Carroll County Living - Spring 2024

Timber Lake sets the stage for future talent

Real estate It’s all weld and good for jewelry agency expands its home base business

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Publisher/Ad Director Jennifer Heintzelman Magazine editor & Page design Rusty Schrader For Advertising Contact Jill Reyna at 815-631-8774 or jreyna@saukvalley.com Published by Sauk Valley Media 113 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon, IL 61021 815-284-2222 Have a story idea for Carroll County Living?

E-mail rschrader@saukvalley.com Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of Carroll County Living 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.

inside Class act

Timber Lake Playhouse does more than just entertain, it sets the stage for future generations to play a role in the performing arts.

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Where there’s a Will ... there’s a way to get a brand new community center in Mount Carroll, thanks to ‘Cadillac Bill.’

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This place MES ...

is Community ebook page. Right: The gym at the Dav Fac its from ter, cen the at k wee first Above: Photos of the a single championship-size court. which can be combined to make up Center features two basketball courts, k runs along the gym’s perimeter. also can be played, and a four-lane trac all geb dod and er socc ll, leba pick Volleyball,

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CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

GS & GOOD TI FITNESS, FUN, GATHERIN

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BY CODY CUTTER SAUK VALLEY MEDIA f William J. Davis were here today, you can bet where his Cadillac would be parked.

Right in front of Mount Carroll’s new community center.

To an older generation, Davis was known as “Cadillac Bill,” but to today’s generation, he’s known as the man who gave his hometown a place where people can come together for milestones and memories, fitness and fun, and more.

Davis was a longtime Mount Carroll farmer and Freemason who died in 1967, and he was also someone who knew the value of community. It was a value that he turned into a vision for a community center that was

l l i B e h t s t fi to get things done, Where there’s a Will, there’s a way ask the people of sometimes it just takes time — just w community Mount Carroll, who are enjoying a ne o made it center, thanks to a local resident wh he passed away possible ... more than 50 years after

named in his honor and made possible by his will, which directed half his estate go toward building and equipping the facility.

It took awhile, but that vision finally became reality this year when the William J. Davis Community Center opened. The center, next to Lions Park, opened Jan. 22 with a ribbon cutting ceremony soon after, on Feb. 3, with a stated goal of creating “healthier lifestyles and strong community bonds.”

About 40 people showed up on opening day to check out Davis’ dream, playing games, trying out the fitness center, or just enjoying a meetand-greet with friends and neighbors.

All that activity put a smile on executive director Nancy Bandemer’s face.

“What a day, what a sight to see,” Bandemer said. “What a warm welcome for a cold wintry day from guests and members alike. This has been long awaited for Mount Carroll and the surrounding communities.”

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CENTER cont’d from page 5 The gym consists of two regulation-size basketball courts, which can be combined for one championship-style court.

Bandemer said some members have already talked about creating leagues. The floor also can be partitioned into three volleyball courts and four pickleball courts. Never heard of pickleball? It’s similar to tennis, but instead of rackets and tennis balls, it’s played with whiffle balls and paddles, which involves slightly more eye-hand coordination and played in a slower, volleying motion than tennis.

A four-lane track wraps around the gym, near the perimeter. The gym can also accommodate soccer and dodgeball games. Balls and paddles are supplied, or people can bring their own.

The two fitness centers are situated Nancy Bandemer on the mezzanine level overlooking the Davis Community Center gym, and the other in a separate room. executive director Between the two fitness centers, cardio equipment, two treadmills, a pair of ellipticals, a stationary bike, yoga mats, kettlebells, dumbbells and medicine balls are available. A small room for group fitness activities also is available.

CENTER cont’d to page 7

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CENTER cont’d from page 6 The trio of multipurpose rooms are each different sizes (950, 1,040 and 1,390 square feet), and furnished with tables and chairs.

Local news stories about the opening of ‘Cadillac Bill’ Mount Carroll’s new communiDavis was born Oct. 23, ty center aren’t the first 1885, on the farm that time William J. Davis has had been in his family made headlines. More than since 1841. As the family 50 years ago, in the May 3, bought more land and 1967, Daily Gazette, a news property was passed items announced that he down through the generhad left half his estate for ations, the farm continued the eventual constructo grow. By Davis’ final years tion of the commuit had become a nearly 440-acre nity center. operation. Even long before the community center, Davis was a friend to his community. He and his wife, Belle, lent space on their farm for community and county functions, such as a tree chopping contest to see who could fell a tree the fastest.

CENTER cont’d to pages 8 & 9

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A one-stop shop for the community Sports courts, fitness equipment, meeting spaces and more — even a place to celebrate the accomplishments of the former Mount Carroll High School — the Davis Community Center is a place with space to promote healthier lifestyles and stronger community bonds.

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CENTER cont’d from page 7 Perhaps more known to the community was Davis’ appearances in town: He was known as a well-dressed man, wearing suits most of the time, and enjoyed his Cadillacs — he owned at least seven during his life, hence, the nickname “Cadillac Bill.”

He was a member of the Cyrus Masonic Lodge in Mount Carroll for 50 years, and donated to many Masonic causes and organizations in his lifetime.

In addition to money for the community center, Davis’ will provided for income to three younger relatives, with any leftover money divided among Masonic organizations, the former Shimer College (which moved out of Mt. Carroll in 1978), and the organization of a community center. When the last of those three relatives, Herbert Davis, died in 2019, plans could finally be set in motion for a community center.

A place to be enjoyed by all

The city contracted Russell Construction out of Davenport, Iowa, to build the center. A feasibility study was conducted to gain community input, with the results presented to the city council, and a Davis Community Center committee was formed to put forth its plans and functions. Along the way, the committee decided to enlarge the gymnasium from its planned size in an attempt to draw tourna-

ment-play events; that, in turn, expanded the size of the indoor track.

“Primarily, the benefit of our community will be this designated spot for socialization, wellness and health programs, community bonding, recreational facilities and meeting spaces, designed to be enjoyed by all for various purposes,” Bandemer said.

Before the community center opened, people who wanted to play a game of hoops on a regulation basketball court, or get in a workout at a fitness center, had to leave town to do it. The facility also provides another option for people looking for space for large gatherings.

“With the advent of the Davis Community Center, a one-stop shop now exists for our community members to meet up, socialize and enjoy fitness and wellness opportunities all under one roof,” Bandemer said. “Our central location and multifaceted menu of services, with more to come, will allow more neighbors to enjoy more amenities with less travel and coordination needs.”

CENTER cont’d to page 10

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The staff at the Davis Community Center is ready to help. Pictured are (in no particular order): Judy Fitzpatrick, Samantha Pidde, Director Nancy Bandemer, Jennifer Plastiak, Victoria Medal, Susan Watson, Paul Kaczmarski, Val Ward, Lynette Forth, Gina Hale, Tanner Diestelmeier, Paula Wallestad and Austin Walstead.

CENTER cont’d from page 9 The center not only helps preserve Davis’ legacy, but others as well. Each of the three multipurpose rooms are named after prominent members of the Mount Carroll community: Frances Shimer, founder of Shimer College; and pioneer businessmen James Hallet and Nathaniel Halderman.

In addition, a trophy case for sports and activity accomplishments of the former Mount Carroll High School is next to the lobby. The school closed in 2004 before consolidation into the West Carroll School District, but now its trophies and plaques have a new home, including the Illinois High School Association Class A boys basketball state final runner-up trophy earned in 2003 after the high school Hawks — led by Jeremy Haas and acting Augustana College men’s hoops head coach Jordan Delp —

captured the small town’s attention with a 32-2 season and its first state final trophy since 1911.

Judging by the feedback so far, the center is a hit with the community, Bandemer said, with plenty of praise from people; and it didn’t take long before reservations were being made for celebrations of life, birthday parties, and practice sessions for local boys basketball teams.

The center was designed to accommodate a variety of functions, Bandemer said, “with the flexibility to evolve along with the growing interests of our active community and its members.”

Membership tiers are available, from ages 13 and younger to seniors 65 and older, as well as household and adult-plus plans (1 adult plus dependents 18 and under). Those who pay up front for yearly memberships receive a 13th month free.

Just want to stop by to shoot hoops or get in a workout?

Day passes are $10.

Smiling faces

Now that the center is up and running, the goal is to keep it front and center in the community and evolve with changing needs.

CENTER cont’d to page 11

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CENTER cont’d from page 10

Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

The William J. Davis Community Center, 631 South East St. in Mount Carroll, is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Find “Davis Community Center” on Facebook, go to mtcarrollil. org/daviscommunitycenter, email daviscenterdirector@ mountcarrollil.gov or call 815244-5524 for event reservations or for more information.

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

“Looking ahead, we will continue to benchmark other community centers and park districts to find best practices and innovations for our families and neighbors to enjoy,” Bandemer said. “The local YMCAs and recreational facilities have given us inspiration that we will research and bring back to our community to consider. Our constant goal is to continuously review and refine all aspects of the center to ensure continued enrichment and engagement for the community members the DCC serves.”

In the short time the community center has been open, Bandemer has witnessed firsthand the impact it’s had on the community.

“If we can count the happy sounds of children playing indoors in the winter, while their grandma observes with delight from her chair over in a nook reading a book, I’d say our visitors are embracing and celebrating this new special spot in our community,” Bandemer said.

“Our business volume has been brisk despite the weather, but every day has been a great day full of smiling faces enjoying time together.” n

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CLASS ACTS cont’d to page 14

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housands of theater enthusiasts flock to Timber Lake Playhouse south of Mount Carroll each year to see talented performers take the stage.

But a starring role in the local entertainment scene isn’t the only role the theater plays.

Timber Lake is more than just a platform for live entertainment. The longtime professional summer theater destination is actively fostering the next generation’s theatrical talents with acting workshops, educational programs and curriculum development at schools both near and far from the Theater in the Woods.

After some setbacks in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic, Timber Lake’s team is poised to get their programs back to the levels that they were before the shutdowns and have one of their most successful years yet, executive director Dan Danielowski said.

“We’re looking forward to expanding our offerings from what we’ve done in the past,” he said. “Right now we’re in the process of hiring a summer education director and we will expand our summer programming, and have that programming go into the fall like we used to do.

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CLASS ACTS cont’d from page 13 “Covid just put the brakes on so much stuff.”

The resurrection of the theater’s popular all-area high school show is planned for this year, making a comeback after being sidelined by the pandemic, when it was replaced by workshops for high-schoolers.

That didn’t mean that young performers didn’t take to the stage though: Last year, several took part in a junior series performance of “Matilda Jr.,” which brought youth from ages 4 to 17 together for a successful show about a young girl dealing with psychic powers in a tough school setting.

“It had a great production value and the dances were incredible,” Danielowski said. “We had one of our summer company members choreograph the show; it felt like he was choreographing a professional set, and the kids stepped up to the task. The dancing was just incredible, from the youngest to the Dan Danielowski oldest, and we want to repeat that again this year.”

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Those interested can sign up for as many sessions as they want, whether it’s just one all 20.

CLASS ACTS cont’d to page 16

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CLASS ACTS cont’d from page 14 The Children’s Theater Workshop is a separate program in the summer catered toward ages 4 to 12. Student engage in storytelling and theater games, creating characters, and team-building ensemble activities, all while working with the theater’s professional creative team.

The theater also plans to have a high school intensive program this summer, with students involved in all aspects of a show, from production to acting to the tech roles.

They’ll work on the play “Ride the Cyclone,” a musical about a group of teenagers who seek a new lease on life after a freak roller coaster accident. The musical recently had a run in Chicago, where Timber Lake company alum Carl Hamilton played the lead role.

“It’s a great show and it has great music,” Danielowski said. “It’s a real immersive experience for high school students.”

The theater’s resident company of around 40 performers, technicians and musicians comprise both aspiring and experienced performers from throughout the nation, and many assist with the educational workshops when they’re not preparing and perfecting their roles or doing other duties.

If there’s any silver lining to pandemic-related challenges, it’s that it opened the door to the advantages of online video platforms. Timber Lake’s TLP Teaches program brings the experience of actors, crew members and administrative crews to those who aspire to a career in the performing arts, all while learning from whatever location is convenient for them. Danielowski and Timber Lake’s education director at the time, Rebecca Larkin, put the programs together, coming up with ideas and hiring lecturers.

CLASS ACTS cont’d to page 17

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CLASS ACTS cont’d from page 16 The courses are similar to Masterclass sessions, Danielowski said, with topics ranging from vocal pedagogy, singing techniques, musical theater, monologue preparation, making arts into a side hustle, financial planning, self taping and more. One session that’s still in the works, “A Master Class in Performance,” is coming soon and will feature Broadway actress Felicia Finley of Lake Carroll, who recently performed her one-woman autobiographical cabaret “Backwoods to Broadway: Patsy and Fe” in New York City on Jan. 12 and 13.

Those interested in learning about the topics purchase access to the videos on Timber Lake’s website. Most sessions are about an hour long.

“It’s a series of professional videos really focused on college performers, and high school juniors and seniors who are definitely going on in theater,” Danielowski said. “We developed these with professional actors throughout the country. It’s an amazing group of online workshops.”

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Members of the junior series cast of Timber Lake Playhouse’s “Matilda Jr.” rehearse a scene before a performance last year.

CLASS ACTS cont’d to pages 18 & 19

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CLASS ACTS cont’d from page 17 The TLP Reads program consists of online video reading sessions of popular childrens books. Around 20 of them can be found on Timber Lake’s YouTube page, with a few more in the works, Danielowski said, and are read by one of the theater’s performers or teaching artists. Some videos feature a lesson on recognizing certain vocabulary words. The program was modeled for both classroom and personal sessions.

“Teachers can use it in their reading curriculum,” Danielowski said. “We started this during Covid, so parents who were working from home had these books that they could click on and they have a TLP actor, actress or teaching artist reading to them.”

Timber Lake also has a partnership with the Virtual Babysitters Club, a company that connects parents with professional performers who keep children from 3 to 12 engaged in two-way virtual activities. Access to its programs come at a discount provided by Timber Lake.

Another Timber Lake initiative making a comeback is offering educational programs and curriculum assistance to local schools. The program focuses on literacy for elementary schools, literacy and character development for middle-schoolers, and advanced drama skills for high school students. Programs are done virtually, on-site or a combination of both, with Timber Lake’s teaching artists helping out. Schools pay for this assistance, but the theater can help them write grants to help pay for all or part of it.

One the program’s projects involved Timber Lake’s teaching artists working with an area school’s Spanish class to translate Shakespeare works into Spanish.

“We worked with an area middle school and the literature portion of their language arts class to take a short novel and convert several of the chapters into plays. They performed them as an activity where their parents came and watched them. They read the whole book together as a class and worked on their vocabulary.”

The theater is also active on social media, providing news and up-to-date information on shows and workshops, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and TikTok. Its website — timberlakeplayhouse.org — also offers timely updates on upcoming events.

Want to help?

Donations are always welcome, with money helping Timber Lake provide quality instruction and performances. Five different avenues of giving — the Annual Fund, Wishing Well, Retire the Debt, Fund the Need, and Pave the Way — are available.

Volunteers are always welcome, too, assisting with various tasks as needed, which helps keep theater staff from having to pull double-duty on performance nights. Other tasks they can tackle include clerical and marketing work, buildings and grounds maintenance, costuming, set construction and design, as well as “front of house” roles, such as ushers and cashiers.

“Summer theater is a very hard task; we went through a lot of staff last summer.” Danielowski said. “We had trouble hiring across the board. We didn’t have enough costumers, didn’t have enough carpenters, and had a horrible time finding people to do sound, and designers.”

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CLASS ACTS cont’d from page 19 Timber Lake’s team is always looking ahead to the next thing, coming up with ideas and planning workshops; January and February are the theater’s major planning months, which keep Danielowski and his staff busy brainstorming, and then taking on the challenging task of finding the right people to make it all happen.

“We have more ideas than we know what to do with,” Danielowski said. “Then at the end of every new idea, we’ll be like, ‘Now who’s going to do this?’ We can’t just have all these ideas and put them out there and not have enough people to make it happen.”

Danielowski has been Timber Lake’s executive director since 2018, bringing his experiences in theater and secondary education administration to help shine a spotlight on the Mount Carroll theater and its performances.

“I’m always excited about what we’re doing at Timber Lake,” Danielowski said. “I’ve retired twice, and I probably shouldn’t still be working, but I love it so much that I don’t know what else I’d do. It’s a great place to be. It’s a great place to work, and there’s wonderful people to work with.

The community is so supportive. It’s such a fantastic operation.” n Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

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At right: Mallory Bergstrom (left) and Dawn Heckman, both of Shannon, have partnered to own Forever by M+D, which sells permanent jewelry, including bracelets, anklets, necklaces and rings.

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The customers who give Mallory Bergstrom and Dawn Heckman a call aren’t the kind of people who want an on-again, off-again relationship with their jewelry. They’re the kind of customers who want jewelry that’s on — period.

Mallory and Dawn are the M and D behind Forever by M + D, a business that sells permanent jewelry — gold and silver bracelets, anklets, necklaces and rings — at markets, special events and private parties.

But isn’t all jewelry more or less permanent, you might ask? Sure, but not all jewelry is meant to be removed. That’s where the pair of friends do their thing with bling.

Unlike standards jewelry, permanent jewelry is custom fit and welded in place. No clasps to clip or slipping rings on and off — just a nice, seamless fit. It’s a fashion fad that’s been catching on in recent years, and Mallory and Dawn knew the time was right to get in on the growing trend.

“With permanent jewelry, you’re getting to pick your chain and it’s getting custom-fit to you and welded together around you,” Heckman said. “They can last anywhere from a year to 10 years, depending on which material you choose.

It’s clasp-free; clasps can be kind of hard for people with arthritis or have a small or large wrist or ankle. You can’t just go into the store and it’s going to fit right. I think that’s why this niche is kind of taken off.”

M + D cont’d to page 24

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M + D FACEBOOK PAGE

Heckman has always enjoyed jewelry, but Bergstrom was more of a late-comer, but now she’s hooked — well, more like welded — and she loves helping clients find the right fit for their fashion accessories.

“Now that we have this business, I’m decked out,” Bergstrom said. “I have necklaces, bracelets and anklets. I like these chains because they’re durable, and I used to work in a factory. They’re so light-weight, you don’t even know they’re on. You’ll wake up and wonder, ‘Oh my gosh, where’s my necklace? Where’s my bracelet?’”

Chains come in sterling silver, 14-karat gold fill or 14-carat solid gold. Combinations of any chain can be made as well, a popular trend among permanent jewelry wearers.

Judging by what they’ve seen at shows and parties, Heckman and Bergstrom have noticed that sterling silver is popular with the younger crowd, especially children; the gold fill is popular with those in their 30s through 50s, and older customers go for the solid gold.

M + D cont’d to page 25

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www.hermanfuneralhome.com 815-864-2441 24 | A Shaw Media Publication | Carroll County Living | Spring 2024

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PHOTOS: M + D FACEBOOK PAGE

Nothing says love like holding hands — and matching Forever bracelets.

Jewelry can customized with enameled colored beads, or decorative charms and connectors.

Charms are pieces that dangle from the chain, If you’re lucky connectors connect the ends of a chain but are enough to get a hold less noticeable than a clasp. Customers of a Stanley tumbler, pick out what designs, letters or birthyou can dress up your stones they’d like to add. It only takes cup, with a cup charm a couple of minutes for Heckman or from M + D. Bergstrom to put them together and wrap a new piece around a wrist or ankle.

“There’s something for anyone,” Heckman said. “Some people like to get one, some people like to get three or four. Some people will get mixed metals with gold and silver.

With solid gold, that piece is timeless. It’s always going to be in style. It’s never going to wear away. It lasts literally forever.”

April will mark one year since the duo started their adventure of creating styles of strands and selling them off the tables. About a month prior to that, Heckman and Bergstrom attended a craft show and wound up in front of a table that sold similar jewelry. Once they had their new fashion pieces on, it didn’t take long for Heckman imagine dollar signs.

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www.BarnesRealtyInc.com A Shaw Media Publication | Carroll County Living | Spring 2024 | 25

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Above: Charming, aren’t they? Some people wear their heart on their sleeve — others just below. M + D’s pieces can be customized to add a little something extra to your Forever jewelry. A heart can bring your bracelet together, or you can pick from dozens of charms to dangle from your chain, which comes in several different styles (below right).

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

M + D cont’d from page 25 “We left, got in the car, and I turned to look at her, and I said, ‘Mallory, I want to start a business with this. Do you want to do it with me?’” Heckman said.

Bergstrom thought about it for a little while, and later that night texted Heckman to say she was in.

“We’ve been so close to each other, and I thought, I work a full-time job,” Bergstrom said. “She said that we could actually invest and make it in this, and I’m like, ‘Let’s do it.’”

It didn’t take long for the business to take off, and business has been steady. The calendar for 2024 is already filling up, with events booked as far as Rockford, Mendota and Sandwich. They’ve also set up at events where they’ll donate proceeds toward organizations in need, such as the Granny Rose Animal Shelter in Dixon, and the Westbrook Walk for Ash in DeWitt, Iowa, where proceeds from sales support domestic violence awareness organizations.

Putting the pieces together can be a challenging task, one that involves precise dexterity and eye-hand coordination when dealing with links and strands about 10 times smaller than a fingernail. But practice made perfect, and now the pair have the process down pat.

“This is harder than what it looks,” Heckman said. “These are tiny, tiny little welds and rings that we’re working with. If you aren’t paying attention, it just won’t weld. There’s a certain way the weld has to be done in order to get it to work. It definitely takes a lot of practice. We want to make sure that we have quality products and quality welds so that we have happy customers.”

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M + D cont’d from page 26 A lot of people get a kick out of Forever anklets, like this one. The dainty little chains can also be fashioned into a ring, with or without a charm.

The customer picks their chain, measurements are taken, and a tiny weld is made — don’t worry, the process is painless. And while it’s called permanent jewelry, that doesn’t mean it can’t be removed. The pieces can be snipped with scissors or wire cutters.

Bergstrom will help the customers find what they’re looking for and Heckman usually handles the welding. Not sure what chain you’d like?

Both of them can look at skin tone and determine whether gold or silver looks best.

Bergstrom enjoys working with clients. She’s gotten to know more people and it’s helped her break out of her shell.

“I like meeting new people,” she said. “You gain their friendship just as you would gain their respect.”

Both Bergstrom and Heckman enjoy hearing the stories behind the purchase, as some customers pick a certain charm, color or connector that symbolizes something special in their lives.

“I love talking to the people, especially with elderly customers,” Heckman said. “I love meeting everybody and hearing their stories. There’s a lot of people who get jewelry for a purpose, or to honor someone, and I just love hearing those stories.”

Upcoming events where Forever by M + D will be include Granny Rose Animal Shelter’s “Expressions Unleashed” art show on March 16, Mendota Civic Center’s Holiday Craft and Vendor Show on March 23, and the Rockford Holistic Health Fair on March 24. Additional events are posted on a calendar at the top of its Facebook page, with events closer to home being planned soon.

Heckman and Bergstrom have traveled many miles together to and from shows, and the bond has become as strong as the ones they sell.

“It’s something that we have done together and it’s been quite an experience,” Heckman said. “It’s been a way for us to bond, and now we have matching bracelets, potentially for life. We have a lot of groups, couples and friends who want matching stuff. We hope they have a great experience and have that connection with somebody.” n Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

We invite you to stop by and enjoy a multi-level shopping experience

Forever by M + D Permanent Jewelry sets up at events throughout northwest Illinois. Find it on Facebook for an up-to-date schedule of appearances, arrange an order, or for more information.

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er utt ia C ed dy Co ley M y B Val uk Sa

hen new owners took the helm at Fawn Ridge Real Estate in 2022, they started to look to the future, and one of the things they saw was a business model where technology and real estate intersected — but they also saw something else that crossed paths, something even more important: communities and customers.

Today, those intersections are leading them down city streets and country roads throughout Carroll and Stephenson counties, where they’ve found opportunities for growth catering to customers in communities where they’ve sharpened their focus on helping people seal the deal on a new home.

For more than 30 years, the Lake Carroll real estate agency has brought houses and home buyers together, mostly — though not exclusively — in private communities such as its own, as well as Apple Canyon Lake and The Galena Territory. Lately, though, they’ve put an increased focus on other communities throughout the region.

FAWN RIDGE cont’d to page 30

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We are fortunate to live in

FAWN RIDGE cont’d from page 29

Nick & Kayla Block Fawn Ridge Real Estate owners

We are not transactional — we are building a business that can sustain for the long term, focused on the client and local communities.

Kayla Block

Since taking over the agency in April 2022, husband-and-wife owners Nick and Kayla Block have made Fawn Ridge more active in selling properties outside of their familiar homeowner association confines. They’re also attracting new residents to communities such as Lanark, Mount Carroll and Shannon, as well as small towns in Stephenson County like Lena and Pearl City.

Fawn Ridge has sold properties outside of the HOAs throughout its history, but now has adopted an approach where it has a dedicated sales team focused solely on non-HOA northwest Illinois properties.

“Fawn Ridge Real Estate has represented clients buying and selling properties outside of Lake Carroll for many years,” Nick said.

“We have brokers in both the Galena and Apple Canyon Lake markets and have served Carroll County communities from our Lake Carroll office. What has changed is the company’s commitment to proactively expanding its business model through the addition of brokers focused broadly in Carroll County, and dedicating resources such as community pages on our website, office staff, support of local chambers and non-profit organizations, as well as participation in local community venues to

Carroll County,

and what we tell clients looking to relocate to the area is that it

has a welcoming atmosphere with strong communities.

Jane O’Brien

Jane O’Brien & David Frederick Fawn Ridge Real Estate agents, focusing on Carroll and Stephenson county properties outside of HOAs

highlight our services.”

Those communities are familiar stomping grounds for the Blocks’ expanded footprint. They were raised in the Lanark and Pearl City areas and sought to offer their real estate expertise to people in rural communities like those, and others, when they acquired Fawn Ridge. Last year, they hired a pair of agents, Jane O’Brien and David Frederick, to focus on Carroll and Stephenson county properties outside of HOAs. The pair have been making connections in the communities they call home, and where they’re helping others find a place to call home too, getting the word out about Fawn Ridge and promoting the agency at community events. O’Brien, for example, was quite active at the farmer’s market in Mount Carroll last year.

“We are fortunate to live in Carroll County, and what we tell clients looking to relocate to the area is that it has a welcoming atmosphere with strong communities,” O’Brien said. “Those communities are surrounded by agriculture and nature, offering great schools, safety, and an affordable cost of living. We also boast about the recreation and cultural atmosphere, with assets such as Lake Carroll, the Mississippi River area, and many of our wonderful entertainment venues.”

FAWN RIDGE cont’d to page 31

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451 N. Main Ave. 815-225-7171 30 | A Shaw Media Publication | Carroll County Living | Spring 2024

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FAWN RIDGE cont’d from page 30

Having more of a presence at community event, such as the Mount Carroll Farmers Market, and using tech tools to help clients have been two areas that Fawn Ridge has focused on recently. “We are staying at the forefront of utilizing technology when it provides a benefit to our clients and brokers,” owner Nick Block said.

New look.

FAWN RIDGE cont’d to page 32

One name.

O-CARROL • J L Y JO-CARROL • L

ENERGY • LL NERG O Y • J R LL E J O R

ROLL ENE N AR ROLL E RG ER -C CAR G O

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Being part of the communities they serve and the people who live there goes a long way toward the agency’s success, Kayla said.

“We are not transactional, we are building a business that can sustain for the long term, focused on the client and local communities and nurturing those relationships,” she said.

“We intend to be experts in the markets we serve, knowing what we know and not reaching beyond our geographic expertise — if we did, it would not serve the client well. Real estate is local.”

Fawn Ridge Real Estate was established in 1992 as Fawnridge Realty by Larry Moser, Gary Shellhause and Wayne Wilhelm. The trio previously had worked for one of Lake Carroll’s developers, Patten Corp., selling homes and lots. Moser worked for the company until his death in 2007. Shellhause and Wilhelm turned their ownership keys over to the Blocks in April 2022, but remain with the agency as managing brokers.

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FAWN RIDGE cont’d from page 31

More info Fawn Ridge Real Estate is located at 3-203 Association Drive in Lake Carroll (Lanark).

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment.

Online: Go to fawnridgerealty. com, find Fawn Ridge Real Estate on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Contact: 815-493-2829 or info@fawnridgerealty.com.

Read more about it Fawn Ridge was featured in the May 2022 issue of Lake Lifestyle, when new owners Nick and Kayla Block took the reins. Read it at issuu.com/shaw media/docs/ll_050422

One of the keys to attracting new residents to the area to find a home — especially those from the Chicago area who have come to the HOAs — is to make them feel more at home: promoting community events, resources and tourism destinations. In Lake Carroll, for example, Fawn Ridge puts together email newsletters and printed “welcome guide” booklets that provide resources for healthcare, shopping, dining and other necessities within a short driving distance. That in turn can help area businesses by bringing in new customers.

The Blocks have adapted that community promotion approach to other markets in Carroll County.

They recently enhanced Fawn Ridge’s website to include separate pages devoted to real estate listings and resources in other communities.

“Fawn Ridge is working at the intersection of technology and real estate,” Nick said. “We leverage tech tools to streamline our processes, enhance communication with clients and make data-driven decisions.”

But even with all that technology at their fingertips, Nick is quick to point out the most important part of any business: customers.

“Real estate is a people business,” he said, “and technology should serve to enhance that human connection, not replace it. We are staying at the forefront of utilizing technology when it provides a benefit to our clients and brokers. Our website is a good example. Clients have access to many of the same resources available to brokers with our investment in a dedicated real estate website platform.

In addition, Fawn Ridge has joined local chambers of commerce and become involved in charitable events and organizations in the area.

One such instance of its community service emphasis was the role it played in the Lake Carroll Campground’s Social Club Food Drive in November. The drive rounds up food, care items, sundries and cash from Lake Carroll residents to support and stock the Shannon-Lanark Food Pantry. To make it convenient for Lake Carroll residents who snowbird in the late fall months, Fawn Ridge opened part of its lobby space for the drop-off of items in the month leading up the day of the drive.

It made a difference: “We collected quite a bit from the people who dropped things off there,” Social Club leader Ellis Fitzgerald told Shaw Media in November.

Fawn Ridge’s dedication to the sense of community has helped it become a leading agency in Lake Carroll, and it looks to make the same impact throughout the rest of northwest Illinois.

“Our reputation is strong in Lake Carroll, as has been our expertise,” Nick said. “Exposing our firm to the neighboring markets is an opportunity to bring our service model to a broader client base and show what makes our approach to real estate different and forward-looking. It is something we are building and know it will take time, but for us it is worth it to see the positive impact we can make.” n Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

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This is the Moment!

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ley Media

By Cody Cutter | Sauk Val

herself as usan Shire likes to think of of her more than just the caretaker tory, too. shop. She’s a caretaker of his esake Shire is the owner of her nam ere wh , ues tiq business, Susan Shire An her in item ry history has a home and eve ry has a sto to carefully curated inventory tell. lk through Even before customers wa a quaint shop the door, they’re greeted by behind her full of country charm, tucked ls of southern home among the rolling hil les north of mi 9 Jo Daviess County, about Mount Carroll. cinating Inside, the shop is full of fas step back in finds. Step inside and you and home time, surrounded by farm wers, pottery, goods, weather vanes, dra s and more. pantry and spice boxes, toy SHIRE cont’d to page 36

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SHIRE cont’d from p. 34 Chances are, if it had a place in someone’s home during the 1800s or early 1900s, it’s got a home in Shire’s shop.

Early primitive Want to add a dash of history to antiques, Shire your kitchen? Susan Shire Ansaid, represent “a tiques has some vintage kitchen warm, comfortaitems, like these spice containers. ble way of life.”

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM Early primitive Shire has come across thousands of antiques, Shire said, represent “a warm, comfortable way of life.” unique pieces during her travels, and enjoys “You can learn a lot. These represent our ancestor’s histories. hearing about the provenance of their past This is what our ancestors used. You don’t want to throw that and the stories behind them. Even her jouraway. I feel like we’re caretakers of our history, and we need neys and the people she’s met along the way more caretakers again.” become a story itself.

One particularly interesting item Shire came across this winter “They represent stories of people I’ve was literally a stitch in time: a needlework sampler from 1825 met,” Shire said. “It’s not like I just went made by a 7-year-old girl who had been learning her stitching to the store and bought stuff, there were skills using letters and numbers. She found it, and a few others stories of friends and people I’ve known — like it, during one of her antiquing trips, and took the time to a lot of them are gone now. They’re like old learn more about them. friends, and I like living with this stuff.”

“That was her showing how to do sewing, with the alphabet and all,” Shire said. “That was important back then.”

SHIRE cont’d to page 37

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SHIRE cont’d from page 36 Shire and her husband, Bruce, came to the area 25 years ago from Aurora when they were looking for a place to retire.

They had considered places elsewhere in the country, but made a spur-of-the-moment decision as they were driving down state Route 78 and caught a glimpse of a two-story 1861 limestone house atop of a small hill.

Then they saw a “For sale” sign out front.

“We were on a little antiquing trip coming back from Wisconsin, and saw the ‘For Sale’ sign for this house,” Shire said. “Then we changed our lives. We came up the driveway and visited with the people.

They asked what we were doing here, and we told them about the sign, and asked how much they wanted for the house. They told us that the listing was over and they just hadn’t taken the sign down. They had it listed for a certain price, but then they said they’d take a lot less because they had to be out of there in five days.”

It didn’t take long for the Shires to make up their minds.

“We went home that night, couldn’t sleep, and came back the next day and made an offer that changed our lives.”

SHIRE cont’d to page 38 CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

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SHIRE cont’d from page 37 Susan’s passion for the past began 45 years when she was looking for items to decorate the home they had recently bought. She would find items at rummage sales that looked interesting enough to help their house feel more like a home. Some needed a little TLC and she would take the time to refurbish them.

“I started doing this because it was affordable and I liked it, and I could work on something to make it look nice in my house,” Shire said. “We didn’t have a lot of money raising my kids, so it was a neat way to furnish my house.”

Not only did the Shire’s children become curious about the pieces she brought home, but their friends did too, and she was more than happy to show them around, just as she does today when customers bring their own children to her shop.

“I used to have neighbor kids come over,” Shire said, “and M .CO go, ‘Mrs. Shire, what’s that?’ The kids were fascinated by it.”

IA ED WM TTER@SHA CODY CUTTER/CCU The Shires built and opened Susan’s shop a year after One of the more interesting items Shire came settling into their vintage limestone home. Travelers comacross this winter was an 1800s needlework ing from the south along Route 78 can see the front of her sampler made by a 7-year-old girl who used store behind the home before making a slight curve to the left. The the alphabet, words and numbers to develop shop is open by appointment or chance, and she’ll sometimes have her stitching skills. It was one of a few she special weekend store hours posted on her Facebook page — also came across, and she took the time to learn where she’ll post pictures of her latest finds. Passersby know when about their stories. “That was her showing the shop is open when the large red, white and blue “Antiques” flag is how to do sewing, with the alphabet and all,” planted near the driveway.

SHIRE cont’d to page 39 she said. “That was important back then.”

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SHIRE cont’d from page 38

O

She has a loyal customer following, some who’ve been shopping there since she first opened.

“This is my little bit of heaven,” Shire said. “I just enjoy the people, seeing C them happy with things, and introducing more people to this.

I’ll meet people who haven’t been exposed to this, and some will go, ‘This is pretty cool!’”

Many of her pieces don’t sit on the shelves for long, and Shire’s always on the antique hunt for more pieces, but replenishing the inventory isn’t as easy as it used to be, Shire said.

More often than not, many items are often collected and sold as one lot rather than individually.

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“With all of these wonderful primitives, I used to be able to run around Susan Shire Antiques, a lot of shops to find them,” Shire 9469 state Route 78 said. “They’re now quickly cleaned between Mt. Carroll and out of houses, cleaned out of barns Stockton, is open by and go into collections. They’re just app ointment or chance. not there. Finding it is the hardest Cash and check are acpart now. When you’re chasing all cepted as payment methof the time trying to find stuff, plus ods. Find it on Facebook with what you sell, it’s hard.” for more information and It’s a hunt that keeps her active in special opening hours, or her retirement years. call 815-990-6658.

“It’s a way of life with a lot of people,” Shire said. “This is the way we love to live. When you’re bored, you go out antiquing and try to find a new treasure. It’s a way of life, and it’s a comfortable way of life. I never know what I’m coming home with.”

Shire often thinks back to when she first started her journey from the present to the past, decorating her home with unique finds and making memories with her children. Even though times have changed since she began collecting, her appreciation of history, and customers’ fascination with it, remains.

“I never thought I would still be doing this, but now I have a true love and respect for them,” Shire said. “It’s our heritage. I would like to make sure it keeps going on with the younger people.” n Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

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