PRSRT STD Bulk Rate U.S. Postage
PA I D Permit No. 440 Sterling, IL 61081
SPRING 2016
*****ECRWSSEDDM***** Postal Customer
P.O. Box 498 Sterling, IL 61081
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Going green at Nichols
A walk through history
Glass is her medium
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a truly local
Hardware Store
Owned & operated by your neighbors In Dixon.
900 N. Galena Ave., Dixon, IL • 815-288-7841
Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-7pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am-5pm www.acehardwaredixon.com www.facebook.com/acehardwaredixon www.facebook.com/acerentalplacedixon
Building lasting relationships based on integrity and trust. Rely on Sterling Federal Bank for all your lending needs. Contact Natalie Cole... 402 North Galena Avenue, Dixon 815-288-3327. Ext 3554 email: ncole@sterlingfederal.com
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SPRING 2016
RIVER RIDGE
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Publisher Sam R Fisher Advertising Director Jennifer Heintzelman Editor Jeff Rogers Magazine Editor Kathleen Schultz Page Design Breanne Hunter Allison Valenzuela 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 Dixon 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.
COVER • STORY
Animal hospital utilizes top of the line technology
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Contents 5 5 – River Ridge River Ridge Animal Hospital employs the latest in pain-management technology.
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11 – Nichols
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Nichols Greenhouse is under new management, with help from the old guard.
16 – Memorial Park Take a pictorial walk through Dixon’s Veterans Memorial Park.
19 – Reagan Car Club The Reagan Classic Car Club gears up for another cruising season.
24 – Stained Glass Stained glass artist brings light – and life – to her works.
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26 – Mr. Tequila
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Authentic Mexican fare keeps popular restaurant hoppin’.
28 – Phidian Art Show Local works of art on display.
30 – Rotary Meet the Dixon chapter of Rotary International.
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py a r e h rt e s a l ew al n v o s ’ r l p a it ap p s h o t i H w g al n i m i m n a be ge A s d t i e v R River s pets and leave
ALLEVIATED BY TOP OF THE LINE
TECHNOLOGY
Continued on page 7
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Lost Nation Golf Club will test your skills, and treat your senses, unlike any other golf course in Illinois.
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Visit our website at www.lostnationgolf.com for rates and weekly specials. Call 815.652.4212 for tee-time reservations, group outing information, or our 2014 Information Kit.
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GARAGE DOOR Specialists
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Continued from page 5
BY KACIE KLINGE SPECIAL TO DIXON LIVING
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o pet owner wants to see his companion in pain, but trying to get a pill down an animal’s throat can be just as distressing. Enter the Companion Therapy Laser, which made its debut at River Ridge Animal Hospital in January. Laser therapy is a noninvasive, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free procedure that can be used in conjunction with other medical treatment. It’s not only an alternative to pain medications, but it also serves to repair and even prevent some ailments. “The machine administers nonthermal photons of light, and they excite cell processes so that we can increase blood flow from the veins and arteries and decrease swelling,” said Dr. Nate McClain, a River Ridge veterinarian for more than 10 years. “We also can reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing process,” McClain said. “So, basically, you’re souping-up the cells in the area of injuries or inflammation, in order for them to heal and decrease pain.” So far, staff has used the laser mainly on dogs and cats with arthritic issues. “Laser treatment is an alternative to an immunosuppressive, like steroids, but steroids can have long-term negative effects,” McClain added. Steroid medications often lead to fluid retention, which then can lead to heart problems. Steroid shots often last longer than a laser treatment, but also often come with more adverse side effects, he said. For the laser therapy to be effective, owners must bring their pet to the clinic regularly. “If it’s not kept up, the symptoms may return,” McClain said. “At first [pets] go through an induction phase where they are given treatments more often, as often as twice weekly. Once they have
Photos by ALEX T. PASCHAL | Top photo on page 5: The laser is passed over the affected area of the animal at River Ridge Animal Hospital. The length of time depends on several factors: the area being treated, the size of the animal and color of the fur to name a few. Dizzle was very calm for the 60 seconds of her treatment. Bottom photo on page 5: Everyone in the lab sported a pair of goggles, including the patient, for protection. Below: Dizzle’s owner Wendy Wickens (right) and Tiffany Warren use a laser to treat an abscess.
plateaued in their improvement, you can reduce it to the least effective amount, whether that’s once monthly or once every other week. “It depends on the animal and how well they’re doing, but usually, slowly, symptoms will return if they don’t receive it regularly.” River Ridge receptionist Tina Schmidt said her dog, Tanner, started having trouble using stairs, and often tripped because of muscular issues near his rear end. She opted for laser treatment, and said she was thoroughly impressed with the results. “I noticed that, especially with him going up and down the stairs, he does it a heck of a lot better,” Schmidt said. “It has worked very well.” Wendy Wickens, also a River Ridge employee, has a calico named Dizzle that also has reaped the benefits of the new laser. Dizzle has eosinophilic granuloma complex, which causes her immune system to attack the tissue in her lips and gums. McClain has four photos that document Dizzle’s treatment. In the first, Dizzle has a large swollen lesion on her gum that looked like a canker sore. The last photo shows a shore that’s much smaller and far less red.
Continued on page 9
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Continued from page 7
Photos by ALEX T. PASCHAL | Left: Dr. Nate for the patient. Below: Tanner, owned by Tina Schmidt, plays with his favorite toy at his home in Dixon. Tanner, who also undergoes laser treatment, has had relief from arthritis.
McClain and his staff prepared Dizzle for her next round of laser therapy, which included placing “Doggles” goggles for animals on her to protect her eyes. Because Dizzle has open sores, the laser is not placed directly on her gums. In cases involving joint pain, though, the laser is placed directly on the animal’s skin, which is virtually painless, he said. Dizzle’s procedure lasted only about 60 seconds. The amount of time needed depends not only on the ailment but also on the size and color of the animal being treated, McClain said. “With larger dogs, we want to deliver more energy to reach the deeper tissue so larger animals are going to take longer,” he said. “It also depends on the color of their fur and skin, because light absorbs or bounces more depending on the color, so darker needs less and lighter needs more. In addition, larger animals and deeper tissues need more periods of time, up to possibly 10 minutes a joint, so if you’re doing a large dog’s hips, it could be a 30-minute process each time. But if it’s a small dog, it can take literally less than a minute to treat.” The cost is comparable to medication, McClain said. “It ends up equal for some, less for others and a little bit more at times.” s
River Ridge Animal Hospital Address: 273 IL Route 2, Dixon, IL 61014 Phone: (815) 288-3394 Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Sunday closed Website: riverridgevets.com Facebook: River Ridge Animal Hospital
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Liberty Court Assisted Senior Living & Memory Care Everyone deserves a Great Life. We enrich the lives of our residents, families and employees by enhancing their experiences every day “I welcome your calls and would love you to visit Liberty Court. You’ll discover why we win awards... our people care.”
Ann Barlow, Executive Administrator
815.285.2000
124 Liberty Court, Dixon, IL 815.285.2000
Community is More than Part of Our Name • Community Involvement • Community Support • Community Growth Experienced & Friendly Service
1021 N. Galena Ave., Dixon
815-284-8500
Locally Owned & Managed 10
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Other locations to serve you in Sterling, Rock Falls, Morrison & Fulton
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Turning over a new leaf BY AVALYNDA CASEY SPECIAL TO DIXON LIVING
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Photos by ALEX T. PASCHAL Top: Lori Sheridan and Terry Nichols share a laugh at Nichols Greenhouse in Dixon. Sheridan recently bought the business from Terry. Bottom: Terry still keeps busy at the greenhouse, loading trays.
fter 43 years in business, Nichols Greenhouses has a new owner – but you might not notice that at first. Dixon native Lori Sheridan has no horticultural degree, no greenhouse experience, but she boasts of something better: “I have Terry Nichols.” Every day, she, previous owners Terry and Bonnie Nichols, and various friends and family members, water, transplant, move, and prepare hundreds of trays and boxes of developing flowers and vegetables. This is on-the-job training at its finest, and Sheridan appreciates the commitment the Nicholses have made to help her make her first couple of growing seasons a success. She talked to area business owners to learn about the industry, and spent hours with Terry and Bonnie, picking their fertile brains. She considered renting the business, but Terry suggested she dive in and buy it. “People love the Nicholses. I kept the name because Dixon residents know where it is, and it’s hard to change. Terry is good at teaching, and has a lot of patience.” Before and after Sheridan’s 12-hour days at the greenhouse, she works from home as a medical coder, which gives her some flexibility. The nine greenhouses are full of sprouting and growing seedlings that will be ready for purchase when the store officially opens for the season May 1. Organization is paramount to planting at the right time, and she keeps a book of planting schedules. All flats are tagged with dates. Continued on page 13
Nichols Greenhouses: Growing under new management – and old d i x o n
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AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • HEALTH • LIFE
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Continued from page 11
Nichols carries annual flowers only – perennials must be started in January, and the Nicholses transplant themselves to Florida in the winter. It also sells bulk seed for gardens, potato and onion sets, tomato and pepper plants, and herbs. Sheridan advises gardeners to get their ducks – or plants – in a row as quickly as possible. “The summer months come fast and furious, and then they are over.” She still sells silk Memorial Day wreaths and arrangements, and she also offers a wide variety of colorful outdoor pots that staff will help design and plant. She also plans to keep a longtime Nichols tradition in the pink: Sheridan still will provide the Petunia City’s 276 petunia baskets that bloom downtown and along Galena Avenue. She just finished getting them planted, with the help of the Women’s Garden Club. Sheridan is adding her own spin to the business, too. This winter, she sold Christmas décor such as sleds, wreaths, and planter boxes. She’s teamed up with Natalie Rutherford of Farmhouse Antiques to offer planter box classes, and also is planning other types of classes. Continued on page 15
Photos by ALEX T. PASCHAL | Top: Before the petunias can decorate the streets of Dixon, they start here. Over 270 baskets of the pink plant will be on display in the city. Bottom: Nichols carries a large array of unique annuals.
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Avonlea Cottage of Dixon Come For A Visit To A Beautiful Home Like Environment. One Price One Level Of Care For Excellence In Assisted When Your Loved One Needs Memory Care... Memory Community Life.
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For A Tour Contact Alma Wood, RN Executive Director/Director Of Nursing
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503 Countryside Lane, Dixon, IL Phone 815-288-6044 • Cell 815-499-1682 www.avonleacottage.com
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On Site Services
• Portable X-Ray, EKG, Lab & Podiatry Service • Medical Director Service • Home CookedMeals • Housekeeping • Laundry • Beautician & Barber Service • Qualified Veterans Assistance
Continued from page 13
Also on tap: A new weekend parking lot sale in October that will feature local crafters and vendors of all types. Visitors also will find old and new faces on staff. There’s Lanette Bushman, who worked for Terry; Ben Melendrez, Sheridan’s father; and Kathy Melendrez, her sister-in-law. Her friend, Sue Krein, volunteers in the florist section. Krein is enjoying learning how to care for and fertilize different plants. “Lori is one of the hardest-working friends I know, sometimes having two or three jobs,” she said. “I really love working there.” Community members Marilyn Steder, Laura Sward, and many others, like the garden club members, also volunteer their time and experience. ”I am so thankful for all the help. They just show up and ask if there is anything they can do,” Sheridan said. So, Sheridan’s game plan involves taking the best of Nichols’ long and storied history and combining it with fresh new ideas. “You’ll find everything you used to come for here, but now you’ll find more.” s
Pay Nichols a visit 1228 W. Fourth St., Dixon Nichols Greenhouses will reopen May 1. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find it on Facebook or call 815-284-3805 for more information.
Photos by ALEX T. PASCHAL | Top: Sue Krein (left), and Lanette Bushman prepare for the season by planting seedlings. Bottom: Lots of colorful options for your budding garden. Bottom right: Nichols has plenty of potato, onion, pepper and fruit growing options.
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branches are posted at the park.
MEMORIAL PARK
PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL | SPECIAL TO DIXON LIVING
A cross stands as of those who were killed in battle. burns for POW/MIA soldiers.
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This M60 tank was delivered to the park and repainted in June 2007.
Visit the park: Veterans Pkwy, Dixon, IL 61021 A pair of mannequins were placed in a Vietnam era ambulance. The mannequins represent real medical personal who served during the war.
An F105D Thunderchief may be the pride and joy of the park. Vietnam from 1968 to 1970.
A Purple Heart monument represents those who were injured during the country’s wars. Adorning the Purple Heart is George Washington, who established the honor in 1782.
Lest we forget, the iconic phrase is inscribed on the park’s
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It’s FINALLY Grilling Season! ALWAYS
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Our meat department sells ONLY THE HIGHEST QUALITY of MEAT. Oliver’s Corner Market wants to be your meat store. Our beef is exclusively choice to prime angus, from our burger all the way to our fillets! We use ONLY #1 pork. We feature fresh chicken fryers and parts. Our ground beef contains no solutions, no additives and no pre-ground mix. It is ground fresh daily from premium cuts of angus beef.
We invite you to stop in, if you haven’t already, and try our meat. Please come and discover the value of quality meat!
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Advance EMS of Dixon, Inc. began in 1983 with one ambulance and five employees. To date, they have four ambulances, one paramedic intercept vehicle, and 25 employees. Advance EMS of Dixon, Inc. provides advanced life support not just to Dixon but also the surrounding communities.
Harold Vail has put a lot of miles on his ‘48 Chevy Fleetwood, traveling across the country with his wife, Lori.
Reagan Country Classics Car Club
R
For each tour, drivers are given a packet with the itinerary and local attractions.
Gearing up for a new season BY KACIE KLINGE | PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL SPECIAL TO DIXON LIVING
eagan Country Classics Car Club members are raring to get back on the open road, and they wouldn’t mind taking a few new faces along for the ride. The club is a chapter of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America. Members take their classic cars on tours all over the nation. Co-founder Harold Vail, of Dixon, loves driving his vintage vehicles, and after a long winter hiatus, he’s excited to get back behind the wheel. “It’s strictly a touring club,” Vail said. “My friend [Ed Yinsling] talked me into going on a tour with my wife years ago. My wife [Lori Vail] has told many people since we joined that she has seen more of this country than she would have ever seen if she had never joined this organization.” The purpose of the club is to promote interest in vintage vehicles, and to provide a social atmosphere for members through sponsored activities. Continued on page 20
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Continued from page 19
New members are always welcome; the only requirements are that you pay your dues, love old cars, and like to socialize with other enthusiasts. Owning a classic car is not required. “We want to have fun and see different things,” Vail said. “Our tours involve driving our cars to different locations and touring different museums and historical locations.” There are roughly 18 members, with cars that include a 1931 Model A Ford Coupe, a 1948 Chevy Sport Coupe, a 1968 Ford Mustang, and a 1972 Volkswagen Beetle convertible. Member Larry Moats, of Dixon, said his love for cars began before he even acquired a driver’s license. “I can remember the first car I ever drove: my grandfather’s ’35 Ford. That’s what got me interested in cars,” Moats said. “I just drove it down a gravel road, my brother and I.” Moats has many fond memories associated with classic cars. Continued on page 22
Harold Vail’s garage wall is a testament to his passion for automobiles.
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“
Two weeks in that car shoulder to shoulder, no radio. That was one of the neatest things; you and your partner get reacquainted. HAROLD VAIL
“
Lori Vail’s ‘31 Model A. Husband Harold restored the car from the frame up.
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Continued from page 20
“The first car I owned was a Volkswagen Beetle, and I have since found one that was a little newer than what I originally had but it brings back my days of going to college and driving on the interstate,” Moats said. Vail said touring with the club has helped him and Lori keep that spark alive. “My wife and I got reacquainted,” he said. “Two weeks in that car shoulder to shoulder, no radio. That was one of the neatest things; you and your partner get reacquainted.” The club has a charitable aspect as well, holding fundraiser meets in which each member donates a share of the profits to a local nonprofit of their choice. Last summer, Reagan Country Classics hosted a “Tops Down Tour,” which consisted solely of vintage convertibles. They toured and stopped at various locations between Rockford and Dixon, and wound up donating roughly $4,500 to local organizations, including the Salvation Army, Sterling PADS, Kreider Services, and Happy Tails Animal Shelter, just to name a few. s Larry Moats and his 1972 VW convertible. Moats had a similar car when he was younger.
LEE-OGLE
SM-ST145237-0421
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
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Members of the Reagan Country Classics Car Club are all about driving, taking their cars on tours across the country.
To learn more
The Reagan Country Classics Car Club meets the second Tuesday of each month. Dues are $52 a year – $37 for Veteran Motor Car Club of America membership, and $15 for the local chapter. Potential members should contact Harold Vail at 815-440-9563 or suzzy@grics.net, or Larry Moats at llmoats@ comcast.net for more information. Go to vmcca.org to learn more about the national touring club.
1202 S. Galena Ave. (815) 284-2255
SM-ST145220-0421
downtownsports@comcast.net
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STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL SPECIAL TO DIXON LIVING
S
SM-ST145217-0421
g n i n i Sh h g u o r h T
tained glass artist Nancy Lee Hames Lillyman literally puts her blood, sweat and tears into her work. With bandaged fingers, Lillyman nips and grinds the glass before pressing the shards into lead channels that hold them into place. Streaks of blood, smeared across the white, paper pattern, stand as a reminder that her art is indisputably handmade and certainly heartfelt. “I love to create beautiful, unique things with my hands,” says Lillyman, 59, of Dixon. Owner of Stained Glass by Nancy Lee and Dixon Monument Company, Lillyman learned from Sterling artist Kenny Wallingford 20-plus years ago and took quickly to the craft. “Wallingford was the best and a good teacher,” remembers Lillyman. When creating pieces for customers, the most important thing is to get to know the person. In order “to put their feelings into the piece, you have to get to know the people. I meet with them several times to gather information and find out what is important to them so their personality would reflect in the stained glass.” During the process of designing a piece, Lillyman will ask where the window will be installed and the purpose of the piece. “Color is important because it reflects the feeling of the piece.” But Nancy may also encourage the use of clear, textured glass to enhance the hues and really make them stand out. After the design phase comes the painstaking process of cutting, grinding, foiling and soldering. A patina is then applied, followed by a cleaning. The largest window Nancy has created is located in the KSB chapel, a 500-piece work of art. Nancy’s skills have been well honed and unique, but she still strives to make the art accessible to all who love stained glass. “Stained glass takes your mind to happy places, it is calming and soothing to the soul. I love [stained glass] and I want it to be affordable to all.” s
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Below: After consulting with the client, a sketch is drawn to the
Lillyman uses a wheel glass cutter (right) for straight edge cuts. For curves, she will use nippers and a rotary grinder.
Right: The artist binds the pieces together with heat and solder. When the front is done, she will do the same on the back side.
About the artist
Nancy Lee Hames Lillyman
Name: Nancy Lee Hames Lillyman | Age: 59 | Town: Dixon Family: Son Jessie Lillyman and granddaughter Hailey. Schooling: AAS Ozark Technical Community College in Culinary Arts Favorite Medium: Stained Glass and granite Artistic Influences: Kenny Wallingford Why? “I love to create beautiful, unique things with my hands. Stained glass takes your mind to happy places. It is calming and soothing to the soul.
We invite you to stop by and enjoy a multi-level shopping experience
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FINE AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE – AND PLENTY OF IT –
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Mr. Tequila BY JERMAINE PIGEE | PHOTOS BY BRANDON BONNETTE
t’s lunch time at Mr. Tequila Bar and Grill, and manager Adrian Luna just learned that one of his servers will not make it in. Luna doesn’t skip a beat. He and his mother, Celia, continue to take orders, serve chips and salsa, fill water glasses and serve food. At one point, Luna comes out of the kitchen with three hot plates of food lining one arm. He does all that while maintaining a positive attitude. Luna and his mother are from Michoacan, Mexico, and Mr. Tequila has been serving authentic Mexican food for 4 years. It has daily lunch specials, a full bar, and margarita specials on Mondays. “When people come in, they say the food is good and people tell me they really like the service,” Luna said. Courtney Vivian, 18, of Amboy, and Sami Meacham, 20, of Franklin Grove, agree. The Sauk Valley Community College students are there on her lunch break. “The service here is really good, and so is their food,” says Vivian, who is dining on huevos rancheros. “The food is excellent,” Meacham adds, finishing off her nachos. “We have been here a few times before. We try to order different things when we eat here.” That’s easy to do. Mr. Tequila’s menu is packed with favorites such as
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chimichangas, burritos, and enchiladas. There is also American food on the menu, such as a Philly sandwich, a garden chicken ranch wrap, and chicken strips. I ordered one of the more popular dishes on the menu, the queso fundido dinner. Luna brought the dish to my table, hot cheese bubbling. The meal came with chicken, beef and shrimp with cheese sauce, served with three flour tortillas. Below: Hot plate of beans, rice, guacamole and pico de gallo.
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About Mr. Tequila Bar and Grill Address: 844 N. Galena Ave., Dixon Contacts: 815-677-9280 and on Facebook Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Atmosphere: Quiet, family-friendly, with large windows that let in the sunshine. It’s also a good place for conversation: John Aldridge, server, Adrian Luna, manager, and Celia Luna, owner, welcome customers.
Another crowd favorite is the el molcajete fajitas – tender strip streak, chicken, carnitas and shrimp with peppers, onions and tomatoes, served in a three-legged basalt bowl, called a molcajete (it’s a Mexican mortar and pestle) with guacamole, rice, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, salad and tortillas on the side. Both dishes were packed full of flavor. I didn’t know how I felt about mixing shrimp with chicken and beef, but they worked well together. Another popular dish is the alambre, which is grilled steak, chicken, bacon, and chorizo. It comes with onions, green peppers, pineapple and cheese on top. I’m saving this for my next visit. Another thing I may find on my next visit? “In the next couple months, I will be putting in a buffet,” Luna said. “We will have Mexican dishes and breakfast available.” Mr. Tequila has three dining areas, including an area in a back room next to the video gambling machines. The interior is very colorful, with cacti and the Mexican flag painted on the walls, and plants scattered throughout. The spacious, happy atmosphere is nice, but it wasn’t the main draw for Vivian and Meacham. “The food here is so good,” Vivian said. “This definitely makes our day.” s
Other than chatter from other tables, it’s pretty quiet. Service: The food is served quickly, and the servers are really nice and welcoming. Chef recommends: Queso fundido dinner or el molcajete Top appetizer: Con queso (cheese) dip Amenities: Fully stocked bar and video gambling Reservations: Accepted, especially on the weekends
Courtney Vivian (left) and Sami Meacham peruse the menu at Mr. Tequila Bar and Grill.
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he axiom “It is better to give than to receive” is exemplified in Rotary members who also find camaraderie in their local and international service projects. The goal of Rotary International is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise,” as its organizational statement says. Dixon Rotary Club members are among 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide who meet weekly for friendship, business networking, personal and leadership development, and opportunities for service and public speaking. The Dixon chapter was founded in 1948. It’s in District 6420, which spans from Wisconsin to LaSalle, and from the suburbs to Iowa. Each Monday, an average of 35 members meet at noon in the lower level of St. Luke Episcopal Church, under the leadership of Chad Weigle. Beginning in June, the meetings will move to Mama Cimino’s, and Lonnie Miller will take over as president. “I would love for more community members who care about serving and giving to join our group,” Miller said. Meetings begin with a meal, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, a verse of “America the Beautiful,” and words from the president. Guests are introduced, including two high school students who are invited weekly. Then guest community leaders present their services to Dixon’s business and community leaders. The final agenda item is the recitation of the Four-Way Test: “Of the things we say or do, is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” Locally, the Rotary makes literacy a priority. Members deliver books and bibs for their “Books for Babies” program, and dictionaries and thesauri to grade school classrooms. The youth program, Early Act, sponsors middle school students interested in community service, personal leadership and development, and is a springboard for high school and college chapters. A RYLA leadership training weekend at Lowden State Park every spring brings 200 service-oriented high schoolers together for leadership mentoring in a camp-like setting.
Dixon Rotary Club offers fun, fellowship – and the chance to make the world a better place 30
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I believe it is such an important organization as far as contributing to world peace. I love the fellowship, and I have met people I would never have known otherwise. LINDA GIESEN
Justin Hohlen, a 2013 Dixon High School graduate, enjoyed RYLA activities. “I was able to meet students from the area who were also promising leaders. Working with other people who you hardly know is something that is common in many of today’s work environments, and I think it is something important to learn. The experience was superb in teaching me new leadership skills and ways to implement them,” he said. Local and international membership dues help fund Habitat for Humanity construction, community service projects, and donations. Last year, the Rotary gave Dixon police $3,500 to buy two automatic external defibrillators, and Buddy Bags, which provides food to students on weekends, was given $3,000. In addition, four or five local high school students are awarded scholarships totaling about $10,000 each year. Rotary also is well-known for its student exchange program, encouraging college and high school students to visit other countries to share personal growth and development of family values. In 2016-17, District 6420 will be sending 19 long- and shortterm exchange students to various countries. Other goodwill efforts include building clean water and sanitation sites in needy communities worldwide. Former Rotary President Linda Giesen traveled to Nigeria in 2014 for humanitarian efforts to end polio. “Vocational training teams travel to other countries to share their skills with business owners there. We provide hotel and restaurant management skill training and medical services,” the Dixon attorney said. Giesen loves the service aspect of Rotary. “I believe it is such an important organization as far as contributing to world peace. I love the fellowship, and I have met people I would never have known otherwise.” s
To learn more
Interested in learning more about the Rotary Club of Dixon? Drop by a meeting, or call President Chad Weigle, 815-2883838, or incoming President Lonnie Miller at 815-440-8951. The local chapter also can be found on Facebook or at rotary6420.org.
“ Photos by MICHAEL KRABBENHOEFT/Dixon Living | Rotarian Shrimp Boil and Chili Bowl fundraiser April 2 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Dixon. The annual supper is one of the club’s biggest fundraisers, and proceeds support its many charitable
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