BCR_Illinois Valley Living - Spring 2024

magazine Living

POWERING THROUGH PARKINSON’S WITH PICKLEBALL

ALSO: MAKING A DIFFERENCE THE MAITRI WAY

ONCE UPON A CRAFT INSPIRES ARTISTRY

QUICK AND EASY CUCUMBER RECIPES

Knowing Your Roots

Growing up with the last name of Crawley, I always felt a special connection to St. Patrick’s Day. It gave me the opportunity to showcase my Irish pride since I knew I was partially Irish. I didn’t know much about any of my ancestors besides my grandparents, though, and never heard more than the occasional remark about our heritage.

I knew that my dad grew up on Long Island in New York and that my mom’s family lived in the Amboy area of Illinois. That’s as far as my knowledge of my family and their heritage went.

A while back, my younger sister decided to purchase an ethnicity estimate through a DNA test to see what her results would be. While the results showed 16 percent Irish, the largest part was Scottish at 38 percent. That surprised

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me, and it was interesting to see what other regions came up in the results.

My sister had also researched our ancestors, so she told me a few interesting facts. I never knew we had an ancestor who came to America on the Mayflower. We also have at least one relative who fought in the Revolutionary War, which I found during some very limited research after my sister got me started on the subject.

Little facts, like how I shared the same birthdate as my great-grandmother, were of great interest to me. She was born in 1896, and it’s hard to imagine how different her life was from mine. It makes me wonder how different things will be for my great-grandchildren someday. I can’t imagine what this world will be like by then.

Looking back at the people who came before me has been an eye-opening experience. I hope to learn more about my heritage and ancestors in the years to come and share that information with my children so they have a greater sense of their family’s place in history and can share that knowledge with their children someday.

Helping the Maitri Way 4

Maitri brings much-needed services to the Illinois Valley.

The Popularity of Pickleball

7

This sport is a big hit at the Bureau County Metro Center.

Crafting Up a Storm in Princeton 11

Inspiration is just the beginning.

Sneak More Cucumbers into Your Diet 14

Cucumbers offer crunch and low calories.

On the cover: Clem Weborg of rural Princeton fights against Parkinson’s disease by playing pickleball several times a week at the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton. Weborg said the sport has made a big difference for him.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

Do you have a story idea you’d love to read about in Illinois Valley Living magazine? Share your idea with the editor by emailing sserpette@shawmedia.com.

Best wishes,

Shannon Serpette Niche Editor

Living magazine

Bureau County Republican P.O. Box 340 Princeton, IL 61356-0340 815-220-6948

General Manager/ Advertising Director

Jeanette Smith jmsmith@shawmedia.com

Niche Editor

Shannon Serpette sserpette@shawmedia.com

Writers

Katlyn Sanden

Shannon Serpette

Photographer

Shannon Serpette

Designer

Liz Klein

Published by:

est. 1851

Helping the Maitri Way

Maitri brings much-needed services to the Illinois Valley

Story & Photos by Shannon Serpette

When Kelly Jones founded Maitri Path to Wellness, she had one clear goal in mind – providing compassionate recovery and mental health care services to those in need, and in a way that they could stay near their families in the Illinois Valley.

Although the Illinois Valley clearly has its share of substance abuse issues, when people needed help with those is-

sues, they would have to leave the area to seek treatment. That meant leaving their friends and families, and Jones knew the region needed more options than that.

“I worked in the jail systems before I opened anything,” she said. “I would work to place people.”

When working for the jail, she learned when people needed help with addic-

Kelly Jones stands in one of the residential areas of Maitri’s new building in Peru. The new building allows Maitri to expand its services to include residential care and services, as well as the outpatient counseling services for which Maitri is known.

tions and behavioral health that there wasn’t much in this region they could turn to. She wanted a solution to that problem.

“I thought if I don’t do it, who’s going to do it?” she said.

That led her to open Maitri Path to Wellness in LaSalle, so people had a local alternative for support instead of having to travel and leave their families, jobs, and homes.

With Maitri’s success, Jones began looking at buildings with the hope of establishing a residential facility. Jones, a licensed clinical social worker and a certified alcohol and drug counselor, found what she wanted in a building located at 710 Peoria St. in Peru.

“I chose this piece of property because of the location,” she said.

It’s near businesses, doctors, jobs, and shopping, which is important.

“We don’t have a big transportation system (in the Illinois Valley),” she added, so having services within walking distance is a big plus.

She put an offer in for the building in February 2022.

After applying for two Illinois Housing Development grants, she was excited to learn she had received both of them. After having her offer accepted for the building on Peoria Street and working out the zoning issues, she began working on preparing the building. During the process of securing and decorating the building, she encountered some people who wondered if the business would be a good fit in the area.

“I think all of that comes from stigma,” she said.

When the new residential building was completed, Maitri had an open house so residents could see the setup firsthand. The space includes a group room, therapist rooms, a laundry room, bathrooms, kitchens, a deck, and separate residential sections for both men and women. Each residential section has six bedrooms, with

two beds per room.

“The people who came to our open house were surprised in a good way,” she said.

The facility, which opened its doors in January of 2024, has a welcoming feel to it.

“That was the whole idea,” Jones said. “When we chose the flooring and the paint, it was to give it that homey, comfortable feeling.”

Residency at Maitri is restricted to those who have proof of residency in LaSalle, Putnam, Bureau, Grundy, Livingston, Marshall, Kendall, Woodford, Lee, or southern DeKalb counties. Residents can stay between three to six months, and Maitri also offers outpatient counseling for those who aren’t living there.

“They don’t have to live here to get services here,” she said.

When they are staying at Maitri, residents will be working on their life skills to help ensure they are ready to transition to the outside world once their stay with Maitri has concluded. They’ll work on things like how to fill out job applications and prepare for job interviews.

“During that time, we have people working with them to make sure they are saving and budgeting,” Jones said.

During their stay, they’ll participate in things like substance abuse counseling, group counseling, and individual counseling, depending upon what their particular needs are.

Maitri isn’t a 28-day program – they’re the program that can help people after they’ve been through detox. They’ll help people transition back to their lives with more strategies and tools to help them succeed.

“The longer someone continues with treatment, the more likely they are to be successful,” Jones said. “This is truly about helping people because there is nothing in any of those counties, or very little. The reality is these people are already here, and they’re struggling.”

Pickleball at the Bureau County Metro Center offers more than just a great workout. It also forges strong social connections between the players who meet there.

The Popularity of Pickleball

This sport is a big hit at the Bureau County Metro Center

Story & Photos by Shannon Serpette

Apickleball craze has been underway throughout the United States in recent years, and Bureau County has been getting in on the fun.

“I love playing,” Nick Davis, assistant director and superintendent of recreation for the Princeton Park District/Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton, said. “Pickleball is very popular here at the Princeton Park District and Bureau County Metro Center. It’s been the fastest growing sport in America for years.”

Pickleball was invented in 1965 in the state of Washington, and it has enjoyed such popularity that Washington made it their official state sport in 2022.

Pickleball incorporates aspects of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong and is played on

a court that looks like a scaled-down tennis court. It’s easy to learn, and since the courts are smaller, it can feel more accessible than tennis, particularly for those who would have trouble covering a larger court.

However, despite the smaller court, pickleball players can still experience a great workout because of the fast-paced nature of the game.

The game is also affordable, which is good news for people who want a great way to exercise while on a tighter budget. Pickleball doesn’t require expensive equipment; players only need a paddle, ball, and a court.

Like tennis, pickleball can be played as singles or doubles – the sport is so popular at the

Pickleball

FROM PAGE 7

Metro Center that you’ll often find doubles being played.

“We started offering it outdoors originally,” Davis said. “I proposed we put pickleball in (inside the Metro Center).”

The Metro Center has a small group who like to gather together to play pickleball most days of the week on the three inside courts there.

“They all play doubles,” he said.

The pickleball courts are so packed that plans have been made for more courts.

“This coming spring we’ll have some outside at Alexander Park,” Davis said.

In addition to the great workout pickleball players get, there is also an outstanding social aspect to the game. When regulars meet up to play, they develop a sense of fellowship

they love, and it gives them another reason to show up at the courts every day.

One of the regular pickleball players at the Metro Center is Clem Weborg of rural Princeton. He began playing approximately five years ago and has made great friendships because of pickleball.

“I started playing as a therapy for Parkinson’s (disease),” he said, adding that at one point he was using bee venom to help combat his condition.

Pickleball has worked wonders for Weborg, and he said it has helped him more than the bee venom did, and it’s more enjoyable, too.

“I play here five days a week,” he said.

Playing pickleball forces him to use all types of movements, and since the action isn’t predictable, he has to be prepared to change course in an instant.

“It’s balance, acceleration, and deceleration. I have to move my head, or I get a tattoo free of charge,” Weborg joked.

Clem Weborg warms up before taking the court for a pickleball game at the Bureau County Metro Center.

Crafting Up a Storm in Princeton

Nearly a decade ago, Ashlee Decker could be found crocheting custom-made hats and hair bows alongside (at the time) her only infant daughter in the comfort of her home. Today, she can be found in her own storefront, alongside her husband and four children, creating anything from 3-D home décor signs to hand-painted masterpieces.

As the founder and owner of Once Upon a Craft, Decker has no plans of slowing down. In fact, in some ways, her inspiration is just beginning.

“When my first daughter was born, I wanted to be able to stay home but still have some sort of income,” Decker said. “I started crocheting hats and making hair bows and sold them at craft shows.”

It was at those early craft shows that she

Story by Katlyn Sanden

noticed what the market was demanding.

“I remember I was set up next to somebody who had people in and out of their booth the entire day,” said Decker. “I thought, what in the world? What do they have that people are going crazy over? So, I went and looked.”

Turns out, it was barnwood signs. Filled with a new sense of direction, Decker started creating simple signs made on barnwood found on her grandparents’ farm. She still worked from the comfort of her home. One thing led to the next, and now she creates 3-D designs in her own storefront using a laser and a Cricut.

She laughs as she remembers creating pieces at her kitchen table and then in a designated craft room in her home. From there,

The large basement of the newly acquired Once Upon a Craft storefront is perfect for comfortably hosting parties of up to 30 people, according to Ashlee Decker, owner and operator.

Craft

FROM PAGE 11

she went to a small storefront in Wyanet and is now operating at 518 S. Main Street in Princeton.

“We were in Wyanet for 1.5 years,” Decker said. “It was nice to get the feel of how things were going to go. Our first year was really fun.”

With the demand for handmade home décor, it didn’t take long for them to outgrow their shop in Wyanet. It’ll be a year in their new location in Princeton in March, and Decker says the expansion has been going well.

“We’ve been able to do birthday parties and paint parties,” Decker said. “We couldn’t do that before because we didn’t have the space.”

Currently, she said they have space to accommodate up to 30 people for a birthday, bachelorette, or any kind of party. They’ve also been able to start up art camps geared toward kids, usually ranging from preschool through junior high. They even have monthly toddler times geared toward the littlest artists who can hold a paintbrush.

“I try to find things my kids would like to do that we haven’t done before,” Decker said of the programming for the art camps. “There are so many different things. We’ve dipped Nerf guns in paint and shot them at a canvas.”

In addition, Decker said they’ve done string art, bead art, painting, fairy gardens, and so much more.

But the most exciting thing for Decker is being able to include her own kids in her work – both in the artistic and business sides. You might even be greeted by her own children upon entering her store.

“People interaction has become less and less,” said Decker. “That is really important to me that they (my kids) get here. Counting back money is a lost skill that I think is really important, too. It brings them (my kids) out of their comfort zone a bit, but they’ve come a long way.”

Not only are her kids learning the ropes of financials and greeting customers, but they also get to put their creative ideas to use.

“They come up with their own ideas,” Decker said. “They made dog treats and sold them. It might only last for a month, but at least they’re learning. It is a huge responsibility. They come up with these ideas and want to do it, and I’m like sure. That part is neat.”

In addition to filling her store with handmade pieces and her children’s latest business ventures, she has lots of new things coming this year.

“We started bringing in other small businesses,” Decker said. “We have Cows Coffee, shirts from Grace & Mae Designs, B Elise Bows, cards from Any Creation, and knotted keychains by Savvy Knots by Alexis. It’s neat because they can have these things in a storefront, and it helps us out, too, because it fills the shelves.”

Once Upon a Craft’s art camps have become a big success. Stay tuned for upcoming art camps this summer.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ASHLEE DECKER

Cucumbers

offer crunch & low calories

By Shannon Serpette

Whether you’re trying to eat high-volume foods to lose weight or focusing on making highly nutritious choices to maximize your nutrient intake, cucumbers are an outstanding addition to your diet.

Cucumbers are low in calories but high in minerals and vitamins. They’re versatile, so you can add them to all types of recipes. And best of all, they’re affordable and available in almost every grocery store all year long.

Check out the following recipes to find new ways to sneak more cucumbers into your diet.

Cucumbers & Onions

INGREDIENTS

2 large cucumbers

1 onion, sliced

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon sugar

DIRECTIONS

Thinly slice the cucumbers. Add the cucumbers and onions to a large bowl or jar. Whisk together the water, apple cider vinegar, and sugar in another small bowl. Pour the vinegar dressing over the cucumbers and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Place in the refrigerator for at least four hours before serving.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

INGREDIENTS

4 cucumbers

1/2 cup sour cream

1 bunch green onions

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon of dried dill weed Salt

DIRECTIONS

Peel cucumber skin if desired; otherwise, leave it on. Cut the cucumber into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl. Dice the green onions and add to the bowl, along with the minced garlic cloves. Season with salt and add the sour cream. Finally, stir in the dried dill.

Easy Pesto Salad

INGREDIENTS

1 can of corn

1 English cucumber

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or cashews

1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives

1 bell pepper of any color, chopped

1/4 cup diced red onion

Homemade or store-bought pesto

DIRECTIONS

Put the drained corn, cucumber, walnuts, olives, pepper, and onion in a bowl. Add three or four tablespoons of the pesto and stir around or shake vigorously in a covered bowl to mix.

Honey Cucumber Salad

INGREDIENTS

3 medium English cucumbers, thinly sliced

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup water

1/2 red onion, sliced

1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped salt, to taste pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Place cucumbers in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Toss and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, stir together honey, white vinegar, water, and slivered red onions. Pour the mixture over the cucumbers and toss. Allow the salad to marinate in the refrigerator for about one hour before serving.

Basil, Tomato & Feta Salad

INGREDIENTS:

Six diced roma tomatoes

1 small cucumber, peeled and chopped

3 green or red onions

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a big bowl, gently toss the tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, olive oil, basil, vinegar, and feta cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Shrimp & Cucumber Appetizers

INGREDIENTS

1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 green onions, sliced

1 stalk of celery, finely chopped

1 teaspoon dill pickle relish Sprinkle of cayenne pepper

1 English cucumber, cut into slices

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl, stir together the shrimp, mayonnaise, green onions, celery, pickle relish, and cayenne pepper. Spoon it onto the cucumber slices and serve immediately.

Illinois’ longest operating lumberyard continues to thrive along Peru’s historic riverfront. Maze Lumber has been providing top quality building materials to Illinois Valley contractors and homeowners for over 175 years, still owned by the founding fathers (Maze).

Located in a 15,000-square foot showroom and office, we offer building materials for the modern home as well as a full line of the traditional lumber items used in home building, commercial construction, and industrial applications. Our experienced sales staff takes pride in their ability to provide knowledgeable assistance along with prompt delivery at reasonable prices.

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