Spotlight on Mt. Vernon

BY JOE SZYNKOWSKIFOR THE SOUTHERN

Expansion is everywhere in thecounty seat of Jefferson County.Mount Vernon’s infrastructure is

improving and its already impressivehealthcare landscape is taking newshape.

Yes, it’s an ideal time to live, workand play in this county of nearly39,000 residents. One of the mostexciting projects under way is the new$236 million Good Samaritan RegionalMedical Center campus on MountVernon’s southwest side. The campuswill span 359,000 square feet andcontain 134 private rooms.

“It is wonderful to see theadvancements of Mount Vernon overthe last couple of years,” said VictoriaWoodrow, marketing and public

relations director for Good Samaritan.“It’s amazing to be a part of that.

We’re really excited about what our new hospital will mean not only for Jefferson County, but for all of the counties that rely on us for their healthcare needs.”

The city’s foundation is alsoundergoing an upgrade at the newVeterans Drive interstate exchange,where sewer service is being expandedfrom the east side of the interchange tothe west. More improvements areslated for next spring, when the citywill begin a $9 million project that willfree up about 600 acres of land primedfor economic development. Theproperty’s inclusion in a tax-incrementfinancing district will provideincentive for prospective businesses.

All of the expansion and construction is boosting many

local businesses. Mount VernonOutland Airport, which already pumpsabout $6 million annually in the localeconomy, will gladly show off itsfacility and services to incomingvisitors.

As will Mount Vernon’s GenKotaWinery, soon to host its popular openhouse. The winery is decorated for theholidays, and its covered deck is theperfect spot for any joyous occasion.

Jefferson County’s residents certainlyhave plenty to celebrate, particularlythe prosperity and opportunity in theirfuture.

Work, play and grow in Jefferson County

2F THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011 SOUTHERN SPECIAL

BY MARY JANE CHESLEYFOR THE SOUTHERN

The city of MountVernon continues tomove forward with job

growth, retail developmentand major infrastructureimprovements. During thepast couple of years, wehave been working hard tobring jobs to MountVernon. Jobs for MountVernon also mean jobs forthe region.

Continental Tire’scommencement of a $224million expansion programwill bring in 444 additionaljobs to their work force.The Good SamaritanRegional Health Centerproject and the expansionof Crossroads CommunityHospital will provide about120 new jobs in thehealthcare field. MagnumSteel Works Inc. has justannounced plans for a $13million expansion programwith a new facility that willcreate an estimated 120jobs within three years. Thenew $3 million PepsiDistribution/ServiceCenter has potential for 20additional immediatepositions.

Job creation has created agreater demand for askilled workforce. Withthis demand, certain jobsrequire a specialized skilllevel. Our region’scommunity colleges havestepped in to help assist inproviding courses to meetrequired skill levels in areassuch as welding, mining,medical care, engineeringand special licensing. RendLake College also offersdual-credit courses at thehigh school level, allowingstudents taking certaincourses to have thosecredits transferred to theirpost-secondary educationat Rend Lake College.Mount Vernon Township

High Schoolis in thesecond yearof the ProjectLead the Wayprogram,offeringcourses inengineering

and biomedical fields.Mount Vernon TownshipHigh School is awaitingstate allocation of funds forthe building of a new highschool.

The Jefferson CountyEconomic DevelopmentCorp. and Man-Tra-Conhave created and arepromoting a uniqueprogram called World ClassWorkforce. This programhas been structured toeducate and train currentand future workers aboutthe desirablecharacteristics of aproductive employee.

Infrastructure growth tothe west of our new exit onInterstate 57 has begunwith the connection of anew sewer line under I-57from the east side of theinterstate to the west andrunning up Wells Bypass.This is the first phase thatwill continue with the five-lane extension of Veteran’sDrive west connecting tothe three-lane extension ofDavidson Avenue south.This also includes theaddition of water andsewer lines adjacent tothese roads. This projectwill open up acres for retaildevelopment as well asindustrial and housinggrowth.

Some of our retaildevelopments this yearinclude Dunham’s, BuffaloWild Wings, Agave, Kohl’s,the remodeling of PizzaHut, Imo’s Pizza and PandaExpress.

An honor was bestowedupon Mount Vernon thisyear by the Daughters of

the American Revolution.The Illinois Chapter of theDAR chose Mount Vernonas the site for a monumentin honor of womenveterans. It was built at theBrehm Memorial Library,which also houses theIllinois DAR genealogicalarchives.

Our downtown area isexperiencing a major influxof reinvestment throughthe creative use of thedowntown Tax IncrementFinance program. Withinthe last three years, the cityhas approved 37redevelopment projectscapitalizing about $1.5million in TIF fundsagainst about $4 million inprivate investments. Thisprogram, coupled with useof the two ITEP streetscapegrants, is transforming thedowntown area into a vitaland attractive center.

Local tourism revenue isup 6.6 percent from 2009.Jefferson Countyunemployment in 2009was 10.3 percent. As ofSeptember of this year, ithas dropped to 8.8 percent.

Mount Vernon isfortunate to have a strongteam of dedicatedorganizations andindividuals workingtogether on growth andeconomic development ofour city. This team iscomprised of members ofMount Vernon’s CityCouncil, the JeffersonCounty DevelopmentCorp., the Greater JeffersonCounty Chamber ofCommerce, the MountVernon Airport Authority,Mount Vernon TownshipHigh School, MountVernon City SchoolsDistrict 80, various boards,clubs and organizationsand many of our residents.

MARY JANE CHESLEY ismayor of Mount Vernon.

From the mayor: MountVernon is the ‘Jobs City’

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOA memorial honoring women veterans erected by the Daughters of the American Revolutionwas dedicated June 18 outside C.E. Brehm Memorial Library in Mount Vernon. The statuedepicts Major Tammy Duckworth (left), an Illinois veteran who lost both legs in the war in Iraq, and Revolutionary War hero Molly Pitcher.

Chesley


Since the 1940s, MountVernon OutlandAirport has evolved

into an aviation authorityin Southern Illinois.Advanced facilities andspecialized services arewhat have set the airportapart and made it a keycog in the JeffersonCounty economy.

“We are constantlyfocused on improving ourinfrastructure,” saidAirport Director ChrisCollins. “Our ultimategoal is to provide jobs. Weprovide 75 full-time jobs,and the airport generatesapproximately $6 millionto the local economy.”

Collins has been withthe airport for seven years.Born and raised inSouthern Illinois, he haswitnessed the town’sdevelopment.

“As Mount Vernoncontinues to grow, theairport will get busier andbusier,” Collins said.

The airport’s groundsfeature a 6,500-by-150-foot runway equipped

with an InstrumentLanding System. Cargo,corporate, charter andrecreational flying, as wellas fixed-wing andhelicopter flight training,occur daily at the airport.

Safety is a main priorityof the airport, whichhouses a fire station andserves as the super basefor the Air-Evan Lifeteam.

Collins has also workedhard to help establish the

Jefferson County Hall ofHonor, a permanentmemorial inside theairport dedicated to localveterans.

The tribute featuresmore than 300 individualwall-mounted displaysand is an ongoing,collaborative effort of theWoodlawn VeteransMemorial Committee, theMount Vernon AirportAuthority, andExperimental AircraftAssociation Chapter 1155.

“It is the perfectexample of what a goodcommittee can do,” Collinssaid. “We have found away to honor our veteransand preserve their historyand service for futuregenerations.”

Airport adds Hall of Honor

DETAILSMount Vernon Outland

Airport100 Aviation Drive,

Mount Vernon618-242-7016; www.

mtvernonairport.com

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNOne of the newest additions to the Mount Vernon OutlandAirport is a Hall of Honor for veterans

BY BRANDON BULLARDFOR THE SOUTHERN

While we are veryproud of wonderfulexpansions and new

additions to MountVernon and JeffersonCounty, let us not forgetthe core of thecommunity, the small andlarge businesses, financialinstitutions, not-for-profits, civic clubs andexisting businesses in thearea that have been thebackbone of growth notonly in Jefferson County,but in the United States ofAmerica.

On behalf of the Boardof Directors of theJefferson County Chamberof Commerce, I’d like totake this opportunity toshow off our membership,invite you to come toJefferson County and seethe vast selection of goodsand services right here inour hometown.

Our Chamber ofCommerce is a very activechamber, between ribboncuttings, BusinessAfterhours, open housesand any of our specialevents, there is alwayssomething for everyone.

We have several councilsthat make up the chamberhere in Jefferson County.The Ambassadors Councilis the eyes and ears of thechamber, constantlychecking on ourmembership and theirneeds. The Small BusinessCouncil is the engine thatdrives the smallbusinesses of thechamber, from our Shop itHere Jefferson CountyFirst Program to ourAnnual Business Expo, theSBC is never short onnetworking possibilitiesand initiatives to help anysmall business grow. OurSpecial Events Councilhosts various eventsthroughout the year,including our annual golfouting, our annualchamber dinner,leadership breakfasts andmore.

Another very activecouncil that makes up thechamber is theEducational ClearingHouse. ECH workstirelessly to make sure ourteachers and studentscontinually have theresources they need tostay on the cutting edge ofour future. ECH is raisingfunds for our Students ofthe Year scholarships,working on our ClassroomGrant Program andhosting our LeadershipAcademy monthly withintriguing speakers andtopics.

Our Executive Board andour Board of Directors arethe leaders of thechamber, guiding the shipto help our businesscommunity grow andprosper. The mission ofthe chamber is to advancebusiness interests througheducation, marketing,legislation and economicinitiatives, and with ourstrong board, we do somuch more than that.

I am thankful for therole I have in thecommunity, and I love theoutreach of ourmembership. Thischamber feels there is noproblem too big or toosmall to conquer in ourcommunity. I personallyinvite you to stop in, cometo a monthly luncheon,attend one of our many

Business Afterhours andsee what we’re all about.The momentum inJefferson County iselectric, and I am proudour active Chamber ofCommerce is right in themiddle of the action.

Visit our website,www.southernillinois.comto learn more.

And as always, when itcomes to the JCCC, “Yes isthe answer; what’s thequestion?!”

BRANDON BULLARD isexecutive director of the Jefferson CountyChamber of Commerce; for information, call 618-242-5725 or [email protected].

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011 3FSOUTHERN SPECIALwww.thesouthern.com

Chamber of Commerce: ‘Yes is the answer; what’sthe question?’ in county

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNThe U.S. Bank building stands at the corner of Broadway andSouth 10th streets in Mount Vernon.

4F THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011 SOUTHERN SPECIAL www.thesouthern.com

BY BONNIE JERDONFOR THE SOUTHERN

Those looking foraffordableexperiences,

adventure and activitiesclose to home are havinganother look at MountVernon and the SouthernIllinois region. This areaoffers a number of high-end, low-cost activitiesstarting with outdoorrecreation at Rend Lake,the area’s finest fishingguides, golf at premiumcourses, cultural activitiesand the chance to learn tofly light sport aircraft.

The Rend LakeRecreation Area is justminutes from MountVernon and boastsfacilities for camping,boating, swimming,horseback riding,bicycling and otheroutdoor adventures.

One of its many draws issome of the best crappiefishing in Illinois.Amateurs and profess-ionals alike fish Rend Lakeyear-round.

One of the best ways toenjoy crappie fishing atRend Lake is with one ofthe region’s professionalguides. Show up with afishing license, and theguides provide everythingelse.

Aviation has taken centerstage in Mount Vernon overthe past few years with theOutland Airport serving ashost for the Midwest LightSport Aircraft Expo, theRotorcraft Club ChapterFly-In, the EAA VeteransFly-in, KR Gathering andErcoupe Owners event.

These events havebrought a wide range offlying machines to the area,

with some aircraft in a veryaffordable price range andenthusiasts who have apassion for flying.

The Rotorcraft Club’sevent brought a group ofaviators I would describe asguys on flying motorcycleswho were very interested insharing their hobby andproviding information tothose of us who didn’tknow much about thesemachines.

For someone wanting tolearn to fly, these eventsprovide some of the bestinformation andexperiences from peoplewho know aviation andwho know how to have fun.

The annual MidwestLight Sport Aircraft Expo

brings most of the majormanufacturers of lightsport aircraft to one placeat the same time.

The expo provides agreat opportunity for anovice to become familiarwith this popular segmentof aviation. The LightSport Academy based atthe airport provides a fasttrack program to learn topilot light sport aircraft.The light sport pilotpackage includes books,study materials and flyingtime using their Jabiruairplane.

Affordable is great, butfree is even better. A day atthe museum can easilystretch over several days tosee everything in ourexhibitions. Mount Vernonis home to CedarhurstCenter for the Arts, anationally recognizedname in fine art andcultural performance andeducation.

The Cedarhurst CraftFair is one of MountVernon’s signature events,hosted every year inSeptember. Many of theprograms and exhibits areoffered free or at a smallcharge.

Other museums offeringfree admission include thelog cabin village at theJefferson CountyHistorical Village, the newFirefighters Museum andthe Veterans Hall of HonorMilitary Museum.

The local winery,shopping, parks, events,dining, golf, public art andhistoric landmarks canalso help you achieve alifestyle upgrade withoutspending a lot of money,all right here in beautifulSouthern Illinois.

BONNIE JERDON is directorof the Mount VernonConvention & VisitorsBureau.

Upcoming eventsChristmas Craft Fair,

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2-3,Veterans Park; widevariety of hand-craftedholiday items for sale.618-242-6890.

Downtown ChristmasParade, 5 p.m. Dec. 3;618-237-2387 or 618-242-3151

Chocolate Festival,11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 8,Elks Lodge, 1107 JordanSt.; taste samples ofcontest entries; treatswill be available forpurchase. Tickets are $5at the Historical Village,Tourism Office, CityHall and from historicalsociety members. Cakes,cookies, brownies,candy, pie and more;618-246-0033

Powerhouse AthleticsChristmas Bazaar,10 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 10,at Times Square Mall;bows, tutus, candles,scrapbooking, homedecor, spices,kitchenware, jewelry,purses, pottery andmakeup; entertainmentfor kids; 618-237-1663or [email protected]

Christmas in the Park,Dec. 16-17, at VeteransPark; drive through thepark decorated withthousands of traditionaland religious themes,and also live scenes;618-242-6890

Midwestern Herb &Garden Show, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10,and Saturday, Feb. 11,and noon-5 p.m. Sun-day, Feb. 12, at TimesSquare Mall; demon-strations, classes; freeadmission; 618-315-1295

— MVTCB

Appellate CourthouseThe Courthouse was

built around 1857 in theGreek revival style.Anyone interested inhistoric buildings andarchitecture won’t want tomiss this building and thebeautiful courtroom. It’shome to the Fifth DistrictAppellate Court for theState of Illinois.

President AbrahamLincoln argued cases atthis location, including atax case where herepresented IllinoisCentral Railroad.

Where: 14th and Mainstreets

Phone: 618-242-3120

Granada Center for the Performing Arts

Granada Center for thePerforming Arts is a non-profit organizationdedicated to the effort ofpreserving The GranadaTheater. The facility isused for special eventsand fundraisers, and it isavailable for rental.

Phone: 618-740-0707

Hall of Honor The Jefferson County

Hall of Honor featuresseveral walls of framedtribute pages of veteransfrom the community. Alsoincluded are uniforms,weapons and medals.

Where: Mount VernonOutland Airport, 100Aviation Drive

Phone: 618-242-7016Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

daily

The Iris FarmWith 28 iris beds, each

200’ long, bloom time atThe Iris Farm is a sight tobehold. At peak bloom,The Iris Farm expects morethan 40,000 blooms.

Where: East of MountVernon on Illinois 15 atMarkham City Road. Theiris beds are east of thehouse and barn. Use thedriveway behind the storefrom Markham City Roador from Illinois 15.

Phone: 618-732-8430for information and areport on bloom times.

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Rend Lake Antique MallThe Rend Lake Antique

Mall features more than40 antiques andcollectibles vendors.

Where: 301 Ina Ave, InaPhone: 618-437-5801Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday

Fire Museum The Fire Museum of

Southern Illinois is one ofthe most comprehensivecollections of historicalfirefighting equipmentand photos in the region.The centerpiece of themuseum is an MVFDoriginal 1939 Diamond Tfire engine.

Where: Times SquareMall, 42nd and Broadway

Rend LakeThis 18,000 acre

reservoir was built toprovide a dependabledomestic water supply to atwo-county area beginningin 1965. Rend Lake StateFish and Wildlife Area wasdeveloped to providepublic hunting and otherrecreational opportunitieswith marinas, boating,water skiing, camp sites,nature trails, golf,picnicking, swimming,fishing and hunting andhorseback riding.

Phone: 618-824-2493Online:

www.rendlake.com

Rend Lake CollegeRend Lake College has

its main campus in Ina inJefferson County. TheRLC Murphy-Wall Pinck-neyville Campus, is inPinckneyville. The RLCCultural EventsCommittee is a campusorganization dedicated tobringing artists to theregion. The main campusalso houses a theater.

Where: 468 N. Ken GrayParkway, Ina

Phone: 618-437-5321

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNThe Appellate Courthouse in Mount Vernon is one of the city’s most popular attractions.

The city’s mostpopular drawsbring in tourism

DETAILSCall 800-252-5464 or

visit www.mtvernon.com.

Adventure and activity await visitors and residents alike

BY SARAH SLEDGEFOR THE SOUTHERN

Cedarhurst Center forthe Arts celebratesthe arts year-round

with exciting visual andperforming arts programsfor members and thepublic.

A 90-acre campus fullof nature’s art provides anamazing, ever-changingbackdrop for Cedarhurst’sKuenz Sculpture Park,which exhibits more than60 large-scale sculpturesby nationally recognizedartists. Mitchell Museumat Cedarhurst, whichopened in November 1973,offers national andinternational as well asregional art exhibitions inthree galleries, includingthe Beck Family CenterGallery, a state-of-the-arteducation center forchildren of all ages.

Cedarhurst foundersJohn R. and Eleanor R.Mitchell were active artcollectors for more thanfour decades and acquireda significant collection oflate 19th and early 20thcentury Americanpaintings, sculpture anddecorative arts. TheMitchells established afoundation and willedtheir entire estate for thebenefit of residents andvisitors in SouthernIllinois.

The Museum’sPermanent Collectionfeatures works by MaryCassatt, Thomas Eakins,Robert Henri, WilliamGlackens, George Luks,John Sloan, Arthur B.Davies and MauricePrendergast, members ofThe Eight; Childe Hassamand J. Alden Weir,members of The Ten; andJohn Singer Sargent,among others.

This collection, found inthe Bonan PermanentCollection Gallery atCedarhurst, is a major

source of pride forSouthern Illinois.

An exciting eventscheduled for 2012reaffirms the significanceof Cedarhurst’s place inthe art world. TheNational Gallery of Art inWashington, D.C., hasrequested to borrowGeorge Wesley Bellows’“Mrs. T. in Wine Silk,”1919, oil on canvas, for the NGA’s majorretrospective of GeorgeBellows (1882-1925.) Theexhibition will also travelto the Metropolitan

Museum of Art in NewYork City. The BellowsRetrospective (June 2012through February 2013)will give many visitors tothese major museums aglimpse of one of theextraordinary works inCedarhurst’s PermanentCollection.

In the spirit ofcollaboration, Cedarhurstrequested to borrow fromthe National Gallery ofArt one of theirpermanent collection artworks that would enhancethe Museum’s collection

of American artists. TheNational Gallery of Artgraciously consented toloan their Thomas Eakins,The Chaperone, c.1908,oil. The workcomplementsCedarhurst’s own threepaintings by Eakins.

The Mitchell MuseumMain Gallery hosts avariety of 2-D and 3-Dexhibitions throughoutthe year, many featuringartists who have earnednational recognition.

A blockbuster exhibitionfeaturing the originalwork of renownedphotographer AnselAdams is being plannedfor 2012. Classic Images:Photographs by AnselAdams will be open Feb.25 through May 6.

The Beck FamilyEducation Center insideMitchell Museum is ahands-on interactiveenvironment providingendless opportunities foryoung visitors toexperience the textures,color and excitement ofdiscovering art in theworld around them.Whatever the season,

visiting the Beck FamilyCenter will sparkimagination and fun.

Shrode Art Center atCedarhurst offersclassrooms, studio spaceand equipment, such askilns and weaving looms,for adult and youth artclasses and workshops.The Regenhardt Gallery atShrode Art Centerfeatures temporaryexhibits of local andregional artiststhroughout the year.

The 300-seat,2,400-square-footPerformance Hall, as wellas several indoor andoutdoor venues on theCedarhurst campus, hostmany events throughoutthe year.

Indoor and outdoorconcerts, weddings andreceptions, corporatemeetings as well theannual CedarhurstChamber Music seriesbring many visitors toCedarhurst.

The stunningarchitecture of theMitchell Museumbuilding, coupled with thenatural surroundings ofCedarhurst, welcomesvisitors to a serenecultural experience.Admission to the galleriesand the sculpture park isfree; some special eventsmay have an admissioncharge.

SARAH SLEDGE is directorof communications atCedarhurst Center for the Arts.

PROVIDED‘Big Bang’ by Bruce Johnson is an outdoor sculpture at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.

CEDARHURSTWhere: 2600 Richview

Road, Mount VernonHours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday,1-5 p.m. Sunday; openThursdays until 8 p.m.

Info: 618-242-1236 orvisit www.cedarhurst.org

Cedarhurst: An amazing cultural experience like no other

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERN‘Kimball,’ a horse fashioned from chrome car bumpers by JohnKearney of Omaha, welcomes guests to the Mitchell Museum.

THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011 5FSOUTHERN SPECIALwww.thesouthern.com


With all of theexpansion andconstruction under

way in Mount Vernon, itsresidents are takingadvantage of businessesthat help them reach somerelaxation.

If you give the staff ofGreen Door Spa an hour ofyour time, they will giveyou back your mind.

The mental and physicalhealth of women is themain priority for spaowner Dr. MichaelSchifano, who alsofounded HeartlandWomen’s Healthcare.

Both Mount Vernonbusinesses offer servicesin line with improving thewell-being, spirits andoverall lifestyles ofwomen.

“We complement eachother because we bothdeal and specialize in theneed of women’shealthcare,” said VelGreen, manager of GreenDoor Spa.

“We are always lookingfor a better way to educatethe public on theimportance of spa servicesfor relieving stress.”

Green Door Spa offersmore than 120 services,including Botox injections,permanent make-up, hairand vein removal, thera-peutic massages andfacials.

The Spa opened inOctober 2010 and hasquickly attracted a largecustomer base. It alsoprovides outpatient med-ical procedures along withupscale salon services.

The spa is offering aholiday special on giftcertificates through Nov.24 to show its appreciationto its customers.

Anyone who buys a $100gift card will receive a $20gift card for free. Thebusiness is also offeringfree gift-wrapping.

“Women’s health is ourNo. 1 priority,” Green said.

“We assure the excell-ence of all servicesprovided in a most sereneatmosphere.”

Green Door Spacustomers can choosefrom body wraps, spapackages and massagetherapies. For moreinformation, call the spa at618-241-9400 or visitwww.thegreendoorspa.com.

Heartland Women’sHealth is a comprehensivepractice offering a fullrange of OB/GYN,reproductive and prenatalservices for women of allages.

The practice, which hasdelivered more than

15,000 babies, specializesin the latest 4-Dultrasound equipment.The practice has offices inMount Vernon, Metropolisand many locations inbetween.

“Heartland Women’sHealthcare has deliveredmore babies and broughtbetter facilities to ensureproper health care toMount Vernon,” Greensaid.

“They have supportedthe new hospital … Theyhave also openednumerous locations in theSouthern Illinois area forthe convenience of all.”


While some localbusinesses slowdown as cold

weather approaches,DataLock in Mount Vernonis about to heat up. Thebusiness provides an arrayof information-manage-ment services, includingthe storage and shreddingof secure documents.

“It seems like the end ofthe year, people areinterested in getting rid oftheir old documents andcleaning things up a littlebit,” said DataLock GeneralManager Hal Burgan.

“And tax season is busy for people shredding

their financial items.”DataLock was formed 10

years ago in Mount Vernonand has a solid reputationin St. Louis, Paducah andEvansville. Some of its localbusiness accounts includeSt. Mary’s Good SamaritanMedical Group and FifthThird Bank.

“We just enjoy the workand working with ourhands,” said Burgan, who

gave up a career in law tomanage DataLock. “Weprovide an importantservice and we have loyalcustomers.”

Burgan estimates that 60percent of the company’sbusiness comes fromshredding sensitivematerials.

Paper documents aredestroyed by a heavy-duty,industrial-grade machinethat can take care of morethan four tons of paperdocuments per hour.Destroyed paper is shippedto paper mills, where it ispulped, de-inked andrecycled.

The company alsoeliminates micro-mediaand hard drives.

In terms of documentstorage, DataLock storesand manages all types ofinformation materials,including boxed paperrecords, open-filingrecords, digital media andbackup tapes.

The business carries theAAA security certificationoffered by the NationalAssociation for Infor-mation Destruction inmultiple service categories.

The business often teamsup with local efforts tooffer free shredding daysfor the public. Earlier thisyear, DataLock joinedforces with The UnitedWay of South CentralIllinois to collect schoolsupplies.


Jefferson County’s richhistory is worthcelebrating.

That is a message fromthe county’s historicalsociety, which works hardto maintain and improvethe Jefferson CountyHistorical Village,Museum and NatureTrail. The complex’sappearance isreminiscent of the late1800s and early 1900s. Itfeatures a home from the19th century, a logchurch, a log jail and amedical building thatcontains such tools as afoot-treadle dentist’sdrill and a Civil Waramputation kit.

“Children often like tovisit the jail and enjoyseeing the skeleton in themedical building,” saidJamie Wheeler, thehistorical society’sdirector of communityrelations. “Right now, wehave a Wedding Dressesof the Past exhibit ondisplay in theSchweinfurth Museumthat we’ve heard many

positive commentsabout, as well.”

The compound alsocontains a one-roomschool, merchandise inits general store andoperating blacksmith andprint shops.

“The village really hassomething for everyoneand we’ve heard all kindsof favorites,” Wheelersaid. “Everyone genuinelyseems to like going in theone-room schoolhouse,adults and kids alike, andenvisioning what schoolwas like all those yearsago.”

The on-siteSchweinfurth Museumhouses a variety ofexhibits and a library. TheKitty Irvin Nature Trail isa small trail leading fromthe village grounds to OldUnion Cemetery, wheresome of Mount Vernon’smost well-known earlysettlers are buried.

The historical societywill host its ChocolateFestival Fundraiser onDec. 8 at the Elks Lodgein Mount Vernon. Theevent will feature adessert contest and abake sale.


Kent and Sheree Eastontreat their winery liketheir home. It is

decorated for the holidaysand welcome to visitors.

An upcoming holidayopen house (Nov. 19 and20) will feature severalunique gift baskets,personalized labels,artwork and a completeline of quality wines.

It is just one of manysimilar events that havehelped the Eastonsimprove GenKota Wineryin Mount Vernon sincebuying it nearly two years ago.

“Since we have takenover, we have hired anaward-winning wineconsultant and have takenour wines to a muchhigher quality andconsistency,” Kent Eastonsaid. “We have had muchmore entertainment.There are many greatwineries in the state ofIllinois and we stronglyfeel that with the steps wehave taken, we fit into thatcategory.”

The Eastons bought thebusiness from its originalowners, who opened the

winery in 1997. “My wifehad worked at GenKota forseveral years and when itbecame available, itseemed like a perfect fit,”Kent Easton said.

Then, GenKota was justthe sixth winery in thestate. Now, there arenearly 100.

“We are always trying toimprove the grounds, theselection of merchandiseand the overall experienceof visiting GenKota,” KentEaston said. “Ourcustomers come first.When they leave, we wantthem to tell others abouthow great of a time theyhad here.”

GenKota isn’t afraid tohost a good party. Thewinery never chargescovers for their musicalevents and keeps fansposted on upcoming

events through itsFacebook page.

The winery also hostsweddings, class reunionsand unique charitableevents like the grapestomp fundraiser earlierthis fall. It also providesthe perfect atmosphere fora more intimate gatheringof friends or familymembers on its large,wraparound covered deck.

It offers a complete lineof wine-oriented gifts andaccessories, as well as avariety of soups,cheeseball mixes, dips andother gourmet food.

For beer lovers, GenKotasells all types of brew,including products from

Big Muddy Brewery. Anddon’t forget about thewine. GenKota offerswines with names likeThree Dog White, a semi-sweet blend of three whitegrape varietals, andThunder Chicken, madefrom Jonathan apples.

GenKota takes pride inserving its loyalcustomers. If you can’t getout to the winery, theEastons will ship you abottle or case of wine.They also offer cateringservices, tent rental andwill handle decorating foryour event. The winery’snew bottling room isavailable for parties of any occasion.

DATALOCKP.O. Box 1297 Mount

Vernon, IL 62864618-241-9481; www.

saferdocuments.comhal@saferdocuments.

com

DataLock specializes in shredding and storage

GENKOTA WINERY301 N. 44 St., Mount

Vernon618-246-9463www.genkotawine.comUpcoming: Holiday

Open House Nov. 19and 20; gift baskets,artwork, complete lineof quality wines

DETAILSGreen Door Spa3230 Veterans Memorial

Drive, Mount Vernon618-241-9400www.thegreendoor

spa.comHeartland Women’s

Healthcare1407 McPherson Ave.,

Mount Vernon618-242-3346www.ilobgyn.com

DETAILSJefferson County Historical Village and Nature Trail1411 N. 27th St., Mount Vernon618-246-0033www.jchs.mvn.netChocolate Festival FundraiserElks Lodge in Mount Vernon11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 8Entry forms, rules, tickets at historical society office,

Mount Vernon Tourism office and Mount Vernon CityHall or available by calling the historical society.

Historic village, museum and trail show how life used to be

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNThe Mount Olive Church is part of the Jefferson CountyHistorical Village and Nature Trail.

GenKota wants to be your home for holidays

Women benefit from spa, medical practice

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNVel Green, Green Door Spa manager, sits in the tranquility room at the facility. ‘Women’s healthis our No. 1 priority. We assure the excellence of all services provided in a most sereneatmosphere,’ Green said.

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNGenKota Winery is a popular attraction in Mount Vernon.

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNGreen Door Spa and Heartland Women’s Healthcare are onVeterans Memorial Drive.

STEVE JAHNKE / THE SOUTHERNGreen Door Spa offers a light-filled Tranquility Room.

Jefferson County Historical Village and Museum Refl ecting the History of Jefferson County

Log Cabin, Log Jail, Log Church,One Room School House

Operating Blacksmith & PrintshopMuseum of Medical Equipment

Tours by appointmentwww.JCHS.MVN.net [email protected]

1411 N. 27th St., Mt. Vernon, ILPhone: 618-246-0033

6F THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011

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Spotlight on Mt. Vernon