46InAdventure - InVironments Magazine

Transcription

VOLUME 2
ISSUE
AUG - SEP 2011
6
16InHome
Setting up an effective
study space
20InHealth
Yoga exercises for
gardening
26InGarden
Steve and Sue Kivikko:
A honey of a business
32InFood
46InAdventure
30 Men who cook:
Eat your heart out
for education
Chicago Skydiving
Center: A high in the sky
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Where life happens.
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Rochelle InVironments Magazine • August-September 2011
1901 South State Hwy. 251
Mendota, IL 61342
(815) 539-6263
209 Powers Road, Hwy. 251 North
Rochelle, IL 61068
(815) 562-8792
Please refer to www.meyersfurniture.com for different location hours.
Sundays are closed during Summer.
Where life happens.
3
what’s
side
12 Community
Hispanic Heritage Festival
The pride of the Hispanic
culture in Rochelle
feature:
20
Health
38 People
Yoga exercises
for gardening
Bringing dental care to
Rochelle’s children
Organ transplants
Saving lives during loss
42 Health
Smile Express
32
16
Home
Setting up
an effective
study space
Food
30 Men
Who Cook
54
Business
Eat your
heart out for
education
Rochelle
Community
Hospital
Auxiliary:
Giving
back to the
community
4
Where life happens.
5
26
Feature:
Garden
Steve and Sue
Kivikko:
A honey of a business
46
Adventure
Chicago Skydiving
Center: A high in the sky
58 Education
St. Paul Lutheran School
Celebrating 50 years of Christian
education
64 Events
How to Write Us:
Do you have a question, suggestion, or comment about
Rochelle InVironments? Email your letter to renee@
invironmentsmag.com. Please include your full name and city.
You will be contacted via email if your letter is a candidate for
publication. Letters may be edited for brevity.
Contact Us
Rochelle InVironments
P.O. Box 4, Sycamore, IL 60178
Renee Page, Editor
renee@invironmentsmag.com
Joe and Dana Meyers
Publishers/Advertising
meyers@invironmentsmag.com
6
Keep up-to-date on Rochelle events
and activities year-round
66 Best of
The votes are in!
Find out who is considered
the “Best of” Rochelle
Where life happens.
7
Message from the Editor
Dear Reader,
The heat and humidity of summer are here. Summer brings to mind backyard
cookouts, bowls of bright watermelon, swimming pools, and, for a lot of people,
the family reunion.
The Page Family Reunion is always a highlight of my summer. I have rarely
missed the occasion. As a child, our reunion seemed like a huge event, normally
held in Cooper Park, with all my cousins and second cousins in attendance. My
dad was the youngest of eight children that migrated to Illinois from southeast
Missouri. I’m the youngest of my generation. Thirty-five years separates me from
the oldest of my generation.
As the years have passed, the reunion has moved around from the Ashton Bank
basement to the Nash Recreation Center in Oregon to Reynolds Church. As the
older generation has passed away and the younger generations become busier
and unable to attend, the reunion has gotten small enough to be held in a home–
specifically, my home.
But all the work is worth it to bring together three generations of the Page family
each year. Despite the fact that a number of us live within a few miles or even a
couple of blocks of each other, this day in July seems to be the only day we can be
sure that we see each other. My niece has done extensive research on our family
tree so she often presents her new findings or helps us to remember facts that we’ve
forgotten. It seems to be a fitting tribute to the legacy of Charles and Aslee Page.
As I work on this issue of InVironments, I’m reminded of how important family is,
even in the non-traditional sense of the word. Jodi Sage tells us the story of her
mother’s fight for life while Barb Kemp tells us of the tragic generosity of her family
upon the loss of her son, Adam. St. Paul Lutheran School students, alumni, and staff
talk about the feeling of family they experience within the walls of the school. Even
the honey bees that Steve and Sue Kivikko keep are a “family” as they return to care
for their hives and broods.
So keep your family together by reuniting on a regular basis. And keep your
community “family” close by reading about their stories in InVironments.
Finding “In”spiration in you,
Message from the Publishers
Dear neighbors and friends,
Ahh, home sweet home! After another weekend of baseball games, I am glad to be here.
My son has played a lot of baseball this summer. Minor league, travel ball, and most
recently a tournament team have kept our schedule full. I love being at the Rochelle
baseball fields and seeing so many of you that I don’t see throughout the year. I try really
hard to watch the games, but will admit I usually miss something because I get too
chatty. I love the sense of community that can be felt at our baseball fields and cherish the
memories being built there.
Evan’s travel and tournament teams have given us the opportunity to experience a
different kind of camaraderie with our neighbors. As guests to whatever community
we are in, we cheer on our boys, pitch sun canopies, and keep an eye on each other’s
children. Throughout the season, we have seen some fabulous coaching and some flat out
horrible coaching from other teams. I am not talking about coaching errors like having a
kid steal when he should have stayed on base. I am talking about the part of coaching that
either lifts the spirit of a young player or crushes it, the part of coaching that fosters good
sportsmanship or turns its back on it. Watching some of the coaches from other teams has
increased my appreciation of our Rochelle coaches.
I walked away from this weekend blessed once again by the men that work with these
boys. My mom probably said it best when she pointed out the respect our coaches
gave our boys. They played to win (which I believe in, by the way) but they coached
to build winners. As a community, our youth programs are filled with men and women
who positively affect our kids and I just want to say, “thank you”. Thanks to ALL of you,
no matter what sport you work with, for believing in the potential of our kids. Strong
extracurricular activities aid in the shaping of character in ways that nothing else can
touch. Your dedication has added value to Rochelle and is appreciated.
One of our reasons for publishing InVironments is to help add value to the community.
We love to be able to celebrate successes and shine a spotlight on all the good things that
make Rochelle a winning community. We hope that when you finish reading an issue, you
will walk away with your head held a little higher knowing you are part of something great.
Thanks for spending time with us.
Renee Page
Renee Page
Editor
With you “In” mind,
Joe & Dana Meyers
For Subscriptions: www.inrochelle.com
8
Where life happens.
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Where life happens.
11
Community
H i s pa n i c
Heritag e
Festival
By Daniel Williams
Rosario Herebia said she remembers the days when Hispanic youth
had plenty to do in Rochelle. She remembers after school programs,
tutor programs, and plenty of other things to keep her and her
friends on the right path. But those days have come and gone.
The 23-year-old said, over time,
those programs seemed to fade and
with it, the pride and identity of the
Hispanic culture in Rochelle.
So unlike many other people who might
complain, reminisce and then move
on, Rosario and a small group of friends
and acquaintances decided to act.
Daniel Williams/Lifeworks Imaging:
Bacilisa Silva, left, Rosario Herebia, center and Edna Nava
12
Rosario and five other women, Edna
Nava, Bacilisa Silva, Rose Huermo,
Shelley Belmonte, and Charlene
Jackson, formed a committee to do
something about it. That action brought
about Rochelle’s first-ever Hispanic
Heritage Festival last September.
Rosario said another group in town
had put a Hispanic Heritage Festival
together in the past but for whatever
reason, it never lasted. She and
the committee she is working with
hopes this event is here to stay.
The committee successfully organized
the first annual festival last year because
they felt there weren’t enough events
specifically for the Hispanic culture.
“We never have anything for us,”
Rosario said. “The Hispanic people in
Rochelle don’t really have a voice.”
So with a little planning and a lot of last
minute help, they sparked what they are
hoping will be a long lasting tradition
just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month,
which starts in the middle of September.
This year’s event, set for September
10, is just around the corner and the
group is trying to put the finishing
touches on all the planning. Rosario
said she’s hoping to be able to expand
on some of the success they had last
year, especially when it comes to
attendance. “We had about 100 people
last year and we’re hoping to have
about 200 people this year,” she said.
Where life happens.
13
Community
Rosario’s group. They started the pageant last year as
the sole fundraiser for a scholarship given to one of the
girls. “There are a lot of pageants like this around.”
Last year the group raised about $500 for one lucky girl and
they are hoping this year will be an even bigger success.
The scholarship amount always depends on the number of
participants. Any of the money raised from the festival actually
gets put back into the scholarship and helps to form the
non-profit group Rosario and her committee hope to create.
“That’s the ultimate goal,” she added, “To form
a not-for-profit group for Hispanics.”
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located inside The Cypress House
815-562-4150
Michelle Metzger,
Owner & Stylist
718 10th Ave, Rochelle, IL
Wendy Gilbert, Stylist
Stacey Jacobs, Stylist
With the level of success they’ve had so far, it shouldn’t take
them long – especially if they continue to receive the help and
support they’ve had from other communities and groups.
Rosario said groups from Sycamore, DeKalb, and Rockford
have all helped them in the past and they are hoping to
incorporate those groups into their activities in the future.
For now though, it’s all about keeping it simple.
They’d like to eventually add the pageant to the
actual festival but are still keeping it in November this
year in case it rains since there is no rain date.
Rosario said more vendors,
more bands, and a
greater knowledge in the
community should help
boost those numbers.
Last year they were able to bring in
about four dancers and one band, but
she’s hoping the last year’s success will
spark more participants. She’s not sure
exactly how many more since they’re still
confirming acts but she’s optimistic.
“We’re also still looking for sponsors but
last year it worked out great,” she added.
The group has added a community
leadership award to this year’s event
that they will vote on soon and award
to a Hispanic community leader.
There will still be all the same attractions
as last year, including kids’ games
and prizes and several dance acts that
represent different Hispanic countries.
There will also be information on
this year’s beauty pageant, which
is geared toward Hispanic girls.
The pageant is another offshoot of
14
Rosario said this year’s event runs from 3 to 10 pm at Atwood
Park. They are holding it five days prior to the start of Hispanic
Heritage Month because other communities will be having
their own festivals and they didn’t want to detract from those.
It also gives them the opportunity to work together with
those other communities and build stronger community ties
and enrichment. That goes for non-Hispanics too. Rosario
said the event isn’t meant just for the Hispanic residents. It’s
meant as a celebration of her culture and to also showcase it
for non-Hispanics in order to build stronger community ties.
Melinda Meyer, Stylist
Jennifer McGee, LMT/Yoga
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“That’s the whole point,” Rosario said.
Anyone wishing to volunteer
can contact Rosario via email at
rherebia@hispanicheritagefestival.com
and more information can be found
on the festival’s website at
www.hispanicheritagefestival.com
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Where life happens.
15
Home
Setting Up
an Effective
Study Space
By DeAnna Radaj, Bante Design LLC
As “back to school” time approaches
(I hear the cheering of parents far and
wide!), one of the items that should
be part of any student’s “to-do” list is
setting up an organized and efficient
space to study and do homework.
In setting up an effective study space,
use Feng Shui principles when laying
out the space plan. Feng Shui is the 5000
year old Chinese science of creating a
balanced environment (yin-yang), and
while there are three principle schools of
Feng Shui (Compass, Form and Bagua/
Black Hat Sect), they all use nature,
accessories, and focus on placement of
items to activate energy (chi) of the space.
In the case of a child’s bedroom serving
double duty-sleeping and studying, the
bed is the most important furniture
piece, with the desk being secondary.
When using a bedroom as the place
where most homework is done, the bed
should be placed in the Power Position
(diagonal corner from the doorway
looking in to the room), with the desk
being placed in the Knowledge Life Area
(closest left corner on entryway wall).
The desk should face into the space if
possible, not looking out a window or at
a wall. The worst location for the desk is
directly in line with the door or entryway.
In Feng Shui terms this is called the
“death position,” and you don’t want that!
This is due to the person sitting at the
desk being vulnerable with each person
passing the door; there is no security in
16
this location. Besides, if your back is
to the door, you can easily be startled,
disrupting your work focus. Think of
how a work cubicle is set-up to illustrate
this point. If a desk is set up facing a
window, the person seated at the desk
can get distracted by what is going on
outside. A desk facing a wall can literally
cause the person seated at the desk
to “hit a brick wall” when it comes to
problem-solving, or being creative. If this
is the only way a desk can be situated
(small space), then hang some detailed
artwork or a bulletin board up to help
engage stimulating mental activity.
You want your desk facing into the room
so you can see anyone entering. You also
want a solid wall behind your chair for
support and security (not a window).
Next, make sure the desk has an
efficient lay-out. Is everything you need
easily accessible? Can you open drawers
and file cabinets easily? Can you walk
through the space without tripping
over, stepping around, or bumping
into anything? If not, change it around.
Bruises, cuts, and irritation at moving
an item to reach another item cause
stress which isn’t good on any level.
Where life happens.
17
Home
One of the biggest obstacles I’ve seen in my clients
is not having the desk/work space efficiently
organized. Take time to actually walk through the
students’ process as to how they do homework.
Do they need pens/paper or do they primarily
work on a laptop? The desk needs to be cleared
of any clutter and have an outlet close by.
Because one size
DOESN’T FIT ALL…
Some Feng Shui tips include:
• To help “activate” the Knowledge
Life Area, use the color blue, the
Earth element and square shapes.
Think blue desk accessories, picture
frames or a chair mat/area rug.
The Earth element can include:
tile coasters, stone figurines, or
even a globe. Square shapes can
be used for desk blotter, picture
frames, bulletin board or area rug.
• Motivational quotes are perfect to
activate any student. Quotes can
be stenciled on to the wall, used as
a screen saver or a framed print...
• De-clutter the desk/room. Ask: Do you
love it? Do you need it? Do you use it?
If an item does not serve a purpose,
it shouldn’t be in the space. So, if an
item is not “study related” it shouldn’t
be on/near the desk. This helps cut
down on procrastination and feelings
of being overwhelmed or anxious.
Many children (and adults) are afflicted
with allergies and asthma, while many
children and teens are concerned
about the environment and want to
be more eco-friendly. Here are some
tips that you can easily incorporate
“green” into their rooms, while also
creating a “healthy” space for those
who may have some health concerns:
• Make use of any natural light that
enters the space. This is good for
morale and helps in the production
of melatonin in the body (a lack of
this is a cause of the SADD disorder).
Strategically-placed mirrors (45
degree angle to the window) will
help diffuse the light into the room.
• Hang/place plants by computers
and printers. All emit EMF
(electromagnetic fields) and the
printer toner off-gasses chemicals
which you then breathe in. Plants
such as spider plants help detoxify
the air. You should ideally have
one plant for every 100 square feet
of space to help clean the air.
• Only have accessories or pictures
that are positive and supportive.
Anything else can be confusing
and just add to mental clutter.
• Make sure your child has an
ergonomically sound chair for
him or her to sit on-one that
encourages proper posture.
• Use eco–friendly, natural cleaners.
• Make sure every space has task
lighting to cut down on eyestrain.
Computer monitors should have
a screen to cut down on glare.
By implementing these tips, your child
will not only have a beautiful, productive
space in which to study, but one that
benefits their health and all who enter.
DeAnna Radaj, owner of Bante Design
LLC, can enter a space and help to redesign the space to work better to suit its
function and the lifestyle of the occupants
of the space. She is a nationally
recognized speaker on healthy home
design, color therapy/theory, psychology
of clutter for adults and children.
Visit www.bantedesign.com
for more information. Brought
to you by Meyers Furniture.
18
At M-O-I we offer two different MRI options.
Our full body MRI system allows our physicians and consulting radiologists to
see multiple high-contrast images of bone and muscle that provide insights
older technologies can’t begin to match. These images provide highly detailed
images of internal body structures without the use of radiation like traditional
X-rays or CT scans.
Our Extremity MRI is for those times when a specific area of the arm or leg
needs to be evaluated. This MRI allows comfortable patient positioning and
parents can sit with children throughout the relatively brief scan.
Whichever MRI your doctor chooses, you can rest assured you will have easy
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Where life happens.
19
Health
Yoga
exercises
for
gardening
The gardening
season is in full
swing, but it’s not
too late to get your
body in better shape
for it. Gardening
demands heavy and
sustained work at
times, yet many of us
who are gardeners
are not necessarily
in shape to do it.
20
|
If you move your body well, you can use gardening as a way
to improve the “core muscles” that everybody is talking about.
On the flip side, if you simply bend over to do things, you are
probably just wearing out your back. Not that bending over
is such a bad thing, but when it’s the only movement your
body knows, it gets tired and starts to rebel. Adding variety
to your movement is an important way to distribute the
workload. Yoga is a great way to get your body working better
for the many contortions of gardening. Yoga scares many
people off; they feel they have never been flexible and never
will be. The truth is that if you do it, you will slowly be it.
Take a walk through these photos with us and we will show
you common gardening situations and the yoga poses that
help to make it happen more comfortably, fluidly, and with less
regret at the end of the day. If you don’t like the word yoga,
substitute stretching and holding instead! Consider working
in the sequence laid out here to ease your body into it. As with
any exercise, modify them for your comfort and safety and
consult your doctor or physical therapist if you have questions.
Where life happens.
21
Health
1.
1a.
2.
1. Powerful pose (Utkatasana): Bend
your knees lowering your buttocks
toward the floor and behind your center
of gravity. Tuck the tailbone under and
keep the knees behind the toes. Your
hands can be positioned straight out
in front of you or for more challenge
position them straight over head.
3. Forward bend (uttanasana):
Exhaling, release your arms in wide
arcs as you fold forward. Bend your
knees if you feel pressure on your
lower back, support your hands on
blocks if they don’t reach the floor.
Release your neck so that your head
hangs heavily from your upper spine.
1a. Simple variation: Lean your back
3a. Simple variation: Sit in a chair and
against a wall and pull the pelvis under.
Your feet should be positioned 12-18
inches away from the wall. Slide down
the wall into a chair position taking care
to sit with the degree of bend that works
for your strength and knee health.
slowly curl your spine down from the
top until you are draped over your legs.
2. Downward facing dog (adho mukha
svanasana): Start from your hands and
knees. Pushing down into the floor lift
your bottom up and back toward your
feet. The arms press as if pushing away
from your head and are completely
elongated from the shoulder.
2a. Modified downward facing dog:
Use a sturdy armless chair or low table
that will not slip. Place your hands on
the chair’s sear, about shoulder-width
apart. Walk slowly backward, allowing
your spine to lengthen and your head
to come between your upper arms.
Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. To release,
walk forward to the chair and bend
your knees, keeping your spine long
as you lift into an upright position.
22
2a.
3.
4. Rotated lateral angle (Parivritta
Parsvakonasana): Place one foot up on a
low chair and lean the pelvis forward in a
lunge hinging at the hips. Turn through
the abdomen and spine so that the elbow
opposite the leg that is up rests on the
outer knee. Press the knee into the elbow
and the elbow into the knee to improve
the trunk rotation. Keep the spine
elongated. Press both palms together.
5. Deep squat (malasana): Either balance
or hold on to a fence post and squat as
low as you can leaving the heels down
for as long as you can. This will open the
low back and stretch the heel cords.
6. Pigeon pose (kapotasana): Bring
your right shin forward so that your
right foot is in front of your left hip and
your right shin is nearly parallel to the
front edge of a yoga mat. Flex your
right foot. Stretch your left thigh back
as you draw your left hip forward. If
your right hip is off the floor then place
a folded blanket under it for support.
6a. Simple variation: Sit in a chair and
be aware of both sitting bones being
connected to the chair. Cross one leg
on top of the other so that the ankle
is connected just behind the opposite
knee. Feel your outer hip and gluteals
stretching. Lean your belly toward your
legs and then fold your body forward.
3a.
5.
6.
7.
8.
7. Gate pose (parighasana): Kneel with
one foot forward as if you are proposing
marriage. Turn the back leg so it forms
a right angle to the front leg. Your
abdomen and pelvis face out to the side.
Lean toward your front leg bringing the
hand down to the floor in front of the
foot. Lift the back hand up to the sky.
8. Cobra pose (Bhujangasana): Lay on
your belly with your elbows bent and
hands placed by the side of your chest.
Elongate your tailbone toward your
heels. Arch your spine back and lift your
chest up, focusing on the upper back
and using your hands for support. If you
feel back pain you are lifting too far.
8a. Cobra pose with a wall: (Modified
Bhujangasana) Stand facing a wall
at arms distance, with your feet hipwidth apart, and place both palms on
the wall no higher than your shoulders.
Step very slightly closer to the wall, so
that your elbows bend a little. As you
exhale, bend your legs, round your back,
and look down. Then, as your inhale,
straighten your legs and slowly arch
your spine back. Try to arch primarily
in the middle and upper back instead of
in the lower back. Keeping your hips in
line with your feet will help with this.
8b. Wall push-ups: In the above position,
bend your elbows to bring your body
toward the wall. Keep elbows close to the
ribcages. Don’t allow your back to arch.
4.
Where life happens.
23
8a.
9.
9. Tree pose (vrksasana): Shift your
weight toward your left side. Bend
right knee and reach down to grasp the
ankle. Place the foot at the groin with
the toes pointing down. Press the foot
inward toward the groin. The pelvis
should be centered over the stance
leg. Bring hands together in front of
your chest, or lift the arms to the sky.
10. Tree pose variation: Stand near a
wall for support. Shift your weight to
one leg and place the other foot onto
the calf with the knee pointing out.
10.
11. Horse stance with Victory Goddess
(deviasana): Stand with your feet 3 feet
apart, both turned out, and bend your
knees into a comfortable squat. Then,
bend your elbows, inhale, and stretch
your palms open so your thumbs touch
your shoulders. Release jaw, face, and
neck tension. Open your mouth, lift your
eyebrows, stretch out your tongue, and
waggle it, as you exhale forcefully with a
sound for 10 seconds. Release, stand tall,
and observe your body and mind. This
pose has the added benefit of scaring
away bunnies, crows, and neighbors!
11.
All images were taken at
Blumen Gardens in Sycamore
Dedicated Physicians for the Entire Family
From pediatrics to geriatrics – these physicians are devoted to ensuring you and your family’s health. Plus, all three are accepting new patients for primary care!
www.rcha.net
T ips for healthier gardenin g:
1. Keep long handled pruners close to the body instead of reaching away too far to save shoulder tendons. If you cannot avoid this break up this task or bring the shears closer when you can.
2. Stand and arch your back if you have been bending for long periods.
3. Keep your wrists flexible to prevent elbow pain.
4. Use good lifting practices.
5. Transport heavier loads with a sturdy cart or wheelbarrow.
Jason C. Popp, M.D.
Theresa V. Elises, M.D.
Diana E. Alanis, M.D.
Se habla español
6. Use light weight containers.
7. Keep your tools sharp and clean.
I marvel at how all types of people have adapted their methods and their gardens
to be able to garden. A love of gardening spurs inventiveness in tools to help, and in
ways to use your body. Here is a helpful link for ideas in adaptive gardening.
24
Where life happens.
25
Garden
Steve and Sue Kivikko are on a
mission to bring the misunderstood
honey bee back to the fore in
Northern Illinois. They have started
Northern Beekeepers, a group of
hobbyist beekeepers who produce
honey and beeswax products
from north central Illinois.
Steve and Sue Kivikko:
A Honey
of a Business
“
26
By Renee Page
A lot of people don’t understand bees,”
said Sue Kivikko. “They are engaging
little creatures. I examined 39 hives
yesterday. They were the sweetest,
gentlest bees ever. They were not
interested in stinging me at all. They
don’t perceive you as a threat unless
you are threatening them.”
Steve first became interested in
beekeeping as a child in 6th or 7th
grade. His parents bought a house
in Holcomb that had some old hives
on the property. His baseball coach
in Lindenwood, Ralph Pullin, was a
beekeeper and Ralph came out and
started taking care of the Kivikko
family’s hives. “I used to stand back
and watch, but he finally made
me get in there and help. I used to
ride with him and his son to take
care of his hives,” Steve said.
He said that Rockford had a lot of
empty lots and Ralph would put his
hives in some of those lots to help
pollinate the crops. For instance,
the land where Ingrassia Furniture
now stands was once a squash
field where Ralph kept hives.
“It was a lot of fun. Beekeeping
is a lot different now than it
was then,” Steve said.
After nearly 20 years out of the
beekeeping business, Steve realized
something: he hadn’t seen any
honey bees for a long time. Sue
asked him if he ever thought about
keeping bees again. When they
found out that their neighbors were
moving and needed to sell their
hives, the Kivikkos bought them and
were back in the honey business.
“Honey bees and bumble bees
are the only creatures that do
no damage or destruction to
the environment. They have only
a positive impact,” Sue said.
Where life happens.
27
Garden
20 and 30 hives a year and they are
located around the area. While they
have several located on their farm near
Esmond, they also have hives or apiaries
in Lindenwood and Paynes Point.
Sue added, “I opened up a hive on
a chilly day. All the bees looked up
at me and had their wings spread
out to protect the brood. It’s so fun
to watch them do what they do.”
As we walked around the hives, the
Kivikkos explained how each hive worked.
It was a windy day and the worker
bees were struggling to fly against the
wind. Steve explained that the weather
this year has had a somewhat negative
effect on the bees. The harsh winter
had caused some bees to die off and the
long, wet spring had affected pollination,
washing away the pollen before the bees
could get to it. The strong winds also
keep bees from reaching the pollen and
blow the pollen away. These conditions
don’t bode well for honey production.
Honey bees, bumble bees, and butterflies
are all pollinators. They are very efficient
because their fuzzy bodies allow
them to carry more of the pollen.
Every hive has a queen, thousands of
worker bees which are all female, and
drones, the male bees. The queen lays
eggs in comb in a rainbow pattern. They
store pollen above that rainbow and
the honey is stored above that. Honey
bees make more than 12 times the
honey they will need in their lifetime.
A hive has two hive bodies at the bottom,
topped by up to 10 “supers,” boxes that
store the excess honey. A super full of
honey can weigh up to 30 pounds; a full
hive body can weigh up to 100 pounds.
28
The worker bees all have jobs to do.
There are bees that do the housekeeping
to keep the hive clean, nurse bees to
care for the young bees, construction
bees, guard bees, and foragers.
The drones do no work. Their only
job is to eat honey and mate with the
queen. Sue said the drones leave the
hive in the early afternoon and hang
out at the bee “watering hole,” and wait
for the queen to fly by. Once a drone
mates with the queen, the drone dies.
While worker bees will always return
to the same hive, drones are not as
particular and will return to any hive.
“Each hive has a different personality,”
Steve said. The Kivikkos have between
The Kivikkos sell their honey to support
their “bee habit,” they said. Their honey
is sold at Grubsteakers, Headons, Salinas
Chiropractic, and Cherry Valley Feed,
to name a few area locations. Right
now, most of the places are sold out.
Steve believes that honey bees are losing
numbers because of the globalization
of the world. Just as the early colonists
brought smallpox to America and
infected the Native American, so bees are
exposed to diseases they cannot fight.
Still, they are concerned about
the diminishing number of honey
bees and other pollinators.
For instance, getting rid of dandelions
is bad for the pollinator populations.
“When I look around at the lawns
and see lots of color, I see honey.
When I see a pristine green lawn, I
see empty gas cans,” Steve said.
“Our pollinators are in crisis. People
keep honey bees but not bumble bees
or butterflies. NIU is doing research
around here to see which creatures
are here and which aren’t.”
The Facts
About Bees and Honey
• A typical strong colony
consists of 50,000 bees.
“It is a lot of work. The bees don’t work
the same from year to year. Not every
hive produces every year,” Sue said.
• A honey bee will produce
twice as much honey as she
will consume in her lifetime.
The Kivikkos explained that there is a
large demand for local honey, in part
because of the local food movement
that promotes good quality local foods.
• Honey is the only food
that never rots.
Honey is an almost perfect food. “Honey
is the highest antioxidant food you can
get,” Sue said. “Broccoli, dandelions,
mint...their flowers contain the nectar
that is as good for the bees as it is for
us.” From that nectar, we get honey.
The color and flavor of honey change with
the flowers and the seasons. Sue handed
me a spoonful of their current honey
crop which was nearly clear in color
and had a sweet, light flavor. She told
me it was made of alfalfa and raspberry
pollen. It was amazing! They also shared
a bottle of last year’s clover honey and
a tub of whipped honey. Both have a
unique flavor and color all their own.
“This area of Midwest makes the best
honey in the world because of the
variety of flowers and trees,” Sue said.
• Honey bees have sophisticated
communication system,
second only to humans.
• Honey is naturally antibacterial
and has been used as a dressing
for wounds for thousands of years.
• Although honey bees are not
native to America, our modern
agriculture depends on honey bees.
• Drones cannot sting.
• Honey bees work for the
good of the hive and will only
sting to protect themselves
or to defend their hive.
• Honey bees will range up to
five miles to gather nectar.
• A queen will lay an average
of 2,000 eggs per day.
Where life happens.
29
Garden
USES
FOR HONEY
• Honey is rich in antioxidants that are
proven to bolster immune function.
• Honey can be substituted for
half of the sugar in most recipes.
According to Food Network chef
Paula Deen, use ¾ cup honey for
each 1 cup sugar and reduce other
liquids by ¼ cup.
• A daily dose of 1 teaspoon of local
honey a day can help hay fever
sufferers reduce reactions to honey.
• For shiny hair, combine 1 teaspoon
honey and 4 cups warm water for
an after-shampoo leave-in rinse.
• Mix 2 teaspoons each of honey and
milk for a soothing face mask. Rinse
after 10 minutes.
Have you thought about
weight-loss surgery and just
come up with more questions?
Now is the time to find out the answers to these and
other questions about weight-loss surgery. Come join
our Mercy Bariatric team for free and informative
seminars. We'll talk about the procedure and help you
answer all your questions. Plus, we'll have an insurance
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The agricultural activities of this
region also have an influence on the
honey bee population. “People are
using more chemicals and getting rid
of the weeds in their lawns and field,”
Steve said. This harms the bees in a
variety of ways, from ridding the area
of the plants bees enjoy, like clover and
catnip, to killing the bees outright.
“I’m very fortunate. The farmers around
me are very good about letting me know
when they are going to spray. They know
I am keeping bees,” Steve said. With
warning, Steve can net his hives to keep
the bees from leaving the farm and being
affected by pesticides and herbicides.
30
“I’m not opposed to spraying; I just
need a heads up so I can protect
my bees,” he continued.
Sunday of every month (not including
holidays.) He cautions that it takes a least
a year to develop a productive hive.
One way he is protecting his bees is
through Driftwatch. Driftwatch is a
website developed by Purdue University
that allows Steve to register his apiaries
so farmers and crop dusters can notify
him and other beekeepers, organic
farmers, or other sensitive crop farmers
when chemicals are being applied.
As you listen to Steve and Sue’s
enthusiasm for their “hobby,” you can’t
help but catch the fever. They can
quote statistics and authors of various
bee books and studies. And yet Steve
says, “I don’t think we will ever know
everything there is to know about
bees.” My guess is that if anybody
does, it will be Steve and Sue Kivikko.
Beekeeping can be a fun hobby or a
profitable business. For those interested
in beekeeping, Steve recommends a
beginning beekeeping class sponsored by
the Byron Forest Preserve on the second
To Find Out More Information
About Upcoming Seminars
call us at:
1-877-336-SLIM
or visit us at:
www.bariatricwellness.com
Mercy Bariatric and Wellness Center
Where life happens.
31
Food
30
Every non-profit organization looks for the ultimate fundraiser–an event that will earn
enough money to support a project or budget. Lots of fundraisers sound good but
don’t work as well in execution. Then there is 30 Men Who Cook, the popular yearly
fundraiser for the Rochelle Township High School Education Foundation (RTHSEF).
Men
Who Cook:
Eat your heart out
for education
By Renee Page
Now in its fifth year, 30 Men Who Cook
is scheduled for September 17, from
6 – 9 pm, at the Rochelle Airport.
“It is just so unique,” said Board member
Amy Hayden. “It appeals to a wide
variety of people from all age groups.”
Board member Cathey Stoddard said,
“I came onto the foundation board in
2007. They had run several fundraisers.
A good friend of mine was in charge
of the 50 Men Who Cook fundraiser in
DeKalb and she helped us set it up. The
first year we raised about $9,000. We
raised as much in that one fundraiser
as the group had raised running several
fundraisers a year. Now we only run
the one fundraiser each year.”
Cathey added, “We have different
chefs from different walks of life so we
bring in a lot of different people.”
Board president Joe Hill said, “It’s really
an amazing thing. With as bad as the
economy is, last year was one of our
best years. And it seems like there
are always different people there.”
Joe admits he was skeptical when
they first presented the idea of 30 Men
Who Cook. “I just didn’t know if we
would find enough people to come to
the event. I was pleasantly surprised,”
he said a bit sheepishly. Last year,
more than 300 people attended.
The event was originally held at the
Rochelle Country Club, but its popularity
forced the board to look for a larger
location. The airport administrators
During the event, 28-30 chefs prepare
dishes in one of four categories. For
the price of $30 a plate ($35 at the
door), diners can sample as many of
the dishes as they can eat. They then
vote for their favorite in five categories:
appetizer, entrée, side dish, dessert,
and best decorated booth. There is
also a 50/50 raffle, prize raffle, and
live music and dancing from 9 pm to
midnight. The band Snydley Whiplash
will donate their services for the music.
Snydley Whiplash
32
Rochelle
InVironments Magazine
Magazine •• August-September
August-September 2011
2011
Where life happens.
33
Food
approached the group about using the
new hangar. After looking at the space,
Amy said they knew they could use the
space and allow the event to grow.
The chefs take their job very seriously,
coming up with flavorful dishes. Some are
simple and some are elaborate. Joe said,
“The first couple of years the decorations
were very elaborate. But now it seems
like the chefs are focusing more on their
food and less on the decorations.”
Male rivalry takes over and the trash
talking during setup and during the
dinner shows the guys are having a
good time. When the heckling stops, the
chefs buy each other a beer. Chefs get
to sample each other’s work in a preevent reception. The board adds some
fun to the reception by giving away
funny awards for everything from being
the last to arrive to kitchen calamities.
“The men are really doing the
cooking. There is a camaraderie and
competitiveness among the chefs,” Amy
said. Among the chefs that are signed
be stretched if the event attracts
more diners than expected.
“It amazes me. People are still
talking about the food days later,”
Amy said. People are starting to
come from all over the region as the
reputation of the food grows.
up this year are Rep. Bob Pritchard,
RTHS principal Travis McGuire, and
local chiropractor, Dr. Tim Salinas.
The chefs bring their own food and
utensils; the foundation provides the
paper products. Guest are handed a
plate and ballot and are allowed to visit
the booths, where sample sized servings
are available. “You can really have one
heck of a meal,” Joe said. “I was floored
at how good the food was the first year.”
Not everyone gets to every station.
Popular stations have been known to
run out of food. Organizers encourage
chefs to prepare something that can
“The first year, a couple came in wearing
chaps. They were riding their motorcycle
through the area, saw the sign, and came
in for dinner,” Cathey reminisced. They
swore to come back the next year.
“This is an event for anyone. The
cost of the ticket is all you have to
spend. You can participate in the
raffles and silent auction or not. The
amount you spend is up to you. And
you don’t need to buy special clothes
to come and join us,” Amy said.
Planning for the event takes several
months but it seems to be a labor
of love for the Foundation board.
When the evening is over and funds
are counted, the board gets on with
the best part of their job – awarding
grants to RTHS teachers.
Most recently, the RTHSEF has partnered
with the Rochelle Area Community
Foundation to start an endowment fund.
The RTHSEF put in $10,000 and received a
matching grant from the RACF for $5,000.
The RTHSEF was formed in 1993 by Dr. Jerry Wilson
and other visionaries who wanted to create a lasting
source of funding to improve RTHS. Teachers submit
grant proposals to the foundation for items to enhance
their classroom or curriculum. Most are looking for
larger scale items that the school budget can’t afford.
Their first project was to renovate the Counseling Center
in the old high school. Since then, they have funded the
creation of the Foreign Language lab and bought items
such as a stove for the Life Skills Class and a cooler for
the Horticulture class. They have also bought items
such as smart boards, computers, and e-readers.
“If we can’t fund the entire request, we work with
the teacher or department to figure out what the
most important part is we can fund,” Joe said.
Amy added, “Every department but two has
benefitted from the foundation.” The two unfunded
departments have never submitted requests.
“This endowment will allow us to handle
larger grants. It’s our way of looking down
the road to prepare for the future,” Joe said.
“Education is such an important part of this society.
The foundation has made a large impact at the high
school. It gives them another avenue to get the items
they need when the state is in trouble,” Joe said.
As a teacher in the elementary district, Amy
said that it’s nice for teachers to get the thing
they want or need to facilitate learning.
Cathey said part of the grant process includes follow-up on
the projects the foundation has funded. “The foundations
impact on the students becomes so clear,” she said.
The board members include Joe Hill, Cathey Stoddard,
and Amy Hayden as well as Joel Thompson, Jared
Thompson, Pam Draves, Jessica Hughes, Kathy
Connor, Marilu Dougherty, Scott Mincemoyer, Sharon
Duncan, and RTHS liaison, Dr. Liz Freeman.
To help our students through the RTHSEF, eat
your heart out at the 30 Men Who Cook. For more
information, go to their website at http://rthsef.org.
34
Where life happens.
35
Call now to schedule your consultation
1221 Currency Court, Suite A,
Rochelle, IL 61068
WITH DR. DILLON
Phone (815) 562-4189
Fax (815) 562-4180
( 800 ) 893-2708
www.rochellechamber.org
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Whether it’s saving money on insurance or Member Rewards, promoting your services or products through
networking events, increasing your exposure through print and electronic media, or staying up-to-date on
business and economic development, your Rochelle Chamber offers many opportunities for success.
The race is on to attract new members and build a strong business economy in the City of Rochelle. Call Peggy
or Kara at 815-562-4189 or visit www.rochellechamber.org for more information on becoming a member of the
fast-growing and progressive Chamber of Commerce and Business Development.
Competitive rates and member benefits are available today for individuals, home-based businesses,
non-profits, elected officials, governments, school districts, professional services, financial institutions, industries,
developers, brokers, special partners, and of course, commercial and retail!
reasons for becoming a member
Networking
Become a resource for new customers
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Liaison between government and elected officials
36
Mercy
Regional Magazine
Plastic •Surgery,
Skin2011
and Laser Center
August-September
Educational opportunities
Exposure and website recognition
Effective advertising
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Recognition by the public as an accredited business
Monthly and annual events
rochelle area chamber of commerce & business development
.
815-562-4189
Where life happens.
37
People
By Leah Shearer
One healthy organ can save a life.
Unfortunately, there are many stories
of people who die waiting for that
organ. Making the decision to be
an organ donor could transform the
ending of those tragic stories. Death
is a hard thing to think about. The
death of a loved one is devastating.
But understanding that you can help
humanity even in death makes the
thought more bearable. If you make
the decision to be a donor, your legacy
will live through the people you
saved. Here are the stories of two local
families who have lived through the
agony of the life-changing decision.
Organ
transplants:
Saving lives
during loss
But Kathleen never felt great after the transplant. Soon, the family
had to face the possibility that the problem was not Kathleen’s
kidney. At the end of November, Kathleen became extremely ill.
She was hospitalized for a month and the doctors told Kathleen
she needed a new liver. Her condition was desperate and she
was put at the top of the list. Doctors informed the Haas family
that there was a two week window of opportunity in which
Kathleen could recover. If she didn’t receive a transplant within
that time, there wasn’t much hope for survival. The family prayed
desperately. They knew that Kathleen was a fighter and believed
there was hope for her to pull through.
Then, on January 3, 2010, the family was told that a suitable liver
had been found. The Haas family began to believe that their hope
would be become reality. Doctors prepared Kathleen for surgery.
Right before the surgery began, the operating surgeon inspected
the liver he was going to use. He spotted signs of Cirrhosis and
determined that the liver would not be healthy enough to support
Kathleen’s body functions. The family was devastated. When
Kathleen found out the liver didn’t work, she cried. Jodi says, “I
think she knew that was her only shot.” Kathleen Haas passed
away on January 11, 2010. The family now holds on to the legacy
of Kathleen’s fierce love, compassion, and generosity.
Kathleen Haas
Kathleen Haas was the mother of six children and a wife of
40 years. She lived in Rochelle her whole life and attended
Rochelle Township High School. She worked at the Rochelle
Wal-Mart for 17 years. She was known by her friends and
family as a person of extreme generosity and compassion.
Her daughter, Jodi Sage, remembers that she used to have
only one pair of shoes. Jodi says, “She wore them to work,
church, a restaurant, or wherever…to make sure there was
enough money for her children to have what they needed.
She was always taking in kids who needed a place stay. She
loved her family with all her heart, and they loved her back.”
Kathleen’s daughter, Katie Haas, says, “She taught us, ‘You
always help family out. It doesn’t matter what comes up;
family comes first.’” Kathleen Haas loved Disney and she
loved Christmas. She valued hard work. She taught her
family the importance of a caring about others. Kathleen
loved people and family and life.
In the spring of 2001, Kathleen became ill. She constantly
felt fatigued and her blood pressure increased dramatically.
After taking an ultrasound of her kidney, the doctors
determined that she had Polycystic Kidney Disease; she
would eventually need a transplant. In 2005, she began
dialysis treatments. In 2009, she was placed on the waiting
list. On May 30, she got a call about a possible deceased
38
donor transplant. Kathleen went to the hospital and received a
kidney transplant that night. Jodi remembers that she and her
family were very excited about the transplant. She thought, “Mom
is finally going to be better.”
Kathleen Haas and her grandson
Where life happens.
39
People
Adam J. Kemp
Adam J. Kemp was born and raised
in Rochelle. He loved being outdoors
and he loved fishing. Adam was
a New York Yankees fan. He was
warm, friendly, and outgoing.
His mother, Barb Kemp, remembers that
he was “always surrounded by little ones
wanting to play with him.” Before high
school, he played little league baseball
and Junior Tackle football. He continued
playing baseball and football for Rochelle
Township High School, where he graduated
in 1997. After graduating, Adam decided to
pursue his father’s occupation and worked
for the Aurora Ironwork Apprenticeship
Program. Adam’s family was proud of his
accomplishments and loved him dearly.
On October 3, 2003, Adam was the
passenger in a single car accident. With
serious injuries, Adam was rushed to
Rochelle Community Hospital. From there,
an emergency helicopter transported him
to St. Anthony Hospital in Rockford. When
the Kemp family was notified about the
accident, they hurried to the hospital.
Adam quickly slipped into a coma and
the doctors informed the family that his
physical state was dire; it would take
a miracle for him to survive. Adam’s
brother, Shawn Kemp, remembers that
the support given by the community was
“phenomenal.” Over 70 people gathered
in the waiting rooms, showing their
love for Adam and praying for the best.
Adam fought for 19 hours but his injuries
were too severe, causing his brain to
hemorrhage. The doctors finally had to
tell his friends and family that hope had
faded. Adam’s body could continue to
function only with the help of a machine.
As the immediate family tried to absorb
this devastating news, the doctors asked
them to consider donating Adam’s organs.
At first, Adam’s mother was hesitant. In a
dazed state of grief, she worried that her
son might feel pain if his organs were taken
from him. But Shawn insisted, “Adam
would have wanted it.” Once the process
was explained more thoroughly to Barb,
she made the difficult and selfless decision
to donate her son’s organs and tissues.
40
Friends and family grieved deeply over Adam’s death. At
the funeral, family friend Ed Rice told the family, “The whole
community of Rochelle is mourning over the loss of your son.”
Adam’s death was tragic, but his legacy was powerful. He
became a hero to many, even in death. His giving spirit
persevered by saving the lives of many others. Because Adam’s
organs were so healthy, showing no signs of drug or alcohol
abuse, they were used to save and help over 65 people.
Two young women can now see because they received corneal
transplants from Adam’s eyes. Adam’s kidney and pancreas
saved a woman who suffered from end stage kidney failure.
His other kidney was given to a man who had suffered from
diabetes for years. Adam’s liver saved a 54-year-old man who
lived to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. Adam’s
tissue helped many recover from serious injuries and illnesses.
Adam Kemp can never be replaced. His family and
friends still miss him immensely and would give
anything to have him back, but as his brother Shawn
reflects, “To those people he’s a hero…it’s like he
lives on through those people that he helped.”
When Jodi Sage’s son, Taylor Isley, received the Adam Kemp
Memorial Scholarship, she emailed Barb Kemp to thank
her for making the decision to donate Adam’s organs.
Jodi says, “I give my highest regards to
anyone who is put in that position.”
Jodi has felt the pain of losing a loved family member who
didn’t receive a needed transplant. She knows that a healthy
organ can be the difference between life and death.
Since then, Jodi and Barb have kept in contact, informing
each other when they hear an inspiring story about organ
donation. Jodi feels that they are “connected” by their similar
life experiences. Both Jodi and Barb are advocates of organ
donation. They hope to raise awareness of the need for organ
donors. They both believe that their cause can and will save
many lives.
To become an organ donor, visit
www.lifegoeson.org. Click on the
“Register Now” link; save lives.
Where life happens.
41
Health
children in Rochelle and they partnered
together to hold a one-day clinic at
Lincoln School in May. They view it as a
pilot program for a long-term association
with the Rochelle school districts.
Dr. Jay and his assistant, Beth Krominga,
brought his mobile dentist office to
the school where Joelle and Michelle
arranged for more than 30 children to
see Dr. Jay for exams, x-rays, and dental
care. Dr. Jay performed more than 184
procedures from extractions to fillings.
Dental health is left untreated for a variety
of reasons. The chief reason is economic.
Either parents don’t have dental
insurance or are on Medicaid. There is
no Medicaid dental provider in Rochelle
so parents have to travel to Rockford
or Dixon for treatment. This causes
additional hardship because it may
require a parent to take time off work.
“The reality is, unless you are in
significant pain, people avoid dental
care. They aren’t going to take time off,
SMILE EXPRESS: Bringing
Dental Care to
Rochelle’s Children
By Renee Page
Imagine sitting in your school desk with
a nagging toothache. It feels like your
whole face hurts, making it difficult to
concentrate on the teacher’s words.
Chewing is painful so you haven’t
eaten; your stomach hurts with hunger
pains. All you can focus on is the pain
rolling through your body. You want
to make it go away, but your parents
can’t afford to take you to the dentist.
The U.S. Public Health Service estimates
that children lose nearly 51 million
school hours because of dental-related
illnesses. In Rochelle, Smile Express is
working to bring dental care to our school
children who are uninsured or rely on
Medicaid for their health care issues.
42
Smile Express is a group of local dental
hygienists and school nurses who are
partnering with Onsite Dental to bring
dental care into Rochelle schools. They
are passionate about their mission.
Lincoln School Nurse Joelle Builta
brought the problem of untreated dental
issues to the attention of a group of
interested parties including the former
Community Action Network and Rochelle
Community Hospital. Kathy Olson, one
of the dental hygienists that works with
Smile Express, said the two groups were
investigating ways to get a mobile dental
service here a couple of times a year.
But Joelle and Kathy, along with
nurse’s aide Michelle Rogers-Gittleson,
hygienists Jeanie Jandak, Tracy Haan,
Betsy Chandler, Jen Kissack, and Danielle
Worley believed that Rochelle needed a
program to provide more regular care.
“Most mobile programs offer preventive
care but not restorative care,” Kathy said.
Restorative care includes filling cavities,
pulling teeth, and baby root canals.
Earlier this year, Dr. Jason Grinter
started Onsite Dental, a mobile dentist
service that can offer diagnostic
and restorative dental services on
location. Known as Dr. Jay, he had met
Kathy during his association with the
Milestone Dental Clinic and the Ronald
McDonald Care Mobile in Rockford.
Together, they realized that Dr. Jay had
the ability to meet the needs of the
Jeanie Jandak, left, holds a patient's hand
as Dr. Jay Grinter works with the assistance
of Beth Krominga.
Smile Express
Helping Rochelle’s children one smile at a time
spend money on gas, and go to Rockford
or Dixon for dental care,” Dr. Jay said.
What makes Smile Express a perfect
solution is that Dr. Jay comes to the
school, so children don’t lose much
time from their studies and parents
don’t have to take time off work.
“The new buzz word in the dental
industry is the concept of the ‘dental
home.’ It’s outside the box to have a
mobile dental home,” Kathy said.
One reason bringing dental care to
the school works is because children
are comfortable at school, Kathy
said. “They feel safe there. They
perceive it as a safe setting so they
feel comfortable and cared for.”
Another reason that school is a good
venue for dental care is that the
parents don’t have to be present.
“
Parents sometimes bring
their own fears to the
dental care situation.
Kids pick up on those
fears and it adds to the
hysteria of dental care,”
Dr. Jay said. “The school
setting eases that.”
The families that wanted to participate
in the clinic signed permission
slips for the children to be seen and
treated by Dr. Jay. Joelle and Michelle
coordinated the day with the school,
setting up space in the school for
exams and treatment. “During the
clinics we are providing the children
with oral hygiene instruction. We
are teaching them the importance
of dental hygiene, how to brush and
floss, nutrition, and preventing tooth
decay and gum disease,” Jen said.
Where life happens.
43
Health
“I’m willing to come here because I know
it’s going to be worthwhile,” he added.
Dr. Jay said the Rochelle program
is unique. “This is not really
going on anywhere else. This is
a community-driven program for
restorative care,” he said.
from the local dentists. Smile Express
is trying to reach the people who aren’t
getting dental care anywhere else.
“These are people who aren’t getting
dental care in the first place,” Jeanie
said. In fact, the group would like to
The hygienists stressed that the program
is not designed to take business away
develop relationships with area dentists
for assistance with emergency care.
Smile Express expects to run another
clinic at Lincoln School in October and
would like to add at least one other
clinic at a Rochelle school this year.
More information is available from the school health office or by
contacting the group at rochelle.smile.express@gmail.com or by
contacting Dr. Jay at www.onsite-dental-services.com.
Olson,
, Jen Kissack, Kathy
e Rogers-Gittleson
tsy Chandler
Be
d
an
,
an
Left to right: Michell
Ha
cy
Jason Grinter, Tra
Jeanie Jandak, Dr.
As children were treated, they shared
their treatment as a badge of honor.
One child put his two pulled teeth
in a little necklace around his neck.
Siblings argued over who had the
most impressive dental work done.
One family with four children needed to
turn in their paperwork. But the parents
left for work early, before the children left
for school, and the children had forgotten
the paperwork at home. Knowing that
the family needed dental care, one of
the boys ran home as soon as school
was out and got the paperwork, then
ran back to school before the nurses
left. “He knew how important it was
that they get care,” Michelle said.
“The parents were just so grateful for the
opportunity to get dental care,” Jeanie
Jandak said. She held students’ hands
as the dentist went about his work,
keeping them calm and offering support.
44
“The kids were excited when they got back
to their classrooms,” Tracy said. “School
is the best way to do this. Parents don’t
have to take time off work. Kids don’t
lose much school time,” she continued.
Dr. Jay pointed out, “Collaboration is
the key. The school administrators were
very supportive of the program and
without that, we wouldn’t be here.”
With the cooperation of the school district,
Smile Express would like to expand to
serve all the schools in Rochelle. They
hope to raise funds to purchase some
of their own equipment. By law, if the
dentist writes the order for preventive care,
hygienists provide that care while the
dentist focuses on the restorative care.
They could also use money to
offer free care to children whose
parents can’t afford dental care.
Dr. Jay has long been interested in
public health and has worked with the
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile for
several years. With Onsite Dental, he
has taken his mission to the next level.
“We have a goal that three-quarters
of the kids we see will ultimately
have a dental care plan,” he said.
Dr. Jay said the reason he agreed
to partner with Smile Express was
“that there was a group of people
here that really wanted to make this
happen.” The Care Mobile visited the
Rochelle Head Start program and Dr.
Jay saw the need within the city.
1
2
3
4
5
Early tooth loss caused by dental decay can result in failure to thrive,
impaired speech development,absence from and inability to concentrate
in school, and reduced self-esteem.
Children who take a test while they have a toothache are unlikely to score
as well as children who are undistracted by pain.
Poor oral health has been related to decreased school performance, poor
social relationships, and less success later in life. Children experiencing
pain are distracted and unable to concentrate on schoolwork.
People who are missing teeth have to limit their food choices because of
chewing problems, which may result in nutritionally inadequate diets.
Children are often unable to verbalize their dental pain.
From Oral Health and Learning: When Children’s Health Suffers, So Does Their Ability to Learn (2nd ed.) © 2003 by
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, Georgetown University.
Lee-Ogle Transportation System
Providing Transportation to residents of all ages residing in Lee and Ogle
Counties.
TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED TO RESOURCES SUCH AS:
Hospital
Employment
Library
Senior Center
Banking Facilities
Doctor Offices
Dialysis Centers
Grocery Stores
Utility Company
Beauty Salon & Barber Shop Visit Friends
…anywhere you need to go
Out of town rides are based on vehicle availability and director approval.
Rides must be scheduled 1 business day in advance for local rides and out of town rides are based on availability.
To schedule a ride Monday through Friday or inquires regarding fees please call:
815-288-2117 / 888-239-9228
TTY: 815-288-9236
...Connecting People with Places!
Where life happens.
45
Adventure
Chicago Skydiving Center:
A High in the Sky
By Leah Shearer
I push myself off the
last step and enter the
plane. It drones deep
and loud. I straddle one
of the two long benches
that span the length of
the plane’s interior. The
last few people board
and sit in front of me.
46
A bearded man with a jump pack closes
the clear door, sliding it from the ceiling
to the floor. Then I look out the window
and see the earth dropping quickly as we
ascend. The green field that surrounded
the plane becomes one of many small
green and gold squares. The plane travels
through a layer of thin cloud vapor, and the
view takes on a majestic haze. I look down
at the altimeter strapped to my wrist and
see that we have reached about 7000 feet.
I grab the bar above the window with
my right hand, squeezing tightly as we
continue to rise. We pass over herds of
clouds and I can see their dimpled and
curvy tops. Then I feel my instructor,
Jackson, clipping my tandem harness
to his. He adjusts several straps and
attaches the bright orange ripcord handle.
He casually wipes a smudge off my
goggles and jokes about the last jumper
sneezing during freefall, splattering the
clear plastic. I laugh a little, pretending
I’m just as calm. Then an instructor
slides the side door open again.
Cool air and excitement pour into the
plane. Everyone exchanges high-fives, fist
pumps, and excited yells. I see the people
in front of me scoot to the end of the bench
and then jump into bright blue air. I nod
my head with determination and take a
deep breath, ready to experience the sky.
Where life happens.
47
Adventure
I hear Jackson laughing into my ear. “You
have to let go of the bar,” he says. I look up
at my whitened hand clenching it, laugh
a little, and let go. We slide to the end of
the bench and sit on the edge of the plane.
My feet dangle over the edge. I look down
and see the earth spread out, bending
to meet the whitish blue of the horizon
line. We rock forward once, then back,
then we are falling into sunlight and sky.
Air pushes against my skin, seeming
to hold me up even as I near the
earth. Jackson spins us a few times
and blue whirls in front of my eyes.
Then our videographer is right in
front of me, reaching for my hand.
We circle one another, connected by
outstretched arms. We separate and
continue the downward flight.
48
I see Jackson’s hand in my face with one
finger extended. I think, “That means
‘PULL!’” I grab the orange handle at my
hip and pull it away from my body. The
parachute opens, I feel a slight jerk, and
I am floating gently toward the ground.
We drift for a few minutes, admiring the
fertile Midwest landscape. Jackson gives
me control of the steering toggles and
tells me how to guide the parachute. I
pull down with my right hand and the
parachute veers right. I tug it back and
forth a few times. Then he takes over
as the ground draws near. He pulls the
parachute gently, shifting positions until
we are squared up for a landing. We
are swooping toward the ground. I hear
Jackson yell, “Now!” I lift my feet out in
front of me and the heels of my shoes slide
across the grass until he tells me to stand.
Then I am on my feet again. I look up at
the sky, take a deep breath, and smile.
who would talk me through the process
both before and during the dive.
From the moment I opened the car door
and stepped onto the gravel parking
lot at Chicagoland Skydiving Center,
I could feel the buzz of anticipation.
The place seemed to be in a constant
state of excitement. People walked
around exchanging animated stories
of past jumps and enthusiastic
comments about the perfect weather.
After completing the course, I felt a
sense of companionship with the other
jumpers. Eyes bright with understanding,
instructors would ask me how I was
feeling about my first jump. With an
unwanted tremble in my voice, I say
something like, “Well, to be honest,
I’m pretty nervous.” I would usually
get a chuckle or a slap on the back
and some reassuring words. Everyone
seemed to share the experience with
me and enjoy it as much as I did.
During the 20 minute pre-dive class,
the instructor kept my small class
laughing at his antics and expressions
as he thoroughly explained the
process. I learned that I was about
to participate in something called
tandem skydiving. I would be securely
attached to an experienced instructor
I soon learned that I would be diving with
a very capable instructor, Steve Jackson,
who is a globally rated skydiving instructor
and coach. He is also a commercial airline
transport pilot and a former member of
British Skydiving Competition Team.
He has made over 16,000 skydives.
Jackson is just one of the many qualified
instructors on the CSC staff. While the
United States Parachute Association
requires divers to jump 500 times
before they can become tandem
instructors, every instructor at CSC
can boast of at least 5000 jumps and
most have multiple certifications.
I also learned that each diving pack has
two parachutes: one that opens when the
diver pulls the ripcord, and a backup that
automatically deploys when it senses the
diver is free falling too close to the ground.
Douglas Smith, the current owner of
the center, gave me further details
about skydiving and CSC. In 1968, the
center started as a small skydiving
club in Hinckley. Skydiving was
then a much different sport than it
is today. Doug called it “an unknown
sport,” usually involving ex-military
men using surplus military gear.
Then in the late 1970s and early
1980s, tandem skydiving emerged
as a mainstream variety of the sport,
transforming its image. Like me,
many inexperienced people now had
access to skydiving and could jump
with an experienced professional.
As the sport became more popular,
companies continued to create more
efficient gear. Doug says that today
“the sport has evolved so much
that the equipment never fails.”
Where life happens.
49
Adventure
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Now you can get the relief you need.
experiment with body positions during freefall. CSC also
has several competitors in the division of canopy piloting,
in which the divers execute stunts with their parachutes
deployed. These divers also land at incredibly high speeds,
often sliding across the ground at 70-80 miles per hour.
Doug said that CSC is already established as “one of the
most highly regarded skydiving operations in the world.”
CSC hosts approximately 40,000 jumps per season. People
travel from such places as Australia, Finland, Mexico,
Canada, Brazil, and New Zealand to jump here. This
summer, three young men from New Zealand purchased
CSC’s PROpass which allows them unlimited jumps for
the whole season. They live in Rochelle for the summer
months, skydiving as many times as they can fit in a
day. Doug says, “They treat it like a full time job.”
When I tell people how much I enjoyed my jump, the
skeptics typically give me a quizzical look, one eyebrow
raised. “Then tell me this,” they say, “would you
honestly do it again?” If you happen to be one of those
questioners, let me put your over-extended brow to rest
and answer definitively once and for all: “Yes, I will.”
Doug took his first dive in 1994, and he loved it. He told me,
“It is really a feeling of flight.” Six years later he bought the
Hinckley Skydiving Club and began to make improvements.
Wanting the company to grow in a hub of commerce, he
moved the center to Rochelle and opened on April 1.
The center is located just south of town right next to the
airport. So far, it consists of a gravel road and parking lot,
two buildings, and a large tent, but Doug intends to build
an 18,000 square foot facility complete with a hanger for the
airplanes, a restaurant and bar, welcome center, retail space,
conference rooms, shower rooms, and team rooms. He says,
50
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“It’s going to be world class. There really isn’t another skydiving
center out there that can offer what we are going to offer.”
CSC uses and will continue to use local labor for their major
renovation project. Doug told me, “It’s something I am proud
of; we’re trying to make a statement to community that we
want to work with them. We want to keep the money local.”
CSC is currently involved in many aspects of skydiving. They
have a team that explores skydiving forms such as free flying
and belly diving. When belly diving, the team members fall
in a belly-to-earth orientation and create different formations
together. Free flying allows for more personal creativity as divers
361 IL Rt. 38
P.O. Box 420
Rochelle, IL 61068
815-562-7588
Rochelle
& Surrounding Areas
Visit Us at www.hubcity.illinoisproperty.com
Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
Where life happens.
51
Sports
Don’t miss
issue.
is...
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the best place for
patients to receive care
Sameer Jain, MD & patient Deseo Ibarra-Castillo
Sameer Jain, MD, is a Family Medicine physician with the KSB Hospital Medical
Group. His practice is located in the Ashton Clinic.
In 2009, Dr. Jain completed his medical training at KSB Hospital, graduating from
the University of Illinois at Rockford-Dixon Rural Training Track Family Medicine
Residency program. He previously obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health
from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, and graduated from the Government
Medical College, Nagpur, India.
Dr. Jain’s specialty is Family Medicine, with a focus on public health and
preventive medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Family
Medicine.
Dr. Jain is accepting new patients at the Ashton Clinic. For an appointment phone
815-453-1212.
52
Where life happens.
53
Business
Giving Back to
the Community
By Renee Page
When you walk into the main entrance of Rochelle
Community Hospital, you see the gift shop directly in
front of you.The bright colors and unique items catch
your attention through the glass windows.
The shop attendant greets you with
a smile and offers to help. You’ve
just seen the Rochelle Community
Hospital Auxiliary at work.
The Rochelle Hospital Board authorized
the organization of the Rochelle Hospital
Women’s Auxiliary in 1946, starting with
nine board members. Sixty-five years
later, the group of more than 200 members
is still actively supporting the hospital
in its mission to serve the community.
Rochelle
Community
Hospital
Auxiliary:
54
Rochelle InVironments Magazine • June-July
August-September
2011
2011
early years of the hospital, from running
the switchboards to sewing rugs and
mending sheets. They served coffee
to the patients’ relatives and friends,
delivered mail, and controlled visitation.
Both Jeanne and Sue Armstrong talked
about the Sewing Committee. Twenty
women met each month in the Auxiliary
room in the hospital basement to sew
crib sheets, gowns, baby jackets,
towels, and assorted surgical wraps.
to be the first gift shop manager.
She appointed a committee to assist
with getting the shop underway.
The gift shop is the primary means of
raising funds. Currently managed by
Geneva Brune, the gift shop carries
jewelry, scarves, purses, sandals, gifts,
garden items, greeting cards and
holiday items at reasonable prices.
Geneva has managed the gift shop
for more than ten years. “We are the
hospital’s best kept secret,” she laughs.
According to a history written by Sue
Armstrong, membership in the early
years was by invitation only. By 1957,
membership was opened to all women
in the community. Today, anyone
who pays the $10 yearly membership
fee or $150 lifetime membership fee,
male or female, is welcome to join.
“They mended sheets, gowns,
and surgical garb when it came
from the laundry,” Sue noted.
The Auxiliary has two main purposes:
to raise funds for hospital improvements
and scholarships and to use volunteers
to provide services for the hospital.
According to Sue Armstrong, the
Auxiliary is dedicated “to the service and
comfort of patients and the hospital.”
Board members complimented Geneva
on how she runs the shop, noting that
While the Auxiliary’s active role in the
she changes the merchandise around
hospital is focused on running the gift
often and adds new merchandise
shop, manning the lab reception desk,
regularly. “There are several very
and giving Happy Hospital tours to school
creative ladies who do the displays
children, the volunteers have taken on a
in the gift shop as well as displays
much more active role in fundraising.
around the hospital,” Geneva added,
giving credit to her volunteers.
In 1970, when the new addition was
added to the hospital, it included an area
Auxiliary president Chris Willis
for a gift shop. Jeanne May, long-time
said, “People are always stopping
hospital board member, was appointed
in to see what’s new.”
Long-time member Jeanne May showed
off her pink lab coat, a remnant from
the days when Auxiliary members were
called the Pink Ladies. She said that
volunteers filled a number of roles in the
Jeanne said the women brought in their
own sewing machines and worked
for endless hours on their projects.
With the move toward plastics and
disposable items, the Sewing Committee
eventually became unnecessary.
In addition to retail merchandise, the
gift shop sells items made by volunteers
including soft afghans and other knitted
goods. “One of the hospital employees
has recently supplied us with a bag that
attaches to a walker or wheelchair to
help the user carry items,” Geneva said.
Where life happens.
55
Business
The gift shop coordinates the annual
hospital bazaar, scheduled for October
21 this year. The Auxiliary holds a
bake sale with coffee hour, and a
large variety of gifts for Christmas
including some handmade items at
the First Presbyterian Church. In the
spring, the shop also oversees the
annual garage sale which sells items
donated by auxiliary members, hospital
employees, and community patrons.
Chris said, “The gift shop is staffed
entirely by volunteers, including
the manager, so all the money
raised by the gift shop goes back
to projects within the hospital.”
In addition to the gift shop, the
Auxiliary oversees the Memorial Fund
which includes family memorials and
other earmarked donations to the
hospital. Money from the Memorial
Fund was recently used to renovate
the lab. Through the years, Auxiliary
funds have contributed to a long list
of hospital needs. Some of the more
recent purchases include: recliners for
the new Infusion Room, a new picnic
table for the front entrance, and other
needed equipment. The Auxiliary is
currently paying for the renovation
of the Meditation Room, adding new
furniture, drapes, and paint. “We want
to make it a more peaceful area,” said
Memorial Fund Chair Sue Felker.
Names of donors are engraved on the
“Tree of Life,” located across the hall from
the elevators. This beautiful sculpture
boasts a leaf for each $1,000 donation,
small stones for $2,500 donations and
large stones for $5,000 donations.
Annually, the Auxiliary grants six $1,000
scholarships to students entering the
health profession from their fundraising
efforts. The estate of Ward A. and Mabel
T. Miller funds one of the scholarships
as does the Marie Hayes Kelley Nursing
Award, donated by the Kelley Trust
Fund from St. Patrick’s Church.
Through its fundraisers, the Auxiliary has
made major contributions to the hospital.
“We gave $75,000 to the capital campaign
for the emergency room renovation,”
Carol Elliott said. Geneva laughed,
“When they said $75,000, our jaws
dropped to the ground but we did it.”
All monies the Auxiliary raises are given
back to the hospital to provide the best in
patient care. The Auxiliary has purchased
televisions for patient rooms, bought
patient beds, an ophthalmology chair for
surgery, and a refrigerator for the kitchen.
The Auxiliary was also instrumental
in the refurbishment of the old wing of
the hospital when the new wing was
added, according to Sue Armstrong.
Gift Shop Hours:
Left to right:
Sue Felker,
Jeanne May,
Carol Elliott,
Chris Willis, and
Geneva Brune
Auxiliary volunteers spend more
than 3,000 hours a year working for
the betterment of the hospital. The
volunteers are treated to a volunteer
appreciation brunch given by the
hospital administration each year as
well as an annual Christmas Tea.
On a statewide level, the RCH Auxiliary
was the recipient of the coveted “Hospital
Constituency Health Care Advocacy
Award” in the past fiscal year. This
Auxiliary was one of 27 auxiliaries in the
State of Illinois to receive the award.
Mon-Wed-Thu 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tue & Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sat 9 a.m.-12 noon
Chris added, “It’s rewarding to
see what we’ve contributed to
such a worthy organization. You
get back more than you give.”
It’s that generosity of spirit that
makes the Rochelle Community
Hospital Auxiliary such a vital part
of the Rochelle community.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, October 1 – GermanFest at
Rochelle Country Club, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 21 – Holiday Bazaar
and Bake Sale at First Presbyterian
Church, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Chris said, “We have a good
working relationship between the
auxiliary and the hospital staff.” The
Auxiliary has a hospital liaison,
who works with the volunteers.
One thing the volunteers all have in
common is respect for the hospital.
Many volunteers are former hospital
employees. “I worked here as a nurse.
This is a way I can stay involved
with the hospital,” Geneva said.
“We are very lucky to have this hospital. I
worked here for 12 years and I have a love
for it. This community is very fortunate
to have the hospital,” Sue Felker said.
56
Where life happens.
57
Education
St. Paul Lutheran School: Celebrating
50 years of Christian education
By Renee Page
On August 31, 1961, Betty Metzger taught the first kindergarten class at the new St. Paul
Lutheran School. She had 11 students in her class, the only class in the school.
Today, the school serves nearly 200
children from pre-school through
eighth grade and stands as the only
parochial school in Ogle County.
St. Paul Lutheran Church first started its
Christian day school in 1919 but closed
it in 1934 due to lack of enrollment. The
school was reinstated in 1961 with
classrooms added on to the church in
1964. Some church members thought
the school wouldn’t last long but figured
the rooms could be put to use for Sunday
school. How wrong the skeptics were…
What has developed over 50 years is a school
environment that is safe, happy, exhilarating,
and, yes, loving. Whether you talk to
alumni or current students they all describe
the school environment as “a family.”
58
Current principal Daryl Kruse said it’s
typical for Missouri Synod Lutheran
churches to start schools and their
school system is second only to the
Catholic churches in size. “The church
wanted to have a place where children
could received their basic of education
and also learn about God so they
could grow in their faith,” he said.
Daryl said the school must meet the
same requirements as public schools.
“The main difference is the overall
Christian environment. It’s a more
loving environment. The children
feel comfortable with each other.
This helps the children to excel.”
Lori Wallace, teacher and admissions
director, said, “The school has a
family atmosphere. They form family
bonds. The students are all very
close by the time they graduate.”
In the past, grades were combined to
make large enough classes but enrollment
has grown to the point that this past
school year is the last one where there
is a combined class. Starting next year,
each grade will have its own classroom.
“There are a lot of opportunities for our
kids. We have sports programs beginning
in the fourth grade, which is earlier
than the public school system,” Lori
said. These activities give the St. Paul
students a chance to socialize with other
children in the public school system.
the school is able to offer the current
technology as well as the public schools.
Daryl said the school has a lot of
technology from smartboards to laptops
available in most of the classroom.
The computers allow the students to
be more productive in their work.
Because the classes are small,
Kindergarten teacher Patricia Kruse says
the teachers get to know the students
and their families well which leads to
the closeness everyone feels. Recent
graduate Lauren Murphy said she enjoyed
the smaller classes and the individual
attention she got in the school.
Most of the students at St. Paul feed
into Rochelle Township High School.
Lori said the students are more than
prepared when they step into the high
school for the first time. “They are just
a very involved group of kids when they
get to the high school,” she said. “We
get a lot of compliments from the high
school teachers on our students.”
Daryl pointed out that the school uses
the same textbook publishers the
public schools use with the addition
of religious education. “We use the
same curriculum, but we set higher
expectations for their performance.
When the expectations are higher, the
students rise to meet them,” he said.
In the earlier days of the school, they
weren’t always able to offer classes
in practical skills like typing, but now
Lauren will be a freshman at RTHS
this year and she said she felt very
prepared for entering the public school
system. Since the sports programs at
St. Paul play against the Rochelle public
schools, she feels she already knows
a lot of the people that she will join at
RTHS. Rebecca Scheid, another 2011
St. Paul graduate, said she feels a little
more nervous since she will be entering
Mendota High School but she feels
prepared for the classroom experiences.
Both Lauren and Rebecca pointed out
that everything is different socially at
St. Paul as opposed to public schools.
“Our conversations are so different,”
Rebecca said. “Our words are different.
We don’t use swear words.”
Lauren added, “Our beliefs come
through in our actions and our words.”
The students aren’t the only ones
who feel the “family” bond. The
teachers also feel a strong bond to
each other and to their students.
“A big reason for the support we get
for our school is the dedication of the
teachers,” Daryl said. “They are willing
to go above and beyond by staying after
school to help students who are having
trouble or by working on extracurricular
activities. They are willing to do all
that for salaries that are less than what
they can make in the public school
system. It’s been a consistent theme
throughout the lifetime of the school.”
Alumna Dean Wren said that during
his days at St. Paul, everyone in the
class spent time together both at school
and after school. “We didn’t have a
lot of outside friends except from our
neighborhood,” he said. Lori added
that the kids all still go home with each
other and hang out together but they
do have more interaction with children
outside the St. Paul school system.
Where life happens.
59
Education
Dean added, “We had excellent teachers.
Gary Pawlitz (St. Paul teacher from
1968 -1974) wasn’t just our teacher.
He let us see the kid in him.”
“We try to be a positive part of the
community. We know we need to reach
out to the community; we can’t just stay
in our own little cluster,” Lori said.
The teachers at St. Paul are free to
use their imagination to bring their
subjects to life. Lori pointed out that
Patricia has been known to transform
her classroom into an undersea world
complete with “fish” hanging from the
ceiling or have children bring in their
bicycles for a transportation lesson.
The school currently employs 11 teachers,
a part-time music teacher, a part-time art
teacher, and two part-time secretaries.
As the enrollment has grown, so has
the school building. In 1999, the school
added five classrooms to enable the
enrollment to continue to expand.
In addition, the school emphasizes
giving back. Several of the classes get
involved in philanthropic activities.
For instance, Lori takes her class to
TAILS, an animal shelter in DeKalb,
to volunteer. The fifth through eighth
graders volunteer at Feed My Starving
Children in Aurora, an organization that
packs and sends meals to malnourished
children in other countries. The younger
children have collected non-perishables
to send to soldiers overseas and coats,
hats, and mittens for needy children.
First grade teacher Cindy Mallory finds
joy in the fact that students want to
come back and visit, as they often do
during breaks. “In the first grade, I
wonder what this little person is going
Another project allows students to
donate their own money (not money from
parents but money they have earned)
to go shopping and buy Christmas
gifts for children living in the HOPE
domestic violence shelter in Rochelle.
60
to turn out like. Then they grow up and
come back to visit. I’m glad to have
had a chance to be part of their lives.”
She added that the students in her very
first class are now college graduates.
From the alumni point of view, Dean said,
“You don’t forget the people you met here
or the closeness of the people. Long after
you leave, you still remember them.” He
has created a Facebook page for St. Paul
alumni, teachers, and administrators
to help those memories stay alive.
Daryl said one of the reasons for the
school’s success is the support of the
congregation and the community.
“The congregation has always been very
supportive. Members look at the school as
one of its main ministries. They provide
us with monetary support so we can
keep tuition low,” he said. He told of a
parent from a neighboring community
who told him that St. Paul’s tuition was
the lowest they could find in the area.
The school celebrates its anniversary
on August 21 at a special Sunday
morning service that will include visits
from past principals and teachers. An
alumni reunion will follow the service
and celebration luncheon at noon. They
also plan to have a float in the Lincoln
Highway Heritage Festival that afternoon.
Daryl continued by saying, “The
community has always been supportive.
The high school supports us as a
feeder school and the elementary
district often invites our teachers
to training sessions and institutes.”
He said St. Paul is included in the
District 231 hot lunch program.
As the teachers, students, and alumni
discuss their school, it is clear that
St. Paul is no ordinary elementary
school. The love and affection they
have for each other comes through
in every statement and glance.
As Lori said, “I love when the kids show
their love for you. I love being part of
their life. You get to know them so closely
that it is hard to let them go when they
graduate. It’s more than education. It’s the
listening and learning from the students.”
Wendy probably puts it best. “I bet…
if you ask any student who ever
went to St. Paul they would probably
tell you that they wouldn’t have
wanted to go to any other school.”
For 50 years, St. Paul Lutheran School
has been providing a loving Christian
learning environment for students from
several communities, from diverse
religious backgrounds, and from various
economic levels. And God willing,
they will be around for 50 more years.
Another support system for the
school is the parents. “Throughout
the years, parents have played a
huge role in the development of the
school, from acting as carpenters and
repairmen to chauffeurs for school
events,” alumna Wendy Horn said.
“Lots of parents get involved
as volunteers,” Daryl said.
KishHealth Counseling
Individuals - Couples - Families - Children
Groups for Depression - Anger Management - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
To schedule your
FREE 15-minute
consultation
or to learn more
please call
or visit us
online.
•
Dr. Diana Kraft, Psychiatry
•
Dr. Thomas Dennison, Psychiatry
•
Licensed Therapists
(Patients 18 and older , Sycamore location only)
(Patients 18 and older , Sycamore/Sandwich locations)
(Sycamore/Sandwich locations)
760 Foxpointe Drive, Sycamore
1310 North Main Street, Sandwich
815.748.8334
815.786.3764
www.kishhealthcounseling.org
Where life happens.
61
MORE ACTIVE. LESS LIMITS.
Golfing with
my wife
and friends.
Joe LoCascio
DeKalb
Traveling out
of state to
see family.
Playing with the
grandkids every
chance I get.
The latest technique
is customizing your
new knee using MRI.
Learn more from
Dr. Rajeev Jain
Wednesday,
July 27 6:30 p.m.
INTRODUCING
a new hospital program just for our knee and
hip replacement patients. A place for education, surgery, recovery and rehabilitation.
Our goal is to get you back to your favorite activities as soon as possible.
Learn more about the program and read comments from Joe and other patients at
www.kishjointcenter.org
or call 815.756.1521 x153316.
Roberts Conference Center
at Kish Hospital
Dinner provided. Space is
limited. To register, call
815.756.1521
x153316
62
Where life happens.
63
Events
August
Editor’s Note: Want to see your event in the calendar?
Email the name, date, time, and location along with a short
description to renee@invironmentsmag.com. Please send
events for October 20 – December 20 by September 10.
October
19-21 – Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival
Downtown Rochelle. Celebrate our transportation
heritage in this fun three-day festival. Activities are
located throughout the city.
20 – Creston Booster Club Play Day
10 a.m., Rochelle Country Club. Proceeds to benefit
the renovation of the Creston Opera House. Call or
email Deanna Forrest at 815-384-5555 or
forrestdeanna@hotmail.com.
Regularly Scheduled Meetings
Tuesdays
Rochelle Rotary Club Meeting
Noon. Rochelle Country Club.
Wednesdays
Rochelle Kiwanis Club Meeting
12:15 p.m., Abraham’s.
Thursdays
Rochelle Golden K Breakfast Meeting
8:15 a.m., Rochelle Country Club
Rochelle Lions Club Meeting
6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:15 p.m. meeting, Rochelle Country
Club (2nd and 4th Thursdays, January – October; 1st
and 3rd Thursdays in November and December)
September
9 – RTHS Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
Class of 2011 Inductees include: Kristy Pence, tennis; Chet
Ellis, former football coach and athletic director; Bruce
Miller, football/wrestling; Malcolm Milligan, wrestling; Oscar
Whitlock, a 1930s era standout and cousin of RTHS football
great Elzie Cooper; and Kyle Zick, football, basketball and
now coaching high school ball.
10 – Hispanic Heritage Festival
3 – 10 p.m., Atwood Park. Celebrate Rochelle’s Hispanic culture.
12-13 – Auditions for VCCT’s production of
The Diary of Anne Frank
A1 Hot Body Detailing
1-2 – Autumn on Parade. Downtown Oregon
A variety of free entertainment, activities, and events to
celebrate autumn in Ogle County. For information, see
the website, www.autumnonparade.org.
6 – RTHS Parent Teacher Conferences
12:30 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m.
Call to set up
an appointment
815-562-6393
leeann-angel@hotmail.com
903 South 7th St., Rochelle
31 – Family Trick or Treating
2 – 5 p.m. Downtown Rochelle. Families are encouraged
to dress up and visit the downtown businesses during
the afternoon for this free and fun event. Businesses
that are participating will be clearly marked with a
pumpkin in the window with a DRA on it, to show their
Downtown Rochelle Association Membership, as well
as a few non-members who are involved in our event.
Parents must accompany their children.
King Arthur didn’t clean his castle, why should you?
CASTLE CLEANERS
Residential & Commercial Cleaning in
Rochelle and Surrounding Areas.
Contact Tina for free estimates
815-566-2826
We guarantee to offer the lowest prices.
If you receive a written estimate from
our competitors, we will beat it!
7-9 p.m., Paddock Hall, Hickory Grove Civic Center. Looking
for five males (one teen), five females (one teen), four extras.
The play is scheduled for early March. For information, email
Ross Freier, rsfreier@rochelle.net.
Door dings • Hail damage • Minor dents
17 – 30 Men Who Cook
SUPERIOR DENT SERVICES
6 – 9 p.m., dinner; 9 p.m. – midnight, music and dancing to
Snydley Whiplash. Rochelle Airport. Local male chefs prepare
a variety of dishes to raise funds for the Rochelle Township
High School Education Foundation. Tickets are $30 in
advance, $35 at the door.
29 – RTHS Homecoming Parade
www.superiordentservices.com
Performing the fine art of
paintless dent removal
Richard Smith
President
(815) 762-8969
6 p.m., kick-off from City Hall. Homecoming coronation
at 7 p.m. in the RTHS gymnasium.
64
Where life happens.
65
MedCare
Health Center
MedCare would like to thank
the community for voting
dr. cass
“Best of Rochelle”.
Best
Chiropractor
“I appreciate everyone who voted me Best of
Rochelle. The success of my practice has always
hinged on my patients’ loyalty. Thanks for
making me part of your healthcare team.”
www.inrochelle.com
Dr. Cass Headon DC
BestRochelle
of
Besthanic/
Auto Mec
ter
Service cen
66
CAST YOUR VOTE TODAY!
www.inrochelle.com/favorites
Where life happens.
67
68

46InAdventure - InVironments Magazine

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