ADAM TESTA, THE SOUTHERN
The fountain at John A. Logan College offers a scenic fall view from the walking path around the campus pond.
SPOTLIGHT ON
Carterville Citizens are the driving force behind continued success
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014
Cambria is a ‘Down Home Community’
Cambria’s motto says it all. Self-labeled a “Down Home Community” of friends and neighbors, the village is focused on improving life for its growing number of citizens. “Carterville’s recent growth has had an advantageous impact on Cambria,” said Cambria Mayor Steven Gottschalk. “With Carterville housing becoming limited, several The Southern File Photo people are buying property A banner welcomes visitors to Cambria in October 2013. and moving to Cambria.” Cambria’s board of expanded the village’s businesses to 21. And, trustees has rapidly number of small in the community, the
local park is receiving two wheelchair-accessible swings. A new sidewalk is also being built from the Dollar General store on Sycamore Road down the east side of North Maple Street to the park. “This will allow our citizens to safely walk to the store in addition to having access to our park walking trail,” Gottschalk said. And making life easier for the community is always on the mind of Gottschalk. “Our short-term goals are to make Cambria an
attractive and safe place to raise a family,” said Village Mayor Steven W. Gottschalk. “Our longterm goal is to increase our tax base by expanding our incorporated area to attract new industries and businesses.” Gottschalk wants to bring in craft and antique stores, wineries, convenience stores and restaurants. The village’s plans to expand its incorporated area to the southwest and northwest could help make it happen. Other projects in the
works for Cambria include an expansion of its public utilities, a potential $400,000 grant for a housing refurbishment and the acquisition of retired military equipment to display at its veteran’s memorial. The village also recently hired four new police officers to further enhance the safety and protection of Cambria’s citizens. “Cambria is having a great year and will continue to prosper in the coming years,” Gottschalk said.
Crainville reaping benefits of Carterville’s growth With growth in population, business and housing, Crainville can be considered a microcosm of what’s happening in Carterville. “The area has evolved a lot over the years,” said Mayor Ron Mitchell, who moved to Crainville with his parents when he was 7. “We’ve annexed quite a bit of property. We have several new subdivisions and new housing.” Crainville borders Carterville in the western sector of Williamson County north of Crab Orchard Lake and is considered a home-rule community. This allows for sales tax that “has enabled us to do a lot of things we
couldn’t do normally,” Mitchell said. Mitchell was elected mayor a few days after the May 8, 2009, derecho storm struck and helped guide Crainville through a massive clean-up and rebuilding. He has also led the village through other key points, including the January 2011 unveiling of the newly built 3,070-square-foot village hall. The facility replaced a metal pole barn a few hundred feet away that had housed city offices and services since 1974. The new facility is just one of many exciting additions to the Crainville landscape. A water system upgrade with
way with federal funding provided through a Community Development Assistance Grant. The diamond interchange at the Wolf Creek road intersection will eventually bring more business and revenue into the area. The village board has approved tax increment financing districts along Crainville’s portion of Illinois 13 to spur development. All in all, more growth is projected The Southern File Photo for this village of a little more than The Crainville water tower welcomes people to 1,000 people. the town. “We hope to have retail development on the north and south frontage roads,” installation of new water lines on the Mitchell said. southeast sector of town is now under
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Athletes, fans benefitting from an ‘outstanding’ facility Carterville boys basketball coach Scott Burzynski still remembers the January 2012 night like it was yesterday. His Lions opened up play in their new, 2,700-capacity gymnasium that Friday evening by beating Anna-Jonesboro, 52-28, in a conference game. The victory was a great way to start the SIRR schedule, sure. But the most monumental aspect of that night was the official unveiling of a new opportunity for Carterville high school basketball players, coaches and fans. “It was great to finally get into the new gym,” Burzynski said. “I’ll never forget that night and that season, really.” The high school’s new gym has simplified the logistics associated with coordinating practices and games for Burzynski and his staff. able to spread things out and that makes “We are very fortunate to have the it nice.” ability to utilize more baskets and more With more space and state-of-thespace for practice,” Burzynski said. “And with the smaller gym for practice, we are art facilities, it’s not just the basketball
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Carterville’s Matt Galik brings the ball up the floor during a game against Nashville in January. THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
team benefitting from the gym two years later. Physical education classes also have ample room for fitness activities and games.
Fans are able to sit back and enjoy an environment more conducive to watching a game, including new scoreboards and better lighting than the high school’s previous gym. Carterville athletes also enjoy competing on the $1.5 million Lions Field for football and track. The turf field and eight-lane track was part of a 2003 bond referendum that finally came to fruition with the 2008 construction of the field. “I think our facilities all around are just outstanding,” Burzynski said. Even with the newer gym making it easier on him and his players, Burzynski carries with him great memories from coaching in the gym at the old high school. “That old gym was great for games,” he said. “It was the old-time gym, down in the ground. It wasn’t good for practice by any means, but I know a lot of people who really enjoyed the game atmosphere there.”
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Education is a pillar of Carterville’s identity For the third consecutive year, Carterville High School earned the Chicago Sun Times “Top 50 High Schools in Illinois” designation, ranking 35th out of 677 high schools in the state. The school was the only one south of Springfield to make the list. “Carterville High School has the highest collegeready student percentage in Southern Illinois,” said Carterville Mayor Brad Robinson. “Their facilities, administration, faculty and staff are top notch.” The Carterville Community Unit 5 district as a whole is a strong performer on national tests and offers its students state-of-the-art learning facilities. It’s not only the high school gaining national attention in Carterville. Robin Moore, director the private preschool Robin’s Nest Learning Center, was recently named Director of the Year through the Association of Early Learning Leaders. The association recognizes leaders of early childhood education nationwide. The center also earned the Gold Circle of Excellence from Excelerate
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
The entrance sign at John A. Logan College welcomes guests and students to campus. The college not only offers a variety of classes for full-time students and community members but also serves as a meeting place for various groups and conferences throughout the year.
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Robin’s Nest Assistant Director Jena Parson joins in activities with students.
pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students. More residential growth within Carterville has led to the need for more educational opportunities at all levels — from pre-K up to community college. “John A. Logan College is a true gem for the City of Carterville,” Robinson said. “It provides a qualTHE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO ADAM TESTA, THE SOUTHERN ity affordable education for our residents and the Teacher Brittany Allgaire helps Josalyn Pyrtle identify a The new Carterville High School opened in 2011, offering new entire region. It is a major poster on the classroom wall during journal time at Carterville opportunities for students in the district. economic engine for the Christian Preparatory School, which opened this fall. City of Carterville and the August with the goal Carterville Christian primary employer within of offering individualIllinois, a system that rates based on research in child Preparatory Academy the city.” ized attention for its opened its doors in early childcare programs development.
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The Southern File Photos
Military representatives raise the U.S. flag during a Veterans Day ceremony commemorating the Carterville veterans’ memorial in 2011. LEFT: In this January 2009 photo, John Yack shows off his design for a veterans memorial he was working to have installed in Carterville. The project was completed in 2011.
Veterans Memorial honors the fallen
Dedicated on Nov. 11, 2011, the Carterville Veterans Memorial is a striking salute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the United States. It is also a symbol of reverence for the master mind behind the project — the late John Yack. The memorial was designed by Yack, who worked over the course of 10 years to secure funding and complete building plans for the project. He knew his dream would become a reality more than three months before his death in late February 2011, when the Carterville City Council approved
“The memorial is such a nice tribute and brings a lot of people downtown to experience it.” Jan Campbell, executive director of the Carterville Chamber of Commerce
a motion to underwrite the more than $100,000 project, which was built by Doug Eubanks of Sesser. The memorial is on South Division Street, next to the downtown heritage
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museum. Carterville donated the building for the museum to the Carterville Heritage & Preservation Foundation, and the museum opened in the spring of 2012, with exhibits featuring important historical elements of the community, including veterans. The memorial hosts special Veterans Day events and offers a quaint location for citizens paying their respects for local heroes. “The memorial is such a nice tribute and brings a lot of people downtown to experience it,” said Jan Campbell, executive director of the Carterville Chamber
of Commerce. Yack served in Korea with the Army and was a decorated veteran in 1954. A plaque within the memorial contains the names of more than 40 veterans from Carterville killed in action from wars dating back to World War I. The city council, along with Eubanks, Architechniques Limited of Herrin, Carterville American Legion John A. Logan Post 347 and its auxiliary, and family of the late Benjamin Smith of Carterville, who was killed in action during the Gulf War, were all instrumental in bringing Yacks’ dream to life.
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Carterville: A caring community With an engaged citizenry that cares for one and all, it’s no wonder Carterville is such a popular place to set down roots. Some upcoming events in Carterville offer the perfect forum for family fun and entertainment. They also provide a great way for community members to become more involved in their city’s efforts. One such event, the annual Downtown Pumpkin Path on Oct. 31, draws more than 1,000 people, is free and coordinated by the Carterville Chamber of Commerce. More than 30 churches, businesses and civic groups will hand out candy to trick-ortreaters downtown from 6 to 8 p.m. “We collect canned goods from those who participate for the Carterville Food Pantry,” said Jan Campbell, executive
One attendee pauses before a festively decorated storefront on Division Street during the 2012 Christmas in Carterville celebration.
DON’T MISS What: Annual Downtown Pumpkin Path When: Friday, Oct. 31 Time: 4:30 p.m. Where: First Baptist Church Parking Lot Costume judging: 5 p.m. Parade downtown to fire station: 5:30 p.m. Pumpkin path: 6 to 8 p.m.; participating businesses from fire station to Old National Bank Contact: 618-985-6942
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
director of the Carterville Chamber of Commerce. Other Popular Events Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce include the Visit with Santa at Christmas event,
scheduled for Dec. 6. If you’re looking to plan out your 2014 volunteer schedule, Carterville has a full calendar of events and comprehensive list of community-focused
groups that are always in need of volunteers. Gum Drops is one such non-profit organization that serves more than 1,400 weekly food packages to at-risk students
across 36 Southern Illinois schools. Carterville’s youth get involved in volunteering efforts, as well. The high school’s National Honor Society and Beta Club are active in the community, donating time to local causes and performing trash pickup.
Longtime pastor steps down Dorothy Cook leaves lasting impression on Carterville and beyond Dorothy Cook has devoted herself to her ministry for 43 years, serving as the long-time pastor of Carterville’s First Apostolic Church. Now she’s stepping down to focus on other aspects of her life — and of course the lives of others. In September, more than 100 people came out to the Carterville Community Center to show their appreciation for what she has done for the city. The event was organized by long-time neighbor and church member, RoseAnn Rector. “I have lived across the street from her my whole life,” Rector said. “I always told people she is Carterville’s Mother Teresa.”
When Rector head that Cook was retiring, she immediately began putting together plans for a celebration. “I had never done anything like that, but just knew I had to do something for her,” she said. “The community came out in full force, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the city and local businesses.” Rector tells stories about Cook visiting people in nursing homes, their own homes or in hospitals, “no matter if you went to her church or not.” The number of people she impacted cannot be fully measured, says Cook’s sister, Frances. “You don’t realize how much of an impact she had until a young person comes up and says, ‘You have no idea what you have meant to my life,’” Frances said. Dorothy says she plans on being active in various church functions, including Sunday school.
“Also, along with rotary we do the Hurricane Golf Scramble to raise funds for the chamber and rotary,” Campbell added. “We gave a sizeable donation to the Austin Wade Foundation which helps local families whose children have cancer with funds for gas and other things when traveling for treatment to St. Louis and other places.” The Second Annual Mayor Mausey Fundraiser was a hit in June, with a Carterville’s Got Talent fundraiser brining in proceeds for the beautification of Carterville, including the downtown decorative lighting, the Cannon Park Fountain and a new marquee sign. The Carterville Lions Free Fair includes fun and entertainment for all, even fitness fanatics with its ever-growing Carterville Chamber Twilight 5K.
Dorothy Cook is stepping down from her longtime role as pastor of Carterville’s First Apostolic Church to focus on her health. The community celebrated her career with a party in September. ADAM TESTA, THE SOUTHERN
Frances hopes to help her relax. “Being pastor over the years, she wasn’t really able to take any time off,” she laughed. “We’re hoping to do that now.” Dorothy said she felt she was called at a very young age to help people find themselves and feel welcome in the
church. Her father was pastor of First Apostolic from 1941 to 1971. When he passed away, the torch was passed to her. “She has been there for my family through thick and thin,” Rector said. “If anybody ever needs a friend to call on, Dorothy will be there for you.”
THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN Thursday, October 23, 2014 Page 7
Dr. Melinda Moore brings foot-and-ankle practice to hometown When she opened Family Foot and Ankle Center of Southern Illinois in 2009 in Herrin, Dr. Melinda Moore had a plan to one day serve her patients from her hometown of Carterville. That time is now. Nearly two months ago, Moore transferred her bustling Herrin practice to Division Street in Carterville. All of her patients have transferred over and she expects her schedule to remain full. “We have a waiting list,” she said. “So yes, you could say business is going well.” The practice was established as a board-certified,
themselves on treating each patient like a family member. “We are so glad to have grown Moore so fast with such a great group of patients,” Moore said. Moore is an alumnus of SIU and Rosalind Franklin University School of Podiatric Medicine and SciADAM TESTA, THE SOUTHERN ence. She also completed Dr. Mindy Moore recently moved her office from Herrin back to a three-year Podiatric her hometown of Carterville. Medical and Surgical Residency Program in Chicago before opening her pracAs many Southern Illifull-service podiatric and tice in Herrin. noisans have found out surgical clinic to serve all When the opportunity walks of life, from children over the past five years, came to move into her own Moore and her staff pride to seniors.
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building in Carterville, she jumped at the chance. “Carterville is growing so fast since when I was in high school,” Moore said. “It’s nice to come back and offer another type of medical practice.” Location was a driving factor in Moore’s decision, as well. “Here you’re right between Carterville, Marion and Herrin,” she said. “We’ve got a nice central spot that is easy for people to get to.” The practice’s services include the clinical or surgical treatment of a variety of issues, including heel pain, ankle injuries, fractures, tendinitis, in-grown
DETAILS What: Family Foot & Ankle Center of Southern Illinois Where: 807 S. Division St., Carterville Contact: 618-985-FEET, www.ffacsi.com toenails and wound care. It can also diagnose and treat common injuries sustained at work or during athletic activities. Call 618-985-3338 to set up your appointment in downtown Carterville. You can also book an appointment online at www. ffacsi.com.
From jewelry to books and collectibles to decorative dinnerware, the Scavenger Hunt sells a variety of items. Jennifer Gerlock said so far she and her dad have had good luck with buying out storage units, ending profitably on each one.
DETAILS What: Scavenger Hunt Where: 106 S. Division, St., Carterville Contact: 618-944-0622 TOP: Wayne Gerlock and his daughter, Jennifer Gerlock, own and operate Scavenger Hunt, a thrift store in downtown Carterville. After losing her job, Jennifer started watching the television series ‘Storage Wars’ and got the idea to buy items at auctions and closures and sell them at a shop. BOTTOM: Scavenger Hunt, which opened in May, features several rooms of furniture, clothes and other items collected from storage unit sales and estate auctions. The Gerlocks are planning to build a larger facility across the street from their current location.
Adam Testa PHOTOS, The Southern
Uncovering ‘Scavenger’ treasures downtown Jennifer Gerlock’s eyes light up when asked to identify her favorite part of running her small business in downtown Carterville. “Finding treasures,” she said, laughing. Gerlock and her father, Wayne, own Scavenger Hunt and are literally in the business of finding treasures. The business resells items that it purchases from storage unit sales in the St. Louis area. Think “Storage Wars,” the popular, longrunning television show on A&E — without the drama. “We actually work really well together
with the other businesses that do this,” Jennifer said. “They’ve got some good characters on that show because we really don’t see anything like that.” The interior brick walls of Scavenger Hunt are lined with an array of products, from jewelry and purses to an expansive range of housewares — the business’ best sellers. Above the crates of records featuring The Guess Who, The Pretenders and more hangs a collection of beautiful wooden picture frames and shelving units. It’s this kind of eclectic assortment that keeps things interesting here.
“We’ve got the clothing, housewares and other merchandise to keep it fresh,” Jennifer said. “If someone within a month hasn’t decided that an item can be a treasure for them, we take it off the shelf and donate it to the pantry.” The Gerlocks are planning to expand their operations into a second location across Division Street. The additional space will give them 4,250 more feet for inventory space, as well as another 2,000 square feet for their new laundry service. “We are so excited that the expansion is able to happen so quickly,” Wayne
said. “Business has been great and we were able to acquire the new space at the right time.” Quality service – the Gerlocks known nearly all of their customers by first name – and word of mouth have been the primary sources of advertising for Scavenger Hunt. Social media has helped, as well. Jennifer posts five items on Facebook every day. Most times, those items are scooped up within a day or so. “We have built up such a great group of customers,” she said. “They check our Facebook pretty much every day.”
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Chamber of Commerce: ‘191 businesses strong and growing’ Behind every strong city is a Chamber of Commerce working hand-in-hand with business owners, city officials and community members to strengthen the local economy. Carterville’s chamber definitely fits the bill. “We call ourselves the little chamber that does,” said Jan Campbell, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “Our community is growing. This means more people, which means more businesses want to come to town.” Campbell and her staff have pioneered new community programs and volunteering efforts, while also serving as invaluable resources for businesses trying to overcome challenges. “With our location between Marion and Carbondale, it takes a team effort to create a business friendly environment,” said Carterville Mayor Brad Robinson. “We work together to get potential businesses linked into locations and opportunities, as well as keeping informed on the needs and concerns of our existing businesses.” The chamber hosts monthly meetings and luncheons at the community center, offering an ideal forum for business owners to network and share ideas. “We also offer several free business forums throughout the year,” Campbell said. “Our Ambassador Committee has done an excellent job of helping to market
our chamber.” And the chamber works hard to market the city, relying on Carterville’s selling points to attract new businesses and partners. “Our new schools and dedicated teaching staff and one of the best junior colleges around make it a great place to get an education,” Campbell said. “And Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge is right
The Southern File Photos
ABOVE: Rich and Janie Davis were honored with the Frank R. Samuel Jr. Award at the Carterville Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet. LEFT: Shannon Johnson Chamber received the Member of the Year Award at this year’s annual awards banquet.
down the road.” The chamber has enjoyed an influx of involved businesses — “191 strong and growing” — according to Campbell. It’s easy to see why.
“Our community has heart and comes together to help each other,” she said. “It is a little slice of small town life located right off a major highway and a great place to raise your family.”
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Carterville becoming region’s ‘banking capital’ Peoples National Bank broke ground earlier this month on the future site of its Carterville branch at 707 S. Greenbriar Drive, cementing the city’s stake as one of the fastestgrowing banking pockets of Southern Illinois. “I was recently commenting about the number of bank facilities per capita in Carterville,” said Carterville Mayor Brad Robinson.
“I have no data on that topic, but Carterville may be the ‘banking capital of Southern Illinois.’” The new Peoples National Bank is scheduled to open in the spring and will be the branch’s 20th location in Southern Illinois and the metro area. The bank is family-owned and has been in business since 1909. “We are very pleased
“I was recently commenting about the number of bank facilities per capita in Carterville. I have no data on that topic, but Carterville may be the ‘banking capital of Southern Illinois.’” Mayor Brad Robinson
with the current banking facilities, as well as the new branches coming to town,” Robinson said. “It will be an added convenience for current citizens or any future business owners who may want to locate here in Carterville.” Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce Jan Campbell said eight banks — many from Carterville — are members of the chamber. She points to convenience as a major plus in more banks coming to town, both for Carterville’s community members and the financial institutions themselves. “More and more, we’re
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Spotlight on Carterville Citizens are the driving force behind growth, success If one word could summarize what is going on in Carterville these days, it would be “growth.” The city’s business landscape is expanding. An afternoon stroll through Carterville’s downtown reveals as much. “Our chamber is really, really growing,” said Jan Campbell, executive director of the Carterville Chamber of Commerce. Carterville’s educational infrastructure is also budding. John A. Logan College has
received statewide and national recognition for its level of instruction at the community college level and the city’s public school system is continually near the top of state rankings. “Education is the primary reason for Carterville’s growth and success,” said Mayor Brad Robinson. This section covers a range of topics, from a spotlight on a unique business employing a mentality straight off
the popular television show, “Storage Wars,” to an inside look into what makes Carterville’s relationship with Cambria and Crainville so strong. And strong relationships are what Carterville does best. City hall and the chamber are dedicated to growing the business culture. Educators are working day by day to prepare tomorrow’s leaders. And Carterville’s citizens are the driving force behind it all.
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Downtown: Growing and improving Power services have been moved from the front of buildings. Decorative lamp options are being weighed and funded. Plans for improved building facades are in the works. Yes, the City of Carterville is guiding its downtown through a fullfledged beautification phase — and business owners are taking notice. “We can’t say enough about the city for their support since we opened our doors,” said Jennifer Gerlock, owner of Scavenger Hunt, a downtown business expanding into a new location across Division Street. “They have helped us every step of the way.” Many downtown renovation projects are nearing completion, with many more in the works. The final two businesses that received their power services from the front of their buildings have been transitioned to the rear of the buildings. Types, styles, sizes and placement positions of the decorative lamps that will soon dot the downtown are being evaluated.
“We are also looking into grant opportunities to assist in the purchase and installation of the lamps,” said Carterville Mayor Brad Robinson. Other downtown initiatives have included the demolition of the Corbell Telephone and Electronic Teleco property destroyed by fire in 2013, as well as the efforts of planning for a new business on the site. Also, other open spaces have been recently rented or sold to businesses. And with the new business comes a goal to restore the appearance of downtown storefronts. “Carterville’s zero-interest loan program for downtown facade improvements has had two businesses apply and be approved since last year,” Robinson said. A council committee has also been formed to work with the city attorney on forming an improvement plan and guidelines for zoning and themes for the future of the downtown. The city is also consulting with an architectural firm on guidance for facade improvements of city hall.
IN THE PHOTO: Downtown Carterville is home to numerous shops and restaurants.
ADAM TESTA, THE SOUTHERN
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