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Handmade jewelry — from hometown to Hollywood

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Publisher/Ad Director Jennifer Heintzelman Magazine editor & Page design Rusty Schrader Published by Sauk Valley Media 113 S. Peoria Ave. Dixon, IL 61021 815-284-2222 Have a story idea for Small Town Living? Let us know ...

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inside The Handmade’s tale

In a world where everything is mass produced for the masses, Jenna Scrifes’ Prophetstown shop is a real jewel: a place where things are still made by hand, and that handiwork can be found everywhere from her hometown all the way to Hollywood.

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History’s Prophets The Prophetstown Area Historical Society has a roadmap for a trip back in time that’ll take you down Memory Lane, over to Gasoline Alley, and back to the green, green grass cutters of home.

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Cornering the market

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The Prophetstown ty can Area Historical Socie ck in time take you on a trip ba g down in d a e h u o y e v a h ll t’ tha to Gasoline r e v o , e n a L ry o m e M e green, Alley, and back to th of green grass cutters home

Downtown Prophetstown, shown here in an early 1900s postcard that described the scene pictured as “The Post Office block.”

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t’s a sound we’re all familiar with: the roar of lawnmowers cutting grass.

A sound not so familiar? The roar of a factory making lawnmowers – unless you grew up in Prophetstown, that is.

Today, the march of time has eclipsed that sound, but a local group is dedicated to making sure people don’t forget the echoes of Prophetstown’s past.

Younger generations, or people new to town, may have never known about the time when the Eclipse Lawn Mower

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By Cody Cutter Sauk Valley Media

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Members and supporters of the ProphetSociety stown Area Historical rk that’s wo take great pride in the the town’s hisbeing done to preserve t: Gwen Gardner, tory. Front row from lef Peterson. Back Rob Buck and Beverly rk Thompson, Lorrow: Diane Roman, Ma d South. Behind raine Thompson and Fre a painting of the group is a copy of to the area Wabokieshiek , a native Hawk ck at the time of the Bla War of 1832.

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HISTORY cont’d from 5 Company called Prophetstown home, were it not for the efforts of a dedicated team of 25 local historians who’ve come together to preserve the town’s story: The Prophetstown Area Historical Society.

Eclipse’s story is just one of many that can be found within the walls of the society’s downtown museum, where visitors can learn about local topics from prehistoric days to the recent past, including the 2013 downtown fire that destroyed several businesses and homes, and nearly

destroyed the society’s artifacts and stories.

The group would find a new home after the fire, and it’s “definitely better because we have a lot more room,” said Beverly Peterson, the society’s vice president and longtime member.

“We try to emphasize the things that make Prophetstown unique and different,” she said. “The Eclipse Lawn Mower factory was here for years. We have a state park. We were the site of an Indian village. We’ve had two men from here that have served in the state legislature —George Brydia and Calvin Schuneman — we have a display on them, and we have a lot of general things.”

The group’s mission has marched on through time and tragedy.

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Prophetstown High School artifacts phsit on display at the Pro l Society. etstown Area Historica well as the The Prophets name, as are slowly s, lor orange and black co nts’ memories fading away from stude s are part of a now that their activitie y Erie High cooperative with nearb there’s a School, but as long as school Historical Society, the spirit will live on.

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HISTORY cont’d from page 6 The society’s team wouldn’t let the flames of the 2013 blaze deter them.

Not too long after the fire, they found a new home in a building at the north end of what was once the row of buildings along the west side of downtown Washington Street, now split in two after the blaze. Like many important moments, there will come a time when there will be no one left who remembers the fire firsthand, but the society won’t forget. As long as there are people

dedicated to history, the disaster will be remembered through artifacts.

“We were really lucky,” Peterson said. “The firemen did a wonderful job to save our collection. We got a lot of stuff out of there, I don’t know how many pickup trucks full of stuff.”

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PHOTO: CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SAUKVALLEY.COM

Beverly Peterson shows off a history book from the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co., which was located in Prophetstown for 60 years. The company has a prominent display at the museum. Ads proclaimed them “ The World’s Best Lawn Mower,” and it was easy to see why. For more then 50 years, Eclipse produced a line of mowers that kept lawns across the nation looking their best. The company’s roots stretch back to 1900, when Fred Adams, a jeweler, came up with a design for a self-sharpening lawn mower. He received a patent a few years later and by 1912 employed a dozen people. The company developed the first power-driven lawn mower for home use in 1937. After swapping mower making for tank tread links during World War II, sales shot up after the war. The company was sold to Buffalo Bolt Company in New York in 1945 and again, to Hahn Inc. of Indiana in 1960, which moved its manufacturing to Evansville.

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HISTORY cont’d from page 7 Lorraine Thompson, the society’s president, said she enjoys sharing Prophetstown’s history and the fellowship with other members, and guests, the most.

“We do appreciate all donations, whether it’s newspaper clippings or pictures,” Thompson said. “Each one brings something to us, and we appreciate them all.”

Peterson is an original member from when the society was organized 35 years ago. While not originally from the area, she’s been fascinated with its history for many years.

“I’m not originally from here, but I find it fascinating,” Peterson said. “I’ve learned so much just from reading the books and getting involved.”

Fellow member Diane Roman grew up in town and returned after some time away. Her brother was an original member of the society, and persuaded her to join.

At first, the past didn’t pique her interest, but the pull of history proved to be irresistible.

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Among the items on display at the Prophetstown Area Historical Society, brick s salvaged from the wrecka ge of the 2013 fire that ravaged downtown, with the names of first responders who were called to the blaze etched into them; and a vintage fire chief ’s helmet.

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“I had no desire to be involved in history, but I did join because my brother invited me, and I’ve really enjoyed it,” Roman said. “I like to come and I like to be one of the hostesses, and I like being with the members tremendously. It’s been real nice to get to know them personally, and maybe get to contribute something once in awhile.”

Preserving history took on a whole other meaning on July 15, 2013. That’s when two brothers, ages 12 and 16 at the time, started the late-night blaze that turned into an inferno that destroyed eight buildings, including the one that housed the museum. Several items were deemed salvageable, and were stored at a warehouse in town to undergo restoration. Several pieces of historical clothing on the second floor of their building, as well as some city records, were lost in the fire.

The family of a previous owner of the museum’s current building, Anita Oetzel, donated the building to the society after the fire. New display cases came from a military museum in Springfield.

Today, the museum’s home is in space once occupied by three stores.

The front room has recently donated displays and artwork of Native Americans. The Black Hawk picture is prominent because he is standing next to his son, Whirling Thunder, in the painting, which was done by John Wesley Jarvis in 1833, a year after Black Hawk was captured by federal troops during the war that bears his name.

One picture above the fireplace is believed to be the prophet Wabokieshiek, who lived here and was an adviser to Black Hawk. It’s a copy of a picture painted by George Catlin Above: whose original is in the Smithsonian Institution Veterans’ serin Washington, D.C. Black Hawk would come to vice and sacrifice is Wabokieshiek for advice for himself and his band honored with a display of followers. of local militaria. Below: Did you know: One of the federal soldiers This baby carriage on displa who was responsible for chasing after Black y at the Prophetstown Area Hawk and his tribe along the Rock River was a Historical Society once future President: Abraham Lincoln? belonged to a local Another area houses an exhibit dedicated resident. to both the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co., which kept plenty of residents working from 1900 to 1960, and Penberthy, a casting company that made sump pumps, level gauge valves and eductor-jets. Other exhibits feature Prophetstown’s schools, first responders, veterans, “Gasoline Alley” comics and artwork by town’s Zschiesche family, and much more.

Bob Zschiesche was an editorial cartoonist who was hired in 1950 as an assistant on Frank King’s long-running “Gasoline Alley” comic strip.

By 1980 he had parted ways with the strip and moved on to syndicating his own editorial cartoon series, “Our Folks,” before retiring to the family farm in Prophetstown. Zschiesche died in 1996.

Looking to bring history out of the museum and onto your bookshelf?

Historian Fred South has written several spiral-bound books about Prophetstown history, and they are available for purchase. Some materials consist of local history lessons that South, a Montana native, taught students at Prophetstown High School for 30 years until retiring in 1994. He’s the tech savvy one of the bunch, scanning and documenting artifacts and papers onto a computer to back up in case anything were to happen.

The corner building itself, built in 1892, has plenty of history: It once was the Bank of Prophetstown, South said, and also housed Farmers National Bank at one time. George E. Paddock started the Bank of Prophetstown in 1892, but ran off with all of the bank’s money in January 1921, South said. Paddock’s grandson shared the story to South in recent years, which ended with the former banker’s eventual capture in California – not even a name change helped him avoid capture.

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HISTORY cont’d from page 10

“That building was a bank, too, and the vault is still there,” Buck said. “I used to date a girl that lived there, so I got in the “He was playing the grain markets with the money,” South house once in a while.” said. “He and his son were the only two people in the bank. His Up until the COVID-19 pandemic, the society also opened up son went to prison twice and was let out technicalities twice.” the Asa Crook Home on the town’s east end on the first Sunday The front room also has a seating area where, during the of each month. Crook was Prophetstown’s first white 2 hours it’s open every Saturday morning, visitors settler, having arrived in 1834 from Michigan. The can talk and share memories of the town. Longhouse was built in 1839 and has been restored, time resident Rob Buck has shared more despite an arson attempt on it a few decades memories about his entire life in town than ago. The society hopes to reopen it soon. perhaps he can remember.

The Prophetstown Area Historical “Once in a while we’ll have a special “It’s very informative,” Buck said. “I’m Society is open from 10 a.m. to noon event where we have a blacksmith or not that old, but I knew some of the old every Saturday. For more information, or someone there performing Indian folks that were born and raised here to schedule an appointme nt at any other music,” Thompson said. “Kids from that now are all gone. It’s real interesttime, call Lorraine Thom pson (815-537the grade school will come in for field ing to find out about them from years 5412), Beverly Peterson (815-537-2668), trips.” ago.”

Janet Goodell (815-499-34 41) or Fred The society hosts an annual candy Plenty of stories, such as how the pavSouth (815-537-2029). Als o find and cookie sale every December before ing of local roads was a mixed blessing, Prophetstown Area Histor ical Christmas.

This year’s event is scheduled have been shared in recent weeks. While Society on Facebook . for Dec. 18. the paved roads were an improvement, they While the museum is only open for 2 hours also made it easier for vehicles and wagons to a week, interested visitors can call one of the memtravel to larger cities such as Sterling and Rock Falls bers for an appointment; their names are on the front for business, taking a toll on Prophetstown’s economy. door. They don’t mind coming by.

Before the railroad came to town in 1871, Prophetstown’s most “If anyone ever wants a tour, there’s a list of names and numcommercial road was Third Street, South said. A two-story brick building that housed another bank still stands along that road, bers on the door and they can contact one of us,” Thompson said. just east of downtown.

“We’ll be happy to give them the tour.”

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By Cody Cutter | Sauk Valley Media

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here used to be a time when people could stroll the streets downtown and hear the tools of the trade turning raw materials into merchandise at a local shop. In Prophetstown, they still can, and the sounds coming from the workshop in one business have a familiar ring to them.

The tap of a mallet, the clink of metal, printers churning out labels, they’re all part of the hum of activity that’s all in a day’s work for the crew whose job is jewelry, and they’re doing it by hand, turning raw materials into polished products at Jenna Scifres Handmade Jewelry.

Scifres and her team of six helpers spend much of their time hand-crafting rings and earrings, necklaces, bracelets, keychains and more, filling online orders and packing and shipping them all across the country.

You might have seen some of her work and not even known it.

That’s because some of her pieces have turned up on TV. The business has grown into so much more than Scifres, 38, could have imagined when she made her first pieces of jewelry.

She’s gone from crafting items in her basement and selling them online to opening a downtown store. Lately, though, her business has come full circle. In July, she made the move back to concentrating mostly on her online operation, with store visits by appointment only – but that’s not because business has slowed down. Quite the contrary.

Scifres is making more jewelry than ever before. “I took a chance,” she said, “and it’s been growing ever since.”

JENNA cont’d to page 14

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JENNA cont’d from page 13 The bling has brightened over the past decade for Scifres, whose talents have taken her merchandise from her home in Hooppole all the way to Hollywood. Her pieces have been seen in eight different television shows in recent years – the viewer may not know it at first, but Jenna will be the first to point out who a star is wearing by looking at their jewelry.

Scifres’ work has been featured on “The Orville,” “God Friended Me,” “Arrow,” “Charmed,” “Fuller House,” “Ozark,” “The Last Summer,” and “The Fosters.” Most recently, one of her pearl and gold neck-

SVM FILE PHOTO

Jenna Scifres, owner of Jenna Scifres Handmade Jewelry in Prophetstown, displays some of her pieces. Rings, necklaces, bangles, bracelets and more, Scifres and her talented team turn out a full line of jewelry at her retail/studio location downtown.

laces turned up on “Riverdale.”

The Artisan Group, based in California, puts out open calls for certain jewelry to be featured in television shows, and Scifres sends them samples of her work.

JENNA cont’d to pages 16-17

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Some of Scifres’ handmade pieces have had supporting roles in TV shows, appearing in episodes of “The Orville,” “God Friended Me,” “Arrow,” “Charmed,” “Fuller House,” “Ozark,” “The Last Summer,” “The Fosters,” and “Riverdale.” For folks who want to dress like a star, she has versions of her pieces on sale, like the ones featured in these displays.

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JENNA cont’d from page 15 “The Fosters” was the first show to feature her work, in 2017. Scifres was just working out of her basement when she got word about its appearance.

“I was so excited,” Scifres said. “I screamed and cried and told everyone, ‘My jewelry is on ‘The Fosters’! There’s tons of jewelry worn on tons of shows, but it felt so cool that something I made was on a TV show. I can look at that and go, ‘I made that!’”

She’s not the only one who’s keeping a closer eye on TV shows. Now her friends and family are looking at performers’ necks, wrists and fingers to see if they can spot one of Scifres’ pieces.

For customers who are star-struck by her pieces, she sells replicas of the items worn on screen.

Seeing her work flash across the screen has been the culmination of an adventure that started with a leap of faith. Scifres left a human resources position at Caterpillar, close to her home at the time in Morton, and moved to Hooppole to be closer to her husband Nicholas McClelland’s family.

“Around that time, I was really trying to figure out if this was really going to work for me or not,” Scifres said. “I had just quit my job, and I needed to figure out what all I wanted to do to promote myself.”

SVM FILE PHOTO

Putting the hands in “handmade” ... Jenna Scifres works on a great-grandmother charm for a bangle bracelet Dec. 3.

JENNA cont’d to page 18-19

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Bracelets and bangles, rings and earrings, necklaces and more — Jenna Scifres’ Handmade Jewelry can make ’em all, but there are more than just rings and things at her shop. She and her team can turn the ordinary into something special for that someone special. To see more of her work, find Jenna Scifres Handmade Jewelry on Facebook.

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It makes perfect cents. Jenna Scifres Handmade Jewelry can turn a coin into a keepsake to celebrate a special occasion or a special person. The engraved penny can then be incorporated into a necklace, keychain or even a Christmas ornament.

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crystals, druzy, feathers, beads, and pendants are used to give each piece a unique quality. Sterling silver, aluminum, brass While her talents have brought her to where she is now, her and copper are metals used through a cold connection prograndmother had a hand in her handiwork, too. cess, assembling items without heat. The handmade jewelry is Scifres’ grandmother ran a sewing and embroidery shop in hypoallergenic and free of lead and nickel.

Morton, and Jenna would find something creative to do there In the 8 months that Scifres had a fully operational store, when she stopped by. Her grandmother gave her a jewelry-makshe’s had customers come in and offer different creative ing kit one day and she fell in love with it. The design influence avenues with pieces that she’s embraced and that have helped that followed led to a passion for design and the arts, and she influence additional designs. took up playing the violin. It was in Peoria music scene where “If it’s something metal, most of the time I can put someshe met her future husband, and the two formed a bluegrass act. thing on it,” she said.

That act wasn’t the only band that played a The COVID-19 pandemic helped part in their lives. Two more bands did, too: boost sales of Scifres’ pieces, wedding bands, and the couple made their especially on Amazon, where she’s own. These days, McClelland still lends a considering offering her items to hand with the business, and he’s not the only its marketplaces in Canada, Mexfamily member who’s helped. ico and Saudi Arabia. Websites At the shop, which came to Prophetstown like Amazon and Etsy provided a in November 2020, Ali McClelland, Nicholas’ safety net for businesses such as daughter, helps Scifres when she can; she Scifres’, and it eased any worry enjoys helping pack shipments. about the uncertainty of what the “I like family and friend time,” Ali pandemic was going to do in the said. “I have two kids, so I don’t get long run. out much. This gets me out, and it’s “I didn’t even know if I easy for me to do. I like to look at had any business getting a Jenna Scifres' Handmade all of the stuff [Jenna] does, too.” place outside of my house.

Jewelry can be purchased After a reference from a fellow I didn’t know if it was going through various outlets: vendor at a farmers market in Peoto continue. I was worried Amazon: amazon.com/handria 11 years ago, she began selling that it would be a burst of made/JennaScifres her items on Etsy, an online marketsales last summer and then Etsy: etsy.com/market/jenna–sciplace. That was soon followed by selling it would die off, but we fres pieces on Amazon, where she still sells really got a lot of systems Jane: jane.com/sellers/jenna-scifres-handmade-jewelry much of her product today. in place and repeat things.

Her store, 348 ½ Washington St., Prophetstown, will be “I looked at it and set up my shop, and it Some of her pieces, like open on special occasions. Visit jennascifres.com or was really easy to get started,” Scifres said. the stud earrings, were also find Jenna Scifres Handmade Jewelry on Facebook for “I was thinking about this at the beginning a perfect fit for a pandemic more information. of this year, and it’s been 10 years. That got world. my feet wet as far as e-commerce, and it “One thing that people got me thinking about not just selling locally, but all over the like about them is that, having to wear a mask all of the time U.S. or the world.” you don’t want to wear a big earring,” Scifres said. “They still The business’ Facebook page says the shop takes a “miniwant to wear something cute, and when it’s a small earring, it malist approach to making quality, comfortable, handmade doesn’t get caught on your mask.” jewelry that makes a bold statement in its simplicity,” and that Some sacrifices had to be made with online sales. Her brickgoes for all her pieces, whether they’re made for customers and-mortar business has been reduced to appointment-only with two legs or four — Scifres and her team also make dog tags service. However, she’ll open the store for certain holidays for pets. and special events; check her website – jennascifres.com – for For her non-canine clients, stud earrings are popular these dates. days. Scifres has more than 200 different styles, colors, shapes “I like having the ability to open for special events and and sizes to match practically any outfit, from casual to formal. things, but we really need a little more space,” Scifres said. “So Another popular item: personalized engravings on pennies. this works to where I have what I call a ‘mini shop’ now.”

The years on each penny can symbolize an important date in Scifres said sheenjoys being her own boss, especially when someone’s life, such as births, marriages and personal memofamily and friends are involved. That reduces stress, allows ries and accomplishments. Birthstones or pre-made charms more flexibility for working – and it’s a lot more fun. can be added to each penny to make it a one-of-a-kind piece.

“I never really thought it was going to be possible to have Keychains were another customer favorite, especially this something like this,” Scifres said. “I never imagined that this is past Fathers Day. where I would be. I thought it was just a hobby and I’d make a Materials such as semi-precious gems, pearls, Swarovski little extra money.”

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m 1909. The re in a postcard fro Denrock is shown he had a water the The ‘X ’ crossing th wi ale loc le litt bustling around it. even some houses d an , ge ra sto r ca il tower, ra

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By Cody Cutter | Sauk Valley Media

o sign, no building … there’s nothing left that would give passersby on Moline Road any indication that they just breezed through a once bustling former railroad site between Erie and Lyndon.

Denrock was never much more than a dot on a map, but for a while at least, it was a busy little dot, a rail crossing that attracted a post office, depot, businesses, and plenty of train traffic.

It was established 150 years ago, in 1871, but don’t expect any sesquicentennial celebration.

That’s because today, Denrock is just a distant memory. Not even the X-shaped rail crossing that put it on the map remains; two legs were abandoned in the mid-1980s, and the “Denrock” sign was removed nearly a decade ago.

DENROCK cont’d to page 22

TAMPICOHISTORICALSOCIETY.COM

This photo, from the Tampico Historical Society website, is believed to have been taken circa 1890 at the Denrock train station. At left is “Mack” McKenzie and at right is Joseph “Burley Joe” Blecker. Blecker married Fanny Hogeboom, daughter of John and Anna Hogeboom, who opened a business in Denrock.

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DENROCK cont’d from page 21 Even though Denrock as it was is long forgotten, the location is still something train engineers can’t afford to forget. With two legs no longer used, the tracks take a sharp turn, forcing engineers to slow down to 20-25 mph to navigate the curve as the tracks cross Moline Road. The sound of wheels scraping the edges of the rails are often heard as the train makes it around the bend. Along with the Union Pacific at-grade crossings near Fulton, it can take longer than usual for a train to pass the crossing near the curve, much to drivers’ dismay.

Denrock has a story, however, and it’s much more than just a tricky turn.

Before 1869, Denrock was just a parcel of grassland alongside a wagon route between Sterling and Moline. At Hamilton Corners, where state Route 78 goes north from Moline Road today, that route crossed an old coach route that ran from Morrison to Spring Hill starting in 1853; it crossed the Rock River in Portland, which is the area around Howard Road today.

The Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad constructed a line between rural Sterling and Barstow in 1869 that ran parallel to the wagon route to Moline. Erie native James Pratt took advantage of the parallel routes and laid out a settlement, Pratt, that same year. The town has long since disappeared, from the landscape and from maps, but it once had a depot and post office — but Pratt’s prosperity didn’t last long once another railroad line was built a few miles to the east.

Denrock’s X-crossing came in late 1871 when the Chicago,

Burlington and Quincy (CB&Q) extended a line northwest out of Prophetstown and across the Rock River toward Fenton. It acquired the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad a few short years later. Denrock straddles the border between Lyndon and Fenton townships. The ‘X’ point of the crossing sits just east of the border in Lyndon Township, but the current curve is entirely within Fenton Township.

As a spot that saw more rail traffic than most places along the CB&Q’s minor lines, Denrock thrived with a depot, coal sheds and a water tank. The post office that once had been in Pratt, came to Denrock in 1890, and not too long after that, a hotel and restaurant combination opened up.

The hospitality business began in 1893 by husband and wife John N. and Anna W. Hogeboom, who, Whiteside County historian W.W. Davis of Sterling wrote in 1908, made their lunchroom “unusually inviting by the kindly service of these excellent people.” Davis added: “Home cooking, mince pies of her own baking, ever giant good and wholesome. A cozy sitting room in the rear for retirement, and bedrooms for chance travelers above.”

Local farmers would haul grain, produce or materials only a short distance before the goods would be carried off in all four directions from Denrock. Both lines split off at various points in each direction, miles from Denrock, but cargo and passengers could reach cities including Galesburg, Savanna, Sterling-Rock Falls, Mendota, La Salle and Clinton, Iowa, after passing at least one split intersection.

DENROCK cont’d to page 23

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DENROCK cont’d from page 22 Denrock’s demise was a slow one that began when the automobile began to replace the train as the preferred way to travel. When Illinois designated Moline Road as a state highway – then state Route 86 from Sterling to Muscatine, Iowa, via Moline and Rock Island – the road was paved and east-west traffic did more driving than riding the rail.

Route 86 became Route 2 in 1936 and lost its state highway status in 1974.

As automobiles became more affordable and more roads were paved, the numbers of railroad passengers declined, as did shipments, when trucks began delivering more goods. One by one the businesses closed, except the depot, which last served passengers in the mid-1960s.

The Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad was known for its shiny silver Zephyrs that streamed along the main lines, but only rarely through sub-lines like Denrock. According to the photographer of this Kodachrome image taken July 17, 1966, by Chuck Zeiler: “The last steam-powered fantrip on the CB&Q was this train, unofficially, the Denrock Zephyr. It is seen here backing through the wye at Denrock as Extra 4960 West, and will soon become Extra 4960 East for the return trip to Chicago. This mill gondola, in the 197000 series, was the last car of the train, and was a popular car on this trip. ... The consist was: one suburban baggage-coach-power car, nine bi-level air-conditioned commuter coaches, a heavyweight diner, a Pullman car with washroom service, one heavyweight coach, and a 65-foot mill gondola in the 197000-197229 series. The trip was powered by 2-8-2 4960, which was donated to the Circus World Museum at Baraboo, Wisc. after this trip.”

DENROCK cont’d to page 24-25

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A tight turn Even though Denrock as it was is long forgotten, the location today is something train engineers can’t afford to forget. With two legs no longer used, the tracks take a sharp turn, forcing engineers to slow down to navigate the 80-degree curve about halfway between Lyndon and Prophetstown, to the west. The turn is seen at right in a satellite image.

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CB&Q lines at grade; those crossings are now gone, but hints of their existence can still be found, if you know The depot stood for a couple of more decades where to look: the road makes a minor dent where it until it was razed — but that wasn’t the last blow for crossed the line east of Denrock, and an old wood tresDenrock. tle continues to stand south of the other crossing. The The railroad industry, which phased out passenger abandoned trestle carried the tracks over a low area on service to the government-controlled Amtrak by 1971, the nearby farm where water ran off, and it can clearly struggled to keep afloat against other means of transbe seen in the months when the corn stalks aren’t as portation. The CB&Q, which featured shiny silver pashigh. Francis Road today dead ends just south of that senger “Zephyrs” – whose engines sported a distinctive second crossing, but up until the 1950s, it continued to bell-shaped front – merged with a couple of other link up with Henry Road toward the Rock companies to form Burlington River, where it once crossed Northern in 1970. Soon Burlinto Portland back when ington Northern’s green-andhorses were the main form of white engines zoomed through transportation.

Denrock from four directions.

Further evidence of the After only 10 years in busiright-of-way on the abandoned ness, however, Burlington legs not too far from Denrock Northern was in such bad still shows signs that tracks shape that it had to shut used to go by. The abutments down a large number of of the bridge crossing the its minor lines. The line A “calling card” Rock River south of the junceast of Denrock ceased and a lunch tion still stand. The old Armoperations in 1984, and counter ticket strong Agri Service buildings the line south of the for John Hogewest of Lyndon sit at an angle crossing closed the folboom’s Hotel parallel to Moline Road; that lowing year. This turned and Lunch Counter at the Denrock location being where the eastDenrock from a crossing Station, courtesy of the Tampico Historical Sociwest line crossed the road. into a curve. ety. The lunch counter ticket is believed to have Denrock’s ‘X’ spot was “Phantom bridges” along the been some sort of incentive for repeat customers. about 300 feet from Moline east-west line over various Road. Connection tracks creeks still stand where the line runs parallel to Interwere built on three of the four corners, the exception state 88 east of Lyndon. being one going north to east. The depot, which was Burlington Northern eventually merged with the the last building to stand near the crossing, was nestled Santa Fe railway in 1993, and continues to mainbetween the Prophetstown-Fenton line and its contain a small storage yard at the Denrock curve. And necting curve toward Erie. Most of Denrock’s buildings though the once bustling little spot on the map that stood to the west of the Prophetstown-Fenton line and fell victim to progress and change is long gone, north of the Erie-Lyndon line. it’s having the last laugh: delaying drivers who get Francis Road, which now is a dead-end road going caught waiting for the train to pass by, and who, southwest from Hamilton Corners, is a remnant of the as they count the cars and listen to the creeks and Morrison-to-Spring Hill wagon trail. It crossed both clanks, probably feel like time is standing still.

More info Several Facebook groups have been formed dedicated to the history of railroads in Illinois.

Information compiled for this story came from groups such as Railroad History Buffs of Illinois, Friends of BNSF, Friends of the Burlington Northern Railroad, and Burlington Route Historical Society.

The Union Depot Railroad Museum, 683 Main St. in Mendota, has a collection of history involving the lines that crossed Denrock. The museum is open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find it on Facebook or call 815-538-3800 for more information.

For recent videos of trains going through the curve at Denrock, search for "Denrock BNSF" on YouTube.

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Growing one business can be challenging enough, let alone growing two at the same time. It’s a good thing Stacy Bomleny likes to juggle.

In one hand is a plate, and in other is a vase, and you can find them both at a pair of businesses that Bomleny and her husband, David, own in downtown Erie: The Corner Café and SB Floral and Design.

While a flower shop and a cafe may seem like an unlikely combo to some, the pairing makes perfect sense to the couple, who run the businesses that are next door to each other in the historic Shellhammer Building.

CAFE cont’d to page 27

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CAFE cont’d from page 26

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SAUKVALLEY.COM

It’s not just flowers that come in hybrids, but businesses, too. The Bomleny family and their friends invite customers to stop by SB Floral & Design and The Corner Cafe in Erie.

Pictured are (front row, from left) Dylan Chandler, co-owner Stacy Bomleny and Leanne Holland; and (back) Alex Bomleny, Andrew Bomleny and co-owner David Bomleny.

But running two different businesses, each with its own unique demands, doesn’t come without challenges, a lot of hard work — and a little chaos.

That’s OK as far as Stacy’s concerned.

She enjoys keeping busy, and even admits to liking a little chaos now and then — and she’s got a lot keeping her busy: the businesses, family life, coaching, and even teaching GED and nursing classes for a few hours a week at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon.

“When its chaotic, it’s always changing, it’s always different,” Stacy said. “I know some people struggle with change, but I like it a lot. It keeps things interesting. I don’t like to be bored. You only live once.”

It’s a good thing she’s got plenty of help keeping all those plates spinning, and it’s the kind of help that comes with fringe benefits: family and friends.

CAFE cont’d to page 28

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CAFE cont’d from page 27 When they aren’t in school, sons Alex and Andrew Bomleny help out in the kitchen. The brothers attend Erie High School, and their parents have been coaches for the Erie-Prophetstown Panthers high school sports cooperative. Stacy recently wrapped up a season as head coach of the Panther girls’ track and field squad, looking after more than just her own children.

Andrew’s girlfriend, Dylan Chandler, also helps out, and Stacy’s best friend from high school, Leanne Holland, puts in plenty of work in the flower shop.

The arrangement is becoming a win-win for the family: They get to spend more time together, and the kids are getting a hands-on education in business — as well as another field they plan on pursuing. The brothers and Dylan want to pursue a career in culinary arts after high school.

For Stacy, she’s able to spend more time with her family, she’s not missing her kids’ games, and she doesn’t have to go far to get to work. “I can see my family, spend time together, they can come to the business whenever they want to,” she said.

“I like the creative aspect,” Stacy said. “I like doing something that keeps me going. I found out quickly that I don’t like sitting at a desk. So it kept me on my feet, kept me moving, and it was great.”

After working in various jobs, an opportunity for business ownership came about when the owners of Lacy’s Amazing Vase, a Morrison flower shop that had once been in Erie, sold their operation.

The family’s foray into flowers and food came about when the owners of Lacy’s Amazing Vase decided to pull up roots. The owners were selling their Morrison shop, which had once been in Erie, and the Bomlenys decided that would be the perfect time to bring the business back home. The timing was perfect, too. The family had just recently moved closer to Erie around that time, and the couple wanted to bring a flower shop back to Erie.

The turkey pesto panini — sliced turkey breast, Swiss cheese, tomato and onion between toasted ciabatta bread, and basil pesto ­— is a popular choice for lunch and dinner at The Corner Cafe.

One of the most popular menu items is the Farmer’s Breakfast: two eggs any style, bacon, hash browns, sausage patties and toast with jam.

From coffee to cola, you’ll find the usual drinks on the menu, but you can also boost your energy with one of the cafe’s energy drinks, like the Purple Illusion seen here, a combination of grape and blue raspberry. The diner also serves flavored sodas, frappes, refreshers and blended coffees. The frappes come with two shots of espresso or milk with whipped cream.

PHOTOS: CODY CUTTER/ CCUTTER@SAUKVALLEY.COM

CAFE cont’d to page 29 • Tee Shirts • Sweatshirts • Custom Design • Screen Printing • Provide your own design

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CAFE cont’d from page 28

PHOTOS: CODY CUTTER/ CCUTTER@ SAUKVALLEY.COM

When you’re done eating, come around to the other side of the building for flowers and gifts (center) at SB Floral and Design.

Leanne Holland (top) puts together a flower display.

Stacy Bomleny has a special place in her heart for service members and first responders.

Having grown up in a military family, she knows how important their role is, and she does her part to honor their service. The Corner Cafe offers them discounts on meals, and among the inventory at SB Floral & Design are gift items honoring their service (bottom).

Once the flower shop was transplanted to the Shellhammer Building — in August 2019 — opportunity knocked again, right next door, when space next to the flower shop became available around that same time.

Seeing how a hybrid business model with a cafe setup had proven to be popular in similar small towns, the Bomlenys decided to open a restaurant, and The Corner Cafe began serving food in October 2020.

The café’s breakfast menu, served all day, includes waffles, omelets, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and other traditional breakfast meals. Lunch and dinner options include sandwiches, paninis, surf-n-turf, hot and cold pastas, and specialty pastas. Sandwiches and wraps are served with a choice of salad, house pasta or the “soup of the day.” Pizzas also grace the menu, with chicken ranch, chicken alfredo, basil pesto and cilantro lime chicken on either flatbread or gluten-free crust.

The Bomlenys try to keep the menu prices low and menu items healthy. They also like to come up with new dishes that’ll keep customers coming back for more, and keep them shopping local.

“We want you to be able to take your family out and enjoy it,” Stacy said. “When I’m talking with my friends or family about wanting to go somewhere to eat, we don’t want to go anywhere that’s greasy or fatty where they don’t have lean options. A lot of our menu is based on that concept. We want to have stuff that’s healthy. When my son is wrestling and has to maintain a certain weight, he should have somewhere to go eat, or not go anywhere.”

The waffle panini and the breakfast bagel are popular breakfast sandwiches, and if you’re hungry for somethng a little more hearty, the farmers breakfast consists of two eggs any style, bacon, hash browns, sausage patties and toast. It’s become a popular choie during the early hours.

“It’s a well-rounded breakfast that gets people’s attention,” Stacy said. “That’s been our most popular, by far. Just in a month’s span, we can put out almost 100 of them.”

CAFE cont’d to page 30

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CAFE cont’d from page 29 The variety doesn’t end with the food. Along with the usual drinks, the cafe also serves up flavored sodas, frappes, energy drinks and energy infusion drinks, refreshers and blended coffees. The frappes come with two shots of espresso or milk with whipped cream.

More than 30 different energy mixers are available, with a variety of fruits. The energy mixers also come in caffeine-free varieties, called “kiddie cocktails,” with four different fruity flavors. Also served are lotus plant-based energy drinks with cascara and green coffee beans colored in purple, with elderberry and black raspberry; and blue, with acai berry, blackberry and blueberry.

“You’re going to get the energy from them,” Stacy said. “You feel like you’re getting the caffeine, you feel like you’ve drank an energy drink, but you’re not drinking, like a Rockstar, to get it. You’re drinking something that’s non-carbonated, but you’re still getting that caffeine boost.”

People love the bright colors of most of the drinks, Stacy said, as well as the health benefits.

“When they finish the energy drink,” she added, “they’re getting all of the energy they expect to get.”

The rainbow doesn’t end in the glass. In fact, it’s just the beginning, and it goes right over the wall into flower shop.

Types of flowers vary from day to day, depending on the season, but they always have lilies, alstromeria, roses, carnations, limoniums, daisies and statices all in a variety of colors.

Sunflowers and hydrangeas also are available when in season.

They also can put together candy bouquets, candy baskets, fruit baskets, cookie bouquets and mache baskets.

Flowers and gifts can be delivered throughout Whiteside County and northern portions of Bureau, Henry and Rock Island counties; deliveries also can be made to plots at cemeteries in those areas.

The deliveries don’t stop there. Meals from the cafe’s menu can be delivered in Erie or within a couple of miles from town.

SB Floral also operates an online business, SB Floral Too, which is catered toward the Quad Cities market through the website sbfloralanddsign.com.

A wide selection of gifts also are available, including stones, home decor, candles, jewelry, coffee mugs – many of which are made locally, and even some by Stacy herself – and several items honoring military veterans and first responders.

Having grown up in a military family, Stacy is very passionate about the work and sacrifice that service members and first responders undertake. The cafe offers a 20% discount for veterans, police, fire and emergency medical technicians. On Veterans Day, military members can get a free meal, and their accompanying family gets the discount.

“In that environment, you develop a very good sense of the military,” Stacy said. “You see what they go through as veterans, or as veterans’ families, and then you kind of want to say ‘thank you’ more than just once a year or twice a year.”

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CAFE cont’d from page 30 Age also comes with benefits for the cafe’s customers, with a 15% senior discount for ages 55 on up.

“Even if they aren’t retired yet, they’re getting to the point where they’re thinking about retirement and trying to save their money,” Stacy said.

“We want to give them a discount at 55 to make it easier for them to go out to eat.”

In both the past couple of years since the flower shop opened, and in nearly a year since the cafe opened, the Bomlenys have been blessed with a tremendous amount of support from customers near and far. Customers sometimes just stop by and check in to see if they need any kind of support – as they want to help keep business going in this town of nearly 1,000 folks.

They say they’ve enjoyed they’re time in the community and look forward to the future.

“We’re going to be doing a lot of new stuff,” Stacy said. “I definitely couldn’t do this alone. Our customers are awesome. They’re very supportive of us. You’re definitely not going to get much more of a family business than this is. It’s kind of cool that I get to hang out with my kids and my family, and kind of roll through the motions.”

More info

The Corner Café, 902 Albany St., Erie, is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. SB Floral and Design, next door to the cafe, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, but staff can make arrangements to open the shop during café hours. Find both businesses on the “SB Floral & Design with The Corner Cafe” Facebook page, go to sbfloralanddesign.com, email sbfloralanddesign@gmail.com, or call 815-537-2731 for more information about either business.

Come join our Classic Clubs here at Sarah Harding

308 S. Bluff Blvd., Clinton IA 52732 563.243.1341

Peabudy's 2900 Polo Rd Sterling, IL 61081 www.peabudysinc.com 815-626-4600

www.sarahhardingofclinton.com

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You can’t predict when you will need us. But we’re here when you do.

Accepting New Patients

Dr. George Georgiev Family Practice with Dermatology

Dr. Nicky Eustace Family Practice Physician

Dr. Osmaan Khawaja General Surgeon

Dr. D. Thane Cody ENT

Jessica Raasch PA

Dr. Mathew C. Mathew Urologist

Dr. James Olney.

General Surgery Specialist

Dr. Amrit Anand Rheumatologist

Dr. Priyanka Gauravi Endocrinologist

Teresa Stout Diabetic Educator

Dr. David Yeager Podiatric Surgeon

Dr. Abdul Foad Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Waseem Ahmad Neurologist

Dr Mudappa Kalaiah Rheumatologist

Dr. Faraz Manazir Cardiologist

Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Open 361 days a year for your convenience!

815-772-5511 or 815-772-5590

Family Practice Clinic/Specialty Clinic

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Medicare and Medicaid welcome