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Announcing a hardcover book! SAVE
MACON COUNTY MEMORIES: THE EARLY YEARS
$15.00 TODAY
• Hardcover, 144 pages, archival quality. • Hundreds of stunning historic images.
• Limited edition, collector’s item. • Ships early Dec., in time for Christmas.
BOOK DETAILS: The Herald & Review is proud to partner with the Macon County History Museum, the Shilling Local History Room at the Decatur Public Library and our readers on a new hardcover pictorial history book, “Macon County Memories: The Early Years.” This heirloom-quality coffee-table book will offer a glimpse of Decatur and Macon County from the early years to 1939 through stunning and historic photos. In addition, we are thrilled to include photographic memories of years gone by from our readers. Pre-order your commemorative book now and save $15.00 off the $44.95 retail price.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
Grounded in tradition, preparing for the future By EMILY SCOTT For the Herald & Review St. Patrick’s School has been in existence in the Macon County area for over 160 years, which makes them one of the longest operating providers of education in the county. But that doesn’t mean the school isn't trying new things while continuing to provide quality education. Jan Sweet has served as the principal of St. Patrick’s for 10 years and explained how the preschool through 8th grade school is adding a curriculum called STREAM. STREAM blends STEM (science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics) with religion and art to incorporate these fields into a Catholic education. “It’s a lot different than the traditional way of teaching,” Sweet said. “It’s an exciting way to teach.” Sweet said STREAM prepares students for future work needs, such as working together with others, working with a variety of thought processes and methods, and solving problems. “Today, you have to be crosscategorical, you have to think in a variety of ways, plus you need to work with someone else,” Sweet said. Other changes are coming in the form of new classroom technology. Starting this school year, all
students from the second grade and up will have their own iPad to use. Sweet said it’s the teachers that help this transition run smoothly. “It takes a very special, unique staff to be able to plow ahead in adventuresome areas, because not all people are technology savvy,” she said. “We have many serious professionals here, and everybody’s on board. It’s exciting times in education.” With the typical class size being around 13 to 18, this allows for individualized instruction if a student needs extra help or enrichment. They also provide services for counseling and for special education students. Being in a Catholic environment, Sweet said one of the main focuses is community service. Often students visit nursing homes in the community. Another one of their big projects is the WSOY Community Food Drive. “That is quite an effort here,”
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Sweet said. “We ask for ten pounds (of food) every week from the student.” Students are also required to do community service as part of their curriculum, starting in the fifth grade. “They are asked to donate so many hours per quarter of community service,” she said. “Whether that’s helping the neighbor rake leaves, babysit, walk the dog, take out the garbage, just something for somebody else.” Sweet said the skills children learn equip them for the rest of their life. “From what I see, our students, whether they go to private or public high school, either way they come out successful,” she said.
412 N. Jackson St., Decatur, IL 62523 | (217) 423-4351 | www.stpatrickschool.dio.org
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Camping fun begins at Fourwinds RV By CHRIS LUSVARDI H&R Staff Writer Pete Koyak, Jr. wants the staff at Fourwinds RV in Maroa to treat each camper as if it's their own. He said the experience of shopping for and servicing RV's should be about more than making a sale. Customers at Fourwinds, located at 15277 N. Wood St. north of Maroa off U.S. 51, are provided with a demonstration of how the equipment works so they know before they go and can enjoy use of the campers as they start traveling, Koyak said. “It's all about having fun,” said Koyak, the dealership's vice president and general manager. “We match our customers up with the right camper for them.” Since 1971, Fourwinds has been located in the middle of its service territory which includes Decatur, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield and Champaign-Urbana. Koyak's family has been
involved with the business for 40 years. His father, Pete Koyak, Sr., purchased Fourwinds RV in 1975. In 2007, Fourwinds added a second location in East Peoria. “It was a good fit,” Pete Koyak, Jr. said. “We became able to better service our customers from that area as well as make new customers from the Peoria market.” Fourwinds is able to operate year-round as its showroom in Maroa is indoors, as is the recently expanded service area. With the shop doubling in size, Koyak said more staff was added. “We needed the expansion,” Koyak said. “You can't count on the weather being perfect to work on them. This gives us the added space to do it. When it's pouring down rain, you can't get them prepped fast enough.” One of the busiest times of year for service work is in the winter, when campers aren't being used as much, Koyak said.
A 26-foot trailer used to be on the bigger end, but Koyak said campers now range anywhere between 14 and 40 feet in length, which can all be pulled inside the Fourwinds service area. “Our work flow is a lot better,” Koyak said. Fourwinds primarily targets customers from the local area, although Koyak said it's not unheard of for customers to come in from all over the country. Most of the time, he said they're looking for the best price.
“They're searching everything to find it,” Koyak said. “There are a lot of different kinds from 14-40 feet. That alone gives them different options.” Shopping locally allows customers to find a place where they can bring their RV to be serviced after buying it, Koyak said. As they're out traveling, he said Fourwinds belongs to the Route 66 RV Network, which connects 150 dealers across North America to provide service as needed.
15277 N. Wood St., Maroa, IL 61756 | (217) 794-2292 | www.fourwindsrv.com
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Through all the change, St. Mary’s mission remains the same There's a special something at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital that makes it uniquely different than many other hospitals – the way in which it started. In 1878, three Hospital Sisters of Saint Francis traveled to Decatur and saw a need for better health care. They went directly to those lacking. They simply lived the mission “to embody Christ’s healing love.” From their humble beginnings in a frame house on the corner of Wood and Webster streets to its new state-of-the-art facility, the Sisters’ envisioned the ability to create a system in which they could provide care for all people. The Sisters’ first “hospital” contained only six beds. They opened their doors to offer care for those who didn't have the means to pay and taking only the most serious of cases. As the need for quality health care grew, the Sisters saw the opportunity for growth. In 1881, a larger facility was
built to accommodate more patients. To meet the medical needs of a growing Decatur community, the hospital was expanded six times over the next half century. The growth was not limited to just the physical building. Services such as maternity, surgery, laboratory and X-ray departments were added to better serve varying patient needs. From the beginning, the Sisters had a clear vision of the level of care they wanted to provide, the highest quality of health care today and tomorrow. In 1945, they recognized the opportunity for future expansion and purchased 14 acres on East Lake Shore Drive overlooking Lake Decatur. Today, the 21-plus acre campus of St. Mary’s Hospital is an example of the vision and dedication of the Sisters and the community. In 1957, the Sisters carried out a $1.5 million community fund drive. It was the first time the Sisters
asked the local community for financial aid. With the support and generosity from the Decatur community, construction started for the new St. Mary’s Hospital in 1958. The new hospital cost $8 million, which significantly increased the in-patient bed count to 350 and featured the latest in modern technology. Over the years, St. Mary’s has continued to improve and expand to care for the community through multiple building projects and program additions. In 2011, St. Mary’s completed the first stage in an aggressive campus modernization and renovation project. The $31 million construction project covered three floors, adding over 94,000 square feet of space to the hospital. The project included a new Emergency Department, Main Lobby, Patient Registration and Clinical Laboratory. The same year, St. Mary’s also opened the St. Mary’s Health Center conveniently located on N.
Main Street to increase access to health care services throughout the community. In 2012, St. Mary’s became the exclusive home in Decatur for the nationally recognized Prairie Heart Institute. To continue to provide the best in heart care, St. Mary’s also added a new state-of-the-art Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory. St. Mary’s combines commitment to their mission and values with the latest technology, and exceptional care to ensure a positive patient experience. For the past 137 years, St. Mary’s Hospital has been serving Decatur residents and surrounding communities with respect, care, competence and joy. For many more years to come, St. Mary’s will continue to elevate health care for patients, their families and the community.
1800 E. Lake Shore Dr., Decatur, IL 62521 | (217) 464-2966 | www.stmarysdecatur.com
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Another round of Muellers set to run family business By EMILY SCOTT For the Herald & Review There are few beer distributors that can say they’re among the oldest continuous beer distributors in the nation, but the George A. Mueller Beer Company can. In 1869, George A. Mueller started his wine and liquor distribution in Springfield, delivering products to homes with a horse and buggy. Almost 150 years later, the business is still going strong, now distributing mostly beer products. Eric Mueller, president of the company and the fourth generation to run it, said he started working for the business in 1974. His son, Lance, will be taking over the business as the fifth generation, but Mueller said they both learned the business from scratch. “All my children have worked here, and myself, we all start out in the warehouse,” Mueller said. They have had three warehouses in Decatur, with their current one located at 1506 E. McBride St. Construction began in May on its fourth warehouse at 127 N. Wyckles Road. Mueller said the new warehouse will be larger than the current one, and all of the operations will move there. The company distributes beer products to any bar, restaurant, grocery store or tavern that holds an Illinois retail liquor license. The company serves Macon, Dewitt, Moultrie, Cumberland, Shelby, Champaign, Coles, Christian and Vermillion County. With over 650 items in its
warehouse, including ones from the top five breweries in the nation, there’s a lot of variety. Brands they distribute include all Miller brands, Leinenkugel’s, Redd’s, Pabst, Dogfish Head, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, Shiner, Guinness, Corona, Heineken and some non-alcoholic beverages such as Mr. Pure Juices, Faygo Soda, Voss Water, and Sparkling Ice. Mueller said over 60 percent of
its business is from Miller. He said he has seen brands change over the years. One example was of Miller Lite’s cans, which now almost exactly resemble how they looked in 1975 when he began working. “It’s kind of interesting to see how it’s transitioned back,” Mueller said. Aside from moving to the new building, Mueller said they are
always looking to add new franchises to distribute. But he emphasized the importance of fitting their products to the market they serve. “We have to realize we’re in a rural market. That’s important,” he said. “We’re very fortunate, we have some very good franchises.”
1506 E. McBride Ave., Decatur, IL 62526 | (217) 422-3913
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
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Switching gears: Dreams of being a doctor give way to car repair business By NICOLE HARBOUR For the Herald & Review Seventeen years ago, if someone had told Cody Flanders that he was going to be the owner of an automotive repair shop, he wouldn’t have believed them. “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a doctor,” Flanders said. But dreams have a way of evolving, and nearly 10 years ago, the Decatur resident made a decision that changed his life. “I bought a motorcycle,” said the 27year-old and current owner of Vanderlaan’s Automotive Repair, 6335 East U.S. 36. “I had a Mustang when I was 17 and I sat down and wrote my pros and cons (of having a Mustang) down. I asked myself, did I want to put $5,000 or $6,000 into my car, or did I want to buy a motorcycle? I went and bought a motorcycle.” From that day on, Flanders said he was hooked on racing and tinkering with motorcycles and cars. Though he studied biology at Richland Community College and obtained good grades, the young man who had hopes of becoming a doctor could hear the automotive field calling his name. “I’d wanted to be a doctor ever
since I was a kid. I had a 3.8 or 3.9 GPA in high school and basically carried the same GPA in college. And I just kind of walked away (from being a doctor), really.” Giving in to his love of working on cars, Flanders began working at Nick’s Automotive alongside Greg Vanderlaan, the original owner of Vanderlaan’s Auto Repair. “I was just a cleaning boy. I was 18 years old,” recalled Flanders. “And he (Vanderlaan) started asking me, ‘Hey, can you change oil?’ And I said yeah. ‘Can you do brakes?’ I said yeah. … Greg was my mentor at Nick’s the whole time. He taught me everything I know.” From Nick’s Automotive, Flanders worked a string of automotive jobs, including two years at Toyota and three years at Ron Badorek’s Auto Services. “Badorek’s really got my life started,” Flanders said. “That’s when I really kind of figured out that I could do a lot of (automotive shop) stuff by myself. I had learned how shops work and how they operate, and one day Dan Collins – who worked at Badorek’s for 14 years – and I were at lunch together and we just kind of said, ‘Hey, we can do this ourselves.’” After looking eight months for a shop to call their own, Flanders and Collins got their big break. “Greg called me out of the blue (in March 2013),” Flanders said. “I was working at Vanderlaan’s on the weekends and coming after work to
Andrew Eichel, Dan Collins, Cody Flanders, Brennan Martin help Greg out, and he called me one day and said, ‘So, you want the shop? I’ve got to know today.’ And I said, ‘Can you give me two hours?’” Quickly accepting Vanderlaan’s offer, Flanders got to work renovating the shop and making it his own, and on April 1, 2013, he officially opened it for business under his ownership, with Collins by his side as shop manager. “It was a big undertaking,” Flanders said, “but we made it work.” The past two years have been good to the shop, Flanders noted. In addition to general automotive work, Vanderlaan’s now does diesel repair. The business has added a full automotive detail shop next door, as well, and if Flanders wasn’t busy enough, he is also helping with a second shop, 8 Below Powersports and Performance, with business partner Tony Bender. “That’s basically for motorcycles, four-wheelers, UTVS (utility terrain vehicles) and Harleys. We have a brand new DynoJet Chassis Dyno to check horsepower and air/fuel plus custom tune engines on all power sports. We have the ability to tune trikes, which there are only a few Dynos with that capability around this area.” With an expanding customer base, both Vanderlaan’s and 8 Below are going strong, and Flanders credits that to his dedicated employees and
a reputation for honest work. TJ Vanderlaan-Wells, the business bookkeeper and Greg Vanderlaan’s sister, agreed. “Trustworthiness is pretty high no matter where you go to take your car, and I feel like that’s what (Cody) has here in his customer base,” she said. “His customers trust him. The customers trust these guys and they know these guys. “It used to be when I’d pull up to park, there’d be just one line of cars, but then there started being double lines of cars,” VanderlaanWells continued, “and I couldn’t find anywhere to park when I’d come to do the books, so that speaks for itself, too, when you see a lot of vehicles waiting for their turns or waiting to be picked up.” In two years, Vanderlaan’s Automotive has done 2,200 invoices and while Flanders is hopeful he can one day have a bigger shop, for now, he’s content to enjoy his work each day. “This is a happy workplace,” he said. “My motto is, if you can’t have fun at work, why bother going? My guys love working here. I take care of them and we take care of our customers. We’re very blessed. We would like to offer our loyal customers $15 off your next oil change when you refer a friend. We appreciate your business!”
Located in the ELLIOTT Building, 6335 US 36 #C, Decatur, IL 62521 | (217) 864-1196 | vanderlaansautomotiverepair.com
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My Thrivent Story I have been in the insurance industry for over 34 years, 16 with Thrivent; my wife is a cost accountant for a local manufacturing firm. My approach is to provide more than just sound financial guidance and products. I want to blend faith, finances and generosity to help our members and community thrive. What drew me to Thrivent Financial? My wife and I decided to start our family 5-6 years in to our marriage. Soon our first son was born; unfortunately he had a birth defect. His heart would not sustain his life. Two days later our son went home to his heavenly Father. We were devastated. We had to plan a funeral, no real way to pay for one, and as you might guess not really wanting to be at a funeral home anyway. We leaned heavily on our faith, each other, and our families to get through this.
We said yes. He came with a check, you see because we were members of this organization our baby had life insurance as soon as he was born. That meant no painful monthly payments to the funeral home, and we could give the rest to St. John Neo Natal Center in Springfield, IL where our son was taken right after he was born.
What sets Thrivent apart from other firms? Thrivent is a membership organization of Christians, helping people be wise with money and live generously. We’re listed on the 2015 Fortune 500 List from Fortune Magazine for the 21st year in a row and have been named one of the world’s Most Ethical Companies four years in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. We connect faith and finances for good and for more than a century
I’ve lived in the Decatur area all my life, met my wife here, who was also raised in the Decatur area. We have been married for over forty years. We are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church where we serve on several ministries. We have two grown children, boys. Our oldest is married and lives out of state. He is an engineer for a major heavy equipment manufacturer. He and his wife just gave birth to our About ten days or so after the first grandchild. Our youngest son lives in Chicago and works for a very funeral our Thrivent Financial (then large consulting company in their Aid Association for Lutherans) representative called and asked if he procurement department. could come by for a couple of minutes.
Steve Wright, CLTC®, FIC Financial Associate
Steve Wright CLTC®, FIC Financial Associate 140 S Water Street Suite 101 Decatur, IL 62523 Office: 217-425-8894 Cell: 217-972-5750
Thrivent Financial was named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Institute 2012–2015.
we’ve helped our nearly 2.4 million members make wise money choices that reflect their values. We provide opportunities for them to be even more generous where they live, work and worship. We offer a broad range of products and services – including life insurance, annuities and brokerage services – along with guidance from financial representatives nationwide. Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures
MAKE WISE FINANCIAL DECISIONS Reflect your values, help protect your future Our financial representatives can help you reach a place of comfort and confidence in your finances, all while helping you strengthen your community and supporting the causes you care about most. At Thrivent Financial, we believe that being financially prepared and living generously go hand in hand. So we provide sound financial guidance—and help you make the best use of your time, treasures and talent. For more than 100 years, we’ve helped families connect their Christian values with their finances. If that’s important to you, let’s talk soon. Thrivent Financial representatives are licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. They are also registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55415. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.
Appleton, Wisconsin • Minneapolis, Minnesota • Thrivent.com • 800-847-4836
25638LG R4-15
140 S. Water St. Suite 101 Decatur, IL 62523
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At Clare’s, customers are part of the family By EMILY SCOTT For the Herald & Review The sign over the entry door of Clare’s Family Restaurant says it all: “Welcome home to Clare’s.” For many of the regular customers coming since the restaurant was opened by Clare Pound in 1997, it is a second home. According to Michael Pound, General Manager and Clare’s son, the family-style restaurant known for its home cooking and homemade pies is where good people, good service and good food come together. “That’s something that Mom always wanted to have,” Pound said. “She wanted to have a nice restaurant where people could come in and get a good meal for a reasonable price.” Located at 2502 E. William St. in Decatur, Clare's prides itself on home-cooked bread, homemade salad dressings and home cooking with many of Clare's own recipes. Ever since Clare suffered an aneurysm in 2005, Pound has taken over responsibility for daily operations at the restaurant. He said it has been a challenge taking care of both his mother and her restaurant, but he and his staff plan to keep it running for her to come back and visit. Clare’s is home to regulars, both in its customers and its staff. Many employees have been working there for over 15 years.
Together, this creates an environment that allows for oneon-one relationships, creating what Pound likes to call their “one big family.” And when regular customers move away, Pound said it’s like losing a family member.
“We have a lot of snowbirds that go away in the winter; we get Christmas cards from them,” he said. “And we get a card that says ‘we’ll be home in two weeks, can’t wait to see you!’” The relationships that are developed with their customers
also involve a love for Clare and an interest in her well-being. “Not a day goes by without somebody saying, ‘How’s your mom doing today?’” Pound said. When Clare comes back to visit it is like it used to be when she ran the restaurant. Pound said she would often sit with customers and talk with them. When she has come back in recent years she does just that.And even when she’s not physically present, Pound said his mother is always there in spirit. “We had a wood-burning picture done of her and put it over the kitchen window, so she can always look over her dining room,” he said.
2502 E. William St., Decatur, IL 62521 | (217) 428-3437
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Midstate Overhead Doors growing with the community By EMILY SCOTT For the Herald & Review For Jon Bloomfield, what started as a labor of love out of his own garage turned into a thriving, successful business. Midstate Overhead Doors, Inc. was established in 1994 specializing in residential and commercial service. Today, Midstate has grown into a larger, well-reputable company with 14 experienced technicians and a well-educated office staff. Midstate specializes in the sales, service, installation and repair of: • Residential garage doors • Residential LifeStyle screen doors • Front entry doors/steel entry doors • Electric operators/residential, commercial and industrial • Gate operators • Commercial overhead doors/rolling steel doors • Industrial overhead doors/high speed doors • Loading dock equipment – levelers, dock shelters, and restraints
• Car wash doors • Roll-up storage doors • Storefront folding gates • Farm outbuildings With a 24-hour emergency service, Bloomfield said what sets Midstate Overhead Doors apart is its outstanding customer service and experience. It’s these same attributes that have helped him stay in business and grow within the community.
Where Quality Counts
The business has continually grown from year to year, resulting in the business relocating four times. The last move was from an 8,000 square foot building to an 18,000 square foot building at its current headquarters at 2373 N. Route 121 at the corner of Mound Road and Illinois 121. In addition to its recent move to the new Decatur location, Midstate has expanded to Bloomington and
doesn't plan to stop expanding anytime soon. “It’s tough, but when you have experienced technicians, a large fleet of service vehicles, and a well-educated office staff, you’re able to get the job done efficiently and keep expanding to more customers throughout Central Illinois,” Bloomfield said. Midstate Overhead Doors has become one of the largest and most trusted overhead door companies serving the Central Illinois area. “Word of mouth travels fast,” Bloomfield said. “When starting my business, my father told me to do a good job, put the customer first and they will continue to call.” Since 1994, Bloomfield said the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.
Sales ~ Service ~ Parts (217) 422-8030 • 1(800) 420-4800 2373 N. Route 121 • Decatur, IL 62526 www.midstateohd.com
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Kid’s Castle Le
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earning Center
4445 E. Maynor St., Decatur, IL 62521 | (217) 330-6626
2580 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL 62526 | (217) 872-6602
Kid’s Castle lays the foundation for years of learning 3131 Pleasant Run, Springfield, IL 62711 | (217) 787-2200 By EMILY SCOTT For the Herald & Review When it comes to child care, Kid’s Castle Learning Center is always working to set itself apart from other centers in the area. Kid's Castles primary focus is on educating children at a higher level. “We incorporate just the right amount of learning with a little bit of free time,” said Keith Brown, who co-owns Kid’s Castle with his wife, Sheri. “The reason why we call ourselves Kid’s Castle Learning Center is because our entire mission is to educate children and prepare them for the years to come.” Kid’s Castle Learning Center started in 2006 with its first location at 2580 N. Monroe St.
Since then, it has expanded to two other locations, one at 4445 E. Maynor St. and another in Springfield. Kid's Castle Learning Center provides care for children ages six weeks to 12 years. Among child care being offered at Kid's Castle, there are also other various programs offered. These programs include preschool, a Kindergarten Readiness program, before and after school care, physical education classes, sports clinics and a School-Age Summer Camp. Kid's Castle follows a creative curriculum which is tailored for each age group and specifically focuses on their developmental and educational needs. For example, the preschool program incorporates SMART Board technology which is used
during the childrens’ daily circle time activities. “There’s a good balance between education, free play, arts and crafts, and socialization based activities,” Brown said. “Each class has an individually structured schedule that is followed daily.” Physical education classes are offered daily for children starting at 18 months. Sports clinics are an extra program Kid's Castle provides to its families. The clinics run six weeks long and take place in the center’s gym by the PE teacher. Another way Kid’s Castle sets itself apart is through the Meals to Go program at its Maynor Street location. The program allows parents to sign up for a hot meal
to take home once a week when they pick up their children. Kid’s Castle prides itself on its higher standard of education, which is exemplified in all of its programs. According to Brown, preschoolers are learning on a kindergarten level, which allows for the curriculum to be modified and changed as needed to challenge the children. “We try to start the children out on a higher level of education and set higher expectations than in past years so we can continue to excel” Brown said. “We have a broad array of exciting things for the children to come do every day, and half the time, they don’t even realize they’re learning, but they are, which makes them excited to come each day."
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DynaGraphics/Wood Printing provides printing and graphic needs By CASSIE BURTON For the Herald & Review Driving around Decatur, one will likely see rustic wooden signs with loopy fonts recalling an older time; cheerful scenes of “what’s to come” printed on the windowpane of a snack shop under renovation and, occasionally, a company car completely wrapped with a company’s logo like a business card on wheels. All of them could come from DynaGraphics and Wood Printing. “Everywhere you go around town, you’ll see something that you can figure has probably been produced through one of these facilities,” said Jim Ashby, DynaGraphics marketing and sales executive. Formerly two companies with more than 100 years of combined experience, DynaGraphics Inc. and Wood Printing recently came
together under one roof. The companies have a combined 1,500 active customers per year, coming from all over Illinois, other states and even other nations. “The move combines Wood Printing’s expertise in offset printing with DynaGraphics’ digital and large format printing expertise,” Ashby said. The company can produce thousands of products in different formats, from brochures and letterhead to real-estate signs to original equipment manufacturer decals to window graphics, to name a few. “You don’t have to be a giant to do business with us,” said Scott Bowers, vice president of the company. “If you go to our Facebook page you can see some of the bigger projects we’ve done, but we do a lot of 30, 40, 50 dollar jobs and they’re every bit as important.”
Customers have an idea of what resources they are tapping as soon as they walk into the company’s lobby, which has custom wallpaper with architectural graphics of signs and symbols a Decaturian undoubtedly recognizes. The production plant is filled with top-notch equipment for all sorts of printing needs, from full color presses to cars in the process of receiving a new wrap. The staff includes people, most veterans in their field, whether it’s customer service or production. Plant manager Dan Niebrugge is a certified G7 color master. Bowers is quick to point out the companies’ similarities when it comes to community outreach. “I think with both companies, they have a culture that is very similar,” Bowers said. “If people came with a need, whether it was a benefit or a fundraiser, you were very likely, both places, to say yes
and try to find a way to help. It’s one of the key things that we think has paid a dividend…they bring us business and they’re very loyal because of the relationships we build throughout those type of events and donations.” Numerous charities often get a helping hand for free or a discounted price from DynaGraphics/Wood Printing through contributions or sponsorships like Come Together Let’s Walk, Rodney T. Miller Triathlon, Woofstock, the Decatur Celebration and Zoorific. “One of the most rewarding parts of my job is just when someone is pleased with the end result,” Bowers said. “That tends to make the financial part work out on its own. If they’re happy, they tell people and they come back.”
3220 N. Woodford St., Decatur, IL 62526 | (217) 876-9950 www.dynagraphics.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
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Staff dedicated to Hickory Point Christian Village mission By EMILY SCOTT For the Herald & Review Hickory Point Christian Village is one of the two continuous care retirement communities in Decatur. To Executive Director Laurie Brown, it is the staff and the underlying core values that set them apart. “I think that we have the greatest employees and that’s really what makes the difference,” Brown said. “They’re trying to set forth that vision and our mission.” That mission is one rooted in the Christian faith, according to Brown, and it guides the staff in day-to-day operations. Hickory Point Christian Village offers a variety of living options including independent living,
assisted living and skilled nursing. Their facilities include 50 garden homes for independent living, a 48-unit assisted living apartment complex, and a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. The garden homes allow residents to have an independent lifestyle while also taking part in campus amenities. “We’re offering a community,” Brown said. “They can come over and have meals. They can do activities and events.” Assisted living also includes care for residents with Alzheimer's Disease. Brown said residents are provided assistance with things such as health assessments and medication reminders. The rehabilitation center is
licensed as a nursing home with full skilled care. According to Brown, they primarily do rehabto-home services and have about 40 admissions and discharges a month. With their sister community, Fair Havens Christian Home in Decatur, Hickory Point Christian Village is owned by Christian Homes, Inc., a nonprofit organization. Brown said this fact makes a difference in their company as well. “We’re able to reinvest our resources into our homes, into our staff, trying to make sure that we’re doing what’s right for the guest,” she said. They also work with Fair Havens to best accommodate residents and staff employees in both
places. “If we are unable to help somebody here, then we always try to help them there,” Brown said. Overall, Brown said the people living out the mission on which Hickory Point Christian Village was founded make a difference. “I think when you’re taking care of people, there’s always room for someone to be unhappy or something to be where it needs to be better,” Brown said. “However, I think for us here, we’re just trying to honor that mission and honor God through our core values.”
565 W. Marion Ave., Forsyth, IL 62535 | (217) 872-5899 | www.christianhomes.org
16 SUPPORTLOCAL SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
Thursday, October 1 Decatur Conference Center
7 am - 9 am
Keynote Speaker
Will Bowen Best-Selling Author
Will Bowen speaks from experience. He is an award‐winning salesperson that now works with organizations around the world to create Complaint Free Work environments that are calmer, happier and more productive. Will has been featured on Oprah, NBC’s Today Show, The ABC Evening News, CBS Sunday Morning and Fox News. Stories about him and his Complaint Free concept have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, People magazine and The Los Angeles Times as well as hundreds of other newspapers and magazines in the United States and abroad. Will Bowen has delivered keynotes and breakouts to audiences as large as 4,500 from dozens of leading organizations including the Million Dollar Roundtable’s “Top of the Table,” Volvo Motor Corporation and Price water house Coopers. Will is the author of two international bestselling books: A Complaint Free World—How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life you Always Wanted (Crown) and Complaint Free Relationships—How to Positively Transform Your Personal, Work and Love Relationships (Crown).
Featured Speaker - Superintendant Lisa Taylor Lisa M. Taylor became the Decatur Public Schools Superintendent in March 2014. Superintendent Taylor is the District’s youngest Superintendent, brings over 13 years of experience and leads the 22nd largest unit district in the state of Illinois, serving more than 9,000 students. Superintendent Taylor has extensive educational experience working as a teacher, building level administrator and central office administrator. During her tenure, she has led a variety of initiatives including representing the Board of Education as the chair of collective bargaining, co‐chairing the Dennis Lab School task force, and implementing individual instructional devices, a data warehouse, and student growth as a part of teacher evaluation. In July 2014, she was named one of the 20 leaders under 40 who make a difference in Central Illinois and in March 2015, she received a Rising Star Award from the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) at Eastern Illinois University.
Order your tickets now! Tickets are $16.00. • Tables of ten available.
Call 421-7919 Advance reservations only.
Open to the public. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7 a.m. • Program begins at 7:30 a.m.
Sponsors:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
Father-daughter team treasures common bond
By NICOLE HARBOUR For the Herald & Review From a young age, Bennie Strumpher had a passion for coins. “I became interested in them when I was about 10 years old,” he said. “My dad worked at a coal mine and he came home with a sock full of coins – they paid him in silver dollars. So he laid the coins out on the table. They were pretty and I fell in love with them.” From sorting through silver dollars in a bank vault as a child to traveling along the trade show circuit with his family as an adult, Strumpher’s love affair with coins helped guide his life. In 2007, he found a place for that
love to take root when he bought Decatur Coin and Jewelry, a business that has been located at 104 N. Main St. in downtown Decatur since 1972. Bennie Strumpher wasn’t the only Strumpher with an affinity for coins. His daughter, Samantha, happily followed in his footsteps. “I went to a lot of coin shows with my dad,” she said. “I’d take coins around to dealers and sell them for him. I’d leave with a box full of coins and I’d come back with a hand full of checks or cash.” “She was really little, probably 10 or 12 then,” Bennie Strumpher added. And she’s been by her father’s side at Decatur Coin and Jewelry since the very beginning, mostly
handling the vintage costume jewelry customers bring in. “I love being with my dad and experiencing with him daily the passion he has for this place, and that he’s helped me create, as well,” she said. Handling everything from coins, pocket watches and vintage paper money to costume, gold and silver jewelry, Bennie and Samantha believe it’s their ethics and service that make their business stand out from others. “We’re a ‘pay-it-forward’ organization,” Bennie Strumpher said. “If you have something worth a lot of money, we’re going to offer you a lot of money, about 90 percent on the dollar. We have paid out over 14 million
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dollars to people just like you in the past few years,” Strumpher said. “We are professional numismatists and travel the coin show circuit buying investor grade coins that we seldom encounter here at the shop. “We ‘know’ where the value is and many of my long term clients have become wealthy by paying for our experienced eyes. High eye appeal coins I sold just a few years ago for a couple of hundred dollars are worth thousands today,” Bennie Strumpher said. Bennie and Samantha are staying busy, enjoying their customers and enjoying their work. “I don’t have to work. I do this because I enjoy it,” said Bennie Strumpher. “I could have retired a long time ago, but I’ve been doing this for 40 years, and I hope to keep doing it as long as my eyes and health are good.” “I love what I do,” Samantha Strumpher agreed. “I love all the jewelry, and the coins, too.”
104 N. Main St., Decatur, IL 62523 | (217) 423-0041 | www.decaturcoinandjewelry.com
18 SUPPORTLOCAL SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
Changing the world one kid at a time By NICOLE HARBOUR For the Herald & Review St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has always striven to serve God by focusing on family. It’s a mission that resonates strongly with Kim Newingham, director of St. Paul’s Early Learning Center. “St. Paul’s mission statement is ‘Build the home, change the world,’” Newingham explained, “and (the early learning center) is one of the ministries that the church feels very strongly is a way to reach families and impact the world by blessing those families with the love of Christ.” The early learning center, which was established in 1998 and offers day care, preschool and school-age programs to children ages six weeks to 12 years old, began with only three classrooms in St. Paul’s former Wood Street location. Seventeen years later, it has more than doubled in size and is now located inside the former Bachrach facility off Mound Road, which has served as the church’s home since 2012. And the early learning center isn’t done growing, yet. “Today we have seven classrooms and we’re looking to expand even more when we move into the warehouse space of this building,” said Newingham, who’s served as director since March 2014 and has been a part of the early learning center since 2005. “We’re hoping to break ground in the fall and have eight classrooms, with room for four more.” Licensed for 124 kids, the early learning center has 85 children
enrolled, with more expected in the fall when school begins. There are waiting lists for certain classrooms. “We have waiting lists for our infants, toddlers and twos classrooms,” Newingham said, “but we still have openings in our preschool threes and fours classrooms, and our day care threes and fours classrooms.” Despite the center’s large size, there is a consistency and familiarity between the center’s 25 staff members and the children that makes St. Paul’s Early Learning Center feel like home. “I think there are two big things that tend to set us apart (from other day cares and learning centers),” Newingham said. “One, we’re a Christian facility. We can share with children that God loves them no matter what happens and they can always hold to Him, and the second thing is that we have fairly low turnover … so one of the things that I’m most pleased by and blessed by is that we do have the same faces. If you come in six months from now, your child’s teacher is most likely going to be the same person.” Andrea Gerhard, who serves as the communications director for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the early learning center, said she and her family value the consistency and dedication of the early learning center staff. “From a parental perspective, I just have to say that I value, so much, the consistency of the teaching staff here,” Gerhard said. “Just watching as my kids grow and knowing they have been through a number of different
classrooms, I see they still have connections with those teachers because they're all still here. And it's great because they still are loving and caring for each other even though they're not in the same rooms anymore. That's something I've not seen other places." As a Christian facility, prayer and Bible study are regularly incorporated into the day. “During the school year, we have an opening that everyone does in the morning for about 15 minutes, three days a week,” Newingham said . “We do a devotion, we do songs, we do Bible stories and we pray, and then in the classrooms, they also have a curriculum they do every day with Bible time. We also pray during mealtimes and just any time that prayer is warranted.” Gerhard believes the learning
center’s family focus also draws many people to it. “It's not just about your child, it's about your whole family,” she said. “We have a lot of whole families that come here that moved with us from Wood Street just because it's the place they want their kids to be because they know they're being cared for and loved during the day. We work hard to maintain a safe environment. You are feeling that love of Christ during the day, and you just don't get that everywhere.” “We love the joyful noise and the pitter-patter of feet,” added Newingham, laughing. As the early learning center and church continue to grow, Newingham and Gerhard are hopeful that both will be able to serve not only families in Decatur, but in the surrounding communities. “We’d love to be able to bless a lot more families so that we can really make an impact in the world,” Newingham said.
1 Bachrach Ct., Decatur, IL 62526 | (217) 424-9183 | spldecatur.org
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
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Live life your way at Evergreen Senior Living By SCOTT PERRY H&R Business Editor Bob Sandage had a decision to make. His aging mother, Mary, wanted to remain independent, but changing medical circumstances made living alone impossible. Sandage began researching his options, which included a thorough review of the senior living facilities the area had to offer. The process included numerous conversations with staff members, scheduled tours and meals and unscheduled visits at all hours of the day. In the end, the choice was an easy one to make. He chose Evergreen Senior Living. Located at 4825 E. Evergreen Court on Decatur's southeast side, Evergreen Senior Living is a community for those age 65 and older. It has two campus options, depending on the services needed. Evergreen Place includes 93 supporting living apartments for those needing a little help with
tasks from time to time. Legacy, a memory support community for those with early stage dementia, has 20 apartments. Evergreen Place and Legacy offer private apartments and 24hour access to a wellness team. The campus also includes a fitness center, several gathering areas, a beauty and barber shop, a TV lounge and a library. There are many organized on-site activities, as well as off-campus trips. “We are committed to assisting our residents in pursing individually satisfying lifestyles and giving their families peace of mind by providing quality senior living services,” said Katelyn Smith, Evergreen's community relations coordinator. While all the amenities are nice, Sandage said they wouldn't mean a thing without a caring staff, and he can't say enough about the Evergreen staff. “You can tell they care,” he said. Johna McFadden is coordinator of Legacy,
where Mary Sandage lives. In Mary's short time at Legacy, McFadden has built an obvious bond with her new resident. McFadden said there has been little staff turnover since Evergreen opened four years ago, helping build camaraderie among the staff, residents and their families. Mary Sandage, who turns 90 this month, doesn't hide the fact she really wanted to remain in her home. But you don't have with talk with her for very long to figure out that she, too, is happy at Evergreen Senior Living. Before coming to Legacy, she said her days were spent alone, watching TV with her little dog.
Now, stories of her recent athletic exploits at one of the many organized gatherings brought laughter to those gathered around the table. And when the topic switches to the three home-style meals offered daily, her eyes light up thinking about what the next meal will be. “This is the best place in the world for me,” she said.
4825 E. Evergreen Ct., Decatur, IL 62521 | (217) 864-4300 | evergreenslc.com
20 SUPPORTLOCAL SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
Everyone’s family at Kenney’s Ace By EMILY SCOTT For the Herald & Review Shop local, shop Kenney’s Ace. The Kenney Family has been part of the Decatur Business Community for over 50 years. The Ben Franklin store was owned by Libby’s grandparents and Parents prior to the Kenney’s. Terry and Libby Kenney opened Kenney’s Ace in 1999 and moved to the current location at 2880 S. Mount Zion Road in 2011. “The move has been good, we’ve had additional customers and we’ve been able to add new products such as Benjamin Moore paint and Craftsman tools. “ Libby Kenney said. Kenney described their Ace as a
family store that extends beyond the owners. Their son, Pat is the store manager and their son Bryan works for them as well. Occasionally even Terry and Mary Kate still get called in to help. Grandma Alice was always sending everyone she met to shop Ace, also. The family atmosphere extends to the employees and customers. Kenney said many of their employees started as customers and turned into lifelong friends. Some of the staff have been with them for over 30 years, beginning at the Ben Franklin store. “We’re very blessed with our employees. They are awesome people.” Kenney said “They think of the store as their own, we
wouldn’t want it any other way”. Over the years, Kenney said they’ve seen a lot of changes in the Decatur area, but they are glad to be part of the community. “Decatur’s a great community. It has a lot of positive folks that live here, work here, shop here,” she said “we love what we do.” Kenney’s Ace is more than just a Hardware Store. Ace offers a variety of products and services, including tools, lawn and garden, propane tank filling, UPS shipping, housewares, plumbing and even gifts, such as Yankee Candles. Terry Kenney is a custom picture framer. Ace has a full service frame shop. Libby said he has been framing for over 30
years. The frame shop motto is “You name it, we frame it.” While paint is their leading department, Kenney said it’s their customer service that is the biggest draw. “Our employees are very good about helping folks get what they need, get in, get out,and get done” Kenney said. “We have a lot of loyal customers” No matter the hours they have to put in, Kenney said the retail hardware business is where they want to be. “We are thankful to have such great employees and customers as part of our business. We really wouldn’t know what to do if we didn’t have this business” she said.
2880 S. Mount Zion Rd., Decatur, IL 62521 | (217) 864-9314 | www.acehardware.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
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over
l8,000 people
in Central Illinois suffer from skin conditions. A visit to the doctor is sometimes an uneasy experience. Dr. Francis C. Lee, a specialist in dermatology, understands the anxiety some patients feel. With gentle care and sincere personal interest, Dr. Lee and his staff will put you at ease. As a dermatologist, Dr. Lee practices medicine on the skin, hair, and nails. The doctor’s practice includes diagnosing and treating all skin diseases, but he also gives advice about how to retain and preserve skin health and beauty. Dr. Lee is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and American Boards of Dermatology & Pathology in Dermatopathology. Contact Lee Institute of Skin & Laser for any dermatology needs, including dermatologic and laser surgery, hyperhidrosis, skin rejuvenation therapy and cosmetic preparations. Dr. Lee and his staff are committed to courtesy, thoughtfulness, and professional excellence so that you may be pleased personally and be confident about your medical care.
Francis C. Lee, M.D., FAAD Michelle Schoenlein, PA-C
DERMATOLOGY DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY DERMATOPATHOLOGY LASER SURGERY SKIN REJUVENATION THERAPY COSMETIC PREPARATION
606 W. Pershing Rd. Decatur IL 62526
217-877-7171 Francis C. Lee MD, FAAD
Michelle B. Schoenlein PA-C
www.leeskincare.com
22 SUPPORTLOCAL SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE YOUR FRONT LINE. THEY ARE YOUR COMPANY’S FIRST IMPRESSION THAT CUSTOMERS ENCOUNTER. YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE WHAT MAKE YOUR COMPANY TICK. THIS LABOR DAY, SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. On September 6th, the Herald & Review will once again publish a “Labor Day 2015 Salute to Your Employees” special section. This section will feature real stories and tributes from local employers, exemplifying how these companies appreciate their front line of staff and how they reward them for their efforts.
If you would like to recognize your employees in this section, call us today at 217-421-6920. Advertising Deadline for this special publication is Wednesday, August 26th.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
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Webster-Cantrell Hall there for children, families in need By EMILY SCOTT For the Herald & Review To serve children, youth, and families at risk of or in troubled circumstances is the mission of Webster-Cantrell Hall in Decatur. Since 1920, it has lived out this mission in the Decatur community as a private child welfare organization offering a variety of services, focusing on residential and outpatient services to children, youth and family. According to Holly Newbon, the Director of Development, these services range from programs and classes such as residential services, emergency shelter, a foster care program, outpatient counseling services and transparenting programs. Webster-Cantrell has a residential facility that houses 26 males, ages 12 to 17, and a girls’ group home that houses eight females ages 12 to 17. Newbon said the outpatient counseling services program allows them to work with children and parents. “We basically do counseling for whatever issues the children or families are having,” she said. “There is no charge for that to the client. It’s an amazing service; a lot of times people aren’t even aware of it.” Webster-Cantrell Hall has about 170 full- and part-time employees. This includes childcare workers for direct services, case managers, therapists and other general staff. Newbon said the services are important because they provide care to youth and families that
reside in the immediate community. “People often think that we are only a residential facility, and that these kids are brought here,” she said, “that is not the case. They are from our community and the children in our foster care are too.” Newbon said this is why continued community support is needed.
“We need the people of the community to support us through donations and volunteering,” she said. To promote this relationship, Webster-Cantrell is hosting its first 5K Superhero-themed Fun Run/Walk, which will take place on Oct. 3 in Nelson Park. Newbon said this will serve as a fundraiser but also as an opportunity to provide information on its services
and to promote donations and volunteering as a mentor or tutor for a child. “We do appreciate all the support of the community,” Newbon said. She said she encourages people to call at (217) 423-6961 for additional information on their services.
1942 E. Cantrell St., Decatur, IL 62521 | (217) 423-6961 | www.webstercantrell.org
24 SUPPORTLOCAL SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015
Community Foundation, EdCo focused on a better Macon County By NICOLE HARBOUR For the Herald & Review A lot can change in a decade and a half. But as the Community Foundation of Macon County prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary, President Wegi Stewart is proud to say that while the organization, its leadership and even its assets have changed, its mission has remained the same. “We’re now a $30-million organization, and in just 15 years, that’s been quite an accomplishment,” said Stewart, who has served as the Community Foundation’s president since 2010. “But I think our big mission has always been to get everyone involved in philanthropy at some level. I’m proud of the faith and trust the community has in this organization to make it the place businesses, corporations, and families look to invest in the future of Decatur and Macon County.” Stewart said the Community Foundation arose from the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois. “The origins really came out of our United Way, where Lucy Murphy was the executive director,” Stewart said. “She and some United Way board members had heard about the community foundation movement and saw it as a vehicle to create permanent funds for the future good of Macon County.” Taking the reins of the organization, Stewart said she’s very proud of what the Community Foundation has accomplished and participated in over the past five years. Especially exciting, she said, are efforts that engage people on all levels of philanthropy such as the
World War II Memorial project and, most recently, the Kraft Food’s Hockeyville USA contest whereby the Foundation provided an anonymous donor the platform to challenge the community to raise additional funds equivalent to the contest’s first prize. “And, of course, this community rallied,” she said. It's this same sense of community and forward thinking that led to the creation of the Education Coalition of Macon County, a Community Foundation initiative, in 2007. “The real interesting fact about the Education Coalition is, this community was so ahead of the curve in doing this type of work,” Executive Director Dani Craft said. “There are many organizations like EdCo now across the nation, but in 2007, our community took the initiative, putting together a coalition to address improving the community through education.” The Education Coalition remains focused on kindergarten readiness, grade-to-grade readiness and college and career readiness. It has been hard at work recently improving Decatur and Macon County through several pilot programs, including Knowing, Growing, Going to Kindergarten and InspirEd Futures. Craft said Knowing, Growing, Going to Kindergarten focuses on the development of soft-skills like keeping their hands to themselves, how to stand in line, how to carry a lunch tray and use the restroom. “In the past year, the Education Coalition has focused on finding a way to help aid that transition and make the kids more successful for kindergarten,” Craft said. With 160 four- and five-year-olds taking part in the summer pilot
The dedicated staff of the Community Foundation of Macon County and the Education Coalition of Macon County.
program, Craft said the idea is to follow the children through their first semester of kindergarten to see if the pilot has a positive effect and, if it did, to expand the pilot group next summer. Another program set to launch this fall is InspirEd Futures, an initiative for students in eighth through twelfth grades that focuses on college and career success and creates a bond between industry and education. “We want to help ensure graduating students have a plan to gain skills they need to get a job in our community or to go on to post-secondary education,” Craft said. “The employers in our community keep telling us they have job opportunities and need a skilled work force. We are trying to create a pathway to transition.” Describing the Education Coalition as a “community helper” which collaborates with organizations, groups and volunteers for the greater good,
Craft said, “I hope that the community will continue to embrace EdCo and understand what it is we are trying to help achieve. We want to contribute to a brighter future.” In additon to the Education Coalition, the Community Foundation also has collaborative partnerships with the Beautify Decatur Coalition, Teen Health Coalition and the Decatur Legacy group. While the Community Foundation has a lot on its plate, Stewart said she’s hopeful it can do even more in the future. “As we look to the next 15 years, the Community Foundation is poised to continue its growth in number of donors, size of assets and leadership around emerging issues,” Stewart said. “Supporting EdCo and important community collaborations will be a priority as Decatur and Macon County continue to advance and improve.”
125 North Water Street, Suite 200, Decatur, IL 62523 | (217) 429-3000 www.edco4kids.org | www.endowdecatur.org