Herald&Review
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015
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DECATUR, ILLINOIS
LIVE & LEARN The Center of it All. It's about more than geography in Central Illinois. Today, meet a few of your neighbors who have made their dreams, goals and passions the center of their lives. They, and others like them, make the Decatur area the Center of it All in more ways than one.
INSIDE:
HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
Volunteers to the rescue Local advocates tirelessly offer aid to animals in need VALERIE WELLS H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR – Connor was found chained to a log, severely underweight, with no food, water or shelter. Rescued and taken to Homeward Bound, the St. Bernard has become so popular with volunteers, staff and the people who know him only through the shelter's Facebook page that he had numerous applicants who wanted to be his forever family, and has found a new home, which he will move to in the next few weeks. “We cry when they come in, and we cry when they leave,” said Donna Dash, one of the most faithful volunteers at the shelter. Dash started with an hour or two a week and now shows up almost every day. She's a retired teacher, and while she always liked animals and had her own, and she wanted to volunteer and stay active in the community. She's a member of Golden K and found volunteer opportunities through that organization, but a friend urged her to add Homeward Bound to her list, too. “The more you're here, the more you want to be here,” Dash said. “You start out an hour or two, but you like the dogs and the cats and you meet people, and it has opened up a vast experience for me.” Animals come to Homeward Bound, and most rescue organizations, in all sorts of ways, and some of them are heartbreaking. An animal abused and neglected, some tortured and near death, given up by elderly or sick owners who have no other choice, or dumped by the side of the road and found by a good-hearted person and brought in. The joy comes in when the hard work and dedication of the vets and volunteers bring back an animal to good health and send him or her to a forever home. Chip was one of those. A black-and-white mid-sized dog with a wavy coat and a pronounced limp, Chip was in an animal control facility elsewhere with a broken leg after being hit by a car. Authorities found his owners, who refused to give permission for treatment of the injury and also refused to come and get him. By the time it was all resolved, his leg had healed badly and it was mostly useless. Eventually, Chip came to Homeward Bound. He's learned to compensate for the crippled leg, and he recently went home with a new mom and dad who adored him on first Volunteer Stacey Dill receives a hug from a shelter dog while walking him at Homeward sight. The feeling was clearly Bound. mutual. Sharon Renfro is a stay-at-home mom with four kids. She spends a lot of time at Homeward Bound, but she also fosters animals. She often takes home the pregnant dogs and keeps mama and babies until the puppies are weaned and ready to consider applicants for a forever home. People always ask how she can stand to fall in love with the animals and then give them up. “It's hard,” she said. “But when you see them go to a home and you know you helped them get there, it's worth it.” Her kids are still young, but they, too, understand that their home is a place for fosters to get strong and learn to live with a family and with the Renfros' own dogs, and then go to homes of their own. Shelter dogs, as much as volunteers strive to socialize them, play with them, walk them and love them, miss the experience of living with a family, and that experience can make the difference, Renfro said. If the dogs don't get used to the noise of a TV, to walking on carpet, to going to the door when they need to go out, playing with children, living with other furry siblings, it's harder for them to adjust if they do get adopted, and sadly, sometimes people bring them back to shelters if they don't immediately fit into the family. That's why foster families are critical. Rescue organizations, like the Illinois English Bulldog
RESCUE/PAGE 3
>>> Mettle for medals Meridian High School and Eastern Illinois University graduate Lauren Doyle is taking her love of sports competition as far as she can, maybe even to the Olympics. PAGE 4
>>> Edible edification Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling
Volunteer Donna Dash dries off a shelter dog after washing him at Homeward Bound.
Richland's Bistro Five Thirty Seven serves as more than a teaching laboratory for students, it's also a restaurant for the community. PAGE 7
>>> Growing talent Dash pets a shelter dog during his exercise walk on the treadmill.
‘It's hard. But when you see them go to a home and you know you helped them get there, it's worth it.’ Sharon Renfro, volunteer
Theresa Bowser believes the school district has what it needs to cultivate local education talent, and she's making that a priority as director of human resources. PAGE 8
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SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015
LIVE & LEARN
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DECATUR, ILLINOIS
Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling
Cassie J. Yoder, Green Mill Village marketing and development consultant, is currently promoting the opening of the new Green Mill Village Theatre at the Best Western PLUS Green Mill Village Hotel and Suites in Arcola.
Arcola ready for its stage debut Green Mill Village theatre to feature Amish-inspired shows TIM CAIN H&R Entertainment Editor
ARCOLA – The next step in a development off Interstate 57 may be its biggest gamble. But it's a gamble that will pay off, provided success elsewhere can be duplicated in Illinois. Green Mill Village is a 65acre development founded in 2007 in Arcola. It houses a hotel, convention center and luxury and assisted senior living. A 300-seat theater in the round in the convention center is the newest addition. Cassie Yoder is marketing and development consultant for Green Mill Village. She said the Green Mill Village theater project is based on successful similar projects to the east. “Our sister cities have been doing it for five years,” she said. The sister cities are Sugar Creek, Ohio; Bird-inHand, Pa.; and Shipshewana, Ind. “These cities have done it successfully and tastefully. Success is not just local. There's a tourist standpoint.” The theater's shows have a specific focus. Blue Gate Musicals is an Indiana-based entertainment group that specializes, Yoder said, “in converting fiction about the Amish lifestyle and the way people live into theater, plays and musicals.” Their plays will be the ones presented at the Green Mill Village Theatre. “Not only are their plays family friendly,” Yoder said,
I F YO U G O WHAT: Green Mill Village, a 65-acre mixed usage development established in 2007 that Includes Best Western Plus Green Mill Village Hotel & Suites and convention center that has a 300-seat theater in the round. WHERE: Arcola NOTABLE: The theater's first production, “Half-Stitched,” will premiere in June 2015. The show is based on the best-selling novel by Wanda Brunstetter, who is acclaimed as “one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre.” Tickets are now on sale for the Broadway-style musical, comedy/drama. CALL: (217) 254-4012.
Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling
Anne Dorn started her business, Cups ‘N Cakes, at her rural Pana home, based on her love of making birthday cakes for her children.
Living the sweet life Pana woman’s pursuit of a family tradition spawns a successful baking business By NICOLE HARBOUR For the Herald & Review
Sales and social media coordinator Koy Cook is pictured with a seating map of the upcoming Green Mill Village Theatre. “but they're Christian-based. It's a unique niche market.” The first production at the theater will be the musical “Half-Stitched” in June. There will be a 20-week run, June 25 through October. Tickets are on sale now. The lengthy run is designed in part to appeal to the tourist segment that takes buses into Amish territory around the country. “People, ones I call 'artsies' and 'foodies,' are already coming here for what's unique about Central Illinois,” Yoder said. “This theater is a perfect excursion.” The theater offers something different than other show spots in Central Illinois. Yoder said the theater is not, for example, competition for Sullivan's Little Theatre-On the Square. “It will be very different,” she said. “Shows at the Little Theatre-On the Square are professional, awesome, Broadway-style shows. We will never have the same show as they do. We will never present 'Guys and Dolls.' We'll always stay within the genre of Amish fiction. It will show the pace and the flair of Amish life in Illinois.” The target audience, Yoder said, is “40-plus. Our sister cities have a heavy demographic of women. We also will see bus tours and vacation packages. Lots of families.” tcain@herald-review.com | (217) 421-6908
MACON CITY: Macon COUNTY: Macon POPULATION: 1,138 MAYOR: Greg Smith TOURIST ATTRACTION: Macon Speedway MAJOR HIGHWAY: U.S. 51 ON THE WEB: maconil.com
About town RAMSEY VILLAGE: Ramsey COUNTY: Fayette POPULATION: 1,037 MAYOR: Claude Willis MAJOR HIGHWAY: U.S. 51
STEWARDSON VILLAGE: Stewardson COUNTY: Shelby POPULATION: 747 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Paul Antrim MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 32 TOURISM: Vahling Vineyards
TAYLORVILLE CITY: Taylorville COUNTY: Christian POPULATION: 11,246 MAYOR: Greg Brotherton INDUSTRY: Grain Systems, Inc.
Macon Metal Production, Ahlstrom Engine Filtration LLC, Archer Daniels Midland TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: Christian County Fair, Farmers Market on the Square, BBQ, Blues and Cruise and Coal Mining Museum HIGHWAYS: Illinois 48, Illinois 29 and Illinois 104 HISTORY: Taylorville was first settled in the 1830s and has a rich history of agriculture and coal mining. Abraham Lincoln practiced law in Taylorville as part of the 8th Judicial Circuit and the original courthouse in which Lincoln tried cases has been preserved. There is also a Coal Mining Museum filled with artifacts and photos from its long coal-mining history. ON THE WEB: www.taylorville.net
PANA – Birthdays are celebrations of life, full of memories, laughter and fun, and for Anne Dorn, the days her children were born not only stand out as some of the most joyous days of her life, but also the inspiration behind her business, Cups ‘N Cakes. “Baking is something I’ve always enjoyed doing,” Dorn, 39, said. “I just never took the time to do a whole lot of it until I had my kids and my daughter Emma’s first birthday rolled around. “ With memories of her own childhood birthdays and the homemade cakes her mother made for her each year held close to her heart, Dorn decided she wanted to carry on the homemade cake tradition with her kids. “I had this idea that I wanted to bake the same birthday cake for Emma that my mom had baked for me,” recalled Dorn. “So, we (Dorn and her mother) baked it together. I had a lot of fun doing it, and the memories from doing that, and the fact that she (Emma) had the same cake for her first birthday that I’d had, I thought was kind of neat. “I wanted my kids to have the memory that their mom made all of their birthday cakes because my mom did that for us, and I remember that and have all of the pictures of the cakes she made.” From the princess castle cake Dorn created for Emma’s first birthday to the Barbie cake she fashioned for her fourth birthday, Dorn’s cakes became popular not only with her daughter, but with other parents and children. “After I made my daughter’s fourth birthday cake and someone took a picture of it and posted it to their Facebook page, I started getting phone calls,” she said. “It (Cups ‘N Cakes) kind of started from there.” A teacher-turned-stay-athome-mom, Dorn enjoyed the freedom baking out of her home gave her. “When I had my son Jacob, I knew I wanted to stay home with both kids,” Dorn explained. “And I wanted to be able to have something where One of the most popular items I was contributing to our famfrom Cups ‘N Cakes is the ily’s income and something Cookie Monster cupcake with that was kind of for myself, cookie dough inside. and I really enjoyed baking.” Around 2008, Dorn, a selftaught baker, began making MORE INFO children’s birthday cakes out of her two-story green-andBUSINESS: Cups ‘N Cakes white farmhouse, and from PHONE NUMBER: (217) 562John Deere and Disney’s “The 4818. Leave a message on the Lion King”-themed cakes to answering machine with a pirate cupcakes and princess name, phone number and date creations, her customers of event. Messages will be couldn’t get enough. answered within a day. “Anne made my son Dane’s PRICES: Prices will vary second birthday cake, which depending on cake flavor, fillwas a three-tiered (Disney ings and decorations. Contact Pixar) ‘Cars’ cake,” recalled Anne Dorn at Cups ‘N Cakes Natalie Epley of Pana, who’s for pricing information and flavor been a regular customer of options. Dorn’s for about five years. “She also made a John Deere cake for his third birthday, and I will definitely use her for his seventh birthday this year. You can go to her with any idea and she will make it better than you ever envisioned.” By 2010, Dorn’s cakes were in high demand as happy customers posted pictures of her cakes on social media, and more sweet treats were soon to follow as she began experimenting with cupcakes. “I think my inspiration for cupcakes just began in conversation,” said Dorn. “Like, my husband Dave’s favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, specifically the tree-shaped peanut butter cups around Christmastime and the heartshaped ones around Valentine’s Day because he thinks they taste better, and he said, ‘I wonder what this would taste like as a cupcake?’ … And it just got me thinking that there had to be a way to turn these things into cupcakes. “There’s the flavor behind it, and then you just have to turn it into cake instead of whatever that item is,” she said. “And there’s a way to do it; you just have to be creative in doing it.” Drawing inspiration from her family’s favorite drinks, cookies and desserts, as well as popular coffee drinks, cocktails and movies, Dorn began creating an impressive array of flavors ranging from traditional vanilla, chocolate and red velvet to unique flavors, including tiramisu, pecan pie and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,” a white chocolate cupcake inspired by the Disney movie, “Frozen.” But it didn’t always come easily, she said. “Sometimes the trial and error was expensive, and sometimes it was very time-consuming,” she said with a laugh, recalling how long it took to perfect her chocolate stout cup-
Dorn shows how she makes icing for her cupcakes. Dorn also has a secret ingredient she uses in her vanilla and chocolate cakes. cake. “I went through a six-pack of Guinness beer and when my husband, Dave, came in the kitchen, he saw the bottles and said ‘Rough afternoon?’” Although Dave Dorn couldn’t believe his wife had gone through five bottles of beer in order to get the chocolate stout flavor just right, the end result was worth it. “I knew I had finally gotten it and perfected it,” she said, “and he tasted it and said, ‘Wow, that is really good!’” Offering nearly 200 different flavor combinations between her cupcakes and cakes, Dorn’s customers have plenty to choose from. Certain flavors are definitely customer favorites, including Cookie Monster, a chocolate chip cookie cupcake with a chocolate chip cookie dough center and topped with vanilla chocolate chip buttercream, crumbled homemade chocolate chip cookies and chocolate drizzle and the BuildYour-Own-Cupcake option, which gives customers the freedom to choose any cake, filling and icing combination their heart desires. Creating nearly 50 cakes each year and so many cupcakes it’s difficult to keep track, Dorn can’t believe how her business has taken off. “I never dreamed it would grow this much,” she said. “It started out as a hobby, making cakes for my family, and it just keeps growing.” Missy Rybolt, marketing coordinator for Pana Community Hospital, said Dorn’s can-do attitude and willingness to cater her cakes and cupcakes to her customers keeps people coming back for Dorn has created several novelty cakes including this wedding more. cake wrapped in rope lighting. “One thing she really does well is customer service,” said Rybolt, who attends church with Dorn. “She always prides herself on delivering cupcakes and cakes when they’re really fresh, and she really does a good job. She’s constantly trying new stuff, and she’s a wonderful person. It’s great she’s getting some recognition for all of her hard work.” “I am so proud of her,” Dave Dorn said of his wife. “We made the tough decision for her stay home from teaching after our second child was born and it has been very rewarding to see her develop her baking business into what it is today.” While Dorn’s ultimate dream is to one day open her own coffee shop and bakery, for now she is focused on creating more sugar-free and vegan options, building a website to showcase her cakes and cupcakes, working on some formal advertising and offering the best possible product. “I do my best to make sure I use fresh ingredients and the best ingredients I can find, and I want people to know they can come to me and get a really good-tasting cake or cupcake,” she said. “I know they want to order something for a special occasion and make something special for a family member or friend, and I like to be a part of that somehow.” The best part of her job? “Seeing the looks on people’s faces when they see their cake for the first time,” Dorn said. hrnews@herald-review.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015
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DECATUR, ILLINOIS
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Going medieval Decatur public defender finds a fascination with all things historic TIM CAIN H&R Entertainment Editor
DECATUR – Life is about connections, Scott Rueter said, his fingers intertwining to demonstrate. For the Decatur public defender, one hobby informs another, and there's always something to learn, show and tell. He recently, for the third straight year, was at the Children's Museum of Illinois, displaying items from his personal collection as part of the “A Knight to Remember” evening. Among his collection are facsimiles of medieval weaponry. “I wouldn't say I have a collection,” he said. “I have replicas of a few things.” Nevertheless, pondering a lawyer owning even replicas of implements of destruction might give some observers pause. “I think it's OK to do the things you like,” he said, “as long as you don't hurt other people. Is it 'odd' or 'fringe'? Everybody has their eccentricities. I never really wor-
ried about it. I am what I am.” And his co-workers didn't worry about it either. Their wedding gift to him was a Scottish sword and shield. The medieval facsimiles are just part of Rueter's journey. He's been involved in fringe hobbyism all his life. He's gone from interest and participation in Civil War re-enactments to Dungeons and Dragons and other board games to Renaissance fairs to gaming conventions, all boasting differing levels of those connections. His interest in re-enactments was born when a seventh-grade friend's father, interested in the Civil War, began work on a recreation of a Civil War-era cannon. The fascination eventually spread to the rest of the man's family, and to Rueter's family as well. “My mom sews,” he said, “so she made our initial uniforms. They were basically work pants with a stripe. They weren't entirely accurate.” That fashion was on display at
Rueter looks through a scrapbook made by his mother covering some of the Civil War re-enactments during his high school years.
Herald & Review, Lisa Morrison
Scott Rueter holds the Civil War sword he used when he did re-enactments several years ago. Rueter has done theater, medieval and Civil War events. More recently, he has directed and acted in several Theatre 7 productions. weekend gatherings where re-enac- time, good triumphs. That's how tors indulged themselves. it's designed.” “I thought it was geeky, but I While a freshman at Notre enjoyed it. I'd already been doing Dame, he took fencing as an electheater by that point.” tive, and that led him to investiThe group expanded to include gate medieval weaponry. more people, more cannons and an He brought his own weaponry to 18-rifle volley gun. participate in Theatre While the group 7's promotion of “Spaeventually broke malot” at last year's up, Rueter kept Decatur Celebration. active with his And that came three interest, joining a years after he particigroup based in pated in Richland Riverton, working Community College's as a volunteer at “Assassins” as its New Salem, and weapons master. expanding into His family keeps other areas of geekhim from indulging dom. too much. “I've cut “When I look back a lot,” he said. “I back on the reused to be on a lot of enacting,” he said, boards.” “it wasn't that long. But one thing has Rueter made this chainmail It was maybe six been a constant for a coif himself at a Renaisyears.” quarter-century. For sance fair. He became a 26 years, Rueter has Dungeons and attended Gen Con, a Dragons devotee, and embraced large gaming convention in Indigames by board game manufacturanapolis. It's regarded as the couner Avalon Hill. try's primary gaming convention. “Some people could say it celeRueter is also making sure brates the negatives of war,” he future generations are being tendsaid of the recreation games pubed to. lished by Avalon Hill. “It's about “My boy's a geek like me,” he tactics. And nobody's dying. It's said. “I've raised him well.” about mental ability and competitimcain@herald-review.com|(217) 421-6908 tion. Even in D&D, most of the
Herald & Review, Jim Bowling
Volunteer Stacey Dill, left, receives a shelter dog to walk from fellow volunteer Donna Dash.
RESCUE
Continued from page 1 Rescue, often concentrate on a specific breed, and the adoption process often includes reference checks with a veterinarian, home visits and interviews. The organizations want to be absolutely sure that the animals, most of whom are in rescue due to abuse and neglect, go to the best possible forever home. Katrina Shain of Sullivan volunteers with the rescue to check those references, and she also fosters bulldogs. Her current foster is Winston, who has spinal bifida and is incontinent due to poor breeding practices. “It's not as hard as you would think it would be (to care for him),” she said. Dogs that have been neglected and abused sometimes “check out,” she said, and bonding with those dogs is hard, if not impossible, but usually good care, love and safety do the trick sooner or later. “The bad stuff (seeing how dogs have been treated) and letting the fosters go is hard,” Shain said. “But seeing the life come back into their eyes
‘... seeing the life come back into their eyes is what does it for me.’ — Katrina Shain, volunteer is what does it for me.” Another side of animal welfare advocacy is providing care for animals loved by humans who don't have a lot of money. Spaying and neutering can improve animal health, but is also prohibitively expensive “If we can stop the breeding of dogs and cats in lowincome areas, that would be the answer to overpopulation,” said Beth Hughes, who runs the Care Van, which offers low-cost spay and neutering, and a program to humanely trap feral cats so they can be spayed and neutered. The van helps lowincome pet owners with food for their animals, too. Hughes attended a humane education workshop in Champaign seven years ago and learned about a similar program, which inspired her to begin
one in Decatur. “We're now looking at matching some of the things they're doing, like free rabies clinics to try to get people interested. We just keep improving and expanding, adding more services to try to make a difference, to make animals' lives better in these low-income areas.” The feral cat program is especially important because last year, rescuers picked up 35 kittens and have already begun seeing kittens this year. “Every year, kittens fill up shelters, taking away homes from cats coming in,” Hughes said. “It's too much competition. It just makes sense that if you have less competition, more get adopted and less die.” Hughes also participates in rescues, though her concentration is the Care Van, but sometimes she gets calls to help. “That's what everybody should be doing, helping each other,” Hughes said. “We have a unique niche, but oftentimes, we overlap and need help, and that's a good thing, working together.” vwells@herald-review.com| (217) 421-7982
The Rueters’ love of history is evident in the knight in armor which guards their front entrance.
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DECATUR, ILLINOIS
Rugby player shares dreams of being an Olympian JUSTIN CONN H&R Staff Writer
Lauren Doyle grew up wanting to be an athlete. She played any sport she could and became a star on the track while attending Meridian High School. Doyle was a medalist in both the 100 and 200 at the IHSA State Track and Field Meet as a senior, but didn't figure to do much athletically in college until she was approached by Eastern Illinois University rugby coach Frank Graziano. Six years later, Doyle is still playing rugby and nearing the ultimate goal as an athlete, representing her country as part of the Olympic team. "Whose dream isn't going
to the Olympics?" Doyle said. "I had wanted to pursue sports ever since I was young. I never really thought there was that opportunity until I found out about the residency program with Team USA." Doyle was a senior-to-be at Eastern in 2012 when she was invited to a camp in Chula Vista, Calif. She was invited back and after playing in a couple of tournaments was asked by Team USA Women's 7's Rugby coach Ric Suggitt to move to California and become a contracted player for the team. "She had a good work ethic and a good attitude," Suggitt said. "She was also very quick with a knack for finding the space on the outside edges of the field."
Doyle debated on whether or not it was the right move for her, but not for long. "Initially, I wasn't going to go, it all was happening so fast," Doyle said. "But in the end, it was a very easy decision. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I knew I could finish up school later, so I told my mom and dad, 'I'm moving.' " Doyle did get her degree, she took classes online through DeVry University that transferred back to Eastern, where she graduated from in December 2014. But other than that, her life since 2012 has mostly been rugby. Doyle, 24, is one of 15 contracted players with the team, and one of 12 who travels. She practices six days a
Lauren Doyle week at least twice a day, lifts weights twice a week, gets a massage on Friday and goes to "lots and lots of meetings." There are three meals a day available at the train-
ing center, though Doyle said sometimes she opts instead for Subway. She gets paid, though not well, and has to pay for her own housing in the pricey Chula Vista housing market. She lives in a house with three other teammates. There's also plenty of travel. Doyle has played in tournaments in Dubai, India; China; the Congo; Houston; Atlanta; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Amsterdam; and Fiji, and has participated in a rugby awareness program that toured Alaska last September. On the rugby pitch, Doyle has been the team's starting center for two years, though Doyle is quick to point out lineups change daily, and she can also play wing or sweep-
er. "I do most of the ball-handling. My jobs are to pass and be evasive," Doyle said. Doyle has had to battle through injury. She said her nose had been, "whacked a few hundred times," and she tore her ACL three months after being contracted, then tore it again after coming back. But she's been fully recovered for more than a year and said she's just as fast as she was before the injury and a lot stronger. She's fully ready for a run at making the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Team USA hasn't qualified yet, but is in a good position according to Doyle. jconn@herald-review.com | (217) 421-7971
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Author takes an engineer’s approach to biblical sci-fi story DONNETTE BECKETT H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR – As a little boy growing up in Decatur, Bart Peters stood out as an exceptional student and athlete. “He was very athletic and very studious,” his grandma, Carrell Sloan, said. “But he didn't toot his own horn much.” As a child driven to do well, he was too busy to brag. In May 1986, the 13-year-old represented Decatur in the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. “It was a lot of work,” he said. “And I had a pretty good memory.” Peters placed 111 out of 174 participants that week. Although he was eliminated early in the competition, he remembers the experience
fondly. “Cameras and media were everywhere. And I got to meet (President) Reagan,” he said. “It was one of the most amazing weeks of my life.” His drive to succeed continued into high school. Peters placed fourth in the state pole vault competition in 1991. He graduated as valedictorian that same year from MacArthur Peters High School with a grade point average of 5.0. Peters has moved on, but his experiences helped create the driven engineer and newly published author he is today. After graduating from the
University of Kansas, Peters moved to Highlands Ranch, Colo., a suburb of Denver, in 1996. He began his career as an engineer in the defense industry almost 20 years ago. It was the engineering part of his personality that helped him decide on the next step in his life as an author. “I took a mathematical engineering approach to the Bible,” Peters said. Although the book, "The Alien Apostle and the Great Conspiracy," is fictional, Peters wrote it as a way of explaining what he was seeing in the Bible. “People are so set in their ways,” he said. “I used to be one of them.” Peters wanted to give readers the opportunity to look at their own views and “to go on a mental journey.”
The book begins as a student and his friends prepare to go on a mission trip to transcribe the New Testament. The young man finds a door in his back yard and teleports 1,000 years into the future. Although the people of the area describe themselves as Christians, their views are skewed, based on the Bible he transcribed to them. How did the views get so different? The main character has to explain the contrasts. With a little help along the way, he begins to see different aspects of his and other translations. Peters' faith began while growing up in Decatur. His visits to Maranatha Assembly of God are one the highlights when he returns to the area.
1986: Bart Peters represented Decatur in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
have to look a certain way. If services are running late, people stay.” Peters has also continued the competitive side he learned while on the MacArthur track. “I got the love of track from coach (Bill) Harbeck,” he said. Peters competed in the triple jump during the 2013 National Masters Track and Field Championship, 40 to 44 age group. With his family watching from the sidelines, he placed first with a jump of 12.75 meters. “We're a close-knit family,” Sloan said. “It was very interesting to watch.”
“The people in Decatur are genuine,” he said. “It doesn't
dbeckett@herald-review.com/ (217) 421-6983
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DECATUR, ILLINOIS
About town ARCOLA
Herald & Review photos, Danny Damiani
Donna Schaal, director for the Argenta-Oreana Public Library District, started Dec. 29.
Up for the challenges Argenta-Oreana library director works doubly hard to keep collection sought after THERESA CHURCHILL
“We don't allow holds on these,” Schaal explained. “They will be in local circulation only.” OREANA – Born in Decatur and Among Argenta-Oreana's partners hailing from Mount Pulaski, Donna in the LOVE Collection are libraries Schaal calls herself a “small-town in Arcola, Arthur, Bement and at girl.” Lake Land College in Mattoon. That doesn't mean, however, that The daughter of Allen and Shirley she thinks small. Schaal and a 1982 graduate of Mount As the new director of the ArgentaPulaski High School, Schaal earned a Oreana Public Library District, master of science in library and Schaal faces unique challenges even information sciences in 2000 from the as she relishes getting to know her University of Illinois. patrons on a first-name basis. She worked 10 “We do almost years for the Lineverything double coln Trail Library here,” she said. I F YO U G O System and contin“We have two ued for three more buildings, and WHAT: Argenta-Oreana Public years after that everyone wants the Library District book sale system became two facilities to be WHEN: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday, part of the Illinois equal.” March 30, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. TuesHeartland Library The trouble is, day, March 31 System in 2011. Her the buildings are WHERE: Oreana Public Library, 100 most recent posinot equal, with the S. Illinois 48 tion was as a techOreana library FOR MORE: Go to www.aopld.lib.il.us nology trainer, built in 2003 and or call (217) 468-2340. teaching employees Argenta's housed a new catalog sysin the former hardtem in 2013, and ware store it has occupied since 1979. she started her current job Dec. 29. Schaal sees the possibility of a capiSchaal is treasurer of the Universital campaign in the district's future. ty of Illinois Library School Alumni More immediately, Schaal plans to Association and founder of the Cenre-institute book sales to upgrade the tral Illinois Graduate School of district's collection, having a spring Library and Information Sciences sale in Oreana and a fall sale in Grads. She's also a member of the Argenta, while marketing recent Illinois Library Association and Illiacquisitions more effectively. nois State Library Diversity Program “You have to have a vibrant collection or people have no reason to come Advisory Council. A resident of Rantoul since 1990, to you,” she said. “We have been Schaal plans to move closer to the doing some rearranging and that Argenta-Oreana area. “I really like it includes putting our new books in here,” she said. more prominent positions. We also She's also been to a couple of high have new signage going up.” school basketball games and already In April, the district is joining a calls herself a Bombers fan. collaborative effort with more than a “I'm a big sports fan,” Schaal said. dozen other public libraries to rotate “I also love genealogy and hope to a selection of 70 new DVDs in and out start hosting some genealogy workevery month. It's called Libraries shops by 2016.” Offering Video Entertainment, or LOVE, Collection. tchurchill@herald-review.com|(217)421-7978 H&R Senior Writer
Schaal walks into the Argenta library's back room to sort through books for its upcoming book sale.
Schaal checks through books that will be sold at the upcoming book sale on March 30 and 31.
CITY: Arcola COUNTY: Douglas POPULATION: 2,916 MAYOR: Larry Ferguson EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Broom Corn Festival, Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum, Amish Interpretive Center HIGHWAYS: Interstate 57 HISTORY: In the mid-1800s, among the tall grasses of the Illinois prairie, a group of pioneers, looking for a place to settle, stopped along the banks of the Okaw River. There, these pioneers established a settlement and named it Bagdad. They constructed the necessary buildings such as a brickyard, mill, blacksmith shop and a general store. The 1850s brought the announcement of the construction of a railroad that would connect the cities of Chicago and Centralia and run just to the east of Bagdad. In 1855, the Illinois Central Railroad surveyed and plotted a tract of land along both sides of the newly completed railroad in order to build a city. The new community was called Okaw. After applying for a post office, railroad officials were surprised to hear that the state of Illinois already had a town named Okaw, so a new name had to be found. After asking for suggestions for the new name of the town, James Kearney, a local citizen, proposed that the new city be called Arcola, and so the railroad town of Okaw became the town today known as Arcola. Business boomed in Arcola, and in the winter of 1856 the residents of Bagdad loaded the entire town, buildings and all, on wooden sleds and moved the whole settlement of Bagdad to Arcola. In 1860, the Presbyterians built the first church in Arcola. Five years later, in 1865, The Arcola Herald, Arcola’s first newspaper, was established by John Gruelle. At about the same time, a local gentleman named Col. Cofer experimented by planting 20 acres of broomcorn on his land. The crop did so well that the popularity of broomcorn took off. Soon after, nearly half of the broomcorn grown in the United States came from the Arcola area. And so began the storied history of broomcorn in Arcola. While broomcorn was becoming big business in Arcola, another man was sowing the seeds of another Arcola legacy. Johnny Gruelle, born in Arcola in 1882, loved to write and draw cartoons almost as much as his young daughter, Marcella, loved to hear his stories. Her favorite character from her fathers tales was Raggedy Ann. But when Marcella died as the result of a vaccination shot, Johnny had a hard time coping with the loss. He found that the best way to overcome Marcella’s death was to write the stories he created for her. From these humble beginnings came the stories of Raggedy Ann, whose popularity has made Johnny Gruelle, as well as Arcola, famous around the world. ON THE WEB: www.arcola illinois.org
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015
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DECATUR, ILLINOIS
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About town TEUTOPOLIS
Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling
Restaurant fellow Michael Crawley and student Jenny Porter head toward the dining area while working at the Richland Community College Bistro Five Thirty Seven.
Restaurant provides main course Culinary students manage, cook at Bistro Five Thirty Seven RACHEL RODGERS
semester, they trade off from four different cooking stations in the kitchen as well as management and customer service roles at the head of the ECATUR — Those restaurant. Four students completed the course entering the restauin the fall and another four enrolled rant fundamentals in the spring. Student workers help to classroom at Richfill the gaps, and Tucker said he hopes to have about 10 students each land Community Colsemester once the course develops. lege would not find any Planning to graduate in May, 19whiteboards or rows of desks, year-old Hayden Hale will leave the college with both restaurant and let alone students sitting barista experience having worked in behind them scribbling notes the Richland Coffee House and Bistro Five Thirty Seven. from a lecture. “I feel like we tend to learn more when it's hands-on and when you can Instead, onlookers would see a cozy put all the components together, and I grouping of dining tables cloaked in think that gives us a leg up more than black linen and adorned with centerother people get,” pieces and silverware. Hale said. “Getting a In fact, the space job is always hard, does not look at all I F YO U G O but I feel like I'm like a classroom. ready to take it on.” WHAT: Bistro Five Thirty Bistro Five Thirty The restaurant Seven Seven plays a dual menu changes three WHERE: Richland Community role at the college, times each semester, College, One College Park serving as a culinary with the final menu WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and laboratory for a small crafted by the stu6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and collection of students dents. Those in the Thursdays and as a restaurant fall class created a For reservations, call (217) for community memmenu with dishes 875-7211 ext. 537 bers. including tomato After about $1 milfontina soup, braised lion and a year of construction, the Culinary Arts Institute’s short ribs, blackened trout and avocado sorbet. student-run restaurant was completed “Being creative in the kitchen is during the summer and officially always a good thing, and any great opened its doors in September. chef has to be able to craft their own “The students get front of the house food,” said Michael Crawley, a recent and back of the house experience all Richland culinary graduate who helps rolled into one class,” said Chef Brian oversee the students and the restauTucker, director of the Culinary Arts rant. Institute. Tucker said the restaurant serves Rather than a normal classroom as one of several project-based learnsetting, the students can directly ing opportunities available to students apply the knowledge they have to prepare them for a job in the culireceived throughout their tenure in nary field. the culinary program through a realStudents also work different events world situation, Tucker said. such as the Partners in Education “They have to react in real time to the demands of a restaurant,” he said. Partners' Salute Luncheon, Decatur Memorial Hospital's Hearts Around Students operate Bistro Five Thirty Seven, named for the college's district the World dinner and the annual culinumber, for lunch and dinner on Tues- nary institute scholarship dinner. Last year, a group of students also days and Thursdays. Throughout the H&R Staff Writer
D
Having grown up in Maryland and lived in Ohio, Mississippi, Iowa, and North Dakota, I have come to know Decatur as a great place to live, work and play. Decatur is poised for positive transformation and its best days are ahead. By working collaboratively, we can improve our city and enhance our wellbeing. The employees, city council and mayor of Decatur, our businesses and corporations, civic and academic organizations, initiatives such as Grow Decatur, and citizens have laid the foundation for the positive transformation of our city. From the downtown streetscape to the lakefront development, from the renovation of high schools to the new police station, from dredging of Lake Decatur to
Readers respond the Midwest Inland Port, we have created the infrastructure. It is time to invite everyone to figure out how to use it. Decatur’s greatest strength lies in its extraordinarily dedicated people. We have exceptional public servants and excellent neighborhood
About town
Culinary arts students serve customers at the Richland Community College Bistro Five Thirty Seven. The student-run restaurant was completed during the summer and officially opened its doors in September.
Vanessa Pena works with chef Brian Tucker in the kitchen of the Richland Community College Bistro Five Thirty Seven. helped develop the college's own coffee brand, Professor Bean's Brewed Awakening, produced by Marquis Beverage. Tucker said he plans to continue the project with students, creating a new roast to add to the brand. “I learned a lot of things and
organizations. Our robust community fosters collaboration, and this collaboration can strengthen relationships and improve our quality of life. We have the opportunity to transform Decatur into a vibrant city and a model for growth. To do this, we must confront head-on the challenges we face. We must honor our past while embracing change. Our city has much to be proud of. We are hard-working and spirited, friendly and giving, and we have caring hearts. Together, we can move the community forward on a sustainable path, work inclusively on issues of common interest, and create a place we proudly call home. David Horn Decatur
ASSUMPTION CITY: Assumption COUNTY: Christian POPULATION: 1,168 MAYOR: Betty Park
INDUSTRY: GSI Group, Sloan Implement HIGHWAYS: U.S. 51
gained a lot of sense through the program,” Crawley said. “It gave me a great foundation for cooking, I learned a lot of different career outlets, and I'm confident in a restaurant setting.” rrodgers@herald-review.com| (217) 421-6949
VILLAGE: Teutopolis COUNTY: Effingham POPULATION: 1,530 PRESIDENT: Greg Hess TOURIST ATTRACTION: Teutopolis Monastery Museum MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Interstate 70, U.S. 40 HISTORY: Teutopolis, city of the Teutons, or Germans, was established in 1839 and is located on the Cumberland Trail, known as the Old National Road, and now U.S. 40. Teutopolis is located in the northeastern segment of Effingham County. It is the only town in the United States with this name. Teutopolis did not evolve as the accidental byproduct of a trading post, church, inn, stage coach relay station, or junction of roadways or railroads but was the result of much thought and controversy, hard-headed economy, investigation, planning and a vast amount of patience. Clemens Uptmor from dukedom of Oldenburg, and kingdom of Hanover, Germany, came to the United States in 1834 along with his brother Herman H. Uptmor and a few neighbors. They settled first in Cincinnati, then the gateway to the west for German Catholics. In 1837, they formed a land company for the purchase of government land under the name of "Deutche Land-Compagnie Oder Ansiedlungsgesellschaft." John F. Waschefort, Clemens Uptmor and Gerard H. Bergfeld were named to find a location for settlement and then give their recommendations to the land company. The committee opposed settling in Missouri because of slavery and discouraged from settling in the northcentral area of Illinois because of the swamps and the black soil. The northeast part of Effingham County was recommended because of the woodlands, well-drained uplands and plentiful game. Gerhardt Meyer and Heinrich Roennebaum accompanied the original trio back to Illinois to inspect the proposed site. The location was approved and in July 1839, in Vandalia, the land was claimed for homestead purposes in the name of John F. Waschefort. Ten thousand acres were purchased at $1.25 per acre with an additional 80 acres being purchased for $5 an acre. The town site was surveyed and platted by William J. Hankins. The plan of the two was very similar to the plat of the original town of Cincinnati. Back in Cincinnati, the land was allotted at a drawing held in a fire engine house. For each $50 a member contributed he received one “in-lot” and one “out-lot” or “garden lot” in the town and an additional parcel of farmland for a total of 40 acres. ON THE WEB: www. teutopolis.com
WITT CITY: Witt COUNTY: Montgomery POPULATION: 903 MAYOR: Lenny Homa EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Witt Labor Day Celebration MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 16 ON THE WEB: www.witt illinois.com
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DECATUR, ILLINOIS
Satisfied diners Grant helps Senior Nutrition Program offer meals on weekends, too
Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling
Social worker Abby Steele meets with first-graders at Oak Grove School.
Home-grown talent Theresa Bowser knows a thing or two about discovering teaching abilities VALERIE WELLS H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR – In the next few years, two-thirds of Muffley School's staff will be eligible to retire. Throughout the district, positions will be opening in all areas, said Theresa Bowser, the director of human resources for the Decatur School District. “We have to think of the future,” she said, “think of what we are going to do to bring students (into teaching) so that they want to be here and want to say. That's crucial, the longevity of that person to stay in our community and be a participant, not only in education, but in everything else the community offers.” For several years, Decatur administrators have talked of a “grow your own” outlook to recruiting teachers; keeping an eye open for students who have that spark and encouraging them to consider a career in teaching. Both formal and informal opportunities are available for students who want to try out teaching, but often it's a matter of someone simply talking to a high school student about it, Bowser said. “I don't know if we've really taken time to talk to them about it, like 'Have you ever thought about it?'” she said. “Maybe if they realize someone sees that spark in them, that recognition that someone believes they can make an impact.” Bowser, a Decatur native with several family members who are educators, and said she always knew that was what she wanted to do. She graduated from Millikin University, and at first, taught physical education and later, science, before becoming an assistant principal and then principal. Her stepson, Ryan Cox, said her influence on the children she taught was huge. Cox met her when he was in first grade at Oak Grove School and refers to her as his “mom.” “She was born and raised in Decatur and helped raise this community's kids, at least some of them, in a small way,” Cox said. Finding people with that passion and nurturing it is what Bowser hopes to do in her new position. “I think it's working with students that keeps you
Herald & Review photos, Danny Damiani
Lesley Bond, a senior nutrition cook with Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corp., labels meals before they are sent.
THERESA CHURCHILL
ered on Friday for those who want extra. “Sometimes people want DECATUR – Using a walkthree meals the same or er instead of a car to get they'll ask for a repeat of around, Gary Plunkett has something we had earlier in developed a taste for conventhe week,” Shaffer said. ience. “Some prefer to get the So the 66-year-old Decatur meals frozen, but most are man climbed right on board not.” when Decatur-Macon County The bulk of DMCOC's senOpportunities Corp. added to ior nutrition program its Senior Nutrition Program involves providing meals at the option of getting enough nine congregate sites: Conhome-delivered meals to cord Apartments, Decaturcover the weekend. Macon County Senior Center, “A lot of times I don't get Macon Presbyterian Church, out,” Plunkett said. “It takes Maroa Main Street Cafe, the worry off my family if Mount Zion Majestic Hall, I'm going to eat OK.” Oxford House Apartments, The nutrition program The Reserve, The Woods began offering the extra Apartments. As of Jan. 1, the meals Oct. 1 with the help of agency a $5,000 grant began teamfrom Young ing up with PhilanTHE NET Basket Case thropists. Catering to “We saw a www.dmcoc.org/html/senior.html offer meals big need for at the old it,” said grade school Andrea Shafin Argenta. fer, senior Shaffer services said last fisdirector. cal year “Hunger DMCOC prodoesn't know vided 56,673 what day of congregate the week it meals and is.” 19,488 via Shaffer home delivestimates 25 ery. She said percent of — Gary Plunkett, receives some homeher home home-delivered meals delivered delivery meals in clients, who rural areas collectively originate from congregate receive about 80 meals daily sites but the majority go to Monday through Friday, are homebound seniors 60 and taking advantage of the older living in Decatur. weekend option so far. Other services the agency The nutritionally balanced offers to senior citizens meals are prepared fresh include transportation. each weekday in DMCOC's On a recent Friday, cook kitchen at 1122 E. Marietta Leslie Bond arrived at 6 a.m. St., with three meals delivto prepare goulash and peas, H&R Senior Writer
young,” she said. “If you want to know what's going on, talk to young people. They're amazing and what they're able to learn and grasp and catch onto is amazing. That's the passion. That's the fire that keeps you going. I just enjoyed it.” Teaching is not an 8-to-3 job, she said, and she tries to be honest with young people about the necessary commitment. She's also working to recruit minorities and men into teaching and she takes teachers with her to college job fairs so they can talk about Decatur and why they choose to live and work here. But teaching is not the only career available in education. Abby Steele is a social worker at Oak Grove School. She intended to be a special education teacher, but soon realized that wasn't her true calling. “It's rewarding in the sense that you get to know the kids and their situation,” she said. “Probably seven or eight years ago, I had a conversation with another social worker and asked, 'How do you do this?' I was feeling burned out. And she said you have to come to terms with the fact that you aren't going to see the fruits of your labor right away. You may never see them. You're planting the seeds and hoping that they will grow into something positive. That really helped me come to terms and get a better understanding.” Steele is a Decatur native who attended Decatur schools. Her interest in having a career in the education field began with a cousin who was a special education student. Steele and a friend took to spending their recess time in her cousin's classroom at Harris School and in high school, Steele volunteered to be a “buddy” for special education students. After college, she first worked in Chicago but it was too expensive to live there. She moved to Champaign, where her husband is from, and finally came home to work and live. Her family is nearby and her mother is a school nurse in Decatur. “You always say 'I'm never going to go back home,' but I did,” she said with a laugh. vwells@herald-review.com| (217) 421-7982
Steele and first-grader Deontae Davis talk about what it looks like to feel scared while Steele helps first-graders learn to recognize and control their feelings.
Andrea Shaffer, the senior services director with Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corp., delivers a meal to Gary Plunkett at his home in Decatur.
‘A lot of times I don't get out. It takes the worry off my family if I'm going to eat OK.’
Linda Baker helps pack away meals at Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corp. before they are delivered to homes. and route driver Linda Baker arrived soon after to pack meals and place them in insulated carriers. Shaffer brought just two goulash meals for Plunkett because his driver the day before had delivered two meals of tempura chicken over rice with broccoli. Plunkett said how quickly he eats the food depends on
what it is. His favorites include broccoli and cheese soup, sloppy joes, spaghetti and a five-cup salad containing sour cream and marshmallows. “I don't know what you call it,” Plunkett said. “I call it good.” tchurchill@herald-review.com| (217) 421-7978
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015
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DECATUR, ILLINOIS
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Success built on reputation Chance opportunity evolves into leading property management company NICOLE HARBOUR For the Herald & Review
DECATUR – When 23-yearold Sarah Conley began searching for her first apartment last year, she already had an idea of whom she wanted to rent from. “I had done a lot of research,” said Conley, an office manager in downtown Decatur. “I had leukemia when I was younger and both my hips had to be replaced in 2007, so I needed an apartment that was on the ground floor or had minimal stairs, and I also needed to be able to do laundry within the facility.” As she began combing Coulter through apartment units on the Internet, Conley said one company, Swartz Properties, stood out above the rest:. “Swartz has a wonderful reputation,” she said. “I have siblings who have rented from them and been happy, and I really loved (the Swartz Properties) website. I was able to do some virtual tours of their apartments, and I loved that.” Taking some apartment tours in late 2014, Conley fell in love with a unit in South Shores, and by the middle of January, her dream of having her own apartment became a reality. “I’m extremely happy with my apartment,” said Conley. “Swartz was really quick at finding me exactly what I was looking for.” Stories like Conley’s have provided a strong foundation and reputation for Swartz Properties over the years. Founded in 1978 by Cathy Coulter, the daughter of Carl Swartz and the granddaugh-
ter of J.J. Swartz Co. founder John Jacob Swartz, the property management company began as a small, one-woman operation. “When I started out in 1978, it was just me,” said Coulter, who discovered her niche in property management shortly after graduating college. “In 1977, when I was about 22 or 23, I went to work for my father and my brother (David Swartz) at J.J. Swartz Co., which is a remodeling contractor business. I was working for them and my other brother, Tom, was building apartment buildings and as he was building them, we were getting the management of them. And then one day Tom looked at me and said, ‘You know, I think you’ve found your calling in life.’ … I just happened into it.” Beginning with 24 apartment units, Coulter was determined to build a strong business, and three years later, she was well on her way with more than 300 apartment units and two employees to help her. By 1993, with more than 1,000 apartment units under contract, Swartz Properties was recognized by the Illinois Department of Housing and Urban Development and awarded the management contract for the Belvedere Centre Plaza, a 122-unit, ninestory high rise targeted at low-income elderly residents. And in 1995, the company experienced even more growth as it expanded into office, condominium and single-home management, as well as consulting. Coulter, who owns the company with her husband, Bart, attributes a lot of the Swartz Properties’ early success and growth to good customer service and being in the right place at the right time.
“(A lot of the early growth) came from the apartments my brother, Tom, was building in Country Trails,” she said. “We were getting properties based on the people who were purchasing those apartment buildings at the time. And word of mouth also helped. “There really wasn’t a property management company in Decatur at that time. … It was just the right time.” Today, managing more than 2,500 apartment units, single-family homes and condominiums, as well as more than 150,000 square feet of commercial real estate throughout Decatur, Blue Mound, Forsyth, Mount Zion, Clinton and Springfield, Swartz Properties is busier than ever. “People hire us to do fullservice management,” said Coulter, a certified commercial leasing specialist, real estate managing broker and certified property manager. This includes securing qualified tenants, rent collection, bill payment, leasing, addressing any needs the tenants may have, performing all of the apartment maintenance and producing monthly income and expense reports for the property owners. “I think our owners are extremely pleased with the services we provide,” said Coulter, “and the company’s growth has been fantastic. It’s come and it’s gone, but we’ve had a pretty steady growth the entire 37 years we’ve been in business.” Property owner Brian Townsend, who’s relied on Swartz Properties to manage his 12-unit apartment building on 35th Court since 2006, said he couldn’t be happier with the services the company provides. “I had known the Swartz name all my life,” he said. “They have a wonderful reputation, and so I contacted them and they’ve been handling all of the facets of run-
Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling
Chris Tuttle started her career with Swartz Properties in 1991 as a receptionist. She was recently promoted to executive vice president, putting her in charge of the company’s acquisitions, sales and brokerage on the apartments the company manages.
Swartz Properties’ newest acquisition is the Huntley Ridge Downtown Apartment Homes. The apartment buildings at 522 S. Church St. were purchased in October. ning the apartments ever since. They have sharp people and good, quality people in all aspects of their business, and I don’t have to worry about anything.” Currently the largest property management firm in Decatur, Swartz Properties is going strong, but the company has faced its share of challenges. “Swartz has definitely seen the ups and downs of the economy over the years,”
Coulter said. “That’s one thing about what we do. We definitely have an everchanging rental market; it goes up and down, and we’re probably the first ones to see a change in the economy. If there’s something globally that happens, ADM and Tate & Lyle and Caterpillar are either bringing a lot of people in, which is great for our business, or if something’s on a downturn in the world econ-
omy and they’re having to lay people off, we see it immediately.” Another challenge Swartz currently faces is aging housing stock and the maintenance it requires. With some of Decatur’s largest apartment complexes and communities dating back to the 1980s, the maintenance can be tricky. “We’re thankful we have probably the most top-notch maintenance supervisors and employees that understand the apartments and the maintenance that goes along with them,” Coulter added. With occupancy rates of about 95 percent in the units Swartz manages, as well as 480 new apartment units and a small strip mall in Springfield, Swartz Properties hopes to continue growing, but its focus of strong customer service remains the same. “Our ultimate goal is to continue to provide quality housing and professional property management services for our area,” said Coulter. “It’s been a crazy 37 years, but it’s been great.” hrnews@herald-review.com
Diorama back where it belongs Historic Watertown, USA, display to call Mueller museum its home
About town
JUSTIN CONN
ARGENTA
H&R Staff Writer
VILLAGE: Argenta COUNTY: Macon POPULATION: 947 MAYOR: Cindy Luedke MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 48
tanooga, Tenn., remains the largest supplier of potable water distribution products in DECATUR – The WaterNorth America town, USA, display built by The diorama debuted at the the Mueller Co. in 1957 trav1957 American Water Works eled the country and back, Association Conference in then found homes in several Atlantic City, and from there places in Decatur until gettraveled around the country ting stuffed in the company's and Puerto Rico. basement about 10 years ago. "It's a hefty piece of equipBut recently, the display, ment, but it's made in a way which was built to celebrate that it can be cranked down the Mueller Co.'s 100th with hydraulic jacks and that anniversary, has found a allows it to be proper home transported," and soon will said Mueller be back in museum direcoperation for tor Mike the public to Deatherage. see at the After it Hieronymus returned to Mueller MuseDecatur, Waterum. town, USA, was The Waterhoused in the town, USA, disold city hall, play is a familthen was iar sight to placed in the many who waterworks' grew up in building lobby Decatur. The for many years. — Mike Deatherage, Mueller three-dimenAbout 12 years Museum director sional diorama, ago, the display which is about (no longer seven-and-a-half feet-tall, working) was stored away. eight-feet wide and four feetDeatherage, a museum deep, is the scale model of a assistant and an electronics town showing how it is suprepairman have undertaken plied with water, from storm the project of restoring the to faucet, complete with diorama to working condition lights and running water. The so it can be displayed in the Mueller Co., founded in museum. But it hasn't been Decatur by German immieasy. Deatherage said he grant Hieronymus Mueller, hopes to have it ready in two pioneered water distribution months. and, now based in Chat-
‘... it's made in a way that it can be cranked down with hydraulic jacks and that allows it to be transported.’
Certain parts of the Watertown, USA, diorama have running water including this scene of a man watering his garden.
CISCO VILLAGE: Cisco COUNTY: Piatt POPULATION: 275 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Paula Chumley MAJOR HIGHWAY: Interstate 72
COWDEN Herald & Review photos, Danny Damiani
Lauren Taylor, an archivist at the Hieronymus Mueller Museum, describes the different aspects of the Watertown, USA, diorama which she is helping restore at the museum. The diorama was originally introduced in 1957. "I've done some work on the cabinets and my assistant has been working on restoring some of the artwork, the shrubbery and so forth," Deatherage said. "But underneath it is like a giant pinball machine; it was before the days of computerized electronics. It was a little overwhelming for me, but I found a guy who knows how to work on pinball machines. "We're having a lot of fun restoring it, but it needed a lot of touching up. We might have to replace the wiring so that it can work in the future, because it's not going to be too much longer there's not going to be anyone who knows how to fix the old electronics." The diorama will fit in perfectly in a museum that celebrates not only the life and times of Mueller, but the company he started and its legacy. Mueller came the U.S. From Germany in 1852, then moved to Decatur in 1857 and started the company. He invented the Mueller tapping machine while designing a new water distribution center in Decatur and went on to invent or manufacture every aspect of municipal and home plumbing, including water
VILLAGE: Cowden COUNTY: Shelby POPULATION: 612 MAYOR: Loren Barnes TOURIST ATTRACTION: Thompson Mill Covered Bridge, Cowden Pioneer Days MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 128
DIETERICH
The Watertown, USA, diorama at the Hieronymus Mueller Museum has been undergoing restoration since last summer. pressure valves and fire hydrants. "I've always seen it as the ultimate American dream story," Deatherage said. "Mueller came here in the 1850s with barely a dime in his pocket, settled, worked hard and, with no formal education, but with the spirit of invention, turned very successful. He developed a business that became very important nationally." jconn@herald-review.com | (217) 421-7971
VILLAGE: Dieterich COUNTY: Effingham POPULATION: 617 MAYOR: Brad Hardiek INDUSTRY: E.J. Water, Advance Powder Technology, Higgs Welding, Probs Autobody, Garden Scape, Ideal Machines, Niemerg Construction, James Backhoe/Septic Solution, K and A Lewis Construction, C.J. Masonry, SRND Solutions ATTRACTIONS: Dieterich Community Veteran's Memorial MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Illinois 33 ON THE WEB: www.dieterich illinois.com
I F YO U G O WHAT: Hieronymus Mueller Museum WHERE: 420 W. Eldorado St. OPEN: 1 to 4 p.m., Thursday to Saturday (except holidays) ADMISSION: Adults, $2; seniors and ages under 17, $1.50. WHAT IS IT: Exhibits cover the history of the company, its owners and employees, and the Mueller family. CALL: (217) 423-6161
KINMUNDY CITY: Kinmundy COUNTY: Marion POPULATION: 796 MAYOR: Jane Middleton EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Ingram’s Log Cabin Pioneer Village, Illinois Central Railroad Wooden Water Tower MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Illinois 37 ON THE WEB: kinmundyil.com, www.kinmundyhistorical society.org