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Curtis Mansion was company showcase for Clinton industry

However you cut it, Fulton Meat Market

Great River Road leads to two-story antiques paradise r i v e r

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COVER • STORY

Publisher Sam R Fisher Advertising Director Jennifer Heintzelman Editor Larry Lough Magazine Editor Rusty Schrader Page Design Breanne Hunter Published by

Sauk Valley Media 3200 E. Lincolnway Sterling, IL 61081 815-625-3600

A Step Back In Time Home was used as a showcase for Curtis’ wood expertise

17

Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of River City 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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A cut above

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Owner offers quality and customer service

See why the great outdoors is so great

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Large selection of herbal supplements

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HE’S PROUD TO BE A

CUT

ABOVE Meat market owner builds a business on quality products and customer service

BY CHRISTI WARREN | SPECIAL TO RIVER CITY LIVING

A

t Fulton Meat Market, they sell thousands of pounds of meat a week.

Sometimes, as much as 10,000, said owner Tom Maus, though it’s usually in the 7,000 to 10,000-pound range. If you’re doing the math, that’s 3.5 to 5 tons.

Maus first started working in the grocery business in 1961, at National Tea Co. “They were the HyVees and the Wal-Marts of the past,” Maus said.

In 1969, he bought his own grocery store in Thomson, and that’s where he learned the meat business.

So, why the meat business?

“That’s something you can build a business on,” he said. “It’s a thing that you can be different at and be better at. You can’t be better at selling canned goods. You can’t be better at selling cleaning products.”

The small, family-owned business has been around since Maus and his business partner, Fred Fiet, bought the storefront in 1983. The Continued on Page 7

Photos by Alex T. Paschal/ River City Living Chops, ribs, chicken, roast, brats, bacon–it's all there in Fulton.

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Continued from Page 5

building at 211 11th Ave. was known at that time as Fulton Locker Service. Back then, the business not only processed meat, but people would use the freezer storage for personal needs.

After the two partners purchased it, they completely remodeled the building, adding square footage, meat cases, coolers, and freezers to stock full of their goods. Today, the business has become the go-to place in the area for for fresh-cut meat.

And what’s a good way to drum up business? Invite customers to meet the meat.

Every Saturday – starting the last weekend of March, through the second weekend in November – Fulton Meat Market holds a cookout, which loyal customers flock to for tasty sandwiches and barbecue.

The business also caters private parties.

“What makes us better? What we buy, how we cut it,” Maus said. “All of our fresh meats, our service counters. We wait on all of our customers. There’s no pre-packaging. It’s what you buy, how you handle it, and how you take care of each customer that sets you apart.”

They make their own sausages in house – smoked and fresh, and there’s always at least one butcher on duty. Maus employs three, four if you include him.

But it’s not just their product that they sell. They’re also intent on supporting other local businesses.

“If someone’s got something that’s USDA-approved, and it’s local, it’s going to be in here,” he said. s

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Fulton Meat Market Address: 211 11th Ave. Phone: 815-589-3213 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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Above: Justin Shepard displays a rib roast from Fulton Meat Market.

Fulton has an extensive freezer case full of cheese, smoked meats and other goodies.

Fulton has what the bacon lover needs.

Greg Anderson displays a couple of T-bones from Fulton Meat Market.

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A Gateway

BY CHRISTI WARREN | SPECIAL TO RIVER CITY LIVING

to Nature

Photos by Alex T. Paschal/River City Living The Interpretive Center, called the Nature Barn, is an authentic converted 1938 barn located on the preserve.

L

Step into Soaring Eagle Nature Center and see why the great outdoors is so great

ooking for a place to take your pooch? Soaring Eagle Nature Center has got you covered. In fact, it’s home to a nationally ranked dog park.

While the park may be popular with pups, there’s plenty to offer Fido’s owner, too. It’s home to a one-room schoolhouse and a nature barn that student groups, scout groups, and other community groups can use for meetings – and there’s also a butterfly garden, trails and native prairie land.

The center has been part of Clinton for more than 30 years, and in that time it’s been able to, as its mission statement says, offer “educational, historical, cultural and recreational experiences to the Gateway Area.”

Pam Wisor and Judy May, who both work with the center, showed

this reporter around one bright and beautiful Wednesday afternoon in August.

“The dog park was Judy’s dream,” Pam said. And, undoubtedly, the park is one of the center’s most impressive accomplishments.

Though the center is about 40 acres, including 2.5 miles of walking trails (not running, mind you, the paths aren’t exactly that clear), the 8-acre off-leash dog park – for big and small dogs alike – truly is a crowning achievement.

It was first opened in 2007, and has since drawn dog lovers from all around the United States who make Clinton a pit stop – or rather, pet stop – on long road trips just to get the chance to visit, Judy said.

Continued on Page 11

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The location of Prairie Pastures Dog Park used to be a zoo, so a lot of tearing down and putting up went into the project.

A few years ago, Dog Fancy Magazine ranked it the eighth best dog park in the nation.

Elsewhere at the center, people can visit a living history lesson.

The Flannery one-room schoolhouse is another fabulous offering. At one time, Clinton County was served by 166 oneroom schoolhouses. Today, the Flannery school is believed to be the last one remaining in the county, and it almost went from being endangered to being extinct.

The structure, which was the last one-room schoolhouse built in the county (just north of DeWitt), had been slated for demolition but was moved to Soaring Eagle in 1975 to keep the county from relegating it to just another chapter in the history books.

Visitors enter by an accessible ramp, created as a project by an area Eagle Scout.

Once inside, they’ll find desks original to the area, with the desks on the left-hand side of the room smaller than those on the right – presumably to fit smaller, younger, people. There’s a desk in the corner, for naughty children, a bookcase with textbooks true to the time, and a little school bell.

Students who visit the schoolhouse on field trips can play with chalk on the blackboard, sit in the desks, and learn about what it was like to attend school in 1935, when it was first built, until 1965, when it finally closed. It’s a living history lesson for visitors, which dovetails nicely with what the rest of the park has offer: Living lessons Be it prairie grass, or trails hugged by lush greens, Soaring Eagle Nature Center puts the “great” in the great outdoors, offering visitors an impressive celebration of Mother Earth – and like nature itself, the cwenter continues to grow, evolve and adapt. s

The Interpretive Center, called the Nature Barn, is an authentic converted 1938 barn located on the preserve.

WANT TO HELP?

OKTOBERFEST

If you’ve got time and talent on your hands, the Soaring Eagle Nature center will put those hands to work. The Center has many opportunities for volunteers, be it for a day, a month, or longer. Some of the center’s needs include, but aren’t limited to: garden work, trail work, plant or tree removal, dog park work, restoration and renovation, and more.

To volunteer, call 563-242-9088, or email sencinfo@gmail.com.

On Oct. 31, Soaring Eagle Nature Center will host an Oktoberfest celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. at the center, 3923 N. Third St., Clinton.

There will be hay rides, a weenie roast, pumpkin carving and painting, a haunted house, and other activities.

For more information, call 563-242-9088, or email sencinfo@gmail.com.

SOARING EAGLE NATURE CENTER Address: 3923 N. Third St., Clinton, Iowa Phone: 563-242-9088 | Online: sencinfo.com/ Open: Nature Center open for events and by appointment; hiking trails open daily from dawn to dusk; Prairie Pastures Dog Park open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk (entrance to the dog park is from inside Eagle Point Park, across from the south playground)

The one-room schoolhouse, the last known remaining in Clinton County, was moved to its current location in the fall of 1975.

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Photos by Alex T. Paschal/ River City Living Everson whips up a four-berry smoothie at the smoothie bar.

Nutrition Plus owner helps people live healthier lifestyles

BY SHELBY KUEPKER SPECIAL TO RIVER CITY LIVING

E

veryone is faced with some sort of health issue at some point in life. For some, the treatment is heading off to the doctor for what they hope will be a quick fix. But for a growing number, trying to head off the issue before it becomes a problem is their solution.

That’s where businesses like Clinton’s Nutrition Plus come in.

Carey Everson, owner of Nutrition Plus, said she passionately believes in health foods and supplements because they are a part of the “industry that is growing because of the health crisis we are undergoing in the United States.”

Everson, 57 of Clinton, says many people come into her shop searching for guidance on how to live a more health-conscious life, and she is there to give the best advice she can.

It’s advice that comes from a person who’s had a healthy interest in nutrition for a long time.

When she was 17, she came across Nutrition Plus because of her strong interest in living a healthy life. After taking a few classes in nutrition, she became passionate about making sure she and her family, and whoever else she could help along the way, lived long and healthy lives.

With a few more classes and workshops through the years, Carey has acquired knowledge about all kinds of supplements, vitamins, and

oils. She said she takes care of herself “through herbal supplements, the healthy way,” and she has raised her family to be as healthy as possible.

She claims that if you haven’t been in her store yet, “you probably didn’t realize we were here because you didn’t realize what you needed.”

She believes everyone can benefit from stopping in her shop to see the “large selection of herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals, health and food items, essential oils, and beauty products”.

Everson orders all of her products from companies that she has known for years and with which she’s developed strong, trusting relationships.

In short, if she doesn’t trust the product, she doesn’t sell the product.

Everson said she believes the nutrition industry is growing because Americans are beginning to become more health-conscious; they want to live longer and steer clear of disease. Her goal is to help them do that, to help those “who do not understand nutrition as much make proper lifestyle choices with good quality supplements.”

Some supplements sold at Nutrition Plus are geared toward specific uses, but most are more general in nature and can be taken to help live a healthier lifestyle. And that lifestyle isn’t for adults. It goes from babies to boomers, and beyond.

Continued on Page 15

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Everson sees many young mothers coming in to see how they can make their new children’s lives as healthy as possible, as well many baby boomers who want to jump on the nutrition bandwagon. She said that “during our first 40 years, our bodies typically take care of themselves, but after that we realize we need to take better care of ourselves to avoid a lot of medication” The best part of Nutrition Plus, she says, is the “comfortable, relaxing, and non-threatening environment.”

Everson and her staff, including daughter Tavia Movida, have the knowledge to help anyone who comes through their doors, and the shop’s family feeling helps make customers feel more comfortable.

Whether you’re looking for something to relieve stress, battle a cold, or clean out your “plumbing,” Nutrition Plus will take care of you. s

Nutrition Plus owner Carey Everson has a whole display of aroma therapy oils to help treat a wide array of afflictions. The oils can be applied or put into a diffuser.

Healthy snacks and nuts are also available.

The store offers a smoothie bar.

The store carries many different styles of tea for health and well being.

Stay Healthy...

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Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday Online: Search for “Nutrition Plus” on Facebook

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BY CHRISTI WARREN | SPECIAL TO RIVER CITY LIVING

TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME

At Clinton's George Curtis Mansion, you can do just that Photos by Alex T. Paschal/River City Living | A statue is displayed on one of 10 fireplaces throughout the home.

Continued on Page 18

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Continued from Page 17

W

alking into the George M. Curtis Mansion in Clinton is like taking a step back in time.

The home at 420 Fifth Ave. South was built in 1883 by George M. Curtis, one of the founders of Curtis Brothers Co., and one of 13 millionaires who lived in Clinton at the time, according to Jeanette Petersen, house manager for Clinton Woman’s Club, “Our population was about 2,000, so we had more millionaires per capita than any city west of the Mississippi,” she said.

The ballroom of the house at one time was converted to separate quarters and bedrooms for staff and guests.

This room would have been the Nanny's room.

The intricate millwork designs is exemplary of the Curtis Company products.

The George M. Curtis Mansion in Clinton, Iowa, is located at 420 Fifth Ave. South.

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Almost all of the millionaires had something to do with the lumber business during the years that Clinton was billed as the “lumber capital of the world.” The Curtises’ company was founded in 1866 and for a century built doors and windows sashes, and did interior and exterior millwork. The Curtis Mansion is a showcase of that work.

“There are 10 fireplaces, and every one is from a different country,” Petersen said. “Every room is made from a different type of wood. There’s cherry, there’s hickory ... he wanted to be able to bring some customers

1 5

to show what the different woods looked like. He wanted a showplace.”

All the artisans who built the home, Petersen said, were brought in from distant lands: Germany, Italy, France, England.

Curtis himself was twice elected to the U.S. Congress, and remained a large figure in local politics until his death in 1921.

When the Woman’s Club acquired the George M. Curtis Mansion and carriage house in 1925, the place came fully furnished – even Mrs. Curtis’ clothing remained in the bureaus.

“We used to have style shows with Mrs. Curtis’ clothes,” Petersen said.

“But, she was a size 4, and we couldn’t find enough models. She also had a lot of hats, so we used to have hat style shows.”

In recognition of the historical and architectural importance of the home, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Until the 1990s, the home was rented out as apartments by the Woman’s Club, Petersen said, but now they lease out only one place to a Continued on Page 21

Period items are found in the nanny’s room.

Curtis used his home as a showcase for his wood expertise.

George Curtis was a lumber industrialist and twice elected congressman.

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Continued from Page 19

long-term renter. Currently, a local pastor occupies Mr. and Mrs. Curtis’ bedroom.

The home is open every Wednesday from Memorial Day to Labor Day for tours, and every Saturday year-round for tours. It can also be rented for events, parties or private functions.

They also host teas every Tuesday from May 26 to Oct. 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, including updated hours and ticket prices, visit georgemcurtismansion.org. s

TAKE A TOUR George M. Curtis Mansion Address: 420 Fifth Ave. South, Clinton | Online: georgemcurtismansion.org/ Tours: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturdays year-round, 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Memorial Day through Labor Day for $10 per person.

To schedule a tour or make a reservation for an upcoming event, party or meeting, call 563-242-8556 The Clinton Woman’s Club The objectives of the Woman’s Club are to work for civic, educational and moral improvement, and to make itself a power for the good in the community. With the George Curtis house, the Woman’s Club strives to serve the community and future generations by preserving the beauty and atmosphere found in the 19thcentury house. The Clinton Woman’s Club opens the Curtis home to the public for various functions during the year. – Source: georgemcurtismansion.org/ Luncheon meetings for membership are held on the first Thursday of each month. For more information, call 563-242-8556 or email membership@georgecurtismmansion.org

A quiet seating area is in the library of the home.

Stained glass is seen throughout the house, from the servant’s quarters to the main living area.

George Curtis' study is located on the top floor.

Left: The Woman’s Clubs acquired the George M. Curtis house and carriage house in 1925.

The historical and architectural importance of this residence was recognized in October 1979 when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Leaded windows decorate doors throughout the home.

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KEITH STRALOW

Since 1979

KURT STRALOW

BY KAYLA HEIMERMAN SPECIAL TO RIVER CITY LIVING

HE’S COMMITTED TO MEMORIES Terry Dingmon is on a mission: Making sure the war he served in is never forgotten

F

or many people, the Korean War truly is the “Forgotten War.” Wedged between our nation’s biggest war – World War II – and our nation’s longest – Vietnam – the Korean War has become something of the middle child of wars, overshadowed by the battles fought by the brothers in arms in WWII and Vietnam.

For Terry Dingmon, it’s a war that deserves to be remembered.

Dingmon, 83, of Clinton, served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army during the last year of the 3-year war that pitted North against South.

The conflict had a United Nations force led by the United States fighting for South Korea, and China and the former Soviet Union fighting for North Korea. Today, Dingmon is on a mission to make sure the “Forgotten War” doesn’t live up to that name.

Dingmon says the war in an important part of history – one that deserved recognition.

“People always comment that they don’t know much about it, that they didn’t learn about it in school,” he said.

Dingmon gives a presentation about the Korean War to historical groups and civic organizations in the area. He tells the story of the war through photos and firsthand accounts from his service.

He has given the presentation about 10 times over the past 2 years. It started as a one-time 20-minute program for the Clinton Kiwanis Club for Veterans Day, but has since expanded to as long as 50 minutes for various groups.

“I was pretty reluctant to give that first presentation,” he recalled. “I

didn’t know how well it would go over.”

The Korean War was fought from June 1950 to July 1953 and claimed the lives of almost 40,000 Americans; more than 90,000 were wounded, and more than 7,000 spent years in North Korean and Chinese prison camps.

Dingmon was 19 when he was drafted into the war.

“Even though I didn’t volunteer, I have always been very proud that I did serve – and that I did so to the best of my ability,” he said.

Dingmon served in the 23rd regiment in an 81 mm mortar platoon; he spent about a year in Korea and participated in the last two campaigns of the war.

He had married his wife, Florence, in October 1951, and shipped out to Korea about a year later. He did basic training in Pennsylvania and advanced training at Fort Benning in Georgia. His daughter, Deborah, was born in late September 1952. He had a 10-day delay before he left for duty, which allowed him to see his daughter.

“It would be more than a year before I would see my family again,” he recalled. “As hard as it was to be drafted, it was just as hard on the family left at home.”

Dingmon’s wife spent the first 2 years of marriage and motherhood living with her parents and three brothers. She could not work, and she received a $100 allotment from the government.

Dingmon spent his time during the conflict in the military zone, an Continued on Page 24

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“

Mail call was always the highlight of my day.

The other guys used to joke that it wasn’t an official mail call if Dingmon didn’t get a letter.

TERRY DINGMON

Continued from Page 23

area that extended 15 miles beyond the front lines and that was cleared of civilians.

“We rotated duty between reserve, in blocking positions on the secondary lines, and on the front lines,” he recalled. “We moved around a lot. Sometimes, we traveled on foot, carrying our mortars and ammunition. Sometimes, we were transported by truck or in boxcars.

“We seldom knew where we were going or why.”

While on the defensive lines, the men lived in bunkers—some more

“

elaborate, some not much more than a cave—built into the side of a hill with sandbag walls and a thick roof of layered logs and sandbags that were then covered with rocks. The only light at night was from candles.

During the short periods of reserve, the men were treated to squad tents with stoves for heat and generators for light, and sometimes, even wood floors.

While in reserve, the men had access to their duffle bags. But the rest of the time, they were limited to their backpacks, which were filled with gear and food; there was little room for personal items, short of a few

Photos Submitted/River City Living 1) During the Korean War, cell phones, email and video chats didn't exist. The only connection soldiers had to loved ones at home was sealed inside an envelope and dropped into the mail. For Terry Dingmon, mail call was the highlight of his day. “I got a lot of mail. My wife wrote every day. The other guys used to joke that it wasn’t an official mail call if Dingmon didn’t get a letter.” 2) With the Korean War officially winding down, Terry (front row, fourth from left) and his squad pose for a photo with a pair of Korean soldiers against the backgrop of the Chorwon Valley and the newly created DMZ. 3) Terry Dingmon (right) served in the 23rd regiment in an 81 mm mortar platoon; he spent about a year in Korea and participated in the last two campaigns of the war.

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photos.

During the Korean War, unlike modern conflict, servicemen were “isolated from the world,” Dingmon said. The only communication was by mail.

“I got a lot of mail,” he recalled. “My wife wrote every day. Mail call was always the highlight of my day. The other guys used to joke that it wasn’t an official mail call if Dingmon didn’t get a letter.”

One of Dingmon’s most vivid memories is of the last day of the war.

He was on Outpost Tom as a forward observer for his mortar platoon.

Outpost Tom was a small hill that rose from the floor of the Chorwon Valley and faced the Chinese stronghold of Jackson Heights.

“Around noon on July 27, 1953, we received word that the hostilities would end at 10 p.m. My first thought was, ‘Why wait until 10? Let’s stop this nonsense right now,’” he recalled. “But that didn’t happen.

“At 6 p.m., we received orders not to fire unless we were fired upon.

Continued on Page 26

Photos Submitted/River City Living Left: During their duty in the militarized zone in Korea, Terry and his squad lived in bunkers – some more elaborate, some not much more than a cave – built into the side of a hill with sandbag walls and a thick roof of layered logs and sandbags that were then covered with rocks. The only light at night was from candles. Lower Right: Terry Dingmon and his wife, Florence share a moment with their daughter, Deborah. Terry and Florence were married in October

1951 and Terry shipped out to Korea about a year later. Deborah was born in late September 1952. Terry had a 10-day delay before he left for duty, which allowed him to see his daughter, but it would be more than a year before he would see her, or Deborah, again “As hard as it was to be drafted,” he said, “it just as hard on the family left at home.” Dingmon’s wife spent the first 2 years of marriage and motherhood living with her parents and three brothers. She could not work, and she received a $100 allotment from the government.

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Photo by Alex Paschal/ River City Living

Terry Dingmon and wife Florence of Clinton were married in 1951.

Continued from Page 25

Around 7 p.m., things became very quiet. We sat in eerie silences for 3 hours.

“At 10, there was some whistling and cheering from both sides of the valley to celebrate the end of the war,” he recalled.

Dingmon, so tired after 3 days of little to no sleep, climbed out of

the trench and slept on the side of the hill for 10 hours. He woke to see Chinese soldiers waving to his platoon from across the valley.

With the official end of the conflict, the men really set to work. They had to pull back about 2,000 meters to establish a 4,000-meter (about 2.5-mile) buffer zone between the two countries – a “no-man’s land,” that today is known as the infamous Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

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“We had 72 hours to remove all warlike materials from the corridor, and at the same time, salvage as many materials as we could,” he said. “I don’t think we rested much over those 3 days.”

Today, the DMZ, which separates North Korea from South Korea, is the most fortified and most dangerous border in the world.

The remaining 4 months of his time in Korea, Dingmon spent in one place – in a draw, halfway up a mountainside, just beyond the new defensive positions. He and his squad mates filled sandbags, dug mortar pits, built ammunition bunkers, and built miles of barbed-wire fences.

Dingmon was part of what the Army called “Operation: Santa Claus”: Those soldiers who were scheduled to be discharged in January would get out in time to be home for Christmas.

He sailed from South Korea in mid-November, and after 17 days at sea and a few days at Camp Carson, Colorado, he once again was a civilian.

“Everything was pretty much new again,” he recalled. “I had to get to know my wife, get to know my daughter.”

Dingmon returned to work at ADM in Clinton – the company held his job while he served in the war – and he and his wife built a house and moved in.

“I just came home,” he recalled. “I didn’t really think too much about it [the war].”

Now, with so much information available, including declassified reports, Dingmon has been able to look back and share his experience – and then some – with others in an effort to turn the Korean War from forgotten to acknowledged. s

Terry, who was drafted, said that even though he didn't volunteer, "I have always been very proud that I did serve – and that I did so to the best of my ability.”

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Records HE'S GOT SOMETHING UP HIS SLEEVE:

Vinyl’s resurgence is music to store owner’s ears

BY SHELBY KUEPKER | SPECIAL TO RIVER CITY LIVING

J

Photo by Kimberly Watley/Special to River City Living Rick Yates, owner of Co-Op Records, flips through classic albums in search of Perry Como’s Papa Loves Mambo, for one of his regular customers. What he doesn’t have in-house, he said, he will order and have ready in a couple of days.

ust for the record, vinyl albums aren’t dead.

As a matter of fact, says Rick Yates, the owner of Co-Op Tapes and Records in Clinton, they’re making a comeback.

Though the ease of today’s digital world has replaced many neighborhood record stores with faraway servers and digital clouds, Yates says vinyl is finding new fans and reconnecting with old ones – and the numbers back him up.

According to sales figures released earlier this year

by Nielsen SoundScan, vinyl record sales increased 52 percent from 2013 to 2014, as factories rolled out 9.2 million vinyl records. On the flip side, purchases of digital downloads were down 9 percent for albums in 2014 and down 12 percent for songs.

Though sales of vinyl – so named because of the polyvinyl chloride the records are made of – represent less than 5 percent of the music market, they’re the highest they’ve been since music industry monitor SoundScan started tracking vinyl sales in 1991.

Yates can’t quite put his finger on why, but “now, everybody’s out looking for vinyl.” For some, it’s the sentimental appeal of having a copy of a record they grew up with. For others, it’s the physical aspect of holding a record in their hand and dropping it on a turntable. Still others say the sound is better on albums.

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To learn more about our community in Prophetstown, call (815) 537-5175.

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

Photos Submitted: For Record Day on April 18, Co-Op had a record player set up outside its store. Record Store Day, according to its website, was conceived in 2007 "at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding nearly 1,400 independently owned record stores in the U.S. and thousands of similar stores internationally. There are Record Store Day participating stores on every continent except Antarctica. Go to recordstoreday.com for more information.

But whatever the reason, since about 2005, the popularity of vinyl has been on an incline. Record labels “realized they were losing money from digital download and there was still revenue in vinyl records,” says Yates.

Now, about 75 to 80 percent of albums that come out on CD’s and digital formats are produced in vinyl as well. Yates claims, “companies never stopped making them, they just aren’t marketed as well.”

Vinyl sales took a big hit in 1980s, and the medium’s obituary was all but written by the early 1990s. But records never drew their last breath.

They were kept alive by audiophiles and lovers of the long-players. While purveyors and proponents of records have long lamented what they say is the more compressed sound of digital music – be it on compact discs or digital downloads – the music-buying public at large has embraced technology as a way to get their tunes. With the introduction of compact discs in the 1980s, and digital downloads hitting an all-time high decades later, vinyl record sales steadily declined. As downloads’ popularity hit an all-time high in the 2000s, record stores across the U.S. closed up shop, but the three Co-Ops in the Quad Cities area kicked through the drought and are still alive to tell about it.

Through it all, Yates, 54, has been along for records’ roller-coaster ride.

CO-OP TAPES AND RECORDS

Address: 240 Sixth Ave. South | Phone: 563-242-4144 Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday Online: facebook.com/cooprecordsclinton

The Clinton man has been in the record business for 4 decades, and in that time he has worked at all three Co-Ops in the Quad Cities area. In 2000, he bought the Clinton Co-Op Records.

“I had been doing it for so long, so it wasn’t much different from what I had been doing. I have worked at all of them and managed all of them at some point in time. It was just something I knew I could do,” he said.

While most towns don’t have a store to fulfill their residents’ record needs, Co-Op is there for anyone searching for that one record to complete their collection. But that’s not all Co-Op carries. The store also sells tapes, CDs, DVDs, T-shirts, posters, magazines, jewelry, “and tons of odds and ends,” said Yates.

Classic rock is very popular in vinyl versions, and Rick sees many people coming into his store looking for Pink Floyd, The Doors, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. But the classics aren’t all that Yates carries. He says he has just about any kind of music customers are looking for, from “Britney Spears to Frank Sinatra.”

Whether you’re looking for that diamond in the rough, the perfect vinyl to complete your collection, or a flashback to the past, Co-Op Records in Clinton has something to please everybody. s

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THERE’S A LOT TO PICK FROM Business along Great River Road offers antiques and more

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BY KAYLA HEIMERMAN SPECIAL TO RIVER CITY LIVING

t’s a picker’s paradise: Great River Road Antiques and Flea Market, on Route 84 between Thomson and Fulton, offers more than 10,000 square feet of antiques and other vintage wares, plus 30 outdoor stalls of flea market finds.

“Some dealers have beautiful cleaned-up items. Others have it all in a pile, and you have to dig through it,” said owner Kevan DeVault. “We have anything and everything. … You just never know what you’re going to find here.”

Kevan DeVault and her husband, James DeVault, started the business in the mid-1990s. They enjoyed antiquing and bargain-hunting and decided to “go out on a limb” and turn their hobby into a business.

The DeVaults and many of their first dealers cleared the land and built the barn-like red buildings.

“It was put together with love,” Kevan DeVault said.

Inside the two-story antiques mall, 60 to 65 dealers peddle their antique, vintage, and retro wares – furniture, glassware, and nostalgia and Continued on Page 33

Photos by Alex T. Paschal/River City Living River City Antiques is along Route 84, north of Fulton. On weekend, vendors open their storage areas and sell in an open air market. The main building is open daily.

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Continued from Page 31 memorabilia.

The displays vary; some are neat and tidy with the items grouped around a theme or setting, while others lump it all together for those who enjoy the bargain hunt.

Outside, under three long buildings, 30 dealers (plus a few scattered at the back of the lot with just tarps and tables) sell handmade crafts, such as dishtowels and doll clothes, vintage vinyl, used tools, glassware and dishware, toys and games, and much more – much much more. Like

Kevan said, “anything and everything.”

For Wally De La Fuente, 75, of Sterling, and his friend, Bridget Le Prevost, who have been bringing items to the flea market for almost 15 years, the weekend gig is a source of income.

“It helps us get from week to week,” Le Prevost said.

They find their items at garage and yard sales, and they accept donations from people who are moving and need to unload some of their stuff.

Continued on Page 34

Lots of costume jewelry.

A nice collection of steins.

Old "analog" cameras are a popular item in this digital age.

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Continued from Page 33 “We try to help people, too,” De La Fuente said. “If we know of someone who needs something, and we have it, we’ll help them out.”

For Charity Houzenga, 41, of Fulton, who with her boyfriend has been coming to the market for just a few years, it not only is a source of income, but also has expanded her home-based business.

She crochets and sews dish scrubbers, hanging dish towels, and plastic-bag holders, as well as baby clothes, baby blankets, and doll clothes.

She does a lot of custom work, too, such as seat cushions for riding lawn-

mowers and barstools.

She and her boyfriend also sell geodes and other precious rocks, which are a surprisingly hot commodity, she said.

“It’s so nice out here,” Houzenga said. “We’ve met so many people, and I’ve gained a lot of new customers. We’ve been very successful.”

The one thing the marketers – and their customers – would agree is that Great River Road Antiques is one big family.

“We all help each other out,” said Marge Heeren, 70, of Port Byron,

Collectible dolls and toys can be found all over the store.

Vintage and unique clothing can also be found.

Furniture is a hot item at the store; it often doesn't stay in place very long.

Americana tin can add an interesting look to any decor.

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Owner, Rhonda Kearns 501S. 2nd St, Clinton, IA

located just 1 block West of the Mississippi

Hours: Wed-Fri 10-5 • Sat 10-3 563-242-1155 • TheOldCrow2011@yahoo.com

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INSTALLATIONS • SALES • SERVICE We sell and install all types of garage doors, as well as garage door openers.

Serving the Sauk Valley Area For Over 30 Years!

aluminum • steel • wood • fiberglass vinyl • carriage styles

Residential - Commercial - Industrial Parts, Repair & Springs Repaired www.gdsonline.biz

one of the original marketers. “My husband died last year [in January], and I couldn’t wait until April, so I could be back with my ‘family.’ They were the greatest.”

Because of its location along Great River Road, which is a National

Scenic Byway, the mall and market get a lot of traffic.

“We see a lot of sightseers, a lot of vacationers,” DeVault said. “A lot of our customers are not even local. Many of them see ‘antiques’ or ‘flea market’ and pull over.” s GREAT RIVER ROAD ANTIQUES Address: 23080 Waller Road, Fulton (Route 84 between Thomson and Fulton) Phone: 815-589-3355 Hours: Antiques mall open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily in the summer, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily the rest of the year. Flea market open 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, April through October

Can't find that gift for the person who has everything?

Two words: Yeti Mount.

Lots of unique and interesting items can be found at the store.

Can’t bag your own big one? You caan pick a trophy up here.

Multispecialty Main Clinic

915 13th Avenue N., Clinton, IA  (563)243-2511

DeWitt Family Health Clinic

1021 11th Street, DeWitt, IA  (563)659-9294

Morrison Family Health Clinic

635 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL  (815)772-7491

Fulton Family Health Clinic

& OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE 2400 Lillian Way, Clinton, IA (563)243-1200 No Appointment Necessary 8am-8pm Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Sat & Sun

1705 16th Avenue, Fulton, IL  (815)589-2121

www.maclinton.com r i v e r

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Only 7% of hospitals nationwide have earned

NURSING’S TOP HONOR. Mercy Clinton is one of them.

CHOOSE CONFIDENTLY. CHOOSE MERCY. MERCYCLINTON.COM