L ake Carroll restaurant has the Inn/gredients for success
Business helps people make a splash
Mount Carroll festival follows the Copper rule
MAY 2026
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CONTACT INFO
PUBLISHER Jennifer Heintzelman
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PUBLISHED BY Sauk Valley Media, 113 S. Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021
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Happy birthday to yoU.S.A
Giving a gift to hundreds of families may seem like a big task, but for a Lake Carroll club, it’s a piece of cake.
Golf carts get a new lease on Life Business caters to customers looking for sales and service for their leisure rides.
Inn/gredients for success Candlelight Inn celebrates and ‘amazing’ 5 years in Lake Carroll.
Wanna make a Splash? If you’re looking for a space that can bring together fitness, fun, friends and family, you don’t have to go far.
Moo unto others Organizers of a Mount Carroll festival follow the Copper rule with an event that gives back to their community.
Real Estate Listings
PAGES 46-51
By Cody Cutter Sauk Valley Media
CLUB, may seem like a big task to take on, it’s a piece of cake
GIVING A GIFT TO HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES but for THE LAKE CARROLL
WOMEN’S
A can of soda sits beside a box of cake mix. It’s an unlikely pairing at first glance, but it will become the centerpiece of a Lake Carroll club’s effort to mark a milestone in our nation’s history with something small, personal and celebratory — with charity.
On a table at the Lodge in late June, that pairing will repeat itself 250 times over with cake mix, icing, candles, napkins, plates and cans of pop assembled in an orderly line by members of the Lake Carroll Women’s Club, who will donate 250 cake kits to local food pantries.
The sodas aren’t for drinking though; they’re an ingredient in the cake, and their selection is intentional — Coke and root beer for chocolate cakes, Sprite for white, Orange Crush for orange. Each kit is designed to be simple, complete and ready for a birthday celebration: America’s 250th (or semiquincentennial, if you prefer).
“What’s good about this is that you don’t have to use eggs or vegetable oil, you can just use a can of pop,” said Women’s Club member and past president Tia Oliver
Just don’t expect to fit 250 candles on one cake, however.
Oliver came up with the idea out of the red, white and blue one day and mentioned it to president Margaret Rominski, who thought it would be a great idea.
CAKES cont’d to page 6
“This was just an idea that came to me one night,” Oliver said. “Margaret and I were out, and I told her, ‘Wouldn’t this be a great idea, being America’s 250th birthday?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, run with it!’ I’ve seen something like this on Pinterest, and I was trying to think of something for the Women’s Club to do, for the 250th celebration. It’s a big birthday this year.”
The casual suggestion quickly gained traction. When Oliver brought the idea to the club during its February meeting, the response was immediate. Donations began coming in almost right away, including two full cake kits before the end of April. The club promoted the effort wherever members gathered — at the Yacht Club’s annual Robber’s Bingo event at The Clubhouse and during weekly Women’s Club Bowling League games — steadily building toward the 250-kit goal.
Donations of individual items, as well as full kits, are being accepted. Money will also be accepted, with funds used “to fill in whatever is needed after everyone donates stuff,” Rominski said.
The club next meets May 14 at the Lodge.
“Our goal is that in the end of June we’ll meet at the Lodge and have an assembly line of 250 cake kits, put them together and pass them out to local food panties throughout the area,” Oliver said. “We would like to distribute them around the Fourth of July.”
CAKES cont’d to page 7
Building Your Future With Us
CAKES cont’d from page 6
And for the first time, the club is expanding its reach beyond its usual single pantry partner.
While the Women’s Club has long supported the Shannon-Lanark Food Pantry with donations and annual contributions, this project marks a shift outward to more. In addition to Shannon-Lanark, the club plans to distribute kits to food pantries at Highland Community College in Freeport, the Davis Community Center in Mount Carroll, as well as Pearl City, with the possibility of adding one or two more.
The Lake Carroll Women’s Club is expanding its charitable reach to help more local families celebrate birthdays through a new cake kit initiative. Pictured are Women’s Club president Margaret Rominski and member Tia Oliver.
The expanded reach comes after hearing directly from other pantry representatives, including one from Highland, where the need is tied closely to students.
“It’s like the one at the Davis Center where they have their own little food bank,” Rominski said. “They found that they have so many students that are in need.”
In Pearl City, cake kits have appeared occasionally, but not at this scale.
“They’ve never seen [so] many,” Rominski said. “So this will be nice.”
CAKES cont’d to page 11
When is America’s birthday? Well, that all depends ...
The Second Continental Congress actually voted for America’s independence July 2, 1776, and adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, formally severing ties with Britain. The written Declaration was dated July 4, 1776 — but it wasn’t actually signed until Aug. 2 of that year.
The approved Declaration was printed July 5 and on July 19 Congress ordered that it be engrossed on parchment (a process of copying an official document in large hand). Timothy Matlock, an assistant to secretary to the Congress Charles Thomson, is believed to have done it.
President John Adams thought July 2 would be marked as the national holiday. However, some people argue that Aug. 2 should actually be America’s birthday.
Fireworks, backyard barbecues and patriotic parties ... on July 4, they’re as American as apple pie, but it wasn’t always that way. Though the Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776, it would be awhile before celebrating America’s independence on July 4 became commonplace. According to the Library of Congress, it wasn’t until the conclusion of the War of 1812 that festivities celebrating American independence became the norm, and Congress didn’t pass a law making Independence Day a federal holiday until 1870.
July is also a popular month for other nations to celebrate their own independence. Among them: Algeria (July 5), Argentina (July 9), The Bahamas (July 10), Belarus (July 3), Burundi (July 1), Canada (July 1), Cape Verde (July 1), Colombia (July 20), Kiribati (July 12), and Liberia (July 26).
We relish our freedom ... The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4.
The U.S. isn’t only nation to celebrate America’s independence. Other countries do too, including Australia, Denmark, Ireland, and Norway. The festivities in Rebild National Park in Denmark are believed to be the largest celebration of American independence outside the U.S.
Other July 4 milestones in America ...
1802 The United States Military Academy officially commenced operations. Located in West Point, New York, it’s the oldest of the five American service academies. 1826 On the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Independence, America’s second and third presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, respectively, died on the same day. Both men were instrumental to the nation’s success during the American Revolution.
1831 Samuel Francis Smith’s “America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee)” is performed in public for the first time, during a children’s Independence Day celebration in Boston.
2004 The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower is laid on the World Trade Center site in New York City. Now known as One World Trade Center, the building formally opened in November 2014.
More than half of all Americans own an American flag — 57% according to a 2023 poll from WalletHub — and that’s not the only way Americans show their national pride: The same poll found that roughly one in three Americans purchase patriotic merchandise for July 4.
More about the Women’s Club ...
Lake Carroll members can learn more about the Women’s Club through the Members section at golakecarroll.com. The club meets at 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at Plumtree Lodge, from September through June. Annual dues are $25.
The Women’s Club first met in 1999, but its origins reach back farther than that, all the way back to 1972, when the Lake’s first Social Committee was formed. The mission then was simple: Get people out of their homes and help them get to know each other through meetings and community events. Through the years, the group grew and took on different names as its mission evolved. It began to look beyond the simple social aspect, to Lake Carroll and beyond. Today, the group
has grown into a non-profit, philanthropic organization that, according to its mission statement, works to “develop intellectual opportunities, social fellowship, community service and charitable endeavors.”
The club’s three pillars knowledge, fellowship and philanthropy — have supported several causes through the years. Meetings are held September to June, so as not to interfere with peak vacation months during the rest of the summer. Meetings can involve speeches, hands-on demonstrations, and presentations by members and special guests. Past programs have included presentations by Master Gardeners, local authors, chefs and public officials. Membership has been on the rise in recent years — now at around 60.
For Oliver, the project reflects a growing awareness that has developed during her time with the club, one that goes beyond collecting staple items.
“I never realized the need or want for things like this until we started doing things like this,” Oliver said. “Going to the Davis Center and seeing people use it so much, you just don’t realize it. Maybe it will make a kid’s birthday a little extra special.”
The fundraiser will continue to be promoted through May, including at the club’s upcoming meat raffle on the 16th at The Clubhouse. The meat raffle is the club’s largest spring fundraiser, returning after the group didn’t hold a spring event last year. Proceeds from the raffle are typically distributed in June to a range of local organizations, which complements the club’s ongoing charitable work.
And with the country approaching a historic birthday this year, the club decided to do something that’s as American as apple pie — or rather, cake: Helping others.
The cake kits, though a seemingly simple gesture, are part of a project that carries a bigger meaning.
“I’m hoping this will bring awareness for the different food panties and the need,” Oliver said. n
Larry Heckman (815) 864-2808
25235 Payne Rd. Shannon, IL 61078 forestgreen44@hotmail.com
Women’s Club member and past president Tia Oliver said the cake kits the club is putting together are designed to be fun and easy ways for families to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
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Golfcarts of their own
When a couple saw a need for a local business that could cater to customers looking for sales and service for their leisure rides, the wheels started turning — right into a new shop in Lanark where people can stop in and Enjoy the rides
By Cody Cutter Sauk Valley Media
On a golf cart, you can cruise around the neighborhood or be out golfing, and you're enjoying life. You're doing what you want to do to make you happy.
Nino Novakovic (left), who owns and operates Enjoy Life Carts and Service with his wife, Jill Luning
hen a golf cart breaks down, needs new batteries or is ready for an upgrade, finding reliable service nearby hasn’t always been easy around northwest Illinois.
Now, a new Lanark shop is giving owners a place to turn for repairs, upgrades and custom work close to home.
Enjoy Life Golf Carts and Service opened in September 2025 and sells, repairs and customizes golf carts of all makes and models. Among its services: restorations, lithium battery conversions, parts and accessories and pickup service. It also can custom build carts tailored to a variety of customer preferences — style, performance or just everyday use around the neighborhood. Husbandand-wife owners Nino Novakovic and Jill Luning also own The Crooked Roof bar and grill next door, but at the shop, Novakovic handles the repair work and Luning takes care of the business affairs.
Much of the work at the shop centers on transforming carts into something both personalized and practical, for use both on and off the golf course. Demand has grown for both performance upgrades and visual customization, with customers increasingly looking to make their carts stand out.
Customization often includes accessories and add-ons that reflect the owner’s personality.
“Almost like a car … or motorcycle is a reflection of your style, golf carts are a reflection of your style,” Luning said. “People can make them fun and bling them out however they want to.”
PHOTO: ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
With Lake Carroll just a few miles north of town, the Novakovics have been picking up business from the private lake community that has its own 18-hole golf course, including several battery conversions and light installs for Lake Carroll residents’ carts.
As far as current trends, the couple said people want their carts a little higher off the ground, and they’re also becoming more interested in upgrading wheels, rims and tires.
Carts can also be extended to add more seating — a process called “stretching.” It involves cutting the cart in the middle and welding and bolting frame additions to attach the two halves.
Mechanical upgrades are also common, including a growing shift toward lithium battery conversions. The shop carries lithium options such as Eco Battery and Lithium Rhino. Lithium batteries offer longer lifespans, lighter weight and extended driving range compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, making them an increasingly popular upgrade for frequent users.
“For the owner, it’s 100 percent maintenance free,” Novakovic said. “All you have to do is plug it in, and that’s it. You leave it in there, and it’s like a triple-charge, when it’s fully charged, it stays charged. It’s not like the old chargers with the lead battery, where when it was full you had to unplug it oth-
erwise you’re overcharging and cook it up. When it’s charged, it shuts off. When the battery voltage drops, it automatically turns it back on.”
The business handles a wide range of repairs, from routine maintenance to complete restorations, with an emphasis on safety and transparency. Whether it’s a small fix like a faulty gauge or a larger mechanical issue, both gas and electric carts of any make or model can be serviced, and carts can either be dropped off or pick-ups can be arranged.
Novakovic often will shoot video of any serious problem with a cart when he sees it, and sends them to customers to help explain what’s wrong.
“Our biggest concern is safety,” he said. “With all of our carts, if it’s just a basic tune-up, I’ll go through the whole cart. I’ll check the wheels, check the wheel alignment and adjust everything. Adjust brakes, replace bearings if we have to. We’ll do videos and pictures as we’re working on them and show the customer what we found. We’re documenting everything that we’re doing. That way there’s no question. You want to be up front when them.”
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For both Novakovic and Luning, the business also represents a way to connect one of their passions with their work. Though they aren’t golfers themselves, they enjoy getting out in the open air on a set of wheels — but two instead of four. The couple loves riding motorcycles
“I can get on my motorcycle and forget about everything in the world,” Novakovic said. “I’m out there having the wind in my face having a good time. On a golf cart, you can cruise around the neighborhood or be out golfing, and you’re enjoying life. You’re doing what you want to do to make you happy.”
Enjoy life: It’s a mindset that helped shape both the name and the mission of the business, Luning said, as they looked to bring something new to the area while building on familiar relationships.
The golf cart business also helps them connect with more customers in a community they’ve already been a part of during the past dozen years at their neighboring restaurant
“Some people don’t know that we own The Crooked Roof next door as well, so once they understand that it’s next door, they know it’s someone in the community offering something new to try to help the community,” Luning said. “We’re helping out people who we’ve taken care of at
the restaurant. You can sense a confidence level of saying, ‘Oh, I know you.’”
The idea to start the business only came after concern about a parking area next door that restaurant customers often used. F/S owned the lot and nearby buildings, and allowed Crooked Roof customers park there, but when F/S was looking to sell the property, Novakovic and Luning were worried a a new owner might not continue that arrangement. So Novakovic and Luning bought the property, not knowing immediately what to do with it — but then they started thinking. “I’ve always worked on motorcycles, engines, trucks and cars, so I thought I could open a golf cart shop,” Novakovic said. “There are a bunch of motorcycle shops around in this area, and I was like, ‘There’s no one around here who does golf carts.’”
The need in the local market, Novakovic’s mechanical skills, and the couple’s familiarity in the community seemed like a perfect fit. People could get the service they needed from someone they knew, and they wouldn’t have to make a long trip to get it.
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“The general area needing that service was an opportunity to have him work with mechanical stuff,” Luning said. “He’s incredibly good at all of it. He can figure out any problem when it comes to mechanics.”
As far as new carts are concerned, the place carries MadJax carts, manufactured by Nivel, which has been making golf cart parts for nearly 60 years, but only entered the full vehicle market during the coronavirus pandemic a few years ago.
MadJax’s X Series carts, launched in 2022, emphasize upgraded technology and comfort, while the newer Ascent model — introduced during the PGA Show convention in January — builds on that with a more fully loaded, automotive-style design that comes standard with high-end features and integrated systems. Novakovic and Luning promoted the new Ascents almost immediately and even arranged some pre-orders by the end of March. They’ll have their first Ascent on its floor in May.
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“Almost like a car ... golf carts are a reflection of your style,” Luning said. “People can make them fun and bling them out however they want to.” That bling includes lights, tires and rims, audio systems with sound bars, steering wheels with integrated controls, and more.
PHOTOS: ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Novakovic and Luning attended the PGA Show to gauge what brands they wanted to carry, and to learn more about the golf cart business — and even golf itself. The decision to carry Nivel’s MadJaxes followed research and conversations with industry professionals there, and they came away impressed with the company’s near-exclusivity of dealing with golf carts.
“We met with people from different brands and saw a lot of different quality products,” Luning said. “We got a feel for what seemed like a good cart, and we were real impressed by this company and the fact that they have such a backing of the knowledge of their parts. It seemed liked the perfect fit.”
Warranty coverage was also a factor in selecting the brand.
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Owner Nino
Novakovic pulls a cart out of the show room at Enjoy Life carts and service. The shop is next door to their other business, The Crooked Roof restaurant.
“They offer a 3-year bumper-to-bumper parts and labor warranty for their carts,” Luning said. “Other brands will do parts for a couple of years, but they don’t include the labor. So if something breaks, like a manufacturer defect on your cart, you have to take it in and pay someone to fix it. That didn’t seem right because it wasn’t your fault that it was broken. I really thought that said something about the company, that they are going to take care of the problem, and not just part of the problem.”
With awareness of the business growing and warmer months just around the corner, the couple expects business to continue growing, especially as more people consider golf carts for neighborhood use. In Lanark, for example, golf carts are street legal on city roads (but not on state highways that go through town). The city requires a local registration fee of $25 for use in town, Novakovic said, and it has to have signals, headlights, seat belts and a windshield. A growing number of towns have also adopted similar ordinances in the past decade.
“People are still learning that we’re here,” Luning said. “As we start getting into spring and summer, we’ll anticipate some more activity once people start to know us. I think more people need to know what’s out there for the convenience of having it more local.”
Customer reactions remain a rewarding part of the work for Novakovic, particularly after custom projects are completed.
“After a day or two when I’m done with them, I’ll call them and make sure they’re liking everything,” Novakovic said. “I like when I get to do custom work, and when the customers come to pick them up, when they’re like, ‘Oh my God, it looks amazing!” n
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
Steve St. Clair has managed Candlelight Inn at Lake Carroll since its first year. “I didn’t know what to expect when I started here,” he said. “The thing that has surprised me ... [is] just how much of a family people in Lake Carroll can be. You get to know these people, and they’re amazing people.”
As Candlelight Inn celebrates 5 years in Lake Carroll, both its owner and manager have one word to sum up the restaurant’s time in the community ...
When Lake Carroll’s clubhouse bar and grill was looking for someone to sign a new lease on life, Matt Prescott stepped in.
Five years and a few tons of Chicken George later, the lease Prescott signed to operate one of his Candlelight Inn locations in Lake Carroll is hitting its stride.
June will mark the fifth anniversary of the Lake Carroll location’s opening, and Prescott and restaurant manager Steve St. Clair have seen the place through a lot, from the challenges of opening during a pandemic and going through early growing pains to becoming a cornerstone of the community.
With a menu that offers something for everyone — including Candlelight’s signature Chicken George — the restaurant has become a destination for dining, both for Lake Carroll members and the public, and the bar has become a popular gathering place, from golfers drinking a few rounds after a round to friends getting together to unwind. It also hosts events ranging from local bands to the occasional music trivia night.
Getting to know the people of Lake Carroll has been something that Prescott — whose base of operations of the Candlelight Group is in Sterling — has enjoyed over the past five years.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Prescott said. “We made it to the other side. Any time you start a business like this, the first couple of years are tough. The location and the people are what makes the place special. If you have an issue, you can call the Association and they help you.”
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CANDLELIGHT cont’d from page 21
With the Lake Carroll location being smaller than other Candlelights, the menu is pared down a bit, so Prescott and St. Clair sprinkle in some variety to keep patrons coming back for more. They review the menu twice a year to make any changes they think are needed, and special menu items are announced throughout the late spring and into summer.
St. Clair, a former bartender who has been with the restaurant since a week after it opened, has seen two particular menu items become just as popular as Chicken George.
The Philly cheesesteak was initially just an occasional menu item, St. Clair said, but “it sold so well that we just had to put that on the menu,” he said. “With the southwest egg rolls, we’ve had four different kinds of egg rolls since we’ve been here and had been rotating them around, but the second we rotated southwest egg rolls off the menu, it’s an uproar. They’re a fan favorite.”
As with any new restaurant that comes to a community, interest was high when Candlelight first opened. Lake residents wanted to see what the new dining option in their community was like, and that curiosity peaked soon after it opened. During its first Fourth of July weekend, the place was packed with residents and their friends and family. While a full house is normally a good thing for a business, a smooth operation just wasn’t in the cards that weekend.
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“The first Fourth of July was a nightmare,” St. Clair said. “We didn’t know what to expect, and we had only been here a month. We were running about two-and-a-half hour ticket times on food. We had just turned on online ordering for the first time, and we didn’t know how to shut it off; and online ordering was telling everyone 30 minutes for pickup, and we were running two hours. We had people standing in line. We had a band downstairs who couldn’t get to a server and were going online to order.”
Today, the kinks have been worked out and St. Clair and his crew have a handle on handling things. While sales dipped during the restaurant’s second Fourth of July weekend, they’ve been climbing each of the years since. St. Clair has pulled in managers from Candlelight’s other locations to assist in recent years, employee turnover is down, and residents’ familiarity with the place has helped make the customer experience better, Prescott said.
“We’ve learned how to operate it better,” Prescott said. “Steve has been here since the first year. We’ve had consistency with the same team being there for three or four years now, and that makes a big difference — they have figured it out. Having Steve here for his fifth year, that makes a difference, too. People know Steve. If they have a problem, they can go to Steve. He runs it. I’m there if there’s problems, but other than that, that’s his baby, and he takes great care of it.”
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Assistant manager Jess Wright said the people — both coworkers and customers — are what make each shift different at Candlelight. “I like the people,” she said. “[They] make the atmosphere.”
Bartender
Elizabeth Madison said the supportive environment among staff helps her create a positive experience for customers. “Our managers are really nice and supportive,” she said.
CANDLELIGHT cont’d from page 23
And for St. Clair, the real measure of that progress isn’t just smoother operations — it’s what customers notice at the table.
“My favorite compliment is not, ‘Wow, that food is amazing,’ but ‘Wow, our server took such good care of us,’” St. Clair said. “When people are saying that the service is really good, that makes me really happy.”
That good service comes from a crew who’s committed to keeping the customers satisfied, like bartender Elizabeth Madison, who has been with the restaurant for two years. She said the supportive environment among staff helps create a positive experience for customers.
“I like the staff and the company,” Madison said. “Our managers are really nice and supportive. The Chicken George is really popular. The golf course is up and coming now, and we’re excited to see our golfers coming back; and the lake is about to open, and so I’m pretty excited about that too.”
Assistant manager Jess Wright, also in her second year, said the people — both coworkers and customers — are what make each shift different. Wright manages the place from November to March when St. Clair visits family in Texas; that’s also when the kitchen hours are reduced.
CANDLELIGHT cont’d to page 25
“I like the people,” Wright said. “The people make the atmosphere. We may have the same people kind of on a daily basis, but it’s never the same day by day. Not everyone drinks the same stuff, so someone will throw you for a loop every now and then. As a person coming from outside of Lake Carroll, it has been very different than what I thought it was going to be. It’s very inviting and people are very open, they take you under your wing instantly.”
For Prescott, those day-to-day interactions are what ultimately define the business.
“We’re in the relationship business, that’s what we’re truly in,” Prescott said. “You can go get a burger at a lot of places, you can get chicken strips at a lot of places — you can’t get Chicken George everywhere — and you can get pizza at a lot of places. Why do you pick one place over the other? It’s the people that make these places go.”
Prescott knows what he’s talking about.
His family has been in the restaurant business for nearly 60 years, when his father Bob,
Bob’s cousin Lyman and Chuck Sisson opened the first Candlelight in Sterling in 1967. Bob and his wife Jan — for whom Chicken George’s house dipping sauce is named — eventually became sole owners and moved to a bigger location in town in 1989. That location closed in 2023, but the Candlelight name has continued to grow, adding locations in neighboring Rock Falls in 2004 and Clinton, Iowa, in 2010.
With acquisitions of bars in Sterling, Rock Falls and Dixon in the past couple of decades, the Candlelight Group umbrella was formed. Two of the group’s newest business are Emerson’s Pub in Rock Falls, which opened in 2024, and Artisan Oven in Sterling, which opened in March. Both establishments feature pizza as its main menu staple.
As for that other partner in the restaurant’s success, which goes by the name of George, it’s been part of Candlelight’s menu since the 1970s, created by a cook named George who originally just cooked up the deep-fried chicken tenders for himself. When a customer one day suggested something that wasn’t on the menu, Bob had George make his chicken entree. It caught on, and these days around 6,000 pounds of it are served weekly throughout Candlelight’s restaurants.
“We buy a lot of higher quality chicken than a lot of places and hand-batter it,” St. Clair said. “If we ran out of Chicken George, or even Jan’s sauce, we might as well shut the doors.”
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When Prescott opened Candlelight at Lake Carroll, he retained the Clubhouse’s popular pizza on the menu. It was his first foray into the dish, but he’s since parlayed pizza sales into a bigger part of his overall operation. Both Emerson’s and Artisan Oven feature pizza as a main menu staple, with the latter of the two featuring a Chicken George pizza among its wood-fired pizzas. While pizza sales at Lake Carroll’s location have dipped in recent years, with the experience he’s gained, Prescott, and St. Clair, are confident they’ll get a bigger slice of the local pizza market again.
“We’re going to revisit that,” Prescott said. “I know a little more about pizza now than I knew then.”
The Lake Carroll Candlelight’s look has changed over the years. The bar was redone two years into opening, and the dining room was remodeled two years ago. St. Clair is also looking at getting new carpet for the downstairs banquet room, home of annual community staples such as the Craft Show and Yacht Club’s Robber’s Bingo.
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For St. Clair, the biggest change has in the relationships he’s built.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I started here,” he said. “The thing that has surprised me versus any other job I’ve had in restaurants is that we have the same clientele over and over again. Most restaurants, there’s some regulars and mostly people driving by. It surprised me about just how much of a family people in Lake Carroll can be. You get to know these people, and they’re amazing people.”
The same sense of community has defined the restaurant’s five-year run, Prescott said.
“We’re just very grateful of the support and how great the community has been to us,” Prescott said. “It’s like you’re in your own little town. There’s a lot of good people. The community is so caring and friendly.” n
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@ shawmedia.com.
Come on Inn ...
Candlelight Inn is located at 29-11 Ironwood Blvd. in Lake Carroll. Current hours for the kitchen and bar change depending on the season, and are found on its Facebook page or at candlelightinnrestaurant.com/ lakecarroll. Call 815-493-2810 for carryout orders or for more information. Go to the website to learn more about the Candlelight Group of bars and restaurants.
he best backyard memories rarely announce themselves in the moment. They unfold over the hum of a pump, the ripple of water under the summer sun, or the easy rhythm of conversation that stretches long past dusk.
An afternoon pool party with friends and family. Soaking in the silence on a summer night as you unwind in a hot tub — the splashes, the laughs, and those quiet evenings are moments families yearn to return to every year as Mother Nature sheds her winter coat and warmer weather returns.
For those who decide to pool their resources and buy a backyard oasis, the purchase begins with a plan, and the owners of a Freeport business are happy to help put that plan together. Maybe it’s the perfect party destination, maybe it’s just a spot for some R&R, or maybe it’s a place where the water’s warm embrace soothes sore joints ... whatever the plan, Greg and Cindy Nausner can help — and they won’t just dive in without looking at all the options to find the best fit first.
The Nausners own Swing ‘n Splash in Freeport, where they sell above-ground and in-ground pools, hot tubs, all-weather swim spas and saunas. The business also carries chemicals, filtration systems, liners, covers and maintenance equipment, giving customers everything needed to install, maintain and enjoy their pool or spa throughout any season.
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Through the years, the couple has seen how the products they sell do more than just transform a backyard, they create a space where memories are made.
The path to business ownership didn’t come from a single decision, but from years of Greg’s familiarity with the work and a longstanding connection to pools that stretched back to his childhood.
“It was a love for hot tubs and pools, really,” Greg said. “I owned a chemical company for most of my life, and we had an in-ground pool since I was a little kid. My dad and I got to work on it, and when I got to be an adult, living in Rockford, I had my own pool and did most of my own work on it. I’ve always said that I wanted to work on pools. I’ve always dealt with suppliers because of my connections, so I decided to put it all together.”
Pools and hot tubs remain at the center of the business, though the way people use them has shifted over time. Where in-ground pools once emphasized depth and diving boards, today’s designs lean more toward open spaces designed for gatherings, conversation and shared time outdoors. Above-ground pools account for the vast majority of sales, while in-ground installations remain a larger investment, one that allows for more customization. Hot tubs, too, vary based on how customers plan to use them, whether for quiet relaxation or hosting a group.
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• TANKS
Greg and Christy own Swing 'n Splash in Freeport, where they sell above-ground and in-ground pools, hot tubs, all-weather swim spas and saunas from leading brands. CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Understanding how people intend to use their space guides conversations across the showroom, where features, size and layout are tailored to fit individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
“With hot tubs, do people want to have parties in their hot tub, so they can have six or eight people in their hot tub, or is it going to be two people most of the time?” Christy said. “Then you can narrow it down and figure out what you want.”
Though the business doesn’t offer pool fill-ups, it does do service and repair, which make up a significant part of the business, from replacing liners and covers to troubleshooting pumps, heaters and other essential components. The shop services most brands, not just those it sells, which often brings in customers who first arrive with a problem and later return for products and upgrades.
“A big thing here is our service,” Greg said. “We service most brands of pools and hot tubs, not just what we sell. The reason we do that is that a lot of those people end up being our customers. You might be buying chemicals here. If your Jacuzzi is done and you’re ready for a new one, I want you to come here. We feel like anyone who is our customer can be our long-term customer.”
Those long-term relationships often begin with routine water testing. Customers bring in samples, sometimes unsure what they’ll find, and leave with a clearer understanding of what their pool or spa needs. According to Greg, testing should be done once a week to get a clear picture of what their quality is — and while it may seem just like a simple step, it can prevent costly consequences.
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“If you maintain it right and keep up with the regimen, then it becomes simple,” Greg said. “When you don’t do that, then it becomes a real hassle, and when things get out of control, there’s a lot of costs. When you don’t follow standard maintenance, that’s when you can get in trouble.”
The business utilizes BioGuard’s water testing analysis, a product Greg considers top-notch.
“We see a lot of people who think they know what they’re doing, but they don’t,” Greg said. “If they just come in and test their water and go by what we tell them, it would be a lot better for them. It’s not just us telling them, it’s the technology. BioGuard is constantly refining their water care, so when we provide a report, it has everything. If this is followed, you won’t have a problem.”
Education is another part of purchases at Swing ’n
Splash. When the Nausners seal a deal with a customer, they don’t just thank them and send them on their way, they send them out the door with what they need to know about the product they’ve paid for. They also offer an annual Pool School in the summer for customers who want to learn more about proper procedures.
Alongside traditional pools and hot tubs, swim spas are carving out a growing niche in the market. They function as all-season pools, which combine exercise and relaxation in a single unit. Heated like a hot tub but designed with a current for swimming in place, they offer year-round use and a range of configurations depending on customer priorities. They are available above ground or in-ground, but Greg has seen customers enjoy the portable aspect of the ones above ground.
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rates as
as 2.99% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for 36 months. Examples of monthly payments required over a 36-month term at a 2.99% APR rate: $29.08 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $3,000 down, no rebate, an APR of 2.99% for 36 months at an MSRP of $30,000 is $785.07/mo. Total cost of borrowing $1,262.65 with a total repayment obligation of $28,262.65. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. Minimum and Maximum Amount Financed may vary. Not all buyers will qualify. Higher rates apply for buyers with lower credit ratings. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply, depending on the participating financial institution(s). BRP is not responsible for any of the financing terms and conditions. This
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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GREG NAUSNER
Pools are like any other product: You have to take care of it to get the most out of it, and Swing ‘n Splash can help. The shop offers supplies — such as chemicals and cleaning solutions — and service, from replacing pool liners and covers to troubleshooting pumps, heaters and other essential components. “A big thing here is our service,” co-owner Greg Nausner said. “We service most brands of pools and hot tubs, not just what we sell.”
“They’re a wonderful thing,” Greg said. “We call them all-season pools. You can swim in them against a current. You can swim in them year-round. It’s like a hot tub, it’s a box that’s heated but you can get an exercise benefit. Most of them have a hot tub built on the back end of it. It’s becoming a very, very popular thing.”
As with any pool or spa, choosing the right model often involves a deep dive with the customer into the options available and how the spa will be used.
“If you’re really interested in an all-season pool, we need to have a conversation and take you through several steps to determine what’s the most important thing to you,” Greg said. “Is the swimming more
important to you? Is the exercise more important to you? Is the hot tub more important to you? Based on those things, we can hone in on which model is more perfect for you, because there are different ones for everybody.”
Newer offerings continue to expand beyond the traditional backyard setup. Saunas have grown in popularity, with both steam models and infrared options drawing interest from homeowners looking for wellness features at home.
Cold plunge immersion pools, kept at low temperatures for short-duration use, have also started to gain traction, often paired with hot tubs or saunas as part of a broader recovery routine.
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308 W. 1st St. • Dixon
308 W. 1st St. • Dixon
Open noon-5pm Thursday-Saturday & during all downtown Dixon events
Open 11:30am - 4:30pm Thursday-Saturday & during all downtown Dixon events
SPLASH
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GREG NAUSNER
“You’re helping people with enjoying their summer,” Christy said. “They’re enjoying their backyard. There are health benefits. Sometimes with a hot tub, there are people who have arthritis, or with whatever conditions they have, you’re helping them with that. Pools are all about enjoyment, family, and getting together outside.”
Swing ‘n Splash opened in 2012 in a neighboring building, later moved across the highway, and most recently relocated to its current space in February. The newer location reflects that change, offering a more inviting space for customers to browse, ask questions and plan their projects.
“[It’s] a nicer retail location,” Greg said. “We’re real excited about it. Over there, it was a big warehouse; this is a retail spot. It’s got a nicer feel. People who have walked in have commented on that already.”
The “swing” in its name comes from having once sold wooden swing sets, but the Nausners have since shifted their focus entirely to pools and spas. They also sell outdoor basketball hoops.
After years of growth, shifting trends and an expanded product line, the focus has remained consistent — not just on what they sell, but on the relationships built along the way and the role they play in customers’ everyday lives.
“We’ve had people come in the store and do water testing, and we hear stories about how we’ve taken care of them,” Greg said. “It makes you feel really good. I like when people come in and we can help them.” n Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
Swing 'n Splash is located at 3523 state Route 23 in Freeport. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, or by appointment; hours and opening days will change in late fall. Find it on Facebook, go to swingnsplash. com, email greg@ swingnsplash.com or call 815-232-2601 for more information.
By the time the first guitar chords drift across the patio and the smell of grilled pork chops settles in town, it doesn’t take long for the rhythm of Memorial Day weekend in Mount Carroll to feel familiar again.
Chairs circle near the stage, bingo cards shuffle between hands, and somewhere in the mix, a dancer or two finds their footing under the glow of string lights.
A feeling of fun and fellowship makes its way throughout the crowd, and organizers keep that vibe moving throughout the four days of festivities known as MooFest, an event that’s carrying on a longtime local tradition that had been on hiatus for the past few years.
MooFest is a free event organized by The Copper Cow bar and grill in Mount Carroll and features live music, games, a 5K race, and cookouts aimed at not only celebrating the community together, but supporting it. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it is — just swap the “Moo” for “May.” More than just a nod to the bar behind it, MooFest’s name was inspired by its predecessor, Mayfest, a similar event last held in 2023.
The event is still in May though, running this year from May 22-25.
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Copper Cow owner Bridget Brown organized the first MooFest in 2024. The Ohio native opened the business in 2022 (which was formerly Henry’s Double K, and originally Shimer College’s Karyn Kupcinet Theater), and it didn’t take her long to realize how celebrated Mayfest was. Inspired to carry on the tradition, she sought her own way to bring back that feeling of camaraderie and community.
“The one thing that I heard when I was out here was that I had to be here for Memorial Day weekend,” Brown said. “You had to be there. That’s their big thing. That’s all everyone talked about, was that Mayfest was the one weekend where everyone comes home and spends time with each other. We are trying to keep that whole community aspect of it, and give everyone a place to go and something to do.”
The event not only provides fun for the weekend, it also serves as a fundraiser for organizations such as the Mount Carroll Fire Department; the local Community Outreach Workers nonprofit, which helps provide trade school opportunities to students; and the Mount Carroll Lions Club, which helps maintain the town’s parks and supports vision and hearing initiatives. The Copper Cow also supports the Club through its Queen of Hearts raffle.
“With all of these nonprofits, we try to make sure they’re getting some sort of money from it,” Brown said. “They do a lot for the community.”
MooFest got off to a good start and has been getting better since, Brown said.
“The first year, we knew it would be big, but just didn’t know how big,” Brown said. “We underestimated it. The second year we were a lot more prepared. We knew what to expect, and we knew it was going to be crazy.”
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Bridget Brown (left), owner of The Copper Cow in Mount Carroll, and manager Michael Pierce are organizing this year’s MooFest in Mount Carroll. Brown organized the first MooFest in 2024, picking up where its predecessor, Mayfest, left off in 2023. “Mayfest was the one weekend where everyone comes home and spends time with each other,” she said. “We are trying to keep that whole
of it.”
Saturday’s MooFest lineup kicks off with the We Remember 5K run and fun walk at 9 a.m. (pre-race packet pickups are from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday).
This year’s fun begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 22, with 10 rounds of Mystery Prize Bingo and the day concludes with live music on the patio by The Ryan and Jo Trio from 8 to 11 p.m. The mystery behind the Bingo game is solved when winners draw a number from a bag for numbered prizes. The game is a familiar favorite of Copper Cow regulars who play it there on Thursdays, Brown said.
“We usually do Mystery Bingo inside and it fills up,” she said. “Hopefully it’ll be nice that day to where we can do it outside or upstairs.”
Saturday kicks off with the We Remember 5K run and fun walk at 9 a.m. (pre-race packet pickups are from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday). The race is operated jointly by the Mount Carroll Church of God and The Copper Cow, which are across the street from each other. The Mount Carroll Fire Department will sell pork chops, hot dogs and brats in the bar’s parking lot from 11 a.m. until the food runs out. MOOFEST cont’d from page 38
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Local Drinks & Dining
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRIDGET BROWN
Also on Saturday’s lineup: A dart tournament at 3 p.m., hosted by Community Outreach Workers. Live music takes up nine hours of the afternoon and evening, starting with an open mic from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by Eli Traum from 3 to 6 p.m., Absence of the Deity from 6 to 7 p.m., and Adro and The Funk from 8 to 11 p.m.
“It’s a nice, fun atmosphere,” Brown said. “We have lights, and a lot of times the bands will, too. It’s a lot of fun and a really good atmosphere.”
The fire department’s cookout is back Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. until it is sold out. The day’s events continue with a bags tournament at 2 p.m. and a bake sale and silent auction at the same time. Community Outreach Workers host the bags tournament and proceeds from the bake sale and silent auction will benefit the organization. The open mic returns from 2 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a comedy show by Darren Mangler from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.. The Just for Fun Band concludes the night with more music from 7 to 10 p.m.
Memorial Day on Monday features a euchre tournament at 2 p.m., hosted by the Mount Carroll Lions Club.
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A trip down moomery lane Looking back
The Mount Carroll Fire Department’s cookout is a big draw during MooFest. LEFT: While people are out and about, they’re also welcome to stop by other events in Mount Carroll during Memorial Day weekend.
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“We really want to highlight all of Mount Carroll, not just us,” said Copper Cown owner Bridget Brown. “The whole purpose is to bring everyone together and support the whole town.”
Drawings for a 50-50 raffle will take place throughout the days Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Bingo, the bake sale and silent auction are new to this year’s lineup — but Trivia Night, part of last year’s schedule, won’t be back this time around. Registration for the darts, bags and euchre activities begin an hour before each event starts.
“Our turnout was pretty good,” Brown said. “Our dart tournament was huge last year. I think this year both [darts and bags] will have a great turnout. Community Outreach has been really good about getting the word out in the area.”
Making sure the fire department hits its fundraising goals is important to Brown. To help the with its food sales, the restaurant is limiting its own menu until 6 p.m., so as not to compete with the fire department.
“They have a big trailer out front and cook out with a grill,” Brown said. “They usually sell out. Last year, they advertised that they were going to go until 6 p.m., but they sold out at about 4.”
While people are out and about, they’re also welcome to stop by other events going on in Mount Carroll during Memorial Day weekend.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRIDGET BROWN
The Mount Carroll Farmers Market — which runs until October — opens of the season and will run 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday along Market Street downtown; and the Mayfest Car Show (the lone event continuing to be held under a “Mayfest” name) rolls into downtown from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday (registration is from 9 a.m. to noon that day).
While the farmers market and car show are not considered MooFest events, Brown includes them in its advertised lineup to promote them and to give MooFest visitors additional activities to enjoy while in town.
“The whole purpose of this is to involve the whole community, and let the community benefit from it,” Brown said. “It gives people a purpose to know Mount Carroll and to come out here. We really want to highlight all of Mount Carroll, not just us. The whole purpose is to bring everyone together and support the whole town. That’s why we include everything on it. We want people to come here and enjoy it, and let them know there’s more going on that you should come to.”
This year’s MooFest will be Copper Cow manager Michael Pierce’s first. He moved to the area this past fall, and has taken note of how well Brown and her staff have promoted not just its event, but also making sure the other events of the weekend in town are well attended, he said.
Live music is a big part of MooFest, on tap three of the four days, including open mic times and live bands. “It’s a nice, fun atmosphere,” Brown said.
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A trip down moomery lane
Looking back
Find Mount Carroll MooFest on Facebook to learn more about this year's event, which is from May 22-25 at The Copper Cow, 834 S. Jackson St. Find The Cooper Cow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok; go to coppercowbar.com or call 815-244-0196 for event reservations or for more information.
“We’ll have a lot of people come in from all over the area,” Pierce said. “Our Facebook posts are reaching people who might not know where Mount Carroll is. They can come in on Memorial Day weekend and see all kinds of stuff going on and what a strong town it is.”
Pierce said all ages can enjoy MooFest, from 1 to 100 — or almost 100.
“Jim’s going to be 94,” Pierce said of one of The Copper Cow’s favorite customers. “If he’s going to make it to MooFest, he’s going to have a blast. When we have live music, he’s outside dancing with his walker, singing karaoke and stuff. Those are memories, and we get to see the joy that it can give to people. That stuff matters. There are a lot of older people in the community, and having something fun for them to do — even if it’s just a weekend — that’s great.”
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Beyond the music and games, MooFest organizers say the event has grown into something more than just a weekend of entertainment; it’s a chance to reconnect, give back and keep a cherished hometown tradition alive, all while drawing new faces into the fold.
The Copper Cow was featured in the September 2023 Lake Lifestyle. Go to issuu. com/shawmedia/docs/ svm_ll_090623/4 to read all about it.
“Besides it being a lot of fun for all ages, it supports the community and brings people to the area,” Brown said. “Even if you’re coming just to play in the euchre tournament or dart tournament, and doing something you enjoy with doing that, you’re supporting one of our local nonprofits that do a lot of good for the area.” n
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
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