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Group is making rainbow connections | SUCCESS IS MADE FROM SCRATCH AT A SUBLETTE BAKERY Couple brings the best of both worlds together serving up Mexican-American dishes

Inside cotvoerry

AMBOY, ASHTON, FRANKLIN GROVE, PAW PAW, SUBLETTE, WEST BROOKLYN

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WINTER 2019

Publisher Don T. Bricker

Doing things old school

General Manager/ Advertising Director Jennifer Heintzelman Magazine Editors Kathleen Schultz & Rusty Schrader

A Nelson business is having a party, and everyone is invited, thanks to a couple who turned their alma mater’s gym into a sports and event center

Page Design Rusty Schrader Published by Sauk Valley Media 113 S. Peoria Ave. | Dixon, IL 61021 815-284-2222 Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of Small Town Living Magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.

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Now serving, party of two

From employees to owners, a Sublette couple brings the best of both worlds together at their restaurant, where friendly faces have been serving MexicanAmerican dishes for nearly 2 decades

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The basketball court is back in session, thanks to Dave (center) and Tracy (right) DeVries, who have turned the former Nelson Elementary School gym into an event center that can host anything from a birthday party to a wedding to a community fundraiser.

Liz Knebel (left) – the DeVries’ daughter, go-to wedding guru, and organizer – can help you plan your big, or small, event.

STORY BEGINS ON PAGE 6

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Some people give things the old college try. stor y When it came to preserving a piece of their hometown’s history, the DeVries family of Nelson gave things the old grade school try – and they succeeded with flying colors, turning a former school gym into a new sports and event center, Parties on Pope.

cover

Parties on Pope is located at 207 Pope St. in Nelson, in the former Nelson Elementary School gym. “We wanted to make sure it didn’t fall into disrepair,” owner Dave DeVries said. “We wanted to make it available and bring it back to good condition.”

But before it was Parties on Pope, it was Nelson Elementary School – well, part of it, anyway.

The nearly century-old school closed down in 2013 when Nelson and East Coloma school districts consolidated, and its main building was torn down in 2016. The only thing left was the gym – and an opportunity. It just took someone with an eye for real estate and a healthy amount of hometown pride to see it.

That’s where the DeVries become part of the story. They stepped in and purchased the property at 207 Pope St. in 2017.

Continued on page 8

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Continued from page 6

The building has a special meaning to the couple, Dave said. The DeVries attended school there, as did as their children and parents. His great-grandmother also taught there.

But the journey from gym to event space wasn’t one the DeVries had always planned on taking.

“It kind of came along,” Dave said.

“It wasn’t something we intended to do.”

But once they decided to do it, the two rolled up their sleeves and put plenty of elbow grease – and some heart and soul – into the fixer-upper.

The DeVries are no strangers to seeing the potential in properties. They also own Xtreme Realty in Rock Falls. However, getting a community events center ready to open was a new experience.

“When we bought the building, I had visions of going in there and shooting baskets and putting my boat in there,” Dave said.

Ultimately, the DeVries decided to find a way to keep what was left of the school open to the community by converting it into an event space that can hold about 250 people.

Though Nelson Elementary School – shown at left before it was razed, and above, during the demolition in 2016 in photos taken by Amber Walker of Nelson – had fallen into disrepair in recent years and become too costly to maintain or refurbish, the school’s gym escaped the wrecking crew, and thanks to a Nelson couple it’s been transformed into a sports and events center.

Photos on page 10, story continued on page 12

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Before

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When they first bought the Nelson school gym (above), the DeVries had planned on gradually making improvements, but when they needed to find a new spot for a nephew’s wedding party, the family crew kicked into high gear and gave the gym an overhaul (right). And when the event center is booked, the gym is transformed again, into a wedding venue (inset). Parties on Pope has plenty of space for all your events. “When we bought the building, I had visions of going in there and shooting baskets and putting my boat in there,� owner Dave DeVries said.

The game room at Parties on Pope offers ping pong, foosball and air hockey; and the gym can still be rented out for a basketball game.

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has an idea of what does or doesn’t work for a wedding, which is why she gravitated toward the job. Plus, she’s an extreme planner.

“Since she was 3 she would plan everything for her siblings,” Dave said.

For $625, a couple can rent the space from a Thursday afternoon to noon Sunday. Throwing in another $100 for weddings with less then 100 people will get you a bartender for the special day; for parties with more than 100 guests, it’s $175 for two bartenders.

“We try to be affordable,” Dave said.

A kitchen is also available for a fee.

Weddings aren’t the only joyous occasion Parties on Pope caters to.

“We’ve done anniversary parties, adult birthday parties with alcohol, baby showers – there’s no limitation,” Dave said.

They’ve also hosted a craft fair and chili cook-offs The game room offers ping pong, foosball, and air hockey; and the gym can still be rented out for a basketball game.

Relay for Life, a community-based cancer fundraiser, is an important cause to the DeVries, and they’ve hosted several of their own fundraising events to help with the cause.

They even teamed up with the village to raise money for the Village of Nelson Park by bringing back the Halloween Fun Fair, an event that disappeared with the rest of Nelson School, Dave said.

“We keep trying to come up with new things and see what works,” he said. n

Continued from page 10

Some of the features needed to be updated, but the DeVries were willing to put in the work to save the nearly century-old community pillar and return it to a condition that can be enjoyed by the community.

The DeVries live kitty-corner from the property and wanted to keep it a part of the community rather than let it become an eyesore.

“We wanted to make sure it didn’t fall into disrepair,” he said. “We wanted to make it available and bring it back to good condition.”

When they first bought the building, Dave had planned on gradually making improvements. That changed when Arnie’s Happy Spot in Deer Grove burned down in July 2018, just a few months before his nephew’s wedding day.

“That’s what pushed us up from 3 or 4 years to 3 months,” Dave said.

But not to worry: he had plenty of help, courtesy of his crew of family members.

The DeVrieses’ children, and most of their in-laws, helped transform Parties on Pope into a wedding venue.

“For the next 2 months, we literally worked tirelessly day and night doing the floor and painting,” Dave said.

“Everything came together and they had a great wedding reception,” said daughter Liz Knebel.

Liz is the DeVries’ go-to wedding guru.

She’s there when vendors arrive to drop off wedding supplies but also manages other aspects so the wedding parties can focus on getting themselves prepared. She

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n’t have your hoever said you ca ty o hasn’t met Kris cake and eat it to her ns ru an y wom Dauck. The Ambo em se en ev n’t es t most days it do own business, bu . ke , it’s a piece of ca like work. In fact to work,” go to up e ak Iw “I don’t feel like all just a dream.” and Dauck said. “It’s true is Local Cup That dream come l face ca lo and Dauck is the Cake in Sublette, and ry ke d cakes at the ba kes, behind the cups an ca d an rves up cupcakes all e, coffee shop that se or m d breakfast cups an pastries, muffins, . ily da baked fresh ess Her turn as a busin r momenthe heels of anothe owner comes on d Jake. an r wedding to husb y the tous occasion: he bu to arose in July When the chance auck D , ng s after her weddi dn’t shop, just month ul co st portunity she ju eds to w knew it was an op ly w ne e days for th w fe a ok to It . pass up it was made, cision, but once make the final de id. both feet,” she sa “I jumped in with on page 15

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STORY KATHERINE LESLIE PHOTOS ALEX T. PASCHAL | FOR SMALL TOWN LIVING EAST

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Dauck said she knew right away that buying Local Cup and Cake was the right fit at the right time. “It came along at a great time,” she said. “It was the chance to do my own thing and do it for myself and turn my passion into profit.”

“This is what I’ve always dreamed about,” she said.

Dauck, 28, is no novice when it comes to cooking. She brings years of experience to the kitchen. After earning a degree in Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Blue College of Chicago, she worked at several jobs in the food service industry – a pastry chef at Giovanni’s restaurant in Rockford, head chef at Timbercreek Country Club in Dixon, and most recently as a dietary manager at a local nursing home.

That experience has helped her hone her homemade goodies into a fine culinary art.

“We pride ourselves on fresh tasting; everything is homemade. Nobody counts calories here,” Dauck said.

She also recently added fresh-baked pies to the menu. The shop has 18 differOwner Kristy Dauck said she knew right away that buying Local Cup and Cake was the right fit at the ent flavors, including customers favorites right time. “It came along at a great time,” she said. “It was the chance to do my own thing and do it Butterfinger and raspberry cream. for myself and turn my passion into profit. This is what I’ve always dreamed about,” she said.

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For those who need a jolt of java to get the day started, Local Cup and Cake also sells fresh-brewed coffee from Hansa Coffee.

“We also make all our own syrups for the coffee,” Dauck added.

Local Cup and Cake also caters cakes and cupcakes for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays and retirement parties. “We love custom orders,” Dauck said.

Baking alongside Kristy is full-time employee Michelle Carr, who was hired recently to help keep up with the growing demands.

MORE INFO “Michelle is a dream,” Dauck said. “You’re only Local Cup and Cake Sublette Village Mall, as good as your employ100 S. Front St. ees, and she is phenomHours: 6:30 a.m.-noon Tuesenal.” day- Friday; 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday While plans of expand815-994-0757 ing the kitchen and Online: Find Local Cup and adding a bigger sink and Cake on Facebook more counter space are still under discussion, Dauck said she’s happy to have her hands full for now.

“Moms with kids or the older generation, we cater to all genres.” Dauck said. “We’re laid-back here. You can come in and expect a smile on our faces.”

Judging by her success, she’s not the only one smiling – her customers are, too, and for the woman who’s already happy just being able to see her dream become a reality, those smiles are like the icing on the cake. n

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From employees to owners, a Sublette couple brings the best of both worlds together at their restaurant, where friendly faces have been serving Mexican-American dishes for nearly 2 decades STORY BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE

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STORY KATHERINE LESLIE PHOTOS ALEX T. PASCHAL | FOR SMALL TOWN LIVING EAST

or the owners of a La Fiesta, family truly is the life of the party.

In fact, for the owners of the downtown Sublette restaurant, it’s the best part about running the business.

“What can I say? People here are so nice,” said Ana Gutierrez, who owns La Fiesta with her husband, Hector.”You get to know everybody. You get to know their kids and they know mine.”

The restaurant and bar has been serving customers for decades, and for nearly two of these decades, the Gutierrezes have been the family behind the family restaurant.

While its name translates to “the party,” La Fiesta’s food and service translates to success, and Hector and Ana were part of that success even before they became owners.

After moving to Sublette from California 24 years ago the Gutierrezes began working at the restaurant before eventually buying it 18 years ago. Ana said the transition from employees to owners was easy because “everyone already knew us.”

Being a familiar faces comes in handy for Ana, who’s the hostess and bartender, greeting and seating customers, many of them by name. Hector runs the kitchen, where he brings the best of two culinary cultures together: Mexican and American.

“Cooking is his life,” Ana said. “He really enjoys it.”

The couple’s children – daughter Yessenia, 27, and son Alexis, 20 – have worked at the restaurant, and daughter Yasmine, 22, continues to work alongside her parents part-time while attending college.

While Tuesday night’s $1 tacos and Thursday night’s $2.50 margaritas are a customer favorite, Kim Soberalski of Mendota said the service at La Fiesta is what keeps bringing her back. “The food is good, but the service is always great,” she said.

Another customer favorite – especially for the church crowd – is La Fiesta’s breakfast buffet, which features both Mexican and American choices.

While the menu doesn’t change often, Hector is more than happy to whip up a custom order.

“Hector will do special orders,” Ana said. “He’s always willing to try if someone wants something different.”

La Fiesta also offers a carry-out option, but no delivery or online ordering. “We’re old-fashioned,” Ana said. “People like what there is so why change it?”

La Fiesta also has a back room available for parties and other special occasions. “We do holidays, rehearsal dinners, anniversary parties, whatever you need,” Ana said.

“We’re not just a taco place. If you like good food, margaritas and atmosphere then give us a try.” n

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ith apologies to the Queen of Soul, there’s more than one way to spell “respect.”

Sure, you could spell it r-e-s-p-e-c-t. But if you’re a member of the Sauk Valley chapter of a national organization, you spell it P-F-L-A-G. PFLAG Sauk Valley is an organization that, according to chapter President Sarah Schlegel, seeks to “support one another, to educate ourselves and our community, and to advocate so that all hearts and minds respect, value, and affirm LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex) people.”

The chapter has been seeking to support the LGBTQI community of the Sauk Valley for more than 13 years, fulfilling its mission through frequent meetings, informal support sessions, informative community outreach events, and social gatherings.

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While the group is geared toward a relatively small portion of the population, its mission is to reach as many people as it can.

“Slightly less than 5% of the U.S. population identifies as gay or lesbian. Less than half a percent identifies as transgender, and about one in every 1,700 babies are born intersex (people with sex characteristics that do not fit typical notions of male or female bodies). I think these numbers are really important to keep in mind because, like any minority group, people who identify as LGBTQI rely on strong ally support to maintain a healthy and positive balance within their communities,” Schlegel said.

PFLAG Sauk Valley has 40 members consisting of family or friends of LGBTQI people and those who identify as LGBTQI, Schlegel said. Additionally, she said, “another 50 allies support the organization, either through volunteerism, financial support, or social-emotional support.”

The majority of the group’s members are from Sterling, Rock Falls, Dixon, and Polo, “because most of our events are held in Sterling or Dixon,” Schlegel said. However, “We do have participants from Fulton, Morrison, Oregon, and other area communities periodically.”

“What ties the groups together is the need for greater understanding and acceptance by the larger population. That’s why organizations like [us] exist,” she said.

“PFLAG meetings and social gatherings provide an opportunity to learn about relevant services in the area, discuss local and national trends, and share personal experiences. All are welcome.”

The group holds many informative events in the area for

both members and the community. “In June, PFLAG partnered with the YWCA to provide a movie and discussion revolving around the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, which marked a major turning point in the modern gay civil rights movement in the United States 50 years ago,” Schlegel said.

“Upcoming events include a picnic, a fundraiser dinner, an ask-a-minister event, and an LGBTQI-friendly business workshop.”

While PFLAG is a non-religiously affiliated organization, Schlegel said, local minister deserve a special “shout-out of thanks [for] … participating in PFLAG events and working with their congregations to provide open and affirming spaces for people of faith.”

“Such inclusivity has been, literally, life-altering,” she said.

The Whiteside and Lee county health departments have also been particularly helpful, she said. “They have provided speakers at PFLAG events, and have worked to revise paperwork and programs to be LGBTQI inclusive, showing genuine concern for both the physical and emotional welfare of others.”

Natalie Andrews is from Ogle County and has been a member of PFLAG for around 10 years, convinced to join by founder Barb Schwamberger. During that time, she’s served on

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PFLAG originally Now in her mid-60s, stood for Parents and Andrews said, “I was Friends of Lesbians and raised in the ‘50s, and Gays, and was later I came out late in life. broadened to Parents, What PFLAG offered Families and Friends for me was finding of Lesbians and Gays, people like me, being but today, it’s simply accepted, and having PFLAG, sans the acroopen and honest connym, after members versations with people voted to officially that were nonchange the name to judgmental.” reflect a more inclusive “It really provides mission. a safe place and allowed me to grow within the The group had “outorganization,” she said, PFLAG Sauk Valley is an organization that, according to chapter Presi- grown the acronym as adding that PFLAG dent Sarah Schlegel (second from right), seeks to “support one an- society accepted scienis “a support system other, to educate ourselves and our community, and to advocate so tific research that shed and education tool for that all hearts and minds respect, value, and affirm LGBTQI (lesbian, new light on gender, those who are a part of gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex) people.” including new awarethis population.” ness of what it means to PFLAG National is a non-profit of more than 400 chapters be transgender and intersex,” Schlegel said. across the country. According to its website, “The idea for PFLAG Sauk Valley’s chapter was founded in 2006 by Barb and George began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched with her son, Schwamberger and Jane Biddle. “They wanted to provide a source Morty, in New York’s Christopher Street Liberation Day March, of support and advocacy for the Schwamberger’s lesbian daughter the precursor to today’s Pride parade. After many gay and lesbian and the gay and lesbian community as a whole,” Schlegel said. people ran up to Jeanne during the parade and begged her to talk to their parents, she decided to begin a support group.”

Continued on page 23 Continued from page 20

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MORE INFORMATION Joe Strabala-Bright (right), shown here with husband Keegan, serves on the PFLAG board. The Sterling couple have been married for about 5 months.

Call 815-408-0604 to learn more about the group.

Online: pflagsaukvalley.org or find PFLAG Sauk Valley on Facebook From 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month, PFLAG offers informal support for individuals or families.

Call 815-408-0604 for location and additional information or questions.

Want to join?

Mail your name, contact information, and dues ($25 for individual membership or $35 for household membership) to: PFLAG Sauk Valley, c/o 1st Presbyterian Church, 410 Second Ave., Sterling, IL 61081

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Schlegel, a Polo Middle School English/language arts teacher, quickly became attached to the organization after her eldest son came out as gay in eighth grade. She first served as a general board member, then secretary, and now president. As she and her husband, Tim, “helped [their] son navigate adolescence as a gay teen,” they were looking for support in regards to “addressing family members’ inquiries and comments.”

Despite her own son’s “positive coming-out experience,” Schlegel is struck by “how many people are still living marginalized lives, or even in outright fear from their own family members.”

While Schlegel continues to help those people feel less like they’re in the margins, she also hopes the rest of society will get on the same page, accepting people for who they are. For her, and other members of PFLAG, that hope is a treasure at the end of a rainbow. n

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