The Lake Carroll resident wants to make it a big part of other people’s lives as well.
Hecker’s experience as a mara thon runner — staying active through competitive races, regular training and personal fitness challenges — have given her the know-how to design effective workouts for people of all fitness levels, so when she heard about a job opening at the nearby Davis Community Center in Mount Carroll a couple of years ago, Hecker decided to put her talents to use. She took on teaching fitness classes, helping the center in its mission to promote healthier living — and when she got there, she hit the ground running.
Hecker’s most recent course is a Cardio Fit class, which lasts 45 minutes on Wednesday evenings and select Saturdays. It gets participants’ hearts pumping by combining stationary walking at different speeds with bursts of body-toning movements for a full-body burn. No sitting down here – it’s an active and upbeat class that keeps people on their feet the whole time. Hecker leads people in her routine, against the backdrop of a wall of mirrors, with ’70s and ’80s pop and rock music help ing everyone get into a rhythm.
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Hecker’s hope, and goal, is that participants leave feeling stronger and more energized.
HECKER cont’d to page 6
Lake Carroll’s Mari Jo Hecker has participated in 57 mara thons in nearly 45 years, including 20 Chicago Marathons five Boston Marathons and races in 27 states — and when she’s not running, she’s helping others leader a healthier lifestyle, teaching fitness classes at the Davis Community Center in Mount Carroll, including a Cardio Fit program she started in January.
“I’m really into health and fitness,” she said. “I’ve been a runner since I was 16, and have been in marathons and other races, so I’m really interested in fitness. It’s more than just a job. I don’t necessarily need more income, but it’s something for me to do and to be interested in.”
Hecker, 61, also works as a part-time nurse for the West Carroll School District at its Mount Carroll and Savanna schools. As the Davis Center was being built in 2023, she eagerly awaited the day it would open as she arrived and left the Mount Carroll campus, looking forward to sharing her love of fitness with a whole new group of people.
She’s been with the center since it opened in January 2024, where she’s been meeting new people and making new fiends, and helping them develop a healthier mindset.
“There aren’t a lot of health clubs or health facilities and fitness workout places in the area, and I thought, this is great,” Hecker said. “I have my own workout and equipment, but sometimes it’s just nice to have another place to go. I only work part time at the school and didn’t really know a whole lot of people, so it was a good way to meet new people.”
Hecker has lived at Lake Carroll for four years, having moved from Elmhurst — a suburb known for its running programs and successful high school cross country programs. She lived there for around 30 years, and one of her favorite shirts from her running club days there is one that reads “Elmhurst is for runners,” she said.
It didn’t take long for Hecker to fall in love with running: as a 17-year-old, she participated in her first Chicago Marathon, back when there were only about 4,000 finishers, a far cry from the 52,150 who completed the event in 2024. She’ll be back in Chicago for the event on Oct. 12, her 21st.
Hecker’s running resumé includes 57 full marathons, including five Boston Marathons, 10 ultra marathons (double the usual marathon length of 13.1 miles) and even a pair of 50-mile races. She once had a goal to participate in a 100-mile event, but doesn’t think she’ll get there, she said, but she’s hoping she can still get in one more 50-miler.
One of her most recent running events was at the Quad-City Times Bix 7 in Davenport, Iowa, on July 26, which saw her tackle 7 miles of the city’s sloped topography and a trek up and down the large Brady Street hill, which is an 8 percent grade at 160 feet. She’s competed in states beyond just Illinois and Iowa — 27 and counting. She said her goal like many marathon runners, is running in one in all 50 states.
The drive to set and achieve ambitious goals is what keeps Hecker going.
“You have to like it, because if you don’t, it can get pretty miserable, especially in the summer,” Hecker said. “I know a lot of marathoners who are real goal-driven people, and I consider myself that, too. I like setting goals and working toward it.”
One of the first courses Hecker of-
COUNTY HAS SEEN A 54.7% DECREASE IN UNDERAGE DRINKING SINCE WE STARTED WORKING WITH THE SCHOOLS IN 2006!
Mari Jo Hecker chats with Davis Community Center executive director Nancy Bandemer after a Cardio Fit class in Mount Carroll.
CODYCUTTER/CCUTTER@SH
fered at the Davis Center was a “couch-to-5K” program, which helped beginning runners get in shape to compete at the 5K at Old Settler’s Days in Lanark this past October. “We’re trying to get people who are interested in running or walking in a 5K, or who are new to it and need some guidance,” Hecker said. “We were recruiting people to do that and training them.” She also organized a walking group last fall that sent participants throughout Mount Carroll and its hilly terrain.
The Cardio Fit class began in January and has around 20 participants. It started out as a mixture of walking and routine exercise, and she’s recently incorporated more step-and-strength cardio. Many participants are seniors, but the class is open to people of all ages.
HECKER cont’d to page 10
• Increase Youth/Adult Protective Factors which helps youth and adults make better choices for their health and safety across Carroll County.
• Decrease local RISK Factors that influence youth and adults to use substances.
We can continue to try to put out the fires of addiction-or We can Work together to prevent addiction by changing our community and protecting our youth!
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Water Damage & Mold
Leaks lead to rot, mildew, health risks, and costly interior repairs.
Higher Energy Bills
Poor insulation & ventilation let heat & AC escape, raising costs.
Structural & Safety Risks
Weak spots invite pests, cause collapses, and even fire hazards.
Decreased Home Value
A damaged roof scares buyers and tanks property
Mari Jo Hecker competes in a recent Chicago Marathon, a race that she’ll return to on Oct. 12 for the 21st time.
“I’m thinking of different ways to get people to get their heart rate up and to use their core exercises. Most of my participants are in their 50s and on up, and when they get older, it’s important to work on balance exercises, myself included.”
Sadly, most people don’t realize the importance of balancing exercises until they fall, she said.
“I motivate them to keep in shape by doing different things,” she said. “They all know how I act because I run races, and they think that’s pretty cool that at my age I’m still able to go run races and do fairly well.”
Not all of Hecker’s class members are new to running. One of them, Gabriel Castro, 71, of Savanna, has also run the Chicago Marathon and Bix 7. He coaches track at West Carroll Middle School in Mount Carroll and often comes to Hecker’s course with his wife Peg, where they both enjoy having Hecker help them keep in shape at an age when most people are thinking about retirement and not running.
“If she wasn’t that good, I wouldn’t have come,” Castro said. “I like doing the cardio and the stretching. I enjoy doing big weight lifting with my son, so I get a lot out of this.” HECKER cont’d from page 7
HECKER cont’d to page 11
The Davis Center opened with a mission of creating healthier lifestyles and stronger community bonds, and whether it’s through fitness classes, open gyms or just a casual walk around the track with friends, the facility is accomplishing that mission, helping people both physically and socially, giving them a place to go for a workout or connect with other community members.
The center also has other ongoing fitness programs taught by area instructors, such as yoga, chair yoga, introduction to weights and fitness, Silver Sneakers courses geared toward seniors and Total Body Fitness allaround courses (go to daviscommunitycenter.org and click on “See all events” for times).
It’s a good way to get healthier and make new friends, just like Hecker has.
“Whether you’re new to fitness or have been working out for years, there’s something here for everybody,” Hecker said. “It’s a great facility, and for kids, too. We just want to get the word out. There’s a lot of people from Lake Carroll who know about us, but I’m sure that there are people who don’t.” n
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
The William J. Davis Community Center, 631 South East St. in Mount Carroll, is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Its Cardio Fit Class, taught by Mari Jo Hecker, is from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday and 8 to 8:45 a.m. on select Saturdays. Find “Davis Community Center” on Facebook, go to mtcarrollil.org/daviscommunitycenter or call 815-244-5524 for an up-to-date program and events schedule, or for more information.
The Davis Community Center was featured in the April Lake Lifestyle. Read it at https://tinyurl.com/ mry6cebm
ow can families find a place to go where there’s something fun for everyone?
Easy. They just count to four.
One, two, three, four: Bowling, golf, arcade games, food and drink — and when you add them all up they make for a day of fun in Freeport, where a family’s quartet of businesses offer something for all ages — and all under one roof.
The Johnson family keeps a lot of balls in the air, and in the lanes, at 4 Seasons Bowling Center, Eilert’s Cocktails and Tee Box, 11th Frame Arcade, and Jumpin’ Joes Sports Pub and Grill — and though they’re the family behind the
family behind the family businesses, that doesn’t mean the Johnsons aren’t front and center, too. At least one of them is on site each day, tending to the businesses, whether it’s Jeff, his wife Diane, who bartends at Eilert’s; son Jared, general manager of bowling; and son Evan, who runs the alley’s pro shop. Jeff’s brother Todd and father Carlton also help out.
Variety is a big draw in getting people through the doors and keeping them coming back for more, Jared said. The mix of attractions offers something for everyone.
“Most people, when they find out there’s an arcade here, they can spend at least three or four hours here, with bowling and the arcade, or if they choose to go to the bar,” said Jared. “They can also eat, shoot pool, gamble and golf, and that can be even more time here.”
By Cody Cutter Sauk Valley Media
The 40-lane bowling alley is the largest in northwest Illinois outside of Rockford, and takes up the most space and draws the most traffic. It not only has open bowling, but also hosts major state events for the United States Bowling Congress, attracting skilled bowlers and pros from across the nation.
There’s also a pro shop on site, The Lab, that sells bowling balls and accessories, as well as offering maintenance and services for bowling balls — drilling, plugging, resurfacing, polishing and detoxing.
FUN cont’d to page 14
With dad’s pro bowling background — he bowls in leagues across the nation — and Jared growing up with the sport, fostering an appreciation and love for both bowling and good times has been a passion for the family.
“As a bowling person my whole life, I always think the competitive nature of it is the best aspect of it,” Jared said. “I love the fact that you can bowl your whole life and have friends who can bowl their whole lives. Even if you’re just with family, everyone’s competing and getting along. Bowling together is always fun. You’ll see little kids beating their dads at bowling. It’s just cool.”
Leagues for men, women, children and seniors, as well as co-op leagues, keep the bowling alley bustling most days. The Lake Carroll Women’s Club now calls the alley its bowling home, having moved its league there a couple of years ago from the Mount Carroll Bowling Center, just before that facility closed.
Special bowling-themed events such as Friday night’s Rock ‘N Bowl — a flat fee plus
shoe rental offers three hours of unlimited bowling amid colorful lights and music — and Pizza Bowl on the weekend — with unlimited bowling and pizza — provides fun for people of all skill levels. For the budding young bowlers in the family, gutter bumpers and dinosaur-themed bowling ramps help them enjoy the fun of the game without the disappointment of not racking up any points.
Having a family-run alley has helped the Johnsons weather the changes and challenges in bowling and remain more competitive. Many alleys, especially in the central and southern parts of Illinois are being bought by large corporations, which has led to more exposure for 4 Seasons in the state bowling scene: As corporations charge the USBC higher prices to hold tournaments at their alleys, organizers have sought out family-owned alleys, which have been able to hold down costs, to host tournaments. 4 Seasons hosted the Illinois State adult open tournament last year, and soon will host the adult women’s state tournament in either of the next two years, Jared said.
“In this environment, we get to talk to the people all of the time, and the people all know us,” Jared said. “My whole family works here. It all works out because we’re all one family, and the people we bring in as staff fit that mesh as well. Our customers are coming to have a good time. They’re in a good mood, and that helps the whole staff.”
The two bars each bring their own vibe to the operation, similar in some ways, but still distinctly their own.
Jumpin’ Joes, next to the bowling alley, is a sports bar that serves both food and drink, and has a pool table, four dart boards and six gambling machines.
FUN cont’d to page 16
:CODYCUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
If you’re not a sports bar kind of person, Eilert’s might be more your speed. Accessible through a separate entrance outside the building, it also serves food and drink, but has more of a laid back lounge feel to it.
“Jumpin’ Joes is a sports bar and Eilert’s has more of a calmer vibe and is quieter for gamers,” Johnson said. “[At Eilert’s] we have
Jared Johnson oversees bowling operations at 4 Seasons Bowling Center, one of four businesses his parents own.
4 Seasons Bowling
The bowling alley features 40 synthetic surfaced lanes with automatic scoring; bumpers and ramps are also available for young bowlers who need a little help.
golfing simulators, so other than balls being hit, it’s more of a quieter bar and laid back. We try to stay away from it being a classy, upscale bar; everything’s the same price as the other, it’s just a different environment.”
Eilert’s two golf simulators let golfers play at different courses around the world, and they also host winter leagues, which run 12 weeks and are available with tee times as early as 7 a.m. on weekdays. About a quarter of league members also are regulars at the bowling alley.
Elsewhere in Eilert’s: two dart boards and six gambling machines — which makes for 12 total gambling machines between it and Jumpin’ Joes, as the two businesses have separate liquor licenses. Eilert’s also hosts karaoke nights and comedy performances every second Saturday from fall to spring.
11th Frame Arcade is the newest addition to the building, and is one of northwest Illinois’ largest arcades, with 30 games in one room. Like a growing number of arcades in recent years, the arcade operates using a card scan system and redemption format. The system also allows the Johnsons to easily crunch the numbers so they can see what games are played the most. The Connect Four basketball shooting game, for example, gets a lot of activity during birthday parties, Jared said.
“There’s not many arcades anymore,” Jared said. “Ours fills the whole room. We update it regularly and keep up-to-date on all of the stats, which is the nice thing about card scans: We can see what’s being played.”
A few arcade games are scattered throughout the complex. A couple of crane games are at the bowling alley, Jumpin’ Joes has Golden Tee Golf and a pinball machine, and Eilert’s has tabletop shuffleboard and a console with multiple old-style arcade games.
Whether it’s the friendly competition of bowling, the quiet focus of a golf simulator round, the flashing lights of an arcade victory, or the buzz of a sports bar during the big game, the Johnsons have built a place where every member of the family can have fun.
“It’s always nice to see families hanging out and smiling,” Johnson said. “You can never go wrong when you see that.” n
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
The Johnson family’s businesses are located at 1100 W. Galena Ave. in Freeport. Find 4 Seasons, Jumpin’ Joes and Eilert’s on Facebook, go to bowlfreeport.com or call 815-235-6145 for more information, as well as for updated hours for the bowling center’s pro shop.
HOURS
4 Seasons and 11th Frame — noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. Jumpin’ Joes — 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.
Eilert’s 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Kaden Brown, 17, is one of the youngest players to earn the top title in the annual Lake Carroll Club Championship, scoring back-to-back scores of 73 in July. “I’ve been working toward winning this for the past couple of years,” he said.
CODY CUTTER/ CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
By Cody Cutter Sauk Valley Media
ake Carroll’s annual Club Championship has seen winners of all ages, from senior citizens to seniors-to-be.
Falling in that latter category is Kaden Brown, who joined the list of club champions at Lake Carroll Golf Course this summer, shortly after leaving his junior year of high school behind.
Brown may only be 17 years old, but when it comes to knowing the lay of the links at Lake Carroll, the Forreston High School student is like a seasoned veteran. That thorough understanding of Lake Carroll’s 18 holes helped him win the Club Championship on July 12-13 with identical scores of 73, finishing six strokes ahead of 2023 champion Andy Anderson after an opening day that saw less than ideal conditions on the course, due to the previous day’s rain.
Brown finished the first day with a score
leading by three strokes over Andrew Maul, and a second-day winning score just one stroke better than Anderson’s 74.
As a young player on his way up, it was only a matter of time before Brown became champ, but that time came pretty quickly when he earned the title this year after finishing third in last year’s Club Championship, behind Anderson and multi-time winner Doug Wagner. He’s one of the youngest club champions in the event’s history, and it’s an accolade he intends to be just one of many. He wants to crack the top 10 in the Class 1A Illinois High School Association state meet this October.
Brown will enter his fourth season playing for the Forreston Cardinals golf squad, which plays its home meets at Sunset Golf Club in Mount Morris. He finished second at the NUIC conference meet at Lake Carroll last Sept. 26, after finishing third a year before, with a round of 75, before notching an entry in his school’s record books as its first state qualifier, shooting a 79 at a regional meet at Galena Golf Course in Galena, and a 78 at a sectional meet Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club in Rockford. Brown finished 17th among 1A golfers at the state meet at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, shooting a 73 and 80.
Brown’s family owns property in Lake Carroll, which has given him the opportunity to play there as much as he can. He enjoys playing at Lake Carroll with his grandpa, Ken Clayton, and in late July shot his best round yet at the course, a 69, while playing with Clayton and his friends.
Lake Lifestyle talked with Kaden about his championship win and love of golf. Turn the page to see what he had to say ...
Q: Going into the Club Championship, what were you hoping to accomplish?
A: I was just hoping to put up a good round and at least play my average, or better. I came into it feeling good. I did about a stroke better than my average both days. It was pretty good.
Q: The course was a little wet for the first day after a recent rain, so what was your mindset going into it noting that?
A: There were some adjustments that I had to make, but we had lift, clean and place (cleaning the ball where it lands and placing it within one club length), and it worked out real well. I was happy.
Q: And still turning in a 73 with all of that?
A: It just makes me feel better that I played good in those conditions. It made me feel good about myself.
Q: Turning around the next day with the course a little better, what were you hoping to do for that second round, and how did it go?
A: I was happy. I played good the second day as well with better conditions, and I got to play with people who were fun to play with, too, so that really helps; and they were people I knew. BROWN cont’d to page 23 CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
CARD SCORE
Club Championship, at Lake Carroll Golf Course, par 72
Results, Top 3
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Kaden Brown 73-73–146
Andy Anderson 78-74–152
Andrew Maul 76-85–161
A FLIGHT
Andy Thompson 78-88–166*
Mike Lindsey 85-81–166
Mark Miceli 84-84–168**
Don Robinson 85-83–168**
B FLIGHT
Joe Payette 86-96–182
Marty Chinderle 93-94–187
Brian Peterson 94-95–189
C FLIGHT
James Weese 96-93–189
Reid Paxson 97-96–193
Jeremy Allen 98-97–195
*Won playoff
**No playoff contested, third-place shared
Q: What was it like playing with the others in your foursome: Josh Heinrich, Andy Anderson and Andrew Maul?
A: It was fun. I’ve known Josh [the 2020 champion] for a while, and it’s always fun to play with him. Andy, I didn’t know him as well, but I know his brother [Brayden], and we talked about that and we talked a little about college golf. It was a fun time, and Andrew was fun to play with as well.
Q: How does it feel to be this year’s club champion?
A: I felt happy and accomplished. I’ve been working toward winning this for the past couple of years. It just feels good to know that the practice paid off for it. I tried to practice here as much as I could. I love this course.
Q: How busy is your summer golf schedule typically?
A: Usually, by the start of summer, it will be until about August where I’ll be in tournaments, hopefully either one or two a week. It always varies, but this summer has been about one a week and maybe two once in a while. It’s a good time.
Q: What do you like and enjoy about the course here at Lake Carroll?
A: The community. Everyone here is just nice and I’ve always had a good time with them. [Course professional] Jason [Hill] has always been a real big help, same with Mike Allspaugh when he was here, he’s been a big help. It’s always a good time. The course is beautiful and is always in good condition, a fun course all around.
BROWN cont’d to page 24
Kaden likes to play Lake Carroll’s course every chance he gets. “The course is beautiful and is always in good condition, a fun course all around.”
CODY CUTTER/ CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
FOLLOW HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
Kaden Brown and other high school golfers are gearing up for the 2025 high school golf season, which began in midAugust and runs into the state finals in mid-October. Lake Carroll golf professional Jason Hill coaches the boys and girls teams for Eastland High School. Go to ihsa.org/sports/ boys-golf and ihsa.org/sports/ girls-golf for more information on high school golf.
BROWN cont’d from page 22
CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Kaden Brown putts at the Salley Wessels high school Golf Invitational in Mount Morris on Sept. 21, 2024. Brown finished 17th at the Illinois High School Association Class 1A state golf meet on Oct. 19.
EARLEEN HINTON/ EHINTON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
BROWN cont’d from page 23
Q: Do you have a favorite hole and a leastfavorite hole?
A: My least-favorite hole has probably got to be No. 14. You get to 14 and from the blue tee box, you have to butter up a shot. With a mid-iron to about a seven-iron, I can butter it up and be about 180 out, and it can be tough for me to get going on that par 4. It’s my most bogeyed hole. My favorite hole is probably No. 2. With the drive, I can hit it far enough to get it over the trees on the right, it’ll be between 175 and 150, and it makes the hole a lot easier.
Q: The Club Championship involves people of all ages, from seniors to high-schoolers, so what is it like competing against some of the older guys?
A: I’m kind of used to it because I’ve played with a lot of them and know them. It’s fun to play with them because they have a whole standpoint toward the game. They look at it way different than I do. I’ll see a tree, and I’ll say, “I can hit over that.” They’ll see it and maybe punt on it. It’s like playing with anyone else: Some people hit it farther, some like it shorter, and some are smarter with it.
BROWN cont’d to page 25
Q: What is your earliest golf memory?
A: The first time I went out golfing was here. I remember the old No. 11, where it was my first golf shot ever.
Q: Do you pick up something new to learn with each course you play on?
A: If I know I have a tournament somewhere, I try to play there beforehand so I know what clubs to use. I try to be more smart for my tee shots. [At Lake Carroll] I don’t have to worry as much, because I know where I’m going to hit. At any other course, doing it the first time is kind of tough.
Q: Do you have a favorite course besides Lake Carroll, and your high school home course at Sunset?
A: I like to play PrairieView in Byron. Me and my grandpa, we go down to Arizona, and my favorite course out there is Cottonwood Country Club [in Sun Lakes], which is beautiful.
Q: Do you have any college aspirations for golf?
A: After this year, depending on how I do at state, I hope to see some scholarship stuff come in. I’ve talked about going to one of the junior colleges around here. I’d love to go to a four-year college to start off, but if I don’t go that route I’ll go two years at a junior college and then transfer somewhere bigger.
Q: How excited are you to play in your senior year?
A: I’m really excited. I just love the game and like playing it. It’s going to take a lot of practice and building a lot of courage to keep getting better. n
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
Know a current high school athlete who lives at Lake Carroll, full- or part-time, who’d make a good topic for Lake Lifestyle’s Q&A feature? Let us know. Contact Cody Cutter at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia. com.
By
ometimes in life, we can’t see the forest for the trees. We forget about the rest of the world when it’s drowned out by the din of distraction and daily demands. Sometimes we need a breath of fresh air — a place where we can see the forest and the trees.
A place like northern Illinois. When the hustle and bustle of life becomes a bit too much and you feel like hitting the pause button, Winnebago County has the pause that refreshes and rejuvenates the spirit, with dozens of unique destinations you can escape to in the county’s 40-plus forest preserves, places where you can unplug and unwind. This impressive system of preserves encompasses 11,645 acres — each with stories to share and each a feast for the senses: the smell of fresh air, the sight of the sun dancing on dew drops, the gentle sound of a stream drifting through the trees, and a taste of the way life used to be, before settlers laid claim to the land and brought progress to The Prairie State. It’s no coincidence that the county’s largest town is known as “The Forest City.” Rockford’s growth through the 20th century — today it’s the fifth largest city by population in Illinois — helped inspire the preservation of the natural areas in and around it. The sites are managed by Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, which serves as the stewards of the area’s natural heritage, while providing recreational and educational activities that provide peace of mind in an often noisy world. Whether visitors come seeking solitude, adventure, exercise, or a deeper connection to the land, they can find a place within the preserves that speaks to their interests and passions. Winnebago County has four rivers flowing through it: the Sugar , which empties into the Pecatonica in the northwest part of the county; its largest, the Rock , which collects the Pecatonica near Rockton; and the Kishwaukee , which flows into the Rock southwest of Rockford and splits into two branches in the southeast portion of the county.
PRESERVES cont’d to page 28
Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve on the south side of Rockford is one of 44 preserves maintained by the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. The preserve features diverse woodlands, prairie openings and rugged ravines, with a restored prairie, large oak tree forest and steep-sided gorges along the Kishwaukee River.
Cody Cutter
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SARAH LORENZ
Nature thrives where waters wind; just ask Sarah Lorenz, communications director for the preserves, who enjoys paddling along the Rock River between preserves north of Rockford when she’s not working, enjoying the sights around and above her, from the gentle sway of the trees to the gentle breeze that carries raptors and eagles through the skies.
“Our sites are very diverse,” Lorenz said. “There are a lot of different ecosystems and habitats, and from that perspective, they’re very diverse. The recreational opportunities also are very diverse. You can spend a weekend camping, playing on the golf courses, and we have lots of canoe launches off of the Sugar, Kish and Rock rivers. That’s what makes us unique, is what people can do at our sites.”
That variety isn’t just in what visitors can do, it’s also in what they can see. The preserves protect landscapes shaped by ancient forces, where rivers, forests and prairies meet. Each trail or waterway offers
glimpses into the region’s deep natural history, said Vaughn Stamm, director of operations for the preserves.
“As you get into northern Illinois, and especially northwest Illinois, you have some evidence of the glacier period and very robust upland forested areas with hardwoods such as oaks and hickories that are very plentiful,” Stamm said. “But also, there was a big portion of this area that was prairie, so we have the best of both worlds here. We have a lot of limestone formations in the area and along the Rock River. People don’t realize that until they go back and hike some of the trails and start to see some of these rock formations that they didn’t know were here.”
Much of Rockford’s growth during the late 1800s revolved around manufacturing, eventually becoming the second-largest city in Illinois (a distinction it held until the 1990s). As Rockford’s reach grew and more subdivisions popped up on its outskirts, a desire to preserve natural areas was born. The forest preserve district was organized in 1922, and opened its first park, Hononegah Forest Preserve in Rockton, two years later, named for a Native American woman who lived in the area during the early 1800s and was married to Stephen Mack, the first white settler in the Rockton area.
“I think, early on, the people of this county decided that they wanted to place an importance on setting aside areas to protect some of the forested areas, especially around the city of Rockford, because they were starting to see, even then, urban sprawl,” Stamm said. “They were concerned and wanted to preserve some areas.”
PRESERVES cont’d to page 30
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EXPERIENCE
In the 1970s, Rockford’s growth spread into towns to the north of it, creating a more suburban area between it and Beloit, Wisconsin, putting even more emphasis on the establishment of preserves. It also made long-established places such as Hononegah more of a getaway. “It continues to provide kind of a safe haven for residents there, and they can go and kind of get away in nature right in their own back yard,” Stamm said. The district once was part of the auspices of the county government until a referendum in 2010 established it as a separate entity. Today, it’s a taxing body, with revenue going to support its goals.
PHOTOS: CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM
While preservation is one mission of the district, restoration is also one of its goals, with projects that have become public sites, such as the 1,048-acre Pecatonica Wetlands, along the Pecatonica River north of the namesake town. It was fully restored in the early 2000s after decades as farmland. Both the Pecatonica and Sugar rivers are on low floodplains, which have resulted in several current and former oxbow paths and thriving shade space.
The newest preserve is Funderburg, southwest of Rockford, established in 2020 on the site of a former farm. Work is on ongoing there to reseed 40 acres with diverse woodland species, including around 40 native plants. Another current project is the clearing of invasive species at Kishwaukee Gorge North, where 110 trees were planted during Arbor Day on April 25.
Sites such as Kishwaukee Gorge offer a contrast to the suburban life of Rockford’s southern subdivisions, Stamm said. The 128-acre park has diverse woodlands, prairie openings and rugged ravines, with a restored prairie, large oak tree forest and steep-sided gorges along the Kishwaukee River.
“If you went to the entrance of it, it’s off of a busy two-lane road with homes in the area and a busy interstate right there, but as you go in the back and hike on the trailheads there, then all of a sudden it starts to open up and you see oak savanna areas,” Stamm said. “You can still kind of hear the cars a little bit, but when you keep going down all of a sudden you realize that you’re dropping significantly in elevation and going down these limestone gorges a couple
hundred feet or better to the river. It’s just very unique, and during the spring you’ll see water runoffs that form creeks through the gorges that will be trickling down, you’ll see moss and ferns on the side of the cliffs and be like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that was here.’”
Sites such as Sugar River Alder north of Durand and Kieselburg near Roscoe have sand prairies. “They have really great diversity as far as the plants that thrive there, and with the more plants you have there, the more pollinator species you can get,” Lorenz said. “It’s a very robust area for wildlife viewing.”
Balancing preservation with public access is a constant challenge for the preserves’ staff. Every trail, campsite or recreation area is routinely managed to protect sensitive habitats, with staff promoting a “tread lightly” and “leave no trace” mindset among visitors.
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Agriculture and development also put pressure on the preserves, as farming practices, chemical drift and nearby construction can affect natural areas. Its staff works closely with neighbors while staying alert to land-use changes that could threaten wildlife and landscapes.
“We still have agriculture in the area, and sometimes it infringes on some of our properties,” Stamm said. “Sometimes some of the farming practices aren’t the best for being environmentally friendly, so it’s a concern for us, but we try to work with them. Whether it’s the drift from chemicals used, whether they’re doing no-till or not, it’s a concern that we’re sensitive to,” also adding that “they don’t want to see a backyard, parking lot or the back of a commercial store.”
In recent years, increased staffing and better data collection have improved conservation efforts, including grantfunded projects, the first of which was undertaken in 2017 at Kieselburg; others
have been undertaken at other sites since then. Even routine maintenance, such as mowing trails, is timed and limited in order to safeguard habitats while keeping sites accessible. Around 1,200 trees are planted annually at the preserves. Among current projects are ones focusing on improving wetland habitats for the threatened Blanding’s turtle and enhancing sandy soil areas for ornate box turtles. In the forested areas, efforts to support American kestrels — small falcons that nest in groves of older trees – have seen success, with four nest boxes producing hatches so far this year. Even the smallest members of nature’s family have been a focus, with efforts undertaken to protect butterflies and bees.
The district not only has traditional preserves, but also maintains other nature sites. The Klehm Arboretum in Rockford is a 155-acre living museum and botanical garden, featuring a diverse collection of rare and mature trees, themed gardens, paved and woodland trails, a children’s garden with interactive play areas, and rotating exhibits. The Sand Bluff Bird Observatory in Rockton is a large small-bird banding station, where volunteers conduct hands-on research with species such as migrating warblers, vireos, orioles, sparrows, thrushes and finches. The Macktown Historic Site in Rockton is a preserved 1830s settlement featuring original buildings, including the 1839 Stephen Mack Greek Revival home and the 1846 limestone Whitman Trading Post. Mack, who was Hononegah’s husband, was a fur trader along the Rock River during the 1820s and 1830s. Each of the three sites also hosts special events and educational seminars and classes (go to winnebagoforest.org/events for more information).
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Visitors also can bring the clubs and enjoy a round of golf at Macktown and at Atwood Homestead forest preserves in Rockford; there’s also the Ledges Golf Course in Roscoe, but that’s strictly a golf facility, though its surroundings are maintained like the other preserves. Camping is also a popular pastime at the preserves, with campgrounds at Hononegah, Seward Bluffs and Sugar River booking 2,608 reservations in 2024.
The district’s headquarters, 5500 Northrock Drive in Rockford, has maps, fliers and a checklist of all of the places within the system to visit, and information is available at winnebagoforest.org. The building is surrounded by a park with open fields, prairie patches and a bike trail that follows the nearby Rock River. It’s where the start of a journey can lead from a quiet riverbank to miles of trails, or from a patch of prairie to a forested bluff — each a reminder of the natural beauty that still thrives within the county.
“In Winnebago County, looking at the demographics compared to surrounding counties, we’re a very urban county,” Lorenz said. “I think people really appreciate having those green spaces to go when they are surrounded by urban sprawl everywhere. It feels like you’re not in Winnebago County when you go to some of them.” n
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
Go to winnebagoforest.org or find it on Facebook for more information.
Go to winnebagoforest.org/district-map for a detailed list of all 44 sites in the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. Specific sites within the preserve also are online: klehm.org for the Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Rockford, macktownlivinghistory.org for the Macktown Historic Settlement in Rockton and sandbluff.org for the Sand Bluff Bird Observatory in Rockton. The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County district headquarters (above), is at 5500 Northrock Drive in Rockford.
Danlee Wood Products’ approach to customer service is a team effort, starting with owners Dan and Lee Reif Jr. and practiced by the rest of the staff, including sales and design manager Lindsay Heitz (left) and production manager Rob Polizzi. “We like to stand behind our product and are proud of the fact that we always want to make sure our customers are satisfied,” says Polizzi.
hen it comes to making their customers happy, there’s no leeway at a Forreston business. Build it right and build it to last.
The owners know that when they do that, they’re also building trust, and something else: the kind of relationship with their customers that will last as long as the products they make.
Danlee Wood Products has been invited into homes and businesses for 30 years, since 1995, when father-and-son founders Lee and Dan Reif started the cabinetry shop. During that time, they’ve taken on projects big and small and near and far (including Lake Carroll), from bookcases and bathrooms to banks and chain stores. They’ve even done their duty for Uncle Sam.
The business does custom cabinetry, entertainment units, bookcases, vanities, bars and more. If the customer has something in mind, Danlee can make it one-of-a-kind.
“We like to produce a nice, quality product, both for residential and commercial,” said Danlee’s production manager, Rob Polizzi, who coordinates the woodworkers who build and assemble the custom products. “We like to stand behind our product and are proud of the fact that we always want to make sure our customers are satisfied. We’re prideful on our quality, and if there’s an issue, we will fix it and not be done until the customer is happy.”
Among the team joining Polizzi in making those customers happy is Lindsay Heitz. Polizzi, Danlee’s sales and design manager, who works with customers to plan projects.
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Lake Carroll’s
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Both Heitz and Polizzi each bring different strengths to their respective roles. Polizzi works more with commercial clients, who are looking for products designed more for efficiency and profitability, while Heitz has a college degree in interior design and works more with residential customers, whose focus is more on ergonomics and aesthetics.
“We’re a small business and work with local people,” Heitz said. “We want to make sure that we’re giving quality products and making them happy.”
That quality begins with the materials, with Danlee steering clear of thinner and cheaper options often found in commercially made products. Cabinets for example, have solid wood doors and drawer frames, drawer boxes and face frames. The result: more durable, longer-lasting products (go to danleewoodproducts.com/cabinet-construction for more details).
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“People
of six-inch fillers everywhere — exactly what you want. The price point difference really isn’t that much anymore.”
With custom-designed work, there’s no dealing with prefab products or cookie cutter cabinets that roll off an assembly line and into a big-box store. Danlee’s pieces come together like a puzzle: Everything fits just right, and when all the pieces come together, they’re picture perfect.
“When you order from a production company, you’re ordering what they have — period,” Polizzi said. “When you order from us, we can make it fit any area you want.”
They can also build them to suit each clients’ needs. Ergonomics has become big in recent years, with customers looking for cabinets that can make their time in the kitchen more efficient — and easier on their knees. Why bend down to dig through crowded cabinets to find a pan? Bring the pan to you, with shelves that lift up, large drawers that pull out, and cabinets that roll out. With accessories that make cabinets less of a chore, people’s backs can catch a break.
Landscape Design & Installation
Landscape Design & Installation
Seeding * Sodding
Locally Grown Nursery Stock
Seeding * Sodding
Evergreens * Shade Trees * Perennials
Locally Grown Nursery Stock
Evergreens * Shade Trees * Perennials
Hardscape Installation * Stone Walks
Hardscape Installation * Stone Walks
Retaining Walls * Fireplaces
Retaining Walls * Fireplaces
Sea Walls * Rip Rap
Sea Walls * Rip Rap
Maintenance * Mowing * Tree Removal
Maintenance * Mowing * Tree Removal
Mulch Delivery * Snow Removal
Mulch Delivery * Snow Removal
Licensed Pesticide Applicator
Licensed Pesticide Applicator
When it comes to design, it starts with details. In order to see the big picture, little things can mean a lot.
When Heitz meets with customers, she doesn’t just ask the size of a customer’s kitchen, she’ll ask how big their kitchenwares are. Do they need bigger drawers, smaller drawers or more drawers? What kind of dividers will be the right fit? The more digging for information she does, the less digging for kitchen tools her customers wind up doing.
“When I sit down and consult with people and go through the drawings, that’s what we talk about,” Heitz said. “I’ll tell them this is the cabinet where I see you setting your Tupperware, and this is the cabinet where I see you setting your pots and pans. Do you prefer the trash drawer by the stove, or by the sink? We’re really thinking about where things make the most sense for the individual user.”
“We’re seeing a lot more trends to make things more accessible, where each cabinet serves a specific purpose,” Heitz said. “Being more organized, being more accessible, we get customers who have been cooking for a long time and they’re tired of bending down and getting deep into their cabinet to get something. We have opportunities to help with that.”
A variety of different fronts and finishes are also offered, with samples on display in Danlee’s showroom. Door styles such as shaker and Marie remain popular in recent years, with a light brown Latte finish being a top seller. More customers are wanting bring out the natural characteristics of wood, rather than a painted finish.
“We like to see it better because when you’re staining it, it’s
going into the wood,” Polizzi said. “The pigment is in the wood, not the finish. Then we spray a clear coat over it to protect it, as with paint the pigment’s in the paint. If something happens five, 10 years down the road, if the clear coat starts to have a chip, you’re not going to notice it as much on a stained door; on a painted door, it’s going to pop.”
The Reifs are originally from Byron, and the business began when Dan and his father, Lee, decided to combine their talents, and their names, in a father/ son business partnership. Their skills proved to be a perfect fit for a cabinet shop — Dan bringing his devotion to woodworking to the table and Lee bringing his background in business, with more than two decades as a purchasing manager under his belt. Danlee started with a 3,200 square foot facility and three employees in Forreston, and by 2000, they had expanded the building and their business.
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Lake Carroll’s Perry and Luann Byers enlisted Danlee Wood Products to flesh out the wood motif of their home with a more modern aesthetic that featured clean architectural lines within an open floor plan, with classic textures of tailored millwork and organic finishes. “The result is a sanctuary that feels both fresh and grounded: a merging of sleek modernism with the enduring comfort of tradition," Danlee sales and design manager Lindsay Heitz said. "Every space feels intentional yet effortlessly inviting."
Danlee Wood Products’ showroom, at 207 S. Chestnut Ave. in Forreston, is open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Find “DWP Custom Cabinetry” on Facebook and @danlee_wood_products on Instagram, go to danleewoodproducts.com or call 815938-9016 to arrange projects or for more information.
Dan’s love of woodworking began as a child, when he would make pinewood derby cars with his dad, and he would go on to immerse himself in the trade. During high school, he took 4 years of vocational training in wood shop, where his instructor helped inspire him to turn his passion into a profession. He went on to Olney Central College, earning an Applied Science degree in cabinetry, followed by a return to Byron and nine years working in a cabinet shop in the nearby town of Oregon.
Lee died in 2017 and today Dan and his brother Lee Jr. own the business, with Dan serving as president.
Through the years, Danlee has been nationally recognized in the industry, with top awards at the annual Cabinet Makers Association National Conference, including a couple of first place honors.
While Danlee’s team is proud of the industry accolades they’ve earned, the ultimate judges of their quality are their customers — the people who, as their mission statement says, they value treating like family. And judging by how much Danlee has grown in the past 30 years, the business has built up one big happy family. n
Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
