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LIFE STYLE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
710 N. Illinois Avenue P.O. Box 2108 Carbondale, Illinois 62901 618-529-5454 • 800-228-0429 lifeandstyle@thesouthern.com www.LifeandStyleSI.com
Fall 2019 Publisher Terra Kerkemeyer Executive Editor Tom English Editor / Art Director Rhonda M. May Design Rhonda M. May Contributors Nellie Baril Barb Eidlin Les O’Dell Angela Rowe Jeff Wilson Les Winkeler Photography Byron Hetzler Rhonda M. May CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS I FURNITURE I LIGHTING I FLOOR COVERINGS I ACCESSORIES
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Life & Style in Southern Illinois is a publication of The Southern Illinoisan. Contact us at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901, or at P.O. Box 2108, Carbondale, IL 62902. Reach us on the Internet at www.LifeandStyleSI.com. Life & Style in Southern Illinois is published four times per year and is distributed free of cost to a variety of businesses and hotels in Southern Illinois. © 2019 by The Southern Illinoisan. All rights reserved. For more information, call 618-529-5454. Visit us online at www.thesouthern.com.
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CONTENTS
Fall 2019 features
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SOCIAL SEEN
Check out who you know in one of our most popular features
THE ARTIST 26 MEET D.J. Kennedy found fame by designing artistic fountain pens
HOME 42 AT Angela Rowe of Decorating
Den Interiors shares design tips on how to use wallpaper
more inside 46
SIU profile
54
business buzz
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medical profile
70 trends 72
parting shot
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BACK TO SCHOOL
Dealing with the stress from early education to collegiate level and everything in between
cover photo Going back to school can be daunting for some. We'll share stories on how local families make the most of it. See story on page 30. PHOTO BY GETTYIMAGES.COM
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ACCOMMODATIONS
Schoolhouse rock! The Davie School Inn offers a luxurious getaway in a charming setting
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WE LIVE HERE
Full circle: Don and Sharon Laster make a geodesic dome home — home
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GETAWAYS
America’s original national park: Winter arrives early in Yellowstone National Park
correction In the Life & Style in Southern Illinois Summer 2019 Leisure article Lindy Loyd's name was misspelled. Her email address was also listed incorrectly. The correct address is lndyle@yahoo.com. Life & Style regrets the errors.
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IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
EDITORIAL Terra Kerkemeyer publisher terra.kerkemeyer @thesouthern.com Tom English editor 618-351-5070 tom.english @thesouthern.com Rhonda M. May special projects coordinator/editor 618-351-5077 rhonda.may @thesouthern.com
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SOCIAL SEEN
The Bank of Carbondale celebrates 100
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arbondale Chamber hosted a Business After Hours event on April 4 at The Bank of Carbondale. Community leaders were on hand to help bank president Bob Bleyer celebrate the bank’s 100th anniversary at the Bank of Carbondale in Carbondale. A reception with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments were served along with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
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PHOTOS BY RHONDA M. MAY
1. Steve Murphy of Carbondale and Nikki Rishel of De Soto 2. LeAnne Gaydos of De Soto and Tina Carpenter of Makanda 3. Sally and Joe Bryant of Carbondale 4. D arren Berger of Carbondale with Woody Thorne of Makanda 5. Bob Bleyer and Jeff Grubbs, both of Carbondale 6. Nic Skovgaard, from left, Jennifer Olson, mayor Mike Henry, bank president Bob Bleyer, Jerry Kill and Steve Murphy along with members of the Carbondale Chamber gathered around during the ribbon cutting event 7. Yvonne and Herman Williams of Carbondale 8. B obby Dudenbostel and Johnnie McBride, both of Carbondale 9. Ashley Gibson, Travis Lipe, Chad Bower and Nic Bleyer, all of The Bank of Carbondale
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1940s Big Band Spectacular
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he annual Franklin Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Dinner on April 2 raised money for health care scholarships for high school seniors in the Franklin Hospital District and for health care workers who are taking classes to further their careers. This year’s event, honoring the USO and the military, at Benton Civic Center featured a 1940s Big Band Swing Spectacular theme complete with supporters dressed in World War II era vintage inspired dresses and suits. The evening also included a 1940s-style dinner menu along with movie clips from the 1940s. Music was provided by the Southern Illinois Concert Band. PHOTOS BY RHONDA M. MAY
1. Jim and Fran Jenkel, Wanda and Larry Dufrain, Annette Lawson, Dorothy Camden, Betty Jones and Suzanne Baker, all of Benton 2. Steering committee members Mary Ellen Aiken and Cathy Garavalia, both of Benton 3. Bill Carter of Benton 4. Gary and Mary Jane Graham with Pam and Tom Appleton, all of Benton 5. Emcee for the evening, John Aiken of Benton along with the Southern Illinois Concert Band 6. Gene “Mr. A” Alexander of Benton 7. Steven Pait, Paul and Hilary Remm, all of Benton with Jolie Burris of Champaign 8. Bob and Becky Lewis of Benton
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9. Rachel and Dr. Othniel Doolittle, Tammy and Dave Valette, Tiffany Hunter, Brandy Dagner and Naomi Stone, all of Integritas Emergency Physician Services 10. Liudmyla Rexing, Paula Rightnowar, Ashley Fosse, Dorothy Ruzich, Robert Bornheimer and Jessica Stricklin, all of Legence Bank 11. Dr. Emilio Resaba, Garnett Resaba and Rose Grunnert, NP, all of Franklin Hospital 12. B renda and Bob Rea of Benton 13. Kathy Escue, seated, Afton Weinbauer, Phyllis Piazza, Joyce Fogleman, Lisa Moore; Sally Niemeyer, standing, Donna Spencer and Linda Simpson, all of Benton 14. Kaye Kondritz and Mayor Fred Kondritz of Benton 15. Franklin Hospital administrators Rhonda Boehne of Centralia with Rikki Bonthron and Terri Hermann, both of Benton and Kim and Jim Johnson of Highland 16. Joy Cash with Larry and Ruth Lewis, all of Benton 17. Dr. Saeed Khan and Rizwana Khan of Benton 18. Christy Douglas of Mulkeytown with Teri Rice of Benton 19. Sandra Lovett of Benton 20. Steering committee members Anna Marie Giacone and Ruth Ann Carter, both of Benton 21. Joe and Joye Brockett of Benton
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Celebrate Women
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osted by Centennial Roots, SIUC, Carbondale Branch AAUW, Alto Vineyards and WIN for Southern Illinois and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies – SIU. The Celebrate Women event was March 21 at Morris Library. The evening included a silent auction, a reception, awards presentation and a book signing from Guest speaker, Kate Germano, a retired Marine Corps officer and author of ‘Fight Like A Girl’. The Celebrate Women Mentoring Awards acknowledges those that take it upon themselves to be a source of knowledge and support in promoting others' personal and professional growth. There were three mentoring award winners this year. Sandy Pensoneau-Conway was awarded the Celebrate Women Faculty Mentoring Award. Alicia Jones was awarded the Celebrate Women Faculty Mentoring Award. Valerie Rasp was awarded the Celebrate Women AP Mentoring Award. The theme of the 2019 Celebrate Women event was ‘Visionary Women’. This theme was meant to recognize the innovations developed by women, those women who dared to take on challenges others thought impossible to achieve, and those women who champion the vision of other women building a support system for positive change. As part of the 2019 Celebrate Women event, these stories were showcased by poems, short stories, drawings, photos and 3D art.
1. Emma Diaz and Seyi Amosu, both of Carbondale 2. Lizette Chevalier and Bonnie Heidinger, both of Carbondale 3. Guest speaker Kate Germano of Washington D.C. 4. Harvey Henson and Jolynn Smith, both of Carbondale 5. Caitlin Cox of Carbondale and Rachel Gunn of Marion 6. Carol Jackson of Carbondale and Becky Craddock of Marion 7. Valerie Rasp and Tammi Rinski, both of Carbondale with Lisa Scott of Purdue University 8. Erin Dickson, Kathy Renfro and Lizette Chevalier, all of Carbondale 9. Shelby Swafford and Anna Wilcoxen, both of Carbondale 10. Joyce Hesketh of Carbondale 11. Dr. Ella Lacey of Carbondale 12. Lauryn Kadela and Michelle Kadela, both of Marion 13. Anna Morris of Carterville and April Robinson-Kain of Herrin 14. Lula and Saja Abou-Jabal of Carbondale 15. Nana Bondzi of Carbondale 16. Bridget Gallagher of Cincinnati with Hannah Colbrook and Susan Pear Iman, both of Carbondale 17. Doug Lind, Amanda Floray, Selassie Torlcornoo, Alicia Jones, Lisa Scott and Angela Upchurch, all with SIU School of Law 18. Annie Johnson of Mattoon 19. Nour Farhat and Ali Srour, both of Carbondale 20. Meera Komarraju and Todd Bryson, both of Carbondale
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Du Quoin Chamber Farm to Table dinner
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u Quoin Chamber of Commerce’s Farm to Table Dinner sponsored by Kremer Plumbing, Beth Thompson and State Farm Insurance, Perry County Farm Bureau and Marshall Browning Hospital was held on Thursday, July 11 in beautiful downtown Du Quoin. The event — growing in popularity — showcases the beautiful, historic downtown in hopes of educating community members about the importance of eating locally grown foods and spending their dollars locally as well. An entire city block on Main Street was the setting for this truly unique experience. Linen-covered tables complete with real plates and flatware line the street. Social hour featured local beer and wine along with local music provided by Matt Basler. Food was prepared by local restaurants such as W Restaurant & Lounge, St. Nicholas Brewing Company, Kalin’s Café and Red Hawk Golf and Grille and used local ingredients supplied by Baked on Division, Don Hirsch Farm, Lick Creek Pork and Beef, Flyway Family Farms, Cahokia Rice, Feather’s Farm, Marcoot Creamery, One Circle Eco Farm and Flamm Orchard. Name Brand Creations provided fresh flowers for all the tables.
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1. Sandy Voice and Haley Baudison, both of Du Quoin 2. Michelle Eaton and Les Browser of SI Drones of Herrin 3. Billy Rogers with Abby Ancel, chairpersons of the event, both of Du Quoin 4. Theresa Di Mauro and T.J. Martin (seated) with Cindi and Chip Banks, all of Du Quoin 5. Beth Thompson of Du Quoin 6. Marsha Hardin of Mulkeytown with Paul Plett and Karen Orlandini, both of Du Quoin 7. Jordyn Bullar and Kelli Boss of W Restaurant & Lounge of Du Quoin 8. Curtis Clark of Carbondale with Molly Clark and Leo Russell, both of Du Quoin 9. Todd and Jana Kuhnert with Davey Hopkins and Michele Klein, all of Du Quoin 10. Rich Rottschalk and Jerry Smith, both of Du Quoin 11. Linda Whitman, Heide Fiorino, Cass VanDerMeer and Lora Booker, all of Du Quoin 12. Tim and Jill Leake with Royce Jackson, all of Du Quoin 13. Rose Alongi with Monica and Charles Gaines, all of Du Quoin 14. Tim and Stacy Hirsch with Jessica Holder and Keenan Rice, all of Du Quoin 15. Richard and Cheryl Rider of Du Quoin 16. Daphney Schimonski of Du Quoin with Celeste Bullar of De Soto and Jill VanZandt of Du Quoin 17. J essica Hirsch and Haley Baudison, both of Du Quoin 18. Amanda Holmes of Du Quoin with Jarrod Kearbey of Marion 19. Jason VanZandt and Roger Brand, both of Du Quoin 20. E ric Kirkpatrick and Billy Stanhouse, both of Du Quoin 21. Royce Jackson with Kathy West, both of Du Quoin 22. Chamber committee members include Stacy Hirsch, Patricia Gross, Tim Hirsch, Beth Thompson, Jeff Egbert, Abi Hammonds, Doc Holladay, Keenan Rice, Chip Banks, Tim Leake, Erik Perks, Abby Ancel and Billy Rogers, all of Du Quoin
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SIH Foundation Gala
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he Student Center Ballrooms and International Lounge at SIU were alive with music, an evening of gourmet tastes and an auction with mobile bidding for the seventh annual SIH Foundation Gala on Friday, April 12. More than 500 members of the regional community attended the event, which serves as the major fundraiser for the Carbondale-based not-forprofit health system. Proceeds went to SIH Patient and Community Support Funds – the Cancer Care Patient Support Fund, Coach Kill Fund and Family Friendship Fund – to help patients in need during medical treatment. To date, more than $1 million has been distributed to nearly 15,000 patients in need.
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PHOTOS BY KARINA NEILL AND DEVIN MILLER
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Mort and Barb Levine of Carbondale Rex Budde with Wendy Emery, both of Herrin Dr. Carl and Linda Flowers of Carbondale Jason and Anne Fairfield of Carbondale Allison and Dr. Naeem Qureshi of Carterville Christine Huang and Dr. Tennyson Lee, both of Carterville Dan and Jill Gobert of Carbondale Marcia Allen of Murphysboro with Charles D. McCann of Carbondale Autumn and Aaron Vinyard of Harrisburg Dr. Danielle Tomevi and CJ Nelson, both of Carbondale Linda Clendenin of Murphysboro with Tina Bennett of Carterville Dr. Eduardo Smith Singares and Izaskun Melania Iglesias, both of Chicago Jan and Waverly Robinson of Carbondale
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Go to www.facebook.com/ LifeandStyleSI We have met many of our featured stories through social media. Using #lifeandstylesi on your photos/posts is a surefire way of getting our attention to possibly be a feature. Life & Style : Fall 2019 17
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Marion Unit 2 Foundation Dinner
he 29th annual event held on April 26 attracted a capacity crowd at Kokopelli Restaurant and Golf Club in Marion. The fundraiser also honored teachers receiving classroom grants ($10,000) and graduating seniors receiving scholarships ($30,000) from the 501c3 established in 1990. The evening included a large silent auction, live auction, and dinner. Some auction items included lake house rentals, Siesta Key condo stay, SIU all sport season tickets, JALC tuition waiver, art, and baseball memorabilia from Marion and A's legend Ray Fosse. All items were donated by supporting businesses and friends of the foundation to benefit Unit 2.
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Louann Sims and Jane Stiritz, both of Marion Drs. Steve and Amy O’Keefe of Marion M icah and Thomas Colboth of Marion U nit 2 Foundation President, David Stotlar of Marion C heryl and Mayor Mike Absher of Marion Kim and Steve Brave of Marion Kathy and Colonel Lance Hafeli of Marion Roger and Pam King of Marion Tom and Frances Van Horn of Marion Helen and Master Sergeant Ed Ellis of Marion Candace Whitehead, Phyllis Landwehr and Amanda Lynn, all of Marion
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Southern Illinois EXPO
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outhern Illinois Wellness had their Southern Illinois EXPO event on March 23 at John A. Logan College. SI Wellness is committed to healthy families and healthy communities. The Southern Illinois Wellness Expo is a one-stop shop for wellness and healthy living. The Southern Illinois Wellness Expo offered face-to-face interactions with numerous health providers, blood and health screenings, interactive exhibits and service providers that are the best in our region. There were more than 700 attendees with 84 exhibitors, 16 screeners, 12 speakers, cooking demonstrations, and an inflatable colon and heart.
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PHOTOS BY KARINA NEILL PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Kate Allen of Marion 2. Jennifer Gutierrez, VP, Board of Directors of Carbondale and Kevin Hunsperger, President of SI Wellness Board of Directors of Carterville 3. Blue Bear and Stacy Johns of Springfield 4. Dr. Green of St. Louis 5. Becky Miller, Amanda Throgmorton, Diana Burgess and Herby Voss, all of Heartland Regional Medical Center 6. Michelle Bertinetti of Herrin 7. Patricia Nardini of Marion
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Passion for Fashion Gala
uring the week of April 23, Southern Illinois University students in the Hospitality, Tourism and Administration program along with Fashion Design and Merchandising programs worked with the Advertising specialization of the School of Journalism to bring a fun week to the SIU campus and around downtown Carbondale. The inaugural Food & Fashion Week was born. The week capped off on April 27 with a Passion for Fashion Gala at the Garden Grove Event Center in Carbondale. 150 Years of Fashion was the theme of the event that featured period pieces from local women across the decades. Dinner and refreshments were served. A silent auction was also held to raise funds for scholarships for the programs involved. The evening culminated with a special vintage fashion show. Music was provided by Kevin Lucas Orchestra.
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1. L ynette Miller and Jenise Wilson, both of Carbondale 2. Fashion show narrator Maggie Burke of Carbondale 3. D eborah and Jim Tudor of Carbondale 4. Jill Johnson and Phoebe Davis, both of Carbondale 5. Fashion show models showcasing 150 years of Carbondale fashion 6. E vent coordinator Niki Davis and Jeff Davis of Carbondale 7. Lyn Sargent of Herrin with Jennifer Randolph-Bollinger of Carbondale 8. M ichelle Suarez of Carbondale, Jennifer Dehaemers of Carterville with Regan
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Campo and Holly Krvep of Mount Vernon Bailey Barrett and Miguel Sorrell, both of Carbondale Matthew Wilson and Jenise Wilson, both of Carbondale Patricia Burns of Carbondale with Kathy Elson of Elkville Donna Koehler of Bloomington with Sydney Koehler of Carbondale Debbie Moore of Carbondale with Deb and Dan Johnson of Percy Stephanie Rhodes of Alto Pass with Karen Midden and Fnu Tugiyanto, both of Carbondale
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Nurses: The Heart of Health Care
ll across the nation, observations of National Nurses Month took place throughout May, honoring men and women dedicated to outstanding patient care. Throughout Southern Illinois, health care providers honored all of their nursing staffs with recognitions ranging from meals in their honor to special gifts. The Southern Illinoisan, along with Heartland Regional Medical Center and assisted by John A. Logan College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, honored 11 of the region’s top nursing professionals with a ceremony and reception on May 16 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
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1. Herby Voss, director of marketing and Melisa Adkins, CEO of Heartland Regional Medical Center 2. William Davis of Heartland Regional Medical Center 3. Dr. Marie Gorski and Ally Aden, both of Heartland Regional Medical Center 4. Carol Emmert, Rebecca Renfrow and Kathleen Kappa, all of Heartland Regional Medical Center 5. Connie Bergfeld and Clayton Yantis, both of Lincoln 6. Melodie Rowbotham of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 7. Matthew Wilson and Johnathen Kemp, both of Carbondale 8. Stacy Redinger of Marion and Chris Bunton of Du Quoin 9. Jaraka Bryant and Jake Seiner 10. Ally Aden, Kristin Atchison and Lindsay Wietting, all of Heartland Regional Medical Center 11. Emily Blakely of Anna with Lisa Giampaolo of Carbondale and Tina Moon of Makanda 12. Beth Riley of Marion with Jeff Butler of Harrisburg
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Night at the Museum
n Saturday, June 22, sixty guests enjoyed a five-course meal served at the General John A. Logan Museum in Murphysboro. The museum celebrates the role of “Egypt” (Southern Illinois) in the Civil War, provides educational and cultural programs, and is a gateway for regional tourism. This gala event was one of the major fundraisers for continuing the museum’s programming in the community. The sold-out dinner was chaired by Betsy Brown and Jo Nast of Carbondale and Sharon Jones of Murphysboro. Sponsors for the event were First Bank & Trust of Murphysboro, Jackson County Abstract, West Frankfort Furniture Dealers, Ozburn Insurance Agency, Dan Nolan of Edward Jones, The Smile Place, Mike Clutts Enterprises, Michael J. McNerney, Silkworm Inc., and Spectrum Graphics. Wine was paired with each course by Barb and Jim Bush of Kite Hill Winery. Gabriella and Maya Benyas provided string music for the dinner which was served by One Hot Cookie.
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1. Debbie Tindall of Murphysboro and Naomi Miali of Carbondale 2. Bruce and Barbara Dallas of Murphysboro 3. Angelo and Jan Fiorino of Murphysboro 4. Joe and Sharon Fry of Murphysboro 5. Rebecca and Billy Korando of Murphysboro 6. Gail and Linda White of Murphysboro 7. John and Julie Erbes of Murphysboro 8. Dennis and Nancy Fager, John Medwedeff and Cynthia Roth and Michael Jones, all of Murphysboro 9. Erin Mileur and Gene Schwebel of Murphysboro 10. David and Anna Clover of Murphysboro 11. Todd and Robin Sievert of St. Louis, Holly and Chad Fletcher of Herrin and Nicole Williams of Murphysboro 12. Sandy and Bill Schwartz of Murphysboro 13. Helen, Sarah and Troy Cripps of Murphysboro 14. Barb and Jim Bush of Carbondale 15. Linda and Pete Reiff of Murphysboro, Scott and Paula Maloney of Murphysboro, Betsy Brown of Carbondale, and Michael Jones of Murphysboro
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Sweethearts of the Saddle
he seventh annual Sweethearts of the Saddle Gala was held on Saturday, May 4, at Carbondale Civic Center. The fundraiser benefits Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding, operating out of Giant City Stables in Makanda. The mission of the organization is to improve quality of life through the healing power of horses. The derby-themed event was hosted by Drs. Darlene Lutchka and Aaron Workman. The event included Ken Wollberg’s violin “Heart Strings”, watching the 145th Run for the Roses, appetizers, mint juleps and dinner by Great Boars of Fire. After dinner, guests danced to live music from local band “We Got It Covered”. Emcee for the evening was Keenan Rice and a silent and live auction were presented by Jason Forby of Goreville as the auctioneer. Direct donations raised more than $35,000 after expenses to help fund the program.
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PHOTOS BY MATT HUPE
1. T ommie and Rachelle Gray with Sydney, all of Carterville 2. Dr. Darlene Lutchka and Dr. Aaron Workman, both of De Soto, hosts of the event 3. Dr. Kelly Higgins and Dr. Jeff Lehman, both of Carbondale 4. Patricia and Chuck Nardini of Lake of Egypt 5. Dr. Kevin and Karina Neill of Carbondale 6. Amy Larson and Jay Cupp, both of Carterville 7. Andrea Clark of Carbondale 8. Berit Carlson of St. Louis with Emily Novara of Murphysboro and Samantha Hayner of Carbondale 9. Berardino Baratta of Carbondale and Ramona Twellman of Makanda 10. Merilyn Hogan of Carbondale 11. Dr. Tandy and Dr. Mark Korte of Carbondale 12. T.J. and Kim Booker of Carbondale 13. Dr. Kevin and Leslie Koth of Carterville 14. Alex, Jennifer and Peter Van Horn of Marion
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21. Leslie and Josh Stroud of Carbondale 22. Melissa and Bill Banz of Makanda with Jimmy Karayiannis of Carbondale 23. Danette and Phil Schaefer of Carterville 24. Donna and Troy Scott of Pomona 25. Brenda Erickson and Dr. Thomas Davis, both of Carbondale
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ABOUT THE ARTIST
f
Fabrication of
ountain pens D.J. Kennedy found fame by designing
story and photos by BARB EIDLIN
The act of writing civilized humanity. When we learned to take that which is indescribable and capture part of it in time in a permanent way, then transmit that to another person, commerce grew and cities flourished. It’s no wonder that the first scribes and scholars were viewed with awe. Historians estimate that 90 percent of people in ancient cultures, like the Sumerians or the Egyptians, had no knowledge of how to read and write. Fast forward a few thousand years, and that percentage was nearly reversed. Colonial America was obsessed with the written word. In 1776 there were more newspapers in Philadelphia than in Paris according to Indiana University Bloomington library documents. Literacy
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artistic writing tools
rates in the New England colonies reached more than 95 percent, cited from “Literacy in Colonial New England: An Enquiry into the Social Context of Literacy in the Early Modern West” published in 1974 by Kenneth A. Lockridge. At that time writing was done with ink and a quill, as evidenced by historical representations of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and other portraiture of that era. But quills An 18-karat hand-hammered Rose Gold Fountain Pen designed by D.J. Kennedy. Kennedy found his fame as a pen artist in the 1990s when Neiman Marcus requested to carry his work.
were impractical, so various innovators came up with the dip pen as a practical substitute. A dip pen is composed of a nib and a handle that holds the nib. Metal nibs began being mass-produced in 1822, were cheap and easy to make, and played a large role in improving education and literacy as their low cost made them affordable to those who previously could not afford writing tools, according to www.historyofpencils.com. But the dip pen soon became outmoded as an America-on-the-move required something portable. Enter the fountain pen. John Jacob Parker patented the first self-filling fountain pen in 1831. Lewis Waterman improved on the design using air to induce a steady and even flow of ink and reduce leaks. “Waterman sold his hand-made pens out of the back of a cigar shop when he first got started, and he grew his company into one of the largest pen manufacturers in the world,” said D.J. Kennedy. Kennedy, who grew up in Chester and is known for his irrepressible creative spirit, has been making fountain pens for decades. He is considered a rock-star in the world of pen collectors. “I have used, designed, repaired, rebuilt, or made pens since I was a kid. I grew up using dip pens and an Esterbrook (fountain pen), given to me by my aunt, who thought I had terrible
“I went to D.C., Philly, Little Rock, Chicago, Miami. All the big ones anyway. From those shows, I got commissions, and materials. I did a lot in trade at the beginning. Pens for emeralds, that kind of thing. It was the prosperous '90s and things just took off for me.” — D.J. Kennedy, artist
Life & Style : Fall 2019 27
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Kennedy completed his BFA degree in metalworking at SIU Carbondale in 1991. He remains one of the most prolific of artists. He makes jewelry, paints, sculpts, and plays (and buys and sells) trombone.
28 Life & Style : Fall 2019
and materials. I did a lot in trade at the beginning. Pens for emeralds, that kind of thing. It was the prosperous '90s and things just took off for me,” Kennedy said. Kennedy hit the very top of his market when the prestigious retailer Neiman Marcus requested to carry his work. Kennedy made pens for the company from 1994 to 1996. In 1994 and 1995 they were featured in Christmas catalogs, amongst high-end offerings from Montblanc and Shaffer. “Of course, once the catalog hit, Shaffer would no longer supply me with new nibs, but the whole thing was really an unexpected success,” said Kennedy. In 1997, Kennedy said the number one gift for Neiman Marcus was a pen of his design — a chased and repousséd Parker Centennial cased in 22-karat gold with all internal parts. His 90th-anniversary pen — a sterling body case with black onyx ends, an 18-karat forged clip, and a cap band of 18-karat yellow gold — was the second most popular gift that year. Along with the notoriety came publicity, and Kennedy spent some
time with the jet-set in Los Angeles, made some television appearances, and enjoyed hob-nobbing with the rich and famous. But in the late 1990s, a series of global economic-financial crises threatened the U.S. economy, and the Neiman Marcus contract was not renewed. So Kennedy adapted and refocused his pen manufacturing as a personal art instead of a commercial enterprise. But if the social media chatter about his recent appearance at the St. Louis Pen Show, and the hundreds of questions about him in online chat groups are any indication, Kennedy’s work is more collectible than ever. And Kennedy remains one of the most prolific of artists. He makes jewelry, paints, sculpts, and plays (and buys and sells) trombone. He started playing in the fifth grade, began performing with the infamous Big Larry sometime in the 1980s, and is numbered among a close group of Southern Illinois musicians who play in numerous bands. He also ran a bicycle shop for more than a decade and has some tales — wicked tales — about Greg LeMond. But that’s a story for another day. PROVIDED
handwriting and was hoping a better pen might fix that,” remembered Kennedy. Not only did his penmanship improve, Kennedy said, but he gained a life-long obsession with fountain pens and their creation. He has fabricated thousands of pens using copper, silver and gold housing, some inlaid with gemstones and most detailed with organic patterning reminiscent of modernist jewelry. But not derivative. Kennedy’s creations are unique, and wholly his. “When I started making them, I used parts from other pens. I started using pen nibs and feeds and sections and fabricated pen bodies raised from flat sheet metal. The inspiration for the metal pen cases came from several classic sources,” shared Kennedy. Kennedy said his early prototypes were often clunky and nonfunctional. He spent at least a year experimenting before taking a box of his pens to Michael Fults — in the world of pen collectors, Fults was royalty — who was impressed enough to give Kennedy a supply of pen parts at no cost and sold his early efforts without taking a commission. In 1991, Kennedy completed his BFA degree in metalworking at SIU Carbondale, where he studied with L. Brent Kington and Richard Mawdsley. After graduating, he started attending pen shows and people started to collect his work in earnest. “I went to D.C., Philly, Little Rock, Chicago, Miami. All the big ones anyway. From those shows, I got commissions,
D.J. Kennedy is known for his irrepressible creative spirit. He has been making fountain pens for decades and is considered a rock-star in the world of pen collectors.
Analog and then some
Flowers, Fine GiFts, & Gourmet
The allure of the fountain pen
In an age of screens and keyboarding, when kids hardly learn cursive anymore, fountain pens — along with their old-timey accoutrements like blotters, bottled ink and fancy nibs — are making a comeback. There are jazzy new colors and styles, and an array of affordable options. It's a trend driven less by nostalgic baby boomers than by an eco- and fashion-conscious younger set, many of them drawn to the analog attractions of pens, ink and paper. "Interest in fountain pens has really taken off in the 10 years we've been in business, especially among people ages 20 to 35," says Brian Goulet, who owns the online site The Goulet Pen Company with his wife, Rachel. "Back in the '90s and 2000s, what was the rage was expensive, limited-edition Montblanc and other luxury brands," he says. "What's happened is that with the rise of social media and entry-level fountain pens, a lot of companies have come out with pens in wild colors and styles." Whereas standard ink colors were once limited to black or blue, colors now have evocative names like California Teal or Azurite, and the inks have features like quick-drying options, sparkles and sophisticated sheens. Goulet, who has posted more than 2,000 fountain-penrelated YouTube videos, is something of a rock star of the fountain pen world. "I started out as a pen turner, making wood rollerball pens by hand. But as soon as I discovered this fountain pen world, I started plugging into the community, posting videos that I hoped would be helpful to them, and building trust and loyalty among people passionate about fountain pens," Goulet says. He points out that fountain pens are a visual product, well served by social media platforms like YouTube, Reddit and Instagram. Some examples of coveted fountain pens include clear models, where you can see the ink sloshing around; fancy Italian models by the Florence-based Visconti company (their "Homo Sapiens Bronze Age" fountain pen is made from hardened basaltic lava from the Mount Etna volcano in Italy); and Taiwanese-made TWSBI pens that come in limited-edition color schemes. "Fountain pens seem to be a weird thing that people find themselves getting into," Goulet says. "The beauty of it is that these days you can have literally one person in their garage who wants to make an interesting fountain pen. People will stumble upon it and boom, you're a brand." Lamy, a fashion-forward, family-owned fountain pen company based in Heidelberg, Germany, opened boutiques in San Francisco and New York City last year. "People have a real passion for fountain pens now," says Sam Agyemang, general manager for both Lamy boutiques. "They can be Zero Waste if you use bottled ink, which is important these days. They're ergonomic and really well-designed. And they're a great fashion accessory. You can have a few styles and colors of fountain pens to go with various outfits. They really make a statement." -- Associated Press
The old-fashioned fountain pen is making a surprise comeback. LAMY shows their AL-star pen in bronze.
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steve@altoclayworks.com www.altoclayworks.com Life & Style : Fall 2019 29
ON THE COVER
S
chool Back to
Dealing with the stress from early education to collegiate level and everything in between
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B
by NELLIE BARIL ack to school looks different at various stages in life: parents and young children coping with first day jitters in early education, high school students preparing for their impending college experience, young men and women moving away from home to begin their higher education experience and non-traditional students making a fresh start with a new career path. While each group experiences a certain level of stress and anxiety during the fall of each year, an equal amount of excitement and joy surrounds this time of new beginnings.
GETTYIMAGES.COM
It is important to start early and be vigilant about deadlines, reminders and time-sensitive opportunities. With some help from parents and guidance counselors, the road to college is manageable and rewarding for the entire family.
Life & Style : Fall 2019 31
ON THE COVER
Amanda Pangrazio helps her sons, Everett and Graham, get their backpacks ready for school.
Coping with first-day anxiety Leading up to the first day of kindergarten parents experience a wide array of emotions. Moms and Dads alike relish this important part of the growing process for their young children but also worry about separation anxiety on the part of both the child and the parent. A strange, larger building with more students and a more structured curriculum can be a monumental change for our youngest student population and most families take some time acclimating to the new schedule and stressors. Amanda Pangrazio, of Makanda, has sent both of her children to their first day of kindergarten and knows very well the benefits of attending events ahead of the start of the school year as well as preparing for the rush of the new morning routine. At Unity Point School, the Ready Freddy program, in particular, helped Pangrazio and her husband make a smooth transition into kindergarten
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parenthood while also allowing her sons to tour their classrooms and meet with their new teachers. During the four Ready Freddy sessions, held in the spring before the start of the upcoming school year, the program allowed Pangrazio to meet with administrators, ask questions and confer with other parents. Pangrazio’s children were able to learn about what would be expected of them each day and bond with future classmates. “It was a wonderful experience that made that first morning of kindergarten so much easier, although admittedly I did still cry when the bus pulled away,” shared Pangrazio. While programs like Ready Freddy help alleviate the fear of sending little ones off into the world of grade school, the daily routine is a new challenge as well. Getting up early each day, dressing for school, eating a healthy breakfast and having a restful evening after the school day is overwhelming to parents and children alike.
Pangrazio says that keeping summer bedtimes relatively the same as school year bedtimes helps with the transition, while implementing time-saving strategies allows for calmer mornings during the first weeks of the school year. “Two to three weeks before school starts we get back into the habit of picking and laying out our clothes for the next day. It’s an extra step at bedtime, but it saves us so much chaos in the morning,” said Pangrazio. Preparing for tired and hungry children by stocking the pantry with after-school snacks is another good practice during back to school time while avoiding busy evenings the first few weeks of school is essential in creating a relaxed and restful atmosphere for youngsters. The first day of school for kindergarteners is an exciting time, with backpacks full of new school supplies and new friends to interact with. A few weeks of planning and preparing on the part of parents and educators make for a smooth transition into this first year of school.
“It was a wonderful experience [Unity Point School's Ready Freddy program] that made that first morning of kindergarten so much easier, although admittedly I did still cry when the bus pulled away.” — Amanda Pangrazio of Makanda
THE DAVIE SCHOOL INN
Prepping for college The years between kindergarten and high school seem to fly by for most of us and it is easy to forget the arduous process of preparing for college as a teenager. During their second year in high school, most teens are already beginning the search for colleges and universities while also thinking about areas of interest for their future careers. Brandi Doerflin, of Marion, has been assisting her son with the college application process and has learned a few tricks to make the task more manageable for both parents and students. According to Doerflin, at the end of her son’s sophomore year, he created an account and profile on College Board, an organization that was created to expand access to higher education. On the site, SAT and ACT scores are reported and students can create detailed profiles for colleges to view. “At the end of his sophomore year, my son also started looking at college websites that he was interested in, which gave a lot of information pertaining to courses, admissions, requirements, and campus life in general,” said Doerflin. The following year is perhaps even busier with SAT and ACT preparation and testing taking place during the junior year of high school. Add to that multiple college visits and open applications for scholarships becoming available and it is no wonder the process is so timeconsuming. Doerflin discovered ways to fit in more college visits without her son having to miss school days by making trips to campuses on days that school was not in session. “We went to the Blue and Gold Day at Vanderbilt on a school holiday. It was a very informative half day and included a campus tour,” shared Doerflin. Doerflin said that having a spreadsheet with all extra-curricular activities listed, to use as a personal profile of achievements, is also helpful as most universities want to see proof of a well-rounded applicant. Adding accomplishments to the document as they occur is easier than trying to remember each activity at a later date. Overall, it is important to start early and be vigilant about deadlines, reminders and time-sensitive opportunities. With some help from parents and guidance counselors, the road to college is manageable and rewarding for the entire family.
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www.davieschoolinn.com Life & Style : Fall 2019 33
Students walk along a path on the campus at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
34 Life & Style : Fall 2019
PHOTO BY BYRON HETZLER
ON THE COVER
The beginning of the rest of your life While the excitement of beginning college is a bright time in a young adult’s life, there is also a time of transition for freshmen, leaving home and gaining independence while managing the many intellectual, social and emotional challenges at the start of the academic year. At Southern Illinois University there are several programs in place, in the New Students Programs department, to help students integrate into the college lifestyle. For instance, the Saluki Startup, which is held in the second week of August, helps bring students together at the start of the fall semester. With a variety of activities taking place over three days, incoming freshmen are given the tools to become successful and make connections with students, instructors and the surrounding community. Another popular event for the incoming freshmen class at SIU is the Weeks of Welcome, commonly known as WOW. For six weeks, from late August to the end of September, students are invited to an array of events and programs that offer information on life at SIU as well as provide social events to bring the campus community together. Programs such as these are vital for students beginning their first year of college at any learning institution. With loneliness, homesickness, financial issues, peer pressure and overall stress, navigating the first year at a university takes dedication on the part of students and faculty alike.
Continuing education
Amanda Fager works on her nursing studies in her Carbondale home.
“My husband is very supportive of my efforts. My mother-in-law has become our nanny, confidante, chauffeur and scheduler. Juggling schedules was a chore at times.” — Amanda Fager of Carbondale
Somewhat more daunting than beginning college at eighteen, non-traditional students often face challenges unknown to younger classmates. Whether it be a career change or simply a later start in higher education, nontraditional students are a large part of many college campuses. This classification can mean that a student’s entry into college was delayed by one or more years, that the student is employed full-time, is financially independent or has dependents. For Amanda Fager, of Carbondale, the road to furthering her education took many unexpected turns. The military spouse and mother of four decided that she had gone long enough in life without pursuing her goals and that fear was no longer going to be a factor in her decision making. After a divorce in her early twenties, Fager took a position working with developmentally disabled persons. While the requirements of the job were nerve-wracking and challenging, she ultimately succeeded and decided that she would one day become a nurse. Following the birth of her fourth child, Fager started by enrolling herself in an Anatomy and Physiology course. “Looking back, I think I may have been testing myself to see if I was ready, capable and intelligent enough to handle the type of learning required to become a nurse,” said Fager.
Life & Style : Fall 2019 35
ON THE COVER
Instilling hope one woman at a time Women’s networking groups offer compassion by NELLIE BARIL
PHOTO BY BROOKE LINDHORST
The overwhelming expectations placed on women, to manage a multitude of tasks and care for everyone around them, can be exhausting and isolating. With the help of support circles and networking groups, women can find solace and friendship with like-minded individuals. Kendall Boysen, of Cobden, channeled her passion to help women succeed into the creation of her platform known as Encouragementology, which is the practice of instilling hope. With weekly podcasts covering topics such as managing expectations and knowing one’s worth, the certified life coach and popular public speaker believes in the importance of human connection and strongly believes that people need other people and that support groups are more vital than ever. Through her company, she has created Women Connect, a bi-weekly women’s empowerment group where members share life’s trials and talk about positive strategies. She has also formed Beyond WOW, a women’s outreach program to assist females with interview skills, resume crafting and all other aspects of getting back into the workforce.
“I’ve always had a passion to help women. Where it really started was to help women get back into the workforce which is something I’m really passionate about. Helping women become self-sustaining, independent and take back charge of their life,” said Boysen. Another local resource for women is the Southern Illinois Modern Widows Club. Jenn Fortune, of Carterville, is the official leader of the local chapter and knows firsthand the importance of the group’s monthly meetings and ongoing conversations regarding the loss of one’s spouse. After becoming a widow at the age of 28, following the death of her husband, Stephen, who was an active duty member of the United States Air Force, Fortune experienced an extraordinarily lonely and stressful journey. “When I found Modern Widows Club several years ago, my heart was filled with hope. Meeting other widows on this similar road was exactly what I needed,” shared Fortune. The growth organization offers understanding, comfort and hope for widows and their families. Through meetings, play dates, retreats, and charity events, the “Wisterhood” remain grateful for the opportunity to move forward with grief.
And capable she was. Even with several health setbacks, including thyroid issues, left ventricular heart failure and a mini-stroke, Fager successfully completed the LPN program at John A. Logan College in May of 2019 and will begin the RN program in August of 2019. The path has not been without some struggles, but luckily Fager has overwhelming support from her family which has been crucial to her success. “My husband is very supportive of my efforts. My mother-in-law has become our nanny, confidante, chauffeur and scheduler. Juggling schedules was a chore at times,” shared Fager. Fager, like many other non-traditional students, knows that she is responsible for her own success and that many roadblocks are only temporary. For persons wishing to further their education or improve their career path, the prospect of starting back to school as a nontraditional student does not have to be an impossible or frightening venture. From kindergarten to college, the back to school time of year holds immense amounts of hope at every stage of life. Whether it be parents sending their little ones off into the world for the first time, teenagers focusing on a bright future, or thirtysomethings working towards a degree while juggling a household, back to school is a bright spot of positivity in today’s world.
Life can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, but with the help of support circles and networking groups such as Southern Illinois Modern Widows Club, life can be filled with hope. Jenn Fortune (back, second from left), of Carterville, is the official leader of the local chapter.
36 Life & Style : Fall 2019
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ACCOMMODATIONS
Both the accommodations and the innkeepers, Tammy and Lyle Woodrum, at The Davie School Inn in Anna will delight and impress both travelers from outside the region and locals looking for a weekend getaway.
Schoolhouse The Davie School Inn offers a luxurious getaway in a charming setting by NELLIE BARIL, photos by BYRON HETZLER
! k c Ro
Life & Style : Fall 2019 39
ACCOMMODATIONS
ABOVE: The rooms each have a theme, such as the Blue Room which allows guest to enjoy music and art. BELOW: Several of the more luxurious suites offer bathrobes for guests' use. RIGHT, TOP: Chalkboards have been kept in each suite for guests to share notes and memories from their stay. RIGHT, BOTTOM: Classic board games are available for those feeling nostalgic.
If you’ve never heard of an inn with schoolhouse charm, you might not be alone. An elementary school turned luxury inn may be hard to picture, but The Davie School Inn in Anna, owned by Lyle and Tammy Woodrum, is one of the most unique and hospitable places to lodge in Southern Illinois. Full of antiques, contemporary decor, and every modern convenience imaginable, the masterfully remodeled grade school is a treat for each and every guest. The couple, who left corporate America to explore a new career in hospitality, live in the lower level of the school. Lyle and Tammy are friendly, upbeat, and attentive hosts to all who pass through the schoolhouse doors and it is no wonder the two have so many repeat guests.
40 Life & Style : Fall 2019
“We get lots of really good feedback from our customers. I would say that’s the most enjoyable part of it, interacting with the customers,” said Lyle. The pair share in the responsibilities of being innkeepers and run the entire operation by themselves. Lyle cooks, Tammy does the laundry, and both handle reservations and cleaning. The school, which was built in 1910 with an addition completed in the 1950s, holds eight rooms in the original portion and three luxury suites in the mid-century wing. The rooms are decorated with both pertinent antiques and updated linens, furniture and electronics. The Woodrums take an immense amount of pride in the upkeep of the suites and are constantly on
the lookout for ways to exceed their guests’ expectations. “We’re trying to keep a tasteful mix of modern and antique furniture in almost every room, and we wrap it in as much hospitality as we can,” said Tammy. Each room has its own heat and air, for maximum comfort, along with complimentary water, snacks, and a Keurig coffee maker in the kitchenette. Every morning, breakfast is served, made fresh in the onsite kitchen. A sample daily menu includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sweet potato hash, handmade apple crisp pastries, fresh fruit and orange juice. Each suite in the 1910 area boasts high ceilings and a wall of tall windows, making for a light and airy feel to the space, while
ABOVE: The White Room is known as the math-themed classroom. TOP, LEFT: The innkeepers are committed to keeping the things that make the inn great; spacious historic rooms; full delicious breakfasts and over-thetop hospitality. TOP, RIGHT: The geography-themed room is known as the Red Room. Take a look at the U.S. map and globe and try to figure out what is different from today. RIGHT, BOTTOM: The Gold Room includes amenities such as a gas fireplace, two-person Jacuzzi tub, a kitchenette and is decorated with items from the innkeepers stay in India.
also allowing for privacy with opaque curtains. The rooms each have a theme, such as geography, math, and American history as well as a spacious bathroom with a separate tub and shower. The recently refinished, original hardwood floors still show where the students’ desks were fastened to the floor and a chalkboard in each room makes for a distinctive guest book. The spacious luxury suites in the newer wing have two-person spa hot tubs, gas fireplaces, and a private, fenced in patio and courtyard, making these rooms perfect for honeymoons and anniversaries. Both the accommodations and the innkeepers at The Davie School Inn will delight and impress both travelers from
Have you enjoyed your stay at the Davie School Inn? Visit their website at www.davieschoolinn.com and leave them a review of your stay. If you haven’t had the chance to stay, book your room now and let the owners know that you found them here in Life & Style magazine.
Davie School Inn 300 Freeman Street, Anna Phone: 618-614-0707 Email: innkeeper@davieschoolinn.com Visit online: www.davieschoolinn.com
outside the region and locals looking for a weekend getaway. The Woodrums, who have taken every detail into account, providing special touches to
each impeccable room, are an absolute joy to connect with personally and only add to the overwhelming charm of this remarkable inn.
Life & Style : Fall 2019 41
by ANGELA ROWE of DECORATING DEN INTERIORS
Angela Rowe
42 Life & Style : Fall 2019
Wallcovering, more commonly referred to as wallpaper, has been around since about 4,000 B.C., but real wallpaper as we think of it didn’t actually come about until the printing press was invented. Wallpaper was the rage in the late 20th century but fell from favor as many found it reminded them of their grandma’s house.
According to Pinterest’s 2019 trend report, “paper beats paint.” People searching for big bold prints online has trended 401 percent more than in years past, according to Stylecaster.com. Homeowners are open to the idea of wallpaper because of the new designs and the new, removable types of wallcoverings. Wallpaper manufacturers have listened to consumers that have struggled to remove old paper and swore they would never use it again. The manufacturers have invented new, easy to strip papers that peel
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ANGELA ROWE OF DECORATING DEN INTERIORS
AT HOME
paper beats paint
Wallpaper is making a comeback!
off in one whole strip or piece. These removable papers are not available in every pattern and style, but even if the paper you select isn’t a removable one, non-removal papers are easier than ever to remove and don’t damage the sheetrock like the older versions. Wallpaper has been trending upward in design for the last couple of years and looks ready to
OPPOSITE PAGE: This sitting area uses wallpaper on all four walls to add depth, dimension and texture. INSET: Modern, yet timeless design incorporates a large scale geometric accent wall in this stunning bedroom.
Life & Style : Fall 2019 43
AT HOME
Graphic and bold, this room uses wallpaper to pop the color scheme and draw it together. INSET: This plaid is used to create a focal wall and add pattern to a masculine space.
accelerate in popularity once again. The use of wallpaper in the last few years was evidenced in high-end, luxury design and is now showing up more and more in moderate, everyday home designs. The most popular patterns and trends are large scale geometrics and florals, metallics and textures, and industrial or structural components. You will be amazed at the number of options in style, designs and colorways. While researching for this article, I read one designer state the painted accent wall is out, and wallpaper has taken its place. So, if you are ready to take the plunge and use wallpaper, here are some guidelines to assist. Your powder room is the perfect space to use a big, bold pattern. Believe it or not, a small space will seem larger when a big pattern is added to the walls. If you are ready to ditch that old accent wall,
now is the time to wallpaper it. Does your room lack a focal point? Adding wallpaper to one or two walls will create a focal point and take your room from ho-hum to interesting in one day. Are you starting a remodeling or decorating project? Plan now to incorporate wallpaper into the design to give it a fresh and fashionable style. Still afraid of applying wallpaper to your walls? How about wallpapering panels and hanging as a group? Wallpapers today can be bold or subtle, trendy or timeless; it is an easy way to
express your personality in your decorating. So, go ahead and decide if you want an elegant design or a more funky design. Wallpaper will help you make the statement and take you to the desired design. ANGELA ROWE, DDCD is Owner and Interior Designer of Decorating Den Interiors.
EDITOR'S NOTE | AT HOME will be a series of articles including current trends in interior decorating and design. All content is provided courtesy of Angela Rowe, DDCD, Owner and Interior Designer of Decorating Den Interiors.
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www.roofingbyreynolds.com 44 Life & Style : Fall 2019
SIU PROFILE
UNEXPECTED Pinckney Benedict doesn’t fit the traditional stereotype of creative writing professor
by LES O’DELL Like discarded drafts of a story started but never finished, throw away any preconceived notions you may have of Southern Illinois University creative writing professor Pinckney Benedict. The traditional stereotypes don’t work with him. Despite his Ivy League education and his resumé which includes a degree from the renown Iowa Writers’ Workshop; a long list of published works including short stories, a screenplay and a novel as well as studying under the guidance of noted author Joyce Carol Oates, Benedict is not what you expect. One would expect an author and teacher of his caliber to be found in a posh office, surrounded by bookcases, mementos and leather furniture. Instead, Benedict, his head freshly shaven and wearing a “Lord of the Rings” T-shirt, greets you with a warm smile and handshake as you enter his rather nondescript office on the second floor of SIU’s equally nondescript Faner
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Hall. There is no high-back leather chair, no bookcases lined with old volumes and very few knick-knacks. Instead, there is an audio recording area featuring soundproofing material, a commercial microphone and headphones. Nearby, a 3-D printer awaits its next assignment and, at the back of the room, a spacious area designed for virtual reality projects. It’s not the typical English professor’s office, but the 55-year-old Benedict is not your typical English Professor. In fact, he gets creative when it comes to creative writing. “That’s OK by me,” he said. “Admittedly, what I do, I think is unusual. I think it is a legitimate question: does this stuff belong in a traditional fiction program? Does podcasting fit in? Does VR belong there? My answer is obviously yes.” Interested in computers and gaming since a teen, Benedict wrote and published what were called text adventures — computerized role-playing games — while
a student at Princeton. Ever since, he has realized that good fictional writing is not just for the printed page. It’s that broad approach that he teaches his students: great fiction has lots of outlets.
Attention SIU staff, faculty and alumni Are you proud of your Alma mater? We would like to feature SIU alumni in upcoming issues. We need your help doing that. Our hope is to promote SIU by highlighting the interesting talents of past graduates and staff who continue to make this region great. Do you have an interesting story to tell? Do you know of an interesting person to feature? Let us know. Please email lifeandstyle@thesouthern.com. Use the subject: SIU PROFILE.
“I fly out of bed in the morning because I’m excited by what my students are doing in podcasting and other venues. I’m seeing young writers learn because they are experiencing their narratives in different ways and we are training them to new heights right here.” — Pinckney Benedict, Southern Illinois University creative writing professor
OPPOSITE PAGE: Pinckney Benedict is a professor in the SIU English Department. INSET and ABOVE: Pinckney Benedict works in the podcasting studio in Faner Hall. He started teaching a podcasting class within the English department where he also uses virtual reality technology to teach writers to tell better stories.
“I’m teaching people to make good art,” he explained. “It seems to me that someone is going to make great art for podcasts, someone is going to make great art for VR, and someone is going to make great art in gaming, so why shouldn’t it be us?” Benedict says writing for technology platforms is simply the next frontier for creative writers. “As the novel was the great narrative form of the 19th century and as cinema was the great narrative form of the 21st century, it seems to me inevitable that some form of immersive technology like virtual reality or augmented reality is going to become the dominant narrative form of the 21st century, so we should be building this into our curriculum and as the senior fiction writer here, I have a chance to do that.”
He says that even though the fiction segment of podcasting is small in comparison, it is a growing outlet for writers, adding that learning to write for podcasting — writing for the ear — is advantageous for students. That’s the reason he started teaching a podcasting class within the English department. “It is a tool which makes students better writers,” he added, explaining that successful podcasters have a better chance of catching the attention of publishers. Benedict already has the attention of publishers. He is an award-winning author. Originally from an Appalachian dairy farm, his works are, almost without exception, set in his native West Virginia. “The place where I grew up is the place where my imagination stays,” he stated. Even as his work has ventured into science fiction and even horror, the setting remains the same. “Even the monster stories are always couched within the area of my interest,
West Virginia agricultural communities,” he said. Benedict adds he never knew of a time when he did not want to be a writer, initially writing tomes longhand on a yellow legal pad and always with dark blue ink. Today, he has transitioned to a computer “because it’s just too convenient” right next to the podcasting and VR gear, which he says is a tremendous tool for writing. “Virtual reality is a great tool. If you wanted to write about Tokyo, I could put you on the street in Tokyo in a very convincing way,” he explained. To Benedict, it is all part of immersing readers, regardless of the medium. “When you say to me fiction, I think storytelling; I don’t think writing on paper, I don’t think typing. If we confine ourselves to the page, we confine ourselves to the 20th century. We don’t want to do that. Our stories should be tellable across the spectrum of technology and time.” He finds it exciting. “I fly out of bed in the morning because I’m excited by what my students are doing in podcasting and other venues. I’m seeing young writers learn because they are experiencing their narratives in different ways and we are training them to new heights right here.”
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WE LIVE HERE
Circle FULL
Don and Sharon Laster make a geodesic dome home — home
A
by NELLIE BARIL, photos by BYRON HETZLER vast majority of Southern Illinois residents are familiar with R. Buckminster Fuller and his patented geodesic dome home, whether it be from local news stories, regional events and lectures, or research of unusual architecture. Fuller, who was a professor in the School of Art and Design at Southern Illinois University from 1959 to 1970, was passionate about designing practical and efficient shelters and the geodesic dome is perhaps his most well-known contribution to society. While many enthusiasts of these efficient structures have toured geodesic domes, studied building plans, and researched Fuller’s legacy, Don and Sharon Laster of Jonesboro made the dome home into a reality by constructing one of their very
own in the lush, wooded hills of rural Union County. What began as a search for a unique home design after purchasing a piece of land turned into an unforgettable journey constructing the architectural rarity.
What type of home to build? In 1981, the Lasters bought five acres outside of Jonesboro and began the process of deciding on what kind of home to build. Two of Don’s brothers had built unique homes in the area — a log home and an English Tudor style home — and he wanted to follow suit. “I knew I wanted something different. We considered earth homes and didn’t really like that idea,” shared Don. While speaking with a colleague at the school where he taught construction trades and welding, Don learned that this fellow teacher lived in a geodesic dome and he asked if he could
The Laster’s home is the picture of cozy, nestled in at the bottom of a small bluff on the property, surrounded by mature trees with a small creek on the west side of the rolling, lush green lawn.
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“We’re in the country and we enjoy it. It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it.” — Sharon Laster, homeowner
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WE LIVE HERE
LEFT, TOP AND BOTTOM: Just off the kitchen, the area opens up to the family room which boasts twenty-five-foot ceilings in the expansive living space and the dining area that features several windows to enjoy the lush surroundings of the property. INSET: Don Laster (right) and his brother, Kenny, look at photographs taken during the construction of the dome home in the mid-1980s.
bring his family to tour the distinctive piece of architecture. Don and Sharon loaded up their two young sons and visited the home that would soon become their dream. “We walked into the living room and immediately we knew this was what we wanted to do. We just fell in love with it,” said Sharon. The teacher who owned the dome home also worked as a representative selling the geodesic dome kits, one of which she purchased to build her own abode. Don and Sharon priced a kit for the dome best suited to their needs and realized the sticker price was just a bit above their budget. But this didn’t stop the ambitious family. Don’s brother, Kenny, who works as a carpenter, encouraged Don to build the geodesic dome on his own. With his own vast skillset and knowledge of the building trade, Don decided that he, along with his brothers and close friends, could combine their knowledge of carpentry, building, and design to create a more affordable geodesic dome.
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While Don’s brother, Kenny, got busy performing the excavation, making a suitable building site out of the two hills on the property, Don employed the help of a close friend who drew the plans, figured the dimensions of the components, and computed the compound angles involved in the construction of the dome. The structure of a geodesic dome is typically made up of sixty triangular panels that fit together in groups of five and six to create the finished spherical shape most of us are familiar with. Once Don had the plans for his own home, he built a twelve-foot model to test the dimensions. Following that successful test run, he then got busy cutting out the sixty triangular pieces. Working at the shop his brother, Kenny, owned just down the street, Don spent countless hours in 1981 measuring and cutting the pieces and moving them to the building site. Once the walkout basement was poured and the framing for the outside of the dome was erected, the process of putting the pieces together began in 1982.
It takes a village The Lasters were fortunate enough to have not only the help of Don’s family but also several friends in the area who volunteered their time to help assemble the building. While going through a photo album of the building process, the excitement is evident in the photos as well as in the voices of the men involved, as they start to tell the tale of building the home. Photographs of the process, from start to finish, show the amazing transformation. Wells were drilled, poles set, the back wall of the basement was built, then the floor was finished and then the breathtaking photos of the dome itself being constructed. “They had scaffolding up working on the structure and they had the music going and were dancing on the scaffolding,” said Sharon. Every other weekend, Don would work with close friends Jerry Miller, his son, Scott Miller, and George Thodoropoulos, putting the triangular pieces together and attaching
Don and Sharon Laster of Jonesboro made the dome home into a reality by constructing one of their very own in the lush, wooded hills of rural Union County.
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WE LIVE HERE
them to the frame in the prescribed order. The work was too intense to work on continually, so on the off weekends, Don would help Thodoropoulos with the construction of his own home. “It was so intensive to work on. Don would say, ‘Now remember, I just have a one-inch strip to cover that space,” remembered Thodoropoulos. The building crew worked as much as possible that winter until the structure was near completion, with just the uppermost, final piece left to install. The pentagon at the highest point, which is twenty-five feet from the floor and nearly thirty-five feet from the ground outside, was the final test of the accuracy of the original design, the measuring and cutting by Don, and the piecing together of the fifty-five other triangles. The men bolted the final five triangles together, lowered the pentagon into place, and rejoiced as the piece fit snugly in place. “The most amazing thing was the last triangle we put in at the top. It fit just perfect,” said Miller.
Nestled in the bluffs Some thirty-seven years later, the Laster’s home is the picture of cozy, nestled in at the bottom of a small bluff on the property, surrounded by mature trees with a small creek on the west side of the rolling, lush green lawn. The long, shaded driveway leads to a parking area outside the detached twocar garage where English ivy grows abundantly on the back hill just behind the parking area. A raised deck surrounds almost the entire home and Sharon has worked tirelessly on the landscaping to achieve a polished look to the grounds surrounding the dome. Planters full of pink and purple petunias and abundant hostas, planted among a decorative rock border, adorn the deck and the grounds just below it. Several containers and pallets are home to a hearty vegetable garden on the sunniest side of the deck, where tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and squash are a testament to Sharon’s green thumb. “We’re in the country and we enjoy it. It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it,” said Sharon.
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TOP: A raised deck surrounds almost the entire home and Sharon has worked tirelessly on the landscaping to achieve a polished look to the grounds surrounding the dome. INSET: The bedrooms on the second level now make perfect guest rooms for the couple’s grandchildren or friends from out of town.
Want to see your house here? Does your house have what it takes to be in a magazine? If it has walls and a roof and some great curb appeal, it qualifies. Well, it takes a little bit more than that. The houses featured have a great history behind them or a unique owner that has a great story, or just that curiosity factor that makes people ask 'I wonder what that house looks like on the inside.' We are looking for interesting houses to feature in Life & Style. Please email lifeandstyle@thesouthern.com with a few photos of the outside and inside of your house. Use the subject: WE LIVE HERE. Include a brief paragraph about yourself and why your house should be featured. Also, include the address of the home in your email. (Note: Addresses will not be published).
Upon entering the rear door of the home, the kitchen and breakfast nook are a welcoming sight with crisp, white cabinets and rich, wooden countertops. True to the thrifty ways of the Lasters, the cabinets were built during the construction of the home and the countertops came from a company in Cape Girardeau that made truck bed floors and were purchased at a fraction of the price of traditional store-bought or custom counters. “I was working on a teachers’ salary. We repurposed everything to save money,” shared Don. Walking through the kitchen, the area opens up dramatically to the dining area and family room which boast twentyfive-foot ceilings in the expansive living space. With 2,400 square feet on the main level and the lofty ceilings, the home is relaxing in all its grandeur. A stairway leading to the second level acts as a wall between the kitchen and family room and was hand-built by Don using pine for the steps, railing and spindles. While some dome plans allow for dormer extensions, cupolas, and skylights to create more natural light in the rooms, Don was wary of these additions to his building plans. “Some domes have skylights put in them but I wanted to stay away from them because they leak. A lot of domes also have extensions but to have those you have to cut through the main strength of the dome,” said Don. The ceiling itself is a testament to the meticulous work of assembling a geodesic dome. Visitors can see the shape and size of many of the triangles, pentagons and hexagons in the ceiling and walls. While some owners cover the
entire interior with sheetrock, Don and Sharon made the wise decision to keep most of the triangles exposed by covering them with one by eight pine boards, which were stained with one coat at the time of installation and have remained maintenance free, like most of the home. “People ask 'how do you dust that?' Well, we don’t. Nothing sticks to it,” said Sharon. The layout and practicality of the home are perfect for their family of four that originally inhabited the home, with the master bedroom and adjoining bathroom just off the kitchen and the two somewhat secluded bedrooms with a shared bathroom upstairs. Although the Laster’s two grown sons no longer live at home, the bedrooms on the second level now make perfect guest rooms for the couple’s grandchildren or friends from out of town. The windows in the two bedrooms are somewhat short but are wide and built into recessed nooks, where Sharon says both of her sons liked to spend time alone, relaxing and enjoying their respective spaces.
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The pros and cons of the architectural rarity There are numerous benefits to owning a geodesic dome home — from the lower cost of heating and cooling to having a more stable structure overall. Geodesic domes require very little surface area for the interior walls and therefore distribute air more effectively than a traditional home. The triangle shape used in the majority of the structure is extraordinarily stable and can withstand the pressure of wind, tornadoes, snow and earthquakes, especially when compared to the rectangular shapes used in the construction of standard homes. “The neat thing about the geodesic dome is you can put your rooms anywhere you want because there aren’t any weight-bearing walls,” remarked Don. When asked if they had any regrets in choosing the geodesic dome style of home, Sharon said the roof is the only challenge, saying that it is a difficult undertaking and that it is hard to find a good contractor, who knows what he’s doing and is willing to take on the challenge. Beginning with the incomparable experience of building this architectural marvel, where the hands of several kind people worked to take part in the unique process, to the many years of happiness enjoyed inside the structure, the Lasters used their interpretation of Buckminster Fuller’s vision to create a masterpiece of their own.
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& DEBT DAWG! Life & Style : Fall 2019 53
BUSINESS BUZZ
Got
STRESS?
Slow down, take a breath, get a massage
by JEFF WILSON As a mother of three, Lezlie Terry knows the stresses of parenting. As the owner of Intuitive Massage and Bodywork, she knows the importance of relieving that stress. “It’s about stopping and being present,” Terry said. “It’s about
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decompression of the mind. It’s that simple.” When most people think about getting a massage, they think they need to really feel it the next day, but deeper doesn’t always mean better. “There are a lot of different avenues in the massage world,” Terry said.
ABOVE: Lezlie Terry, owner of Intuitive Massage and Bodywork knows the importance of relieving the stress of parenting. OPPOSITE PAGE: Terry offers many different types of massages and bodywork — including Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal and other massages as well as different wraps, treatments, yoga and more. She uses these tools to cleanse the air and bring peace to the experience.
“Getting regular massages have been proven to boost your immune system.” Beyond more traditional massage options, Terry also uses Reiki and craniosacral techniques. Reiki uses a subject’s lifeforce energy to promote emotional and physical healing. Craniosacral massage focuses on the head, spinal column and sacrum. Both are less invasive than traditional massage, which Terry said is important for some people. “We’re so guarded,” she said. “These techniques can get a client into a peaceful zone. These forms of stress-reduction bodywork can help drop brain chatter and really align them.” Terry offers many different types of massages and bodywork — including Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal and other massages as well as different wraps, treatments, yoga and more. Still, she pointed out other things a person can do to relieve life’s day-to-day stress. “Each morning, stop and take 10 deep breaths,” she said. “Slow down and go inside your body.” Deep breathing increases oxygen flow to the brain and is a simple way to calm oneself, Terry said. She also encourages people to meditate or, at the very least, step outside and take in their surroundings.
“It’s about stopping and being present. It’s about decompression of the mind. It’s that simple.” — Lezlie Terry, owner of Intuitive Massage and Bodywork
Schedule a time Intuitive Massage and Bodywork Where: 201 E. Main St. Suite 3-D, Carbondale Hours: By appointment only 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday Online: www.intuitivecarbondale.com
“With three kids of my own, I can tell you that 20 minutes of meditation makes me a little softer,” she said. “If that’s not possible, go outside. If it’s for 30 minutes
or 30 seconds, it can make a positive difference. Take it in while you’re walking into class or work. It’s the small moments.”
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MEDICAL PROFILE
Eugenio argas Meet
World traveler, performer, regular guy who’s also a neurosurgeon
Dr. Eugenio Vargas wants to be known as a regular guy — a normal Southern Illinoisan. After all, he drives a pickup truck to work each day from his rural Carbondale home. He listens to country music and he’s a Cubs fan. But when people introduce him, they usually say, “This is Dr. Vargas — the neurosurgeon.” “I don’t like that,” he said. “My closest friends know that. I usually just look at them before they say anything.”
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V
Eventually, though, curiosity wins out and a new acquaintance will ask, “What do you do?” Vargas says sometimes he will tell them, hoping they will just move on in the conversation, Or he’s been known to say that he’s kind of a carpenter, plumber and electrician, which inevitably leads to a “How’s that?” “Then I tell them I’m a doctor — a carpenter for the spine, a plumber working with spinal fluid and an
electrician dealing with all of the nerves. But I’d rather just leave it at ‘Eugenio Vargas’ and let them get to know me without having the bias of my being a neurosurgeon.” He is — and wants to be — one of us. The son of a primary care physician and World Health Organization employee, Vargas grew up all over the world: from his first home in rural Mexico to India, Nigeria, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela and Washington D.C., imprinting on
Dr. Eugenio Vargas joined the SIH Brain and Spine Institute in 2015 as a neurosurgeon where he immediately began to feel at home.
him a variety of cultures, populations and opportunities. Drawn to performing, in college, he completed three years as a theater and drama major, but medicine was always a possibility. In fact, Vargas took pre-med classes along with courses in acting. When his father accepted a transfer back to Peru, the younger Vargas decided to go back to Mexico, and exiting the stage, decided to study medicine. “I always liked the sciences, especially biological science and it was just a natural thing for me to do. I enjoyed it tremendously,” he recalled. It was in medical school that Vargas met his wife Tanya, now a pediatrician with Community Health and Emergency Services in Carbondale. In Mexico, new medical school graduates are required to complete one year of practice at a government facility. For Vargas, that made him the primary care physician at a small, rural clinic. “It was a very special year because you start to put everything you’ve learned in
medical school into practice,” he recalled. “You discover how much you’ve learned and how much you still have to learn.” Vargas says he remembers how caring and grateful the people were, often paying for care with food: apples, mangos, fish, oysters and lobster. “They treated us very well. The people were very nice.” At the clinic, Vargas assisted patients who presented with everything from colds to cuts and more. He even delivered a few babies during his year-long assignment. But it was his own inability to help some patients who needed more advanced care which sharpened his focus. “The year helped me realize that I wanted to do something with surgery,” he recalled. Having an uncle who was a practicing neurosurgeon helped make Vargas’ next move clear. “He invited me to make rounds with him and then he invited me into the operating room and later to assist him with surgery. He
was an excellent teacher and made everything seem very straightforward and easy to comprehend. I loved being in surgery with him and that’s when I realized neurosurgery was what I needed to do,” Vargas said. He asked his uncle for advice about how to proceed. Looking beyond any desire to have his nephew practice with him, Vargas’ uncle recommended further training in the United States. Vargas says that he and Tanya were lucky enough to both be accepted into residencies at New Orleans Tulane University. Following residency and an internship, neurosurgeon Vargas accepted a position in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, drawn to the Volunteer State by an older peer from Tulane. Vargas practiced in Oak Ridge for more than two decades. In 2015, Vargas received a telephone call another former Tulane colleague, Dr. Mark Fleming, now practicing neurological surgery at Southern Illinois Healthcare. Fleming was calling to ask about an applicant for an open position in Carbondale. As Fleming described the position and region, Vargas felt a calling. “Do you mind if I come and interview?” Vargas asked. Fleming did not mind and Vargas soon joined the SIH Brain and Spine Institute as a neurosurgeon. Immediately, he says, he began to feel at home. “I think I’ve had more interaction with my peers socially and been more involved in the community here than I’ve ever had anywhere else,” Vargas remarked. He’s involved in the local arts scene, assisting with fundraisers and enjoying Southern Illinois outdoors, driving his pickup truck. When asked if the truck helps him relate to his patients, he shrugs. “I don’t know,” he answered. “If it does, that’s good, but I don’t do it for that reason. If my patients see that I drive a truck and it makes them feel more comfortable with me and removes any stigma, that’s good. Besides, I like my truck.” Eugenio Vargas is just a regular guy.
EDITOR'S NOTE | MEDICAL PROFILE will be a series of paid advertorials provided by Southern Illinois Healthcare.
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GETAWAYS
America’s Winter arrives early in the stunningly beautiful, two-million-acre Yellowstone National Park
I
story and photos by LES WINKELER t was a stunningly beautiful October afternoon when we drove through the West Gate. The blue sky was big, as only the Western sky can be. The sun was bright and the temperature hovered in the mid-50s. But, the wind had a bite. It made a person want to secure an extra button or pull your hoodie up around your ears.
Two bull bison with ice and frost in their fur breathe clouds of steam in a cold Yellowstone winter.
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national park
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Experiencing Yellowstone’s winter grandeur Two days later, the morning of October 4, we pulled back the curtains at Yellowstone’s Snow Lodge to see the world covered in a layer of snow. It was a dream come true. The snow was just a couple inches deep, and would disappear from the lower elevations in a couple of days, but it was thick enough to give us a glimpse of Yellowstone’s winter grandeur — without the travel complications that a true winter snowfall brings. For the next two days pine trees, even at lower elevations, were draped in the fluffy snow. Bison, which we saw in incredible number, carried the flaky stuff on their massive foreheads. And, although purely psychological, it made the mountain air seem even crisper, cleaner. The snow was a fortunate byproduct of our accidental October excursion to America’s original national park. President Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation in 1872 protecting the more than 2 million acres spread across Wyoming and Montana as a national park.
Our original plan had been to visit Niagara Falls. The entire trip was mapped out – lodging booked, itinerary finalized. Unfortunately, we overlooked one significant detail — both of our passports had expired — something we discovered in mid-September. Scrapping plans for Niagara Falls was momentarily devastating. But, within a month we were celebrating our good fortune. While moping at the kitchen table one evening I suggested Yellowstone. One of the most-visited national parks, booking rooms anywhere near Yellowstone seemed a remote possibility. Most of the park’s hotels close in early October. But, as it turns out, visitation drops precipitously during October. Despite just two weeks lead time, we were able to book rooms inside the park for five of the six nights we were there. With two million acres to explore, that is a serious plus.
Upon arrival The first full day in the park was spent on a bus tour. Various tours are offered each day. Taking at least one tour is a major plus. The day-long trip provides an overview of the park, allowing visitors to
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When the original plan goes awry
OPPOSITE PAGE: Winter comes early in Yellowstone National Park. This light snowfall covered the park in the first week of October. ABOVE: Castle Geyser in Yellowstone National Park has the largest cone and may be the oldest of all geysers in the basin. It erupts every 10 to 12 hours and reaches heights of 90 feet. TOP: A bull moose wades a river near the southern border of Yellowstone National Park.
"Most of the world travels to Yellowstone to see Old Faithful — the massive geyser that erupts roughly every hour. Old Faithful is certainly worth seeing, but if you spend significant time at the park if probably will take a back seat to a host of other memories." — Les Winkeler
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A heard of bison block traffic on a road in the Lamar Valley. INSET, OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: A badger goes on high alert in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. INSET, OPPOSITE PAGE, RIGHT: This older bighorn ram was sighted in Yellowstone National Park in December. INSET, BELOW: Elk graze at will in the town square at Mammoth, Wyoming. The elk are fond of the bluegrass that remains from when the town was a military garrison.
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make informed decisions as to where they’d like to return. With so much to see, that is a vital cog in a successful trip. Of course, most of the world travels to Yellowstone to see Old Faithful — the massive geyser that erupts roughly every hour. Old Faithful is certainly worth seeing, but if you spend significant time at the park if probably will take a back seat to a host of other memories. The major road through Yellowstone forms a rough figure-eight. If you do nothing else but stick close to this 144-mile route you will see elk, bison, antelope,
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waterfalls, mud pots, sulfur cauldrons and stunning views of Yellowstone Lake. But, you will also be depriving yourself of the amazing prairies found in the Lamar Valley or the snow-capped peaks of Grand Tetons National Park just 70 miles to the south. Another word to the wise, don’t think you can cover ground quickly. A 15-mile drive in Southern Illinois can take 12 to 15 minutes. Time and traffic stand still in Yellowstone. The roads are narrow and traffic moves slowly.
Nature and wildlife abound One of the first lessons learned while visiting a national park is that cars pulled to the side of the road usually means one thing – wildlife. It’s always worth a stop. You never know what you might see — it could be buffalo, elk, bison, bear, moose, antelope, mountain goats, or as we learned, even a badger. And, sometimes the traffic jams are caused by bison marching down the middle of the road. We were stopped in traffic for nearly 20 minutes near Gibbon Falls one afternoon when the parade of bison finally reached us. They passed so close to the car
The Grand Prismatic Spring is stunning at sunset in the Midway Geyser Basin along the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park. INSET: Scenic views are seen from the road passing through a canyon near Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.
we could have reached out and grabbed their horns. Traveling to the various parts of the park is a necessity to truly see Yellowstone. The physical features, thermal features and wildlife vary greatly in different areas of the park. Most of the thermal features are located near the north shore of Yellowstone Lake. Viewing Grand Prismatic Spring is a must — getting a whiff of Sulphur Cauldron should be considered optional. We made the mistake of opening our car windows while driving by the Sulphur Cauldron, then spent the next couple hours worrying the odor would never dissipate.
Unfortunately, our first visit to Grand Prismatic Spring was a bust. It was rainy and overcast. While the intensely blue boiling water was clearly visible, the overcast sky muted the effect. And, a dense fog prevented us from seeing this spectacular hot spring in its entirety. Our tour guide suggested we come back on a sunny day to get a better view. Best advice ever. We were leaving the park four days later on a gorgeous Sunday morning. The entrance road to the spring was on our route. We decided to make time, which in turn, resulted in one of the best memories of the trip.
Stepping out of the car in the parking lot, I noticed something moving in my peripheral vision. Glancing at the hill about 150 yards in front of us, I noticed five wolves trotting through the grass. It was a seminal moment. It was the first time I had ever encountered a wolf in the wild. We sat spellbound as the wolves trotted toward a stand of trees about 50 yards wide. We were just about to turn away as the wolves disappeared into the trees, but then several elk came bolting from the trees with the wolves in hot pursuit. It was a scene I’d viewed repeatedly in documentaries, but to see it unfolding in real life was breathtaking.
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GETAWAYS
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GETTYIMAGES.COM
Mammoth Hot Springs overlooks the town of Mammoth, Wyoming. The massive spring has active areas and spectacular formations left behind by previous eruptions. INSET, LEFT: The hot springs of Yellowstone National Park are teeming with microbes, which add to the spectacular colors. INSET, ABOVE: Tourists walk on the boardwalk to view Grand Prismatic Spring in the Midway Geyser Basin area of Yellowstone National Park.
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GETAWAYS
As fate would have it, a pair of park rangers pulled into the parking lot in time to see the elk fleeing for their lives. The animals had crossed the path we intended to walk to get a view of the springs. We were assured it would be safe to walk the path. The wolves were more concerned about elk than us. However, about three-quarters of a mile into the walk, a wolf topped a small rise only about 30 yards in front of us. The wolf either didn’t see us or care about us, but he trotted directly at us for several steps before loping away. The elapsed time of that encounter is fuzzy, but it was both terrifying and exciting at the same time.
Visiting Lamar Valley
Camping boom
Enjoying the wide river valley On a trek to the Grand Tetons National Park, it was necessary to stop for gas. The Lewis River flows just across the road from the convenience store, so we decided to pull off the road for a few minutes to enjoy the view of the river valley.
State parks report biggest gain in campers, longer season
Oregon set a record for the number of campers at state parks last year, and the number of day-use visitors was the secondhighest ever, according to a report by the state's Parks and Recreation Department. The report said 2.9 million people camped at a state park in 2018 and 54 million people in total visited a park, the second-highest number ever after a blockbuster summer season in 2016 that attracted 54.5 million visitors, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Coastal parks saw the biggest gain in campers. Fort Stevens, South Beach and Bullards Beach — all along the Pacific Ocean — together accounted for more than half of the growth in overnight visits. They collectively attracted 59,300 campers last year. The camping season is also spreading beyond the traditional busy summer months. Crowds have begun to come to camp in the spring and well into the fall, filling yurts and cabins on rainy days, and taking advantage of months with unseasonably warm weather. "The camping season is stretching itself," state parks spokesman Chris Havel said. "The peak time is getting longer and longer." Smaller state park campgrounds also saw big growth, from Viento in the Columbia Massive old growth timber draws visitors from around the world to Beall Woods State River Gorge to Lake Owyhee in eastern Park in Wabash County. Oregon. Tiny Jackson F. Kimball State
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY IDNR
The Yellowstone River tumbles 108 feet down over the Lower Falls.
At the same time, don’t miss the Lamar Valley. The Lamar Valley will be physically recognizable because the terrain is reminiscent of every Western ever filmed. The
rolling hills, covered with grass and sage, hold massive herds of bison. We also spotted herds of elk, the occasional pronghorn and mule deer. As we were leaving the valley, we encountered several cars pulled to the side of the road. Knowing there was wildlife nearby, we dutifully stopped. Scanning the horizon, we saw no large mammals. We were about to drive off, thinking it was a false alarm when we looked to the side and saw a badger searching the grass for prey. It’s not something we expected to see, but it became a personal highlight of the trip. The chance encounters with wildlife are one of the many charms of a Yellowstone visit.
Another spectacular decision — we spent the next 30 minutes watching a moose family, a male, female and two calves, walking toward and eventually crossing the river. Of course, there are some wildlife sightings that are nearly as predictable as Old Faithful. Spotting elk at Mammoth Hot Springs near the north entrance of the park is almost a given. The town was once a U.S. Army base and the military planted Kentucky bluegrass, apparently an elk delicacy, throughout the town. The animals walk leisurely about the town, happily posing for photos. And, views of bighorn sheep are common on the mountainsides on the road leading to Gardiner, Montana, at the north end of the park. Gardiner is home to the iconic Roosevelt Gate. Finally, if you get beat down by a week of tourism, you can bubble your aches and cares away by dipping in the Boiling River. Hot springs feed directly into the river, creating pockets of natural hot tubs. A word to the wise, dip your toes in the water before taking a seat.
'Firefall' phenomenon wows visitors to Yosemite's El Capitan California's Yosemite National Park has been wowing visitors and photographers with its annual "firefall." Every year for a few short days in February, the setting sun illuminates Horsetail Fall to make it glow like a cascade of molten lava. The natural wonder draws scores of people to Yosemite Valley for a spot near the waterfall, which flows down the granite face of the park's famed rock formation, El Capitan. Horsetail Fall only flows in the winter or spring, when there is enough rain and snow. In February, the sun lights up the fall for only about two minutes at dusk. The best views are east of El Capitan along the main roads into and out of Yosemite Valley.
— Associated Press
— Associated Press Rhonda M. May contributed to this article.
AP
Recreation Site in southern Oregon saw the highest percent increase, with an additional 557 campers that added up to a 64 percent increase. Those increases at smaller campgrounds are exactly what the parks department is looking for. Last year, the department launched an initiative to decrease camping fees at less-popular state parks, hoping to spread out the growing crowds. Havel said it seems to have worked, so in 2019 the department will implement a one-month trial of increased camping fees at a few of the more popular parks, which could offset the discounts if made permanent. Southern Illinois has 13 state parks that offer camping. The most visited sites are listed at www.dnr.illinois.gov. In 2013, Illinois Department of Natural Resources spearheaded an initiative to make state parks great again. The State Parks, Great Parks Initiative is improving facilities at campgrounds like fire pits, picnic shelters and bathrooms, to hiring more staff to ensure our State Parks continue to be enjoyed by over 44 million visitors each year.
TRENDS
TINY BOXES Solutions and help for small-space living
by ASSOCIATED PRESS Setting up home in a small apartment poses all sorts of challenges. First, there's the floorplan: With small rooms come issues like storage, and where to put the bed. Then there's the furniture: Will it fit up the stairs, and will you need a toolbox and an engineering degree to put it together? Retailers and design services have answers. Design-your-space websites can give you accurate floor plans and helpful decor suggestions. Cleverly designed furniture is scaled for smaller footprints, and might come to the door in easy-toassemble formats, or with assembly service as part of the package. There are now more options than ever for the diminutive nest.
The floorplan Sites like Modsy and Havenly give you a thorough questionnaire to pinpoint your style preferences. You can choose or attach pictures of favorite spaces, as well. Then designers will come up with a few plans from which you can choose.
At Modsy, for example, you can get a 3-D rendering based on your photos and measurements. Click on furnishings throughout the layout to see if you want to buy them or switch them out for other options. You can also include pieces you already own or are thinking of getting, and your designer will position them in the plan for you. Fiona Byrne, an interior designer in New York City, says one way to tackle the challenging, long but shallow living rooms so common in the city is with space-saving furniture. "Look for narrower pieces such as console tables instead of deep credenzas, and instead of a coffee table, get end tables for either side of the sofa," she advises. "Dual-purpose pieces are great — side tables that can double as stools when guests come over, a console table that doubles as a desk, etc. Plug-in wall sconces eliminate the need for additional side tables and don't require any wiring. All you need is a screwdriver." She also likes wall-mounted televisions: "People can install the cable box vertically
Unique patterns, Baltic birch and brass-finished powder-coated steel make for a great line of credenzas, as shown here with this piece by Inside Weather.
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slotted behind the TV so there's no need for a piece of furniture under the TV."
The furnishings "Small spaces are tricky," says designer Alison Pickart of Larkspur, California, who has done several apartment projects. "When I want a small space to feel larger, I keep the color palette monochromatic. The eye is less 'distracted' and the space feels more seamless." "Mid-century pieces work well in tight spaces because their scale is more petite," she says. Check out small-space collections from West Elm, Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn. Sebastian Brauer, Crate & Barrel's vice president of product design and development, says small-apartment living is about striking a balance between function and style. "Consider pieces that contribute to a light and airy visual vibe, as well as options that maximize your vertical space," he says. "And don't shy away from bold color; especially if your space has limited light. Bright colors can bring warmth and energy to your space." If you're not quite ready to invest in furniture, consider renting it. In New York and San Francisco, Feather offers "furniture freedom": rentals of three months or longer for couches, chairs, tables and other furnishings from name-brand furniture partners. You can renew the lease, or buy something if you fall in love with it. West Elm has just launched a partnership with Rent the Runway, where subscribers can choose from 26 bundles of soft furnishings for the bedroom and living room, curated by style, print, texture and color. Inside Weather lets you try out a piece of furniture for a year and return it if things just aren't working out. They've got a selection of contemporary pieces, like apartment-size sofas, midcentury modern chairs, credenzas and tables of all sizes. Everything ships for free. Inside Weather tells you how your purchase is going to arrive — the number and weight of boxes — and how long it's likely to take to put together. The company has a signature snap assembly feature that means a sofa can come out of its two boxes and be ready in about 10 minutes.
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Developments in memory foam technology have been a boon to the home shipping market. Instead of big, bulky mattresses that might not fit through apartment doorways, some companies are sending mattresses and pillows tightly rolled in compact boxes. Coddleme.com, Lull.com and Ghostbed.com are among the options. Detroit-based furniture company Floyd was started by friends Alex O'Dell and Kyle Hoff, who noticed that millennials were mobile and less inclined to acquire major pieces of furniture. They offer just a few basic, easy-to-assemble pieces — a sofa, platform bed, some tables — and ship them free to select cities. They've also got a kit of four white or black metal legs and a roll of sturdy strapping material, so you can turn whatever you like into a bespoke table. If you need help putting something together, consider hiring a service like TaskRabbit.com. It finds local pros for tasks like assembly or breakdown of furniture, or pickup, delivery and moving, and repair/install jobs. First-time renter Lea Nesdale and her friends used the service in their new Manhattan flat. "We had two IKEA dressers, and the directions were really confusing," she says. "On TaskRabbit, you can see the potential builder's skill set, so we booked someone who builds these often. He did it all in two hours."
CHRISTOPHER State Bank of Whittington
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BENTON Sebastian Brauer, Crate & Barrel's VP of Product Design and Development, says small apartment living is about striking a balance between function and style.
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Allan Stuck Studio Alto Vineyards Blue Sky Vineyard Feather Hills Vineyard Giant City Lodge Hedman Vineyards Hickory Ridge Vineyard & Winery Kite Hill Vineyards Old Feed Store Owl Creek Vineyard Pomona Winery StarView Vineyards Von Jakob Winery & Brewery
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PARTING SHOT
p.s.
PHOTO BY SHAWN GOSSMAN OF HIKING WITH SHAWN
A train travels over the very flooded Big Muddy River near LaRue-Pine Hills in early May.
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