1 • Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 - The Scoop Today/Shopper’s Guide
Serving the communities in Jo Daviess County
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VOL. 84 • NO. 39
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Just west of Stockton on the north side of Route 20, high on a hill, there sits a log home. The structure is easily seen from the road and many a passerby has, no do doubt, wondered what the story of this house might be. The name of the house and property is High View Country Escape and it is an idea that was pulled together by Dan and Kellie Rhyner. Rhyner, who is 56, has spent his life on this family farm. The story began when Heart Built Homes in Stockton, a manufacturer of log homes went out of business and began selling the model homes that lined Route 20 east of Stockton. One model caught Rhyners’ attention. It was called a school house style log home. It was not a particularly large building. Rhyner thought about it and knew that he had to buy it and rebuild it on top of the hill that is a part of his farm. Rhyner purchased the structure in 2014 and began rebuilding it. Originally, Rhyner and his wife Kellie thought that the log home may be a place to live when they retire. As things progressed, however, the Rhyners’ decided to market the site as a vacation rental property. Rhyner recruited his brother Jay who is a carpenter and Jay’s partner Todd Vincent to help with the work. As the assembly started, changes to the original design began; additional floor space was added and dormers were installed in the roof line of the loft area. Custom made windows were designed to maximize the views from the loft or living room. A very fashionable, but space saving bathroom was added to the floorspace and included a washer and dryer. A large dining bar was installed in addition to an area that offers more formal dining. Custom designed closet areas, stairways and built in beds were included. Extending the loft area over the living room allows for a great view through trapezoid windows on the front of the house. While the layout design is important, it’s the small touches that jump
out and make the log home at High View Country Escape something truly impressive. Dan and Jay Rhyner recognized the importance of using wood that came right from the farm. Kellie Rhyner stepped up and found ways of complimenting this wood with defined, clean lines and texture in design, pairing woods with iron furniture and architectural accents. Walnut paneling, heavy oak stair treads and arches made of pine all came from trees on the Rhyner property. Custom made cabinetry adds not only efficient use of space, it allows the eye to follow evenly flowing lines. A short closet door that sports a long-ago design was found in a barn and has now become something recycled and eye catching. As impressive as the design and workmanship of the interior might be, it’s the outside of the log home that is captivating. At 1100-foot elevation, the log building sits on a hill that is one of the highest points in Illinois. The location offers panoramic views in all directions with nearby natural, but well planned landscaping. A wide deck stretches across the front of the house where at one corner a 16-foot gazebo overlooks a prairie restoration, wide green lawns and wildlife food plots and wooded areas. In less than two years there have been more than 60 bookings at High View Country Escape. The Stockton location offers guests the opportunity to take advantage of nearby activities such as shops and dining. Not far, the Stephenson County Historical Society and the Winneshiek Theatre in Freeport are easily accessible. The charming towns of Lena, Warren, Elizabeth, and Mount Carroll are all less than 30 minutes away. The High View Country Escape is approximately 900 square feet. The log home offers a large living room dining area, bath with laundry, kitchen, casual dining bar and loft with bedroom and two additional single beds. Pets are welcome. There is a minimum two-night stay. Reservations and availability can be obtained through Airbnb. Additional information can be found at www.hcescape.com.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26, 2018
Plan a country escape high over Stockton
TONY CARTON PHOTO The Scoop Today
Farm to Table If you’re not at your last
Members of the Highland Community College Servant Leadership Stockton Chapter, Mentor Laurie Gothard-Zueger, Abby Weber, Mentor Cindy Donth-Carton, Ellie Eden, Kenna Haas, and Hannah Smith volunteered at the Farm to Table Dinner hosted by the Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau and Apple Canyon Lake.
job, why is your 401(k)? Ashlie L Simonson Will you outlive your Financial Advisor 304 E North Avenue policy? life insurance Suite #200 .
Ashlie L. Stoddard Financial Advisor
Stockton, IL 61085 815-947-6090
304 E. North Avenue Suite #200 Member SIPC Stockton, IL 61085 815-947-6090www.edwardjones.com
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