Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Farm Bureau
SUMMER 2013
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Wheels of Fortune
Hungry travelers flock to Route 66 Chicken Basket
Illinois company builds rides for fairs, amusement parks and beyond
Growing for Generations
Landowners show pride over centuries of family farming Delicious dairy products star in summer Recipes
2 8 5
We were at the Funks Grove a few years ago and purchased some of their fine product then. Is there any place you can purchase Funks sirup in a retail store?
Linda Homer via ilfbpartners.com
Response from Debby Funk: We really only sell our sirup at our shop and through mail order (funksmaplesirup.com). Sometimes The Garlic Press located in uptown Normal will purchase some, but we dont sell it through any other retailer.
my grandmother used to make. I also enjoy the pepper jelly. I serve it poured over a brick of cream cheese with crackers or chips. The salsa is excellent!
Gwen Edwards via ilfbpartners.com
write to us
1. Get your chicks on Route 66 at Dell Rheas Chicken Basket in Hinsdale page 12 2. Read about a sesquicentennial family farm located near Lincoln page 8 3. Stop and smell the petunias in Dixon page 14 4. Have a peachy keen time at the Cobden Peach Festival page 31 5. Attend the Illinois State Fair in Springfield in August page 23 6. Get farm-fresh raspberries from You Pick Berries in Kingston page 6 7. Learn about threshing at the annual Threshermans Show in Altamont page 31 8. Discover the Jacksonville link to rides such as the Scrambler and the Big Eli wheel page 20
Email us at ilfbpartners@jnlcom.com. We welcome any feedback, story ideas, gardening questions or recommendations for our events section.
Features
8 Growing for Generations
Landowners show pride over centuries of family farming
26
14 Discover Dixon
Stop and smell the petunias in the Jewel of the Sauk Valley
Every Issue
5 prairie state perspective
Farm shop plays vital role for generations
20 Wheels of Fortune
Eli Bridge carries on tradition of manufacturing fun in the form of amusement park rides
7 Almanac
Learn how to make your yard a hummingbird haven
17 country wisdom
Guide to giving charitable donations
18 Watch Us Grow
Spanglers place farm and family first
24 recipes
Discover delightful dairy recipes
28 Gardening
Learn how to plant a moon garden
30 EVENTS
Summer festivals and fairs during June, July and August
On the cover Photo by Brian McCord Fairgoers stroll the midway at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
14
A statue of Ronald Reagan stands next to his boyhood home in Dixon.
Summer 2013
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Volume 5, No. 3
Illinois
Farm Bureau
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Visit our website for videos, stories, recipes and much more
Farm
Food
Finds
Resources
Publisher Michael L. Orso Editor Dave McClelland Associate Editor Martin Ross Production Manager Bob Standard Photographic Services Director Ken Kashian President Philip Nelson Vice President Rich Guebert Jr. Executive Director of Operations, News & Communications Chris Magnuson
Content Director Jessy Yancey Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Rachel Bertone Contributing Writers Charlyn Fargo, Celeste Huttes, Cathy Lockman, Jessica Mozo, Jan Phipps, Joanie Stiers, Lorraine Zenge Creative Services Director Christina Carden Senior Graphic Designers Stacey Allis, Laura Gallagher, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores, Vikki Williams Creative Technology Analyst Becca Ary
Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Michael Conti, Wendy Jo OBarr, Frank Ordonez Web Creative Director Allison Davis Web Content Manager John Hood Web Designer II Richard Stevens Web Development Lead Yamel Hall Web Developer I Nels Noseworthy Digital Project Manager Jill Ridenour Digital Projects Designer Erica Lampley Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan
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Illinois Farm Bureau Partners is produced for the Illinois Farm Bureau by Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (800) 333-8842. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Illinois Farm Bureau Partners (USPS No. 255-380) is issued quarterly by the Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Ave., P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomington, IL 61702 and additional mailing offices. The individual membership fee of the Illinois Agricultural Association includes payment of $3 for a subscription to Illinois Farm Bureau Partners. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices on Form 3579 to Illinois Farm Bureau Partners, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL, 61702-2901.
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Field Trip
Berry Delightful
Enjoy the simple pleasure of fresh raspberries, blackberries and blueberries this summer at You Pick Berries in Kingston. The farm, located about 70 miles west of Chicago near Rockford, invites visitors to fill their baskets with as many berries as they can pick, based on availability (blueberries will be limited this year). The cash-only operation, open from 8 a.m. till sunset during harvest season, runs on a self-serve/honor system. Owner Christine Ewald sells the berries for $3 per pint. For product availability, visit upberries.com.
Farm Focus
melons: Melons grow well in the sandy soil of the Illinois River Valley.
In 2012, U.S. fresh market watermelon production totaled Farmers in Illinois and Indiana combined grow more than 7,500 acres of watermelons.
$520 Million
followed by
$325 Million
for cantaloupe production and
$69.8 Million
for honeydew production.
More online
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Motorsport Mountain
After a coal processing facility in Atkinson closed in 1964, the land sat vacant for more than four decades. Now, Gob Hill in Northwestern Illinois has been developed into an ATV and dirt bike paradise. Atkinson Motorsports Park bills itself as an ATV lovers dream, full of trails, mud bogs and climbs. Riders can head to the top of the hill amid more than 200 acres dotted with lakes, hills and valleys, and experience open and unrestricted riding. The park features a stadium-style super-cross track, a motocross track and a kids-only riding area. A perimeter road with gorgeous scenery provides an option for more conservative riders, and the park welcomes overnighters with a campground for RVs and tents. Learn more about the park at gobhill.com or by calling (309) 936-1200.
Google Gardens
Though urban agriculture has sprouted as a popular trend in recent years, tracking its growth has proven difficult. Researchers at the University of Illinois have broken through this challenge, developing a methodology used to quantify urban agriculture in Chicago by using a surprising tool: Google Earth. Using the virtual globe to examine urban gardening spots in Chicago, they were able to narrow down which gardens actually produced food through the programdocumented sites. The final estimate, published in October 2012, revealed 4,648 urban agriculture sites, with a production area of 2.85 million square feet. The findings show that garden concentration varied by neighborhoods, and crops grown varied depending on the areas cultural groups. Ultimately, the study suggested that both backyard and vacant lot gardens contribute to Chicagos total food production.
Summer 2013
Stiers |
photography byJeff
Adkins
David Opperman plants seeds in the same soil as did his great-greatgrandfather, Fred Dittus. It seems that distant grandfather also sowed the seeds for a long line of farmers.
Farming in Oppermans family predates Chevrolet and professional American baseball. More amazing yet is the fact that the family still owns and farms the land that Dittus bought in 1862 during the Civil War. I think its not only your livelihood or income, its a way of life, says Opperman, a fifth-generation farmer. Its become a heritage as its passed on from generation to generation. Were blessed with some of the best farmland in the world right here in Central Illinois. Its been a good source of revenue, and its something we like to do.
Three generations of Oppermans Stephanie, Dave, Ruth, Sam, Megan and Jenna grow corn and soybeans on the same land near Lincoln farmed by their family since 1862. A commemorative sign designates the land as a sesquicentennial farm.
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Centennial Farms
Champaign Livingston McLean LaSalle Iroquois
Sesquicentennial Farms
McLean Ogle Macon Bureau Vermilion
The familys oldest tract of land, near Lincoln, marked 150 years in the family in 2012. The state honored the farms sesquicentennial status at the Illinois State Fair that year. The family earned a commemorative outdoor sign and a place in the Illinois Department of Agriculture archives. Since the 1970s, the department has recognized longtime family farmland owners. The Centennial Farm Program acknowledges families who have owned their land for more than 100 years. The Sesquicentennial Program began in 2001 and honors 150 years of continuous ownership. Today, at least one century farm exists in every county, says Delayne Reeves, who coordinates the program. Statewide, more than 9,200 farms have registered for the centennial designation. The department recognizes more than 600 as sesquicentennial. They receive about 250 applications each year for the programs. Reeves says this demonstrates the states deep agricultural heritage and commitment to farming. They have cared enough for the land and their family to continue it through time and usually many hardships, she says. Farms such as Oppermans have survived the ownership challenges of wars, economic depression, crop failures, estate tax challenges, urban development and even todays record-high land prices. While the state in 2012 recognized the original 80 acres where Opperman lives, family members also own several farms with 100 years of continuous ownership. More approach the 150-year mark. And these milestones invite reflection. Oppermans mother, Ruth Opperman, owns the 80-acre parcel today. She remembers when the farms horsepower came from actual horses, when electricity
first came to the farm, and when blacktop paved the dirt road. She shares stories of how the farm produced less by todays standards yet required more intensive manual labor. Old aerial photos show this lands evolution in farming practices, Opperman says. Multiple fences once partitioned the land into smaller parcels typical at the time for livestock, such as cattle, hogs and horses, and field crops, including corn, hay, oats and wheat. Wood buildings of various sizes dotted the farm for livestock shelter and crop storage, including ear corn. Today, the land is fenceless and produces either corn or soybeans on nearly the entire 80-acre spread minus the 3-acre farmstead. That farm site today includes two metal-sided buildings to accommodate todays tractors and implements, storage bins for corn or soybeans, and a house where Opperman lives with his wife, Stephanie, and their children. Time and weather, including a tornado, ravaged the farms original buildings. A garage from the 1960s survived, making it the oldest standing structure. Someone with a keen eye may even notice the improved soil conservation practices in these aerial farm photos. And a sharp observer may see narrower and straighter rows, planted with the assistance of global-positioning technology. The photo doesnt show advanced farm equipment, crop genetics or technologies that improve production and conservation practices. Opperman wishes his ancestors could see the farm now. I wonder what they would say, he muses. We have tractors that can drive themselves with auto guidance. My greatgrandfathers had to use horses to drag planters with the check wire to plant corn. I think theyd be in awe.
Clockwise from top: David Opperman, hauling loads of corn, says his ancestors would marvel over the technology used on the farm today; Ruth, Davids mother, still owns the farmland; Sam, Davids son, and his siblings are poised to take over the farm one day.
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A Family Tradition
In 1848, Fred Dittus of Germany traveled 47 days on a steamboat vessel to settle in the United States. In 1862, he bought an 80-acre farm near Lincoln for $11 per acre and started a family legacy. The farm passed through generations of the family who owned and farmed it: Charles Dittus, Norma Dittus Finke and Ruth Finke Opperman. Ruth, a retired farmer, owns it today. Her son, David Opperman, farms the land. David and his sister, Janet Dullard, share the future of the property. They hope the next generation will continue to farm it.
Summer 2013
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11
Fried
Hungry travelers flock to Dell Rheas Chicken Basket on Route 66
story byCathy photography
& True
Illinois Farm Bureau
12
In 1946, Nat King Cole first sang, Get your kicks on Route 66. That same year, the Chicken Basket opened its doors at the corner of Route 66 and 79th Street in what was then rural Hinsdale.
More than 66 years later, the historic roadside restaurant has its own take on that old favorite: Get your chicks on Route 66. The chicks refers to its signature fried chicken dinner, a recipe that earns the Chicken Basket praise from local customers, food critics and even fellow restaurateurs such as Food Networks Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We take great pride in providing quality food, made fresh and at a fair price, says Patrick Rhea, current owner of the Chicken Basket. He learned this lesson from his parents, Dell and Grace, who bought the restaurant in 1963. Back in the early 1950s, this area was very busy, Rhea says. There was an airport across the street, a miniature golf course, several restaurants, and the Chicken Basket was even a Blue Bird Bus stop. The restaurant was packed from morning until night with all that traffic. All you needed was one car out of 100 to stop. The restaurants ties to the automobile began even earlier. Founder Irv Kolarik managed a gas station on the property next door to the current Chicken Basket. In those days, families had only one car, Rhea says, so while it underwent repairs, they had to wait at the gas station. Kolarik put in a small counter to serve pie, coffee and cold sandwiches. Two local farm women suggested he turn the gas station into a restaurant. They said theyd provide their fried chicken recipe if he purchased his chickens from them. He agreed, and the Chicken Basket was born. Road Less Traveled When the Rhea family bought the restaurant almost 20 years later, Interstate 55 had just opened, changing the traffic pattern
Summer 2013
on Route 66 overnight. The former main highway a perfect stop for hungry travelers on their way to and from Chicago quickly became a quiet back road. The change in traffic didnt deter Dell Rhea, a well-known local businessman who had served as the executive director of the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau. He bought the Chicken Basket from the bank, put his name on it and worked to attract customers who appreciated home-cooked food and friendly service. Fifty years later, his son carries on that tradition in the same building, now on the National Register of Historic Places, with the same sign, the same fried chicken recipe and the same determination. But a few things have changed. We have a full menu of fresh, additive-free comfort foods, Rhea says. In addition to our famous chicken, we are known for our wings, our macaroni and cheese, and our fresh, homemade soups. We make our chicken stock in house and prepare our own wing sauces. Rhea estimates that they cook about 2,000 pounds of chicken a week to serve the lunch and dinner crowds that flock to the Chicken Basket. It may be off the beaten track, but people come because they know theyll get a delicious, fresh meal, says Rhea. Not to mention a taste of history.
if you go ...
Dell Rheas Chicken Basket Location: 645 Joliet Rd. in Willowbrook Hours: Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Mondays. Phone: (630) 325-0780 chickenbasket.com
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Discover Dixon
Stop and smell the petunias in the Jewel of the Sauk Valley
story by Jessica Mozo photography by
Todd Bennett
14
Opposite page: The Memorial Arch on South Galena Avenue welcomes visitors to Dixon. Above left: The John Deere Historic Site in nearby Grand Detour marks the site where the farm equipment pioneer invented his famous plow in 1837. Above right: Ronald Reagan moved to Dixon in 1920, and his boyhood home now honors the legacy of the former president.
If you havent spent a weekend in Dixon, consider adding it to your list of places to visit this year. Located in Northwestern Illinois along the Rock River, Dixon (population 16,000) is the seat of Lee County and the hometown of former President Ronald Reagan.
Known as the Jewel of the Sauk Valley, Dixon has a thriving Main Street organization working to revitalize its historic downtown. Established in 1830, Dixon has garnered the titles of official Petunia Capital of Illinois, as well as the Catfish Capital of Illinois, thanks to the Rock Rivers reputation for great-tasting catfish. Stop and Smell the Petunias During the summer months, the streets of Dixon greet visitors with 30,000 pink petunias, planted each year by more than 200 volunteers. Every July, the Dixon Petunia Festival brings scores of tourists to the city for a week of concerts, competitions, pancake breakfasts, games, food vendors, a parade, carnival rides, a kids fishing derby and a 5K run/walk. Visitors can enter the festival grounds for free, though various activities have admission fees. The 2013 Dixon Petunia Festival takes place July 3-7. Stop in the Dixon Welcome Center downtown for information on local historic sites and attractions, and visit the gift shop to pick up a bottle of Petunia Wine. An interactive exhibit also details the history of the Lincoln Highway, which runs through Dixon. Love the outdoors? Dixon claims more
Summer 2013
Dixon Must-Sees
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home John Deere Home & Historic Site Lowell Park & Nature Center Dixon Petunia Festival (July 3-7, 2013) The Crawford House Inn Midway Drive-In Theater Ronald Reagan Trail The Next Picture Show Fine Arts Center Plum Hollow Recreation Center Lee County Courthouse
parks per capita than any other city in the Midwest. Spend an afternoon at Lowell Park, a picturesque 200-acre green space with hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, a playground, a ball diamond, boat ramps and the Lowell Park Nature Center, which includes exhibits on native plants, live animals and birds of prey. Famous Faces Visit the blacksmith shop where John Deere developed his original self-scouring plow in 1837 at the John Deere Home & Historic Site in Grand Detour, just outside of Dixon. Former President Ronald Reagan grew up in Dixon, and his childhood home on Hennepin Avenue gives visitors a peek at how he and his family lived in the 1920s. Take a guided tour of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home & Visitors Center to discover little-known facts about Reagan, including how he worked as a lifeguard at Lowell Park and saved 77 persons from drowning in the Rock River. Find more interesting details about the area at the Dixon Historic Center, located in a former grade school attended by Reagan. It includes memorabilia from Reagans childhood, radio and movie careers, presidency and personal life.
Local Eats
Alley Loop Saloon & Deli Arthurs Garden Deli Baker Street Basil Tree Ristorante BBY Carryout Flynnies Diner Galena Steak House Mama Ciminos Salamandra Restaurant Spurgeons Bay Bar & Grill Touch of Thai
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Legendary Pizza
Al & Ledas Pizzeria creates unusual pizza varieties such as spaghetti and BLT
If You Go...
Al & Ledas Pizzeria Location: 325 W. Everett St. in Dixon Hours: Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Phone: (815) 284-3932 alandledaspizzeria.com
Have a craving for pizza? Head to Al & Ledas Pizzeria in the Northwestern Illinois town of Dixon, which has more than 50 years of spinning dough under its belt. Owner Leda Bartolomei opened the Italian restaurant with her husband, Al, in 1960. Al died in 1988, but at 80 years old, Leda continues to work at the pizzeria four days a week with the help of her daughters, Linda Lanis and Bea Brown. Mom is friends with a lot of our customers because shes been serving them for so many years, Brown says. Weve been here so long; were almost like a landmark in Dixon. The simple brick building on West Everett Street may appear a little rough around the edges, but what the building lacks in style, the restaurant makes up for in flavor and creativity. For example, take the restaurants Spaghetti Pizza. Leda Bartolomei created the signature item, a crispy-yet-chewy crust smothered in spaghetti noodles, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. My mom was the first person in this area to start serving spaghetti pizza, Brown says. Its very filling.
A trio of other unusual menu items includes BBQ Cheeseburger Pizza, Chicken Alfredo Pizza and the BLT Pizza, which has mozzarella cheese and bacon baked on the crust, lettuce and tomato toppings and comes with a side of mayo. However, the restaurants culinary prowess extends well beyond pizza. Customers keep coming back for the pizzerias torpedoes and Italian cheeseburgers, Brown says. The torpedoes are long sandwiches layered with beef, pepperoni, salami, ham, cheese, pickles, onions, peppers and spaghetti sauce, she explains. And our Italian cheeseburgers are oven-baked and served on rectangle-shaped Italian bread. A huge variety of sandwiches and pasta dishes rounds out the menu, including lasagna, tortellini, ravioli, sausage burgers, ham and cheese sandwiches, and meatball and Italian beef sandwiches. Were a really casual place thats great for families, Brown says. Ive enjoyed working here because its nice to be around family members, and weve enjoyed being able to have the restaurant survive so many years. Jessica Mozo
Illinois Farm Bureau
16
COUNTRY WISDOM
about the author
Lorraine Zenge, ChFC, is a senior advanced planner for COUNTRY Financial. Visit COUNTRY on the web at www.countryfinancial.com.
17
watch us grow
The Spangler kids strap into big trucks for family time during harvest afternoons. Its a stellar after-school hangout by kid standards.
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Happenings
2013 Field Moms
The Illinois Farm Families field mom program is now in its second year. The first year, nine Chicago moms participated in the program. John and Holly Spangler say raising a family on their Marietta farm teaches lessons on responsibility and work ethic to their children, Nathan, Caroline and Jenna. In 2013, 23 Chicago moms will be visiting six different farms. The first tour took place earlier this year when the moms visited John and Steve Wards hog farm in Sycamore. Upcoming tours include a planting tour, a visit to a specialty growers farm, a dairy farm and a harvest tour. The moms will finish off their year with a tour of their choosing in November. To meet the new field moms, visit watchusgrow.org . Also, follow the moms as they share their insights through blogs (located on the website) they submit after every tour.
They play with barn cats and climb hay bales. They scoop the cattle barn and paint fence posts. And their farm family takes vacations, too, although they avoid weeks when they need to plant, spray, harvest or tend to calves. The kids have learned that at certain times of year, certain things happen, says their father, John Spangler. There are times when the farm has to come first. Farm life sets the Spangler family apart from nearly 99 percent of Americans. But the Spanglers commitment to family resonates. Including the kids, three generations of Spanglers collectively invest time in their family, their business and the lifestyle their farm provides. John and his wife, Holly, farm with his parents, Bruce and Sharon, who live across the field. The Spangler kids, Jenna, 10, Nathan, 8, and Caroline, 5, enjoy that proximity and the farms open space. Together, the family grows about 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans in Western Illinois. They also care for a 120-head cow-calf herd. Certainly the animals cows, barn cats and farm dog Mandy bring the greatest joy to the kids. The girls also love nature. Their son investigates how machines work, whether tractors or four-wheelers.
Summer 2013
And in all of it, the kids learn lessons about responsibility, work ethic, life cycles, accomplishment and defeat. Theyre learning there is a purpose to what we do, and there is a purpose particularly in livestock production, Holly Spangler says. We raise animals and we care for them and want to provide them with the best life we can while theyre here. But they realize were raising them for a purpose for food for us and others. Holly Spanglers farm life, farm upbringing and writing talent fuel a successful career in farm journalism. The award-winning writer and blogger works as a part-time associate editor for Prairie Farmer, the nations oldest farm magazine. She works out of a home office and often writes while the kids sleep or attend school. She focuses on family and farm priorities to balance her life. Spangler knew when she got married she might need to drop her to-do list to haul corn or help with a calf s birth. Its way more than a job, Spangler says. A lot of us who are either raised on a farm or are farming now feel that sort of devotion to what we do.
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20
Fortune
Eli Bridge in Jacksonville carries on tradition of manufacturing fun in the form of amusement park rides
story byCeleste
Wheels of
Huttes |
photography byJeff
Adkins
In 1893, 1.5 million people rode the very first Ferris wheel when it debuted at the Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago. And for one young man, the magnificent creation of George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. would prove to be a wheel of fortune.
William E. Sullivan was so intrigued by the original Ferris wheel that he decided to make his own company to build and sell a portable version of it, says Tim Noland, general manager of Eli Bridge Co., the business Sullivan founded in 1900 to bring his dream to life. Sullivan, who came from a family of bridge builders, strategically chose the company name to def lect the skeptics. He was under a lot of scrutiny, so he left bridge in the name that way, he could still build bridges if need be, says Noland. As it turns out, the company has built just one bridge in the century-plus since its establishment. In 1909, Eli Bridge was lured from Roodhouse to become the pride of Jacksonville, where it continues to build Ferris wheels trademarked as Big Eli in the same building today.
A 65-foot Eli Bridge wheel, known as the Big Eli, dominates the Scheels sporting goods store in Springfield. William E. Sullivan founded the amusement park ride manufacturer in 1900 and modeled the Big Eli after the first Ferris wheel, which he saw in Chicago seven years prior.
Summer 2013 ilfbpartners.com
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Theres so much history here, says Noland. Its always interesting, and its fun when you can come to work and ride a ride at 8 oclock in the morning. (Strictly for testing purposes, of course.) As CEO, Patty Sullivan enjoys the view from the top of the Illinois company founded by her greatgrandfather. Today, the business employs 18 and also builds other rides, including the popular Scrambler. None, however, surpasses the popularity of that sky-high carnival classic. Prices range from $250,000 to $500,000 each, and the Big Eli can be found all over the world, from Australia to Africa and Dollywood to Hollywood, where they have become a popular prop. I see our wheels in movies all the time, Noland says. When you think of a carnival, you think of a Ferris wheel. Perhaps thats because the Big Eli
wheel has changed little since it was invented. People like that nostalgic look, so we havent really changed the design on our ground models, says Noland. Those original portable ground models were moved by oxcart from one carnival to the next. As technology advanced, Eli Bridge developed a sweat-saving, trailer-mounted model that folds down on itself. In 2009, Eli Bridge branched out beyond the amusement industry with the creation of A-1 Metal Fabricating Co. Were known as an amusement ride manufacturer, but were also a custom fabrication shop, says Noland. If customers come to us with an idea, we can sketch it out and build it. Operating as A-1, workers repair and upgrade farm and heavy equipment, restore antique tractors and create decorative pieces, such as an archway they recently made for
downtown Jacksonville. We have very talented employees and shop capabilities to do about anything, Noland says. Our guys in the welding shop say they can fix anything but a broken heart. Maybe so. But it seems the Ferris wheels they make actually invite romance. In fact, this past Valentines Day (which falls on the same day as the lesser-known National Ferris Wheel Day), 16 couples were married on a Big Eli wheel in the Scheels sporting goods store in Sandy, Utah. That made us feel good, Noland says. How cool that something we made has become such a big part of these peoples lives. Of 24 Scheels stores in 10 states, five feature Big Eli Ferris wheels as part of a unique retail strategy. Were more of an experiencebased retailer, says Amy Beadle, event coordinator for the Scheels store in
Illinois Farm Bureau
22
Riding High
Does the Illinois connection of Eli Bridge inspire you to seek out a nearby midway? You can find some of the companys rides at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, which takes place Aug. 8-18. The 2013 theme, Where Illinois Comes Together, celebrates the 160-year-old fairs status as a celebration of the states people, culture and agricultural heritage, according to Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider. Other fairs with Eli Bridge rides include the Sangamon County Fair in New Berlin (June 19-23), the Western Illinois Fair in Griggsville (June 26-30), the Schuyler County Fair in Rushville (July 2-7), the Adams County Fair in Mendon (July 24-30) and the DuQuoin State Fair (Aug. 23-Sept. 2). Knights Action Park in Springfield, Cedar Point in Ohio and numerous Six Flags amusement parks also have Scramblers, Big Eli wheels and other rides made in Jacksonville. In fact, you can spot Eli Bridge rides in all 50 states, not to mention in countries around the globe.
Springfield. There, a 65-foot Big Eli sits under a glass ceiling, offering customers a birds-eye view of the 200,000-square-foot store and the surrounding area in the state capital. The Ferris wheel is very popular with adults and kids alike, Beadle says. People who are in for training from stores without one will ask, Are we going to get to ride the Ferris wheel? It can be used as an incentive. Always enticing, Eli Bridge creations offer a brilliant blend of flash and substance. And it all starts with safety. Patty (Sullivan) is very involved in safety committees and boards that develop standards not just for our
rides, but for all rides, Noland says. We want to keep the industry strong. That heavy-duty commitment to safety leads to some longlasting products. We have wheels that are 100 years old that run 365 days a year, he adds. Our rides are built to last. And so do the memories that are made on those rides, which have become a beloved American tradition. When grandparents take their grandchildren to the fair, they remember the Ferris wheel from their own childhood maybe they had their first kiss there, says Noland. He sums up the business of amusement simply: What we do makes people happy.
Clockwise from far left: The original Ferris wheel built by Eli Bridge Co. stands outside the companys headquarters in Jacksonville; not only does Eli Bridge handle customized welding jobs for its rides, but its employees also repair and upgrade farm equipment through its custom fabrication shop, A-1 Metal Fabricating; Kyle Scott works to fix a Big Eli wheel that was damaged while driving under a bridge; the company stores seats from its rides.
Summer 2013 ilfbpartners.com
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Delights
24
Milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products star in summer recipes
story
&
recipes byCharlyn
Jim Anderson milked 72 head of dairy cows in Northwestern Illinois for more than 20 years, learning the business from his father. He gave it up when interest rates starting climbing in the 1980s.
And while he doesnt miss the discipline of milking at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, he certainly hasnt lost his love for dairy products. A gallon of milk does not last long at our house, says Anderson, who lives in Pecatonica in Winnebago County. A good tall glass of cold milk thats a treat for me. His wife, Marilyn, often prepares a favorite family recipe of Swedish rice rice with milk and cinnamon for dessert. Like Anderson, many farmers have left the business for other pursuits. Anderson worked for a dairy processor when he left the farm. Illinois still has 810 dairy farms and 36 plants that process one or more dairy products. The dairy cows on those farms produce 223 million gallons of milk annually and generate $394 million in milk sales. Whats more, the milk travels from the farm to a nearby grocery store within just 48 hours. Dairys nine essential nutrients help build strong bones and teeth, help control blood pressure and aid in maintaining a healthy weight. The nutrients include calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, phosphorus, protein, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and niacin. Protein stimulates muscle growth, calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones
Summer 2013
and reduce stress fracture risks, vitamin B12 provides energy, and potassium and magnesium replace electrolytes lost in sweat. The following recipes make those nutrients not only taste good but add a boost to any meal. The first, a fruit smoothie, makes a quick on-the-go healthy breakfast. I recommend Greek yogurt over traditional yogurt because it contains double the protein. I also use yogurt in an easy veggie dip. In fact, you can substitute plain yogurt in place of sour cream or mayonnaise in almost any dip or dressing recipe for added nutrition and less fat, calories, and cholesterol. My recipe for baked zucchini mostaccioli works well for those summer evenings when a healthy dinner has to happen in a hurry. This twist on the typical pasta bake provides extra nutrition from zucchini and ricotta cheese. Prepare it in the morning, and then pop it in the oven while you set the table and make a salad. My friend, Nancy, makes a terrific ice cream pie for the summer. Her recipe uses a modified cake mix as the base and calls for any flavor of ice cream you want. I guarantee you wont have any left at the end of the day.
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(or 8-inch deep dish) pie plates well, including sides and rim. Set aside.
2. Combine the chocolate cake mix, a half can of
frosting (you can use the remainder for another two pies or another use), water and oil. Blend well using a mixer. Divide the mixture evenly between the two pie plates. (It wont look like a pie crust at this point.)
3. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, press the
mixture into the bottom of the pie plate and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Let cool.
4. Divide the ice cream between the two pie tins, and
smooth into a pie shape. Wrap well in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze until firm, for at least 2 hours. Makes 2 pies.
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1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes 1 teaspoon sugar 1 medium zucchini, grated (about 1 cup) 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided cup plus 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese 1 egg, lightly beaten salt and pepper to taste 2 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped 1. Cook the pasta according to package directions;
seasoning, dried onions and sugar. Heat for 3 minutes in a microwave to blend flavors.
3. In another bowl, mix together the zucchini,
ricotta, cup mozzarella, cup Parmesan and the egg. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Coat a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with cooking
spray, and spread half of tomato sauce mixture on the bottom. Layer the mostaccioli, ricotta mixture and remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining cup mozzarella and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Bake until the top is brown and the sauce is bubbling about 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top. Makes 6 servings.
In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the raw veggies. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve as a dip. Makes 3 servings.
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses.
TIP: Add 1 tablespoon of honey for a sweeter smoothie.
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Plants visible at night have white flowers or silver foliage, and you can choose from a surprising number of them. Some moon garden flowers only open at night in order to attract pollinating moths that come out after dark. These flowers draw in the moths by emitting a strong scent yet another benefit of moon gardens. To start your moon garden, choose any plant with a white bloom that either opens at
night or blooms during the day and overnight. First, add Ipomoea alba, which has the fitting common name of moon flower. This vine, a large version of morning glory, has huge, 6-inch blooms and heart-shaped leaves. It prefers full sun during the day and blooms annually in Illinois. Prior to planting, soak the seeds for 24 hours to soften the seed coat and speed up germination. Angels trumpet (Datura) and Brugmansia,
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Ask an expert
When can I remove the flower stalks from my hostas?
White azaleas
A
two more annual white bloomers, have trumpet-shaped flowers that face up and out (angels trumpet) or down (Brugmansia). They can also be moved inside and overwintered as a houseplant, but keep these poisonous plants away from children and pets. Do you want some fragrance in your moon garden? Try sweet autumn clematis (a daytime pollinator magnet), night-blooming jasmine or flowering tobacco (Nicotiana). Many common annuals have white varieties, including petunias, snapdragons, cleomes, cosmos, gladiolas and impatiens. The first four need sun, while the latter two prefer shade. If youre looking for perennials with whiteblooming varieties, roses and conef lowers immediately come to mind. Dont forget about
Summer 2013
Shasta daisies. I recommend the variety Becky for nonstop blooms from mid-summer to frost. Some deciduous shrubs, such as azaleas, also come in white varieties. When plant shopping, check the tag to ensure you buy a white variety. Look for the words alba or leucan in the Latin name. White flowers serve as only one aspect of moon gardens. Silver-foliaged plants, including Lambs Ear, Artemesia Powis Castle and Dusty Miller, also catch the moonlight. Plants with white and green variegated leaves also work. If a two-toned garden seems too monotonous during the day, throw in some blue or red plants for contrast. You wont notice them at night, but they will really pop during the day.
Anytime you want. I wait until theyve finished blooming because pollinators like them, but if you grow hostas just for the foliage, cut them off as they appear. Why did all my evergreens survive last summers drought except the arborvitae?
Arborvitae have very shallow roots. Without supplemental water, they are the first to die.
Email your gardening questions to Jan at ilfbpartners@jnlcom.com.
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This listing includes a few events from around the state to add to your calendar. Dates were accurate at press time but are subject to change. Please check with the contact listed before traveling long distances to attend. Additional information is online through the Illinois Bureau of Tourisms website, enjoyillinois.com. Feel free to send event suggestions to ilfbpartners@jnlcom.com.
Guests can soak up the sun while participating in fun beach games and exhibits on water safety. The free event begins at noon June 8. For more information, call (618) 724-2493.
JUNE
All That Jazz
June 2, Kankakee
Kankakees annual Strawberry Jazz Festival welcomes visitors for all types of arts and crafts, foods, jazz music and, of course, an abundance of strawberry treats. The early summer celebration takes place on the campus of the Kankakee County Museum. In addition to the county museum, guests can learn about Illinois history,
too, at the Gov. Len Small House and one-room school, which will be open for tours during the festival. The Strawberry Jazz Festival takes place June 2 in Kankakee. For more information, visit kankakeecountymuseum.com or call (815) 932-5279.
Have a Blast
June 8, Mt. Vernon
Head to South Sandusky Beach at Rend Lake in Southern Illinois for the family-friendly Rend Lake Beach Blast.
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Peachy Keen
Aug. 2-3, Cobden
August is National Peach Month. Celebrate this juicy summer staple in Southern Illinois at the annual Cobden Peach Festival. Sponsored by the Cobden Lions Club, this family-friendly event features carnival rides and games, a Peach Queen contest, a 5K run/walk, lots of delicious homemade food, including, of course, peach cobbler. Visitors also can catch a parade on Saturday at this free event.
The North Course Practice Range at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena hosts the events beginning June 14. For more information, visit greatgalenaballoonrace.com.
JULY
Threshing Time
July 26-28, Altamont
Threshing is the process of separating the grain from a harvested plant. Each year, the Threshermans Association in Altamont holds an annual steam, gas and threshing show to teach people about this farming method that uses oldfashioned machinery. Held at the Effingham County Fairgrounds in Central Illinois, this unique small town event features an FFA petting zoo, lawn mower races, a model railroading show, a bluegrass show, draft horse pull and much more. For more information, visit millroadthresherman.org or call (217) 821-1426.
AUGUST
Celebrating the American Legion
Aug. 6-7, Lake Forest
For more than 90 years, Lake Forest American Legion Post 264 has presented Lake Forest Days in the community located about 30 minutes north of Chicago. The festival opens on Tuesday from 6 to 11 p.m for family night, and the annual summer event officially kicks off with a parade on Wednesday morning, followed by a carnival in West Park. Guests can enjoy rides and games, along with fair food such as hot dogs and roasted corn. A raffle also gives festivalgoers the chance to win cash prizes. To learn more, visit post264.org or call (847) 234-9870 or (224) 715-3924.
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A statue of Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub, stands outside Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Staff Photo
Summer 2013
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