’s a responsibility Joe and Christine Bauer take very seriously. The couple now runs the company started by Joe’s father, Cletus, and a partner, which Cletus took over in 1985.

Their motto: “The Bauer’s Detasseling: Where you can be successful in any field.”

“Our proudest moments come when we watch a kid develop into a really good worker,” Joe said.

“If they leave us after working multiple summers, we write them a letter of recommendation. They are appreciated workers wherever they go.

“A recommendation from us is valued, and it means that the employee was diligent and worked hard for us, following safety practices, being reliable, being thorough, everything we try to teach them in the field.”

Those lessons carry over.

“The kids’ school performance improves,” Christine said. “They just learn a lot of responsibility, and it shows up in other areas of their lives.”

Joe and Christine manage the company, but siblings Pam, Dan and Brad and their kids pitch in during the height of the season.

The season begins in June, with orientation and safety training for the 150 to 200 workers

who range in age from 12 to college kids.

The kids work 7 days a week for about a month and a half. By the time they are done, each will have worked an acre and a half of land, Joe said.

Fields are “rouged” in June – essentially, any volunteer, or rouge plants, that crop up are weeded out of the rows, by hand.

Detasseling, or removing the pollen-producing flowers from the tops of the corn plants to control pollination, is done in July, also by hand, according to a strict process that assures the purest seed crop for their employers.

Wyffle Seed Corn hires Bauer crews every year.

“Wyffle Seed Corn is one of the best companies we could work for,” Joe said. “They, too, are very safety-minded and have just been great to work with.”

The Bauers also are sticklers for safety.

An adult trained in first aid and CPR supervises every crew of four to 15 workers, to assure that help is always available, questions get answered right away, and safety is foremost in everyone’s minds.

For example, the Bauers make certain any irrigation system is checked before a crew enters a field. They watch for herbicide application, and don’t expose the kids to fumes or residue.

They also encourage the detasselers to drink lots of water and take breaks as needed, and work earlier hours, when the weather is cooler.

The teen work pool is picked up around 5:30 a.m. by a fleet of four buses at schools in Mount Morris, Oregon, Stillman Valley, Byron, Ashton, and Franklin Grove, and taken to the fields.

Each detassler works until noon to 2 p.m., depending on the size of the field. They usually walk anywhere from 2 to 5 miles a day. “Six

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To join the crew The Bauer’s Detasseling is headquartered at 1226 Oregon Trail Road in rural Oregon.

Detasslers must be at least 12 before July 10, and will require parental consent through age 17.

Go to joebauerdetasseling.com for an application.

Find more information on the website, on Facebook, or call Christine at 815-501-8757, Joe at 815-404-6828, or email thebauersdetasseling@gmail.com. miles, that’s a big day for us,” Joe said.

Schedules can change daily depending on the weather or other circumstances, so Christine, who handles paperwork and payroll, memorizes the names of the kids and their parents, and keeps in contact via phone and texts. “I want to be able to communicate with all of them,” she said.

“The kids do a great job for us,” Joe said,” and how we treat them makes a big difference. We have awards at the end of the summer, and a pizza party.

“We want to build good relationships and good workers.”

Melinda Egli, 16, of Oregon, already has signed up for this season, which will be her second.

She has nothing but praise for the Bauers.

“I really like them, they’re very personable, and they pay well,” she said. “Plus, I’m an Oregon [High School] cheerleader, and they worked around my cheer schedule really well.

They really want us to stay in sports.”

Despite the hard work, Melinda had a blast last year, and “made a ton of new friends.” She didn’t even mind the hours, which gave her time to work in the afternoons for Pioneer.

“Normally I’m not a morning person, but I am for detasseling!” s

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