MHN_Visions_032724

VISIONS

A FOCUS ON BUSINESSES SERVING THE GRUNDY COUNTY REGION

A publication of

Morris YMCA Summer Day Camp returns for the 2024 season

By CATHY JANEK for Shaw Media

From some fun in the sun and a whole lot more, the 10-week Morris Community YMCA’s summer day camp program provides children between kindergarten and 8th grade, the opportunity to find new talents, meet new friends, gain independence while also building a healthy spirit, mind, and body. With a long history of serving the community, Jamie Heitman, Executive Director, Morris Community YMCA said, “We continue to enhance and grow our programs each year.”

Daily summer camp activities include team building, arts and crafts, outdoor exploration, STEAM activities, reading time, and more. In addition, campers get the opportunity to visit different area locations on weekly field trips which include waterparks, entertainment centers, movie theaters, trampoline parks, and volunteer opportunities. Several in-house field trips are one of the highlights for campers each summer. One of the camp’s most anticipated events each summer is the Touch a Tractor event, which is provided through a partnership with the Grundy County Farm Bureau, Heitman said. In addition, staff from Morris Hospital will visit the day camp several times over the summer with special activities for the campers. Through a partnership with the Morris City Pool, day campers visit the community pool twice each week. These visits include mini swim lessons for campers, Heitman added. This year, she added coordinating field trips exclusively for 6th to 8th grade campers for several age-appropriate trips.

“We really try to have a blend of recreational as well as Stem activities to provide a well-rounded experience,” she added. The camp offers a safe, affordable, fun, and adventurous option for children who may enroll in just one weeklong session or attend the entire 10-week session. Registration is done on a weekly basis, which provides families with flexibility to choose which weeks to participate. “Families who go on vacation for a week or two do not need to pay for those weeks they will not be utilizing the camp,” Heitman said. “We also have families who choose to send their children for only one or two weeks,” she added. “We do see a healthy blend of both each summer.”

The camp is held at Saratoga Elementary School, 4040 N Division Street, Morris. The hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 3 until August 9. In addition, a weeklong pre-camp will be held from May 28 to 31. A virtual summer camp Q&A session will be held on Tuesday, May 21 from 6 to 7 p.m.

DHS funds are accepted and financial assistance is also available for those who qualify, Heitman said, “No one is turned away for inability to pay. For both summer day camp and the weekly sports camps, we offer scholarships which will not eliminate the cost completely, but it does make it more affordable.” The scholarship form is available at https://www.jolietymca.org/membership/financial-assistance.

This summer, the Morris Community YMCA is also offering a wide variety of sports camps. These four consecutive day camps provide the opportunity for area children to try a new sport or improve on one.

“Over the last couple of years, we have tried to add a focus on the three- to four-year-old age group,” Heitman added. This summer, the Y will be offering children ages three to four the opportunity to participate in T-ball, basketball, poms, flag football, pillow hockey, dodgeball, and an allsports camp.

She credits the Morris Community Y staff for adding in new programs to meet the growing demand of sports that are going in popularity like pickleball. In addition, this summer, the Y has expanded its fishing and golf camp due to their popularity. And thanks to partnerships with local organizations, Heitman said, the Morris YMCA also offers a bowling camp.

Other camp offerings which include sections for children by grade level ranges include dodgeball, wrestling, golf, baseball, volleyball, soccer, basketball, flag football, floor hockey, poms, and cheerleading.

“The four-day camps give kids a chance to try a sport for four days,” Heitman said. Rather than committing to an extended season, children can try a sport or several sports over the course of the summer and “it is super easy to do.” “They can get a taste if this is something they would like to do,” moving forward, she added. In addition, the final week of camp from August 5 to 8, an all-sports camp is held.

“We are super excited for summer to have hundreds of kiddos involved in our different programs to keep them active, healthy and continuing to keep moving,” Heitman said. “It is one of our favorite times of year.”

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Countryside Village offers unique shopping experience

By CATHY JANEK for Shaw Media

With more than 9,000 square feet of curated displays, Countryside Village in Braidwood offers a large assortment of home décor as well as those hard-to-find gifts for babies, weddings, and anniversaries--something it has done since 1997. Often called a hidden gem among shopping enthusiasts, Countryside Village is continuously adding new items that include home décor, garden décor, unique pet items, women’s fashion and accessories, a baby gift boutique, gift books, religious and bereavement gifts, wedding/ anniversary gifts, kitchen mercantile with gourmet foods/dips, coffees and teas, as well as kitchen gadgets, containers, and linens. Complimentary gift bagging is included.

The store also includes a Wine Room with a large selection of wines. In addition, Countryside Village recently added a Charcuterie Room which offers not only beautiful charcuterie and bread boards of all sizes, but also gourmet foods like Ropp Jersey Cheeses from Normal, Illinois, in its refrigerated section, along with a variety of crackers, sausages, cheeses, nuts, dips, pickles, olives, jams and jellies, sauces, and more. On select Saturdays, the store hosts Wine & Dip Samplings. These dates are added to the Countryside Village Facebook page throughout the year.

With more than 2,000 bolts of quilting fabrics and notions, the Quilting Corner of Countryside Village is a crafters’ dream with its large assortment of 100% cotton quilt quality fabric from companies like Moda, Quilting Treasures, Michael Miller, Hoffman Henry Glass, Free Spirit and more. Fabrics are on bolts and a variety of precuts are also available. The store also features a large variety of batiks and flannel for quilting. Samples are available throughout the store along with kits.

In addition, the store’s hands-on

employees have a combined 47 years of experience and are always on hand to help customers with their next project. From individuals new to quilting to those who want to improve their skills, there are a variety of classes.

This year, new class offerings include Crochet Chunky Blanket Class, Beginners Knitting, Beginners Sewing, and Painted Canvas Art. More classes are frequently added via the Countryside Village’s website and Facebook page.

The Quilting Corner’s classroom is also available free of charge for fabric enthusiasts to come in sew, meet new friends, and work on large projects— just call the store in advance to make sure the space is available.

Outdoor Market

This will be the 6th season for Countryside Village Outdoor Markets which showcases artisans and creators that share a passion for handmade, repurposed items and more. The three-acre property lends itself to these highly anticipated events. This year, to accommodate interest, an additional date has been added to the schedule. In 2024, the Outdoor Market will be held on the third Saturday of the month-- June 15, July 20, August 17, and September 21.

Shoppers enjoy free admission to the markets, while they shop at over 65 booths that include handcrafted items such as bath, body soaps, and lotions, jewelry, woodworking, vintage, and repurposed items. Gourmet and specialty food vendors and local food trucks will be onsite. The event also includes wine samplings, live music, and local farmers selling fruits, veggies, pumpkins and more. Parking is available onsite as well as at the nearby Vilt’s Greenhouse down the road with a free shuttle bus to the market.

Vendors interested in participating in the Outdoor Market can visit Countryside Village website to apply. The market is held rain or shine and is fun for all ages. Please remember pets are not allowed.

Sherwood Oaks Celebrating 30 Years in Morris

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Walk into Sherwood Oaks Waffle Café and Restaurant for a fresh new diner experience.

The restaurant, located at 1571 N. Division St., held onto its tried and true menu items that has kept customers in the door since it opened in 1994, but co-owners Karla Escalante and Al Huerta have revamped the restaurant to meet current aesthetic and culinary demands.

“I knew it was a great place, I worked here prior. It needed a boost and new ideas,” Escalante said.

“I have managed and owned a few restaurants, I usually renovate and move on to a new project, but this one made me stay in town. I love the community; the people are so supportive.”

Escalante joined Huerta in 2019 and the pair came up with plans. The entire inside was remodeled with new paint, flooring and furniture, new equipment was purchased and the menu revamped, except for the customer favorites.

“It’s the same great American food,” Escalante said.

Escalante saw a trends in flights such as beer and wine and after a trip to Mexico where she learned to make unique coffees in a small café, she took that knowledge and the playful side of her children and began cold and iced coffee flights for the sophisticated as well as adventurous coffee connoisseur. Ingredients and toppings such as caramel, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, hazelnut, and pecan pie and cereals such as Fruity Pebbles and Captain Crunch, are just a sample of the vast coffee flight menu.

The flights did not stop there, Escalante took advice from her 7-year-old and created new flavors of waffles and decadent toppings for a mini waffle flight and the newest one, from one of the waitresses, a soup flight featuring

chili, chef soup of the day, chicken noodle and French onion.

The regular breakfast through dinner menu provides a large variety for the customer’s taste buds. Lunch and dinner items include appetizers, soups and salads, hot and classic sandwiches, wraps, burgers and melts, steak, seafood, meatloaf, breaded pork tenderloin, roast turkey, a variety of stir-fry, Greek meals, and spaghetti to just name a few.

For many years Sherwood Oaks has been voted best breakfast of greater Grundy County by the Morris Herald-News readers

Breakfast classics include steak and egg combos; omelets; pancakes; French toast with thin, thick or raisin bread; crepes; waffles and a variety of combos. Escalante said, “everybody loves our skillets.”

Skillets include the house, meat lover’s, ham, bacon, sausage, country, Gaucho, and steak skillet.

Escalante said the one item customers rave about is the skirt steak, which the cooks use in a variety of recipes from breakfast to lunch and dinner.

“We have the best skirt steak anywhere,” Escalante said. “We don’t compromise with quality of our meats, I love that about my partner, we always have quality food.”

In November 2022, a sister restaurant was opened as a buffet option with a small menu. Escalante said Sherwood Oaks tends to have long wait times, so a second location with great food, but a different option of buffet, salad bar and off menu ordering was created as a second business venture. The Country Farmhouse Café, located at 425 East Rt. 6 in Morris, added mimosa, margarita and Moscow mule flights and a full-service bar along with its food selections. Gluten free options were added to accommodate customers with those dietary needs.

VOTED BEST BREAKFAST OF GREATER GRUNDY COUNTY!

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week from 6 am- 9pm!

1571 N DIVISION ST (Rt 47) Morris, Illinois 815-941-0427

BREAKFAST-BRUNCH BAR-GOOD EATS

Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm

Sunday 8am-4pm

425 US RT 6 Morris, Illinois 815-513-3253

Roth Jorstad strives to be your hometown independent insurance agency

Roth Jorstad Insurance, located in downtown Morris, strives to be your hometown’s independent insurance agency.

As an independent agency Roth Jorstad has the 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, is joined by Personal Lines licensed assistant, Cindy McCormack and Commercial Lines assistant, Sandy Wiekert. The Morris office can assist you with your questions or quote requests for home and auto or business and farm insurance. Baker can also assist you with Life, Health and LongTerm Care Insurance. Roth Jorstad has access to several companies where they can find the coverage best suited for your needs.

Roth Jorstad, temporarily located at 419 Liberty St., can be reached by calling 815-942-4900 or stop in anytime to learn more ways they can be of assistance.

Countryside Village

1540 N DIVISION ST BRAIDWOOD, IL

15 MILES SOUTH OF JOLIET ON I-55 & RT 113, EXIT 236

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Your inspiration destination offering 9,000 sqft of curated displays to help you decorate your own space and make it HOME!

Home Decor - Gifts For All Occasions - Garden Decor - Women’s Fashions & Accessories - Baby Gift Boutique Gift Books - Religious Gifts - Bereavement Gifts - Kitchen Mercantile - Gourmet Coffees & Teas Wine and So Much More!

The Quilting Corner at Countryside Village, offers over 1,500 bolts of quilting fabrics and notions, along with classes for the beginner to advanced. Many other classes offered, checkout our website for more information.

Your One Stop Shop For Gifts & More OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK MON - SAT 9AM-5PM, SUN 11AM-4PM www.countrysidevillagegifts.com

Feeney Liquor cares about their customers

Feeney Package Liquor has been a fixture in historic downtown Morris for 90 years. The family business was established in 1932 and opened for business in 1933.

Owner, Mike Feeney, keeps up with industry trends and will bring in new items every week. His daughters, Morgan and Maddy, regularly update Feeney’s social media pages with new inventory, in-store samplings, Ream’s Meats, Avanti specialty cheeses, and Feeney’s apparel (hats, shirts, sweatshirts).

Feeney’s will be saying goodbye to 18 year employee Andy Niewinski at the end of April. Andy will be enjoying retirement with his children and grandkids. We appreciate all Andy has done for Feeney’s over the years.

We welcome new employees Jennifer Severson and Trevor Tanke. The familiar faces of Michael Feeney (Mike’s son), Slim Peterson, Scot Hastings, Sam Brady, and Jillian Munsell will still be here to help you with all

your needs. Stop in to see our most popular employee – the Feeney’s Golden Retriever named Rip.

“We try to get to know our customers. We want everyone to enjoy their shopping experience. We’re a small town family owned and operated business that cares about our customers and the community.” --Says Mike Feeney

To keep up with new products, in-store samplings and all the latest trends in the industry follow us on Instagram or Twitter @FeeneyLiquor or visit our new website: FeeneyLiquor.com.

Haan Contracting, Inc. offers quality metal roofing options

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Metal for roofing is a good long-lasting choice for your home or building. With the cost of asphalt shingles nearly doubling every 15 or so years, it doesn’t take long for metal to prove its worth and your return on its investment.

Haan Contracting, Inc. has had long relationships with manufacturers and is able to provide a variety of products made from steel and aluminum. The steel and aluminum come with choices of style that include ‘Shake’ - ‘Shingle’‘Slate’- ‘Tile’ and ‘Standing Seam’. Architectural paint finishes are available

that resists fading and fully warranted for 35 yrs., as well as offering ‘Textured Powder Coatings’ and now ‘Anodized’ colors for Aluminum’. ‘Polystyrene’ fitted inserts are available for some products that give the roofs some insulation value, but mostly full walkability.

Haan has installations throughout the Chicagoland area including the Morris area. Some of our roofs have been in place for over 22 yrs that look and perform the same as when they were first installed. We’re here in Marseilles, give us a call at 815795-9393 as well as visit our website, www.haancontracting.com.

Grundy Bank has a hometown approach to banking

By CATHY JANEK for Shaw Media

Turning 160 years old this year, Grundy Bank has an eye on the future while honoring its commitment to the community and its history. From organizing coats drives, participating in local parades, and visiting area schools, Grundy Bank has a strong focus on giving back to the community while also providing customers with the latest technology in secure banking.

“Our new website, rolled out in June 2023, offers a sleek, modern, and user-friendly banking platform for our valued clients. Additionally, our latest Education Page provides interactive click-through demos and engaging product videos to showcase our diverse range of products and services,” according to Christine Mendez, Marketing and Sales Director of Grundy Bank.

New in March 2024, Grundy Bank now also offers a Tap N’ Go debit card—that offers a contactless feature. The card can be tapped or held near a contactless-enabled merchant terminal to make a transaction, Mendez added.

In addition, Grundy Bank entered a new partnership with Main Street Checks. Mendez said, the move allows its customers to receive new checks more quickly, while also allowing the bank to track check orders.

Also new in March, Grundy Bank rolled out its school debit cards. Through partnerships with Morris High School, Coal City High School, Seneca High School and Wilmington High School, every debit card purchased has a $5 fee that will be distributed quarterly back to the school with 100 percent of the proceeds returning to the school.

“We are thrilled to introduce our new school spirit cards, it’s a fantastic way to showcase our pride and support for our local high schools. With each purchase, we not only spread school spirit but also give back to those select schools,” Mendez said.

Grundy Bank is continuing its

financial literary program called Banzai with area high schools to provide students with real world finance information on important topics such as budgeting, spending, deposit accounts, and check writing. Through an online game scenario, students “experience” car trouble, apartment hunting, and unexpected expenses. Other financial literacy courses address issues such as college costs, internet safety, managing debt, and planning for an emergency.

Mendez said, the bank continues to offer bank tours for summer camp children, school groups and other youth community groups such as Illinois Valley Industries, Step by Step Child Care Summer Camp and area high schools’ REACH/Transition programs.

“It is exciting for the kids to see the bank vault, the currency counter, and learn about the different types of security measures used to protect money at the bank,” Mendez said—giving them a deeper insight into the banking system.

Wanting to provide the community with a hometown approach to banking, Mendez said, “We want kids to feel welcome to come into the bank and talk to us and ask questions.” A lot of our current bank customers have had their parents and grandparents bank here, she added, “which is a very awesome thing compared to big box bank. The relationships we make are a big part of who we are.”

Financial literacy doesn’t end with school age children at Grundy Bank, Mendez said, “Regardless of where you bank, we try to share information about educating consumers on how to be more aware of scams and how to avoid them.”

In terms of residential mortgage loans, Grundy Bank offers loan programs designed just for you at competitive rates. “We also keep the servicing on our loans, which means you don’t call an 800 number if you have questions throughout the term of the loan. Just simply give us a call or stop in and we’ll help you out” said Kevin Olson, President & CEO of Grundy Bank.

Grundy Bank Has Been Your Hometown Advantage Since 1864!

President & CEO

At Grundy Bank, we take pride in supporting the neighborhoods we serve. With over 160 years of experience, we have been dedicated to meeting the financial needs of our community members. We strive to build strong relationships with our customers and provide personalized service that caters to their unique needs. In 1864, a group of community minded people saw the need for a bank that was focused on their community. From this vision the Grundy Bank was formed. Today, 160 years later, we believe in those same hometown values that led to our beginning. It has been a privilege, and we cherish the opportunity to continue serving you for years to come. Grundy Bank is the only locally owned and managed bank remaining here in Grundy County and the surrounding area. Our team is passionate about helping our customers succeed financially and is always ready to provide the guidance and assistance needed to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for entrusting us with your banking needs - we look forward to being your community bank of choice for many more years.

With the exception of emergency care, all patients and visitors arriving at Morris Hospital today begin their visit in the main lobby that was remodeled as part of the recently completed master facility plan.

Morris Hospital reflects on completion of 5-year master facility plan

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With the recent completion of renovations to its Peri-Operative Services department, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers has announced that its 2018 master facility plan is officially complete, marking a significant milestone in the history of an organization that provides vital services to the community.

“Over five years ago, we announced that we were getting ready to launch a $64 million master facility plan that included major renovations on the hospital main campus and a new medical facility in Diamond,” said Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers President & CEO Tom Dohm. “When we reflect back on 2019, there’s just no comparison to what the first floor of the hospital looks like today.”

Since 2020, renovations at Morris Hospital have resulted in the opening of a new emergency department, women’s imaging center, infusion therapy center, outpatient lab draw, cardiac diagnostics, and imaging services department. The hospital has a new interventional prep/recovery area for patients having procedures in the cath lab, along with new operating, endoscopy, and special procedure rooms, 5 new same day surgery rooms, and a new surgical waiting area for families while a loved one is in surgery.

“The changes we have made aren’t just about looks,” Dohm said. “They are also about functionality and efficiencies for our staff, patients and visitors. They are about evolving with advancements in the delivery of healthcare. They are about enhancing the patient experience and delivery of care for the thousands of patients and visitors who count on Morris Hospital each year.”

Along with updating the hospital main campus to accommodate today’s technology, delivery of care, and increasing number of patients served, Dohm said a number of key objectives were achieved through the master facility plan that may not be obvious to the public. For example, traffic patterns and wayfinding have been considerably simplified by having all patients and visitors enter through the main entrance or emergency entrance on the east side of the campus. Previously, there were three separate entrances on opposite sides of the hospital. With this came new exterior signage and improved visitor parking.

Another goal was to create a “front-of-house/ back-of-house” concept on the hospital main campus, Dohm said, with the “front” designated as public space where patients and visitors can move about on their own, securing the “back” for clinical services.

Renovations throughout the project have also resulted in enhanced patient privacy with private treatment rooms and improved pathways for moving patients from one point of care to the next. Physical consolidation of related services was also successfully achieved, with Cardiac Diagnostics now adjacent to the Cath Lab, and Imaging Services no longer having separate “inpatient” and “outpatient” areas.

The hospital’s disaster response capabilities were also enhanced as part of the new Emergency Department, with significantly improved facilities for patient decontamination in the event of an external disaster.

Dohm is also proud of the fact that clinical space for patient services was expanded on the first floor by 12,000 square feet even though the footprint of the hospital increased by just 4,400 square feet of

new space. This was accomplished by relocating non-clinical departments off-site and to other areas of the hospital.

There are also a number of behind-the-scenes improvements made to the hospital main campus that aren’t noticeable to the public eye but equally significant in updating the hospital infrastructure. For example, the Peri-Operative Services department got its own heating, ventilation and cooling system for the first time, a necessary enhancement to assure cooling capability in the operating and procedure rooms 365 days a year.

Renovations on the first floor enabled the installation of individual thermostats in patient rooms on the 2 East medical/surgical nursing unit, enhancing patient satisfaction. An additional boiler was added at the hospital to ensure a reliable source of steam for the newly expanded Sterile Processing department, and plumbing, electric and ventilation system updates resulted in improvements for the kitchen where food is prepared for patients and staff on the lower level of the hospital. Additionally, the hospital’s emergency power system was enhanced, increasing the amount of major diagnostic equipment that is backed up by generators, and stabilization work was completed to the foundation to provide additional support for the building.

Dohm is proud to point out that patient services were maintained at all times throughout the 5-year construction project. He credits this to careful planning, along with patience on behalf of the community and entire Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers team.

“It has been an incredible 5 years,” said Dohm. “We are so proud to provide our community with a state-of-the-art hospital close to home.”

Photo provided

Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby #1 office for home sales in Morris

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The year 2023 was a very good one for Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby as they once again proved that they are unsurpassed in sales, service to their clients, and dedication to the communities they serve.

Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby finished 2023 as the #1 office for home sales in Morris and in Grundy County and in fact their Morris homes sold was 142% of the #2 real estate office in 2023 and their Grundy County homes sold was 135% of the #2 real estate office.

However, it is not enough to sell far more local homes than any other real estate office, because at Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby outstanding sales and client satisfaction are both equally important. In fact, Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby was recently awarded the 2023 Century 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Award for outstanding customer service, the highest customer service award bestowed to any Century 21 office, while earning a client satisfaction score of over 99%!

In addition to their sales and service commitment, they are also dedicated to giving back to the com-

Owner Shawn Hornsby states, “Our agents always amaze me! In addition to being outstanding in real estate sales, they also continue to exceed their clients’ expectations on a daily basis, and they give back to the communities that they serve. The agents of Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby are truly exceptional people.”

Although the agents of Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby had a great 2023, they look forward to the successes they will achieve while serving their clients in 2024!

munities that they serve. In fact, in 2023 the agents of Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby raised over $20,000 for local non-profit organizations including $5,000 to Easterseals making Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby the #1 real estate office in Illinois for Eas-

terseals fundraising. The agents also donate their time and money to other local non-profits and charities, and a number of agents serve on the boards of directors for local charitable organizations.

Explaining their success, Broker

Two agents, Joshua DaVanon and Levi Wilson, joined the winning team of agents at Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby in 2023. They joined the outstanding team of Betty Piotrowski, Bruce Flatness, Cody Krug, Della Coughlin, Joan Workman, JoEllyn Johnson, Kelly Pina, Scott Hunt, Tami Ferguson, Terri Kief, Theresa Lamb, Tom Wawczak, Walter Castelluccio and Shawn Hornsby. Marni Van Cleave is the Office Coordinator.

Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby is located in the Morris Business and Technology Center at 1802 N. Division St., Morris. They specialize in residential, vacant land, farms, commercial and industrial properties.

Photo provided

The award winning team of Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby presenting a check to Easterseals.

From left to right: Kelly Pina, Betty Piotrowski, Levi Wilson, Theresa Lamb, Joshua DaVanon, Shawn Hornsby, Easterseals representative Kellie Wujek, Tom Wawczak, JoEllyn Johnson and Joan Workman. Missing from the photo are Bruce Flatness, Cody Krug, Della Coughlin, Scott Hunt, Tami Ferguson, Terri Kief and Walter Castelluccio.

Eterna MedSpa & Laser Vein Center

Using the Latest Technology to Treat Varicose Vein Disease

Varicose Vein Disease can lead to many symptoms, including swelling, aching, cramping, fatigue, heaviness, itching and burning. If left untreated, varicose vein disease can worsen and lead to hyper pigmentation (brownish discoloration) and ulcers. Individuals with varicose vein disease also have a higher risk of developing blood clots.

At Eterna MedSpa & Laser Vein Center, we have a team of professionals, from our physicians to our medical and support staff. We strive to be a recognized leader in advanced, innovative, medically based treatments for varicose veins. Educating our patients on their treatment options and tailoring a treatment plan that meets their needs.

Vein treatments offered:

Sclerotherapy is the “gold standard” and is preferred over laser for eliminating large spider veins and smaller varicose leg veins. Unlike a laser, the sclerosing solution additionally closes the “feeder veins” under the skin that are causing the spider veins to form, thereby making a recurrence of the spider veins in the treated area less likely. Sclerotherapy can also be performed using micro foam sclerosants under ultrasound guidance to treat larger varicose veins.

Venaseal is a procedure that uses a medical glue to close affected veins. This special glue holds the walls of the veins together, stopping and then redirecting the blood flow to healthy veins. With time, your body will absorb the inactive veins, and they will disappear.

RFA is Radio-Frequency Ablation. This treatment is a minimally invasive technique and uses heat created by radiofrequency to shut down the vein and redirect the blood flow to the healthy veins.

Eterna MedSpa & Laser Vein Center : 217 Vertin Boulevard, Shorewood, 60404 | 815.254.8888 | www.eternalaser.com

Looking Out Vision dedicated to patient care

By CATHY JANEK for Shaw Media

Despite a new name and a new location coming this summer, Looking Out Vision remains much the same as it continues to provide comprehensive eye care for Grundy County residents as it has done for over 40 years.

Providing comprehensive eye care, Looking Out Vision is dedicated to making it possible for patients to see the beautiful world with clarity by offering comprehensive eye exams, emergency eye care, eye infections, contact lenses, and glasses for patients ranging from young children to seniors while emphasizing quality, friendliness, and value.

Formerly Roebuck Family Eyecare, the practice was renamed after Dr. Jennifer Jacobs purchased Roebuck Family Eyecare in September 2023. However, Dr. George Roebuck is still practicing and seeing patients at Looking Out Vision.

“We both have been caring for patients in Grundy County for many years,” Dr. Jacobs said. Carrying on Dr. Roebuck’s legacy of providing compassionate care is something Dr. Jacobs is focused on.

Providing excellent and compassionate eye care on Jefferson Street in Morris dates back to the 1940s when Dr. Paul Cable began his practice in a small section of the Henry Fey Building. In 1979, Dr. George Roebuck purchased the practice from Dr. Cable and for more than 40 years has been practicing optometry based on a

foundation of kindness, dedication to his industry, and commitment to the community.

Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Roebuck became acquainted doing back-to-school eye screenings years ago. Dr. Jacobs reached out to him, and subsequently joined the practice in 2022 with the goal of carrying on his legacy of outstanding, personalized eye care.

Dr. Jacobs attended Newark High School and after attending Augustana College, she went on to the Michigan College of Optometry and then completed a residency program in Ocular Disease at the Veterans Affairs Northern Indiana Healthcare System in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

“It was always the goal that I come back to the area,” Dr. Jacobs said. And

since 2003, Dr. Jacobs has done just that serving patients in Grundy County and the surrounding communities. Dr. Jacobs attends the First United Methodist Church in Morris and now often sees patients who are fellow church goers or former classmates from high school.

Changing the name of the practice to Looking Out Vision reflects Dr. Jacobs’ vision of looking out for one another while working together and taking care of one another—something Dr. Jacobs continues to do in the community and around the world.

Dr. Jacobs serves on the board of I Care International, a local nonprofit, that conducts mission trips to provide eye care in impoverished countries. She recently returned from a mission

trip to El Salvador—something she has done 13 times. Dr. Jacobs and the I Care team served about 300 patients per day over several days providing eye exams and fitting patients with glasses that were donated to the Lions Club. Taking about 6,000 eyeglasses with them on their journey, Dr. Jacobs said they helped find “the best fit for the patient” from the donated glasses.

“This is life changing for them and us,” she added.

I Care International was founded by Dr. Phil Ortiz, a Morris optometrist, who also was Dr. Jacobs’ optometrist. In fact, Dr Ortiz first gave Dr. Jacobs a job in his office while she was in high school. Thereby, setting her future path in eye care. Knowing she wanted to go into healthcare to help others, Dr. Jacobs now gets to do what she loves while also getting to know her patients and building friendships.

“Vision is something that can be taken for granted,” she added. “Helping people see the world clearly and also help them with overall health” is her passion.

Over the summer, the office will be moving across the street to 124 E. Jefferson, Morris. With the renovation underway, both Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Roebuck are excited for the office to stay in downtown Morris and continue to care for the patients of Grundy County.

Dr. George Roebuck

Dr. Jennifer Jacobs

The benefits of chiropractic care

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.

Dr. Phillip Wilkinson

The real measure of my effectiveness is in the thousands of patients who have seen improvements in their health and mobility as a result of regular chiropractic care and changes in their lifestyle.

Chiropractic care is a form of complementary medicine in which a licenced chiropractic doctor uses his or her hands as well as certain machinery to manipulate joints in the body.

Subluxation is a term used in chiropractic medicine that refers to the misalignment of vertebrae or joints. Subluxation can occur from injury, repetitive motion or certain medical issues, says Verywell Health. When joints do not work properly, range of motion can be compromised and chronic pain may present in the joint or elsewhere in the body.

Chiropractic care can be instrumental in helping a person feel better without having to take pain medications. Chiropractors can treat musculoskeletal pain anywhere in the body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Adjustments can gently realign joints to decrease pain and increase range of motion. Soft-tissue therapy may be used to relax tight muscles and relieve spasms. A chiropractor also may be able to advise as to exercises and stretches that can maintain joint stability and mobility.

Chiropractic treatment also may decrease tension and boost blood circu-

lation, which could help reduce stressful feelings in the body. Similarly, such treatment may alleviate tension headaches and migraines by realigning the joints in the neck and back that may be contributing to the headaches.

Healthline reports a possible reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms from chiropractic care as well. When joints are properly aligned, it will reduce how much bones rub together.

One of the more profound benefits of chiropractic adjustment is the potential to reduce reliance on opioid drugs prescribed to relieve pain. Because of the efficacy of opioids, people can easily find themselves addicted to them. When their prescriptions are up, they may turn to illegal opioids to chase the pain relief and high they have grown accustomed to. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says more than 106,000 drug overdoses deaths were reported in 2021, and synthetic opioid deaths (primarily fentanyl) continue to rise, advises the NIDA.

Chiropractic care can help people live fuller lives without pain. Individuals with remaining questions can speak with their doctors about chiropractic medicine.

Silver Cross Hospital Continues to Advance and Excel years at its New Lenox campus, Silver Cross continuously advances meet community’s owing needs

This year marks the 5th anniversary of Silver Cross Hospital’s open-heart surgery program, now one of the busiest in the state of Illinois. It’s also the 1st anniversary of the hospital’s Advanced Heart Failure Clinic, which is making tremendous strides in elevating the quality of life while preventing repeat hospitalizations for those with this chronic condition.

Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox continues to advance to the needs of the communities it serves, and the past year has shining example.

August 2022, Silver Cross opened the Amy, Matthew and Jay Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Will County’s first only NICU.

More than five years ago, Silver Cross Hospital’s late President and Chief Executive Officer Ruth Colby had a vision for bringing the best heart care possible to patients in Will County and the surrounding areas. So Silver Cross partnered with Cardiothoracic & Vascular Associates and renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Pat Pappas, to develop an open-heart surgery program at Silver Cross Hospital.

24-bed NICU is located on the third floor of Silver Cross’ addition on the east side of the hospital, adjacent to the birthing center and features all single-family private rooms. Modeled after and staffed 24/7 by neonatologists from the NICU Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Silver Hospital’s Level III NICU provides care for seriously ill or premature newborns.

mission to improve the health of those we serve and advance wellness in the community,” explains

Ruth Colby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silver

placements (TAVR), which debuted in 2021, and nearly 200 aortic valve replacements.

Cross.

Silver Cross is also advancing in other areas across the heart care continuum. Advanced heart failure is complex and has a high readmission rate, which is why the Midwest Institute for Heart at Silver Cross developed a Heart Failure Clinic in 2023. The clinic has a dedicated nurse practitioner, and cardiologists fellowship-trained in heart failure, who partner with patients and their cardiology teams to closely monitor symptoms virtually, provide education and coordinate timely care to prevent a hospital readmission.

In the past 11 years, Silver Cross has partnered with several of Chicago’s leading academic medical centers, including UChicago Medicine, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Lurie Children’s Hospital and Rush University System for Health, so residents wouldn’t have to travel far for cancer care, advanced pediatrics care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, lung care or stroke care.

“To have a physician of his caliber, one who has been practicing more than 30 years, has developed numerous programs from scratch and is an award-winning educator of the next generation of cardiac physicians, has been transformational,” said Marybeth Antone, Vice President of Clinical Operations at the 348-bed hospital.

The hospital also started the Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery, a robotic surgery program that today is Chicagoland’s busiest and most successful.

The heart surgery program performs 300 surgical cases each year and is part of the Midwest Institute for Heart at Silver Cross. The institute brings together experts from multiple specialties to deliver advanced and high-quality heart care across the continuum.

This continuum of services includes preventive services, cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure, minimally invasive heart procedures, cardiac surgery, cardiac rehabilitation and more. “In just five short years, the Midwest Institute for Heart at Silver Cross has become a destination program for patients in need of heart care and delivers nationally recognized outcomes,” Antone said.

Patients are safely cared for by a team of highly skilled neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses, therapists, and other caregivers and have immediate access Lurie Children’s Hospital pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists.

have built a team of the best professionals in the area to provide neonatal intensive care close to home,” said Corryn Greenwood, M.D., neonatologist and Medical Director of the at Silver Cross.

In December 2023, Silver Cross became the first site in the world to implant a heart failure device in a patient enrolled in the groundbreaking Proactive 2 Heart Failure Study.

Award-Winning Across the Board

Silver Cross has been recognized as a 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner 11 times, honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group 18 times, and is rated 5 Stars by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In 2019, Silver Cross introduced an open-heart surgery and structural heart program, and now has an expansive lung cancer program. Also, in 2019, through its partnership with Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital, Silver Cross helped bring needed mental health services to the area.

Earlier this month, Silver Cross Hospital and Premier Suburban Medical Group opened their Orland Park Medical Pavilion at the northeast corner of 171st Street and La Grange Road. The award-winning 42,000-square-foot, two-story medical pavilion features primary and multi-specialty care doctors and advanced practice providers; comprehensive lab, imaging and pharmacy services; a 20-bay cancer care and infusion center; an endoscopy suite with two procedure rooms; cardiology services; 38 exam rooms; after-hours care and more.

In 2020 and 2021, Silver Cross opened two urgent care centers, one in New Lenox and one in Mokena, and in early 2022, acquired the ION robot-assisted bronchoscope to remove cancerous or benign tumors in the farthest reaches of the lungs.

Silver Cross Advancing and Earning Accolades for Heart and Surgical Care

For the past five years, Silver Cross has been among the busiest heart hospitals in Illinois, ranking in the top 10 hospitals for number of heart surgeries, and recently was named the No. 1 Hospital in Illinois for Surgical Care by Healthgrades, the leading online database used by consumers to choose a hospital or doctor. That ranking includes superior clinical outcomes for 15 different types of surgery, including heart bypass surgery and heart valve surgery.

February 2022, Silver Cross celebrated its 10th anniversary New Lenox, transforming from a community hospital to regional medical center with 348 beds and a dozen off-site locations.

“What was once a cornfield has been transformed into a vibrant, ever-growing regional medical center allowing us to focus on our

Along the way, Silver Cross earned numerous national awards for safety, quality and patient experience including its 10th 100 Top Hospitals rating, 16 Straight A’s for Safety from the Leapfrog Group and five times on Newsweek’s Best Hospitals in the World list.

This brand-new facility recently won a prestigious 1st-place award from Healthcare Real Estates Insights, specifically “Best New Medical Office Buildings and Other Outpatient Facilities, 25,000 to 49,999 square feet.” The annual awards recognize excellence in healthcare real estate development and executive leadership.

For more information, visit silvercross.org

For more information about Silver Cross Hospital, visit silvercross.org

Since the program’s inception in May 2019, the hospital has performed more than 1,100 open heart surgeries, more than 120 transcatheter aortic valve re-

If you used a floppy

TIME YOUR

If you’re 45 or older, it’s time to schedule your colonoscopy at Silver Cross.

Getting a colonoscopy is easier than you think! After one day of prep, you’ll visit our Silver Cross Endoscopy Center. The test usually takes between 15 minutes to one hour to complete and you’ll go home the same day!

Schedule your appointment, call 815-30 0-7076