Communicator
October 2011 • Freeport, IL
Midwest Community Bank Brings New Technologies to Freeport Tony Carton Communicator Editor When was the last time a bank gave you something for free? Midwest Community Bank will. They’re offering a new service called Midwest Mobile Banking and starting in November, Midwest Community Bank customers will be able to use their cell or smart phones to securely check bank balances, view transaction histories, transfer funds, make loan payments and pay bills with the ease and convenience of sending and receiving simple text messages; and it’s free. Put simply, mobile banking keeps you connected with anytime, anywhere access to your financial information. If your cell handset experience is limited, Midwest Mobile Banking is ready to serve with Short Message Service (SMS) connections that are readily available on even the simplest cell phone and if you demand the speed and connectivity of a web-enabled device, Midwest Mobile Banking are already there with mobile browser services. Mobile banking is as convenient and fast as you need it to be and best of all; mobile banking with Midwest Community Bank is free. Staying at the cutting edge of technology is just another way
the people at Midwest Community Bank are growing to meet their customer’s financial needs. “Our new mobile banking services are all about providing
transfer and this is a great product that will enable them to do that no matter what time of day or night or their physical location.” Midwest Community Bank
convenience to our customers,” said Midwest Community Bank Co-CEO Mark Wright. “We still have many of customers that use our branches and we will always have branch locations available for them, but there are a growing number of our customers that just don’t have the ability to come into one of our locations during business hours. They might be at home at nine at night or five in the morning and want to know what their loan or deposit balances are, need to make a loan payment or a balance
has seen significant increase in their customer base that uses technology. “Our customer’s use of our online banking products has grown significantly in the last five years,” Wright said. “Technology is important to our customers as like many of us, our customer’s need every available hour in the day for work or family. They want our bank to be accessible and Midwest Mobile Banking is one more way that we save our customers time and make their banking experience more convenient.”
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As technology has advanced Midwest Community Bank has proactively addressed changes which have had a positive impact on its customers. Midwest Community Bank has online banking, bill pay and check imaging services for its retail customers as well as cash management, remote deposit and lockbox services for its commercial customers. One thing that will never change is Midwest Community Bank’s devotion to its customers. “We will never loose sight of the importance of our customer,” stated Wright. We never forget that without our customers we would not be in business.” “Our people in our banks are really what make us special,” Wright said. “We are not a big corporate bank. We are about trying to make things convenient and accessible and our people build those all important long-term relationships by simply providing superior service.” Midwest Community Bank has been awarded the Freeport Journal Standard’s Best of Region award the last eleven years. Midwest Community bank was started in 1965 by a group of investors led by the first generation of Wright family SEE
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CHAMBER ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
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FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 27 W. Stephenson St, Freeport IL 61032 www.freeportilchamber.com Phone: 815.233.1350 Fax: 815.235.4038 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Kim Grimes kim.grimes@freeportilchamber.com
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES COORDINATOR: Tiffany King tiffany.king@freeportilchamber.com
RECEPTIONIST: Julie Huber COMMUNICATION EDITOR: Tony Carton The Chamber of Commerce Communicator is published on a monthly basis with the partnership of The Journal-Standard paper. We thank them for their continual effort to keep this publication in print!
DATES TO REMEMBER... OCTOBER 20 Business after Hours Masonic Temple 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. OCTOBER 25 Small Business “You” “Managing Stress Before it Manages You” Stephenson County Farm Bureau 4:00 p.m.
Kim’s Korner W
ow the weather here in Northwest Illinois has been terrific! Hope everyone is enjoying it. What a great time of year, leaves turning, apple cider tasting good, Halloween around the corner and lots and lots of football games to watch. What a great season Le-Win, Stockton, Aquin and Forreston is having. As the Chamber starts to wind down the year we are keeping extra busy with our Small Business “YOU” Seminars, lots of ribbon cuttings (and as always congratulations to all of the new businesses that have opened recently). We have had some real fun Business after Hours and Rise ‘N Shine Breakfasts and thanks to Fairway Ford Lincoln and Integrity Investments and Rocky Zuberhuler for hosting this recent events. We sponsored a recent seminar with “Constant Contact” which was very helpful in learning the art of Email Marketing. Thanks to those who attended those events! Email Marketing has become such an important part of many types of marketing your business. Your Chamber Board and member volunteers are currently starting a
process of Strategic Planning and we are using the feedback we received from our recent membership survey as well as the two focus groups that several of you participated in. We are very thankful to our members who provided us with your important input. We feel very confident that the end result of our Strategic Plan will provide us the opportunity to be an even stronger Chamber of Commerce going forward into 2012. Your response to our updated website has been very satisfying. We are receiving several more “hits” per day than we were in the past and we will pledge to make sure we continue to keep it updated for your benefit. The “Prospering Together” Vision is continuing to build strength and momentum and I ask all of you to do us a favor and get involved. This is your community and we can only improve it’s quality of life if you get engaged!
www.freeportilchamber.com SMALL BUSINESS”you”
OCTOBER 27 Ambassador Meeting Stephenson County Farm Bureau 7:30 a.m. NOVEMBER 1 Executive Meeting Chamber Conference Room #1 7:30 a.m. NOVEMBER 2 Rise ’n Shine Breakfast Oakley Courts Assisted Living 7:30 a.m. NOVEMBER 10 Finance Committee Meeting Chamber Conference Room #2 7:30 a.m. NOVEMBER 15 Chamber Board Meeting Chamber Conference Room #1 7:30 a.m.
The Chamber presented the next in the series of Small Business “You”. The class was taught by Michelle Miller and Brian Borger Former Small Business Development Center Counselors on what you need to plan for when opening your own business. We had an excellent turn out and look forward to many more classes to come.
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FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BANK
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Rise’n’Shine Use of Internet banking services continues to show phenomenal growth at Midwest Community Bank.
ownership. Third generation owners, Mark and Todd Wright, co-manage the bank today, and Midwest Community Bank has expanded its branch locations to include two banks in Freeport, IL, one bank in Rockford, IL, one bank in Chicago, IL and a loan production office in Naperville, IL. Midwest Community Bank remains a full service bank serving both individuals and businesses with services tailored
to meet the financial needs of its growing customer base. The staff at Midwest Community Bank invite you to stop by one of their convenient locations and speak with one of their loan officers or personal bankers, or meet either Mark or Todd. See what a difference a family-owned, communityminded bank will make for you. Freeport, IL full service branch banks are located at:
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Fairway Ford was the September site of the Chamber Rise ‘n Shine Breakfast. Along with an early morning chance to network, our hosts provided a wonderful breakfast for the attendees. Thank you Adam Toller and Fairway Ford Lincoln for hosting this great breakfast!
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FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MEMBERnews The Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce joins Chick-fil-A Leadercast in announcing the 2012 speakers. • John Maxwell, Leadership expert & best-selling author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership • Patrick Lencioni, Best-selling author & president of The Table Group • Tim Tebow, NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner & best-selling author • Urban Meyer, ESPN analyst & former head football coach for the University of Florida • Angela Ahrendts, Chief Executive Officer, Burberry • Roland Fryer, Professor of economics at Harvard & CEO of the Education Innovation Laboratory • Sheena Iyengar, Author of The Art of Choosing & worldrenowned expert on choice • Andy Stanley, Best-selling leadership author & communicator Others to be announced soon.
Highland instructor writes book on author Don DeLillo Highland Community College English instructor Dr. Paul Giaimo recently published a new book, “Appreciating Don DeLillo: The Moral Force of a Writer’s work.” The book, released last month by ABC-CLIO, Ltd., serves as a commentary on the major novels of award winning Italian American writer Don DeLillo. According to the publisher, the book is “an insightful work providing stateof-the-art critical guidance and informative commentary on the major novels of Don DeLillo in terms of how they respond to current social and ethical issues.” The 224page volume examines the major themes in DeLillo’s work, outlines Delillo’s treatment of moral heroism and villainy, and
evaluates the writer’s place in the framework of American story telling. “I wrote the book with a few purposes in mind,” said author, Paul Giaimo. “I wanted to create an accessible ‘primer’ to DeLillo’s fictions that readers could pick up and consult to better understand and appreciate the novels. Furthermore, I also sought to go more into depth on some issues to allow those with more experience of DeLillo and/or American fictions to gain even more knowledge of the significance of his work.” Giaimo has long been a student of American Literature, but has more recently taken a specific interest in Italian American Literature. “I had studied American Literature for almost 10 years before even discovering that people of my ethnic background were writing consciously from the point of view of being Italian American,” said Giaimo. “I learned the original Italian names of holiday dishes I remember sharing at my grandmothers’ houses years ago, while at the same time bringing back valuable historical information and a new
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awareness of written art to share with my students. Students responded well as I became more personally invested in the material I was and am teaching.” Dr. Giaimo has been a fulltime instructor at Highland for 14 years and has taught courses in English and Philosophy. While this is his first authored text, Dr. Giaimo has been published previously in Voices In Italian Americana, the Journal of the Multiethnic Literature Association of the United States, and The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Multiethnic American Literature. Freeport nonprofit organizations reap benefits of Wipfli’s Community Day Firm’s seventh annual “Community Day” on September 29 helps 58 organizations Press Wipfli LLP, a national CPA and consulting firm with offices in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Spokane, Washington, closed its doors for business on September 29 so that hundreds of associates across the country CONTINUED
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461 E. South Street • Freeport • 815-23BLOOD • www.rrvbc.org
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2011 PREFERRED MEMBERS We would like to give special recognition to the following businesses that provide extra support to the Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce.
GOLD MEMBERS
Law Offices of Ralph E. Elliott Reid Enterprises Rock River Valley Blood Center Fishburn, Whiton, Thruman, LTD Berner Food & Beverage Freeport Community Foundation John H. Vogt Bomar Heating & Cooling Fehr-Graham & Associates Stout Insurance Agency Country Insurance & Financial Freidag Associates CPAs Services - Rick Wilson Altman Automotive Inc. Spherion Staffing Group Integrity Investments Freeport Insurance Center Swift Hospitality Group, Inc. Alwayz Cookies Behr Freeport Rite-Way Furniture & Appliance Cathy’s Custom Cakery Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Jack Myers Consulting QBE the Americas Fruth-Simmer Insurance Agency Freeport Massage Center Twice As Nice Consignments Floor Covering Plus Hulsebus-Gehlsen Chiropractic Maybe You Need Help... Culligan Water Conditioning Union Savings Bank
SILVER MEMBERS Iron-T Junction Brown’s Shoes Family Affair Café
BRONZE MEMBERS
Bill George Plumbing & Heating AquaLand Baymont Inn and Suites Dental Connections Family Health Quest Newby Design Works Citizens State Bank Farmers Insurance Group-Lynn Kempel Midtown Center
Columbia College Winter & Associates Ultrasonic Power Corp. Freeport Park District Eagles Club Pinewood Buffet & Grill Monroe Clinic Downing Remodeling General Contractors, Inc Flachtemeier Monuments LeBaron & Miller Interiors Winter Construction Inc.
Schofield Plumbing State Farm Insurance – Jon Spachman C. J. Vitner Co., Inc. Saxer Accounting Services, LLC Tender Loving Care State Farm Insurance – Steve Johnson Skate Station Sanitary Cleaners
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could spend the day giving back to the communities that have fueled the firm’s growth. In just this one day, associates dedicated over 4100 work hours to make a difference in their communities. In Freeport, 21 Wipfli associates dedicated the firm’s Community Day to working with Assault and Abuse Services of Stephenson County, intervention and counseling services, and the City of Freeport. The Wipfli volunteers for Assault and Abuse Services of Stephenson County handled maintenance, helped mitigate flood damage, and cleaned the shelter. Those who volunteered for the City of Freeport pruned trees, removed vegetation and did clean-up along the Galena Avenue corridor. According to Mayor George Gaulrapp of the City of Freeport, Wipfli’s associates were organized and helped to improve the corridor. Frances Anthon, Executive Director of Assault and Abuse Services of Stephenson County also felt Wipfli’s associates made a valuable
contribution on Community Day. “This day came at a perfect time for us, “Anthon said. “We are very pleased to have Wipfli’s help.” INSIDE Public Accounting names Wipfli LLP one of the Top Five Fastest-Growing Firms in the nation INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) recently named Wipfli LLP one of the Top Five FastestGrowing Firms in the nation, as well as an All-Star Firm, based on performance in areas of management and growth. “We are honored and thrilled to be named to both lists,” Wipfli’s Managing Partner Rick Dreher said. “The recognition as one of the top five fastestgrowing firms in the nation demonstrates the strength and dedication of the professionals working for Wipfli who are helping the firm to grow. It also demonstrates the firm’s leadership in the industry and our commitment to providing exceptional client service to our clients, since client satisfaction and retention are essential to growth.”
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INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) presents the annual recognition of the IPA All-Star firms in the October issue of IPA. The All-Star firms, selected solely on their performance in specific areas of management and growth, are compared with the more than 400 firms that participated in the 2011 annual IPA Survey and Analysis of Firms. NIHP Promotes Smith to Account Executive; Gilbert to Claims Supervisor Two Northern Illinois Health Plan (NIHP) staffers have been promoted to new positions within the company effective May 31, 2011. Karen Smith is the new Account Executive for NIHP. She has been with NIHP since 2000, first as a Claims Analyst before being promoted to the position of Claims Supervisor, in 2001. Her new responsibilities include working to develop new and maintain current business relationships; ensuring client satisfaction; and developing relationships with area brokers and employers. Karen has an associate’s degree from Highland Community College inFreeport and is a Certified Professional Coder (CDC) by the American Academy of Professional Coders. She holds an Illinois Insurance Providers License (Life/Health). She lives in Warren with her husband. Celeste Gilbert is the new Claims Supervisor for NIHP. She has been a Claims Analyst for NIHP since joining them in 2002. Her new responsibilities include working with clients, plan building and an increased responsibility for the technical
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striving to make a real difference. “The AT&T Illinois Investment Awards provide resources and recognition to organizations and programs that are improving lives in their communities and the state by advancing education, economic growth, new technologies and other essential community services. It is important work like the services and programs that RAMP provides which strengthen the fabric of our state,” said David Strahl, Director of External Affairs for AT&T Illinois. The grant will be used to continue to provide Independent Living services for people with disabilities in Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb and Stephenson
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RAMP to receive AT&T Investing in Illinois Grant at RAMP’s Luncheon on October 6th State Representatives Dave Winters, Joe Sosnowski, and Bob Pritchard along with State Senators Christine Johnson and Dave Syverson nominated RAMP to receive an AT&T Investing in Illinois Grant in support of independent living for people with disabilities. The AT&T Investing in Illinois Award is given toIllinois non-profit groups and programs that are investing in their communities and
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functions of NIHP’s systems. Celeste has an associate’s degree from Rock Valley College in Rockford. She lives in Rockford with her husband. For more information about Northern Illinois Health Plan, visit www.nihp.com.
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FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Counties. “We are grateful to AT&T, and our local legislators, for helping support RAMP’s mission,” said RAMP’s Development Director, Amy Morris. “The “Investing in Illinois” Award for RAMP is truly an investment in people with disabilities and our services which will have long-term returns for the communities RAMP serves,” she added. Dave Strahl, AT&T’s Director of External Affairs will join the nominating legislators to present the check to RAMP following their Annual Luncheon on October 6, 2011 at Cliffbreakers. The presentation will take place at approximately 2:00 p.m. RAMP is a passionate partner for people with disabilities desiring to live a useful and rewarding life. RAMP advocates the implementation of current laws, promotion of needed legislation and improvement of existing systems for persons with disabilities while working to diminish negative attitudes that threaten to impede equal access. For more information about RAMP, visit our website www.rampcil.org.
MEMBERspotlights BoltNet.net to the rescue BoltNet.net is the online venture of: CedarCliff Components, LLC In 2007, CedarCliff purchased an independent industrial distributor known as National Fast-Cut Industrial Supply. The company has been located in Freeport, Illinois for more than 25 years. Today, BoltNet.net supplies tens of thousands of products nationwide in hundreds of categories. BoltNet.net stocks customer bins and operate vendor-managed inventory programs. BoltNet.net provides whatever level of service their customers need. Boltnet owner/operator Bret Rogers said Boltnet.net is his company’s new web store featuring exceptional prices on nuts, bolts, screws and more. “Basically, we are trying to brand BolNet.net differently than the other online fastener supply companies,” said Rogers. “We are working to make our company
stand out and be different.” The fastener and industrial supply industry is very fragmented, with literally thousands of suppliers to choose from, but BoltNet.net has combined high quality products, top-level service and exceptional prices into the BoltNet.net
brand. Their mission is to meet or exceed their customers’ expectations and have some fun doing it. He said they’ve upgraded their color scheme, their logo, and added a cute super character called Boltgirl that travels the country in her flaming pink Jeep Wrangler rescuing their customers from high prices and mediocre service. “She is actually an employee of the company and we’ve
dressed up a hot pink wrangler for her to use to rescue BoltNet customers,” Rogers said. “BoltNet is trying to be a low cost fun provider in what is traditionally boring business.” He explained that with the recent recession his company had to find ways to draw attention to itself. “You know, when you compete and struggle through a recession you start to get really creative in looking at ways to grow your sales and stand above the crowd,” Rogers said. “If you go online for nuts and bolts you will just pop up an endless stream of potential suppliers and they all have one thing in common, they are all boring. Our goal is to make BoltNet.net memorable by making it different.” He said that a visit to the site (www.BoltNet.net) will provide an overview of the company, an ever-growing list of their products, some hot pink pix of Boltgirl and her jeep with a list of the places she is visiting to rescue their customers. “BoltNet.net has a FaceBook page and Boltgirl has her own
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9 West Main, Freeport, IL • 815-232-6213 Mon. - Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-4 Email: lmi52@comcast.net
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GOLF OUTING
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FaceBook page,” Rogers said. “We are always looking for ways to personalize the business.” He said BoltNet.net is probably the only fastener supply house in the US using hot pink and black as their signature company colors and the jeep with its customary occupant has garnered a lot of attention for the company. “Everywhere we go folks are taking pictures, so we’re having a lot of fun with it,” Rogers said.”We are just trying to extend the BoltNet.net brand and give people something they will remember.” He added that in spite of all the gimmickry, low prices are the key to success in the highly competitive fastener business. “The bottom line is that when folks shop online for fasteners they are still looking for the best price,” Rogers said. “You can be cool and fun and hip or whatever, but with the economy the way it is if your prices are a penny more people will turn their backs and shop elsewhere so we give exceptional service and keep our prices low.”
FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Need your parts bins stocked? BoltNet.net does that. Want to save on fasteners? Shop the BoltNet.net online Parts Warehouse. Need a part BoltNet.net doesn’t yet have listed for sale online? Contact BoltNet.net and let them know. For more information contact BoltNet.net on line at BoltNet.net or on FaceBook or call 815.232.6370 or stop in at the warehouse located at 3310 IL Route 26 S Freeport, IL. You can follow Boltgirl’s adventures and locales listed on BoltNet.net or friend her on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/BoltGirl or get up close and personal on her Live Chat location by visiting the BoltNet.net site and clicking on the Boltgirl Live Chat box. 21st Century Lighting Commercial use of energy efficient lighting is evolving to achieve a balance of form and function that will meet even the most discriminating needs. Hues and glow are created to compliment need as well as décor and when it comes to combining function and cost, 21st Century Lighting is ready to help.
“We go into manufacturing operations, warehouses, schools, churches and office buildings to upgrade the lighting systems with energy efficient lighting,” said 21st Century Lighting marketing representative Dave Valkema. He said 21st Century Lighting is usually able to retrofit their energy efficient products into existing fixtures so as to be more cost effective. “There are occasions where we are not able to fit existing fixtures with efficient products, but for the most part, we are able to save almost every client a considerable amount of money both on the long term with their lighting bill and on the short term with retrofitting,” Valkema said. He said there is increasing interest in commercial applications for green or energy efficient lighting. “We are seeing all kinds of efficient lighting improvements,” Valkema said. “They range from the CFLs or fluorescent light bulbs that you can install in your home to LED lights and more.” He said they go on-site, do a no obligation audit and help commercial operators save 40 or 50 percent on lighting. “We provide a detailed estimate of what the costs of upgrading are so they can see for themselves what the savings can be,” Valkema said. He added that some utility companies in the area are offering rebates or assistance to those small business owners that are working to be more energy efficient.
Sometimes those companies will pay up to half of these retrofits because they are a very cost efficient thing for a business to do,” he explained. He said 21st Century Lighting has been up and running for about a year and the future is looking bright. “Once we get a chance to show a business owner what we can do to save them money they quickly realize they are getting a great value in terms of money invested and returns on that investment,” Valkema said. “Not only are there incentives available from utility companies, but the return on their investment starts with their first month’s lighting bill.” “Energy efficient lighting is the best investment that you can make for your business and that is why we developed this business,” Valkema said. “The technology at our disposal allows us to meet and exceed your needs while maximizing the energy efficiency of your lighting system. We don’t know of a better channel to invest for the short or long term.” The 21st Century Lighting team simply desires to help your business save those hard earned dollars that are needlessly paid to your electrical utility each and every month. Learn more about the services available through 21st Century Lighting. Not only will you realize significant financial returns, but your facility will become more comfortable and productive with new lighting. Contact Dave Valkema at 815.291.5464 or Steve Schoenberger at 608.577.9114. Famous Fossil Vineyard & Winery Wine enthusiasts gathered October 8 at Famous Fossil
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109 South Galena Ave. Freeport, IL 61032 815-232-7100
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FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Vineyard & Winery to celebrate the third anniversary of the opening of Stephenson County’s only winery. People enjoyed wine & local cheeses inside the tasting room and on the deck overlooking the vineyard. Visitors could also view winemaking activities from a window in the tasting room. The day was highlighted by the release of Traminette, a semi-dry white wine made at the Winery. The celebration closed with drawings for wine baskets. Famous Fossil Vineyard & Winery makes 13 different wines including red, white and fruit wines. Saturday also marked the end of the fourth harvest at Famous Fossil Vineyard. The vineyard, established in 2004, includes 12 different varieties of white and red wine grapes. Famous Fossil also buys grapes for its wines from vineyards in Cedarville, Durand, Pearl City, and German Valley. Famous Fossil Vineyard & Winery employs three full time persons and has five employees
working part time. Several part time employees are hired during harvest which runs from late August to October. Famous Fossil Vineyard & Winery is open year round. For more information, call 815-5634665 or visit www.famousfossilwinery.com Cathy’s Custom Cakery Unique art for all occasions created with cake Cathy’s Custom Cakery specializes in making your special custom cake a reality. If you’ve been dreaming of a special cake, Cathy’s Custom Cakery can probably ensure that your dream will become the most beautiful, memorable and most delicious edible art you’ve ever experienced. “Folks come tell me about their special upcoming occasion or what a person might like and I just create a cake,” said Cathy’s Custom Cakery owner/operator Cathy Koester. She said no cake is too big or small and no occasion is beyond her imagination when it comes to decorating that special cake. “Right now I’m working on a “turkey cake” for the holidays and a series of “scary” cakes for
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Halloween,” Koester said. “I just love Halloween and putting gory decorations on a cake really gets me going.” Photos of some of her creations are on her constantly updated web site at: www.cathyscustomcakery.com. Be sure to visit the 3D cake page for some of her most imaginative creations. Koester said she went commercial in June, 2011 and couldn’t think of a better place to open a business than Freeport. “I know there are a couple places that do cakes in town, but I’ve always loved baking and I’ve done artwork using different styles for years, so I decided to go ahead and see what happens,” she said. Koester added that she is slowly finding a niche with her “Melt in your mouth flavor” cookies. “I like to bake things for folks that I would like to receive,” she said. “If that means extra ingredients or time spent making a special decoration, I like that. I
just want folks to really enjoy what I do.” She said a store front is in the future. “I would love a shop, but that is really a long term plan,” Koester said. “It just depends on how things go. I’m keeping a positive attitude.” She said she is working to keep her prices reasonable so that folks will get more enjoyment from her goods. “I just get a kick out of seeing the expression on their faces when they see their cake or cookies,” Koester said. She said she is a perfectionist when it comes to her art. “I really want to produce the best looking and best tasting product around,” She said. “I want it to taste as good as it looks and that takes the extra time and care that I’m willing to put in just to have my cakes and cookies be the best.” Let Cathy’s Custom Cakery create your perfect cake - it will taste and look extraordinary. Check out the cakes and cookies at www.cathyscustomcakery or contact Cathy Koester at 815.235.4457 or 815.821.4844 for more information.
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JOHN WOLLNY
RICK FREESE
STEPHENSON COUNTY’S ONLY GM Certified Used Vehicle Dealer
CURT BAUMAN
Is your local news source! GARY SHORTER
SEE OUR SALES STAFF FOR DETAILS
Call
815. AUTO GROUP 235. 2121 www.BockerAutoGroup.com 2011
27 S. State Ave • Downtown Freeport • 815-232-1171 check us out online at www.journalstandard.com
Page 12
FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ribbon cuttings is Is It Eatery 16 N. Congratulations to Th town Freeport on your Chicago Avenue down s our honor to be there Ribbon Cutting! It wa is imporant day. th to help you celebrate is Is It Eatery! Stop Th rt Welcome to Freepo t for yourself! by and check them ou
The Ambassadors cu t W. Galena Avenue in the ribbon at Curves located at 2026 Fr great place to work ou eeport. If you are looking for a t stop by Curves!
Thank you to everyone to attend the Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership Simulcast at Crossroads Community Church! We had an excellent turn out for this event and we appreciate all the support!
Think IP Phone Systems Aren’t For Your Business? Think Again.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Aero is the area’s leading provider of Business-Class Digital IP Phone systems and service. Call us and see why so many businesses are switching to Aero’s Business-Class IP Phone Service We’ll install a Polycom IP phone in your office FREE for 30 days before you decide. Aero has installed hundreds of phones throughout our service region, saving our customers hundreds of dollars per month on their phone bills while making them even more efficient, and better able to communicate with their customers.
Aero Group (815) 801-3387 1866 S. West Ave. Freeport, IL
Page 14
HRluncheon
The HR Luncheon featured the Value of the Workforce Investment Board/Act and the Necessity of Reauthorization with Guest Speakers Brenda Helms Employment Coordinator, Partner for Employment and Janet Vrtol WIB Manager for Northwest IL Workforce Investment Board. We would like to thank both Brenda and Janet for doing such an excellent job! We hope everyone enjoyed the luncheon and we look forward to the next HR Luncheon in November.
FREEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
New and Renewed
MEMBERS NEW: • Knowlton Motors/Mark V Rentals • Cathy's Custom Cakery • 21st Century Lighting • Curve's • Seaga • RBG Supply • Randall J. Manus Attorney at Law • Premier Home Mortgage • M&S Trucking • Boltnet.net • B & T Automotive • Best Auto Service RENEWED: • Deer Ridge Retreat • University of Illinois Extension • Stephenson County Farm Bureau • Loescher Heating & Air Conditioning • Midtown Center • Freeport Rehabilitation & Health Care • Roto Rooter Sewer & Drain • Hartog & Reedy Dentistry • Housing Authority of Freeport • Hughes Resources • The Cheese Market • Tim Bivins - State Senator • Lamar Outdoor Advertising • Integra Business Systems, Inc. • Slumberland Furniture • International Payment Solutions • Willowglen Academy of IL • Super 8 • Highlandview Dental Excellence • Freeport Country Club • Frerport Catholic Schools • Tri-Star Metals, LLC • Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois • Kentucky Fried Chicken • R Squared Construction • Anytime Fitness of Freeport • Pretzel Fan's Club • Northwestern Service Co. • Allen's Menswear • Stephenson Service Co. • FS Farmtown • Freeport Fast Stop Express • Willowglen Academy of IL • New Horizons Counseling Center • Imperial Palace • Willett, Hofmann & Associates • Freeport Massage Center • Provena St. Joseph Campus • Stephenson County Board • Culver's • Sauer-Danfoss • Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership • Behr Iron & Metal • Eagles Club • Family Health Quest • Lincoln Douglas Society • Spherion Staffing Group • RK Dixon • Best in Sight • Stephenson County Fair Association • Immanuel Lutheran Church & School • Maybe You Need Help • Schofield Plumbing • Fehr-Graham & Associates • Boss Carpet One • Hosptice Care of America
Decorate to Celebrate SALE SEPTEMBER 1 - OCTOBER 31 12 MONTHS OF SPECIAL FINANCING AVAILABLE. HUGE SAVINGS ON NEW SMARTSTRAND CARPET.
1308 S. Armstrong Ave Freeport, IL 61032 Phone: (815) 232-9060 www.carpetsbykuniej.com
Auto Detailing
CLEAN
MACHINE Auto Detailing
Since 1993 MARK BAKER
1530 Burckhardt Ln. Freeport, IL 61032
By Appointment Only
(815)238-3434 RV & Truck Wash
Auto Repair
CARS-R-US SERVICE CENTER 515 N TURNER ST DAVIS, IL 61019 (815) 865-5292 ASE Certified Mechanics Jeff Kaderly, Jeff Doescher
Customer Service Lori Hille Major to Minor Repairs New & Used Tires Most Brands 4-15-12
Auto Sales
CUSTOM FINANCING
CARS-R-US TALS
Construction
Dotson Construction Remodeling, Building & Repair
815-235-1667 FREEPORT, IL Licensed/Insured Lead Certified 12-6-12
(815) 449-2653
CARS, VANS, TRUCKS, SUV’S BRING THIS AD & RECEIVE 1 YR FREE OIL CHANGE W/PURCHASE ALL APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED CARSRUSSALES.COM 4-15-12
D.I.Y. Handy-man •Home Repairs •Lawns Unlimited •For Outdoor Needs Call Bob, 815-232-5379 12-15-11
Drywall
WILL DRYWALL
your addition or remodel. Also will do patch work, texturing & painting. Insured.
815-493-6328 11-11-12
Handyman
John’s Handyman Service • Appliance Removal • Roof Repair •Clean & Repair Gutters • PowerWash Siding & Decks • Painting & Staining & MORE!
CA LL JO HN 815 -23 5-2 240 5-22-12
SALES & REN
HWY 75 E. OF FREEPORT
Handyman
Handyman
HANDYMAN SERVICE 26 Yrs Experience Hauling Lawn Mowing
815-238-8884 1-8-12
ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICE HERE!!!
CALL : 815-232-2171 Heating & AC
Plumbing
STEVE GRAY
PLUMBING IL Lic. #058-093097
• Kitchen and Bath Remodels • Water Softeners • Water Heaters • Drain Cleaning
~ Senior Citizen Discounts ~
815-233-1726 FAMILY OWNED FOR 40 YEARS. 4-25-12
Hauling
YOU CALL! WE HAUL!
•Yard Waste •Brush •Trash •Cleanouts •Gravel •Dirt •YOU TELL US!
CITY HAUL
HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING
1-29-12
B U L L E T I N B OA R D
FALL Please call now to TUNE schedule UP your Avoid furnace mid-winter equipment tune failure! and $ check. 72
233-GONE (4663) 2-29-12
Call now to schedule your appointment (815) 232-6166
Heating & AC
Quality & Value Since 1991
815-232-4519 12-28-11
5-27-12
Pets
• Lily, 1.5 yr, female lab/pit mix • BamBam, 1.5 yr male pitbull • Sally, female fox hound UNDER 1 YEAR: • Bella 7 mo female pitbull • Molly, 8 mo femal pitbull • Tira, 10 female pitbull • Pistol, 10 mo male pitbull •Dug,9 mo neutered male lab mix • Pugsly, neutered male pug mix LOTS OF CATS & KITTENS
FREEPORT
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
815.232.4916
www.petfinders.com/shelter/il235.html 8-12-12
Painting
LORI’S PAINTING
Interior, Exterior, Wallpaper Services. Specializing in wall & ceiling repair with texture spray. Free Estimates & Insured!
815-297-5406 5-20-12
Stump Removal
ST UMP BUSTE R Most Stumps $10 - $30
815-369-2169 4-15-12
Water Treatment SOFTENER SERVICE
Service Call Special $19.95 All makes & models. No charge if we can't fix it! Over 25 yrs. exp.
815-543-0791 4-13-12
Advertise your service here and be seen in The Journal-Standard, The Scene and on www.journalstandard.com. CALL 815-232-2171.