PRSRT STD Bulk Rate U.S. Postage
PA I D Permit No. 440 Sterling, IL 61081 *****ECRWSSEDDM***** Postal Customer
P.O. Box 498 Sterling, IL 61081
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
FALL/WINTER 2017
Popular local artist paints the town, with pieces up all over
Thai restaurant takes its talents across the street to new, familiar location
Dixon graduate is helping shape students’ future in Fulton d i x o n
l i v i n g
1
18
FALL/WINTER 2017
Publisher Don T. Bricker Advertising Director Jennifer Heintzelman Editor Jeff Rogers Magazine Editors Lucas Pauley Rusty Schrader Page Design Lucas Pauley Published by
Sauk Valley Media 3200 E. Lincolnway Sterling, IL 61081 815-625-3600 Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of Dixon Living Magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.
Artist’s work has found a home all over her hometown
THE WORLD’S
• Low slope/flat roofs • Industry’s leading warranties • Maintenance free performance • Provides savings on your energy bill • High quality workmanship • The best long term investment for your building • Leak proof
LEADER OF REINFORCED SINGLE PLY ROOFING
SERVING THE AREA FOR 32 YEARS
IL License: #104-005528 4-0005528 4-005528 28
INC.
Commercial • Industrial Residential Roofs
815-539-5142
www.northernillinoisseamlessroofing.com
705 Illinois Ave • Mendota, IL 61342 2
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
More inside 4 Al & Leda’s Pizzeria
23 Dixon Stage Left Audience numbers keep growing at downtown theater
Family – yours and the owners’ – have always been an important part of eatery
9 The Royal Palms
27 Somkit
Young owner decides the time is now, takes plunge with local favorite
Thai restaurant still offers same dishes, just under a different name
15 Main Moments
33 New Fulton High official
Woman has been helping local brides look their best for decades
Dixon High School graduate now leading students, athletes in area
Celebrate Our
Anniversary 2 for $99 sale single vision, select frames contact us for details *Dixon location only
Dixon: 847 N. Galena (815) 994-4100
Rock Falls: 723 W. Route 30 (815) 625-6195
exclusive savings
Join the Club one low price *ask for details
d i x o n
l i v i n g
3
Leda Bartolomei, 85, gets to working on making her delicious pies at Al & Leda’s Pizzeria in Dixon.
STORY BY AVALYNDA CASEY & PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL FOR DIXON LIVING
All about family at Al & Leda’s
Al and Leda’s Pizzeria
325 W. Everett St. 815-284-3932 On Facebook Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Monday
Pizzeria still going strong after nearly 60 years
W
hen many folks in Dixon are in the mood for Italian, they turn to Al & Leda’s Pizzeria. This family-run business turns 57 on Dec. 3, with no sign of slowing down. Leda Bartolomei, 85, still works in the restaurant 3 days a week. She and her husband, Al, married in 1949 and were already parents of three girls when they opened their own restaurant. This wasn’t the first time they’d been a part of a family restaurant. Their love story of family and food began
in Pariana, Italy, in 1896, with Al’s father, Ubaldo Bartolomei. He came to Sterling as a child with his parents, and grew up working long hours in his family’s store, The Naperville Candy Kitchen, which was open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Ubaldo returned to Italy to visit his hometown as a teen, and met and married his sweetheart, Celide, in 1921. Al, born and raised in Sterling, was their third of four children. Al and Leda lived in Rockford and visited his parents in Sterling as they raised their own family. In May of 1960, they met an elderly man,
4
1 7
f a l l / w i n t e r
Ruffo Angelo, who owned a restaurant, and they jumped at the chance to own their own business. They purchased his store in December, and that night, they transferred ownership and opened as if nothing had skipped a beat. They rented a building for 10 years that used to stand at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Everett Street in Dixon. Leda had previously been working in Rockford at a Holiday Inn kitchen and The Red Coach Restaurant. They commuted for a while until they moved to Sterling.
ABOVE: Lindy Pickett makes a pair of Italian hamburgers at the restaurant. RIGHT: The most popular size is the 20-inch family pizza, a monster of a pizza that will feed the whole crew in one fell swoop.
When the restaurant moved to its current location at 325 W. Everett St., they bought the building and made it their own. The menu changed a little, but they brought their neon sign with them, proudly illuminating the same letters since 1960. The restaurant added chef salad, lasagna and bigger pizzas. “My husband saw me making a pizza, and he said, ‘We’ll call that Leda’s Special,’” Leda said. “It’s loaded with sausage, mushrooms, onion, green peppers, pepperoni and cheese.” Today, family photos line the walls – even from Al and Leda’s honeymoon in Italy. The original cow bell clangs on the door when customers enter. Their 3 girls were young when the restaurant opened, but worked as wait staff and helped make the bread. Bea, who was 10, Rita, 9, and Linda, 5, all
grew up in the restaurant, and continued to work in the business through school. The restaurant has long been a place for families – not just their own – to gather. “We couldn’t be where we are if we didn’t have customers who keep coming back,” Leda said. The family is so appreciative of their lifelong customers. “We have the regulars, and people who visit after moving away always come back to see us,” Leda said. But when Al passed away in 1988, Leda feared that she was done. “If it wouldn’t have been for my girls, I couldn’t have done it alone,” she said. Linda Napier, 61, came to work for her mom in 1984 after working at Sterling Kmart for 7 years. Her sister, Bea Brown, just retired from the restaurant in 2014, after working there since
1987. She now lives in Arizona. Rita Barnes, who went to college to become a pharmacist, worked during the summers and is retired in Indiana. Linda’s daughter, Tina Martinez, 42, continues the tradition, and has worked in the restaurant since 1998. Her husband, Baltizar “Junior” Martinez Jr., 44, delivers and prepares pizzas. “I think our pizza is the best, because I make every pizza with love,” Junior said. “The family is still here, working together after all these years.” Tina and Junior’s daughters round out the family bond with Jade Martinez, 20, spending her summers as a waitress while she attends Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jazmin Martinez, a freshman at Sterling High School. Continued on page 7
d i x o n
l i v i n g
5
Pledge Card Name: Address: Email: Phone: Date:
6
Pledge Amount: f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
United Way of Lee County Mail to: UWLC P.O. Box 382 Dixon, IL. 61021
Continued from page 5
They all know every part of the business, how to make everything, and they each have their specialty. “No employees make any of the food. ... It is all made by the family,” Linda said. Is there secret recipes? Not really, but the pizzeria have a unique spice blend, and the sauce and bread dough is made daily. The family has ordered its cheese from Avanti Foods in Walnut for 57 years. The family does its best to give to the community, too. “We do support some benefits for people who need a helping hand, and the schools,” Linda said. “With the [PADS shelter for women and children] coming in down the block next year, we’ll be able to help them out occasionally, when we have extra food.” The Labor Union Hall has been ordering 10 to 12 pizzas every month for years. Other celebrations and family gatherings are always welcome. In October, 12 graduates of the Dixon High School Class of 1967 shared two tables, lots of tasty pizza, laughs and memories of their times in high school. Traveling from out of town, Bill Osmer said the group returned for the pizza.
A pizza fresh out of the oven at Al & Leda’s Pizzeria in Dixon. The family has a unique spice blend, and the sauce and bread dough is made daily.
“We used to come to [the restaurant] after the games, school plays, musicals – really anything,” he said. “We all were best friends, and we are in town for the reunion over at the Dixon Theatre, but we had to come back here first.” Leda still takes her work very seriously,
spending time making pizzas and the tangy French dressing. “I work hard, but I love it. I still come to work for the people,” she said. “We love our customers so much, and we are thankful for each one. We want to make them the best food.” s
FOR ALL OF YOUR PLUMBING, HEATING & A/C
SERVICE NEEDS! Sewer Sewe Se wer Ro Rodd Rodding ddin in · Se Sewer Tele Televising levi visi si &S Steaming teamin te ing in Franklin Livestock Waterers · Site Plumbing Sewer Line Repairs · Water Service Repairs · Backhoe Underground Boring · Drainfields & Septics Backflow Prevention & Maintenance · Softeners Boilers · Furnaces · Air Conditioning Kohler Products · Kitchen & Bath Remodels Fixtures · Garbage Disposals · Water Heaters Goulds Jet Pumps · Submersible Water Pumps Sump Pumps · Ejector Pumps
LOWER LABOR RATES
ON ALL SERVICE CALLS!
YOU’RE GOING SOMEWHERE. Whether it’s getting to your first audition or seeing the sun rise over the Grand Canyon. Maybe it’s watching her T-ball game or visiting every single lake in Minnesota. Your dreams can take you anywhere. And we’ll be there for you, wherever you go. Because with the right support, any dream is possible. And there’s no better insurance than that.
Let’s talk today.
Bob Maltry Agency 709 N Brinton Ave Dixon, IL 61021 (815) 288-4206 bmaltry@amfam.com
Celebrating 50 years! Family owned and operated since 1967!
502 IL Rt. 2, Dixon • 815-284-2044
IL Licensed 055-000988
American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 013589 – 6/17 ©2017
d i x o n
l i v i n g
7
8
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
Maria Durham, 25, of Dixon, stands in The Royal Palms, which she purchased Jan. 1.
No regrets at The Royal Palms
New owner gives running own bar a shot
STORY BY AVALYNDA CASEY & PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL FOR DIXON LIVING
M
aria Durham never once considered that she might be choosing the wrong career when she purchased The Royal Palms on Jan. 1. “I was getting my general education classes out of the way at Sauk, starting a nursing degree, and I just asked myself, ‘Will I regret not doing it, if I let this opportunity pass?’ I knew it was the next step for me,” she said. And the 25-year-old hasn’t looked back. Maria has worked as a bartender since she was 19 at Angelo’s III, and for her mom, Linda, who owns Alley Loop Saloon and Deli, across the Bean Blossom parking lot. Linda has also
The Royal Palms
83 S. Galena Ave., Dixon 815-288-6180 On Facebook Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday worked at the Royal Palms. The Royal Palms was owned for 43 years by her uncle, Bill Eastman, who originally offered the business to Linda, but she declined.
What seemed like a lark, when he asked Maria if she wanted to buy it, turned into a possibility a week later, when Maria felt it could be her chance. “I will have paid the business off by the time I’m 32, and I can always go back to school,” Maria said with a smile. “I really love seeing people every day, and I really like bartending.” Maria, who has also waited tables at Mama Cimino’s, loves talking to customers and making conversation. Continued on page 11
d i x o n
l i v i n g
9
State of the Art
OPHTHALMOLOGY SERVICES Offered in Dixon at KSB Town Square Centre
Services / Conditions: Cataracts Glaucoma Retinal Disease
DAVID SUTTON, MD
RICHARD MILLER, MD AHMET OZKOK, MD
Floater Laser Treatment
Miller Eye Center at KSB
Miller Eye Center at KSB
815-285-8523
815-285-8585
815-285-8585
KSB Medical Group
Medical Group
Macular Degeneration Diabetic Eye Care
ksbhospital.com
Dry Eyes / Allergies
Town Square Centre, Suite 205, 101 W. Second Street, Dixon
SM-ST1463432
KEN NELSON AUTO GROUP
Ten Franchiese - One Location Proudly serving the Sauk Valley Area for over 50 years! 1100 N. Galena Ave - Dixon, IL
WWW.KENNELSONAUTO.COM .KENNELSONAUTO.COM
815-288-4455
10
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
Maria pours a Belgian White from Blue Moon Brewing Company at the bar. The young owner has added some interesting craft beers (examples shown below).
Continued from page 9
“I always wanted to own a bar, and I always felt that bartending was an easy way to make money and meet lots of people,” Durham said. “If I’m having a bad day, I get up and come to work and I realize that it’s not so bad.” Scotty Masters owned the bar for 18 years before Bill, so there’s a lot of history in the two-story building. It’s part of the reason Maria has been slow to make changes, because she doesn’t want to alter too much about what makes the Palms unique. “We’ve added some bartenders, now serve 8 new craft beers, offer some specialty items, and we change our draft beers according to the season,” she said. The menu for food is small but mighty, with several varieties of hot pizza available or your choice of cheese-filled pretzels or spicy jerky with a side of beer mustard. The fall beers include Old Style Oktoberfest, brewed in Wisconsin and available in 16 oz. cans. Adam Healy, a regular, said he comes in every day for Maria’s smile. “I want to see my friends, and hang out with the crew.” Maria likes to support community causes, and the Palms has donated to the Dixon River Bandits, Rockford Easter Seals’ golf outing, and other local events. She’s given away bloody mary baskets for auctions, and the annual “cash out” from all the penny tickets from gaming machines collects about $200 for Tools for Schools. She also gives to the Black Hawk Trail Riders’ fundraiser for Shop with a Cop. On Oct. 21, the bar hosted its the first “Creep It Real” costume contest with drink specials and snacks. The bar plans to participate in the
Ultimate Tailgate event Oct. 22 in the Bean Blossom parking lot. Next spring and summer, the bar plans to sponsor a softball team to round out the flag football, dart teams, and pool teams. “I’ve teased Mom that she should come back over here and bartend for me for Throw Back Thursdays,” Maria said. “So maybe we’ll do that.” Also coming in 2018 is a wedding. Maria will marry her fiance, Greg Burke, along the riverfront. “It is sort of a way to give back to my town,” she said. “I’ve grown up down here, and I’d like to keep it local.” s
d i x o n
l i v i n g
11
UP-FIT YOUR TRUCK WITH A SNOW PLOW FOR YOUR HOME TODAY AT BONNELL INDUSTRIES! 1385 Franklin Grove Rd. Dixon, IL 61021
VISIT BONNELL TO SEE OUR IN-STOCK TRAILERS!
CUSTOM TRAILERS AVAILABLE FOR ORDER CALL JOEY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRAILERS BONNELL HAS TO OFFER!
ROAD DRAGS
LEAF VACUUMS
SPREADERS
PLOWS & WINGS
MANUFACTURING. DISTRIBUTING. SALES. SERVICE. INSTALL.
Phone: (800) 851-9664 Fax: (815) 284-8815 Website: www.bonnell.com Address: 1385 Franklin Grove Rd., Dixon, IL 61021
OFFER ENDS 12/05/17
12
f a l l / w i n t e r
OFFER ENDS 12/05/17
1 7
Make memories with Main Moments
STORY BY AVALYNDA CASEY & PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL FOR DIXON LIVING
D
o you need some alterations done to your wedding dress? There’s a woman in Dixon with decades of experience who can help you look perfect on your special day. Cheryl O’Hare, 57, of Dixon, started sewing before age 8, making doll clothes on her mother’s sewing machine. Raised in Amboy, she started making all her own clothes at 9 and wore them everywhere. “I remember Ms. Helen Glessner’s sewing class in junior high,” she said. “I made my eighth-grade graduation day outfit. I was very proud.” She had completed her first wedding dress the year before for her older sister’s friend. “I love to sew. I enjoy the ability to make something I like, with better quality than you can find in the stores,” she said. “It drives me crazy when plaids aren’t matched, and hems aren’t hemmed.” O’Hare also made bridesmaid dresses, matching multiples of different sizes for some of her 5 sisters. She added alteration services and similar projects in high school. A few years ago, O’Hare moved to Dixon so that she could serve more customers through her business, Main Moments. Along with new dresses, she enjoys re-making mothers’ and grandmothers’ wedding dresses into heirlooms for children’s baptism, first communion and prom. It takes her over a month to make a custom bridal gown. “Not everyone can sew or make a correct alteration. I have seen dresses sadly gape in the front, or seams not sewn straight,” she said.
For more information
After some repairs and alterations, Cheryl O’Hare (below) will steam clean the dress before pickup.
Contact Cheryl O’Hare at 815289-0970 or mainmoments@ yahoo.com to set up an appointment or for more information.
Continued on page 15
d i x o n
l i v i n g
13
Serving Dixon & The Sauk Valley Area Since 1904
(815) 288-4469
Jesse P. Partington
Beth Baker
213 Crawford Ave., Dixon, IL
Owner/Licensed Funeral Director Licensed Funeral Director
www.prestonschilling.com
since r ms
1869
a s&f
e hom l a c r lo ge fo a r e cov ance r u s n
ing i
id Prov
Adami Insurance Agency 712 First Avenue, Rock Falls 815-625-6220
385 Chicago Rd, Paw Paw 815-627-8552 gsaf74@yahoo.com
Hugh F. Miller Insurance Agency, Inc.
Stenzel Insurance
tracey.adamiinsurance@gmail.com
B V-A
801 First Avenue, Rock Falls 815-626-1300 hughmillerinsurance.com
102 N. Elm Franklin Grove 815-456-2319 ofďŹ ce@stenzelinsurance.com
Sauk Valley Insurance Services
Miller Insurance Group
109 6th Street, Dixon 815-288-2541 www.saukvalleyinsurance.com
427 N. Main Street, Rochelle 815-561-9911 insure10@frontier.com
BRADFORD VICTOR-ADAMS
MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY Member Owned and Operated
14
f a l l / w i n t e r
First State Insurance
1 7
Query Insurance Agency, Inc. 330 May Mart Drive, Rochelle 815-562-4152 tbecker@crumhalsted.com
Leffelman & Associates Amboy 815-857-2125 lisa@leffelmanassoc.com LaMoille 815-638-2171 lexi@leffelmanassoc.com Sublette 815-849-5219 chris@leffelmanassoc.com
Baylor Insurance Agency Lee Center 815-857-2716 rbaylor1@gmail.com
Cornerstone Insurance Agency 102 W. Main Morrison 815-772-7782 lsandrock@2cornerstone.com
Mel Saad Agency 928 8th Avenue, Erie 309-659-2470 saad@mchsi.com
120 W. South Street | Franklin Grove 815-456-2334 | www.bradfordmutual.com
Continued from page 13
She also makes custom curtains, pillows, bedspreads, duvets, seat cushions and more. O’Hare started college in 1977, focused on fashion design, fashion merchandising, and retail management. She completed almost 2 years at the Minnesota School of Business, learning more creative ways to make her own patterns, sewing her own clothes to rival any style or fad. “Business classes taught me the art of selling, how to display and rotate merchandise, and my favorite – the history of fashion,” she said. She returned home with more motivation to expand her abilities. Through needing a job to pay her bills, Cheryl kept sewing her own clothes, and wordof-mouth kept her busy. From 1980 to 1983, Cheryl joined the Army in communications, and when she completed her service, she returned home to be close to her parents, still in Amboy. She worked for years in bookkeeping and since she had to dress up, she made her own suits. “People noticed,” she said. “They’d ask where I bought it, and then, they’d want me to sew for them.” Cheryl’s family always supported her in
Earlier this year, O’Hare took pieces of a mother’s wedding dress and integrated it into her daughter’s dress. Speaking of family, O’Hare said hers has always supported her in business and in the ups and downs of life.
business and the ups and downs of life. Her parents, the late William and Sophie O’Hare, raised 6 daughters. O’Hare, the middle daughter, cherished time with her family. “Dad worked at Amboy Leffleman’s more than 20 years, and my parents set good exam-
ples,” she said. “When Dad passed away, everyone wanted a tractor from his vast collection. They knew they were in perfect running order.” Continued on page 17
VIDEO GAMING Must be 21 or older to game. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be acc accessed by calling 1-800GAMBLER. (1-800-426-2537) (1
80 S. Hennepin Ave, Dixon, Illinois
(815) 288-9335 Bar hours: Mon-Sat 10am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm Kitchen hours: Mon-Sun 11am-7pm
Make us your ! p o h S p o t S e n O
We have tuxes for any occasion
1103 Palmyra St. Dixon 815.288.3335 | www.eflowersetc.com
• • • • • • • •
Flowers Silks Gifts Home Decor Jewelry Scarfs Isabel Bloom So much more e Monday-Friday 8-5 Saturday 9-1
d i x o n
l i v i n g
15
Pad Thai
Formerly known as Touch of Thai, Somkit offers authentic Thai cuisine, fresh sushi, and craft cocktails. Come enjoy your favorite stir-fries, curry, maki rolls and much more in a modern, urban style environment.
Offering Dine-in, Carry-Out, Delivery, Online Ordering TUESDAY - THURSDAY 11 am - 9 pm FRIDAY - SATURDAY 11 am - 10 pm SATURDAY BUFFET 11:30 am - 3 pm - CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY -
815-284-8499 www.somkitdixon.com 214 W 1ST ST., in downtown Dixon
Community is More than Part of Our Name • Community Involvement • Community Support • Community Growth Experienced & Friendly Service
1021 N. Galena Ave., Dixon
815-284-8500
Locally Owned & Managed 16
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
Other locations to serve you in Sterling, Rock Falls, Morrison & Fulton
www.commstbk.com
Continued from page 15
After both parents passed and the last house she rented came up for sale, one sister gave her good advice: move to Dixon. So, she bought the house of her dreams and in the past 3 years, her client base has grown. “I really care about the customer – how the clothing fits, that she likes it, that she is comfortable in it, and that she feels like she looks good in it.” she said. “I love to use expensive fabric, intricate detail work, and antique lace. Every piece is unique. Even if you aren’t a bride, you should still feel beautiful.” O’Hare worked at J.C. Penney in Sterling until the store closed. “I’ll be looking for something else, and I’ll keep sewing,” she said in July. It’ll surely be the lessons that her parents taught her that will help O’Hare continue to be successful. “I think I get my passion for sewing from my parents,” she said. “They taught me the value of hard work and integrity of spirit.” s
O’Hare inspects the seam on a finished dress.
Featuring $1 Cans Tuesday $1 Domestic Drafts Thursday
Daily Specials Mon-Fri
INTRODUCING OUR NEW ASSOCIATE DENTIST
MICHAEL BRECHON D.D.S
OVER 18
TAP HANDLES
WELCOME TO THE SAUK VALLEY AREA.
FROM BREWERIES NATIONWIDE
Your favorite games including Sunday Ticket on our 110” projection screen
1 FREE VENEER WITH THE PURCHASE OF 7
Bloody Mary Bar on Sunday
87 S. Galena Ave., Dixon • 815-288-9329 thestablesbar.dixon@gmail.com
EXP. 10/20/18
JAMES O. HEY D.D.S
MEGHAN CRISHAM D.D.S
EXCEPTIONAL DENTISTRY
724 North Brinton Avenue, Dixon, IL 61021 815-288-4731 • www.ExceptionalDentistry.us d i x o n
l i v i n g
17
What’s your favorite? Watercolor
STORY BY ANDREA MILLS & PHOTOS BY PETER BALSER FOR DIXON LIVING
Dixon High graduate has art all over town
Dixon artist Sydni Reubin poses for a photo in her studio at home.
18
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
T
he eyes seem to watch you as you gaze at the face looking out toward you. It’s difficult to look away. This is what it’s like during your first look at the large watercolor portrait of Sydni Reubin’s brother, Ross, hanging at Books On First. “This was part of my senior [college] thesis work,” Reubin, 30, said. “The pressure was on, because it was my thesis and it was my brother. It had to be perfect.” She painted the portrait three times. “Once you mess something up, you’re done,” Reubin said. “I didn’t realize that [painting in watercolor] was understood to be difficult when I started.” At the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, which she attended from 2005 to 2009, she was told by her supervisor, “Could you pick anything harder to do?” “Watercolor seems to come naturally to me,” she said. “I never thought about once you mess up, that’s it.” The Dixon native has had a longtime passion for painting. “I always wanted to express myself in that way,” she said, adding she thought it had started in grade school. “I had great art teachers throughout junior high, and my high school teacher, Lisa Kastello, was incredible at fostering that.” Reubin graduated from Dixon High School in 2005. After her time in Milwaukee, she returned to Dixon, where she now has her studio and home. She has part-time jobs, but painting is her main source of income. “To be able to do this in a town of 16,000 people is a cool thing,” she said. In the summer and fall, she attends festivals, and had a special role at the Grand Detour Arts Festival on Sept. 10. “The Grand Detour experience was a little different for me this year,” she said. Beyond her regular booth, where she sells her work, the festival committee commissioned a painting for a raffle at the fair. Reubin also did a live painting demonstration, so as you can see, “there were quite a few things going on.”
Sydni L. Reubin
815-535-8907 sydni.reubin@gmail.com facebook.com/sydnireubinartist During the demonstration, she worried she wasn’t talking to people enough. “You have to find a balance between having a conversation and actually getting some progress made, so they can see the process, but I did fine,” she said. Her personal work is usually portraits. “Typically, it’s all figurative,” Reubin said. “So it’s all people. It’s usually people I know, and know pretty well.” After summer and fall, she’s busy with commission work. That usually takes the form of portraits of people who she doesn’t necessarily know, or pets. The work can take 4 to 6 weeks. For commission work, Reubin likes to meet the subject. When a person sees a painting she’s done of a friend – that perhaps took a year to finish – and wants one just like that, it’s not always easy to duplicate that same emotional appearance in a portrait of someone she doesn’t know. Continued on page 21
TOP: Local artist Sydni Reubin works on a painting in her Dixon studio. ABOVE: Portraits of Prince and Chance The Rapper are shown with a unique promotional sign Reubin uses at her art shows.
d i x o n
l i v i n g
19
A wealth of resources.
Call us today! 866-864-2111 Securities offered through LPL Financial member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed afďŹ liates. First State Bank – Shannon Polo is not a registered broker/dealer and is not afďŹ liated with LPL Financial.
MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. Wealth Planning
investwithfsb.com
LPL Financial Representati ves offer access toTrust Services through The Private Trust Compan y N.A., an afďŹ liate of LPL Financial.
Trust Accounts Investments SM-ST09179-1102
percent A statistical survey showed that’s how many of our cataract patients matching the original FDA study criteria are now free from glasses for reading or distance vision, thanks to our FDA-approved Advanced Technology Multi-Focal Implants.
Take a closer look: www.millereyecenter.com. Seeing is believing.
Call 815.285.8585
20
millereyecenter.com
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
Your Vision Our Focus
Continued from page 19
“I like to sit down and meet the client if possible,” she said. “Some sort of relationship is helpful. ... I’m able to put a little more emotion into the painting.” That being said, a lot of her commission work still has had its fair share of emotion. “A lot of them have been surprises or of family members who have passed away,” Reubin said. “I’ve been fortunate to get some very heavy, emotional requests lately. It helps to have that connection.” When it comes to pet portraits, her subjects have mostly been dogs. “However, I have done a few cat portraits and those have been just as enjoyable,” Reubin said. “I think my own cat has been wondering, ‘When are you going to paint me?’” She’s also done commissioned work for local businesses. Three of them have been large-scale projects.
Where to see her work
• Books On First, 202 W. First St. • The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St. • Orom, 308 W. First St. • Somkit, 214 W. First St. • That Place On Palmyra, 628 Palmyra Road • Tipsy Bar, 709 S. Hennepin Ave.
Whether it’s commission work or her personal project, emotion plays an important role for Reubin. “I like to sit down and meet the client if possible,” she said. “Some sort of relationship is helpful. ... I’m able to put a little more emotion into the painting.”
At Tipsy, she painted celebrity mugshots. “I did 10 for them,” Reubin said. “The smallest one’s 3-feet-by-4-feet. I did that for almost 2 years.”
She also painted four pieces of vintage Dixon scenes for That Place On Palmyra. Somkit, formerly Touch of Thai, also commissioned two pieces, one of
Wrigley Field. “And one of Som, the restaurant’s namesake, the patriarch of the family who passed away,” she said. Another restaurant where you can see her watercolors is Orom, 308 W. First St., owned by her mother and stepfather, Lisa and Mark Framke. “I’ve been lucky enough to be able to hang my work there, too,” she said. “‘I’ve saturated the market a little bit.” s
Where do you need to go today?
You have plans for where you want to go today!
Let Lee-Ogle Transportation System help you get there. LOTS transports residents from Lee and Ogle Counties regardless of age, ability or disability. Give LOTS a call to schedule a public transportation ride to where you need to go in the area. LOTS currently provides rides Monday - Friday from 6:00 AM—4:30 PM. IN-TOWN OUT-TOWN 0-5 years $1.00 $0.35/mile 6-59 years $2.00 $0.35/mile 60 and older $1.00 $0.35/mile* Disabled $1.00 $0.35/mile* Call to schedule a ride
1127 N. Galena Ave. Suite 101, Dixon
815-310-0496
www.hvarrerealty.com h lt TEDHVARRE
LAURAMANGRUM
815 378 2151
815 973 8033
tnh@hvarre.com
* maximum out of town charge $5.00.
BROKER GRI SRES
Adult chaperones and car seats required for children 6 years and younger.
lmangrum@hvarrerealty.com
Lee-Ogle Transportation System SM-ST1459791
MANAGING BROKER
(815) 288-2117
Moving Forward with you! 210 EAST PROGRESS DRIVE | DIXON, IL 61021
d i x o n
www.lotsil.org
l i v i n g
21
s at Regency.... e c n e i r I loved both of my expe My experience with Regency Care of Sterling has been amazing. My goal was to get home fast. And that’s what they strived for. Their goals were my goals. I had the time of my life in therapy. The therapy girls worked wonders. Regency makes coming to a rehab facility a little less stressful. - Betty Wescott
“We Care For Loved Private Suites Available Ones Like Family” Formerly Coventry Living Center 612 61 2 W. 2 23rd 3rd 3r d St Street Street, et St Sterli Sterling, ling IL 6 61081 1081 10 81 • 8 815-626-9020 15-6 15 -626 26-9 -902 020 0 • www.regencycarest www.regencycaresterling.com sterliling.com Visit medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare to see how we rate.
3rd Annual Halloween Bash SATURday, October 28, 2017 | featuring an outrageous retro show by “CHeese Pizza”
Gary morris
Friday, November 3, 2017 | Hits include: wind beneath my wings, second hand heart, & the love she found in me
Funky Munky wrestling Special Guest: zach Gowen Saturday, November 11, 2017 | an all ages professional wrestling event
Bellamy Brothers New Year’s Eve | Hits include: let your love flow, redneck girl, too much is not enough, & you ain’t just whistlin’ dixie
Must be 21 years or older to gamble. If you or someone you know needs gambling treatment, call 1.800.BETS OFF.
22
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
Let’s take it from the top Dixon Stage Left, a second-floor success story, continues to grow with each unique production STORY BY ANDREA MILLS & PHOTOS BY PETER BALSER FOR DIXON LIVING
T
he 1960s TV cartoon character Snagglepuss tended to get out of a bad situation with the words, “Exit, stage left.” It’s safe to say that not many theater lovers are using that catchphrase these days in Dixon – especially at Dixon Stage Left. The theater opened in 2014 in the top floor of a downtown building – which was formerly a Masonic Lodge – built in 1880. “It has nice, high ceilings,” Tim Boles, general manager, director and actor, said of this second-floor black box theater. Those ceilings are enhanced by the 1800s-style gold oak woodwork and the general feeling of being in a special place with history in every corner. There were two chamber rooms: one for the public and the other, fancier room, was where the Masons held their meetings. Today, the public chamber houses a stage and space for the audience with chairs and tables, lit by LED candles. In the private chamber, the Crystal Cork sells beverages. Smaller rooms hold a scenery shop, various prop rooms, restrooms, storage and other show necessities. The theater’s staircase was once a daunting feature, but a grant made a new chairlift possible. Boles, who was born in Virginia, moved to Morrison at an early age. He’s lived in Dixon since 1981. “One of my goals was I wanted to have professional quality theater in Dixon,” he said. “My board was very supportive, so we took this on with an eye to supplying a really high-quality night out for adults.” It also had benefits for him. “I did most of my work in the Chicago area,” Boles said. “It’s been a great opportunity to meet a lot of people. It’s been an interesting thing – kind of like moving back to Dixon.” The first show was “Vanities,” featuring three women. Continued on page 25
Up next at Dixon Stage Left
Tim Boles, general manager, director and actor at Dixon Stage Left, poses for a photo at the theater.
“Death by Design” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-2 and 7-9, and 3 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10 at the theater, 306 W. First St. Tickets are available at dixonstageleft.com, Trein’s Jewelry, 201 W. First St., and The Crystal Cork, 219 W. First St. Call 312-420-8715, visit the website or find Dixon Stage Left on Facebook for more information.
d i x o n
l i v i n g
23
Our Services Include: • Respite, short-term, and long-term care. • Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care • Holistic Personal Care Plans
Our philosophy is to recover
As Soon As Physically Possible!
The Alter G is state of the art technology created by NASA. It is a weight bearing treadmill that aids in shortened recovery time, reduces injury and improves mobility for patients. By using the Alter G, our residents are able to receive professional and sophisticated rehabilitation. We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality rehabilitation possible.
Since 1974 • 105 E. 23rd Street, Sterling (815)626-4264 • www.sterlingrehab.com “Providing Professional Rehabilitation from Hospital to Home” Our Goal is to provide sophisticated and individual medical attention to every resident.
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Same Day Appointments Extended Hours
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Opioid Addiction Treatment & Group Therapy Available WHITESIDE COUNTY H E A LT H WHITESIDE D E PA R T M E N T COUNTY Community Health Clinic
Where Needs and Resources Come Together! 1300 W. 2nd St. Rock Falls, IL
815-626-2230
www.whitesidehealth.org HEALTH ALL INCOME LEVELS WELCOME MEDICARE / MEDICAID / SELF-PAY / INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
We will always provide services to everyone regardless of your ethnicity, your country of origin, your religion, your race or any other group you identify with.
24
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
A black-and-white portrait from the most recent show, “No Exit,” by Jean-Paul Satre.
Continued from page 23
“We had three terrific actresses and they helped us to get going,” Boles said. “That first year, we had three productions. Our average total attendance was about 140 to 150 per production. Since then, our average has more than doubled. Last year, we had a production that had more than 520 people. That was nice.” Boles provides a mixture ranging from comedy to intense drama. “I love those really intense, emotional dramas,” he said, “but, of course, we can’t do those intense dramas every time or we’d run out of Kleenex.” The most recent performance was “No Exit,” with Kevin Tumleson of Dixon as production manager.
“We’re doing ‘No Exit,’” Boles said before the play started, “which is sort-of a famous play written by a philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. The last line of it is, ‘Hell is other people.’ My assistant, Kevin, is the one who is completely in charge of this.” The story is about three people trapped in a waiting room of hell. They come to the conclusion that their torment is that they can’t stand each other and that they’re stuck there together. Tumleson was in the director’s chair for “No Exit.” “I’m fairly new to the game,” he said. The director attended St. Mary School in Dixon and Dixon High School. Tumleson said he occasionally acted, beginning in fourth grade, but once he hit high school, he began to realize it’s what he wanted to do for a living.
“I like directing subtle things,” Tumleson said. He gave this example: “I want you to move your index finger up and down like a slight irritation thing to convey to the audience.” He said his style is to plan every detail. “I have everything mapped out up to every single beat,” Tumleson said. “Then, I bring it forth. Then, we block it out in 1 or 2 weeks, and when we get to the fourth week, it’s completely different – not what I planned at all.” The next show is “Death by Design,” a British mystery spoof. “It’s our first whodunit,” Boles said. What isn’t a mystery, is the success of Dixon Stage Left, which has been built through the hard work of actors, directors and crew members from right here in the Sauk Valley. s
Serving the Sauk Valley Area for Over 35 Years!
MEDICAL CENTER an outpatient department of CGH Medical Center
GARAGE DOOR Specialists
We sell and install all types of garage doors, as well as garage door openers. aluminum • steel • wood • fiberglass • vinyl • carriage styles Residential - Commercial - Industrial Parts, Repair & Springs Repaired
garagedoorspecialist1.com
1311 W. 4th Street, Sterling 815-626-8911
Chloe Payne, MD (Dermatology)
Schedule Your Appointment Today! 1321 N. Galena Ave, Dixon, IL • (815) 284-1600
d i x o n
l i v i n g
25
Quality Men Wear
We’re here to help you grow!
Find all of the latest clothing, shirts athletic & sportswear.
ALWAYS ON SALE TUXEDO RENTAL AVAILABLE
Rated 5 stars 2017 Bauer Financial www.bauerfinancial.com
Where you come first. DIXON FRANKLIN GROVE 1314 N. Galena Ave. 108 N Elm St. 728 S. Crawford Ave.
AMBOY 220 E. Main St. 301 E. Joe Dr.
815-857-3625 www.fnbamboy.com
kaleels.com
THE WORLD’S
Screen Printing Embroidery School & Sport Uniforms Heat Transfer
• Low slope/flat roofs • Industry’s leading warranties • Maintenance free performance • Provides savings on your energy bill • High quality workmanship • The best long term investment for your building • Leak proof
LEADER OF REINFORCED SINGLE PLY ROOFING
SERVING THE AREA FOR 32 YEARS
IL License: #104-005528 4-0005528 4-005528 28
INC.
Commercial • Industrial Residential Roofs
815-539-5142
www.northernillinoisseamlessroofing.com
705 Illinois Ave • Mendota, IL 61342 26
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
Family and staff at Somkit, formerly Touch of Thai, sit below a portrait of the late Somkit “Sam” Yindeerhoop, painted by Dixon artist Sydni Reubin. Sam was a huge Cubs fan, and the family honored him with a “Cubs Corner” (shown below) at the new restaurant.
Somkit similarities Family honors late father with new look and name, and the same great food STORY BY ANDREA MILLS & PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL AND PETER BALSER FOR DIXON LIVING
D
iners come in off the street into the former Snow White Bakery building and enter the world of Thai and sushi served in surroundings reminiscent of downtown Chicago. Somkit, owned by Jack and Aim Yindeeroop, has been open for about 4 months. It is the offspring of the restaurant, Touch of Thai, the stepping stone for Jack’s parents’ retirement. After investing 25 years in the restaurant business, Sumkit and Udi Yindeeroop moved from Chicago to Dixon to start a small restaurant, Jack’s brother, Job Yindeeroop, said.
Somkit
214 W. First St. 815-284-8499 somkitdixon.com and Facebook Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday
Continued on page 29
d i x o n
l i v i n g
27
HALLOWEEN ON THE PRAIRIE
Rock River Hospice & Home
October 29, 2017
(formerly Hospice of the Rock River Valley)
Festival of Trees
Tour the National Award Winning Jarrett Prairie Center Museum
November 14-19, 2017 Northland Mall, Sterling, IL Gala Evening | November 11 Timber Creek Golf & Banquets, Dixon
Country Store Opens | November 11 @ 10 a.m. Northland Mall, Sterling
• Family Friendly Hayrides • Weiskopf Observatory Tours • Bounce House • Face Painting • Kids Crafts
Festival of Trees | November 14-19 Northland Mall, Sterling
• New Observation Deck • Games • Native American Hands-on Activities • Free Customer Appreciation Lunch All Day
For more information, call 815-625-3858 or visit www.hospicerockriver.org Sponsored By
26th Annual Holiday Gift Sale. Saturday, November 4th 9am-4pm
STERLING COMMERCIAL ROOFING
Quilts, clothing. jewelry, candles, home decor, Tastefully Simple, Scentsy, Thirty-One and much, much more!
7993 North River Road, Byron 81 815-234-8535 | www.byronforestpreserve.com
WE’VE MOVED
Serving The Sauk Valley Region
YWCA of the Sauk Valley is now located at
98 South Galena Avenue, Dixon
815/288-1232 • 24 Hour Hotline 815/288-1011
Open since 2003, Hughes Resources has provided staffingsolutionstocompaniesandjobopportunities for individuals in Northwest Illinois. We offer JOB PLACEMENT within the administrative, industrial, and professional sectors, to include temp-to-hire, temporary and direct hire placements.
SERVICES OFFERED FOR ALL GENDERS AND AGES • Domestic Violence
• Medical Advocacy
• Sexual Assault
• Legal Advocacy
• Career Services
• Parenting Support
• Crisis Intervention
• Community Education
• Support Groups
• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline
• Emotional Support and Empowerment
• Emergency Housing
Put us to work finding you work!
Call us at 815.835.3000
• Latina Outreach Services
www.hughesresources.com Like Us on Facebook to see new job openings!
28
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
SM-ST1460927
ywca.org/saukvalley
SM-ST1461033
102 S. Galena Avenue, Dixon - 2nd Floor
Located in the Fifth Third Bank Building
Additional offices located in Freeport & Monroe, WI
Rainbow Maki is a popular choice.
The Dragon Roll is a work of art.
Continued from page 27
“Doing a small restaurant was retirement,” Job said. “It sounded like fun. It wasn’t anything new. It was something they knew how to do. They didn’t think it would be anything too difficult to handle.” But things changed. About 6 months later, it was getting busy – too busy. “I think Mom was in her late 50s and Dad his early 60s,” Job said. “So that was way too much for them. That’s when we, her kids, started gravitating out here a day or 2 at a time.” Soon, Job’s two older brothers brought sushi to Touch of Thai, adding to its appeal. Today, Job is the restaurant’s head sushi chef The family had rented the building where Touch of Thai originally was for its 10 years as a restaurant. They had looked at the bakery building across the street earlier, and eventually gave it a second look. “My father passed away about a year and a half ago,” Job said. “After he passed away, we looked at it again. This time it all worked out. Hence the name change to Somkit. That was his name. It means ‘wish fulfillment’ in Thai. That’s what it translates to. It felt right.” The name “Touch of Thai” has not left the scene. It is now the second part of the family business and will be used in catering, carry-out and food service. Somkit smiles down from the wall in a painting greeting customers at the restaurant that bears his name. His widow, Udi, continues to be active in the family business. “She’s here every day working like she’s still in her 50s, maybe younger, I don’t know,” said Job. “I can’t keep up with her, honestly. She’s very involved in what’s going on day-to-day.” Job said some restaurants boast about being just like having mom in the kitchen, but at Somkit, “Mom really is in the kitchen.” Now owning their own location, the family got to work on remodeling the building. Job said they gutted it, which allowed them to design it the way they wanted. “A part of it is to try to give that essence of being in the big city like Chicago or Rockford,” Job said. The sushi bar is twice the size as the Touch of Thai bar and the kitchen layout is more efficient. “We added a new drinking bar,” said Elliott Ernst, general manager, who has been with the business for 6 years. Many Dixonites have memories of bakery. They will be pleased to see some parts of the old favorite still remain. Job said they did as little dry walling as possible. “This is still the original floor that was here, as are the bricks,” he said. “We tried to do it in a way that we kept as much of the original building as we could.”
The sashimi plate features five different fish selections.
tours • event space for rent
gift shop • field trips
featured exhibits include: • Ronald Reagan’s Beautifully restored classroom • Original Reagan Diplomas & Movie Posters • Blackhawk War & Early American Farming Exhibits with Lifelike Talking Figures • Walgreen Family History Room, Art Gallery & Historical Paintings • Beautiful Models & Dioramas Of Dixon In The 1800’s • Military Room
CHECK WEBSITE FOR HOUR S 205 West 5th Street Dixon, IL 61021 Phone: 815-288-5508 www.nthc.org
NO ADMISS CHARGEION DONATIONS ACCEPTED
Continued on page 31
d i x o n
l i v i n g
29
ALWAYS AT YOUR DISPOSAL
The Softener Man Repair on all makes & models
Service Call Special $19.95 Serving The Area For Over 30 Years
$200 OFF any water conditioner or iron filter!
Serving Lee, Whiteside, Carroll, Bureau and Ogle Counties
• Weekly Residential Service • 2-8 yard Commercial Containers • 10-40 yard Roll-off Containers • Compactors • Radio Dispatched Trucks • Experienced Local Drivers • Licensed Special Waste & Asbestos Hauler 1214 S. Bataan Rd., Dixon, IL 815-625-1000 or 815-284-2432
www.republicservices.com
815-323-1622
EXPIRES 9/30/18
Gilbertson Construction 815-622-0087 Over 35 years of experience No job is too small
Licensed, Bonded & Insured 27878 Fulfs Rd, Sterling, IL
Quality Customer Care
Providing Paramedic Care for Dixon & the Surrounding Area Since 1983
Get personalized service from experienced local agents dedicated to give you quality coverage & the peace of mind you deserve.
Advance EMS of Dixon, Inc. began in 1983 with one ambulance and five employees. To date, they have four ambulances, one paramedic intercept vehicle, and 25 employees. Advance EMS of Dixon, Inc. provides advanced life support not just to Dixon but also the surrounding communities.
3200 E. Lynn Blvd. Sterling 815-625-3661 SM-ST1466419
AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • HEALTH • LIFE
30
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
ADVANCEEMS
815-288-6898
661 Reynoldswood Rd. Dixon 24 hours a day. 365 days a year.
Crazy Brown Rice with Beef from Somkit.
Continued from page 29
Former bakery-goers likely remember the pick-up window. Job said a customer once mentioned picking up doughnuts at the window while riding by on a bike. “We utilized that as well,” Job said. “Now you can pick up Thai food and sushi.” No one should let fear of the unknown keep
Pad Thai with Chicken is a popular dish.
them away from trying the Thai or sushi listings on the menu. Ingredients are listed on the menu and can be explained by the wait staff. “We’ve got a really nice, broad blend of flavors,” Elliott said. If a diner is new to Thai and sushi, they will be asked a few questions about what food they enjoy eating. For instance, in sushi, if one does not like fish, Job might suggest using sweet
TACO NIGHT Every Monday 4pm-8pm
◊ Beef & chicken tacos ◊ loaded nachos ◊ taco salad ◊ rice & beans ◊ Chips & Kuba's homemade salsa ◊ Quesadillas
SHIPPERTS MOVING & STORAGE Agent For Allied Van Lines
Celebrating 70 years
Beer Specials
Local and long distance moves.
Every Thursday weekly food specials
~FREE ESTIMATES~
Must be 21 or older to game. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800GAMBLER. (1-800-426-2537)
Dixon VFW
1560 Franklin Grove Rd. Dixon • 815-288-5165
We invite you to stop by and enjoy a multi-level shopping experience
potato. Even so, the fish does not taste fishy, Job said. “The flavor is really fresh,” Job said. Or perhaps a diner does not like spicy food or does not like an ingredient in a dish. That’s OK, as things can be changed to suit tastes. The menu is easily adaptable, Elliott said. The staff knows the menu well, because Job said, “Everyone who works here, eats here.” s
G SERVINEA THE AR 947 SINCE 1
404 N. Lincoln Avenue Dixon IL • 815-288-3133 ILL CC 10540 • US DOT 76235
www.alliedvan.com
WIN O NER CUSTOF ALLIED’S M FOR L ER SERVIC IFE AW E ARD
��� ��� ��� ����
����� ������� � � ������� �� ��������� � � �������� 307 First Ave.,Sterling • 815-564-9376 Mon.-Fri. 9 - 6p.m., Sat. 9 - 5p.m., Sun. 10 - 4p.m.
d i x o n
l i v i n g
31
COMPLETE LANDSCAPING SERVICE PATIOS • STONE WALLS & SIDEWALKS
YOUR ADRENALINE Rush
AW A I T S
We Are Your One-Stop Shop for All Things Power Sport
Landscaping Company
Clothing & Accessories
SHADE TREES • SEEDING • SOD CERTIFIED LANDSCAPE DESIGNER • FREE ESTIMATES
• Motorcycles • ATVs • Dirt Bikes • Utility Vehicles
We service all motorsports EVERY BRAND
1816 6TH AVE. STERLING, IL Jim 815-622-4817 • WWW.KANDGLANDSCAPING.COM
1902 North
ling, IL Locust St., Ster
com e.co otorcycle.
douglasfryem
CARS815.com 32
f a l l / w i n t e r
1 7
26
815 -625 -44
Dixon grad down the road
Robert “Bob” Gosch, a 29-year-old Dixon native, is the new assistant principal and athletic director at Fulton High School. Learn more on page 35.
STORY BY LEICHAN STOERGER & PHOTOS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL FOR DIXON LIVING
2017 Northern Illinois
SHOP HOP
November 3rd - November 11th Register R Reg Re eeg gister tto ow win in p prizes riz rrize izess a ize att o over ver 1 15 5 ssh shops hop h op pss
15% off
NO Appointment Needed Services! - Alignments - Brakes -Shocks/Struts - Oil Changes
- Fluid Exchanges - Rental Vehicles - Hitches - Tires of ALL Sizes!
- Nitrogen - Wheels - Bed Covers - & MORE!
We do “Moore” than just tires!
regular priced fabric, patternS, & books *excludes classes & consignments Featuring
Quilt Supplies For U 2503 N. Locus St., Sterling • 815-622-9413 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat 9am-2pm Closed Sundays & Holidays
www.quiltsuppliesforu.com d i x o n
l i v i n g
33
Carry out a
Family Tradition TLC Country Store
• Large Selection Of Ornaments • Unique Variety Of Handmade Gifts • Holiday Home Decor & More
Relax in Style
Sweetwood Interiors Window Treatments • Flooring • Accessories Lighting • Furniture • Upholstery
Autumn Store:
Open Fridays & Saturdays 10am-3pm thru Nov. 11th
Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm
Holiday Open House November 25
Great Selection & Prices On Pre-Cut Trees Or Cut Your Own
Sto p New By an ly d S Sho Expa ee Ou wro nde r om d
107 Main St., Forreston, IL 815.938.3681 Toll Free: 877.938.3681 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat 9am-2pm or by appointment www.sweetwoodinteriors.com
Vintage Chicks and Feed *Our shop is full of artfully displayed *Vintage Items *Rustic Relics *DIY Salvage-old doors,
shutters, windows
Tree Farm: Open daily starting Friday, November 24th until Dec. 23rd 7250 Garden Plain Road, Fulton, IL (corner of Frog Pond Rd. & Garden Plain Rd.)
*Complete Feed Store located in the back
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 9am-5pm 700 IL Rt. 72 East, Leaf River
(309) 887-4892
(Located 2 1/2 miles west of Byron on Rt. 72)
www.timberlanetreefarm.com
(815) 973-2432 or (815) 291-9508
With over 40 years of experience, Sauk Valley Printing is your local one-stop source offering professional designs, excellent print quality, fast turn-around times, friendly customer service at affordable pricing. Full Color/ Black & White Printing Business Cards Letterhead Envelopes Postcards Fliers Newsletters Carbonless Forms
34
a division of sauk valley media
saukvall eyPRINTING Notepads Church Bulletins Calendars Labels/Stickers Raffle Tickets Membership Cards Event Tickets
f a l l / w i n t e r
Event Programs Menus Gift Certificates Meeting Books Booklets Wedding Invitations and much more... 1 7
Graphic Design
Please contact Kris Sands 815.632.6470 or ksands@saukvalley.com 3200 E. Lincolnway - Sterling (located inside Sauk Valley Media) Pickup and delivery available at the Dixon Telegraph
New assistant principal, athletic director excited about new start
A
new official at Fulton High School is ready to play ball. Robert “Bob” Gosch, a 29-year-old Dixon native, is the new assistant principal and athletic director at Fulton High School, and he brings with him plenty of experience and a strong desire to help kids. “I decided to get into education because I enjoy helping kids,” Gosch said. “I enjoy helping people work together to solve problems and passing this knowledge along to students.” Gosch is no stranger to high school sports, being an athlete himself and having coached in the past. He graduated in 2006 from Dixon High School, where he was in track for 4 years and played basketball for 2 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in education from Western Illinois University. Gosch brought with him to Fulton his wife, Kelly, and 3-year-old daughter, Evelyn. Prior to working at Fulton High, Gosch worked at ROWVA High School in Oneida, where he taught junior high and high school science for the past 5 years. He was the assistant track coach for 2 years and the varsity girls basketball coach for the past 2 years. Gosch said coaching allowed him to interact with kids on a different level. “Instead of seeing the students for 85 minutes every other day, I would work with them for an additional 2 hours at the end of the day,” he said. “That allowed me to get to know them better and figure out ways to help them be successful in and out of the classroom.” Gosch said being a coach also helped him
understand all the different IHSA rules and regulations. “Everything from concussions to filling out different forms for participation, I had a pretty good knowledge of things that need to get done before a season.” Chris Tennyson, Fulton High School principal, said that Gosch is a great fit for the high school. “He has been eager to learn his responsibilities,” Tennyson said. “The fact that he has a science background is nice, because he is able to work with science and math teachers.” Tennyson said Gosch had terrific energy during the interview process. “He came across as passionate about Fulton and wanted to get heavily involved in the high school,” Tennyson said. Both officials supervise the cafeteria together every day. Gosch has been great at getting to know the students, especially athletes, Tennyson said. Gosch said the school year is going well so far and staff and students have made him feel at home. “We had a great start to football and volleyball,” Gosch said. “It has been fun meeting the students and everyone has been very welcoming.” “I am excited to see all the different activities and ideas that our teachers have,” Gosch said. “We have a great staff.” Away from work, Gosch loves being home and spending time with his wife and daughter. He’s a big sports fan and plays recreational sports in his free time. And just like his favorite NFL team, the Chicago Bears, Gosch is ready to bear down and get to work.
d i x o n
l i v i n g
35
Introducing...
“OUR” new line of premium HVAC equipment 10 Year Parts Warranty 5 Year Labor Warranty
Call us today for a FREE estimate!
815-288-2735
Like us on Facebook for Updates and Giveaways