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Deer Grove, Erie, Fenton, Lyndon, Morrison, Prophetstown, Tampico SPRING/SUMMER 2018
Local shop offers classic restorations, service
Owner keeps family legacy going in Morrison
Antique shop owners share love of collecting
Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP), the professional summer theatre of northwestern Illinois, has the shows you will love: hot new shows just leaving Broadway, great American plays, everyone’s “old favorite” musicals, and the best in country, pop, and rock-n-roll revues in our “JukeBox Series.” Timber Lake Playhouse hires the best young theatrical talent from all over the United States, and we regularly bring back talented alumni who have gone on to stellar careers on Broadway, TV and Film. Noted past performers are Tony Winning Actress Jayne Houdyshell, Michael Gross (Family Ties), Jennifer Garner and Saundra Santiago (Miami Vice, Guiding Light, The Sopranos, and Broadway's Evita and more). Santiago last appeared at TLP in 2016 as Rose in Gypsy. Located just south of Mount Carroll, Illinois about 10 miles from the Mississippi River, TLP is a short drive from Fulton, Sterling and Rockford, Illinois. The current theatre building opened in 1975 with 371 seats. The building is fully air conditioned, and the nine-acre wooded campus is perfect for any other activity you and your guests desire. From picnicking on the deck overlooking beautiful Timber Lake to attending a pre-show activity in our newly acquired rustic barn, TLP is a great destination for a day of fun. Check out our website at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org for more information about our shows and other activities.
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FEATURE • STORY Deer Grove, Erie, Fenton, Lyndon, Morrison, Prophetstown, Tampico
SPRING/SUMMER 2018
Publisher Don T. Bricker Advertising Director Jennifer Heintzelman Editor Jeff Rogers Magazine Editors Lucas Pauley Rusty Schrader Page Design Lucas Pauley Published by
Sauk Valley Media 3200 E. Lincolnway Sterling, IL 61081 815-625-3600 Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of Small Town Living Magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.
Family puts everything they have into restoration projects
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More inside 5 Isle of Rhodes Owner builds on family’s tradition of good food, service in Morrison
9 Loft 112 New Morrison art gallery offers space for community to show off talent
17 Victorian Grace Antiques & Accents Couple offers cozy atmosphere for customers that feels like home
21 The Mill Wheel Tavern New bar and grill is more than worth the trip to Milledgeville
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Owner Nick Pompou smiles during an interview at Isle of Rhodes in Morrison. Nick is also the manager and cook at the eatery. He learned the business from his parents, George and Kathy. They opened the restaurant across the street from the current location in 1992. Read more about the business on page 6.
One for the Rhodes
Morrison eatery has something for everyone
Story By Andrea Mills & Photos By Alex T. Paschal For Small Town Living
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E
ntering Isle of Rhodes in downtown Morrison, the first impression is of a clean, bright restaurant with pictures of family and Rhodes in Greece on the wall. Some of the tables provide a slight view of the kitchen. Here customers can see the area that produces warm bread to delight the palate, baked by the experienced hands of Nick Pompou, who wears three hats – cook, manager and owner. When asked what the restaurant is famous for he responded, “I’d say the pizza and our fresh bread, which we bake every day. It’s kind of a semi-sweet, Italian bread.” This all began with George and Kathy Pompou, the founders of Isle of Rhodes. “My dad did give it the name because we’re from Greece,” Nick said. “Both of my parents are from Rhodes, Greece. They came over here, lived in Chicago for a few years, saw this opportunity here in a small town and decided to buy this restaurant across the street, and moved here.” His dad opened the restaurant in 1982. When he retired 6 years ago, Nick took over and moved the business across the street. The older Pompous shared their skills with their son. “I was pretty much born into the business,” Nick said. “I’ve done it all. I’ve learned from
The eatery serves up a tasty, traditional cheeseburger.
my mom and dad. Just watching them, slowly doing it. “ And there was joy in it. “It was kind of nice being around everyone,” he said. “It was fun. .... I could run around and make the employees upset when I was little, got away with everything – me and my sister – since both of my parents were Greek. Being around
the restaurant when I was little helped me learn.” When he was around 14 or 15, he started helping out a little on the weekends just to get out of the house until he got out of high school, he said. “I tried to go to college, but it didn’t work out,” Nick said. “So I decided I might as well do this since I knew the majority of it already.”
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Isle of Rhodes (exterior shown above) is known for its delicious bread (top left) and unique sauce (left).
Isle of Rhodes
Address: 111 W. Main St., Morrison Phone: 815-772-7431 Hours: 2 to 9 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Online: Facebook The end results of his experience can be seen and eaten. Among the items on the restaurant’s menu are the gyros with chicken, tomato, onion, cucumber and sauce, served on a pita with fries. There’s also ravioli, mostaccioli, sloppy George, grilled cheese, cold ham, and hamburgers. If a pizza is what you’re after, there’s taco pizza, barbecue pizza, Mediterranean pizza, cheese pizza and spaghetti pizza. “It’s a little like a mix of Italian with cheeseburgers and hamburgers,” Nick said. “American, new age, modern, I guess. We have burgers, fries, onion rings.” But it’s not just about what’s on the menu. “We’re always trying to do something like a specialty pizza that we don’t have on our menu once a month,” he said. “It kind of comes and goes.” The business employs 11, including Nick, who puts in 7 days a week, and his father, who still helps out. Nick appreciates the variety his work provides. “It’s something different every day, even though you’re cooking the same food,” he said. “The way the day goes, the order I’m cooking isn’t always the same. I like that. Even though you’re doing something similar every day, it feels different,” The hardest thing for him to learn was being patient. “There are a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “You’ve got to remember to keep going toward your goals in life.” He’s working on those goals. “Slowly, but I am,” he said. Plans for the restaurant at the moment don’t include new locations, although Nick said he gets suggestions.
He often gets requests like “come to Rockford” or “come to Clinton” from customers. “A lot of people want me to go wherever they are now, because [Morrison] is their hometown, where they grew up,” Nick said. “I can’t really do that right now,” he said. “I’d be all over the place.” For now, Nick and his employees will keep providing the service and food their customers have grown to love, right where it all started – in Morrison. “If you’re ever around in the area and want to try something a little different, you know where to find us.” s
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A look at Loft 112
Kim Ewoldsen shows off some of the art customers can expect to find at Loft 112 in Morrison.
Morrison artists find home for their work at new gallery Story By Andrea Mills & Photos By Peter Balser For Small Town Living
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o longer do artists in the Morrison area have to display, market and sell their work out of their homes, because Loft 112 is open for business. The walls inside the late 1800s building show off colorful paintings and all types of art can be discovered on the shelves – including woodwork by Mayor Everett Pannier. If it’s a Thursday, look for muffins from Baked by Liz and coffee available for a $2 donation. The gallery is fast becoming a community gathering place. Kimberly Ewoldsen, executive director of the Morrison Area Development Corp., has things well in hand. “About this time last year, we were trying to figure out what our next project was going to be,” Ewoldsen said. “A couple of us had been to a conference the year before talking about the importance of arts within the community.” They came up with 18 artists off the top of their heads, and as Ewoldsen already had been talking to Woodland Arts Academy in Sterling about bringing classes to Morrison, she said it seemed like an opportunity to develop something around art. Continued on page 11
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Continued from page 9
Loft 112 was about to be born, and the proceess took about 9 months. It started with a conversation with local glassblower reveals artist and buddies interested in the gallery. That led to an informational meeting in March 2017 to gauge community interest. About 40 peopled attended. “There was definitely an interest in ... art classes, a gallery and studio space,” Ewoldsen said. “Because a lot of them are just trying to do it out of their home.” A committee formed, consisting of artists, art enthusiasts, art educators, a few business people and a couple of people from the Morrison Area Development Corp. They began to research. In August, the committee began to look for a location. Ewoldsen said 112 E. Main St. was the group’s favorite. The property was purchased in September by Josh and Kelly West. The committee formed an agreement with them to rent space, which the Wests renovated. “We had a really good shell,” Ewoldsen said. “The former owner took really good care of this building.” The doors opened Dec. 15. It was thought they needed 8 to 12 artists. “As word got out, it jumped from 8 to 10 to 15 to 20 and now we’re at 28, so it’s been pretty amazing that we’ve been able to pull this together,” Ewoldsen said. For the first year, organizers are not taking any commission. The artists will get 100 percent of the money from the art they sell. Ewoldsen said the development corporation is managing the gallery and fronting the fund for 1 year. Prices of items vary, and the gallery does business by check, cash and credit card.
Loft 112
Sandra Krouse (left) and Anne Frame adjust a painting at Loft 112 in December.
“I have everything in here ranging from a $4 art magnet to a $2,200 sculpture,” Ewoldsen said. “It truly is affordable art.” The facility also is available for rent for special occasions, such as birthday parties. Helping to make this possible are the gallery volunteers led by coordinator Sandy Crouse. “We have probably over 30 volunteers who help with this,” Ewoldsen said. People have been able to work one 3-hour shift a month. “That’s pretty cool. I mean where can you say you’re a volunteer for an organization and you just volunteer 3 hours a month?” she said. The area is rich in artists. “I think we have artists who have lived here their whole lives,” Ewoldsen said. “We have artists who have found art as a second career.” Many possibilities still exist for the Loft and some are in the works now. The gallery wants to add members, and Woodlawn Arts Academy will provide classes in April for youths and adults.
Address: 112 E. Main St., Morrison Phone: 815-600-6267 Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday Online: Facebook “We’re working on getting some teachers to do private music lessons in the space in the loft,” Ewoldsen said. Organizers also would like to incorporate gallery events with other retail establishments in town, such as Baked By Liz. They want the back room to become a community gathering place, possibly providing a space for people to craft or paint, Ewoldsen said. Organizers also plan to form a formal board and become an official nonprofit. The Children’s Art Preservation Association, responsible for Paint the Town, will have a seat on the board, and could possibly have shared work space in the gallery. There is also interest in becoming part of – or creating – an art trail to attract tourism, becoming part of Blackhawk Waterways Convention & Visitors Bureau’s tours, and being a destination for school trips. The apartment upstairs is being renovated and may be used for artist in residence or an intern to get gallery experience. s
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Brooks (left), Dan and Jesse Soleta operate Soleta Classic Restoration in Prophetstown.
The Soleta style Family known for its dedication to restoration Story By Cody Cutter & Photos By Michael Krabbenhoeft For Small Town Living Soleta Classic Restoration
Address: 80 Grove St., Prophetstown Phone: 815-537-5164 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Online: Facebook
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love of restoring things has steered the Soleta family for decades. Soleta Classic Restoration in Prophetstown does a wide variety of work on all types of vehicles, and just about anything else on wheels – some of which include painting, collision repair, customizing, restoration, sandblasting, fabrication, fiberglass work, tune-ups, maintenance, suspension, sheet metal work, electrical work, and brakes. “In this area, there’s not a lot of places that do everything,” co-owner Jesse Soleta said. Dan Soleta is the patriarch, and his sons Jesse and Brooks Soleta are involved in every function of the business. Customers who come in with a project immediately deal with one of the three when they arrive, and sometimes they’ll spend up to an hour talking about all of the details and the story behind it – no dealing with any middle-man.
“That’s a lost thing anymore, and I think people really appreciate it,” Jesse said. The Soletas came to Prophetstown from southern Minnesota in the mid-1990s, when Jesse’s wife, Laura, received an internship at Trinity Hospital in the Quad Cities. They bought the former Soliday Farm Equipment and Oliver tractor dealership building and have projects spread throughout each square foot of it. Their projects in February included a 1966 Chevy c10, a 1983 Jeep Waggoner, a 1982 Corvette – the last of the C3 third generation of Corvettes – and a 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle, which is a project that Jesse’s daughter, Samantha, is working on. Some projects over the years have come in rough enough shape to barely pass as a vehicle. Dan remembers a Willys-Overland Jeepster that proved to be a challenge. “I spent 4 years of my life on that,” he said. That, and many more restorations, have earned an appreciation from not only local customers, but from car enthusiasts across the nation. The family’s restorations have been featured in magazines such as Car Craft, Heavy Performance, and Hot Rod, and they’ve had projects wind up at Barrett-Jackson automobile auctions.
Soleta Classic Restoration works on a wide variety of projects in Prophetstown.
“We’ve had cars that have been in barns that were so bad and pulled apart over the years,” Jesse said. “We’ve had ones that were redone years ago with fiberglass resin and meshing so bad. It was a ’71 Heavy Chevy [Chevelle]. Everything was brand new on the car when we were done.” Much of the family’s learning experience
came from watching others work. Restoration takes plenty of creativity and outside-the-box thinking, and Jesse believes that knowledge and training from other guys give them a reason to do more than the simple restore-and-replace. Continued on page 15
A 1993 Nissan 240SX with a 2JZGTE engine from a Toyota Supra is shown. The heavily modified Nissan 240SX is one of the more unique projects at Soleta Classic Restoration in Prophetstown.
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Continued from page 13
“There is a lot of artistic work in a classic that people don’t realize,” Jesse said. “We bend metal and fabricate a lot, and there’s sheet metal parts we make that you can’t get that we have to make by hand. It takes a special person to do this.” “It takes a lot of backbone,” Dan added. “A lot of people don’t want to do that, they’re just [restore-and-replace].” Restorations aren’t limited to any one era of classic vehicles. Every now and then, the Soletas will have a newer vehicle come in, made up of entirely different intricacies. Even with more than 50 years of restoring cars under his belt, Dan finds himself learning a thing or two from his sons in giving back the tricks of the trade. Though Dan was the one doing the teaching back in the day, more recently, “they’ve taught me a lot,” he said. While the word “restoration” is part of the business’ name, the Soletas pride themselves on being able to fix everything – be it a long-term or a short-term project. Jesse has taken calls from people who are broken down on the side of the road, and in doing that, he’s gained a lot of business, cus-
A Jeep Wagoneer ready for paint and body work.
tomers, even those who live more than 100 miles away. Recently, Jesse had a roadside call from a man, and a couple of weeks later he brought his son to look at the cars in the shop.
“We try to help out everyone we possibly can,” Jesse said. “I know in this day of age, money is tight for a lot of people, and if I can help you out, I’m more than glad to help you.” s
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WESTON & LAURA BURKHOLDER, OWNERS
Victorian point of view
A stereoscope sits on a table at Victorian Grace Antiques & Accents in Prophetstown.
Couple celebrates love of collecting with antique shop
Story By Phillip Hartman & Photos By Michael Krabbenhoeft For Small Town Living
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nn and Les Wilson have so many collectibles, they made room for them ... in another house. “It was Les’ idea, and I told him he was crazy,” Ann, 66, joked in a front room of Victorian Grace Antiques & Accents, the couple’s antique store they run year-round. The light-yellow, two-story Victorian dates back to 1898, and the Wilsons live next door in a home built in 1895. They purchased what
would become Victorian Grace, opening it in May 2014, and the store retains much of the refined look of when it was built. Les, 62, is originally from Amboy and retired after a career as a liquor wholesaler. Ann, originally from Milledgeville, retired as an English teacher from Montmorency School in Rock Falls. They have lived in Prophetstown for more than 35 years and have picked up a lot of items
through the years – with a lot of variety. In one of the displays in the front hall, a small statue of President Ulysses S. Grant – during his service as commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War – sits next to an old lamp, itself next to a German beer stein. And that’s just the tip of a very large iceberg. Continued on page 19
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Continued from page 17
Ann said they have antique primitive furniture, fine glassware, lots of lamps, pottery, porcelains, guitars and many other items. The store’s displays often blend in with the house itself, creating a sense of being transported back to the Victorian era. In one of the front dining rooms, an 85-piece set of Johann Haviland porcelain dishes from Bavaria, Germany, is displayed near a table full of pink-and-whitethemed items, other porcelain pieces among them. Cream-colored wallpaper with flowing grapevines provide a backdrop to the display. Other rooms contain dolls, more cabinets with a variety of dishes – a set of Syracuse china among them – an oak drop leaf table, porcelain dolls and other items from across the decades. One Easter-themed table features rabbits, a rooster, and other animal items which given an impression of spring. Old tea boxes, tobacco tins and cookie cutters are also close at hand throughout the store. Upstairs, an array of furniture and other pieces are displayed on wood floors. An old washboard, tubs, and a spittoon for spitting tobacco sit in one room, next to a wheat sack in a frame. Farm toys, among them classic John Deere green tractors, are available, as is a shotgun cleaning kit. Collectors of vinyl won’t be disappointed. The Wilsons have a wide selection of records from different periods and styles, especially the 1960s and 1970s. Music by Eddy Arnold, a comedy record by Lily Tomlin, and the Village People’s “Macho Man” album were just some of the pieces in one of the boxes. The Wilsons are looking to add more farmhouse primitives to their selection, as well as a carriage house at the back of the home to display bigger, farm-related items and other items. Victorian Grace plans to participate in Prophetstown’s Vintage Shop and Hop shopping promotion, set for March 2 and 3. The store’s biggest event, its Spring Fling on May 19, will feature live music and demonstrations, free kids activities, old-time photos, unique vendors, and specials at local boutiques and shops. Whatever customers look for, though, they can expect a possible serenade by Les, who plays guitar at 42 nursing homes in 10 counties – and the occasional tune for antique shoppers. s • Tee Shirts • Sweatshirts • Custom Design • Screen Printing • Provide your own design
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GET YOUR FILL AT THE MILL
Milledgeville family loves to serve both familiar and new faces at their unique establishment
Story By Cody Cutter & Photos By Michael Krabbenhoeft For Small Town Living Feel like taking a drive to another small town?
Where: The Mill Wheel Tavern Address: 337 N. Main St., Milledgeville Phone: 815-225-7714 Online: millwheeltavern.com and Facebook Hours: The kitchen is open for breakfast from 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday; for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday; and for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The bar is open from 9 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Editor’s note: This story previously ran in Carroll County Living. Like what you see? You can read all of Sauk Valley Media’s Living magazines at saukvalley.com. Flip to page 22 to read more about the restaurant.
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C
urt Eubanks can’t stress it enough: The Mill Wheel Tavern is “a work in progress.” “Eventually, we want to go over the whole building and we’re going to reconfigure some of the stuff,” he said. Eubanks has owned the tavern at 337 N. Main in Milledgeville since February 2017, when he purchased the former J J’s Come Back Inn from Jerry Spencer. He has a final vision of what he wants his business to look like and there is a methodical – albeit, open-ended – approach to it: new this down the road, new that down the road. The next time customers visit the place, it will look a little different – but the feel will remain the same. “I want them to come in and feel at home,” Eubanks said. “I want them to feel like it’s their place, I want them to feel welcome, and I want them to have a good experience, good food, good conversation, good vibrations, good beer, good spirits. I want them to feel comfortable and stay.” After retiring from the Illinois Department of Corrections, Eubanks worked part-time for Spencer as a bartender and took over the establishment about a year later. Along with a staff of bartenders, servers and cooks, the Eubanks family – wife Pam and sons Collin and Connor – also help out. “It’s something we’ve always talked about doing,” Eubanks said. “Both my wife and I are from here, and my family is from here. We’re familiar with the patrons. We may not know everybody, but we know a lot.” Eubanks revamped the menu, and it includes a variety of different breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Along with fried chicken, another the popular special is the Mill Wheel Chicken: boneless chicken breasts trimmed of all the fat and cut into 1-ounce chunks and batter fried. Servings come in quarter (4-ounce) and half (8-ounce)
Curt E ern in ubanks, o w down town ner of the the b M M a versa r. He’s cele illedgevil ill Wheel le, sta ry, an Tavbratin d nd works g h . The as many r the bar’s s behind in Mil Mill Whee enovation first anniledge p l ville t Tavern is t lans in the o offe h r a fu e only bar ll men u.
options, and are served with in-house Victory Sauce. Burgers, beef, pork, and rib-eye steaks also are available, and a lot of it comes from Lanark or Chadwick.
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“People have a little more confidence in localsource-drawn meat,” Eubanks said. “We try to support the local economy there, too.” Continued on page 23
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A variety of nightly specials are offered Monday through Friday, among them: Tacos on Tuesday, hand-rolled pizzas on Thursday, and deep-fried pollock on Friday. Wednesdays and Saturdays specials change each week. People sometimes plan their week based on the specials, which are posted both inside the restaurant and on The Mill Wheel Tavern’s Facebook page. “It may be the smothered burrito, it may be the tacos, it may be a fajita, or roast beef, or a hot beef sandwich, a Cuban sandwich, an Italian grilled cheese,” Eubanks said. “It is something different every day.” As the menu wheel goes ‘round, so will the overall look. Eubanks is planning on installing new ceilings and flooring, and will touch up the banquet room as well. He also hopes to bring back the local pool league and host line dancing and winter bags tournaments. What won’t change, as far as looks go, is the rustic atmosphere. Along with plenty of Chicago Cubs decor, farm signs advertising seed companies grace one of the walls. One sign on loan comes from Polo, another has an orange missile – similar to Milledgeville High School’s nickname. “It fits the agriculture,” Eubanks said. “We’re in a very strong agricultural community, so I tailor the place to that. It’s what I like and feel comfortable with, and most of my patrons feel comfortable with it. “It’s home – that’s what it’s all about.” s
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A half order of the Mill Wheel Chicken with homemade sauce.
The smothered burrito meal is shown at the restaurant.
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www.morrisonhospital.com
The purple section details our new emergency department expansion with a canopy to protect patients while they are being brought in by ambulance. The green section details our new main entrance and medical surgical bed expansion.
Hospital Expansion... The Morrison Community Hospital is about to embark on the most aggressive expansion project in its 87 year history. Plans are being finalized for a fall 2018 ground breaking event to build a new emergency department, an additional operating room, a new lab department, and an eight bed medical surgical expansion with many other upgrades. This $17,000,000 project will address needs for our patients and community for several generations. Rural communities such as ours will continue to seek strategies in keeping their communities strong. Expanding healthcare services to our community and patients have been a priority for our administration and board of trustees for the past several years. Projects such as these provide significant financial impact. If you would like to have a financial investment in medical services for your community for generations to come you can contact Mick Welding at mwelding@mchstaff.com or call 815-772-5510. There are many options for giving. Foundation donations are tax deductible. For individuals who are 70 ½ they are allowed to rollover up to $100,000 from an IRA to charity exempt from federal tax. We would be happy to provide you with additional project details and discuss opportunity for expanding services. SM-ST1505444