Sauk Valley Sun Dixon Edition

Sauk Valley Sun 459 Il. Route #2 Dixon, IL 61021

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June 2013 | Vol. 1 Issue 3

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Memorial Park in Dixon honors military

INSIDE

Vietnam Veteran, Roy Randorf of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin made a stop at Memorial Park in Dixon on his way to a motorcycle rally in North Carolina.

Randorf said the park is beautiful and well represents each branch of the military.

2013 County Fair Schedule Summer’s coming which means county fairs are right around the corner! Check to see which fairs will be near you and when! see page 2

The Man Behind the Badge - Lee County Sheriff John Varga Sheriff Varga grew up around people who did law enforcement and thought it was interesting. He saw what it was like close up and wanted to be involved in it. see page 4

2013 Summer Reading Programs

See pages 5, 10, and 26 for more stories about military members in our community in honor of Memorial Day

Keep your little bookworm’s thirst for literary adventures strong! Discover the many summer reading programs Sauk Valley has to offer. see page 17

Staff photo

Local

Dining

Home & Garden Business

Pets

Local

Every day is a miracle for Amboy teen

Gazi’s Restaurant, Rock Falls, has international menu, flavors

Summer is perfect time to create kitchen of your dreams

Wizard of Paws “magically” creates clean, happy dogs

Midway Drive-In: A nostaligic look at a family tradition

see page 7

see page 9

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local Calendar of Events

2013 County Fair Schedule

5/24 - Fourth Friday - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 6/28 - Fourth Friday - Dog Days - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 6/29 - Dog Days in the Park; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 7/26 - Fourth Friday - Music Fest - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 7/27 - Music Fest in the Park; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 8/2 - Sterling Downtown Merchants Hot dog days/Sidewalk sales; sponsored by Downtown Merchants 8/3 - Sauk Valley Shop Small Saturday; sponsored by Lisa Lefevre 8/17 - Garden Stock - Distinctive Gardens, Dixon 8/23 - Fourth Friday - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 9/21 - Taste of Fiesta in the Park Chilifest Distinctive Gardens, Dixon 9/27 - Fourth Friday Fiesta - Downtown Sterling 10/4,5,6 - Autumn on Parade - Oregon 10/12 - Harvest Moon Festival - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 10/25 - Fourth Friday - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 11/22 - Fourth Friday - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sterling Main Street 11/30 - Sauk Valley Shop Small Saturday; Lisa Lefevre 12/6 - Sights n Sounds - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sauk Valley Chamber 12/27 - Fourth Friday - Downtown Sterling; sponsored by Sterling Main Street CORRECTION

In the May edition of the Sauk Valley Sun two names were misspelled. Brenda Sisson was named Glenda Sisson and Jill Straw was identified as Jill Shaw. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Judy Bell, Publisher

Head’s up for brides and grooms 1. Get your teeth whitened…Dr. Hey, Dixon has an amazing offer: FREE! $350 Value.

Call and get the details: 815-288-4731. Ask for Patty.

2. Immediately book your salon consultation and confirm all bridal party appointments.

Confirm the investment arrangements with the salon.

Many have money saving packages that are truly a once-in-lifetime experience.

3. Ask your stylist for a

“practice session”. It could include eyebrow shaping, hair removal, facial and pedicure. Maybe include your maid of honor, your mom… even your bridal consultant.

Your groom may appreciate some special “grooming”, too. Ask him.

4. Plan several “stressfree” days the month or so before your wedding. Sleep late; eat healthy, have an extra massage, take a walk for 20 minutes three times a week….just you and nature to reconnect with the beauti-

July 9-14 Stephenson County Fair Freeport, IL

Aug. 6-10 Carroll County Fair Milledgeville, IL

July 25-28 Lee County Fair Amboy, IL

Aug. 13-18 Winnebago County Fair Pecatonica, IL

Aug. 21-25 Bureau County Fair Princeton, IL

July 31- Aug. 4 Ogle County Fair Oregon, IL

Aug. 13-17 Whiteside County Fair Morrison, IL

Sept. 4-8 DeKalb County Fair Sandwich, IL

Soil as rich as its history

ful person God created and the gift of life.

5. Consider an “Air Brush Tan” for your wedding day….its better …healthier and non-toxic…than a “tanning bed tan.” Talk to Jeni at Karma.

6. Remember you are totally and completely uniquely beautiful…your salon, stylist and other members of your beauty team are available to help you.

Ann Brandt,owner, Karma Salon, Rock Falls 815622-7500.

Letter to the Editor

McCaffrey riding a 1974 International Harvester tractor

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading the May edition. Great positive stories about our community. Very well written. I read it cover to cover. Great job! Keep it up.

Andra, Sterling Editor’s Note: Opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sauk Valley News staff. We invite opinions on all sides of an issue. If you have an opinion, please send it as e-mail to sauksun@gmail.com. All letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number. The Sauk Valley Sun reserves the right to edit letters as necessary to fit the publication’s format.

1637 Plock Road Dixon, IL 61021 815-288-4673 www.homeo opeonline.com

People in Mo on, Stay in Mo on: The Value of Physical Ac vity in Health Home of Hope along with the Dixon Family YMCA is proud to offer you a wellness program on June 14 at 5:30pm

Loca on: Dixon Family YMCA 110 North Galena Ave.

Please RSVP 815-288-4673

Michael Petrie, BSE, DC will share knowledge of the importance of physical ac vity/exercise during and post cancer treatments. He brings with him a wealth of informa on as he is currently a Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant at the Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilita on Science at the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine.

Riding a 1974 International Harvester tractor, third generation farmer, Leo McCaffrey, tills his land in preparation of planting corn.

Although the fourth generation does most of the work, he said he helps his sons, Steve and Ed when he can.

McCaffrey, 88, began farming in his teens, following his father’s death from Tuberculosis, acquired during WWI. Never wavering from demands of the farm, he also worked at BorgWarner Inc., retiring after 25 years.

Courtesy photo

They used to raise hogs, however, due to poor returns, ended that part of production 15 years ago.

A lot has changed he said, since his grandfather Patrick McCaffrey made his mark in 1919, on that same land in rural Dixon.

Publisher’s Note Focusing on the power of good in our communities Judy Bell Publisher In many various ways it is said, “What you focus on expands.” So, if we focus on the good in our communities, will it expand?

The Sauk Valley Sun believes this to be true.

We focus on the good that is happening. We celebrate people and their achievements.

We highlight those times and places where people

chose to help other people.

By the conscious choice of directing our hearts, minds and souls on what is good, it is possible that we see more opportunities to do good. It is possible that we may like our communities more, we may even appreciate prior generations for what they accomplished and the legacy that they have left with parks, museums, public buildings, art and a heritage of doing and being our best.

We may take better care of

what we have been given.

How does this manifest itself in everyday life?

Maybe those who like their community will take care of it more carefully.

Trash and litter may be picked up by citizens more quickly. We may even begin to curb acts of violence as everyone sees the value of respect and honor for all.

The choice is ours.

What will you focus on today as you recall: What you focus on expands.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local parks - Healthy, fun, free activity personal farm of Civil War Colonel William M. Kilgour.

There are a few little quirks in our park systems too. How about parks that no one is allowed to go into?

Van Arnam’s Island and Willow Island Park are the islands just above the dam in Dixon. They are kept as a nature preserve as well as several small areas adjacent to trails in the park systems.

Some parks have passed on in history. I live in Assembly Park in Dixon. It used to be a very important recreational center with a The Little Red School House Museum at Centennial Park in Rock Falls

Carol Chandler With today’s economy, if there is anything out there that is free -- you better grab it! This sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But this is no gimmick. Go to our parks - they are all around us. Pack a sandwich, grab your fishing pole or the kids and go on over to one of the 58 parks in Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls.

The earliest park is John Dixon Park, donated by Mr. Dixon in 1842 and the most recent one is Joshua Park in Rock Falls, completed in 2012. The parks vary from the .05 acre Liberty Bell Park in Rock Falls (Veteran’s Memorial Park comes pretty close at 0.6 acres) to The

Meadows with 567 acres in Dixon. Coloma Township Park District has 17 parks, Dixon Park District has 22 and the Sterling Park District has 13. There are also city parks that many enjoy.

The parks offer boating, picnicking, bike and horse trails, baseball, ice hockey, skateboarding, soccer, hiking, deer and turkey hunting, golfing, snowmobiling, ice skating, shuffleboard, tennis, horseshoes and crosscountry skiing (I know that I have probably left a few things out. There are just so many things to see and do!)

And there is something for our short four-legged friends too - Parks 4 Paws in Dixon.

Nobody’s left out!

Recently, the Sterling Park

Centennial Park in Rock Falls

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to all the soldiers who have put their lives on the line to protect not only our rights and freedoms, but also those of our children and grandchildren. God bless our vets!

Well, there you have it!

There is a wonderland of nature around us that we probably didn’t know about!

For more information call: Coloma Township Park District at 815/625-0272; Dixon Park District at 815/2843306; and the Sterling Park District at 815/622-6200.

Hope to see you at the park!

We were GREEN before it was KEEN!

Courtesy photos

District, the cities of Sterling and Rock Falls, Coloma Township Park District and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, collaborated to form the Sinnissippi Dam Walkway. It links the trail system in Sterling and the Hennepin Feeder Canal to Rock Falls. Dixon has its 6.5 mile walking/biking trail that connects Dixon to Lowell Park. What a great way to get some exercise and enjoy nature through the seasons!

Walking with friends or in a group makes it fun.

Some neat historical items of interest: Sinnissippi Park in Sterling has Hopewillian Indian Mounds that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Kilgour Park was once part of the

large hotel, horse races, an auditorium that seated 5,000 and international stars appearing in Christian programs.

There are also delightful city parks. I used to pass Thomas Park in Sterling every day on my way to work at CGH Medical Center.

I always looked for “my heron.” I knew that if I saw him, I was going to have a great day!

I cannot fail to mention the Veteran’s Park in Dixon. It, like it’s counterpart in Rock Falls, stands as a testimonial

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local

The Man Behind the Badge – Lee County Sheriff John Varga in law enforcement for 24 years. He started out as a Lee County probation officer. He worked with both juvenile and adult cases then took a job with the Lee County Sheriff ’s Office where he was a correctional officer at the Lee County Jail. He became the administrator of the jail and then was elected Lee County Sheriff.

The sheriff is an administrator, and he likes the variety of the job. Varga states, “I consider it an honor to serve

By Jill Horn Sheriff Varga grew up around people who did law enforcement and thought it was interesting. He saw what it was like close up and wanted to be involved in it.

He received his degree in criminal justice from Illinois State University. He then went to work as a private investigator in Rockford, but eventually ended up in Lee County.

Varga has been involved

as sheriff.�

Being the sheriff is like any other job in that he has good days and bad days.

Some challenges that come with being sheriff include covering a large area. It takes him 45 minutes to drive to the other end of the county if he is called to do so. Some of the smaller communities like Franklin Grove and Amboy, don’t have 24-hour local police departments. It is the sheriff’s department’s job to provide protection in

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those communities when the part-time local law enforcement agencies are offduty. Whenever his office receives a call, they try to serve the public as well as they can. He ensures his deputies are well-trained, so they can serve us to the best of their ability.

One program that has been going on for five or six years is called “Shop With the Sheriff.� This program is to help make sure kids all over the county receive Christmas presents. He wants to make sure that all kids have a good Christmas.

He also sees this as a way to help the community see the sheriff’s department in a different light. The kids have the opportunity to spend time with police officers in uniform when nothing bad is happening. Everyone in the department participates and enjoys the opportunity to serve the county in this way.

Varga also feels it’s important to have time away from his job. Even though he is always the sheriff and can never be completely away from it, he does relax while doing things with his family. He finds being involved with his kids who are 13-years-old and 16-years-old, to be the best way to spend his time away from the job.

His kids were very young

Sheriff Varga

Courtesy photo

when he decided to run for sheriff. Since he is in the public eye, his family participated in making the decision about whether he should run for office. His wife and children communicate openly about his job. His family is the first to hear questions from friends whenever something in the community happens. They also hear and read what is in the media about him. Varga says, “My family handles the spotlight and its pressures very well. Open communication is what makes that possible.� His wife and kids must take the good with the bad. They have met Senator Bivens and other public figures but also live in a small community where most people know what John Varga does for a living.

His kids also know when something bad has happened

at work since they may get a lecture on never texting and driving, for example, after someone in Lee County has had an accident while texting and driving. The Sheriff doesn’t relate any details but the kids know something has happened.

Like Sheriff Wilhelmi, whom I spoke with last month, Sheriff Varga wants to encourage everyone to call the Sheriff’s department whenever seeing something suspicious. He says it’s always best to call the day you see something out of the ordinary. He must rely on the public to report what they see and hear in order to protect the community.

Varga says, “Call us and let us sort things out if you are in doubt.�

Thank you Sheriff Varga for serving us and making sure we are safe.

PADS homeless shelter implements new mentorship program DATE

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The Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) homeless shelter in Dixon is implementing a new mentoring program for its residents.

Vanessa White, PADS board member, wrote in a press release, that “Our intent is to attract members of the community, ages 21 years and older, to serve as mentors for those persons currently residing at the homeless shelter.�

The first step of this goal is to

match each male at the PADS shelter with a male in the community and do the same for the women at the shelter.

The mentoring program will assist residents with life goals such as securing permanent housing, obtaining job skills, resume building and interviewing tips. Mentors will spend 5-8 hours a month with the resident with whom they are matched. This time will be used to work on goals and the progress of the resident.

Many of the shelter residents, both men and women of all ages, have fallen on hard times for a variety of reasons. The shelter residents appreciate the mentor program. It offers encouragement that they need to help rebuild their lives.

Those interested should contact Vanessa White to obtain an application, and have an interview scheduled to go over expectations. She can be reached at (815) 440-6598

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

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Vietnam Veteran, Roy Randorf of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin makes a stop at Memorial Park in Dixon on his way to a motorcycle rally in North Carolina. He was in the Army from 1966 to 1972, serving two tours. Preparing for his third tour, he was shot with an AK-47 in his right leg and was honorably discharged. Although his doctors didn’t expect him to walk again, he beat the odds and has, “even surprised” himself. Randorf said the park is beautiful and well represents each branch of the military.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local Midway Drive-In: A nostaligic look at a family tradition

Courtesy photos

By Celeste LightnerGreenwalt For those of us that grew up in the Sauk Valley area in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the Midway Drive-In was a tradition for the youth of the area.

My memories include seeing how many you could cram into your car to get into the drive-in, to hooking up the speaker to your driver’s side window, getting a hamburger and French fries at the concession stand, and finally watching a doublefeature at the greatest audi-

torium in the world…under nature’s own stars.

The Midway Drive-In, located between Dixon and Sterling on Palmyra Road, has been a staple for the Sauk Valley area since opening in 1950.

Back then, World War II veterans took their families to the drive-in, and now the baby-boomers are taking advantage of the 1950s atmosphere and taking their families to the Midway. The Midway has been in almost constant operation since its opening, considered a historical landmark, and is

the oldest standing drive-in screen in Illinois. The Midway Drive-In is dedicated to preserving the American tradition of the drive-in experience.

The drive-in represents a by-gone era that is recreated at every visit, representing family values and a memory of more innocent times in our culture.

You can get there early and spend time with your beau or your family. Enjoying children playing at the playground is easy while taking in the beautiful landscape of nature which sur-

rounds the Midway.

The Midway Drive-In offers a nostalgic experience to the past with its retro “spaceship” ticket booth and its full service concession stand. “The Midway Diner” has the classic self-serve menu which includes everything from hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, candy, ice cream, French fries, fried cheese sticks, pizza and cotton candy! And of course, popcorn! They also offer the classic dining booths or you can take your concessions out to your car for that

outdoor eating experience.

The Midway, which can hold up to 500 cars and boasts a giant 90 foot screen, offers two first run films at an extremely low admission price every weekend, as well as presenting special events and film festivals. Each film presentation begins with the National Anthem and everyone is asked to stand.

Classic coming attractions, short subjects, and cartoons entertain before the film begins. During intermission, the classic animated “Dancing Hot Dog” short and other vintage conces-

sion ads play.

One thing that has changed at the Midway is the sound. No more speakers to hang on your driver’s side window; now the sound is transmitted through your car’s stereo system.

A night the historic Midway Drive-In is full of family fun and entertainment.

For more information, contact the drive-in during regular operating hours at 815-622-2900. Show times are available at 815-2888700.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local

Every day is a miracle for Amboy teen Justin Walls - living on borrowed time

Justin enjoys staying connected via Facebook and Twitter on his iPad. Monster Truck Driver Tom Meents is one of many who Walls chats with online.

Justin Walls, 19, of Amboy, plays with Akiyah, his 5 month old great dane. She loves waking him early every morning, which he says is not his favorite part about having a big dog.

Courtesy photos

AMBOY — Excruciating arthritis, chronic lung disease, partial blindness, a severely compromised immune system and memory loss aren’t typical problems 19-year-olds encounter. For Justin Walls, of Amboy, it has become a way of life.

Yet somehow, his eyes sparkle brightly as he smiles more than the average teen.

A value beyond measure and greater appreciation for life is where he gives credit for his positive outlook.

Walls, born with a fatal genetic syndrome, known as Weidemann Rautenstrauch, experiences premature aging, putting his physical body

in the state of an 80-year-old man.

It has also severely stunted his growth. He is 3 feet, 7 inches tall.

Doctors warned his family the life expectancy of a person with progeria is about 12.

His mother, Jennifer Anderson, said, “Physicians say he is living on borrowed time. He turned 19 on Feb. 18.” Looking at her son, smiling, she added, “Seven years beyond what was expected…”

“It’s pretty awesome,” Justin adds with a smile back.

There are less than 80 known cases worldwide with one of the five forms of

People Helping People

progeria, which makes him a medical anomaly. Every aspect of his life has been documented for research.

With everything he has endured, he said the toughest obstacle is simply being ignored. “Some people act like they don’t see me.”

“In our society, people think if they pretend they don’t see you, they don’t have to approach or acknowledge you, and they see it as being polite,” Anderson said.

“But the people who know me are nice,” he said.

He attends Dixon High School for a couple of hours a day. “It is more about socialization than education for him,” Anderson said. She continued, “Dixon schools have always been very accommodating for Justin. They’ve been jumping through hoops to meet all of his challenges. They are very supportive and would do anything for him. The kids have been great trying to include him in as much as possible too.”

As a junior, he has made a decision to ditch his wheelchair and walk to classes with his aide, Sue Sprenger.

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The Lonesome Fugitive

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Walls said he hopes to spend more time making friends and hanging out with his best friend David Bulfer.

He also hopes to spend time volunteering, being outside, walking, fishing, visiting Niabi Zoo and he is hopeful to see Tom Meents, driver of Maximum Destruction, monster truck.

Justin has quite a Facebook and Twitter following and often interacts with friends online. Some of his other hobbies include watching the Chicago Cubs, Monster Jam, NASCAR especially driver Jimmie Johnson, and listening to Brad Paisley, his favorite country music performer.

In spite of the latest changes, he said, “I’m doing pretty good. I’m happy. Guess I want people to know, I’m just still around.”

Les Floto, who named himself the Lonesome Fugitive, plays in Tri-Cities in June

Please e-mail information for a benefit to info@sauksun.com Or mail information/flyer to: People Helping People c/o Sauk Valley Sun 459 Illinois Rt. #2 Dixon IL 61021

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Walls said, “She kind of walks me to class and helps me with my schoolwork.”

At school Walls said he feels like a small town celebrity, but this year has been rough, causing him to miss a lot of school.

Anderson said, “We have to weigh the exposing him to illness, versus the social interaction. It’s a catch 22.

Something little can turn into something very ugly, very

quickly.”

“I like school, when I am there. [Vice Principal Chris] Mr. Tennyson and [School Resource Officer] Jason LaMendola, have taken me under their wings.”

The developmental delays he has faced are one more hurdle in his day-to-day.

Anderson said, “We’ve made a shift. The first 15 years was medical — medical discovery and maintenance. About four years ago, we switched to psychological issues. Medical aspects were easier than the emotional guessing game.”

The confusion similar to an 80-year-old, in conjunction with the teenage mind, is often overwhelming. His mother wonders if he is different as a result of meshing two worlds, that of elderly and adolescence.

As summer approaches,

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Les Floto, whose stage name is the Lonesome Fugitive, started calling himself that because Merle Haggert’s music made a big impression on him. Haggert

recorded “The Lonesome Fugitive” in 1967, and it was the very first song Les learned to play on his guitar. You can listen to The Lonesome Fugitive at the Gingko Tree Café in Dixon on Saturday, June 8 from 6

p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 at Aldo’s Pizzeria in Rochelle from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday, June 29, at Books on First in Dixon from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Les plays a combination of classic rock and country music.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local

Tennis Forever in Dixon

L-R Kimi Wegner, Emma Hubbs, and Bridget Prendergast

Courtesy photo

people who have been on the courts receiving tennis instruction and have been positively impacted

by Emma and her love for people and tennis.

Rose Johnson, retired nursing instructor and administrator from SVCC, started playing when she was 10 years old. She took lessons from Emma along with her brother, Jim Concotelli, and sister, Mary Jane Ceffalio. They lived a

block from the tennis courts and would run up the hill to take lessons from Emma.

Rose played until she got too involved with other things in junior high, high school and college. She picked up a racquet again when she was an adult.

She started taking lessons then because she wanted to play but couldn’t find people to play with. That’s how I met Rose. We were taking lessons for the same

By Jill Horn When I first moved to Dixon in 1997, I signed up for tennis lessons and met the extraordinary Emma Hubbs, who continues to show up each weekday, teaching tennis to people of all ages even though she is in her 80s. She has worked for the Dixon Park District for a total of 67 years and still counting.

Here are a few of the

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reason and we are both still taking lessons from Emma to support the tennis program in Dixon. Rose says, “As I look back, Emma was an important person in my life and made an impact on me because she made me feel special as she does with everyone.” Jim was friends with Emma’s son and Emma helped Jim get a tennis scholarship to play for Doane College in Nebraska. Jim played throughout college and was, for some time, a tennis pro and instructor in Florida where he now lives. He is retired now but still plays.

I also met Julie Deutsch while taking tennis lessons. Her daughter, Bridget Prendergast, started taking tennis lessons when she was 4 years old and played throughout high school and college. She worked with

Emma giving tennis lessons during the summer while she was in high school.

Bridget has graduated from college now and still plays tennis recreationally where she lives and works in Madison, WI. Kimi Wegner and Bridget went through the tennis program at Dixon together and worked with Emma together. Kimi too started when she was 4 years old and also started volunteering at the tennis courts with Emma when she was 11 or 12 years old. They worked with the tiny tots. Kimi says, “My mom would drop me off in the mornings and just leave me there all day. It’s where I wanted to be.” Kimi went on to play tennis for Monmouth College and has since graduated from college and is now the tennis coach at Monmouth. She

continues to teach lessons at the park district with Emma during the summers. Lessons at Page Park in Dixon begin June 10. Participants sign up for 3-week sessions. There are two other sessions later in the summer along with two tennis tournaments. One is during the Petunia Festival. This tournament is for youth and adults. The second tournament is July 29-August 2 and is only for youths. You can contact the Dixon Park District at 815-284-3306 for more information regarding lessons or tournaments Someone in Dixon said to me that Emma has impacted thousands of young people in the Dixon area. I have only given a few examples of the many people of all ages Emma has affected by making us feel special.

Home Helpers of the Valleys partners with Veterans Care Coordination New program helps veterans and surviving spouses apply for and obtain Aid and Attendance pension benefits through Department of Veterans Affairs to help pay for safe, affordable home care.

DIXON – One in three seniors in the United States is a veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran. Every day, many of these men and women go without the healthcare they need simply because of lack of information or assistance.

Recognizing this, independently owned and operated Dixon-based Home Helpers of the Valleys, has teamed up with Veterans Care Coordination.

This collaboration will provide an easier path to receive the benefits they are entitled to and the home care they deserve.

Home Helpers Director of Operations, Ty Rogers, said “One of the biggest challenges people face is how they will pay for the care they need. What many do not realize is that they may be eligible for up to $24,228 per year of tax-free money to pay for home care services.”

Together they assist qualifying veterans and their spouses apply for and obtain the Aid and Attendance

Benefit through the Department of Veterans Affairs to help cover their medical expenses, including Home Helpers home care services.

VCC President Kyle Laramie said, “What makes this partnership unique is the fact that we can offer interest-free loan assistance to clients that cannot afford the up-front, out-of-pocket expense that is required.

Our company assists seniors in their qualification for the benefit, reducing the stress commonly associated with applying for assistance.

We are thrilled to partner with Home Helpers to provide local veterans with the benefits to which they are entitled.”

Locally-owned and operated Home Helpers of the Valleys provides comprehensive home healthcare services. Although many of its clients are senior citizens, new and expectant mothers, individuals recovering from surgeries, illnesses or injuries, as well as those with lifelong challenges are among its clientele.

Caregivers work with clients one-on-one to tailor flexible care plans to meet specific needs and budgets.

A broad range of services are available and include transportation, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders and bathing, among others.

“We’re honored to support our local veterans and provide them with the affordable home care they deserve,” said Dena Ellis, President and Director of Care at Home Helpers. “Veterans hold a special place in my heart since both of my sons and my daughter are currently serving.”

For more information about Home Helpers of the Valleys, call 815677-9657 or visit www.

T h e Va l l e y s H o m e C a r e . com. Find and Like us on Facebook by searching Home Helpers Dixon IL. For more information a b o u t Ve t e r a n s C a r e Coordination, visit www. veteranscarecoordination. com.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local Dining Gazi’s Restaurant, Rock Falls, has international menu, flavors

Gazi’s Restaurant, 901 1st Ave., is a great Rock Falls institution.

By Spencer Schein Whether you’re looking for a touch of Italy, a family dinner or a well-rounded breakfast, your destination should be Gazi’s Restaurant of Rock Falls.

Gazi’s is a full-service restaurant, with breakfast served all day, sandwiches and gyros, and specials for lunch and dinner, which include the soup and salad bar.

A friend and I made our way to the restaurant, 901 1st Ave., on a Tuesday af-

ternoon. Even though it was not at a prime dining time, the salad bar was full of fresh products, our waitress was attentive and our food was served shortly after ordering.

Specials for the day included a chicken with broccoli and rice, lemon chicken, a gyro with French fries and lasagna.

Soups for the day were ham and bean and chicken dumpling.

Both of us ordered Touch of Italy meals. I went with the lasagna (after confer-

The lasagna is delightful, tasty, and wonderful. A great Touch of Italy.

Spencer Schein photos

The bowtie pasta with meat sauce is filled with seasoned ground beef in a great tasting marinara sauce.

ring with the waitress that the lasagna didn’t have cottage cheese), while my friend went with bowtie pasta and meat sauce.

Each came with a warm breadstick.

The lasagna was served with a fresh layer of shredded cheese on top, which in a matter of minutes melted into the top layer. The sauce was very authentic tasting with Italian spices and mixed with the pasta, meat and cheese. It was a good choice which I would reorder.

went back to the salad bar for a small bowl of rice pudding, which was very tasty.

A full-lineup for breakfast is served throughout the day, with eggs served beside a choice of toast or pancakes, as well as a choice of hash browns or a fruit cup. Seven different skillets are made to order, from all meat to vegetarian in small and regular portions.

Dinners range from meatloaf, a rib eye, pork chops, liver and onions,

The salad bar had something for everyone. Fresh iceberg salad is the first item, followed by selections of egg slices, beets, rotini pasta, coleslaw, potato salad, seafood salad, pea salad, croutons, as well as tapioca, rice pudding, breadsticks, and other selections. Salad dressings were ranch, French and Thousand Island. The soups were placed at the end of the salad bar, but on a hot day, neither of us tried them.

Following the meal, I

fried chicken and shrimp.

A Mexican menu is served, and special selections are made available at a discount for seniors 60 years and older. Burgers, open face hot sandwiches, wraps, and salads are also served.

Gazi’s is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday thru Thursday and Sunday, and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday thru Saturday. To place an order or for catering information, call Gazi’s at (815) 626-4294.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

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Beginning with the Revolutionary War in 1774, our soldiers have defended our country, secured our rights and guaranteed our freedoms. We have gone from fighting the British on our own soil to fighting in the heat and dust of foreign lands thousands of miles away. But this has never deterred the bravest among us as they leave their loved ones behind with the possibility that they may never see them again -- all for you and me.

I wish that I could personally thank all those men and women who have stood between me and danger, but I can’t. All I can do is try to thank those who are near me. So today I am going to thank Staff Sergeant David Geesey of Savanna. He returned from Iraq just one year ago and was kind enough to share his story with me.

Dave was born in Geneseo, but grew up in Savanna as the oldest of eight siblings in a blended family. The Army is a tradition in his family; his grandfather, his father and brother are also Army veterans. He received training between his junior and senior year in high school after the disaster of 9/11 brought a significant change in his life. He joined the 1644th in Rock Falls and plans on making the Army National Guard his lifetime career.

The Army National Guard traces its origins to American colonies as far back as December 13, 1636, but was officially established in 1903 during a reorganization of militias following the Spanish-American War. Dave joined the Army National Guard and was assigned to Logistical Support. He served as convoy security during his first tour from 2008 to 2009. In his second tour from 2011 to

Staff Sergeant David Geesey

2012, he carried supplies for the bases from Kuwait to Iraq. The cargoes varied from trucks to mail and personal items. They operated in the “Green Zone”, which was considered a hostile zone. In the time between his tours of 2009 and 2011, Dave took training as a CNA and worked at the Morrison Community Hospital.

When asked what he missed most, his first response was his wife Lindsay and his three year-old son, David Jr., affectionately known as “Bubba.” After a little thought, he said that he also missed McDonald’s! He and his fellow soldiers did, however, have some movies from the PX, Wifi games and a limited TV network. A real treat was the local bazaars when the people came on base (after being thoroughly searched) and sold hookahs and electronics such as I-pads and headphones.

Dave was in the last convoy to leave Iraq as the U. S. closed operations there.

He is still on active reserve with the National

Guard, spending two days a month and two weeks a year continuing to fulfill the necessary requirements. In cases such as floods, bombings, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters, the National Guard always responds to assist those in times of need.

There is one fact that Dave explained to me that I had not known: the Army is under federal law while the National Guard is under state law and supported by state funds. What a legacy the National Guard has for our country! It not only protects us overseas, but here at home as well.

After his second tour ended, Dave found himself unemployed but has recently been hired by the Dixon Correctional Center. He will start attending the academy on Monday.

Thank you, Dave, for being willing to stand up not only for my rights and freedoms but also those of my children and grandchildren. Thank God for our vets!

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local Local Sterling resident’s gift lives on STERLING — Blood donor John Buyers, 66, started donating blood when he was 18 years old. It wasn’t until long after his stint in the Army with the 101st Airborne, that he became “religious” about giving.

He served three years as a Spec. 5, with A-troop 2nd of the 17th Calvary in Vietnam, during 1966 and 1967.

He said, “We did convoys, cleared roads, ambushed at night, had a bunch of search and destroy missions… jack of all trades you could say.”

Once retired, he said he wanted to “be the best he could — give back.” Amber Wood, executive director of the American Red Cross, said he was indeed one of the best donors and inspiring people she’d met.

Buyers had the potential of saving an estimated 633 lives with the 211 pints or 26-plus gallons he donated.

Wood said, “It is amazing that one person can touch that many lives.”

Eligible donors can give every 56 days, and Buyers was always ready. Less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood, though only 5 percent do. It is because of the dedication from people like Buyers that keep the supply replenished.

Blood donor John Buyers, 66, of Sterling and his granddaughter Emma, age 1, stop at Culver’s in Dixon for a treat. Culver’s is a pint-for-pint sponsor of The American Red Cross. Buyers has donated nearly 30 gallons of blood in his lifetime.

“We have tremendous supporters and donors in our community,” Wood said.

“We certainly are looking for more people to contribute to make sure there is an adequate supply.”

Quite frequently, Wood said type O-, falls beyond a scarce level. It can be transfused into patients with all blood types. “But all types are essential,” she stresses.

Proud of his rare B- blood, he said, “They are always

looking for guys like me.”

“Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood,” Wood said.

“That is why this program is so critical.”

“To be able to maybe save three lives in just an hour of time, there’s no reason not to.

Plus there’s the free lunch or snacks they give ya,” he said.

With a chuckle he added, “Culver’s is a pint-for-pint sponsor of The American Red Cross. They give a pint

of frozen custard for every pint of blood we donate. I’ve been trying, but I can’t seem to talk them into giving a pint of beer instead.”

He feels the Red Cross is one of the best organizations, not just because of the lifesaving aspect.

“If you are in need of assistance because of a fire or something they’re there too.

I like the fact that they help other people. It’s a good feeling knowing you are keeping

John Buyers, 66, of Sterling had the potential of saving an estimated 633 lives with the 70 pints he has donated.

Culver’s is a pint-for-pint sponsor of The American Red Cross, giving blood donors free frozen custard for their efforts, something his 1-year-old granddaughter Emma helps him enjoy.

Courtesy photos

somebody alive.”

Editor’s note: John Buyers passed away in his sleep three days after our interview. His wife Lisa, of 35 years, said his passion for giving is his legacy that she would like people to be inspired by and how he

should be remembered. Before he left this world, he saved as many as 633 lives with his donations, certainly leaving a positive impact.

He is survived by his wife, three children Christopher and Douglas Buyers, and Stephanie Cruz, along with four grandchildren.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local Legislative update

Tom Demmer State Representative, 90th Distruct It’s a busy season in the capitol. We’re working our way through the budget process, and we’re voting on a wide variety of legislation. And of course, we’re surrounded by proposals and negotiations on pension reform.

Pension reform is as big a challenge as the state has ever faced. We’re standing at the foot of a mountain of unfunded pension liability, around $100 billion of it.

We’re facing a massive jump in our yearly pension contribution; next year’s payment will require a $936 million increase over this year.

Our pension crisis is the result of several factors: years of underfunding by the state, pension benefit increases that weren’t adequately paid for, longer life expectancies, lower investment yields, and more.

The current path is unsustainable. If we don’t do something, the pension system will implode.

To help meet our growing annual pension contribution, the state has taken

Sauk Valley Sun

DIXON - STERLING - ROCK FALLS

several steps over the past few years. Personal and corporate income taxes were significantly increased. Cuts were made to nearly every state program, including education and public safety.

State facilities were closed.

Entitlement programs like Medicaid saw major reform laws. And yet we’re still struggling to keep our head above water because of the huge pension obligation.

Earlier this session, some drastic pension changes were proposed by Speaker Michael Madigan, including elimination of cost of living increases, an across the board retirement age increase, and a large employee contribution increase. I didn’t support those proposals. But I knew something needed to be done.

I voted for SB1, a bi-

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partisan, compromise bill that protects cost of living adjustments but sets an upper limit. It increases retirement age, but not if you’re a month away from retirement, only if you’re under 45 years old. It includes a smaller employee contribution increase.

And, just as importantly, it includes a requirement that the state make its contribution to the pension system every year. We can’t continue the underfunding that led us to today’s crisis.

This bill brings stability and security to the pension system. It ensures that retirees will still get a monthly check in the future. And it prevents us from having to make cuts year after year to critical state services like education, public safety, developmental disability and mental health services, and important community safety nets.

This bill, SB1, passed the House and was sent back to the Senate for consideration.

Governor Quinn indicated he would sign it if the Senate concurs with the House amendment.

Another proposal has surfaced, originated by Senate President John Cullerton.

That proposal is SB2404 and is supported by several public employee unions.

The bill is different from the House pension reform plan in that it includes the concept of consideration. In this plan, employees would be given a choice between changes to annual cost of living adjustments and access to subsidized healthcare in retirement. Though it has the support of several unions, it’s still opposed by some retiree groups. And there aren’t any actuarial estimates of the savings the plan would bring, though unofficial projections say it could reduce the unfunded liability by 10%--or just a third as much as the House proposal would save.

I’m keeping an open mind

about the Senate proposal, though I’m worried that it wouldn’t solve the problem. An incomplete solution would just delay the inevitable, and put us back in the same boat within a few years.

There’s plenty of blame to go around for causing the situation we’re in today.

But I ran for office with a pledge that I’d work to solve problems and stop kicking the can down the road. No pension reform solution is easy—just as the cuts to all other state spending haven’t been easy over the past several years. But something needs to be done, and I’ll be in Springfield for the rest of the month to try and get the job done.

We are here to serve you. Please stop by or contact my office with questions or comments.

Springfield office: 222-N Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-0535 District office: 1221 Currency Court Suite B Rochelle, IL 61068 (815) 561-3690 Email: tom@tomdemmer.com Website: www.tomdemmer.com

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local QVC host re-tweets Flynnie’s tweets

By Spencer Schein Does Flynnie’s Diner have a great Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Cheese burger?

Apparently one QVC program host agrees.

David Venable, one of the top hosts on QVC, who hosts “In the Kitchen with David” three times a week, is a big foodie who loves cheese.

About six hours after eat-

ing at Flynnies, I went on Twitter and saw the following message from @DavidVenableQVC – “Happy #MayDay #Foodies! What are you doing to gear up for the summer season?”

In response, I sent this message – “This afternoon I had a Bacon, Egg, Cheddar Cheese Half-Pound Burger at Flynnie’s Diner, Dixon, IL, and I’m still stuffed.”

Venable re-tweeted the

message to all of his 15,300 followers.

I then sent a photo of the burger with this message, “This is the burger, served on a pretzel bun. You gotta get it!” Venable re-tweeted that message, too.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local Sinnissippi Park “one of the best” Disc Golf courses...

Tim O’Brien Tucked nicely in Sinnissippi Park in Sterling is a disc golf course that is “considered to be one of the best courses in the state.” A major tournament is heading there on June 22-23.

Spectators are encouraged to come out and see just how competitive and fun this sport can be. Competition is available in divisions ranging from the novice to the professional.

The Sterling/Rock Falls Men’s Club will be on hand as well, serving food both days to help raise funds for their scholarship programs.

As for that comment on the course being “one of the best,” it comes from Nate Nelson, disc golf player. Not only does Nelson believe that, he knows it since he plays the course. Plus, he is a sponsored disc player. His sponsorship comes from Air Play Sports, also in Sterling.

He sat down with Sauk Valley Sun recently and talked about the sport and the upcoming tournament in the park.

Nelson wants people to come out and watch this sport because it may bring a better understanding of it and make people want to

play. “I first got interested when I was 15 while playing with my dad,” Nelson said. He also noted that it is very popular on college campuses. The recent University of Illinois graduate experienced that first-hand.

Nelson was quick to explain that “anyone can play” and it is not expensive to start. Unlike golf, where one needs a set of clubs, one only needs a disc at first, or yes, a Frisbee. But, from there comes the tricky part, and the fun.

What exactly is disc golf?

To many, disc golf is picking up a Frisbee and firing away until the target is hit.

It is much more than that, as Nelson explained. One only has to look at Air Play Sports and the discs on display, to get that point.

While talking to Nelson, one could sense that the game is much deeper. There are disc drivers for throwing off a tee area, discs to use in fairways and disc putters.

He explained how to use all of them. Hand gripping, throwing positions and even a disc retrieval cord were all part of the conversation. All of this and more can be held in a bag not so dissimilar from a golf bag. This game is not only fun to play; it can

Air Play Sports has plenty of discs for sale.

be a big business.

The professional disc golf association says it is impossible to trace the exact history of who first began to play golf with flat spinning discs. The image that comes to mind is playful people in 1960s beachwear living the life of free spirits and just goofing around without precision or scoring being a concern.

We do know that in 1926 Vancouver school children played a game dubbed tin lid golf on the school grounds with… you guessed it, tin lids! This appears to be the modest beginnings of the game played with passion today.

Wham-o, the makers of Frisbee, supplied hula hoops

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This is the eventual goal or hole for disc golfers. This shot is from Sinnissippi Park in Sterling.

Sinnissippi offers up disc golf.

for targets and discs for the first formal tournament organized by a recreation counselor, George Sappenfield, in 1965. WhamO promptly forgot about disc golf in any form for seven years. In the mean-

time, discs were spinning across the country, from Los Angeles to Rochester, New York. A sport was born. The company would catch up and cash in.

Disc golfers became serious about their tools as a

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June 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ www.saukvalleysun.com â&#x20AC;˘ Sauk Valley Sun

Local ...and Disc Golf is more of a challenge than one might believe golf with clubs. Â This includes observing good etiquette and penalties if you interfere with the placement of the disc. Â Scoring terms such as par, birdie and bogey are the same. Â Hazards are not created on a course, but many occur naturally and pedestrians always have the

right of way since disc golf is usually played in public parks.

Each hole is a standing basket with chains hanging from an upper ring downward toward a center pole as pictured. Â Hitting the chains allow the disc to be trapped and fall into the

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Nelson was backed up by his â&#x20AC;&#x153;anyone can playâ&#x20AC;? comment as well from the PDGA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Disc golf can be played from school age to old age, making it one of the greatest lifetime fitness sports available. Speciallyabled and disabled players

are able to participate, giving them the opportunity to take part in a mainstream activity. Because disc golf is so easy to learn, no one is excluded. Players merely match their pace to their capabilities, and proceed from there.â&#x20AC;?

The Sinnissippi Park has a

hilly, wooded 18 hole course along the Rock River with 6 additional holes added in June of 2012.

Fees range from $20 $50, with $5 additional to register the day of the event. Â You may register online at krupicka.org/ios/ preregister-ios-56 or write:

Mike Krupicka 1119 Sara Lane Naperville, IL 60565 Air Play Sports and The Precinct in Downtown Sterling are sponsors of the event. Â Air Play Sports also has a full range of accessories for disc golfers.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Pets

Wizard of Paws “magically” creates clean, happy dogs

Jada, a cocker, enjoys Tammy's loving attention.

It was a special day for Gracie, a Yorkie, at Wizard of Paws.

Sudoku Puzzle

“Well groomed dogs are happy,” says Dawn Seaman, owner and creator of the Wizard of Paws Dog Grooming Salon, Rock Falls. Dawn says the dogs seem to “know why they are here…it’s as if it is their ‘spa’ day.”

Dawn admits it is worse for the dog’s owners. “They feel guilty leaving their pets…yet really it is good for both. The owners can use the time for lunch with a friend or shopping. We like to have the dogs for about three hours to be sure their coats are dry when they leave. So, owners have a 3-hour window for themselves.”

Dawn started working with dogs as a teenager working with her brother to show Shelties in the Chicago area. It seemed natural that her brother did the showing and she did the grooming.

She said she learned a lot from other groomers…. ideas and techniques that she uses today.

“We don’t go by ‘the book.’ We do what our dog owners want and what is best for the pet and we take our time.” Dawn and her staff have worked on the corporate side of dog grooming, doing so many animals per day, and they said they are grateful that they can provide the services they do ‘without watching a time clock’ or ‘having to do so many dogs a day and know that you are not doing your best,’ just because you don’t have the time.”

By Jill Horn

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. Answer key is found on page 23.

1

7

3

5

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6

3 7

2

9 4

8

1

Celeste Lightner-Greenwalt photo

Jane has created an unique business "treating" dogs...and their owners.

9

1

5

Tuff Dog Bakery offers Unique Dog Treats

5

3 9

Wizard of Paws handles larger dogs, too, such as Ralph, a golden.

7 1

2 4

Joey, a miniature Havenese is feeling "beautiful" after grooming.

Courtesy photos

6 8

4

The “Wizard of Paws” was named thusly simply because Dawn is a huge fan of the Wizard of Oz and thought it was a great name for her business she opened just four months ago. “We did the play in high school and I’ve loved it and the music since then for my business, ‘Wizard of Paws’ just came to me and it seemed right.”

Dawn says her staff envisions what the dog will look like when it is properly groomed and that is where they start. She said that a clean dog prevents health problems. This includes clipped nails, which prevents deformed toes.

Untreated pads can splay the toes. Dawn also said it is important for dogs to have their teeth brushed frequently.

For the summer, Dawn says don’t let your dog get matted as this can develop into skin problems. Don’t let the dog get too dirty as this contributes to skin issues.

If you let the dog swim in a river or a lake, be sure to bathe the dog after and look for ticks at the same time.

Dawn, her daughter Kirsten Fries, Tammy Myers and Kayla Hunt are experienced groomers. Dawn said her daughter has worked with her as her “assistant” since she was 12 years old.

“Clean dogs are happy dogs. We see it with every dog every day,” Dawn said, “We love what we do for the dogs and their owners.”

Ten years ago Jane Mandrell (yes, a “kissing cousin” to THE Mandrells) saw an upscale restaurant for dogs in New York City. It inspired her to create Tuff Dog Bakery in Sterling, which is a retail store featuring unique dog treats Jane creates and bakes.

Tuff Dog Bakery just celebrated eight years in March. Jane says, “People love shopping for their dogs, their friends’ dogs, and their grandchildren’s dogs. It’s simply just fun--affordable fun.

Most folks who come in the door for the first time cannot believe the assortment. There are treats that look like cupcakes and stuffed cookies. For almost any confection that people eat, Jane has created a counterpart doggie treat.

And “create” is an important concept for Jane because she creates 90% of the dog treats. The commercialstyle kitchen in the back of the shop is where she bakes the treats.

Jane is a Sterling native and can remember walking

the downtown streets when she was a kid. Her parents, Homer and Faye Mandrell met at the soda fountain at Scotts (no longer in Sterling). They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

At Tuff Dog there are many other doggie items, including carriers for small dogs, “costumers” leashes, neck ties and assorted other creations by local artists for our canine companions.

If dogs could talk, they’d likely say, “Take me to Tuff Dog Bakery and let’s shop.”

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Education

2013 Summer Reading Programs

By Jill Straw Dixon Registration started May 1, 2013 for “Visit Book Island.”

The Summer Reading Program will run June 3- July 13, 2013 and is free to those with a Dixon Public Library card in good standing. Children living outside of Dixon city limits may purchase a Summer Reading Program card for $10.

This card will allow children to attend Wednesday Drop-In Craft Days and, for ages 11-14, Fantastic Fridays. Monday Family Nights are for all ages and are open to the public.

I spoke with Kathleen Schaeffer, Children’s Program Coordinator in the Youth Department. She said that the theme of this year’s reading program is getting kids interested in “reading ‘outside the box’”. At the time we spoke, 139 children had registered

for the program. Children registered for the summer reading program who check out books during four out of five of the first five weeks of the program may attend a pool party during week six. Readers who complete their “Fiction is Fun” reading log by the end of “Wrap-Up Week” may enter a drawing for one of the large stuffed animals that decorate the Youth Department. The drawing will take place on Saturday, July 20. Ask for “Fiction is Fun” reading logs at the Youth Circulation Desk.

Rock Falls Registration runs from May 25 to June 8 for ”Dig Into Reading”. The Summer Reading Program will run June 10 through July 30, 2013. The program is for youth of all ages, with programs geared toward children between the age of three and fifth grade.

limits, have a valid library card, and wish to participate, a Summer Reading Program card is available for $10.

I spoke with Kendra Law, Library Assistant, about the program. She said each week of the program would be focused on something that digs.

One week would be dinosaurs and another will be pirates.

Each week, there will be morning and afternoon programs for different age groups based on that week’s topic. Children will receive 2 Book Bucks and 1 Dino Buck when they check out books. When they attend a program, they will receive 2

Book Bucks. Book Bucks may be used to purchase items from the Library Store. The store will be open June 24-29 and July 22-27. Dino Bucks may be used to enter into a drawing for one of the stuffed animals displayed around the library.

Participants in the adult reading program can receive weekly prizes. Reading seven books will allow adults a onetime entry into a drawing for a Keurig coffee maker. If you live outside Rock Falls city

Sterling Registration for “Have Book-Will Travel” is from May 28 through June 15. This program covers all ages, from pre-K to adult. The Summer Reading Program runs May 28 through July 26, 2013.

There is a wrap-up party on July 26 at 1:30 for children and youth by invitation only.

To receive an invitation, the recommended goals for each age group must be met.

Preschool: Listen to 6 hours of stories; Kindergarten – 2nd grade: Read 12 books; 3rd-5th grade: read 8 books.

Young Adults (6 th -12 th grade) must read eight books between June 1 and July 20.

For each book read, you may fill out a drawing slip and put it

in the YA jar at the adult desk.

Every Monday, a name will be drawn and the winner will get a prize.

Adult readers must read 8 books May 28 through July 26.

For every book read, you may fill out a drawing slip and put it in the jar at the adult desk.

Every Monday, two names will be drawn and the winners will select a prize.

Family Fun Literacy Nights will be June 11, June 25, and July 9 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

These are free and open to the public.

I spoke with Library Director Jennifer Slaney, who mentioned that the wrap-up party on Friday, July 26, was for those who had met the goals of the Summer Reading Program and had received an invitation. Internationally known storyteller Brian Fox will be there to tell fables.

Unsung Hero Brooke Emmerson Each month we would like to tell the story of unsung heroes. In every organization that functions well you find those who demonstrate a special spirit. These people go above and beyond the call.

It is the purpose of the Sauk Valley Sun to highlight them believing they elevate the community; and that they are much more the norm in our communities than the headline grabber who steals our attention.

When the concept of the Unsung Heroes Column was explained at Franklin Elementary School in Sterling all fingers immediately pointed to School Counselor Brooke Emmerson; whose sincere protest was met with smiles of appreciation and resolve from coworkers that would not be shaken.

Growing up in Annawan IL, Brooke found that helping others always came naturally.

With dad as a farmer and Mom a school cook, Brooke is now married to Nick who works in agriculture. They have a

beautiful daughter, Avery.

Brooke spoke of how comfortable she is in Sterling. She came to Franklin from the Bi-County Cooperative and tells of the immediate warmth in the welcome she received in this Kindergarten through Second grade community.

A co-worker Amanda said, “…very compassionate and understanding. Brooke would do anything for her Franklin family of students and peers.

Principal Suzi Hesser describes Brooke as “incredibly knowledgeable about student’s emotional health, skilled in deescalating difficult situations; and gifted in planning and implementing things that help students succeed”.

The work Brooke does provide insight into the effort not only of her school, but of the entire school district. Brooke describes the positive nature of several district programs.

Brooke is Franklin’s Internal Coach for PBIS: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. “PBIS is a broad range of pro-active, systematic and

individualized strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes in a safe and effective environment, while preventing problem behavior with all students.” She also works with student needs individually and in groups.

Brooke praises the problem solving team she serves with on matters academic, emotional and behavioral.

Each school chooses core values. When a Franklin Student demonstrates Respect, Responsibility, or Self-Control, they receive a cheerful “Good Catch” card noting their specific success; and signed by the person who observed them. They show these to family and friends.

When a student is awarded 5 times they make a trip to the “Good Catch Cart” and choose a reward. School supplies are a favorite choice.

Jerry Binder and Janet Freed, with strong support from the District Staff instituted a Mentoring program this year with the primary purpose of uplifting students.

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be reading with their children or attention to the homework or the response to the concern of the teacher or staff. “Our parents are responsive! They love their children. When we have an Open House the place is packed. The parents, they inspire me,” she repeated In closing Brooke showed

her heart again when she said, “If you did this for recognition, you would not do it long. It is seeing the way the whole School Staff works together; impacting the kids and watching them grow”.

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Brooke and her fellow school counselors oversee this program. Already this is paying dividends.

Providing a place free from bullying and bad behavior is also a priority. Once to improve conduct on buses they developed a comprehensive response. A time of teaching through video, assembly, classwork and skits taught the students with positive and sometimes funny messages.

Brooke developed a “Peace Tree”. Each student provided very grown up ideas on how, they together could make Franklin School a peaceful, enjoyable place. These ideas were written on leaves for all to see.

I asked Brooke what inspires her at Franklin. She leaned forward in the chair smiling and gesturing as she spoke about the parents of her students. “The parents inspire me.” They all work so hard in so many ways to help their children. Some can come to school others cannot, but each inspires Brooke. It may

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Health & Beauty

Stretching: Good or Bad? Jacob W. Stegmaier DC This is a question I get on a regular basis. Should I be stretching? The answer is not a simple, yes or no.

There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration before making such a blanket statement that stretching is good or bad.

I would first like to address what you are trying to accomplish from the stretch.

Are you trying to “stay loose” or is your intent to

truly lengthen the muscle from the stretch? If staying loose or being more flexible is your goal then it is not about stretching every muscle, it is about targeting the right areas for each individual. Also, stretching should be performed to correct asymmetry. The most important areas to maintain flexibility are the hips, ankles and shoulders. The area that needs more stability than flexibility would be the low back, so please,

don’t reach down and touch your toes. If the intent is to lengthen the muscle, then it is important to make sure that the muscle is not tight because it is weak. A good example of this is the hamstrings. Everyone wants to stretch their hamstrings, but I find that most of the time their hamstrings are tight because they are weak.

Once their hamstrings are strengthened the normal range of motion is restored without any stretching. This

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popular, studies show that static stretching provokes a reflex that prevents the muscle from being stretched too much. This stretch reflex is protecting the muscles and joints from damage and in turn induces the muscle to become tighter. Static stretching has also been linked to affecting performance in sports if done before the activity. Again, I will use the hamstrings as an example. Using a static stretch for your hamstrings before an athletic event can actually decrease your performance because your hamstrings are your springs for jumping and running.

For these reasons above I prefer dynamic stretch-

ing over static. Dynamic stretching are exercises that increase the range of motion of your joints via constant movement and more importantly, it does not invoke the stretch reflex that I addressed earlier.

So, is stretching good or bad? I again say that any stretching regimen should be tailored to the individual.

If you do any static stretching it should be performed after any athletic event and should not provoke pain. If you are not sure what you should and should not be stretching,schedule an appointment with a healthcare practitioner for a professional opinion.

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goes for every joint in the body. The more muscle balance you have around a joint, the better range of motion that joint will have.

This ultimately leads to the most optimal position for the joint so it can function without injury and improved performance. Another reason to be cautious while stretching is if there is pain involved. This can be due to nerve tension and you will not be able to stretch the pain away. This will more than likely make your pain worse and could prolong it.

There was a recent study on the website of USA Track and Field, the sport’s national governing body, which involved 1400 runners who were assigned to two groups. The first group did not stretch before their runs, but maintained their normal workout routine: same mileage and warm-up minus any stretching. The second group performed a series of simple static stretching before running. This regimen was maintained for 3 months and the goal was to see if the stretching prevented injury. The results of the study showed that static stretching proved to be a wash in terms of protecting against injury.

This study gives us another aspect of stretching to talk about: static vs. dynamic stretching. Static stretching is performed by holding a stretch for a specific amount of time; this is the type of stretch most of us are familiar with. Although

Massage is often seen as a luxury, but receiving massage on a regular basis can have a profound impact on your long-term health.

All of us experience stressful situations in our daily life that are unique to each of us. This sustained stressful physical, mental, and emotional sensory input has an impact on our central nervous system and our musculoskeletal system.

The result is tension in our bodies that left unattended can leave us vulnerable to injury and illness. Massage can help release this physical and mental tension. Not only does it feel great to receive massage, but among its many benefits massage has also been shown to help lower blood pressure, reduce pain, boost immune function by assisting lymphatic drainage, increase range of motion, improve balance, increase local circulation, and improve sleep

Massage has proven health benefits that are cumulative.

quality.

The healthful effects of massage are cumulative.

By incorporating massage into your life at regular intervals you are assisting and encouraging your body to maintain a state of reduced tension and improved health. These intervals can vary from once per week, twice per month, once per

month, or once every few months based on your individual needs and availability.

Stress happens and massage can be a powerful tool for you to use to help your body and your mind to counter balance its negative effects and to help you improve the quality of your life.

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June 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ www.saukvalleysun.com â&#x20AC;˘ Sauk Valley Sun

Health & Beauty Yoga and your breath

Orthopedics Why choose KSB Hospital for your healthcare needs?

Breathing correctly is fundamental to the practice of yoga exercises.

Nancy Nesyto-Freske Certified Yoga Instructor The first thing we do in my Yoga class is to feel our breath. Nice and easy, in and out of the nostrils.

How is it today? At that particular moment? Does it feel: Fast or slow?

Rough or smooth Labored or easy and light?

We take about 20,000 breaths every single day!

And most of us rarely notice even one-except when weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re walking up stairs or up a hill, or having a breathing issue!

Our breath is very important to us. Not only does it mix in the blood to nourish every single cell in the body, but also helps to eliminate waste from the body when we exhale. If our breath isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t complete, if our exhales are short, we do not adequately eliminate this toxic waste.

This can get trapped in the lower lobes of our lungs and cause irritability and other harmful side effects.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an inquiry for you to do. It is preferable to do this laying on your back, with your thighs supported over a bolster or pillows (by the thighs). You should feel no strain or effort laying here.

Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re settled, start counting the length each inhale and exhale. You use whatever speed youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to count, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll just count 1-2-3 etc. on each inhale, and each exhale. Do this for about a minute and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get an average of the length of your inhales and exhales.

Are your inhales or exhales longer? Or, are they equal in length. When the inhale is longer, you may not be adequately eliminating the toxins from your body. You may notice that you might be agitated by nature, or perhaps just at that moment. Is this your personality? Hmmm.

Having a longer exhale allows the parasympathetic nervous system to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;turned on.â&#x20AC;? This is the relax and repose part of our nervous system. So, if you are upset about something, focus on making your exhales longer. Do this gently,

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t force or strain. You will find yourself calmer, better able to make smarter decisions; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re responding instead of reacting.

One way to do this is to use a straw. Place the straw in your mouth, holding it with one hand, keep the lips relaxed. Place the tip of your tongue on the end of the straw as you inhale through your nostrils. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll exhale through the straw, nice and easy and slow.

Do this for about a minute, then count your inhales and exhales again, see if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a change. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a straw, just gently purse your lips and as you exhale, imagine youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re breathing out of a straw.

Notice how you feel before and after. Remember not to force a â&#x20AC;&#x153;deeperâ&#x20AC;? breath or try to create a big breath. Just breathe using the same volume you would normally use.

Have fun with this exploration.

We could tell you about our statewide quality award â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important is that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re healthy.

We could point out that we score in the top 5% of all hospitals for patient satisfaction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but the bottom line is we want you to be happy.

We could show you a map of our nine locations across the area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but all you really need to know is that when you need us, we are here.

Nancy Nesyto-Freske is a Certified Yoga Teacher and a Certified Yoga Therapist, helping people â&#x20AC;&#x153;get the kinks outâ&#x20AC;? and relieving pain. She can be reached at 815-509-6479 or you can visit her website at www. journeyyogastudio.com.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Health & Beauty

The Doctor is In: The Sniffles of Spring

Dr. Don Lewis Special to the Sauk Valley Sun So, your eyes are watering, your nose is stuffed up and dripping at the same time, the roof of your mouth itches and you feel like you’re in a fog, right? Yeah, well, welcome to Northern Illinois in the spring!

The symptoms above, as well as red, watery eyes, ear congestion, coughing, and even headaches go along with the wonderful malady of allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever, even though it has precious little to do with hay, and you don’t often have a fever.

While other problems can mimic this, such as “colds”

(viral upper respiratory illnesses), and non-allergic reactions to pollutants, almost everyone can pretty well spot allergies. It isn’t rocket science, and often there is a family history of allergies, allergic eczema (a flakey skin condition), atopic (allergic) conjunctivitis (that red, itchy eye thing!), and even asthma.

When you have an allergic attack, circulating proteins called antibodies attach to mast cells, which contain all sorts of chemicals. The mast cells open up, spread the chemicals throughout your body, and you get what used to be called a “histaminic reaction,” because histamine was the first of those nasty chemicals to be identified.

That is why the first effective medicines were the ANTI-histamines. They are still effective now, even the older ones, although some of them may dry your mouth and make you sleepy.

For this reason, newer, non-

sedating medicines were developed.

Now what causes all this misery? There are four main groups of offending agents.

These are the pollens, danders, molds, and dust mites.

Pollens come from blooming trees, grasses, and weeds. You can go online and get the pollen count and often noted in the news on radio and TV. If you can, stay inside more during the days when the count is particularly high, and limit you time outside on the windier days. If you have been working outside, take a bath or shower and put on different clothing.

Animal danders and hair are a real problem, but bathing pets really helps a great deal. Washing after touching your pet helps. I never tell patients to get rid of their pets, because what they will end up doing is getting rid of their doctor!

Even if you do get rid of your pet, the dander, hair, and other pet allergens can

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I am not going to practice medicine here, because your doctor can do a better job at that, but I will share with you that flushing your nose and sinuses every day with saline can do wonders.

You might try it as I do.

There are all sorts of pills and some very effective prescription sprays to help, and of course allergy desensitization shots, but again, see your own doctor. Hopefully, you will have found a few good hints here.

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The last offender is the hardest to battle: Dust! It is really the little critters in dust, the mites, which cause the problems. If you were to see one under a high-power microscope, it would look like some alien creature, and these mites just love your sheets, pillowcases, stuffed animal, and books.

Washing bedclothes in very hot water helps, and dampdusting helps to capture the dust, not just move it around.

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last for two years or more.

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Keeping your yard clear of piles of wet, rotting leaves is a good idea too! Find water leaks and fix them. Wetness predisposes to mold, including behind wallboard and under rugs.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Education Seniors for seniors

Nicky is a sixteen year-old gentleman who is looking for a lap just like yours.

By Carol Chandler The Granny Rose Animal Shelter in Dixon is initiating a wonderful, compassionate program encouraging the adoption of senior animals by senior people. To qualify, the human must be over 65 years of age and the animal over 10 years of age. I am over 50 (way over!) and I have a twenty year-old cat named Maya who is a great companion. However, like Nicky (the handsome guy in the picture), she divides her time between lying in the sun and snuggling up next to me. I wanted to show you a picture of Sophie,

a beautiful short-haired tortoiseshell cat who just celebrated her 15th birthday, but the only picture that I was able to get was blurry and part of her head was not included. She was too busy checking out things in the room. Ditto Clara, a 10 year-old orange colored short-hair -- oops, only a rear view that I didn’t feel appropriate for publication. These two were busy doing their own thing and didn’t feel like holding still at the moment. Just shows you that your personality doesn’t disappear just because you’re old!

The greatest thing

Carol Chandler and Larry Hammelman photos

about this program (other than finding companionship for each other) is the fact that adoption fees are waived! Add to that the fact that if a situation arises in the future where you can’t keep your little buddy, Granny Rose will take him/her back without charge! Talk about a winwin situation!

There are about 28 cats and 17 dogs now awaiting adoption at the shelter. They would love to have a “forever home” with you. In return for food, comfort and a few pets a day, they will return love, companionship and keep

your feet warm at night in the winter.

If you want to be met at the door by someone who loves and trusts you (well, with cats it might be some of the time), then come out to Granny Rose Animal Shelter and find that loving, new member of your family. Their hours are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The shelter is closed on Sundays. Their telephone number is: 815/288-7387. This could be the start of a new chapter in your life.

If you would like to make life easier for these

beautiful animals, but cannot adopt one right now, feel free to donate needed articles: postage stamps, pet toys, Iams Dog Food, Purina Dog Chow (in the green bag, please), Kitten Chow, canned cat and dog food, bleach, paper towels,

kitty litter, old blankets and towels. Or, just come out and take a dog for a walk.

Interaction with animals has been proven to be beneficial for your health. Another win-win situation!

Mooseheart cares for people in need with generosity children with a wholesome home-like environment and the best possible training and education.”

On a recent visit Bill felt inspired to help modernize the furnishings for the Illinois House at Mooseheart.

The Illinois House is the residence for the 10 girls, ages 14-18 who attended the fundraiser. With much humor, each girl told some of their story, answered questions and spoke of their life goals. From this group will come well educated women with impressive professional and vocational skills. The Illinois House is one of thirty residences, all worthy of support.

17-year-old Kyshona will Dunkin, the mascot for the Sterling Predators Basketball team was seen at the Moose Family Center in Sterling posing for pictures with residents of all ages.

Surrounded by bean bag games, karaoke, numerous items for a silent auction and people laughing and eating, Dunkin was also showing his dance moves to 15 poised young women from the Illinois House at Mooseheart.

There is more to tell, but the story begins long ago with a little boy named Bill Taber. Bill was experiencing liver failure as a child and had a liver transplant at age six. The Sterling Moose became the hub of a com-

munity effort to raise funds in 1986.

Bills connection to the Moose ran deep, his father and grandfathers all having been past Presidents of the Sterling Chapter. He is the third generation, but he and dad were quick to point out that the Moose was one organization among many who met this challenge.

The American Legion and Kroger were also at the forefront. A boy in Lyndon even ran a lemonade stand to help six-year-old Bill.

Bill had his transplant and has been saying thank you ever since by championing causes that enrich the lives of others. He regularly tours Mooseheart, a residential

home in Batavia. This quote is taken from their website, also noting their 100 year anniversary.

“Dedicated in July 1913 by the Moose fraternal organization, MOOSEHEART cares for youth whose families are unable, for a wide variety of reasons, to care for them. Some have lost one or both parents; others are living in environments that are simply not conducive to healthy growth and development. Whatever the reason, the men and women of the Moose, through unparalleled generosity and volunteerism, furnish the resources necessary to care for children in need. The Moose fraternity provides

study Veterinary Science at Tuskegee Institute on Scholarship. She spoke freely on how the Mooseheart experience prepares them to live successfully, not just receive diplomas. Her house parent and teacher Brianna was calm, detailed and self-assured.

This writer’s family has been involved in The Moose since my childhood, but this event helped me see how truly special the result of their effort continues to be.

The generosity of our communities made it possible for Bill Taber to “pay it forward.” He and the Members of the Sterling Moose Lodge continue to do it well.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Business

A hobby and passion for books grew into a book collection and selling business

By Spencer Schein With more than 40,000 books in his collection, Chris White doesn’t hesitate when asked if he has a particular title.

“Usually if someone asks me if I have a book, I can usually tell them off the top of my head,” said White, speaking in the main room of his four booths at the Showplace Antiques and Treasures mall, at 307 1st Ave., Sterling.

White has been involved with the purchase and selling of books, toys, records and other collectibles since he was a youngster.

“He’s been in it since he was 8-years-old,” said White’s dad, Jim White, who with his wife and Chris’s mom, Marilyn, sells furniture and antiques at the mall.

When not working as the maintenance supervisor at Bay Valley Foods in Dixon, White spends time scanning ads for people who want to sell their collection of books and stopping by garage sales.

About a year and half ago, White made his biggest “score” in terms of the

largest collection of books he purchased.

“I saw an ad in a newspaper, a guy said he was selling 1,000 books, I called and he actually had 3,000,” White said.

Some of the best sellers White has are books about war, mainly World War II and the Civil War, and children’s books, such as the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, and Little Golden books from the 1940s to the present.

During an interview for this story, a woman walked into the main room White has and appeared very happy. She knelt down in front of a bookshelf and said, “Oh, Little Golden books!”

The people purchasing the war books, White surmises, are those who have an interest in the Civil War, for example. Parents generally purchase the children’s books.

“They want their kids to read what they read as a child,” White said.

Just about every weekend White comes over to the Mall and restocks his shelves.

“This is just a hobbykind-of-business that makes

Chris White inside the bookstore space he rents on the top floor at Showplace Antiques and Treasures, 307 1st Ave., Sterling.

Chris White holds one of the old catalogues he sells in the bookstore.

money, I guess,” White said.

Born in Sterling, White now lives in Rock Falls with his wife, Gina, and their youngest of three children, Brandon, 22, who attends college. Their two daughters are Danielle, 30, and Amanda, 28.

While White has had books from the early 1800s, many of his books are from the 20th Century. He shies away from purchasing new books.

“I have sold books for a dollar and I have sold books for hundreds of dollars,” he said.

White also has magazines such as Life, Mad Magazine,

Time, Sports Illustrated, Hot Rod and other titles.

He has about 40,000 comic books, ranging from Marvel, DC, westerns such as “Gunsmoke,” science fiction, comedy, “Flinstones” and more.

Among the games he sells is an old Roy Rogers Paint Set, an old Barnabas Collins Dark Shadows game, a Voyage Under the Sea game, and a James Bond game. He also sells lunch boxes and thermoses.

He has old Cubs programs, one from the July 23, 1973 game, old local items, such as a Sterling High School commencement program from 1936.

Spencer Schein photos

Just a few of the hundreds of old board games Chris White sells.

White’s collections are not alphabetized, but are placed in the following categories: Westerns, nautical, airplanes, poetry, nature, fantasy and science fiction, sports, cookbooks, high school annuals, biographies and others.

Most of White’s books are located on the third floor of the mall, in a large room at the south end of the building, a long shelf and in a little nook, and also in a case near the cashier’s desk on the first floor.

When White buys books, it’s usually 10 to 12 at a time, and not a large collection.

He goes to garage sales, sometimes leaving his busi-

ness cards behind and later receives calls from people who have books to sell. He also takes requests, and if he doesn’t have the book someone wants, he usually can find it and calls the person back.

“Usually when I go to someone’s house to look at their collection, I purchase what they show me,” he said.

When asked if he reads books, White said, “I used to be an avid reader. Now I just don’t have the time.”

If you want to purchase a book, or have a collection of books to sell, send an e-mail to White at CHRISTOPHE_ WHITE_709@comcast.net.

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This is the time of the year when a lot of people decide to sell their home.

Maybe they are moving to a different town, or maybe the family has grown and it’s time to find a bigger house. Whatever the reason is, the first thing that needs to be done is to get the house ready to sell.

Let’s take a look at some very important things that should be done to help get the most out of the sale, and to get your house sold as quickly as possible.

I think we have all heard that making a first impression is important in so many of the things that we do in life. The same holds true when selling your home.

That means the first thing a potential buyer will see is the front of your house.

Here are some tips for

giving the house some good curb appeal.

Keep the lawn mowed, and nice and tidy Plant flowers along the sidewalk leading to the house, or plant in pots and put on the porch, or steps.

(Yellow is suppose to evoke a buying emotion ) Make sure the windows are clean, and in good repair.

Wash the siding, or paint if necessary.

Make sure gutters and downspouts are in good condition, and working properly.

Tips for the inside The old adage less is more really applies here. You need to streamline here, even if it means that you have to store some of your items with family members, or some other form of storage, until the house is sold.

Go through the house room by room, and pack up as much stuff as you can.

You want it as clutter free as possible.

Furniture is another thing that should be reduced, if it makes the room look smaller, or if it blocks the flow of the house.

Clean the closets, and organize the clothing, and shoes. It will make the closet seem bigger.

Clean light fixtures, and replace burned out bulbs.

If you are going to paint some rooms, use a neutral color.

These are just a few of the things that you can do, there are many, many more, but every little thing helps. If your home is already on the market, ask your real estate agent for ideas, they know what it takes to sell a home.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Home & Garden

A Trip to a Farmer’s Market

Do you have fond memories of home-grown tomatoes, red, ripe and juicy? How about green beans so crisp they snap with the slightest bend?

Have you husked sweet corn so sweet that the juice ran off your chin when you ate it?

Those fond memories can be experienced again by taking a quick drive to a local farmer’s market located Sterling, Dixon or Rock Falls.

Morrison Farmer’s Market The Morrison Farmer’s Market opened Saturday, May 18, 2013. The hours are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays u n t il O c to b e r 5 . I t i s located at 202 E. Lincoln Way, behind the Heritage Museum.

Farmer’s Market in Dixon The Farmer ’s Market in Dixon is located in the Haymarket Square at the corner of Highland Avenue and 3rd Street.

sold there, thus the name Haymaker’s Square.

It is open from May through Thanksgiving on Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon.

Today you cannot purchase a cow or a bale of hay, but you will find a variety of items such as honey, organic frozen meat and produce grown locally. Occasionally, you will find handcrafted items such as bird houses and other hand made items.

Haymarket’s Square Haymarket’s Square, located kitty-corner across from the Dixon Post Office is operated by the Dixon Park District. It was platted in 1842 as a Farmer’s Market, which makes it one of the oldest farmer’s markets in Illinois. Originally hay and cows were bought and

Selmi’s Farm Market Selmi’s had it’s beginnings as a family farm in the early 1990s. The Selmi farm has become one of the five percent of the farms left in the United States that made it to the fourth generation.

The legacy has continued with a fifth generation of children. Selmi’s is located

Twin Cities Market The Twin Cities Market, located in Sterling at 106 Ave. A is open Saturdays year-round from 8 a.m. to noon.

on Dixon Avenue, Rock Falls; open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Selmi’s has additional summer locations, open daily mid July until the sweet corn is done, at Northland Mall, Sterling, which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Farley’s Parking Lot, Dixon which is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Selmi’s is known for their super sweet bi-colored corn.

Green peppers, tomatoes,

green beans, cucumbers, melons and other in-season produce can be found at S e l m i ’s . A l l p r o d u c e is grown locally and is handpicked for quality and freshness except for peaches and apples that come from Michigan.

Rock Falls Farmer’s Market The Rock Falls Farmer’s Market has been in existence since the 1980s and is

located on Fourth Avenue and Second Street. It is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until the last farmer leaves midday. Open from early Summer until Labor Day. All the produce is locally-grown and handpicked for quality and freshness.

Anyone selling perishables like homemade bread must check in with the Whiteside County Health Department to get a permit.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Home & Garden

A cook looks at books Judy Bell, MS Food and Nutrition The Pat Conroy Cookbook…a readers’ feast What a joy it is to be immersed in the pages of a good book! Larry Dunphy, Books on First in Dixon, and I are both book lovers and cookbook lovers. Thus it was no surprise when Larry suggested we review “The Pat Conroy Cookbook…

Recipes and Stories of My Life (Doubleday). Conroy is, of course, the author of eight or so really good books including “The Prince of Tides.”

What Conroy may never have revealed in his novels was his passion for cooking. And, from his book, I suspect that the stories surrounding the food he loves to prepare are as almost as important as the food itself.

This is a readers’ book, a food lovers’ book and story tellers’ book all in one. I eagerly lit into the pages and found myself immersed in his life….just as if I was there. And, how I wanted to be at the oyster roasts, at his

home making crab cakes or simply at a dinner just listening to tales.

Well, we can all have these experiences in his book!

Interestingly enough Larry and I independently chose shrimp recipes from this book. Larry was more of a trooper than I. He was inspired by a humorous and totally bizarre tale of a young Emeril Lagasse who had a “hot new restaurant in New Orleans” the celebration choice for the introduction of “The Prince of Tides” at the American Booksellers Association. Thus he tested Conroy’s recipe for Emeril’s Barbecued Shrimp with Rosemary Biscuits. His report: “It was complicated… yet worth it.” Spoken like a true cook. Sometimes we will immerse ourselves into a project and judge it later as a challenge yet one you’d do again someday.

I could not resist one of Conroy’s statements: “I think I made the best crab cakes and shrimp salad in the world and will take on all comers.”

Wow…the shrimp gaunt-

let was thrown. I took it on….and Conroy does make an amazing shrimp salad. It

is as good as I’ve eaten in recent history. You be the judge.

And, if you are going to buy the book as a Father’s Day gift for some lucky

guy…buy it soon and read it. You will likely want your very own copy!

Pat Conroy’s Shrimp Salad

(Serves 4 as a first course or sandwich filling, Serves 2 as a light lunch) • 1 pound large (21-25 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise • 2 tablespoons sour cream • 1 tableespoon finely minced fresh tarragon • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice • 1 teaspoon tarragon vinegar • ¼ cup finely diced celery • ¼ cup finely minced scallions • 1 teaspoon coarse or kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper A Cook Looks at Books is sponsored, in part, by Books on First, Dixon, 815-285-2665.

1. In a medium stockpot over high heat, bring 4 quarts abundantly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the shrimp and cooking until just pink, about 3 minutes. Immediately transfer to a colander and run under cool water to stop the shrimp from cooking any further (only takes several seconds; shrimp should still be slightly warm when dressed).

Shake the colander to drain any excess water.

2. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream and tarragon. Set aside.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, toss the warm shrimp with the lemon juice and vinegar.

Stir in the celery and scallions. Add the mayonnaise mixture, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Taste to correct seasoning.

All books reviewed are immediately available from Books on First.

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Home & Garden Summer is perfect time to create kitchen of your dreams

By Judy Bell, Publisher “Summertime is a great time to redo your kitchen”, says Angie Rosengren, Home Décor Specialist, Frary Lumber, Sterling.

“You can create an outdoor kitchen, even use disposable products for dish and glassware and your life can be ‘almost” normal….even as the new kitchen is being created and the necessary construction is taking place,” Angie said.

Also, during the summer, life can be a bit more casual with the typical school schedule set aside. Angie says she thinks summer is the ideal time for creating a new kitchen/dining area.

If you have been considering a remodel of your kitchen area or might be in the process of designing a new home, Angie suggests you visit with her at Frary Lumber to help refine what you want and even see how it might look….before making any definite decisions.

“We have the ability to design the kitchen and then, our clients can simply look at the monitor above my desk area….and they can see the plan and even get a 3-dimensional look at that specific kitchen,” she said. Angie re-

fers to a very technical design process she has mastered that makes it simple for her clients to have a real picture of how their kitchen will look.

When you make an appointment with Angie, she suggests that you identify what current situations are the most problematic. Maybe you don’t have enough storage space or your kitchen counter work space is very limited.

Or, maybe your children are growing up and you need more space so the whole family can have meals together.

“It is important to prioritize what the family needs, “ Angie says, “because even in a very large kitchen….you can seldom have everything… and you will likely need to make choices.”

You might also take a good look at your appliances. You need to know which appliances might need replacement…now or soon. Angie said that sometimes a “dying” appliance is the beginning of a domino affect that starts the action toward a new kitchen.

Lastly Angie suggests that you look at what “new” spaces might serve you best…. today there is often a space in the kitchen for a computer “workstation”, a media center and even a designed space for the storage of kitchen collect-

Angie of Frary Lumber helped a family take a old dated kitchen in a dilapidated farmhouse and make it into the “Kitchen of their dreams.”

Angie Rosengren photos

“Make it as authentic as possible” was the desire of the people who asked Angie, Frary Lumber, to create a farmstyle kitchen in their home. A glass shelf connects the upper cabinets above a two-tier island.

ibles. “In my many years of working with many clients, I am always interested in what is important to them and we make sure that we plan for it in their kitchen,”she said.

“Frary Lumber”, Angie says, “is a one-stop shop…. we have a blue print service, cabinetry, doors, design…. almost every product you will need from start to finish.”

At your first appointment Angie will give you a tour of the Design Center, assist in focusing on what you want to achieve and show you photographs some of her many, many kitchens designed for area clients.

After visiting with Angie you will likely believe that it is possible to have the “kitchen of your dreams”

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Faith

Pastor Scott’s Corner

American Hero Eddie Rickenbacker- A Profile of Courage Today, I’d like to give you the true story of an American hero, named Eddie Rickenbacker. Meeting a challenge was never a big problem for him, whether it was physical, mental or economic. When he was twelve his father died and he quit school to become the family’s primary breadwinner. He sold newspapers, eggs, and goat’s milk. He worked in a glass factory, brewery, shoe factory and foundry. Then as a teenager, he started working as a race car mechanic, and at age twenty-two, he began racing. Two years later, he set the world speed record.

When the United States entered World War I, Rick-

enbacker tried to enlist as a fighter pilot, but he was too old, and didn’t have enough education. So he started work as a chauffeur and talked his superiors into sending him to flight school.

He didn’t fit in well with his college educated fellow aviators, yet he excelled as a pilot. By the time the war was over, he was promoted to Captain, had logged 300 combat hours (the most of any American pilot), survived 134 aerial encounters with the enemy, claimed 26 kills, earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, eight Distinguished Service Crosses, and the French Legion of Honor. The press dubbed him, the “American

Ace of Aces.” When asked about his courage in combat, he admitted that he had been afraid.

“Courage,” he said, “is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.”

When Rickenbacker died, at age 83, his son William wrote, “If he had a motto, it must have been the phrase I’ve heard a thousand times: ‘I’ll fight like a wildcat!’”

When you look at a life like Eddie Rickenbacker’s, you cannot help but see great courage. It’s easy to see in war heroes, but it’s also present in every great leader in business, government, the church, and the home. John Maxwell once

said, “Whenever you see significant progress in an organization, you know that the leader made courageous decisions.” One trait stands out with courageous peoplethe willingness to risk all to obey God. As you approach the tough decisions that challenge you, recognize these truths about courage. Courage begins with an inward battle. Every test you face in life begins with you. The test of courage is no different. All the significant battles are waged within your self. Courage isn’t an absence of fear. It’s doing what you are afraid to do.

It’s having the power to let go of the familiar, and forge

ahead into new territory.

That was true for Rickenbacker, it’s true for me, and it’s true for you.

Your life expands in proportion to your courage.

Fear limits a leader. Roman historian Tacitus wrote, “The desire for safety stands against every GREAT and NOBLE enterprise.” But courage has the opposite effect. It opens doors, and that’s one of its most wonderful benefits.

What is ironic is that those who don’t have the courage to take risks and those who do, experience the same amount of fear in life. The only difference is that those who don’t take chances worry about trivial things.

If you’re going to have to overcome your fear and doubts anyway, you might as well make it count.

Hello, my name is Scott Porter. I am the pastor of Abiding Word Church in Sterling, Illinois. I have been in ministry at Abiding Word for 27 years. I was born in Dixon, raised in Rock Falls, and I now live in Sterling. I have been invited to share with you each month, a column I call PASTOR SCOTT’S CORNER. I hope you enjoy it. You can send questions or comments to scottd16@ aol.com or check out our church website at www. abidingwordchurch.org

Coleta and East Jordan United Methodist Churches to host special music services United Methodist Pastor Rich Rubietta from Grayslake, Illinois will lead special Musical services of worship on Sunday, June 2, at 9 am at Coleta United Methodist Church on J. and then at 10:45 am at East Jordan United Methodist Church, also

on Sunday June 2. Rubietta is a songwriter and worship consultant who conducts high-energy, interactive worship experiences which include sing-alongs, original scripture-based songs and stories.

A graduate of Northwestern University with a

degree in Music and an Illinois Arts Council ArtsTour artist, Rubietta has been using Digital technology for several years to bring new sounds and styles to traditional Church Hymns and songs. “I’m finding that folks in the church of all ages and all denominations

“We want you to have a unique and personal experience with our top quality artists. Our memorials are hand-crafted by Gaston and his brothers who are trained artists. We design memorials of all kinds..glass etchings and pencil portraits as memorial carvings...just to name a few.”

The Gragert Family Following in our father's artistic footsteps, we hand engrave memorials to cherish for a lifetime.

Gaston Gragert, Memorial Designer

Family Stone MEMORIALS 815-716-8047

are yearning to sing their faith using music that moves them on a deeper emotional and spiritual level,” he says.

Rich is married to Jane Rubietta and the couple have three children, age 23, 21, and 17. Jane is the author of popular devotional books like Quiet Places, Still Waters, Between Two Gardens (Winter 2001) and is in demand as an international, cross-denominational speaker.

Rev. Rubietta has produced the CD/ Cassette also called Quiet Places: God’s Music to Restore Your Soul, which is a companion resource to accompany the book. The songs on the CD/Cassette are meditative, musical arrangements of scriptures, one for each

chapter in the book. His CD for Children and the young at heart, Room 4U & Me received Parents’ Choice Approved award and contains Character Education songs from his Public School Music Assemblies.

Pastor Dave Jungnickel says, “Having Rich Rubietta here is one of the ways we can open ourselves to fresh ways of worshiping God and also reach out to our community and share a special experience together.”

Refreshments will be served afterwards and a Resource Table will be available to purchase books and order CDs/Cassettes. For more information, please contact the church office at 815 336-2226.

Summer Day Camp June 10th - August 9th

United Methodist Pastor Rich Rubietta Courtesy photo

Join us this summer for 9 awesome themed weeks, including activities, swimming, games, crafts, worship, songs, and field trips!

Grades K-6 June 10-14 - Around the World June 17-21 - Olympic Week June 24-28 - Nature Week July 1-5 - Space Week (Overnight) July 8-12 - Disney Beach Week

July 15-19 - Camp Week July 22-26 - Western Week (Field Trip) July 29-August 2 - Wacky Week August 5-9 - Movies, Music & Mystery

Register by email at: Reynoldswood@niccamp.org, or phone: 815-284-6979.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE REQUESTS

621 Reynoldswood Rd. Dixon, IL 61021 (815) 284-6979

familystonememorials.com Like us on Facebook!

200 E. 4th St. Rock Falls, IL

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Sauk Valley Sun

DIXON - STERLING - ROCK FALLS

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

Local Brad’s BEAT tion deadline is June 7.

Don’t you just love the serenity at White Pines State Park! Well this year White Pines Restaurant and Theatre celebrates 25 years and Beth Henderson (at White Pines for 25 years!) has created a monthly celebration promotion. In June, patrons will sign their meal receipt and drop it in a jar. Once a week there will be a $25 drawing to be used at the restaurant, gift shop, cabin or dinner theatre. Thanks, Beth…White Pines is an area treasure!

At Martin’s Restaurant, Sterling, we knew we were in a special place when the salad arrived it was accompanied by a homemade raspberry vinaigrette. Great job, Martin!

How do you know if a store is right for you? We believe it is when you are simply naturally drawn to the products…so when we

Brad Monson We love the thinking of the coaches at the boys basketball camp: TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More)…and all who attend the camp get their own basketball.

Brad Bickett, Chris Buikema, Bret Helms, Matt Naftzger and Dan Herrera will be coaches for the Rock Falls Fundamental Basketball Camp for boys grade 3-12 from June 10-14, Rock Falls High School. Registra-

seat-tested chairs coming and going in and out of Knie’s in Sterling, we felt right at home. Good choices Mark…and hat’s off to your friendly staff.

Over at Gazi’s Restaurant in Rock Falls Sheri was spreading the good news: Her grandmother Kathryn Bernat was celebrating her 104th birthday. Kathryn lives at home and is able to care for herself. Sheri…you have GOOD genes.

We are so fortunate to have Midway Drive-in Theatre with us…..so many were bulldozed away. June 6th marks the 80th anniversary of the FIRST drive-in theatre in New Jersey.

Let’s do our bit to see that Midway Drive-In thrives in our community.

We had a fun visit to the Sterling Main Street Facebook site to learn ALL about Dog Days June 28 and 29th….its a clever promo-

tion that everyone enjoys.

Mark your calendar, too, for Fourth Fridays on June 28th.

While we don’t like to get too far ahead of ourselves, you may want to go to www.getmeregistered. com if you are interested in participating in the 14th Annual Reagan Run in Dixon on Saturday July 6th. The Reagan Run benefits Dixon Athletic Booster, Dixon Main street, Dixon Park District and YMCA Strong Kids program….all good things for our communities.

Calling all women: check out the Dixon Area Christian Women’s group. Its next meeting is Monday, June 3rd at 9:30am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dixon.

Coffee and dessert will be served as the group plans its yearly activities. All women are welcome.

For further information call Josie at 815-284-7197.

Congratulations are in

order we are told for Ellen Kunde, Branch Manager for the new Freedom Bank location in Sterling. Ellen is a native of Sterling, graduated from Sterling high school and is an experienced banking professional. Ellen, we’ll see you at Freedom Bank in Sterling…and miss your lovely smile in Rock Falls.

Just heard from the grapevine that WTTW will air “The Reagan Presidency” in three episodes June 13, 20 and 27th at 8 pm.(Might want to check WTTW website in case they change times.) Wonder if there will be scenes from our Tri Cities? Whatever your politics...he is our only bornin-Illinois President.

That’s all from Brad…. keep those cards and letters coming!

Locally Grown Food – 3 Big Reasons to Start Buying co-ops, farmers’ markets, and Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA).

In the United States, the majority of imported food items have been altered by irradiation in order to prolong shelf life and grown to withstand industrial harvesting and extended travel.

For example, most transit fruits and vegetables have to travel an average of 1300 miles over a period of one to two weeks in order to reach a family’s table.

Unlike imported foods, locally grown fruits and vegetables are actually bred for maximum freshness and taste. In fact, since locally grown foods are normally sold within 24 hours of harvesting, these items are filled with nutrients and are much fresher than their imported cousins. In addition, local and independent farms offer a better variety of safe and healthy foods that have not been exposed to hormones, pesticides, antibiotics, or other harmful chemicals.

By Celeste LightnerGreenwalt There are many benefits for consumers who choose to join the increasingly popular local food movement by purchasing greater quantities of locally grown or produced food from your local farmers. Locally grown food regularly uses less nonrenewable resources, fossil fuels, and chemicals, making it an environmentallysound alternative to food with a large carbon footprint from being imported from distant states or countries.

Locally Grown Benefit – Better Food Additionally, food items from local sources offer superior taste and freshness, provide increased health advantages, help support independent and family farms, strengthen local economies, and have a more positive ecological impact than imported food. Common sources of local food may include family farms, food

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Locally Grown Benefit – Better Local Economy Locally grown food also benefits local economies by keeping funds within the community. It has been shown that, while corporate agribusiness profits are steadily increasing, independent farmers are earning lower net cash incomes every year. In fact, large corporations are currently dominating food production in the United States with several huge firms controlling the majority of beef, pork, and poultry sales.

The best way to increase the profits of local and independent farmers is to buy their goods whenever possible. In turn, local farmers will spend more money among community businesses, which strengthens the local economy as a whole. Family-owned or independent farms also provide more jobs to the community and contribute more

to neighboring economies than corporate agribusiness networks. Furthermore, purchasing more food from local farmers will help ensure that less of these farms will fail and be sold for land development.

Locally Grown Benefit – Better Environment, Smaller Carbon Footprint Another major concern of imported food is the negative ecological impact it frequently has on the environment. As a rule, imported foods that are transited over long distances are responsible for the release of more carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), the burning of more fossil fuels, and increased use of packing materials that must eventually be disposed of than are associated with foods grown locally or regionally. This use of resources in shipping and distributing is called a carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint refers to the amount of fuel burned and CO2 released into the atmosphere, and is often used to determine the specific impact one food item has on the environment. For example, beef and cheese both have a substantially large carbon footprint and, if these items can be purchased closer to home, the carbon footprint of the items will be reduced. Since local food tends to be less carbon intensive to grow and to transport, it is a more environmentally-friendly choice than food that has been trucked or flown in.

Sauk Valley Sun

DIXON - STERLING - ROCK FALLS

www.saukvalleysun.com Staff Judy Bell Publisher Ken Hauck VP Operations Katie Hauck Administrative Manager Julie Reeder Editor Robert Bell Distribution Manager Celeste Lightner-Greenwalt Senior Marketing Representative Joshua Hauck Marketing Representative Production Karina Ramos Art Director Samantha Gorman Graphic Artist Website John Yada Web Developer/IT Support Writers/ Contributors Donald R. Lewis, MD, FACS Carol Chandler, RN Jill Horn Rev. Scott Porter Pastor Jeff Coester Bobby Dillon Spencer Schein Darlene Rego Nancy Nesyto-Freske Josh Albrecht Ann Lewis Brad Monson Jill Straw Greg Smith Tom Demmer Patricia Lewis Cody Cutter Tim O’Brien © Sauk Valley Sun, 2013 www.saukvalleysun.com The opinions expressed in the Sauk Valley Sun do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sauk Valley Sun staff.

Advertising Policy: Acceptance of an advertisement by Sauk Valley Sun does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of its sponsors or the products offered.

We will not knowingly publish advertisements that are fraudulent, libelous, misleading, or contrary to the policies of Sauk Valley Sun. We reserve the right to reject any advertisement we find unsuitable.

Please direct all advertising inquiries and correspondence to the address below.

SAINT LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH (174 Years Young!)

211 S. Peoria St., Dixon, IL 61021 • (815) 288-2151

St. Luke's Episcopal Church welcomes you... Join us!

10:15 AM Sunday Service followed by coffee & Fellowship.

Children welcome!

Editorial Contributions, Letters to the Editor, and Advertising Inquiries: Please submit all correspondence to our office by e-mail, at info@sauksun.com.

All correspondence must be dated and signed and include the writer’s full address and phone number in order to be considered for publication. Email would also be helpful. All editorial content is subject to editing to fit the publication’s format. Word count for letters is 250.

Sauk Valley Sun 24,000 copies published monthly 21,000 copies direct-mailed to homes and business addresses in Dixon and Sterling Postage paid at Dekalb, IL Permit No. 321

Sunday School 10:00 AM Wednesday Healing Service 10:00 AM

www.stlukedixon.org

Phone (815) 888-4403 Fax (815) 572-0153 Address: 459 Illinois Route #2, Dixon, IL 61021 Email: info@sauksun.com

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June 2013 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun

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