Outlook 2014: Work & Play

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

WORK & PLAY

in today’s Outlook section offer a glimpse at how Work and Play offer us opportunities every day to improve the communities in which we live, and residents of Central Illinois are looking forward, no matter the challenges find a way. The stories taking a shot and reaching their goals.

INSIDE:

HEROIC AGE ART CENTER

The growing sport of roller derby takes a lot of practice, skill to endure ongoing physical action PAGE G4

Basketball not the only skills developed on the court with the Rev.Wayne Dunning PAGE G2 Herald & Review photos, Danny Damiani

Next of Kiln takes advantage of the original chalkboard in one of the old Mount Zion Grade School classrooms which is now Heroic Age Art Center.

Full of charm

Old Mount Zion Grade School transformed into facility with studios for artists to showcase their works CHRIS LUSVARDI H&R Staff Writer

Eric Hector, creative director of Heroic Age Studios, points out the two fully-functioning studios, Laura Webb Photography and Next of Kiln, at Heroic Age Art Center.

Hector talks about how artists like Laura Webb, from Laura Webb Photography, have been able to transform their spaces to fit individual needs.

MOUNT ZION — The former Mount Zion Grade School is quickly filling up on its way to being transformed into a collective art center.

When filled, Eric Hector envisions a vibrant 18,000square-foot building full of studio spaces to attract and educate visitors. Hector is the creative director for Heroic Age Studios, a filming business for which he originally eyed the building for much-needed production space.

He already has other items he needs for the business, including the latest high-end camera and lighting equipment. A production studio is the next item on his list of what Hector wants for the business.

The idea for Heroic Age Art Center, 135 S. Henderson St., Mount Zion, has

D E TA I L S Heroic Age Art Center is looking to fill the former Mount Zion Grade School with spaces for artists of various mediums. Large build-tosuit studio spaces are available for individual artists, groups, art-based businesses, service and retail, musicians and others. For more information, go to HAArt Center.com or call Eric Hector at (217) 864-5111. sprung from trying to find a way to fill the rest of the historic building.

“It’s going to be a really happening place,” Hector said. “Hopefully, it will be a draw.”

The location is appealing because of its proximity to the current schools, library and Fletcher Park, Hector said.

So far, two businesses

have moved into renovated spaces on the upper level.

Customers can find Laura Webb Photography and Next of Kiln inside the art center right off the grand entry hall. Next of Kiln owner Jennifer Fisher said some of those who have stopped by have fond memories of going to school inside the building, which was built in the 1930s. She likes the charm and feel of the building, which Hector doesn’t plan on making look brand new as completely restoring it isn’t within budget.

Since it stopped functioning as a school, Hector said it has been used for storing surplus furniture and haunted houses.

Fisher bought the Next of Kiln pottery-making business at the beginning of the year and decided to

SCHOOL/PAGE G2

Wildflour Artisan Bakery and Café serves up taste of Europe with special tea events PAGE G10

The Decatur Fire Department’s dive team goes through training for water emergencies PAGE G11

G2 HUBS OF OPPORTUNITY

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

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DECATUR, ILLINOIS

Making the right moves Basketball not the only skills developed on this court

Herald & Review photos, Danny Damiani

Eric Hector stands in Next of Kiln which is renting space in the old Mount Zion grade school.

SCHOOL

Continued from page 1

Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling

The Rev. Wayne Dunning runs Isaiah Bond, 14, through game situation simulations at the Greater Decatur YMCA. Dunning coaches and mentors Bond.

By VALERIE WELLS H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR — Isaiah Bond can move around the edge of the three-point zone on a basketball court and effortlessly sink shot after shot, nothing but net.

“I started out to teach him how to shoot three-pointers, and he ended up teaching me,” said the Rev. Wayne Dunning, who coaches 14year-old Isaiah three mornings a week at the Greater Decatur Y. An eighth-grader at Garfield Montessori School, Isaiah gets up in the early hours to meet Dunning at 6:45 to work on his basketball skills, and more.

“We wanted (Dunning) to teach him how to be a young man,” said Denny Alsbury, Isaiah’s grandfather.

Isaiah’s mom has to be at work early at Archer Daniels Midland Co., so Alsbury brings Isaiah to the Y to meet with Dunning. After his workout, the honor student goes to Eisenhower High School for geometry and then to Garfield Montessori School for his other classes. He plays on the basketball team there and hopes to play for St. Teresa High School next year. He’s already taken his placement exam for St. Teresa and has known for a couple of years that’s where he’ll be going to high school.

His favorite subject is science, but he likes math a lot, too. He said it’s too early to

VILLAGE: Moweaqua COUNTY: Shelby POPULATION: 1,831 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Steve Ruot TOURIST ATTRACTION: Moweaqua Golf Course and Memorial Tree Park MAJOR HIGHWAY: U.S. 51 HISTORY: The village of Moweaqua was established in 1852 by Michael Schneider.

Depending on which American Indian translation you choose, the name means either “muddy water” or “weeping woman.” Moweaqua suffered a disastrous coal mine explosion on Christmas Eve 1932 that was a defining loss to the social, economic and emotional stability of the community.

ON THE WEB: www.moweaqua. org

OOO CITY: Tuscola COUNTY: Douglas

Isaiah is guarded by Dunning while working on fundamentals.

Dunning gets set to take a shot against Isaiah.

be thinking about a career just yet, however.

“A lot of boys would be home playing Xbox or on Facebook,” Dunning said. “He comes here and works.”

Dunning said he knows there are days when he has to be tough with Isaiah and on those days, “he probably

ABOUT TOWN POPULATION: 4,480 MAYOR: Dan Kleiss INDUSTRY: Cabot Corp., Lyondell-Equistar Chemicals EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Douglas County Museum, Tanger Outlet, Rural Life Antique Show and Sale HIGHWAYS: Interstate 57, Illinois 36 and U.S. 45 HISTORY: The founding supervisor of Tuscola township was O.C.

hates me.”

But there are days when they practice dribbling and sprints and free throws and Isaiah was smiling on a recent morning when Dunning urged him to take a shot with the thought that the whole game depended on him. Yes, he made it. They

Hackett, elected in 1868. Hackett was elected supervisor with a majority of only one vote over W.B. Ervin. Hackett was the grandson of noted Kentucky frontiersman and Boonesborough resident Peter Hackett. He planted Hackett’s Grove, a sassafras grove situated on Section 31, Township 16, Range 9, on the east side of the township. This 20-acre grove is traversed by a branch of Scattering Fork of the Embarrass River, long known as Hackett’s Run, and according to the 1884 History of Douglas County, the grove had been owned by the Hacketts since long before Douglas County had an existence. Hackett’s father, John Hackett, settled in nearby Coles County in 1835. Family legend holds that Abraham Lincoln stayed at the Hackett farm during the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858.

ON THE WEB: www.tuscola.org, http://point2tuscola.org/

always do a session in the weight room, too.

“It makes you strong,” Isaiah said. “You want to be strong for basketball.”

Isaiah said he loves basketball and wants to be the best player he can be. In addition to his work with Dunning, he has practice at school two or three days a week, and in the summer, he meets with Dunning as often as five or six days a week. He wants to play in Amateur Athletic League this summer through Rodney Walker’s SkyWalker Gymnasium, thanks to Dunning, who played basketball at Millikin University as a student, has coached ever since, and knows how to keep conditioning at a peak.

It’s just as important to the adults in Isaiah’s life that he stays centered, however. Isaiah chooses his friends wisely and doesn’t hang around with anyone who might lead him astray, and Alsbury and Dunning said that’s the goal, no matter how his basketball playing turns out.

“I want him to stay on the right path,” Dunning said.

As they finished up their workout, Dunning called to Isaiah to sink one last shot. It took a couple of tries.

“Before you leave, always hit your last shot,” Dunning said. “Not just when you’re playing basketball. Whatever you’re doing.” vwells@herald-review.com| (217) 421-7982

move it from its previous space along Illinois 121.

“I like the idea of keeping the heritage of the old school,” Fisher said. “I’m excited to see how it ends up. All of us work well together and do different things.”

Laura Webb had not been planning to have a studio for her photography business until she saw the possibilities having one in the old school would open up for her. Webb, who is a teacher, has in the past focused her attention with sessions on location.

“We’re thrilled by it,” Webb said. “We’ve been able to do sessions that we would not have been able to do in January, especially with the weather this year.”

The photography studio still has the old school feel to it with original chalkboards and windows with a brick wall behind it.

“You don’t get that kind of character in new construction,” Webb said. “I love the character of the building.

By restoring it, it’s finally being put to good use. We don’t have anything like this around.”

Interest in the old classroom spaces has been increasing as more artists find out about it, Hector said. Each room can be designed to meet the needs of each occupant, he said.

“It has been a learning experience,” Hector said. “I hope this will be the art place to be.”

Beki VanMeter of Decatur is excited to have secured a spot near the main entryway for her business, Paint Junkies. VanMeter has been working out of other spaces, including her house, but she said the time has come to set up a studio.

VanMeter hopes to have it ready to open this spring.

“I will be very happy to get the space,” VanMeter said. “I’m really looking forward to a nice spot. I’m so impressed by what they’re doing.”

VanMeter plans to have a working studio as she refinishes furniture using VanGogh Fossil paint. She wanted something where she can have a spray room, which will be included in her new studio.

The feel of the building with exposed bricks and

other features is appealing, VanMeter said. Drawings from young students still hang on some of the walls inside the building.

More spaces inside the old school are rented out with plans to have them completed and ready to open this summer, Hector said. After getting a better handle on the renovations for others, Hector hopes to turn his attention toward completing his studio, which looks like it will probably happen next year.

Heroic Age Studios will serve as the anchor occupant for the art center, he said.

“We’re not going to go anywhere,” Hector said.

Hector is planning to create a small, state-of-the-art movie theater in the newer addition, which was built in the 1950s. In the lower level and old gym, he plans to establish a sound stage, workshop and offices for Heroic Age Studios.

He started the business 22 years ago in his parents’ garage and used the old grade school in Dalton City for a while. Since then, he has traveled around the country to produce television commercials and work on other filming projects.

Clients have included Marvel and DC Comics and independent filmmakers in need of equipment, manpower and technical knowledge. He started in the industry by coloring comic books with cutting-edge techniques.

When the addition of a studio is complete, Hector hopes to complete production on site.

“There will be nothing like it,” he said. “It has a cool feel to it.”

Hector plans to provide gallery space for the artists in the hallways and rotate the exhibits on a periodic basis to keep customers coming through and finding something new each time.

Many of the artists teach classes, and Hector wants that to be part of the appeal of the art center to the community. He has taught comic book design classes in the past and would be open to the idea of offering those again when the studio is completed.

Hector said a kitchen can be available to use when events are held at the building. clusvardi@herald-review.com| (217) 421-7972

Hector is putting in new windows, refinishing floors, and putting in a new ceiling for each of the classrooms to be rented.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

HUBS OF OPPORTUNITY G3

Finding her voice Journalism class allows Jordan Brewer to break out VALERIE WELLS

the class.

Her co-anchor, Tre Hoff, said she has grown immensely as an interviewer in the last year. The two have been friends for a long time.

“She used to be afraid to walk up and ask people for interviews,” he said. “We try to cover things that may not be covered in the newspaper.

Since you get to see people (interviewed for the broadcast), we want the guy who may not be shown that much in the yearbook. People may not talk a lot about them, and we try to bring them in and give them attention.”

Jordan said she doesn’t talk to a lot of people, especially people she doesn’t know, so it was a hurdle to get

H&R Staff Writer

MACON — Meridian High School senior Jordan Brewer has a little trouble with reading.

Two years ago, in a sophomore English class for students who struggle, she was in a class co-taught by Sheila Moore, a regular education Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling teacher, and Jody Clayton, a National Federation of State High School Associations Heart of the Arts Award recipient Jordan Brewer shoots b roll for a track preview special education teacher. story while working with journalism II classmate, Beth Powell, far left, on a monthly news program at Macon High School.

Jordan had been in special education classes for years. what she’s done,” Amanda for nominations for the But she wanted to try taksaid. award, and Moore immediateing the journalism class, even The drama club has been ly thought of Jordan. Judges if Moore, who teaches that revived after not being in read the nominations and letclass, wondered if it was a existence for a couple of ters of recommendation from good fit for Jordan. Students years, and this spring’s proteachers of students all over would be expected to write a duction is “Grease.” Jordan, the state, and through a lot, to work independently, who wanted to be a part of it process of narrowing it down, and at a pace that but not on stage, has Jordan came out the winner. might be too much found her niche there, Moore said a student in for a struggling stutoo, by being the comIowa who is also under condent. pany stylist. She sideration for the sectional is “She did well in organizes costumes a high school girl with cere(the English class), and creates the hairbral palsy who cannot speak, but I didn’t know if styles and makeup for but competes on her school’s journalism would be the show. speech team using a computa good fit for her All of this effort to er-generated voice program. because it’s a very excel has paid off in “Jordan said, ‘If I lose, I’m difficult class,” one way, especially. totally OK with losing to From left, journalism II students Jordan Brewer, Tre Hoff and Beth Moore said. “HowevJordan is the Illinois her,’ ” Moore said.

Powell head to various locations at Macon High School to shoot er, I was immediatewinner of the Heart of This year, Jordan is in all footage for the D15 News television program. ly impressed with the Arts award, an regular education classes, no how many hours she honor given by the special education classes at put in. Jody Clayton National Federation of all. To prepare for the school would tell me, ‘JorState High School news broadcast, she prints dan’s really working Associations. Students out a copy of the script and hard,’ and I feel like must be involved in practices to that when it she did all that extra the performing arts – comes time to read it off the work just to keep which includes speech, laptop screen, she’s already Sheila Moore, Meridian High School teacher even with everyone drama, music, debate, familiar with it. She has else in the class.” theater and so on – learned that she’s been She “exceeded and have displayed accepted into Millikin Univerto the point where she can expectations,” Moore said. exemplary “heart” and oversity and offered a $10,000 just stop someone and ask for Broadcast is a new class this come adversity. As the state scholarship. She plans to an interview, but she does it. year, and Moore only allowed winner, Jordan will then be study early childhood educaShe’s also on the yearbook students to take it who had considered for the sectional, tion and become a primary staff and there are sections of taken the journalism class. which includes several states, teacher, and is getting some the yearbook that editor They put together a monthly and the winner of the sectionexperience volunteering at Amanda Miller said Jordan news show, and with only al awards will be considered Meridian Primary School. has created entirely by herthree seniors in the class, for national recognition.

“I like the little kids,” she self. that means everyone does a The Illinois High School said with a smile.

Jordan shoots a stand up of journalism II classmate Tre Hoff.

“She’s going to be able to lot of work. Jordan is one of Association sent out notices vwells@herald-review.com| open the yearbook and look at those seniors, and Moore had to teachers statewide asking (217) 421-7982 that and be very proud of hoped she would want to be in

‘I was immediately impressed with how many hours she put in.’

ABOUT TOWN CITY: Illiopolis COUNTY: Sangamon POPULATION: 891 PRESIDENT: Sam L. Rogers MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Interstate 72 HISTORY: Illiopolis supposedly meant “city of Illinois” when someone in the early days tried to have the state capital moved to this spot on the prairie because it is the geographical center. The first log buildings were there until a prairie fire erased everything, after which the wild tall grassland remained untouched for nearly 20 more years until the railroad was built across it in 1853 and 1854. That railroad came 25 miles east from Springfield, which had grown rapidly after the capital was moved there, and it went on 15 more miles to Decatur, which was the seat of Macon County.

At about that same time, two more improvements in technology began to make it possible for farmers to raise good crops in the flat black prairie soil. John Deere had moved out of his blacksmith shop 150 miles north of here and into a factory on the Mississippi River, where he was producing lots of his polished steel plows — the only ones that worked in the sticky black dirt Illiopolis sits on. Illiopolis now sits in the midst of very rich lands which produce huge crops of soybeans and corn. This land now costs as much as $4,000 per acre.

Illiopolis in 1900 was a country village straddling the railroad and strung beside it, ½-mile long and two to four blocks wide. It centered on the railroad depot, grain elevators, stockyard, post office, general stores, a hardware store and mortuary combination, a lumberyard, blacksmith shops, livery stables, two small hotels, three churches and a school, with a tile yard just outside of town. Even after the concrete highway (U.S. 36) was built through it in the 1920s, bringing filling stations and two automobile dealerships, the village only stretched longer but remained little changed until 1942.

Three months after the United States found itself suddenly at war with Japan and Germany, Illiopolis

was deluged by an economic and social upheaval that brought quick changes and reshaped the community. About 20,000 acres of farmland, an area 4 miles wide and about 8 miles long which touched the west end of the village, suddenly became U.S. government land on which the Sangamon Ordnance Plant was built to load explosive charges into ammunition.

Without any warning, all people living on that land, most of whom were farmers, were given the months of March and April to move everything they owned off it while construction crew overran everything. By October, the “war plant” was operating and Illiopolis was a boomtown where every spot to park a trailer on a lawn or lot was filled. Garages had become bedrooms, and every spare bedroom was rented, sometimes in shifts.

There were really two ordnance plants, employing many hundreds of civilians, and each was managed by a staff of Army people.

Two “staff areas,” with 20 identical houses in each, were built for them about a mile on each side of the village.

After the war, the dismantling of “the plant” was also quite an operation, as all of that land and everything on it was sold back either to original owners or to war veterans.

Most “war plant people” departed, but new businesses and more new people arrived. The government had built a huge water supply and the many war plant buildings left attracted chemical companies and the DeKalb Agricultural Association with its large seed corn and chicken businesses.

Illiopolis today involves many more people than the 1,100 listed on the road sign. The corporation limits have expanded to include new housing areas, so that the village is now 1½ miles long, but still four blocks wide. As in other country towns, some people commute to cities to work, but probably as many people drive from cities and towns to near Illiopolis.

ON THE WEB: www.illiopolis.com

G4 HUBS OF OPPORTUNITY

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Sport growing in popularity It takes a lot of practice, skill to endure ongoing physical action of roller derby DONNETTE BECKETT H&R Staff Writer

With names such as Executie or Bambi Bloodlust, roller derby team members can draw in the crowds.

But the catchy names describe only part of the growing sport.

Women’s roller derby has had a surge in popularity over the past 10 years, partly because of the show. Central Illinois has contributed to this following with it’s own team, the Prairieland Punishers.

“But the names and the show are second,” said team co-captain, Suzi B. Demented (or Suzanne Johnson). “It’s about the sport and taking it seriously. It’s about improving and being the best derby player you can be.”

The Punishers are based in Decatur, but they travel throughout the Midwest to SCHEDULE compete with other equally All home bouts will be played talented and at the Decatur Civic Center. trained athApril 4 — Away vs. Peoria letes. Since Push Derby Dames the sport is April 19 — Away vs. Bleeding physically Heartland demanding, May 3 — Home vs. NEMO the ladies ViQueens train as any June 14 — Away vs. Dark athlete would.

River Derby Coalition To begin, July 12 — Home vs. Confluskaters need ence Crush Roller Derby to pass miniAug. 16 — Away vs. DuPage mum skills Derby Dames tests, such as Sept. 6 — Home vs. Cedar the ability to Rapids Roller Girls skate 27 laps Sept. 20 — Away vs. Midstate in five minMayhem utes. “And we Oct. 11 — Away vs. Southern fall down a Illinois Roller Girls lot,” Amanda Parrot said.

“The goal is to get up quickly.”

When Parrot began with the Punishers, she hadn’t been on roller skates for years. “You’re just skating and skating and skating; its a great workout,” she said. “We usually practice for two to two and a half hours, and by the end I’m dripping wet with sweat.”

After only a few months, the Mount Zion junior high math teacher has gotten better.

She has even earned her team name, Improper Fracture.

But her team still calls her and the other new team members “fresh meat.”

“Because of the fact that we are learning, and we are new to the sport,” Parrot said.

But Parrot isn’t offended.

“I kind of wear it like a badge,” she said.

The captains and coaches make sure all skaters are prepared and work together as a team. Because of the ongoing physical action of roller derby, injuries are bound to happen.

“Not being physically prepared is what does it,” said co-captain, Rabbit “Kix” Thomas. “If you don’t properly condition for the aggressiveness of roller derby, you’re going to hurt something.”

Although she is new to the sport, Parrot has already established a relationship with the team.

“They are protecting us by getting us tough,” she said. “Because if we can withstand their ‘love,’ then we can withstand anybody

Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling

Bredina Coale attempts to maneuver past the pack in a scrimmage-style blocking drill during a Prairieland Punishers practice at George’s Skate Center. else.”

Roller derby can also be described as a trusting sport.

“This is the only time I’ve been on a team that feels like a family,” Johnson said. “I know I can call them no matter what it is.”

“It’s a weird sort of family,” said coach Brian Cassidy. “There’s a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds.”

But when the skaters are competing on the rink, their alter egos come out.

“Some of them, if you meet them out in public, they probably wouldn’t say a word to you, they are so meek,” Cassidy said. “But when you get them on the track, their personality really comes out.”

Cassidy loved watching the sport, “but I was kind of turned off by men’s derby early on because I had seen some YouTube videos of some very early men’s derby of guys just mashing into each other,” he said. “It wasn’t as beautiful and smart as women’s derby can be.”

Cassidy began coaching the Punishers a year ago but wanted to compete as well.

From left, Katie Baird is blocked by Stacey Bacon and Jesi Johnson as Suzanne Johnson and Bobbi Gentry look on during a Prairieland Punishers practice at George’s Skate Center.

“I played hockey all my life, so the skating part of it came easy for me,” he said.

Shortly afterward, he joined the Capital City Hooligans, the Central Illinois men’s roller derby team.

But the men’s league had to fight the same image the women carried.

“The biggest problem is trying to break that stereotype of the old wrestling type, the show of it,” said Hooligan founding member, Tony “Pony Boy” Overlin. “We’re trying to get more of a sport.”

“It is moving away from the theatrics that it used to be, to being very athletic sport,” Cassidy said. “Because of that you get a wide variety of people involved in the derby.”

Although they are based in Springfield, the league has team members from all over the area.

Daniel Amos, or “Wildstyle,” travels from Champaign just for derby practice. “I drive 90 miles every Monday,” he said. “It was the closest team.”

Amos began derby skating three years ago in New York. After moving to Central Illinois, he knew that he would find friends if he could find a roller derby team.

“It’s the easiest way to meet people,” Amos said. “When you skate for a roller derby league, you want to keep doing it.”

But to perform successfully on the rink, skaters must work out during off days.

“You definitely want to cross train,” Cassidy said.

“This isn’t something you want to just show up for three hours to skate and that’s it,” Amos said. “You are going to be sore, probably get injured. And you aren’t going to be affective as you should be.”

Although the skaters understand the attraction they have on the crowds, Cassidy said they will be watching real athletes at work.

“Most of the stuff you see on TV, you can’t do,” he said. dbeckett@herald-review.com|(217) 421-6983

Prairieland Punishers coach Brian Cassidy works on footwork while leading a practice.

Bredina Coale, left, and Suzanne Johnson work on skills while skating backward.

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ABOUT TOWN VILLAGE: Cisco COUNTY: Piatt POPULATION: 261 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Paula Chumley MAJOR HIGHWAY: Interstate 72

OOO CITY: Charleston COUNTY: Coles POPULATION: 21,823 MAYOR: Larry Rennels EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, Moore Home State Historic Site, Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum, Dudley House Museum, Thomas Lincoln Cemetery, Five Mile House, Greenwood School Museum, Charleston Riot Historic Marker INDUSTRY: Rural King warehouse MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Illinois 16, Interstate 57 ON THE WEB: www.charleston illinois.org, www.charlestontourism. org

OOO VILLAGE: Bement COUNTY: Piatt POPULATION: 1,730 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Pat Tieman TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: Bryant Cottage State Historic Site.

MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Illinois 105 HISTORY: It all began more than 100 years ago when Joseph Bodman of Williamsburg, Mass., heard of the building of a new western railroad across the prairies of Illinois. Here was a chance to grow up with the land. Pioneers would follow that railroad across the

wilderness of the prairie. Towns would grow up alongside it. Prairie land would become farmland around it. A man of vision could see that. A man of great hope, great faith and great dreams could see that. And so he came from the faraway hills of Massachusetts, past the wooden buildings of sprawling Chicago, down the great Illinois Central to the pioneer hamlet of Bloomington, out to the flat prairie lands and swamp lands that lay south of the ridge, south of Monticello.

ON THE WEB: www.bement.com

OOO CITY: Sullivan COUNTY: Moultrie POPULATION: 4,354 MAYOR: Ann Short TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: Little Theatre-On the Square and Lake Shelbyville.

MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Illinois 32, Illinois 121 HISTORY: Sullivan is named after Revolutionary War Gen. John Sullivan. The city serves as the north gateway to Lake Shelbyville and marks the west edge of Central Illinois’ large Amish settlement.

Abraham Lincoln traversed the county as a circuit-riding lawyer and tried many cases in one of the county’s first courthouses. The present courthouse, the county’s third, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

ON THE WEB: www.sullivan chamber.com and www.moultrie online.com

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HUBS OF OPPORTUNITY G5

Growing a passion in others ABOUT TOWN CITY: Assumption COUNTY: Christian POPULATION: 1,168 MAYOR: Alan Hays INDUSTRY: GSI Group, Sloan Implement HIGHWAYS: U.S. 51

OOO VILLAGE: Beecher City COUNTY: Effingham POPULATION: 463 MAYOR: Renee Schoenfeld MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 33 HISTORY: T.L. Miller arrived in Washington Township in 1862 and began purchasing land. His plan was to begin breeding and raising Hereford cattle. He knew the area offered good grazing lands; and he was convinced that the Hereford breed of beef cattle showed great promise for the future. At the time, Miller lived in Chicago and was in the fire and insurance business.

Miller was a great admirer of Henry Ward Beecher, a famous orator of that time, and named the new village after him.

Wesley Whiteside’s garden a ‘magical place’ RACHEL RODGERS H&R Staff Writer

CHARLESTON — Tending to the needs of more than 700 species of plants over 5 acres is no longer a one-man job at the Whiteside Botanical Garden.

When Wesley Whiteside moved to Charleston 50 years ago, vast fields stretched across his land with little to draw the eye.

Though he faced many obstacles along the way, the 86-year-old transformed these fields into a flourishing garden with not only native

OOO 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 ATTRACTIONS: Dieterich Community Veteran’s Memorial MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Illinois 33 ON THE WEB: www.dieterich illinois.com

Whiteside checks on one of his recent plantings after a unusual winter.

OOO CITY: Witt COUNTY: Montgomery POPULATION: 903 MAYOR: Lenny Homa EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Witt Labor Day Celebration MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 16 ON THE WEB: www.wittillinois. com

McKinney rakes up sweetgum balls in Whiteside’s yard.

plants to the region, but specimens found throughout the globe.

Harsh winters, severe drought, frequent flooding and occasional brush fires all took their toll on the garden, but Whiteside’s constant care kept the array of botanical samplings blooming.

In 2011, Whiteside made an estate gift to have his garden and a sizable portion of his crops to go to Eastern Illinois University, where Whiteside served as a botany professor for almost 30 years.

The planned estate gift led to the founding of an advisory committee to facilitate the garden’s transition to the university, which created an initiative for volunteers to help Whiteside maintain the site.

Volunteer coordinators Dakota Radford and Kathy Pickle have brought groups to help tend the garden once a month since last April, having accumulated about 70 volunteers.

Exploring the grounds gives Radford a sense of living through one of her favorite childhood movies, “The Secret Garden,” as she discovers something new and beautiful with each visit.

“This is an absolutely magical place, and it is important that this treasure, (Whiteside’s) gift to the community, is preserved,” Radford said. “This is our time to step up and make sure this gift is cared for and flourishing.”

The volunteers perform whatever work that is needed around the garden at the time, including cutting away large infestations of

Herald & Review photos, Lisa Morrison

Professor Wesley Whiteside watches in the background as students Jeremy Cielak and Joseph Lenhardt bundle some of the grasses.

‘... he did all this all by himself, which is just incredible.’

Joseph Lenhardt honey suckle in the fall and cleaning out daylily beds in the summer.

While raking leaves at the February volunteer day at the garden, Joseph Lenhardt, a sophomore geography major at Eastern, said it was difficult for him to imagine one man doing all of the necessary work for the site for 50 years.

“Unlike other botanical gardens that have a full staff, he did all this all by himself, which is just incredible,” Lenhardt said.

For Ali Burkowski, a senior kinesiology and sports studies major at

Eastern, volunteering reminded her of being at home in Danville.

“I’ve always liked gardening since I was little,” she said. “There’s something very calming and relaxing about it that takes me back.”

Whiteside’s passion for gardening began more than 70 years ago while growing up in rural Moline. By around fifth grade, he had cultivated a vegetable garden with radishes, peas and the like. A couple of years later when his aunt gave him some wild flowers to grow, he knew botany would always be present in his life.

Though he described himself as “hibernating” this winter, Whiteside can be found tending a portion of his garden every day during more favorable months.

“I don’t know what else to do with myself,” Whiteside said. “If I had to spend my time watching TV, it would be absolutely the pits.”

Whiteside has also

Dakota Radford, one of two volunteer coordinators, starts to hand out supplies to Eastern Illinois University volunteers at the start of a cleanup session at Whiteside Gardens. Students pictured are from left, Haley Vance, Sam McKinney, Cielak and Lenhardt. challenged the hardiness level of different plants by exposing them to the Illinois climate, such as with Silky Camellia that is native to the southern coastal plain. Another is the Ben Franklin Tree, which was only found to grow wild within a couple of acres in southeastern Georgia.

The area houses several extensive collections, ranging from roses, magnolias and daylilies to carnivorous,

bog and tropical plants.

“It’s pretty amazing.

You can come across rare, unique plants that shouldn’t grow here, but his magic green thumb makes it so,” Pickle said after clearing a bundle of tall miscanthus.

“Every single one of his plants has a story.”

Those interested in volunteering at the garden can contact Radford or Pickle at whiteside. volunteer@eiu.edu. rrodgers@herald-review.com| (217) 421-6949

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Helping community have a little fun Warrensburg Party Bus drives people to events RYAN VOYLES

if they’ve had too much to drink; but also as a way to organize community events.

Whether it is selling package trips to a comeWARRENSBURG — People see the party dy club in Decatur, or even a trip to and from bus rolling, but they’re not hating. the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Calhoun In fact, many of them call and find out just said he makes it a focus to bring people what it is all about; and it’s one of the ways together on the bus to just have a good time.

Chad Calhoun has been able to get the word “It was cheaper for them to just pay for out on his party bus and his bar business. the bus than to deal with the parking and The Warrensburg Party Bus is owned and traffic up there,” Calhoun said. operated by Chad and Bea Calhoun, but the The bus holds up to 15 people, with a drivcouple do not see the bus as their big moneyer on-call to drive. It has seen its share of maker. In trips, from fact, Chad prom night to Calhoun said weddings and the bus is just the annual his side busiBarstool Open. ness and he The bus has sees its more even helped as a mobile those who advertisement needed to for his bar, Da make a trip out Burg in Warof the country. rensburg.

Last year, Cal“People see houn drove 14 the bus going locals up to down the road Chicago’s and they call O’Hare Interand ask, national Air‘what’s Da port for a flight Burg?’ ” Calto Ireland. houn said.

When they The bus has came back the been in Warfollowing week, rensburg for Calhoun was nearly three Chad Calhoun, Warrensburg Party Bus owner outside the airyears, and port waiting to came as a take them result of the back.

Calhouns wanting to find a way to help out Even with the numerous calls and positive those in the community have fun, but also be responsible. word-of-mouth spread across the bus’ Face“My wife and I saw the DUIs and thought book page, Calhoun said he has no plans to ‘we need to find a way to keep people safe,’ ” make it a full-time job. Instead, Calhoun Calhoun said. wants the bus to be hand-in-hand with wordHe found a solution in Springfield, where of-mouth as the best sort of advertising for he saw the van being sold by a bar going out his main business. The bus is decked out in of business. A few touch-ups, including advertisements for the bar and is stationed inserting a 42-inch television, a DVD player right outside of the bar when not in-use. and removing the old, ruined carpet and his “Our main business is our bar and grill, party bus was prepared to entertain those in this is just a fun back-up plan,” Calhoun said. the community.

“It’s just a good little thing for our communiIt’s the community factor that Calhoun ty ... and it’s been a lot of fun.” focuses on, as he not only has the bus help rvoyles@herald-review.com|(217) 421-7985 drive people back home from the bars safely H&R Staff Writer

‘My wife and I saw the DUIs and thought “we need to find a way to keep people safe.” ’

Herald & Review photos, Lisa Morrison

Chad Calhoun bought the Da Burg’s Party Bus three years ago as a way to help out the community.

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. Little did these settlers know that they were laying the foundation for one of the most historically-rich towns in Central Illinois.

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 the river located a few miles west.

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, a singlestory wooden structure located on

Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling

City of Decatur Sign Lab operator Erick Heft finishes posting the CONO Holiday Hills Neighborhood Organization sign at East Christine Drive and Holly Drive.

Signs of identity Neighborhood groups show they care about community ALLISON PETTY H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR — Perched atop the street signs at several visible intersections, new signs announcing some of the city’s neighborhood groups aim to give them a sense of identity.

But they also carry a message, neighborhood organizers said.

“People that really maybe don’t attend the meetings ... can realize flat out: We’re serious about our neighborhoods and taking them back and making them all that they can be,” said Sue Lawson, president of the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations.

The West End Neighborhood Association was the first to install similar signs several years ago. CONO Treasurer Kent West, a former president of WENA, organized production of the new signs, which was largely funded by Community Development Block Grant money distributed by the city. The money was enough to buy two signs each for seven neighborhood groups.

The white signs bear the name of the neighborhood group and a symbol representing it: baseball bats for Fans Field, an evergreen tree for Holiday Hills, an apple for Old King’s Orchard.

“It kind of leaves you a feeling like when you come home, you know?” West said.

“This is my home. This is my feeling of comfort. I think as you get to know your neighborhood, when you see an identifiable trademark, let’s say, you can kind of feel it’s your area.”

Mayor Mike McElroy and Decatur City Councilman Pat Laegeler each found the signs

CONO treasurer Kent West checks out the sign before it is posted at East Christine Drive and Holly Drive.

MORE INFO The neighborhood signs cost $75 apiece, with each neighborhood receiving two.

Donations can be mailed to the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations, Box 3294, Decatur, IL 62524.

For more information, call Francie Johnson, (217) 4286616, ext. 2240, or Sue Lawson, (217) 872-7221. such a worthy cause they donated money for two more groups to get them. McElroy said they give the community a friendly look.

“I think that’s what all of us are striving to try to get to, people to feel safe and comfortable in their neighborhoods,” he said.

Council members have toured the neighborhoods regularly over the past two summers on a series of walks.

While McElroy said there are still many issues, he praised CONO and the individual neighborhood organizations for their commitment and said the council has made ON THE WEB: www.arcolaillinois.org

OOO

ABOUT TOWN the same lot as the current church.

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

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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 father’s 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.

VILLAGE: Hammond COUNTY: Piatt POPULATION: 509VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Michael Chappell MAJOR HIGHWAY: U.S. 36

OOO VILLAGE: Oreana COUNTY: Macon POPULATION: 875 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Aaron Keathley MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 48

OOO VILLAGE: Stonington COUNTY: Christian POPULATION: 932 PRESIDENT: Frank Paulek INDUSTRY: Monsanto EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Summer Festival

neighborhoods a priority, too.

“I know that they’re not anywhere that I would want them to be or the neighbors want them to be, but little by little, I do believe there are things that are happening that show we do care about them,” he said.

Having all the signs look the same shows visitors that the neighborhood groups have a strong city support system, said Francie Johnson, director of community services at Dove Inc. “It’s a really good way to identify an area,” Johnson said. “Somebody especially that’s new to the community, they don’t know that we have neighborhood organizations.”

While some of the roughly 20 active neighborhood groups can afford to pay for their own signs, others can’t, Johnson said. Inner-city organizations in particular might struggle with lower budgets or fewer members, though those areas are sometimes where it is most important to announce the presence of a strong community. apetty@herald-review.com| (217) 421-6986

HIGHWAYS: Illinois 48 ON THE WEB: www.villageof stonington.com

OOO VILLAGE: Atwood COUNTY: Piatt POPULATION: 1,224 PRESIDENT: Vevalee Smith EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Apple Dumpling Festival HIGHWAYS: U.S. 36 ON THE WEB: www.atwoodil.com

OOO CITY: Flora COUNTY: Clay POPULATION: 5,070 MAYOR: Bob Tackitt EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Train Depot, Appleknocker Festival, Charley Brown Park MAJOR HIGHWAYS: U.S. 45, U.S. 50 ON THE WEB: www.florail.gov office2.com, www.florachamber.com

For more information, call Jack Adwell at 217.875.7211, ext. 473

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Care for a spot of tea?

Wildflour Artisan Bakery serves up

taste of Europe with special events NICOLE HARBOUR

the end of last year.

“I wanted to provide Macon County residents with someDECATUR — When Chris thing unique,” she said. “A tea Vaughn began planning a trip party is more than just food – to the British Isles last year, it is an event. Even though she didn’t anticipate getting a you can eat the same sandtaste of the culture while still wiches and dessert (served at in the United States, but the specialty teas) off our that’s just what she received regular menu, when you when she stepped into Wildremove the crust from the flour Artisan Bakery and bread and cut the sandwiches Café’s tea and sweets room last into smaller month.

UPCOMING TEAS servings, it Attending a seems like a Valentine’s Easter Tea – 2 p.m. Saturday, celebration.

Day-themed April 19 “And there “sweet tea” at Mother’s Day Tea – 2 p.m. Satis something the business urday, May 10 about ‘taking Feb. 15, Flag Day Tea – 2 p.m. Saturtea’ that Vaughn, day, June 14 makes you dressed to the For more information or to want to dress nines in a rufreserve a spot, contact Wildflour up a little and fled blouse, at (217) 422-3300 and follow polish your pearls and a them on Facebook at https:// manners.” black hat, was www.facebook.com/Wildflour Scheduling excited for the 256. the first speoccasion. cialty tea for “I saw inforJanuary, Wingard said the mation about this tea on popularity of the teas instantFacebook and thought it ly took off when customers would be fun to do with a learned what the theme was. group of girls, so we decided “We decided to host a to come,” said the Decatur Downton Abbey-themed tea, resident, who was accompaand it sold out before I even nied by three friends. “It had a date for it,” she said, sounded like something fun laughing. “I am a huge fan of and different.” the (PBS) show, and I was That’s exactly what Wildpleasantly surprised to see flour owner Kelly Wingard how many other Central Illihad in mind when she began nois residents are also fans. planning the specialty teas at For the Herald & Review

A potato and apple soup is ladled up by Wildflour Artisan Bakery and Cafe owner Kelly Wingard.

Herald & Review photos, Lisa Morrison

Wildflour employee, Kelly Sibthorp, serves an apple and potato soup to diners at a special event at the tea room.

“We sold out the tea to a group of 13 women from Grace Baptist Church in Moweaqua and it was a huge success. They really got into the spirit, and most of them dressed in period costume, complete with hats and gloves.”

The popularity of the Downton Abbey tea carried into the sweet tea, where Vaughn and her friends joined seven other local women around a long wooden table adored with a lace tablecloth and mismatched china place settings as they settled in for an afternoon of fun in the cozy room.

Dining on finger sandwiches, an apple cheddar potato soup, assorted quiches and a vanilla bean crème brulee, all accompanied by Earl Grey Lavender and Raspberry Rapture teas, the women, including friends Roberta Williams, Kristin Hargrove and Joanne Sperry, all of Decatur, couldn’t help but enjoy themselves.

“I love the food,” said Williams, a retired teacher, as she sampled the finger sandwiches.

“I think we’ll be doing this more often,” said Sperry, smiling, as she tried the potato soup.

And while the food, as well as the Earl Gray Lavender

and Raspberry Rapture teas, the women partook of inspired a lot of enjoyment, the conversations and tea etiquette they learned was what many of the attendees said they treasured most.

“I think some people think tea is a stuffy thing, but it isn’t; it’s fun,” said Sperry.

“It’s getting together for a good conversation.”

Pam Smith, an occasional baker for the bakery and cafe, who was attending her first specialty tea, agreed.

“This is kind of a sisterhood,” she said as she surveyed all the women in the tea room.

“It’s fun to hear all of the voices and the happy sounds, and I think while we’re all connected by technology, gatherings like this show that we also need companionship and occasions to come together (in person).”

Pleased with the reception of the teas, Wingard said she is excited to host more.

“There’s something special about meeting for tea,” she said, “I want people (who attend the teas) to have the experience of feeling special, like they are at a party held in their honor. I want them to be pampered and enjoy ‘fancy’ food … And I love bringing a little bit of Europe to Central Illinois.”

During one of the special events at Wildflour, participants are served soup and sandwiches, tea or coffee and a special dessert.

Sibthorp often makes the sandwiches for special teas held at Wildflour Artisan Bakery and Cafe.

Just triking down the road Great for exercise, transportation, fun DONNETTE BECKETT H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR — The cargo tricycle is commonly referred to in the industry as the SUV of the bike world. But owners choose to describe their trikes as great exercise, necessary transportation and just plain fun.

These adult tricycles are larger than the standard bike meant for speed and agility.

Instead, they are designed to carry cargo from one area to another. And just like an SUV, they can still be stylish.

Shirley Elkin usually receives second looks as she travels her West End neighborhood on her trike. Everyday about 5 p.m., the retired Eisenhower teacher takes her two dogs, Jazzi and Jacee, along with the neighbor’s dog, Sophie, for a cruise around the neighborhood, getting attention from children and a few fellow retirees.

“I keep them out about 15 to 20 minutes,” she said.

“Sometimes, I’ll be out later because people want to talk.”

In the past 30 years, Elkin has owned two trikes. “I had to order the bike from a bike shop,” she said. “No one

Herald & Review photos, Lisa Morrison

Shirley Elkin, rides through a West End neighborhood with her two Maltese. Once the weather improves they will add a neighbor dog and start their nightly ritual. seems to have them in stock.”

Decatur Bicycle Shoppe coowner Wes Hogan explained that most tricycles are special ordered.

“The trike comes to the bike shop in bare bones,” he said. “Then the shop modifies it to the customer’s specifications.”

The basic design of the cargo tricycle has a wide base in the back, much like a child’s tricycle. For stability, the back tires are separated

Elkin prepares for an outing on her cargo trike.

with a flat area. In the past, a nesses use cargo trikes platform has been used to utithroughout their warehouses. lize the extra space. “The bas- “More companies use the ket is useful, instead of just trike so they can put a decent having a flat area,” Hogan amount of weight on it and said. they’re not worrying about The frames can be extendbalance,” he said. ed or modified The cargo to suit the trike can also needs of the be cost efficient customer. Cusfor the compatomers can buy nies. Scott accessories, Magruder, cosuch as other owner of baskets, to Decatur Bicycle extend storage Shoppe, said and cargo many businessspace. es use these Although the trikes to get frames can be parts quickly made from alufrom one area minum, the of a warehouse added accesJacee, front, and Jazzi are a to another. “You sories along can’t navigate hit with the neighborhood with the design the big children. of the trike can machines add weight. Many bicycle through doors,” he said. “It’s companies add the basket to a little quicker when make the tricycle more funcmachines aren’t running or tional. These additions can when something breaks down make the trike heavy, but this to get someone to take the tricharacteristic can be an cycle even to another buildasset. ing.”

Hogan notes many busiStill, the trikes aren’t

known for their speed. “If you are going to ride the trike, you are going to have use a lot of effort,” Hogan said.

But the popularity of the cargo trike is gaining among the general public, because of it’s usefulness. Hogan said college students have ordered special bikes with many characteristics the cargo trike offers.

“We get college kids in here every year getting a bike for school,” he said. “but you can put a rack on almost any bike.”

Seniors have also begun using the the trikes, “because they have ridden a bike all their lives, and at this point they don’t have the capability to do so because of balance,” Hogan said.

When traveling with precious cargo, stability is important. Elkin ordered her trike special for her smaller size and a her small dogs.

“It’s easy access,” she said.

“And I can lift it.”

But Elkin just uses the neighborhood cruise for the enjoyment not only for herself, but also for the dogs.

“People ask what keeps them from jumping out,” she said.

“I don’t know.” dbeckett@herald-review.com| (217) 421-6983

ABOUT TOWN CITY: Maroa COUNTY: Macon POPULATION: 1,801 MAYOR: Ted Agee MAJOR HIGHWAY: U.S. 51 ON THE WEB: www.maroa illinois.com

OOO VILLAGE: Herrick COUNTY: Shelby POPULATION: 486 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Dallas Kidd TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: Herrick Springtime Funfest, Fourth of July Parade, Holidays in Herrick, Connor Park and the Tom Davis Park

OOO VILLAGE: Ramsey COUNTY: Fayette POPULATION: 1,037 MAYOR: Claude Willis MAJOR HIGHWAY: U.S. 51

OOO VILLAGE: Weldon COUNTY: DeWitt POPULATION: 429 PRESIDENT: Steve Followell EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Weldon Springs State Park MAJOR HIGHWAY: Interstate 72

History is Happening at the History Museum!

Visit the

5580 North Fork Road Decatur, Illinois (217) 422-4919 Open Tuesdays thru Saturdays 1 to 4 pm Admission Fees “Cigar Manufacturing in $2.00 adults/ $1.00 for children Decatur”

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Going deep Firefighters prepared for water emergencies DONNETTE BECKETT H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR — As a member of the Decatur Fire Department’s dive team, Steve Penhallegon is supposed to be able to swim under water. But this is harder than many would think.

“Because I was too buoyant,” he said.

With each firefighter incased in equipment meant to float, they have to add weight to their dive suit. Penhallegon needed 34 extra pounds in order for him to be submerged in the water. And each member of the dive team will be different.

The fire department has a volunteer team certified in scuba training rescue. Each month, the team spends time in the Greater Decatur Y pool practicing skills or testing equipment. “When the weather gets better, we try to get in

Decatur firefighter Tom Colbert releases air from his suit to help him sink during scuba training. the lake,” Capt. Gary Workman said. “We are training in the pool in the winter so we can work on skills.”

The diving team uses the training to prepare themselves for all types of situations and circumstances.

They have been involved in several rescue missions, as well as dealing with submerged cars, weapon searches and body recoveries.

And with each diver, the skills and requirements will differ.

Many of the team members have an interest in diving.

“I used to dive before I came on the team,” Workman said.

But the firefighters’ training is used for public safety.

Because of this, the equipment they use is different than sport diving. One of the most important pieces of equipment is the thermal undergarment. “The fleece undergarment is meant to keep you warm,” Workman said. “It also makes you more buoyant.”

All the diving equipment is designed to stay above the water. “If we were to throw this all into the water, it would all float,” said Lt. Matt Hinds. “And we naturally float, most of us.”

The diver is then covered by an addition suit meant to encapsulate them. The suits are sealed around the neck, the wrists and the face. It has

Herald & Review photos, Jim Bowling

Captain Gary Workman swims along the floor during scuba training.

Decatur firefighter Doug Sprague assists captain Dan Kline as firefighter Tom Colbert puts on a firefighter wetsuit for scuba training.

A Decatur firefighter gets acclimated to a wetsuit during scuba training at the Decatur Family YMCA. added compartments to hold weighted bean-bags.

“We have to add all kinds of extra weight to us to sink us,” Hinds said.

One of the newest pieces of equipment is the full face mask. Unlike a typical diver’s mask that covers only the eyes, the rescue mask covers the entire face to isolate the diver from other contaminants, such as bodily fluids and gasoline. It also has a communication devise so the divers can speak to one another.

The volunteers use the training time to test the new equipment and see how each diver will be affected. “This takes so much effort,” Workman said. “They have so much to put on; the divers also need assistance from experienced rescue divers.”

Rescue calls require at least four divers. Depending on the weather, a diver can spend approximately 20 minutes in the water.

Next month the divers will be back to the pool for more

training. Because the volunteers are often swimming in merky waters, they will be training with limited visibility. “We will black out the mask so the divers can’t see,” Workman said. “I actually swim with my eyes closed, because I keep thinking I see something.”

In the future, the team will practice skill drills. For example, the divers will swim into a volleyball net to purposely get entangled. They will then have to free themselves.

“We do it here where they can see, Workman said.

The firefighters dive in Decatur waterways, including borrow pits and Lake Decatur.

“But if someone requested us, we could go and help,” Workman said. “This is a thing we do on a volunteer basis. There’s nothing in the firefighter job description saying we have to do it.” dbeckett@herald-review.com| (217) 421-6983

Decatur firefighters Colbert, left, and Kline discuss their experience after a short dive in firefighter wetsuits.

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ABOUT TOWN VILLAGE: Long Creek COUNTY: Macon POPULATION: 1,500 MAJOR HIGHWAYS: U.S. 36, Illinois 121

OOO UNINCORPORATED: LaPlace COUNTY: Piatt POPULATION: 259 (as of 2010 census) MAJOR HIGHWAY: U.S. 36

OOO CITY: Windsor COUNTY: Shelby POPULATION: 1,187 MAYOR: Terry Kuhl INDUSTRY: Quality Palettes TOURISM: Wolf Creek State Park MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Illinois 16, Illinois 32 TOURIST ATTRACTION: Windsor Harvest Picnic ON THE WEB: www.windsor illinois.net

OOO CITY: DeLand COUNTY: Piatt POPULATION: 446 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Todd Benting MAJOR HIGHWAYS: Illinois 10

OOO VILLAGE: Stewardson COUNTY: Shelby POPULATION: 747 VILLAGE PRESIDENT: Paul Antrim MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 32 TOURISM: Vahling Vineyards

OOO VILLAGE: Cowden COUNTY: Shelby POPULATION: 612 MAYOR: Loren Barnes TOURIST ATTRACTION: Thompson Mill Covered Bridge, Cowden Pioneer Days MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 128

H&R Staff Writer

and an advanced one on Wednesdays. He also teaches a class unique to the Decatur area on Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. called “scenario tactics and ground survival.”

Owens said he used his martial arts training a lot during his 11 years on the Decatur police force and teaches students how to manage conflict using that training. Owens said it’s good training for the average person who just wants to feel safer, MMA fighters or those considering entering the military or police force.

“I put them in situations with a few details, present a threat and go through some options of how to act,” Owens said. “Sometimes, I’ll put some objects in a space, things representing knives or 2-by-4s, and we’ll go through how to disengage and get the knife before the bad guy does.

“And we also go through handling the situation by talking. Handling it physically isn’t always the right thing to do; sometimes it’s about how we talk to people.”

The class also deals with

The names Owens, Jeff DeVore and Porter are known commodities to those in the area who are familiar with combat training.

They’ve combined to create the area’s most unique martial arts studio in ATAC – Advanced Tactical Academy of Combatives.

Jim Owens, who also owns the Mount Zion Armory, has been into martial arts since the 1980s and is a THE former member of NET the miliFor a complete tary, as list of sessions well as a and times, go to Decatur atacmartialarts. police officom. cer. Jeff DeVore is a longtime martial arts instructor and promoter in Decatur with a respected reputation.

Owens’ specialty is tae kwon do, while DeVore’s is karate.

“We decided to come up with something that incorporated both,” said Owens, who opened ATAC in Wildwood Plaza next to Family Video off Illinois 121 in November.

For $50 per person or $100 per family, members can participate in as many of the sessions offered as they want. Sessions, which range from fitness workouts to learning martial arts to self-defense and scenario training, are Wempen throws punches down on a heavy bag during a demonstration.

Monday through Friday beginning between 5 and 5:30 p.m. how to handle it if someone In addition to Owens and gets you on the ground.

DeVore, former Integrity Tae “Being on the ground is Kwon Do owners Larry and usually a bad situation, Sherri Porter are instructors whether it’s in an MMA fight at ATAC. or in real life,” Owens said.

Owens leads a basic mar“We always joke in the martial arts class on Mondays

Herald & Review photos, Danny Damiani

Nick Brooks, 11, of Decatur, works on throwing elbows during a Scenario Tactics & Ground Survival course at Advanced Tactical Academy of Combatives in Mount Zion. tial arts world that people think they’re going to come out and do their forms, kick someone and they’ll go down, like in the movies.

“But in real life, most fights end up on the ground. Somebody tackles you, gets on top of you and they’re throwing hay makers: What do you do?

How do you get out of that?

“I try to give people a couple of ideas using my police training and military combative training.”

There are three nights of cardio, including cardio kickboxing on Wednesdays and a cardio blast class led by Teresa Snowden on Mondays that Owens admitted at being a little intimidated by.

“Women love these classes,” Owens said. “But beware of Mondays — they’re rough.

I haven’t actually done one yet, but I’ve heard they’re intense.”

Jim Wempen of Decatur gives his arm to Jim Owens, owner of Advanced Tactical Academy of Combatives, during a demonstration of a technique used to take someone down to the ground.

DeVore, who created the Bando-Ryu Karate System, teaches separate martial arts and self-defense classes for youth and adults on Tuesdays, and separate boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai classes for youth and adults on

Thursdays.

The Porters teach tae kwon do on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with a sparring session on Fridays. jconn@herald-review.com| (217) 421-7971

12 HUBS OF OPPORTUNITY

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

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