HOMEGROWN
THURSDAY March 26, 2020 Morris Herald-News
A
Simotes Motor Sales gives back to community By ALLISON SELK Shaw Media correspondent Simotes Motor Sales and Service has not only sold vehicles in the village of Minooka for nearly 34 years, but chose to give back to the community in which it serves through youth sports, financial scholarships and donating vehicles to local kids with cancer. Founding owner Larry Simotes volunteered with Minooka baseball over 20 years, offering free baseball lessons to the youth and coaching baseball at Minooka Junior High School for 18 years. Larry Simotes, with his first career as a teacher wanted to help children and took his role in the community seriously. He donates to the Minooka High School scholarship fund for athletes, and last year donated 700 copies of his book “Two Strikes and Not Out,” A book about a World War Two Veteran George Edward Bigelow. A Hero who survived the sinking of the SS Leopoldville and one of the greatest men Mr. Simotes ever met. Larry Simotes and his wife Lisa raised two sons and a daughter in Minooka and the boys, Grant and Mac now run the business their father started in 1986 in an old abandoned gas station with 10 cars on the lot. In 1995, Larry built the current location on the corner of I-80 and Ridge Road and in 2018 it was renovated to create more office space and a bigger waiting area for both the sales and service department. Additional renovations are underway with an expanded parking lot in the back and concrete in the front of the building. Larry Simotes spends time in Florida and Minooka, and guides his sons on the day-to-day operations. Grant Simotes said Simo-
Photo provided
Grant Simotes (from left), Larry Simotes and Mac Simotes. tes Motor Sales from day one has strived to sell value, by offering the best vehicles with the lowest miles for the best value to their customers. Most vehicles have extended warranties and all vehicles come with a Power Trane warranty and options for additional extended warranties. Each vehicle goes through service shop inspection by the mechanics on site and if
it does not meet standards, it gets shipped off to auction, according to Grant. The lot holds 100 vehicles at any given time, and Grant said he hopes to bump the number to 115 to give customers even more to choose from. “We want to find out what the customer needs and not pressure them, we like them to decide on their own. If people take their time when
purchasing a vehicle, they feel good about their purchase,” Grant said. Beyond vehicle sales, Simotes Motor Sales and Service has a full service department with certified technicians to service vehicles sold on or off of the lot and uniquely the department has a technician qualified to work on diesel trucks. Larry Simotes said he
knows his giving nature has rubbed off on his sons and daughter. Grant said the scholarship program still thrives and once he and his brother Mac get settled more into Minooka, they too want to get involved with coaching and sports as well as non-profit support. “Local charities and churches are good to take care of because they know
what is most needed and who is in need in the community. Our entire family also has a love for animals and donates to Animal Charities as well, including funding the adoption of 70 dogs in need of homes from the Animal Rescue Project. You might even find our dog Maggie May hanging out on the showroom floor from time to time too,” Grant said.
Family owned & operated for over 33-years We specialize in Low- Mile, High Quality Pre-driven Vehicles Simotes Motors Welcomes
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2 HOME • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section A • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
Fruland Funeral Home celebrates more than 108 years SUBMITTED REPORT This year, Fruland Funeral Home celebrates 108 years in the funeral business. Lifelong Morris resident Richard Hexdall has been funeral director of the downtown Morris business since 1972 and owner since 2000, when he purchased it from H. Paul Fruland. Earl Fruland had given the business to his son in 1973. The staff at Fruland includes J. LeRoy Claypool, Paul W. Jung and Stephen D. Keech, all assistants to the funeral director. Fruland Funeral Home also added a new face to its staff last year when Morris Community High School graduate Savannah Strange became an apprentice after attending Joliet Junior College and graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Hexdall and his staff are active members of the community and are committed to providing funeral services to families of all faiths and nationalities. Their commitment to helping families in need includes individualized attention and answering calls personally. Clients of Fruland’s may be assured that the staff understands their needs and respects their considerations, and they will feel comfortable and confident with the funeral home’s ability to carry out a loved one’s last wishes. Fruland Funeral Home offers a variety of options to fit families’ requests and needs, including traditional funerals, graveside services, customized caskets and rental caskets for cremation services. With the popularity of cremations, Fruland now offers several options to families. They carry a large selection of urns and mementos in many shapes, sizes and colors to suit individual tastes. Also offered are options of keepsake jewelry such as rings, crosses, hearts, bracelets, necklaces and rose stems. Personalized caskets and
Photo provided
Fruland Funeral Home is located in Morris. memorial service selections are also available. Fruland Funeral Home offers pre-planning, so that clients may select the type of funeral and end-of-life wishes they desire.
Planning ahead of time can also take some of the burden off families. Pre-planning a funeral may be done at a client’s own pace, with ample time to consider the pros and cons of each option. Many say they
have peace of mind knowing plans are already in place. Pre-need funds are placed in trust in an Illinois bank or other financial institution. Visit the Fruland Funeral Home website for more
information about pre-planning. Many updates have been made to the interior and exterior of the business in recent years, including improved accessibility for the handicapped.
Fruland Funeral Home is located at 121 W. Jefferson St. in Morris. For more information visit them online at www.frulandfuneralhome.com or call 815-942-0700.
Apple Butter and Shugie’s Novelty Gift Shop offers friendly service SUBMITTED REPORT Jane Kerr, co-owner of Apple Butter and Shugie’s, has been in retail since 1988. Being a cheer coach for 23-plus years put her into a position to become the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association scholarship fundraiser. In 1992, the Kerr’s purchased their first brick and mortar location in Morris, Il. Over the year’s the Kerr’s have had three different locations: Morris, Ottawa and Downer’s Grove.
As the Kerr’s family grew, adding five grandchildren to the mix, Jane wanted to put herself in a position that Stu and her could help babysit. Hence, the 309 N. Liberty location was created. Apple Butter and Shugie’s Jane, Stu, and their crew pride themselves on offering friendly and helpful customer service. They offer a wide variety of inventory for many occasions. They describe themselves as a novelty gift shop. Something for everyone on your gift giving list. They are proud to
be known as the store with the Bassets. This year will find Stu and Jane attending the Atlanta, Las Vegas, Kansas City and Dallas gift shows. Apple Butter and Shugie’s belong to two prestigious buying groups in the United States that help them to find those unique and one-of-a-kind items and definitely the next big trend. Shopping is a holiday. Come spend one with Jane, Stu, and their crew. Heidi, Angi, Emily, Erica,Sondra, Suzi, Abbie, Kandy, Abby and Parker.
309 N. Liberty St. • Morris, IL 815-942-5093 | applebutterandshugies.com
A truly personal service in your time of need • Locally Owned • Traditional Funeral Services • Offering Prepaid Funerals • Cremation & Memorial Service Available
Stop by
April 4th for
Spring into Spring! Remember always BEE KIND PURE VIDA simply southern puzzles brumate SWIG
MRA’s Annual GIRLS’ Night Out May 1st • 5 to 9pm
After party 9pm at The Eagles
Richard
Savannah
Leroy
Cooper (Grief Dog)
Serving Grundy County for 108 Years! 121 W. Jefferson St. • Morris, IL 942-0700 • www.frulandfuneralhome.com SM-CL1758524
Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section A • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
HOME 3
Morris YMCA Summer Day Camp offers new component By ALLISON SELK Shaw Media correspondent The Morris Community YMCA will offer a new component to its annual Summer Day Camp, to cover child care between the end of school and the first day of camp, a precamp will now be offered. “There are so many different schools getting out at various times, so that will fill the gap of care,” Sarah Porzel, Morris Community YMCA Youth and Family Director said. The four pre-camp days will run May 26-29, families can register per day or all four days, whichever the parent prefers. Porzel said the home base for the pre-camp will take place at the former Shabbona Middle School on School St. in Morris and will shuttle back from the YMCA location. May 26 and 28 the campers will be bused to the C.W. Avery YMCA in Plainfield along with the Morris staff, May 27 the group will go to Haunted Trails in Joliet and Friday, the week will end with activities at the former Shabbona building. Summer Day Camp begins June 1 and runs through August 14 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each session. Families can register children going into grades K-8 weekly or for the entire summer. Porzel said each week the curriculum and fields trips coincide with a theme and new field trips include Altitude Trampoline Park, water park Cypress Cove and “Shrek the Musical” at Drury Lane. “That is the field trip I’m looking forward to the most,” Porzel said of “Shrek the Musical.” “The past couple of years I have brought them to an improv show and they seemed to be into that, I was just trying to look for something that the kids could kind of explore in the arts instead of always do a sports type of field trip.” Porzel said the Morris facility received a grant from YMCA of the USA through
Photo provided
The Morris YMCA Summer Day Camp will run May 26-29 this year. the Character Development Learning Institute to focus on five areas of character such as emotion management, empathy, relationship building, responsibility and personal development along with the core values of the YMCA which include honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. “Most of our programming is now being directed to those areas because we are finding
that social emotional learning is so important in kids these days,” Porzel said. Last year Porzel’s directed camp was the pilot for this character development program and she said she saw a huge shift in behavior after it was implemented and will be launched association wide this summer. “When a kid is upset, as opposed to having them sit
out, I have sheets we go over about emotions so they are better able to recognize their emotions and learn how to better communicate through emotions,” Porzel said. “When a child needs to apologize we go through a whole thing of why are they apologizing, they are not just apologizing to apologize and move on, but these are the actions that happened to cause the apology.”
Porzel said the camp at the Morris YMCA stands out because of her intentional hiring process and 56 hours of training each camp employee goes through after hire. She said the camp also has created friendships between campers who do not live near or attend school together. Also a new Counselor in Training program, which began last year with a few
campers, will now expand and Porzel expects to have up to eight this year. These campers, grades 5-8 will learn leadership skills; facilitate groups; and learn responsibility, time management, and public speaking skills. To learn more about Summer Day Camp, contact Sarah Porzel at 815-513-8080 ext. 513 or email at sporzel@jolietymca.org.
REGISTRATION IS UNDERWAY!
We have two Summer Day Camp locations to serve your family: SARATOGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4040 N. Division Street, Morris Preschool*, Grades K-8
COAL CITY EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 755 S. Carbon Hill Road, Coal City Preschool*, Grades K-8 *Preschool camp is offered at the Morris Community YMCA.
ALWAYS HERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY DHS funds are accepted. Financial assistance is also available.
EXCITING ADVENTURES
In addition to summer day camp, the YMCA will offer a variety of sports and specialty camps this summer.
MORRIS COMMUNITY YMCA (815) 513-8080 www.jolietymca.org
In partnership with
4 HOME • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section A • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
Rosie O’Grady’s features upscale furniture, décor SUBMITTED REPORT Rosie O’Grady’s, 216 W. Washginton St. in Morris, is an upscale resale shop specializing in furniture and home décor. Owners Jessica Klein and Kevin Grajewski took over the store from Jessica’s mother, Ellen Parsons who passed away in November 2019. “Unfortunately, my mother passed away very unexpectedly in November 2019. She was the founder of Rosie’s & opened in 2012. After her heart attack in 2018, she asked Kevin and I to take over the store. She felt she wanted to slow down and work a bit less. At the time, we declined because we felt that it was hers and we didn’t want to take what she built away from her. It just didn’t feel like the right thing to do. We were happy to be involved with the store and continue to help her, but she was the boss, she was Rosie,” said Jessica. Rosie O’Grady’s initially opened it’s doors in 2012 in Wilmington. While Ellen
Photo provided
Rosie O’Grady’s is located at 216 W. Washginton St. in Morris. enjoyed her time there, she wanted to be closer to Jessica’s store, Tattered Accents. In 2015, Ellen relocated to Morris. She felt being closer to Jessica would help both businesses be able to better work together, be there for one another, and
encourage growth for both Rosie’s & Tattered. Ellen had such a talent for making things beautiful. She was so creative and it was a blessing that she shared her talent with the world around her. She truly left a mark
with so many people in our community. People loved her, and she loved them. She was so thoughtful, so giving, and always did what she could to lend anyone a helping hand. When Tattered Accents transitioned from a retail store
to a busy specialty painting business in 2018, Jessica decided to move in with Ellen. Jessica wanted to keep a presence within Rosie’s for the furniture she transformed. She took vendor space at Rosie’s and closed her brick and mortar location in 2018. God works in mysterious ways because just a month after Jessica made the move, Ellen suffered a heart attack. It was meant to be that things transpired the way they did. God knew that Mom needed Kevin and I to be under one roof with her. Little did we know, a year later we would say our final goodbye to her. After much thought and prayer, Jessica and Kevin decided that one of the best ways to honor Ellen would be to keep the business she left behind alive. She put her heart and soul into Rosie’s and we couldn’t just give it up. We felt like we’d be giving up on her and her dream. We want to keep that dream alive, and we know she’s watching us with pride as Rosie’s continues to serve our community.
Rosie O’Grady’s will continue to operate in Morris, just the same as Ellen wanted it. We have done our best to incorporate new things at the store, while keeping the style the same as Ellen created and maintained it. We will begin to offer painting/refinishing classes in 2020. We also are working hard to have more social media presence with fun things like Facebook live sales, contests, giveaways, etc. We are blending Tattered more into Rosie’s so our customers have a better understanding of all that we offer. We are more than just a store front with beautiful items. We also refinish furniture our customers already have at home, kitchen/bath cabinetry, interior/exterior brick, and just about anything we can paint that isn’t a flat wall. We really enjoy expressing our creativity through the store, our items for sale, and the work we do for our clients in their homes. Check us out on FB, Twitter, Instagram and our website: www.rosieogradysmorris.com
Community Foundation of Grundy County celebrates 20 years of service SUBMITTED REPORT The Community Foundation of Grundy County (CFGC) has been improving the quality of life in Grundy County through leadership and philanthropy for over 20 years. We just wrapped up our 20th Anniversary year in December! The vision came from George Baum, who left money in his estate to start the “community trust.” We began as the Morris Community Foundation in 1999 and changed our name to the Community Foundation of Grundy County in 2008 after realizing that our focus is truly on the entire county. Our current Board of Trustees are President Jay Fillman, Vice President Ben Johnston, Secretary/Treasur-
er Cathy Macchietto, Nancy Bjelland, Kevin Callahan, Cindy Christensen, Michael Farrell, Ryan Hansen, Michael Mattingly, and Stephen Kezerle. Patricia Neff, Ruth Cheshareck, and Ann Marie Struck serve on our Grants & Programs Committee. Charlie Gibbs, David Ferguson, and Dick Sefton serve on our Investment Committee. Jim King of Balasa Dinverno Foltz is our investment advisor. Julie Buck started as Executive Director in 2003, then added Judy Hauch as Accounting Manager and Sherey Zerbian in Program Director in 2008. Devan Gagliardo became Program Director in 2011. Our assets are now over $10 million, 87% of which are
endowed, and the Foundation has granted over $1.2 million through donor funds, programs, and our competitive grant program. In order to better understand the issues, we convene and participate in a number of stakeholder groups: the Business Education Council, the Grundy Partnership for Children, the Grundy Area Planners, the Grundy County Interagency Council, the Grundy County Senior Network, and the Behavioral Health Alliance. Through these networks we are able to share stories with donors, strategize our grantmaking, and develop programming to fill gaps in services. We continue to engage the next generation for leadership and philanthropy through our Young Philan-
thropists, a program where we meet monthly at the county’s five high schools and engage them in conversations about their charitable passions, the needs in Grundy as they see them, and by bringing nonprofits to present to the students. In May, we will again provide each team of Young Philanthropists $5,000 for them to grant out as they choose to organizations who are doing the work that impacts the issues that the students care about. In addition, years ago we convened a “40 Under 40” group that we are reviving as “Young Community Leaders” to get their views on issues across the county. We are always looking for ideas for grantmaking and programming, plus some of the
nonprofits are excited to meet with them to brainstorm how to get more services to our younger residents. On the philanthropic side of our work, we steward donor-designed funds – a service to help philanthropic residents use their assets to design a charitable giving program that fulfills their charitable passions. Types of funds available are Donor Advised, Designated, Field of Interest, Scholarship, and Agency. Donor-designed funds are a very efficient tool for charitable goals. The donor makes the decisions and the Foundation does the work. The Foundation is also the county’s expert on endowment and any of the funds above can be endowed. By en-
dowing donor dollars today, we secure a future for our county knowing that there will always be funding available to address our county’s needs, especially those of our most vulnerable residents. When reminiscing with those original board members, it’s amazing to see the progress we’ve made in 20 years and the impact that we’re having on Grundy County. We are thankful to George Baum for his vision, to our volunteer board for their dedication, for the donors who trust us with their endowments, and for the nonprofits who strategize with us on a daily basis to maintain Grundy County as a great place to live, work, recreate, learn, worship, shop, and retire.
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Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section A • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
HOME 5
Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby ranks No. 1 in Morris, Grundy SUBMITTED REPORT The agents at Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby are relentless in their pursuit of quality service, top sales and community involvement. As one of their outstanding achievements for 2019, Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby was recognized as the number one Century 21 office in all of Illinois for donations to Easter Seals. “That is quite amazing when you think of how many other offices that includes,” says Broker Owner Shawn Hornsby. There are a number of other charities and organizations that the agents of Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby also helped. Last year they raised and donated over $30,000 for local non-profits and charities. Some of these include: Grundy County Historical Society, Special Olympics, Morris Hospital
21 Quality Service Pinnacle Award for superior service to their clients in 2019 with a customer satisfaction score of over 99%. According to owner Shawn Hornsby, “For many years now we have been the #1 office in Morris and Grundy County for sales and service, all while consistently giving back to the community.” He continues, “This is due to the dedication to excellence from our agents. I couldn’t be prouder of our Photo provided team!” Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby was recognized as the No. 1 Century 21 office in all of Illinois for donations to Easter Six agents joined the award winning team in 2019 includSeals. ing one agent who moved Auxiliary, Farm Bureau, real estate office and also sold While donating their time back to the area and rejoined Grundy County Sheriff’s 40% more Grundy County and talent to many local the office. “We are proud to Police Heros and Helpers, homes than the number charities, Century 21 Colewelcome new agents Cody man-Hornsby continues to Morris High School Athletic two office. Century 21 ColeKrug, Jason Przenieslo, Kelly man-Hornsby also ranked in programs, local grade schools be the number one office for Pina, Scott Hunt and Sheri the top 20 Century 21 offices in Simms to our team. I know home sales in Morris and in and others. In addition, a number of agents serve on the Grundy County. In fact in 2019 Illinois for 2019 sales. they will continue the Century Century 21 Coleman-Horns- 21 Coleman-Hornsby tradition they sold 95% more Morris boards of directors of many by also earned the Century homes than the number two local organizations. of having new agents do very
well”, stated Hornsby. “We are also pleased to have Cindie Hunt back in Illinois and on the team once again. She is an outstanding, experienced agent.” The other exceptional members of the Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby team are: Anni Romines, Betty Piotrowski, Bruce Flatness, Christy Schmaedeke, Della Coughlin, Jim Maskel, JoEllyn Johnson, Kim Garretson, Lorrie Toler, Rodney Baudino, Tami Ferguson, Terri Kief, Theresa Lamb, Tom Wawczak, Walter Castelluccio, Zachary Hornsby and Shawn Hornsby. Marni Van Cleave is the office coordinator. Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby is located at 1802 N. Division St., Morris. They are open seven days a week and specialize in residential, vacant land, commercial, industrial and farm properties.
Forte Arts Center has dedicated team of employees were able to take a class in the programs and are looking We teach all styles of dance city, do some sight-seeing, take including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, forward to continuing to offer master classes with directors these performing groups to Musical Theatre, Tumbling, Forte Arts Center offers of Ballet companies from all allow children a chance to Lyrical, Hip Hop and Modern dance, music, cheer, and speover the world and compete on for ages 12 months to adult. learn what it is like to be part cial needs classes. They have the stage at SUNY Purchase three locations – 1200 N. Diviof a team and give back to We also offer private music sion in Morris, 318 Lliberty St. University with dancers from the community. A group of instruction in Piano, Voice, (3rd Floor) and 24805 S. Tryon Guitar, Drums and Ukulele for all over the world. students that are involved in St. in Channahon ages 5 to adult. Our specialForte offers something for our Pre-Professional program Pam Simpson is the owner everyone from ages 18 months ty programs include Triple competed at the Youth Amerand director of the center. She ica Grand Prix, which is a Threat, Cheer, Aerial Silks, to adult. Whether you want to is a Morris native and has her prestigious Ballet Competition, have a once a week activity Aerial Yoga, Adult Tap, Adult Bachelor’s Degree in Dance in January and placed in the Ballet Bod, Cheer, Private or be part of a career building with a focus on education and Lessons and Pom Prep Classes. Top 6 for their ensemble work program, there is something commercial studio operation. We now offer Ninja Tumbling that was choreographed by Gi- for you. Forte Arts Center Pam has continued her edufor boys and girls. offers family-friendly services Photo provided anna Scorzo, who is one of the cation each year by attending students in the ensemble. The Forte also offers great for all ages. We take pride in Forte Arts Center has three locations in Morris and Channahon. seminars and workshops ensemble also qualified and Birthday Party Packages givbuilding self-confidence in both in and out of the dance and have a Tumbling Training manages our private lessons at was invited to compete at the ing parents an alternative to a our students, giving them a field. She is a Certified Coach Facility. In 2019 Pam purthe studio. She has been with traditional birthday party. World Finals in New York City safe place to grow and learn, with More Than Just Great chased Rebel Cheer in Morris Forte for the past 26 years. She in the spring. This was a huge We are proud to be celebratproviding opportunities for Dancing. With this certificaand is now working with was a student and is now a ing our 27th season this year honor for these local dancers. performances in the commution and her experience from Karen Linn and Abbey Dergo full-time teacher and manages The dancers that attended nity and abroad. We believe in and are grateful to the thouowning her business for over to bring Rebel to a new level in our private lessons and choreo- were Gianna Scorzo, Morgan sands of families that have giving back to the community 27 years, she has been hired to the community. graphs for our competitive supported us over the years. Powers, Clare Bates, Lilli Beel- and teaching our students the coach and mentor other dance teams. Forte Arts Center has a er, Madison Juricic, and Keira importance of giving back. We We are looking forward to studio owners and teachers Forte Arts Center will dedicated team of employees Gestel. Faculty members Pam continuing to provide excelfocus on teaching more than from across the globe. Pam is continue to offer entertaining that help make the center a lent service to our community Simpson and Lauren Pulkstejust great dance and music, passionate about teaching and success. Brittney Erickson has and engaging dance, music and nis attended with the dancers. and to give kids a safe and fun but also about being people of inspiring her students and been with Forte for the past 27 cheer classes to the commuWhile in New York the dancers great character. activity. her team. She loves providing nity. Our focus is on teaching years. She started as a young opportunities in the arts to the dancer and grew up dancing our students life skills and families of Greater Grundy giving them the tools they need at the school. Upon graduaCounty and giving back to her tion from ISU, Brittney came to be happy, healthy, and to community! Pam also serves back to the studio and became thrive in their lives. as an adjudicator for Regional www.ForteArtsCenter.com • 815-941-4680 • 815-521-0744 a teacher. She is now the In 2019, Forte Arts Center and National Dance CompetiBusiness Operations Manager, added competitive cheer to its tions and has been on faculty Sales & Marketing Director program offerings after acquirat the Dance Life Retreat Cening Rebel Cheer. We now have and a dance teacher. Shelby ter, Dance Life Teacher Confer- Mitsdarffer also grew up at 2 exhibitions (non-competitive) ence, Dance Teacher Summit, teams and 2 competitive teams. the studio as a dancer. She More Than Just Great Dancing too received her Bachelor’s This addition to our offerings Teacher Training, Manager allows children in the comDegree from ISU in Dance. Exploratory Free Play Training, and Member Rally. munity to be part of the cheer She is now a dance teacher as Pam is also the owner and program and experience the well as the Performing Group Ages 18mo-2 Years Ages 2-4 founder of Tumbling Effect, Forte way! Rebel director KarCoordinator. Shelby has been Morris: Morris: which is a training and certifi- a part of the studio for the past en Linn stayed on as the head July 9, 16, 23, 30 August 3, 10, 17, 24 cation program for Tumbling coach and coordinator and 13 years. Erin Strle has been Ages 18mo-2 Years Ages 2-4 teachers and assistants. Abbey Dergo came on board to with the studio for the past Channahon: Channahon: Pam began the business coach the teams. We are very 14 years as a Dance Teacher. Morris: Morris: August 4, 11, 18, 25 August 4, 11, 18, 25 back in 1993 right after gradexcited to have Rebel cheer as She is also a Recital Manager, June 9, 16, 23, 30 July 6, 13, 20, 27 uating from college. It was a part of the Forte family and the Trip Coordinator, Curric4:00-4:30pm 3:15-3:45pm first named Pam’s Academy of ulum Coordinator, and the are excited about what the 2:30-3:15 3:15-3:45pm Dance, but is now Forte Arts Backstage Coordinator for our future holds for this program $45 $45 $56 $25 Center. The business started Productions. Cathey McShane and our community. out as a small one-room studio, has served as our Accounts They also started new perbut has grown over the last forming groups to allow chilManager for the past eleven 27 years into a three location, dren as young as five a chance years. She handles billing, fifteen classroom enterprise. In registration and customer con- to be part of a team. These addition to offering excellent cerns. Nicole Bishop leads our performing groups are geared dance classes for children,they Star Leadership and National for ages 5-8 and are designed Each camp meets on Thursday from 4:30-6:00pm. $25 per camp or $85 for all four if registered before July 1st! also offer several adult classes, Honor Society group of teenag- for busy parents. There is a Special Needs dance classes, ers as well as is our volunteer low commitment to being part offer music instruction, mucoordinator. Nicole has been of the programs while offering sical theater training, aerial with Forte for 11 years as a a high impact experience. We silks, aerial yoga, cheerleading dance teacher. Megan Edwards had much success with these
SUBMITTED REPORT
Summer Fun 2020
Baby Beats
Toddler Time
Story Time
Dance-A-Long
1 Day Camps (Ages 3-6) Toy Box Rocks
*Inspired by Toy Story
Coleman-Hornsby
#1 SELLER
OF GRUNDY COUNTY HOMES
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6 HOME • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section A • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
What’s happening at the Grundy Historical Museum? SUBMITTED REPORT It has been an amazing year at the museum. Why? There are so many reasons but especially for our volunteers who keep the Museum and the Society a viable entity. This year our volunteers spent 4899 hours doing Festival of Tree setup, maintenance, building of storage units, accounting, record keeping, archiving, photography to just name a few. Without our volunteers we would have trouble hiring people with our budget. The volunteers fill the gaps so staff is not needed. The Sereno family’s generous donation to build an addition is now finished and Ken’s dream of a larger Museum with more space has come true. New exhibits are set up and now complete. We are still working on our bump out which Ken Sereno bought from the Christian Youth Center. This gives us plenty of space for Festival of Tree supplies as well as storage for things that do not
require climate controlled space. But, this space is not closed in at the top, birds and bats can come in. The bottom is also open so we are visited by mice and ground squirrels. We are currently getting estimates to close it in and make it critter free.
ARCHIVES
The reference collection includes ephemera, photo files, art work and scholastic records as well as many displays both permanent and revolving exhibits. Accomplishments in this area are: Merge has been completed for the following: Morris Area Public Library’s local history collection. Ken Sereno files, books and information To help store these archives and books, we have collected book cases, storage cabinets, and map cases as well as a huge work table for the new ARCHIVE ROOM in anticipation of the merge of these archives into one area in the new space. These items were donated to us at no cost or at really cheap prices.
Photo provided
The Grundy Historical Museum is in Morris.
Morris Country Club boasts family friendly atmosphere SUBMITTED REPORT The Morris Country Club is located at 2615 W. US. Route 6 in Morris and The Creek is located at 5355 Saratoga Road in Morris. The management and staff all play a key role in our operation. Each department is led by a key individual/ manager who knows the business in and out. Morris Country Club is a family friendly atmosphere and the most common statement from our staff is that they don’t feel like employees, they feel like family to our members and guests. In 1924, the concept of Morris Country Club began. Nineteen area gentlemen met in the office of F.W. Gebhard and committed themselves to raise $10,467.50 to purchase the 83.7 acre country club site from Samuel and Mary Hoge. Clare C. Godfrey was the driving force behind the organization, and he became the first Club President. 110 memberships were initially issued for $200 each. In 1924, ground breaking began and the original nine hole course opened for play on July 4, 1924. The
clubhouse, contracted by Henry Turner, was completed in 1927, at a cost of $11,180.29. At 4:20 a.m. early Saturday, Jan. 30, 1971, club manager Lucille Milton was awakened and discovered flames in the storage area above the kitchen. She immediately reported the fire. Within 20 minutes the building was engulfed in flames, and despite the efforts of the Morris Fire Department, by early Saturday morning only two chimneys remained. On May 1, 1972 ground was broken for a new $115,000 clubhouse with 6,592 sq. ft. It was completed in November 1972 with a total cost, including furnishings, of $165,000. Morris Construction Company was the general contractor. In 1976, the Club purchased 32.665 acres from Marguerite Anderson for constructing an additional nine holes. The new nine was designed and constructed by club members and financed by selling $150,000 of promissory notes to interested members. Four of the holes were finished in 1977, and the remaining holes were ready for play in 1978. The new 18-hole
TRADITION REDEFINED A MODERN MEMBERSHIP P
course officially opened in 1979. a remodeling project was completed in 1988, at a cost of approximately $275,000. Improvements included a new bar, the Terrace Dining Room, a porch, renovation of locker rooms, and relocation of the pro shop. In 2007, a Banquet Facility opened at MCC and immediately began booking weddings, class reunions, etc. The facility has enhanced member functions such as holiday functions, tournaments and golf outings. In 2012, the club was sold to a local group of businessmen now doing business as Morris CC, LLC. The private ownership group has a commitment to improved facilities throughout the club. Since the sale, improvements have been made to all bunkering on the course, a complete clubhouse renovation including the building of a new bar and lounge area, expanded driving range facilities, added new course equipment and a golf cart fleet and improved the overall conditions of the golf course. In 2018, the ownership group purchased
neighboring Nettle Creek Country Club. Members of Morris Country Club will now be able to enjoy both Morris Country Club and Nettle Creek with their membership dues. A path has been constructed to join the two courses and the membership will have access to two very unique properties. 2020 brings a lot of new improvements to Morris Country Club. At The Club we have completely redone and upgraded our kitchen, new lounge area, additional dining space, banquet storage and prep room, additional bathrooms and bridal suite. Cart paths and improved drainage at both The Club & The Creek. The Creek will have a new bar and proshop. Our goal is to provide excellent customer service in all areas and that is something we pride ourselves on. Whether it be a golf outing, wedding reception, a group out for dinner or a round of golf with buddies it is our mission to provide outstanding service. You will be greeted on and off the course with the upmost respect.
Your history is here and we are trying to preserve it for you. Today, we are really worried about all the future photos which are on cell phones, cloud, etc. that NEVER get printed. Please do your part in preserving history – your family’s or the county’s and PRINT out YOUR BEST photos!
GOLF & GOLF INSTRUCTION MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS CLUBHOUSE & DINING WEDDINGS & BANQUETS
Morris C o u n t ry C lu b SM-CL1762806
2615 W. Route 6, Morris, IL 60450 | Golf: 815-942-3628 | Office: 815-942-3440 Club House: 815-942-3621 | Nettle Creek: 815-941-4300
morriscountryclub.com
Grundy County Historical Society 510 W. Illinois Avenue • Morris, IL 60450 815-942-4880 | email: grundyhistory@sbcglobal.net
SM-CL1762890
Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section A • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
HOME 7
Morris Retail Association known for its epic events SUBMITTED REPORT Girls Night Out and Midnight in Morris are just a few of the events that shoppers know and look forward to attending year after year. “It’s a tradition for my sister and I to shop during Midnight in Morris. We’ve coming to Girls Night Out for years.” said Brittany, from Seneca. MRA events draw shoppers not only from Grundy County but also areas such as Plainfield, Sycamore, Bolingbrook and Frankfort. If you simply mention Morris to someone in Illinois, most of the time they will respond by asking about one of the towns Epic events.
For the past several years MRA has produced Girls Night Out, Sidewalk Sales, Ghouls Night Out, Holiday Open Houses and Midnight in Morris. The stores have participated in Liberty Arts festival with the Sip & Shop event and in Home for the Holidays with the national Shop Small Saturday event. MRA also added a Holiday Kickoff Event on November 6. The stores will stay open late so shoppers can kick off their local holiday shopping in Morris. For more information on these events and all the Morris Retail Association has to offer, visit the newly updated web site: www.ShopMorrisIL.com.
Morris Retail Association is a nonprofit group consists of 40 retailers, restaurants and community members. They volunteer their time, work together and share the responsibilities to produce events shoppers have grown to love. All MRA events are free to the public. MRA Retailers: Apple Butter & Shugies; Athletic Outfitters; Betty’s Blackbird’s Bowl, Natural Pet Foods & More; Brianna Lynn’s; Cam & Co; Crystal Blue; Gigi; Happy Daisy Art Studio; Just Kidding Around; McManiac’s; Oleanders; Our Home to Yours; Pout; Rock*Soul*Love; Rosie O’Grady’s; Studio Ferro; The Bramble Rose; The Fabric Center; The Front
Porch; The Paper Company; The Thoughtful Spot; Trio, a Vintage Experience; True North; and Whimsy. MRA Restaurants: Bigger Bite; BBQ & Baker; Carson Tap House; Claytons Tap; Ebbey George’s Bar & Grill; Liberty Street Café; Morris Chop Shop; and Montage Wine & Spirits. MRA Community Members: The City of Morris; Morris Downtown Development Partnership; Grundy County Chamber of Commerce; American Legion Post 294; Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau; Shaw Media Group; and WCSJ/WJDK Radio. Information: www.ShopMorrisIL.com
Brianna Lynn’s Boutique owned by Morris mother/daughter team SUBMITTED REPORT Maureen and Monica are a mother/daughter team. Both have extensive background in retail and have studied business marketing and fashion. They work in their stores everyday in order to understand their customers needs and to be sure each customer gets top-notch service. They are involved in the Morris Retail Association and work together with other retailers to promote all the downtown
businesses. They own two downtown buildings, so they have a vested interest in the vitality of the downtown. Brianna Lynn’s will be celebrating 30 years in business this spring. They’re planning a big celebration as a thank you to their customers and the community. Maureen and Monica built their business on customer service, being open 6 days a week (7 at holiday time) and keeping up on current trends. Brianna Lynn’s customers
donate thousands of dollars each year to Breast Cancer Research through their Gold Card Program. Members who make a donation receive discounts, invitations to private sales, etc. Brianna Lynn’s carries high quality boutique brands such as: Tribal, French Dressing, Taos Shoes, Joseph Ribkoff, Brighton Jewelry, Mulitples, Slimsations, and more. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with all the great things happening at the shop.
MARCH SPECIALS March 9th thru April 5th, 2020
HOT BUYS!
1199 $ 99 Bud Light Seltzers............... 14 $ 99 Tito’s Handmade Vodka ...... 31 Guinness Draught ...............
hope is that our customers are taught by our staff how to help create special events and moments in their lives.” This year, Feeney’s will be hosting in-store tastings on a regular basis. Just recently, on Saturday, Feb. 29, Feeney’s had its largest in-store tasting ever. It featured Irish Cream, Whiskey, wine and craft beer. For upcoming tastings, follow us on Facebook – Feeney Package Liquor. To learn more about Feeney Liquor log into Feeneypackageliquorandwine.com
1.75 L
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Feeney Package Liquor has been a fixture in Downtown Morris for more than 85 years. Opened in the wake of prohibition, the liquor store is a fourth generation, family owned and operated business known equally for its high quality service and giving back to the community. Owner/operator Mike Feeney and longtime employees Jim Peterson and Andy Niewinski have more than 50 years of combined experience in the Liquor industry. Working
for a small business within a small community, Feeney’s employees know many of their customers by name. It helps staff pick out the perfect gifts. “We put a big emphasis on developing friendships,” Feeney says. “We know what many people in the community like to drink. We can recommend gifts. We sometimes know what is needed to fill someone’s collection.” Feeney’s employees help customers serve wine with meals. They know which beers are trendy and which whiskeys are best to buy for their boss. “Our
8 PK
12 PK
Feeney Package Liquor boasts being 4th-generation, family owned business SUBMITTED REPORT
$
209 W. Washington, Morris 815-942-0035 feeneypackageliquor.com • Hours: Mon-Thurs 8-9, Fri & Sat 8-10, Sun Noon-6
OPENING APRIL 6th for SPRING!
for Event Details and Store Information SM-CL1762131
4 Types of Hardwood Mulch in Stock!
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YOUR ONE STOP LANDSCAPING SHOP!
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1565 W. Rt. 6, Morris 815.942.2235 www.thatperennialplace.com
Celebrating 26 Years!
Ponds, Nursery, Landscaping, Landscape & Water Garden Center
Keep your child safe.
Hi, I am Theresa Lamb. I have worked with buyers and sellers in this area for over 40 years. Born and raised in Morris, I have comprehensive knowledge of the local market. As a full time Realtor, my goal is to always put YOU first and to help make your dreams come true! Put my experience to work for you and give me a call at:
(815) 735-8494
Theresa Lamb
99% Customer Satisfaction Rating
Quality children’s apparel from Rothschild, Mayoral, Under Armour, Little Me, and Mud Pie in sizes preemie to 16, boys and girls.
Fine women’s apparel and accessories from casual to dressy, including Joseph Ribkoff, Brighton jewelry, Taos shoes & more.
218 Liberty Street Morris, IL 60450 (815) 942-3999
215 Liberty Street Morris, IL 60450 (815) 942-1514
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EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST!
Coleman-Hornsby 815-942-9190 • 1802 N. Division St. • Morris
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More than young children end up in emergency rooms every year because they got into medicines while their parent or caregiver was not looking.
Always put every medicine and vitamin up and away every time you use it. Also, program your poison control center’s number in your phone: 800.222.1222.
To learn more, visit UpandAway.org
In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
8 HOME • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section A • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
Your Grundy County Custom Wheel Headquarters!
e k Ma
STEVE’S TIRE R U O Y
TIRE STORE! Just to name a few...
• American Racing • American Eagle Alloys • Epic • Motegi KMC • Borbet • Moda • BBS • Boss • MSR • O.E. Chrome Plating
For All Your Car & Light Truck Service & Tire Needs! • Quality Parts • Saturday Hours • Competitive Prices • Nationwide Warranty • We Service National Accounts
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Includes: • Lube, where applicable (On Request) • New oil filter installed • Up to 5 quarts major brand oil (brands vary)
Limited Warranty - 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever first. Additional parts and labor extra.
Must present coupon to get this price.Most vehicles.No other discounts apply.Redeem at participating Goodyear Retailer. Special diesel oil and filter extra.Vehicles requiring 5W20 may be extra.Fluid/filter disposal charges may apply.Additional charges for shop supplies,up to 7% or $25 maximum,may be added.See store for complete details.Offer ends 4/30/20.
2-Wheel Front Disc Brake Service
20 OFF
$
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New brake pads, resurface front rotors, add brake fluid, inspect hydraulic system. Metallic pads extra. Every brake job is different.Additional parts/service often needed at substantial extra cost. Free limited estimate. Limited Warranty - 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever first. Offer ends 4/30/20. No other discounts apply.
STEVE’S TIRE & Service Center
Offer ends 4/30/20.No other discounts apply.
Spring Car Care Package
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• Lube, oil change, new filter (up to 5 quarts of a major brand of oil) • Complete vehicle inspection (including condition of brakes) • Top off all fluids under the hood • Examine all belts and hoses for cracks and proper tension • Complete 4 tire rotation • Check tread depth and adjust tire pressure • Check antifreeze
10 OFF
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Special diesel oil & filter are extra. Offer ends 4/30/20. No other discounts apply.
Steve Holtan
“Your Full Service Auto & Light Truck Center”
514 Liberty Street • Morris, IL • 942-5080 • HOURS: Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30; Sat ‘til 1
Owner
HEALTH
THURSDAY March 26, 2020 Morris Herald-News
B
Morris Hospital offers higher level of perinatal care SUBMITTED REPORT By far, the majority of pregnancies and deliveries are smooth sailing, meaning they occur without complications for mom or baby. However, for the small percentage of expecting moms and babies who do require a higher level of care, Morris Hospital is committed to having the right staff, resources and procedures in place to increase the likelihood that mom and baby can stay close to home for their care. The Illinois Department of Public Health recently renewed Morris Hospital’s designation as a Level II perinatal care provider, a prestigious status that the hospital has held since 2003. “Level II perinatal care is one of those things women don’t really think about unless they need it,” explains Theresa Reece-Moss, Manager of the Family Birthing Suites at Morris Hospital. “But for women who have the potential for complicated or high-risk deliveries and newborns who require specialized services immediately after birth, this can mean the difference between receiving care close to home at your local community hospital or being transferred to a medical facility farther from home.” Reece-Moss is referring to women who have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other medical conditions that make them a “high risk” delivery. Women carrying multiple babies also fall into this category. So do newborns with medical issues, as well as those born pre-maturely. According to Reece-Moss, the ability to care for high risk expecting moms starts well before delivery day. It begins with excellent prenatal care in the obstetrician’s office. Morris Hospital has six ob/gyns on staff, all who are board-certified. In the final weeks of preg-
As a Level II perinatal care provider, Morris Hospital has the resources to care for newborns who require specialized services immediately after birth. Photo provided
nancy, expecting moms who are high risk typically come to the hospital or the OB office every week or two for what’s known as antenatal testing, which can include blood tests, ultrasounds and other forms of testing that provide more information on baby’s development. Within the Family Birthing Suites at Morris Hospital, nurses and technicians, along with obstetricians and pediatricians, maintain ongoing education and participate in drills where they practice for emergency c-sections, resuscitation, and other unique situations that could occur on the unit. Nurses
are tested annually on their fetal monitoring skills. “As a Level II perinatal care provider, we have to demonstrate that our staff’s continuing education is up to date at all times,” explains Reece-Moss. In addition to having highly competent obstetricians, pediatricians, and Family Birthing Suites staff, being a Level II perinatal care provider requires the resources of a vast team of medical professionals and specialized services. Morris Hospital must demonstrate its ability to provide: Anesthesia services around the clock. Laboratory services
capable of producing rapid results. Blood bank and ultrasound services 24/7. Dietitians who have continuing education in nutritional needs of new mothers and infants. Respiratory therapists experienced in caring for premature babies. Social workers experienced in assisting new mothers with discharge planning. One of the other requirements is having a written agreement with a Level III perinatal care center that provides the highest level of services for expecting moms and newborns who require increasingly complex care. Morris Hospital
has selected Loyola University Medical Center as its Level III perinatal care center, which gives Morris Hospital physicians access to Loyola’s maternal-fetal and neonatal specialists. Each year, Morris Hospital transfers fewer than 4% of its moms or newborns to Loyola for a higher level of care. “Our relationship with Loyola is wonderful,” says Reece-Moss. “When we have mothers or babies with certain conditions, physicians from Morris Hospital can consult with Loyola’s experts. Sometimes this takes place during the pregnancy. Sometimes it
occurs after the delivery. While we do everything we can to keep babies with us, when a baby does need a higher level of care, we have arrangements in place for a transport to Loyola. Some of the babies who have to be transferred to Loyola are able to return to us for care.” “This is why we maintain our status as a Level II perinatal care provider. We want to keep patients closer to home. That’s what Morris Hospital is all about.” To find an obstetrician/ gynecologist on the Morris Hospital Medical Staff, go to morrishospital.org/obgyn.
Our Emergency Entrance has Moved! The NEW Morris Hospital Emergency entrance is located on the east side of the hospital, accessible bl fro f om High Street.
MORE treatment rooms mean you’re in and out QUICKER.
SM-CL1758609
Sometimes, patients with the least serious injuries and illness end up having the longest wait in hospital emergency departments.
NOW OPEN! Introducing the NEW
We’re changing that.
• A rapid care area for patients with the least serious illness and injuries.
In our brand new, bigger Emergency Department, patients can count on receiving care sooner. In fact, most patients will avoid the waiting room all together.
• For patients coming in by ambulance, reassurance knowing paramedics and emergency medical technicians in the field can consult with board-certified emergency physicians via live video stream.
Morris Hospital Emergency Department:
• 17 private treatment rooms, including a specialized trauma room, pediatric room, gynecology room, and two rooms designated for psychiatric emergencies.
• Special designations as a Level II Trauma Center and Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics, along with Primary Stroke Certification. For life threatening emergencies, always call 911!
150 West High Street Morris 815.942.2932 morrishospital.org
2 HEALTH • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section B • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
Morris YMCA offers personal training By ALLISON SELK Shaw Media correspondent The Morris Community YMCA offers a variety of personal training packages and three certified trainers to help clients achieve personal fitness goals. Ro Petersen, Health and Wellness Manager Morris Community YMCA, said herself along with trainers Devin Bryant and Becca McKee will meet with clients to discuss the desired outcome whether it be weight loss or functionality with balance or strength. Each client will receive a customized work out plan designed together between the client and trainer. “None of our trainers do any type of set program for a multitude of people, we know everyone is different,� Petersen said. Petersen said after a client purchases a training package, they pick their trainer, which gives the client the ability to work around their personal schedule. Package prices differ for YMCA members and non-members, but Petersen said the cost to become a member and receive the lower prices pays for itself quickly. The Morris Community YMCA training program has two types of training packages, a one-to-one training session and two-to-one personal training, both 30 or 60 minutes. The per session prices of the packages decreases with the higher number of sessions purchased and the one-to-one training offers packages up to a 48 session package, the 48 session was new this year to keep the costs down for consistent clients. The two-toone training packages range from one session to 24 session packages. With a higher total cost for larger packages, Petersen said the Morris Community YMCA offers an incentive as any package of 12 or more
Photo provided
Two of the YMCA’s three certified trainers work one-on-one with clients on their personalized fitness plans. session can be scheduled to be paid in installments, so clients can have the benefit of the lower session prices, and not the large lump sum of payment at one time. “I started as a client and there was no way I could pay for it if I wasn’t paying weekly. And it was a great way to tell my husband as well, it was X amount of dollars and it would have been what we
would have spent on a pizza and something to drink, so now we were going to spend it on me,� Petersen said. The Morris Community YMCA offers a variety of cardio equipment, but Petersen said most clients chose to do cardio on their own time. Other equipment includes a squat rack, dumbbells, cable machine, weight machine, medicine balls, battle ropes,
and resistance bands and more. In the warmer months, personal training clients can get outside and go through stations of dumbbells, kettle balls, a tire and battle ropes. “We try to utilize every inch of space and when spring comes, sometimes it’s just nice to get a smile on your face and some sun on your back and workout in a different way. It breaks up the
routine and keeps people engaged in wanting to workout and continue,� Petersen. Benefits of the Morris Community YMCA, according to Peterse, include a community atmosphere where people encourage each other, childcare for members and certified trainers who have their clients’ best interest in mind to help exercise safely, keep them accountable and
make personal connections. “As trainers we are just a piece of the puzzle, the clients do the work. We are here to give them well informed information, set a goal and be along for the ride.� Petersen said. For more information on personal training at the Morris Community YMCA call 815-513-8080 or go to the website www.jolietmca.org.
HEALTHY HAPPENS HERE Because we know that healthy lifestyles are best achieved by nurturing our just working out. Wellness is an overall feeling of health and wholeness. It’s a sense of belonging. It’s having the energy to live each day to the fullest. wellness goals one day at a time.
JOIN THE Y TODAY! EVERYONE IS WELCOME
assistance program.
MORRIS COMMUNITY YMCA (815) 513-8080 www.jolietymca.org
R
In partnership with
Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section B • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
HEALTH 3
Keep seeing 20/20 in 2020 at Roebuck Family Eye-Care SUBMITTED REPORT It’s 2020, the year of the eye exam! Dr. Roebuck along with the American Optometric Association urge everyone to get an eye exam this year. And in the last 12 months there have been so many improvements and exciting advancements it’s hard to know where to start. Our Team: Dr. Roebuck is proud of his eyecare team. With the addition of Dr. Alex our new young optometrist and Dr. Rassouli our cataract specialist we’ve had to add another exam room and a dilation room. We have a great staff that cares and tries to treat people right. We do our very best to keep people seeing in Grundy County. Dry Eyes: Restasis can finally be bought with generic pricing! Dr. Roebuck can order it for you from Total Tears and it costs about $55 a month. Also some similar drugs--Cequa and Xiidra are competing with Restasis to bring the price down. If you can’t take the eyedrops, there is a new product called Amniotic Membrane Therapy that was developed for horrible dry eyes. It begins with a piece of umbilical cord from a healthy baby after a healthy delivery, and it delivers hormones and growth factors that we can’t even begin to make in a chemical lab yet. And the eye heals and feels great. It’s been used in hospital burn wards for 25 years, and now we have it for eyes. Eye Allergies, Red Eyes: If you get really red eye with allergies in the spring or fall, you need to get an eye exam. Also Lumify is a new eye drop that gets the red out. It might be right for you.
High Myopia, also called Progressive Nearsightedness:
In America, 50 % of kids need glasses to see the blackboard by 8th grade, or to get a drivers license. But some kids get advanced myopia and terribly thick glasses. Eye drops can slow the myopia down,
Photo provided
Roebuck Family Eye-Care is located at 113 E. Jefferson St. in Morris. and new contact lenses from Coopervision and Naturalvue have been proven to slow down the progression of myopia. And these are the 1-Day contacts that are more comfortable.
Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes:
Alcon has come out with 2 new 1-Day lenses for patients with dry eyes. The Dailies Total 1 has been out for a couple years. And just this week the new lens Precision 1 has come out. “I’ve had patients that could only wear the Acuvue 1 Days for 4 or 6 hours, and you switch them to these and they can wear them for 8 to 10 hours,” says Dr. Roebuck. “I
have been pleasantly surprised how good they work.” What about Glasses? Eyeglasses are still the mainstay of Optometry. And this year the frames are getting thinner and lighter. “The big black frames that everybody was wearing 5 years ago are finally going out and the new color for this year is clear. If you don’t look good in clear, then try light pale gray in “see-through” translucent shades as the 2nd new color for 2020. And for metal frames, thinner metals with finer lines are coming in. The chunky look is going away.” Cataracts: Dr. Roebuck
recommends an annual exam of seniors to check for cataract growth and development. When it’s time for surgery, Spectrum Eye Care comes in to our office at least once a month to do the pre- surgical evaluation and consultations. We hit a record this year referring over 100 cataracts for surgery. And cataract surgery has improved so much, that it only takes about 10 minutes, and there are no stitches or patches or restrictions. “After surgery you can leave the surgical center and go out for pancakes” said Dr. Roebuck. Morris Hospital is so busy now that patients often prefer going
to the new operating rooms at Deerpath Surgical Center behind Rezin Orthopedics on Route #6. Along with the new facility, there is a new implant that came out this year – the IQ PanOptix. It delivers better distance, near and arms length vision after surgery.
Diabetic Retinopathy:
5,000,000 people in the US lose their vision every year to this disease. Talk to your medical provider about the new diabetic medications that came out this year. Don’t lose your eyes or your feet to this disease. Glaucoma: Everybody knows the glaucoma test where the air gets puffed
into your eyes. This year we bought the new I-Care Tonometer that doesn’t use air. So if that’s the reason you haven’t been to the eye doctor for a while, that excuse is over. Just ask for Dr. Roebuck to do the new test and we can skip the air. Also new for 2020 is the new i-Stent micro stent surgery that is done during cataract surgery. Two little stents are put into your eye and it keeps the eye pressure under control, and it reduces the need for eye drops. So it’s 2020. Take care of your eyes so you keep seeing 20/20. Celebrate this year by getting your eyes checked.
Dr. George Roebuck Family Eyecare George Roebuck O.D.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS • DIABETIC EYE EXAMS • EYE INFECTIONS IRRITATED DRY EYES • CONTACT LENSES • GLAUCOMA TREATMENT EYE ALLERGIES • EMERGENCY EYE CARE - Medicare - Medicaid
815-942-1951
113 E. Jefferson, Morris • www.drgeorgeroebuck.com SM-CL1762595
4 HEALTH • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section B • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
Don’t let the flu get you this season SUBMITTED REPORT Getting the flu shot is the number one way to stay healthy and keep the flu away. But, in addition to the vaccine, there are several other steps you can take to keep you and your family safe this flu season. The following tips are provided as part of Riverside Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to the health of the communities served. Wash your hands often. This is one of the most important things you can do to keep from getting sick and prevent spreading germs. When washing your hands, use soap and warm water and scrub all surfaces for 15 seconds before rinsing. If soap and warm water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel to disinfect your hands. Rub the gel into your hands until they are dry. Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away immediately. Stay home if you are sick to prevent coworkers from catching your illness. Keep your distance from others who may be coughing or sneezing. Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods, manage stress and drink plenty of fluids.
Flu got you?
When you or someone you love doesn’t fell well or needs medical care that just can’t wait, Riverside Healthcare is here. Riverside’s Immediate Care in Coal City provides treatment for minor, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries when and where you need it most. From weeknights to weekends, Riverside offers immediate, convenient and accessible care seven days a week with extended hours including holidays. It’s no secret that an emergency room isn’t always the right choice for medical care. And infections and illnesses don’t wait for
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Parents check their daughter’s temperature. Riverside Healthcare has designed immediate care locations to provide you with affordable, convenient alternatives to the emergency room or your primary provider. regular weekday ours. That’s why Riverside’s Immediate Care providers are available when you need them-to help you fight off those Sunday flu symptoms or treat your child’s after-school injury. Riverside designed each
immediate care location to provide you with affordable, convenient alternatives to the ER or your primary provider. Rest assured you will get in, get out and get better faster at Riverside. Download the free River-
side Mobile app for current wait times, hours of operation, additional services, directions and more. With the app, you can quickly find the nearest Riverside Immediate Care, even when you’re onthe-go. Available for iPhone
and Android devices. Not wanting to leave the comfort of your own home? Riverside offers convenient, safe and secure video visits with a provider for minor illnesses, such as colds, sinus infections, pink eye and
rashes. Get well quickly from home, work or anywhere by scheduling your video visit via MyChart, right from your tablet or smartphone. Learn more about Riverside Immediate Care at riversidehealthcare.org.
Coal City Immediate Care Open 7 days a week with extended hours Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday – Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Holidays – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Closed Christmas and Easter)
Walk-in or Save Your Spot in Riverside
.
Download the Riverside App for current wait times, additional locations and more.
Coal City Campus 5775 Highway 113, Coal City (815) 634-0100 riversidehealthcare.org SM-CL1761050
Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section B • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
HEALTH 5
Wilkinson Chiropractic offers supplements, custom orthotics SUBMITTED REPORT Wilkinson Clinic of Chiropractic has expanded offerings to provide patients with more comprehensive care. The Clinic is owned and operated by Dr. Phillip Wilkinson, a Morris who is committed to helping treat and prevent injuries and chronic pain among his patients. In addition to providing safe, affordable Chiropractic care for all ages, Dr. Wilkinson recently added supplements, vitamins and custom orthotics to help patients meet their health and wellness goals. Several patients looking to make lifestyle changes asked Dr. Wilkinson to recommend vitamins and supplements since the options can be overwhelming. After more than a year of research, he chose Innate Choice, an evidence-based brand that he trusts for his own family’s health. Wilkinson Clinic offers Omega 3, Vitamin D, probiotic, and a multivitamin. These products are third-party tested for purity and quality. While you do not need to be a patient to purchase, many are experiencing positive results from these products. Since many patients come to the Clinic experiencing pain, Dr. Wilkinson sought a product to help address a common root cause: structural deficiency. Patients can now receive a complimentary scan of their feet and body at a Foot Levelers kiosk located in the Clinic. The three-minute scan produces a custom, user-friendly report showing the relationship between imbalances in the patient’s feet and body. The scan is used to create custom orthotics made for the shoe style of their choice. Trusted for more than seventy years, Foot Levelers is an industry leader in orthotics specific to the individual. Patients are already reporting significant relief from back, hip and foot pain. Entering his eleventh year serving patients in Grundy County and surrounding communities, Dr. Wilkinson prides himself on personalized care that helps patients reach their optimal health. He is a graduate of Palmer College and Chiropractic and holds certifications in sports Chiropractic, wellness and extremities adjusting. For more information, visit drphilwilkinson.com or find Wilkinson Clinic of Chiropractic on Facebook.
Photo provided
Wilkinson Clinic of Chiropractic is located at 115 E. Waverly St. in Morris.
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I pride myself on personalized patient care. Whether it is acute injury or wellness care, I believe in helping my patients achieve and maintain optimum health through quality, affordable, chiropractic care. The real measure of myeffectivenessisinthethousandsof patients Dr. Phillip Wilkinson who have seen improvements in their health and mobility as a result of regular chiropractic care and changes in their lifestyle.
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Anita Korte Hearing Instrument Specialist
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323 North Liberty Street, Morris, Illinois
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6 HEALTH • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section B • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
Silver Cross Hospital earns top marks for safety; continues to innovate
gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric bypass, adjustable gastric bands, and sleeve gastrectomy procedures. As compared to other bariatric surgeons around the country, Drs. Joyce and Lahmann have extremely low complication rates, and their patients lose an average of 82% of their excess body weight one year after gastric bypass. They also consistently rank in the Top 1% of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction. For more information or to attend a free informational session, visit bmisurgery.org
SUBMITTED REPORT NEW LENOX – Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox continues its long tradition of meeting the needs of the community and advancing wellness by adding vital new services to its New Lenox campus over the past year, including Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital, a 100-bed mental health hospital, an open heart surgery program and a seven-day-a-week Urgent Care Center opening March 30. The hospital also continues to be ranked one of the safest hospitals in the nation, earning its 10th straight “A” from the Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C.-based organization aiming to improve healthcare quality and safety for consumers.
Receiving 10 straight As in hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group
For the 10th straight time, Silver Cross Hospital was recognized for its dedication to patient safety by being awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by the Leapfrog Group, a Washington D.C-based organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. Silver Cross was one of only 858 hospitals across the nation awarded an “A” for its efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards in the U.S. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade based on a hospital’s performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care.
Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital
To address the dire need for additional mental health services in the community, Silver Cross Hospital partnered with US Healthvest and opened a 100-bed mental health hospital on its New Lenox campus in January 2019. Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital addresses the mental
The largest robotic surgery program in the Chicago area
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Silver Cross Hospital is located at 1900 Silver Cross Blvd. in New Lenox. health and substance abuse crisis in Will and Grundy counties by expanding inpatient and outpatient services for adolescents, adults and senior adults, including special programs for women experiencing domestic violence; programs for medically complex patients; and programs for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Offering the full spectrum of heart care
Less than nine months after Silver Cross introduced its open heart surgery program in May 2019, the hospital had already performed lifesaving heart surgeries on 100+ patients. By offering the full spectrum of heart care services that the community needs, heart patients no longer have to experience the stress and anxiety of having to leave their preferred hospital and travel for advanced heart care. From prevention programs to open-heart surgery and aftercare, Silver Cross has brought together the latest technology and the finest heart experts available anywhere…in one convenient
location. Also in spring 2019, Silver Cross became the region’s first hospital to offer a new miniaturized, wireless monitoring sensor to manage heart failure. The CardioMEMS Heart Failure System is the first and only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device that has been proven to significantly reduce hospital admissions when used by physicians to manage heart failure. Finally, in late 2019, the hospital broke ground on a 33,000-square-foot, 2-story addition on the east side of the hospital that will include: Two cardiovascular operating rooms Two dedicated open heart operating rooms A hybrid room for minimally invasive heart procedures Two dedicated recovery rooms A dedicated patient elevator to the hospital’s new 16-bed cardiovascular unit Four cardiac echo and stress-testing rooms An advanced electrophysiology lab to treat abnormal heart rhythms And added space for future growth When construction is
complete in late 2020, Silver Cross will have the ability to provide innovative, multi-specialty care for patients with advanced and complex coronary disease. This includes surgery to correct the abnormalities of the heart structure such as repairing and replacing aortic and mitral valves. Historically, open-heart surgery has been the common method for treating structural heart disease; however, minimally invasive valve replacement now provides a viable alternative to patients for whom conventional surgery is considered too risky – and offers the potential benefits of lower risk of infection, less trauma to the chest and heart muscle tissue, reduced length of stay in the hospital, and a quicker recovery. For more information about heart care at Silver Cross, visit www.silvercross. org/heart
Urgent Care Center to open March 30 in New Lenox
Beginning Monday, March 30, Silver Cross Urgent Care Center will open at 1851 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 100, located
across the street from the hospital. The center will be open seven days a week and offer care for non-emergency situations such as minor fractures, back pain, nausea, vomiting, minor headaches, bumps, cuts and scrapes, ear or sinus pain, adult fevers, cough or sore throat, stitches, sprains and strains and much more. For more information, visit silvercross.org/urgent-care.
Busy bariatric surgery program
More than one in three American adults is considered “obese,” putting them at heightened risk for heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes and cancer. Since 2003, Silver Cross Hospital and BMI Surgery bariatric surgeons Christopher Joyce, M.D., and Brian Lahmann, M.D., have helped more than 7,000 individuals live healthier and happier lives after weight-loss surgery. These two highly-skilled bariatric, general and laparoscopic surgeons are pioneers in their field, performing Will and Grundy counties’ first
We mend broken hearts. Nearly half of all Americans have some form of heart disease. If you or someone you love is one of them, let Silver Cross Hospital mend your broken heart. From prevention programs to open heart surgery and aftercare, we’ve brought together the latest technology and the finest heart specialists in one place.... for all of your heart care needs. Why travel when we have exactly what your heart needs, right here, right now. To learn more about our total heart program, visit SilverCross.org/Heart
The Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital continues to perform more surgeries using robotic-assisted technology than any other program in the Chicago area and is home to some of the most highly skilled surgeons in the United States. In fact, surgeons from around the world train at Silver Cross. Their vast experience means better outcomes for patients with less pain and risk of complications, a shorter hospital stay, and virtually scar-less results. Surgeons with the Midwest Institute offer robotic-assisted general surgical and specialized procedures such as hernia repair, colorectal surgery, prostatectomy and nephrectomy, uro-gynecological procedures, hysterectomy and single-site hysterectomy, hip and knee replacement, spinal surgery and transoral incisionless robotic surgery for sleep apnea and throat cancer. The hospital’s fleet of surgical robots includes three da Vinci® surgical robots, including the latest da Vinci XI®, a Mako™ robotic-arm assisted surgery for knee and hip replacement, and the Globus ExcelsiusGPSTM spine robot. For information, visit midwestroboticsurgery.org.
Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section C • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
BUSINESS 1
Grundy Bank voted 2019 Best Bank/Financial Institution in Greater Grundy County.
GRUNDY BANK Serving Morris and Grundy County Since 1864!
Your n w o t e m o H e g a t n a v Ad
Grundy Bank employees with the Marching Illini during the Grundy County Corn Festival Parade.
Grundy Bank welcomes Joe Schmitz and Operation St. Nick.
Grundy Bank employees Fill the Pantry at We Care of Grundy County.
• 201 Liberty St. Morris • 444 Bedford Rd. Morris • 120 S. Main St. Wilmington • www.grundybank.com
2 BUSINESS • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section C • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
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Grundy Bank’s Liberty Street branch in Morris.
Grundy Bank is more than just banking SUBMITTED REPORT Grundy Bank knows that you have a choice when it comes to banking. Most banks offer the same products. From checking accounts to savings accounts, from home mortgages to home equities, any bank can offer a you a version of these products. The question is, how do you decide where to go? A community bank like Grundy Bank, is a great place to start. Why? Because it’s had local people trust them with their money for generations. Because when you deposit your money with Grundy Bank, your money is invested back into your own community. Community banks help strengthen the local economy by lending to local small businesses. Their employees support the local non-for-profits by donating their time by serving on a board, coaching on the local baseball team or volunteering at a community event. In 2019 alone, Grundy Bank hosted a local Girls Scout Troop in their lobby to teach them about banking. They delivered Paczki’s on Fat Tuesday to local CPAs. They sponsored the City of Morris Fireworks Extravaganza and co-sponsored the University of Illinois Marching Illini for the Corn Festival Parade. They hosted Brown Bag Friday’s on the Courthouse Lawn for the community to come out and listen to local musicians where funds raised went back to local non-for-profits. They filled the pantry for We Care of Grundy County and joined forces with Operation St. Nick who raised over $132,000 dollars for families in need at Christmas. The list of their community reinvestment goes on and on, all while bringing you the same technology as the big banks with mobile deposit, online bill pay, online mortgage application, and more. Grundy Bank knows community banking isn’t just about banking, it’s about serving the men, women and children in their community. It isn’t about the highest or lowest rate but rather about fast, local decision making. It isn’t about giving out an
Grundy Bank’s Wilmington branch. 800 number to call 24/7, but rather have a live person answer your phone call from the actual branch your trying to reach that has sat on the corner of Washington and Liberty Street since 1864. Grundy Bank has four branches including their newest location at 444 Bedford Road in Morris, a driveup facility at the corner of Franklin and Main Streets in downtown Morris, the main branch at 201 Liberty Street in downtown Morris and a branch located at 120 S. Main Street in Wilmington. Grundy Bank continues to be a locally owned and operated community bank serving Grundy County and Southern Will County for over 155 years. That’s what makes us, your Hometown Advantage. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Grundy Bank’s Bedford Road branch in Morris.
Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section C • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
BUSINESS 3
Sunshine Garden Center expands SUBMITTED REPORT Sunshine Garden Center is the local garden and gift boutique that has expanded into private event rentals and added a florist., Located at 2850 E. Division St. in Diamond, Sunshine Garden Center is a second-generation garden center and one of Diamond’s oldest businesses. Since 2013, we have made significant changes to the store, our products and focus. Last year harnessed our momentum and grew the direction of private events in addition to the growing community events that we host. We also started to add cut flowers to our product mix. In 2020, Sunshine Garden Center continues to focus on product mixes, inspiration and ideas, unique items, and a more comfortable shopping environment. Last year they were able to announce that the majority of their products
2019
were locally or independently supplied or grown. We want adults and children to feel at home here. We will continue to tweak our layout to make it easier to maneuver and shop. This is our sixth year having regular business hours through the winter and we are constantly changing what you experience when you come in. Houseplants are increasingly popular and we have brought in the tried and true and some of the new, along with some gardening supplies that are sometimes hard to find in the winter months. In 2019, we started to reach out into the community through landscaping a little further. We worked with a local company to create a 2 acre pollinator and sensory garden in Wilmington. We took an empty lot and designed a public space that will boast bright colors in each season. Each plant was specifically picked
for its aesthetics, pollination purpose, and how it factored into our sensory design. In the center of this pollination park we built a custom honeycomb that was planted with over 600 plants to be walked on, touched, and smelled. The honeycomb is surrounded with calming plants to create a space that feels safe and relaxing during a day of play. This was phase one of this particular project and additional phases will add a walking path suitable for wheelchairs, more plantings, and more sensory pieces. We continue to evolve our event spaces and possibilities. Our main greenhouse transforms into 2 different spaces for events, a fun and unique garden atmosphere by day and an intimate space filled with lush plants and twinkle lights by night.
Celebrating 27 Years of Economic Development Success! Jobs. Investment. Quality of Life.
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815-942-0163 2850 E Divisio Division St St, Di Diamond, d, IL 60416 | 1/2 mile west of I-55 on R Rt 113 815-458-6100 • www.sunshinegardencenter.com
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4 BUSINESS • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section C • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
Photos provided
Group photo of GEDC investors at annual event.
Grundy Economic Development Council celebrates success SUBMITTED REPORT Nancy Norton recently completed her 20th year as president and CEO of the GEDC. The organization began in 1993 as a division of the Chamber of Commerce and became a stand alone organization in 2002. Recognized in the development world as a one stop shop for site selection, labor, incentives and all matters related to new project development. The GEDC also works extensively with the retention and expansion of existing businesses. The coming year is all about energy. Construction of the new Three Rivers Generating Station is set to begin in late spring. The $1 billion project will employ hundreds of skilled trades for a 30 month build out. GEDC along with the Chamber and other community leaders will be working diligently in Springfield to keep the nuclear plants open in the state. A recently commissioned study indicates that between Braidwood, Dresden and LaSalle stations, Exelon hires over 2,200 people and supports an additional 5,000 jobs. Lastly, there are 20 solar projects approved for Grundy County. Although renewable energy only provides about 8% of the total power consumed in Illinois, that number is set to grow incrementally.
GEDC supporters (from left) Mike Bruno, CPV Three Rivers Energy; David Silverman, Mahoney, Silverman and Cross Law Firm; Scott Shannon, Busey Bank; Taivo Tammuru, Clarius Partners; and Jason Wiesbrock, Spaceco.
Braidwood’s Countryside Village ready to expand offerings By ALLISON SELK Shaw Media correspondent Countryside Village in Braidwood will expand its Village Market and add a Taste of the Village event twice per week to begin this year. Owner Randy Fleetwood said the three-acre property lends itself to be an ideal spot to host an outdoor market. Last year the Village Market took place twice and due to an overwhelming response, Fleetwood added a third date. The 2020 Village Market days will be June 6, Aug. 22 and Sept. 19. Fleetwood said, “I’m proud to say I do my research in finding people for
• SUNSHINE Continued from page 3 It’s the perfect spot for baby and bridal showers, birthday and retirement parties, and let’s not forget wedding. Last year we hosted several private events, including a wedding. We still continue to come up with new ideas for how to use the space. Since most of our decor is liv-
the market, we had compliments on the market from the shoppers and vendors last year.” Customers can enjoy free admission to the outdoor market and shop from local artisans and crafters with specialties in artisanal home decor, garden décor, handcrafted items, gourmet foods, gifts, local farmers and custom pieces and more, according to the online event page. In 2020 he started the Taste of the Village event where customers can sample gourmet coffees and teas by the cup-to get a good sample-and enjoy a pastry from 9 am until noon. Fleetwood said his father taught
ing it’s never the same from event to event. We bring time our plant deliveries with our events to make sure we have a fresh variety available for sale and decorating. This year we have already begun book up and are expanding the events into our garden area. There is something magical about the transformation of a garden into event space. Our biggest announcement for 2020 though isn’t
him that “you don’t buy a pair of gloves unless you try them on.” With that in mind, he wants his customers to enjoy the opportunity to sample the items available for purchase. “I sample all of the coffee, tea and foods we sell in order to know what is on the shelves. Now the customers can experience what I have been building on for the past 20 years. We even have people from Chicago who drive down to buy our teas,” Fleetwood said. On Saturdays, customers can taste wines at Countryside Village. Fleetwood advertises on Facebook which wines will be sampled each
the events or commercial landscaping, in fact it’s the announcement of a dream come true. On January 30th we cut the ribbon and opened The Flower Room at Sunshine Garden Center. We started to bring in cut flowers fairly regularly in 2019. Late in the summer we started to acquire pieces to build the department. Over the winter I decided to dedicate space to just the cut flowers and make
Saturday. Inside shoppers will find candles, lotions and soaps, full kitchen department, garden area, rugs and linens, women and baby gifts and apparel, purses, scarves, women’s accessories, gourmet foods, teas and coffee plus more. Fleetwood said in 2014 he launched the kitchen department, which took over a year to plan. He visited big box stores to see what products were carried to avoid the same brands, he wanted to offer his customers a unique experience when they walked into his department. In 2020, He also said in order to enhance what the store already
them a permanent addition to our line up. You will find The The Flower Room at Sunshine Garden Center will be a full service florist that can handle arrangements for any occasion. The Flower Room represents our take on freshcut flowers here at Sunshine Garden Center. You have come to know and love our appreciation for the uniqueness in our garden center and gift boutique and you can expect
offers, kitchen demonstrations. The store boasts a fabric/quilt center with three employees who have a combined 46 years of experience. They teach classes for the beginner or advanced quilter. When he began his business in 1997, Fleetwood wanted it to be considered a one stop shop, like an old style department store. “A lot of customers tell me this is a one stop shop and can buy things for their aunt, husband, everyone in their family,” Fleetwood said. Employee Debbie Herman said she had a customer tell her, “there is no place like this around here, these places are gone.”
it to carry over to our floral designs. We offer delivery to local funeral homes and limited delivery options to our local residents and businesses. We are excited to bring this new venture to our local community. There is a lot of growth happening at Sunshine Garden Center in 2020. People are encouraged to find and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. All our events,
classes, seminars, new arrivals, and general what’s happening now can be found on our social media sites and our website. I am excited to see the journey we have been on start to come together into something bigger than ever imagine. As always, there is no way we could do what we do without the constant encouragement and support from our customers and local community.
Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section C • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
BUSINESS 5
Call J&M for excellence in auto body service SUBMITTED REPORT If your vehicle has been in an accident, you need to call J&M Auto Body. An established business since 1971, J&M Auto Body still strives to offer the highest quality auto body repair service in Grundy County. “From fender-benders to restoring that classic car, J&M Auto Body will get the job done,” owner Mark Washburn said. “We take pride in knowing we have satisfied customers who are happy with their vehicles after they have brought them to us.” 2020 will mark 49 years experience in the business! Owner, Mark Washburn, will help customers through their insurance claim process to make it as easy as possible for them. Staffed with qualified technicians and keeping up with industry standards, J&M Auto Body offers computer color matching and free estimates and is recognized by the area’s leading insurance agencies. Conveniently located at 526 Bedford Road in Morris, J&M Auto Body is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at 815-942-6284.
Photo provided
J&M Auto Body is located on Bedford Raod in Morris.
Habitat for Humanity builds, repairs homes and hope SUBMITTED REPORT According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a Grundy County resident earning minimum wage needs to work more than 2.5 weeks in order to pay the average month’s rent on a two bedroom home. This leaves 1.5 weeks of monthly wages to afford utilities, food, gas, child care, medical care, and other basic expenses. Here in Grundy County, many hard-working families live in unsafe or overcrowded conditions because they cannot afford otherwise. Many families own their homes but are unable to afford critical repairs and basic modifications due to limited finances. For the past 24
years, this critical housing need has driven Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity’s mission to bring people together to build and renovate homes, revitalize communities and restore hope. Later this year, the grassroots nonprofit organization will turn over the keys to its fourteenth new house, providing a single mother and her son with the opportunity to own their own home, which they are helping build. Families purchase their simple, decent homes with an affordable no-interest mortgage, breaking what is often a cycle of renting, being unable to save for the future, and living paycheck to paycheck. Habitat homeowners build equity and contribute to the local
Each new home and home repair economy by returning vacant land to the property tax rolls. Parallel to project is funded by local dollars new home construction, volunteers raised by a board of directors, special event volunteers and two very are helping keep Grundy County residents from being displaced from part-time staff members. Discounted and donated materials and labor their homes. Through the Home Preservation help reduce the costs to construct program, Habitat serves low-income and repair the homes. The organization expects to comhomeowners with affordable repairs and modifications. In return, plete four repairs in 2020 at an average of $2,500 each. The construction they contribute sweat equity, often providing lunch for volunteers, and of a simple, three-bedroom home contribute up to 20% of the project’s can top $100,000 without discounts. In addition to vital volunteers and cost. generous contractors, partnerships Since inception in 2016, this drive this important work. Busiprogram has impacted 27 families nesses, organizations and churches through exterior repair projectsare invited to sponsor their work ranging from replacing broken doors that no longer locked to build- day. In this way, an entity makes a ing wheelchair ramps to restore contribution toward for the materials used on a day designated for dignity and mobility.
their volunteers to help repair or construct a house. Habitat provides tools, construction leadership and training, and arranges lunch, often donated by service clubs. Past participants in this meaningful exchange include LyondellBasell, Exelon Dresden Station, DuPont, New Community Christian Church, Park Street Church, Grundy Bank and others.In safe, decent housing, families thrive. Homeownership builds better neighborhoods and stronger communities. For this reason, housing impacts all of us. To learn more, volunteer on a job site or committee, or discuss sponsoring a work day, call 815-9421452 or email elena@grundy3rivershabitat.org.
United Way: Helping improve lives in Grundy County SUBMITTED REPORT United Way of Grundy County has been helping to improve lives in Grundy County for nearly 75 years. Founded in 1946 as the Community Chest, then in 2007 became the Grundy County United Fund, and ultimately became the United Way of Grundy County in 2002. United Way of Grundy County’s mission encourages others to LIVE UNITED in our community, which means to work together to solve the problems that destabilize communities: lack of education, unstable sources of income, and health problems. The main focus areas that United Way of Grundy County invests in include fulfilling urgent and basic needs, improving financial stability, helping youth succeed, increasing independence and self-sufficiency, and promoting health and wellness. “We help to improve lives through opportunities for giving, advocating, and volunteering in Grundy County,” stated United Way of Grundy County Executive Director, Karen Nall. Through support from local businesses, corporations and their employees, individual donors, and the community, United Way of Grundy County raises funds annually, which then are granted to local not-for-profit agencies to support vital programs and services
that assist individuals and families in need in Grundy County. The Community Investment Grants financially support vital programs and services that provide for basic human needs, education, health, crisis intervention, transportation, youth, seniors, low-income families, veterans, persons with disabilities and disaster relief. Currently, there are 29 local not-for-profit Community Partner Agencies, providing more than 50 programs and services in Grundy County. Over 38,000 units of service were provided last year through these funded programs to help address unmet needs throughout the community. Through the funded programs of its Community Partner Agencies, United Way of Grundy County serves as a resource to help to connect those in need with programs and services available in the community. Our Board of Directors represent local leaders and community members from a variety of local companies, businesses and industries.
These dedicated volunteers serve the organization through their leadership, governance, and guidance to assure that the United Way of Grundy County continues to make the greatest positive impact in the community. Executive Board Members include: President Paul Nordstrom, Vice-President Christina Van Yperen, Treasurer/Secretary Chris Spencer, and Past President Scott Shannon. Board of Directors include: Katie Bodine, Jeff Colbert, Dan Duffy, Jeff Heap, J.C. Lawson, Heidi Lawton, Lon Lovellette, Tawnya Mack, Randy Matravers, Paula Mercer, and John Roundtree; in addition to Caroline Portlock, who serves on the Advisory Committee. Volunteering is a great way to get involved and give back. United Way of Grundy County helps to match individuals with opportunities for volunteering, community service hours, and projects for companies. Volunteers can turn their time and talents into meaningful action and positive change. Each year, United Way of Grundy County holds an annual dinner and auction fundraising event organized by their Special Events
Committee, which consists of staff, board members and local volunteers. This event is an opportunity to thank those who support the organization and to recognize those who help to make a difference in the community. Every year, the annual dinner has a theme and although dressing in costume is not required, many of the attendees participate. There is always an opportunity for local businesses and individuals to get involved with this annual event through sponsorship, auction item donation, volunteerism, and by attending the event. This year’s Roaring 20’s themed event will take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at the Morris Country Club. United Way of Grundy County is a member of the United Way of Illinois and the United Way Worldwide. Staff and Board serve on several community committees, local Boards of Directors, and volunteer throughout the community. For information, call (815) 942-4430, visit their website at www.UWGrundy.org, and find them on Facebook and Twitter.
Since 1971
526 W. Bedford Rd., Morris
(815) 942-6284
Insurance work welcome • Free Estimates • Towing
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6 BUSINESS • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section C • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
Roth Jorstad strives to be your hometown independent insurance agency SUBMITTED REPORT Roth Jorstad Insurance, located in downtown Morris at the corner of Liberty and Jefferson Streets strives to be your hometown independent insurance agency. As an independent agency Roth Jorstad has capabilities to quote and write your business with more than one company. Dealing with numerous companies allows Roth Jorstad
agents to “shop” for a client’s coverage. Roth Jorstad can assist clients who only require coverage for a scooter or a family with many household vehicles. They can quote coverage for your starter home or your dream home, your downtown business or your farmland. Steve Jorstad and Jordan Jorstad would be happy to help you with all your Crop Insurance needs along with any necessary farm
coverage. Steve and Jordan are always up to date on the most recent crop insurance changes and updates to assist farmers with their decisions. Deborah Baker, Managing Agent, can be found at the 322 Liberty St. location along with Personal Lines licensed assistant, Cindy McCormack and Commerical Lines assistant, Sandy Wiekert. The Morris office can assist you with your questions or quote requests for
Rolando’s Furniture and Appliances celebrating 60 years in business line called Fusion Furniture. It was important for them to have an affordable, stylish, well In 1960, Clarence and Fran Rolando opened built, American made upholstery line to give them a broader price selection. Rolando’s Western Auto in Coal City. The Fusion sofas start at just $499 and have a store carried a variety of products from tools, designer look, without the designer price tag. hardware, paint, and automotive parts, to When you think about appliance sales and appliances, televisions, bikes and toys. service, Rolando’s has been the gold standard Over the last 60 years, the business has in the area for many years. All of the applievolved and changed into what is now known ance pricing goes through their website and as Rolando’s Furniture and Appliances. Roautomatically updates any manufacturer prolando’s specializes in major home appliances, motions and rebates, as well as automatically KitchenAid small appliances, furniture and mattresses. This past year Rolando’s expanded price matching all of the local “big box” stores. You’ll never have to worry about finding a their Sleep Loft to not only feature a larger selection of mattresses, but also to add a full line lower price anywhere else. Rolando’s also has their own delivery team of Malouf sleep accessories such as adjustable and service department to ensure that you get bases, pillows, mattress protectors, sheets, the service you need and deserve every step of weighted blankets, and more. This year, Rolando’s has added a new Value the way. Rolando’s is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary this year and will be running special Loft to the store, as well. The Value Loft is promotions and events throughout the year. made up of closeouts, special buys and one of Be sure to check their website, or follow a kind items, all at drastically reduced prices. them on any of the social media platforms, You never know what you’ll find in the Value Loft and there are always new items being add- to keep up with all the latest anniversary announcements. ed. On the main floor, Rolando’s added a new
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For nearly 26 years The Thoughtful Spot has made it our mission to provide the best in fabulous gifts, home decor and customer service. While we are all trying to navigate and wrap our head around what’s happening right now, we understand that birthdays, weddings, babies, anniversaries and other occasions are still being recognized. We are here...we’re here to assist you in moving forward with gift giving and decorating however you need us to. Call ahead, FaceTime us, ask us about local delivery or curbside pick up and we’ll have it beautifully wrapped...we’ve got you. We kindly ask for your continued support of our business and the downtown. Thank You!
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home and auto or business and farm insurance. Baker can also assist you with Life, Health and Long-Term Care Insurance. Roth Jorstad has access to several companies where they can find the coverage best suited for your needs. Roth Jorstad at 322 Liberty St. can be reached by calling 815-942-4900 or stop in anytime to learn more ways they can be of assistance.
112 W. Washington St. • Morris, IL 60450 • 815-941-0429
Trusted for over 86 Years! Selection
Savings Trust someone who doesn’t just know insurance, but someone who knows and understands your coverage needs. As your hometown agency, we give you personal assistance and offer choices from several excellent insurance companies to make sure you can obtain the quality coverage you deserve.
Service INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC IN 815-942-4900 322 Liberty St. (Corner of Liberty & Jefferson)
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Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com • Section C • Thursday, March 26, 2020 •
BUSINESS 7
Morris Downtown Development Partnership gears up for events SUBMITTED REPORT The Morris Downtown Development Partnership is busy planning for 2020 events! These events and activities provide a variety of experiences for local residents, and brings visitors to the area to support the local economy. Current MDDP events include the Liberty 5k Run/Walk, the Liberty Arts Festival and Home for the Holiday’s. MDDP also coordinates the Run 4 Morris circuit and promotion. Our events bring thousands of people to downtown Morris to shop, dine and enjoy all that our downtown has to offer. The first 2020 event for the Morris Downtown Development Partnership is the 11th Annual Liberty 5K Run/Walk. The Liberty 5k has grown into what we believe it the largest 5K in Morris. The race boasts chip timing on a certified course that takes runners through nostalgic downtown Morris, area parks, and neighborhoods. Winners receive beautiful medals and trophies and all runners receive personalized dog tags and driweave shirts. Although these things are certainly appealing to the runners, perhaps one of the biggest draws is the fact that military personnel are honored and supported. The 5K is scheduled for July 3 at 7:30 p.m. with the Junior Patriots Kid’s Run beginning at 6:45 p.m. Registration is now open at www.liberty5k.run. The second major event for the Morris Downtown Development Partnership is the Liberty Arts Festival. This year the major activities for the festival will all be scheduled on Saturday, July 18. But keep in mind that several activities will help kick of the festival on July 16 and 17. You won’t want to miss the great music, drama, dance and of course plenty of art in downtown Morris! One of the highlights of the event is the Art Walk. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy strolling down the streets visiting booths filled with photography, paintings, watercolors, pottery and more! In addition to the Fine Art Walk, the separate Makers Market will be returning. The Fine Art Walk will be juried and ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded to first-, secondand third-place participants. Those interested in participating in the Art Walk can download information and an application from www.downtownmorris.com, or by calling 815-941-0245. Another highlight of the Liberty Arts Festival will be the Creator’s Village. The village will feature several tents, each featuring a different creative activity. Kids will be able to pick up a Creator’s Village Passport at the “Greeting Booth” and have it stamped at each booth to receive a prize to take home with their bag of artistic goodies! Sip and Shop will also be
Photos provided
The 11th annual Liberty 5K Run/Walk is set for July 3 in Morris. returning in 2020. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit their favorite Morris retailers and sample great cocktails while shopping. Finally, Shine Music Fest will be returning with a variety of contemporary Christian musicians performing at the Goold Park band shell. With support from the City of Morris, the “Run 4 Morris” promotion will be returning in 2020. Those who participate in four of Morris’ 5ks will receive a promotional item, such as a jacket, and will be eligible for a Garmin runners watch and Grundy County Chamber gift certificates. Home for the Holidays will return to downtown Morris on Nov. 27-29. The committee is making plans for this year’s activities, including its signature House Walk and Lighted Parade. Proceeds from the committee’s housewalk are redirected into the community through donations to Grundy County Hospice, scholarships at Morris Community High School and an annual downtown Morris beautification project. A complete listing of downtown events can be found on the MDDP website at www. downtownmorris.com. The MDDP operates under the direction of part-time Executive Director, Julie Applegate, and a board of directors. Individuals interested in being involved with MDDP events or activities are encouraged to call 815-941-0245 or e-mail mddp@downtownmorris.com.
Home for the Holidays will return to downtown Morris on Nov. 27-29.
The Front Porch: One-stop shop for gifts, wine, more By ALLISON SELK Shaw Media correspondent The Front Porch in quaint downtown Morris opened in 2000 with a mission to be a “one-stop shop.” Owner Cathy Fleetwood said that saying was an old cliché, but when she opened, she wanted several departments under one roof. Three years after the store opened, she obtained a liquor license to sell wine and remains the only gift shop downtown that sells wine. Throughout the year, she hosts tastes of the wines she sells which pair well with the gourmet dips,
salsas, bread and brownie mixes, and pickles. Twenty years later, customers who enter through her doors can find myriad products from linens, home décor, scarves, Baggallini purses, garden accessories, wall art, picture frames, jewelry and accessories, wine, gourmet foods, a kitchen department with everything from the latest gadgets to dishes and glassware and much more. If a customer buys a gift, Fleetwood and staff place the gift in a bag donned with a gold label marked The Front Porch and fill the bag with brightly colored tissue paper at no cost to the customer. Just one other way the
store holds its mission. The inventory at The Front Porch evolves with the customer demands and trends. Fleetwood said many of her products she sells in store came from recommendation of her customers and she trusts to carry these lines as she researches the products carefully, to ensure her customers have high quality items while the price point stays affordable. One new item added recently was the 1803 Candle line and the linen section has grown with brand new patterns and colors. “Also, the kitchen section is busting at the seams, it’s become the biggest part of the store.”
Customers are top priority for Fleetwood and some have grown to be close friends over the 20 years. “I’m a people person and I have made lifelong friends here, I should write a book, I have the funniest stories,” Fleetwood said. “This is a personal business, I want people to come in here and feel like people, I still hand write my tickets, I talk to people, we are a small town business.” As Fleetwood organized her counter she glanced over at a display set up to look like a kitchen with a table, furniture, linens and wall décor. She said one weekend a group of six ladies came in and
shopped and one by one, they sat at the display table and chatted as friends do. She smiled as that was just what she wanted to happen when she opened, a friendly environment people chose to patron. Fleetwood said one of the most important aspects of The Front Porch that has been with the store since the first day she turned the key was, “friendliness, customer service and just an old fashioned way of doing business. People are people, they are neither numbers or dollar signs. Without them, there would not be an ‘us,’ so with that, thank you to each and every one that has come through the doors.”
Dandy Floor Covering offers more than 30 years of experience SUBMITTED REPORT Carpet, tile, luxury vinyl plank, hardwood, laminate and much more make up the vast selection of products offered at Dandy Floor Covering. Dandy Floor Covering also offers services like carpet re-stretching and luxury vinyl repairs to cover virtually any flooring project. Steve Grieff in the sales department can
help you find the perfect flooring to fit your needs and budget for residential and commercial applications. Some of the high quality brands include Karastan, Mohawk, Mannington, Bella Cera, Shaw, Dream Weaver Carpet, CORtec High Definition Luxury Vinyl and more. There is always a large selection of instock quality materials and sale prices. Community involvement is also immensely important and valuable to the Weeses. Dan-
dy Floor Covering is a proud member of the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Morris Lions Club and the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). Participation in these types of organizations provides valuable networking opportunities and resources to local businesses. “It’s a great way to get our name and reputation out to the community,” said Randy Weese. They
also sponsor Morris Cruise Night, a popular event held once a month in downtown Morris in the summer, as well as support Morris Downtown Development Partnership. Dandy Floor Covering serves Morris, Coal City, Mazon, Joliet and surrounding areas and specializes in professional service and installation. For information, visit www.dandyfloorcovering.com or call 815-942-9411.
8 BUSINESS • Thursday, March 26, 2020 • Section C • Morris Herald-News / MorrisHerald-News.com
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