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BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE FOR SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

Farmers National Bank Blending Hometown Service with Modern Convenience: A Community Bank that Does Both

In today’s fast-moving, technology-driven world, it can feel like the personal touch in banking is becoming a thing of the past. But at Farmers National Bank, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between innovation and relationships-you deserve both.

As a community bank, our roots run deep. We’re proud to serve the same neighborhoods we live in, support the same local businesses you shop at, and cheer on the same teams under the Friday night lights. Our employees aren’t just bankers-they’re your neighbors, volunteers, and familiar faces who are always ready to greet you by name.

Being locally focused means being actively involved. Whether it’s sponsoring community events, supporting local schools, volunteering our time, or simply showing up when it matters most, our commitment goes far beyond banking. We’re invested

in the success of our community because it’s our home too.

At the same time, we recognize that convenience and accessibility are more important than ever. That’s why we continue to invest in technology that makes banking easier-without losing the personal service you trust. One of our newest advancements

start a banking relationship anytime, and from almost anywhere. This is not about replacing relationships, it’s about enhancing them.

Our new online tools are designed to meet customers where they are, whether that’s on their phone, at home, or walking through our doors. You can open an account online at your convenience, and still stop to visit with a familiar face when you want guidance, have questions, or just prefer that personal interaction.

At Farmers National Bank, technology will never replace the handshake, the conversation, or the trust we’ve built over generations-it simply supports it. We’re proud to offer the best of both worlds: the warmth of a hometown bank and the tools of a modern financial institution. And as we continue to grow and evolve, one thing will never change-our commitment to the people and communities we serve.

from almost relationships, meet on their doors. You convenience, and when you want that personal will never or the trust supports it. worlds: tools of a continue to change-our communities we serve.

2026 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Dog Trot Pottery

Crafting has always been a creative outlet for Vicki Sauter of Dixon though she never imagined it would become a business.

Then she saw the small little storefront in downtown Dixon sitting vacant

“I thought, ‘Maybe I need a retail space,’” Sauter recalled. “Within a couple days I had a key and a signed contract.”

She named the store Dog Trot Pottery, in honor of a memory from when she and her late husband once saw a little country sign that said Horse Trot Lane, and the two decided to call their home Dog Trot Street after their border collies.

The storefront is a gallery for her pottery work that she crafts from the studio in her basement with two kilns in the garage. She never imagined her creations would be such a hit, especially considering she’s only been making pottery for a two years.

Sauter said she took her first pottery class out in Rockford in 2024. After a few months she invested in a kiln and turned her basement into a studio. When the studio where she took classes had its annual craft sale she decided to participate and was pleasantly surprised that she sold half the inventory she had with her that day.

BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE FOR SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

Last summer she was a vendor at the Twin City Farmers Market in Sterling and again, was surprised by how well her pottery items were received.

Sauter said she follows different pottery social media pages, looking for inspiration. She also loves to work with images and materials found in nature. She prefers to create items that are as functional as they are pretty. Dishes that one can use to serve food, mugs for coffee and tea. She quips that if its not something she would personally use, she won’t make it. She does have an exception for customers’ special orders.

“I like to be creative, but I’m not going to make things people have to dust,” she said.

Sauter said she’s had a knack for crafts and creativity. She taught her self to sew at age 10, and through the years she’s taught herself to crochet, needlepoint, basket weaving and more.

Pottery and the shop is a bit of a second act, having retired in 2018 from her work as a pastor for a Lutheran Church for 10 years and having worked in the insurance industry as well as work in the fields of mental health and social work.

For every beautiful piece admired and

More Info

Location:

308 W. 1st St., Dixon, IL 815-973-2819

Hours: Thursday – Saturday 12:00pm-5:00pm or by appointment

Online: On Facebook and dogtrotpottery.com

purchased at the shop, there are many more that never made it out of the studio, Sauter said. As she experiments with styles and designs, there are pieces that don’t work out. Each piece is unique. She doesn’t like making multiples.

She’s had customers make requests for custom pieces. One client requested a left hand “hug mug” for the user could wrap their hands around the mug to warm their hands.

“The customer loved it,” she added.

With the pottery studio at home, the shop is a place where she is free to chat with the shoppers. She loves to hear why they stopped in, or answer questions about her work. She’s looking forward to the spring and summer, meeting more shoppers and enjoying the events in downtown Dixon.

When there’s downtime, she’ll pull out a needle-point project, keeping her hands moving as she crafts a project that may just be a present for a friend, something to let them know she’s thinking of them.

Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice

BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE FOR SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

There’s a different feeling to be in one’s home, to be surrounded by the comforting sights and sounds in familiar rooms and with that understanding, longtime nurse Kim Gaffey launched a business in 1991 to provide nursing and health care support to her clients in their homes.

And 35 years later, there’s no slowing down.

Today the business has two areas of home care. Gaffey Nursing & Hospice provides in-home care through professionally licensed nurses and therapists to administer care in one’s home. Patients are received through referrals and often following a hospital stay. The follow up care can include nursing care, physical therapy, occupational and speech therapy and hospice services. It provides care to patients of all ages, having cared for children navigating serious life-long health concerns and providing care to older patients as well.

Gaffey Health Services provides certified nursing aids and homemakers who can assist clients with a range of tasks, from daily activities of living to preparing meals and even driving clients to medical appointments. When it comes to supporting this area of the business, the only limitation is the staff to meet the demands, explained Brent Gaffey, vice president of Gaffey Health Services.

“There’s a huge demand. We are always in need of more employees,” Brent Gaffey said. “We have a waiting list of patients because we will not over

promise and under deliver on the care that is needed.”

One of the avenues to help support the growing need for in-home health services, Gaffey has connected with students at Sterling High School and Sauk Valley Community College in the certified nursing aid vocational programs. Brent Gaffey said Gaffey Health Services enables students to start their career while balancing school schedules with flexible hours. It’s also a great work option for caregivers who are looking to work a few hours while their children are in school or to compliment other jobs.

At the heart of the Gaffey is providing clients with care in a place they feel most comfortable. Some clients are in local assisted living facilities and nursing homes, but most are in the homes they have lived in for decades. With the Gaffey Health Services families can allow loved ones to age at home, with assistance in daily care. It can also be a respite service for caregivers to give them relief or a break, Brent Gaffey explained.

Gaffey Health Services serves clients in dozens of communities in a five-county, 60-mile radius including Sterling and Rock Falls.

Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice, Inc. and Gaffey Health Services provides its clients with a Personal Medical Alert Device, which can be used for a medical emergency, such as a fall. For its clients, it provides free installation of the units and two months of free service. These units are available for non-Gaffey

clientele as well for a monthly fee. Brent Gaffey said they are providing this service to more than 100 seniors in the Sauk Valley area.

While health care continues to evolve, as a familyowned business, Gaffey Health Services and Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice maintains its greatest asset is its people. Most of its staff have more than a decade of experience with the company, and many can boast decades of tenure. This year marks Jennifer Staples’s 31st anniversary with the company. She handles the logistics, building schedules for staff and ensuring every client’s request is on the calendar.

Brent Gaffey handles the financial side of the business and he is approaching his 30th anniversary with the company. Rounding out the Health Services team is Jessica Birdsley who has worked for nine years in human resource, scheduling and billing.

For the Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice business there’s founder Kim Gaffey, Vanessa Coers as director of nursing and Kim Feary who assists in managing the staff, client care and billing.

Gaffey added hospice care in 2009, enabling clients to stay in their home through their end of life journey. Founder Kim Gaffey considers hospice care a sacred duty to the community.

Managing large operations with a small, close-knit staff also means connecting with incredible volunteers in the community. Volunteers can help with light office work and there’s always a need for volunteers to support hospice services, spending time with patients engaging in conversations, providing a little companionship. This role can provide great comfort to a patient who has opted to discontinue medical care for what can be a more peaceful and calm end of life care.

Location: 3408 E. 23rd Street, Sterling, IL 61081

Health Services: 815-625-5575

Home Nursing and Hospice: 815-626-3467 Online: On Facebook and gaffeyhealthservice.com

A Family of care providers to help care for your family.

Gaffey Health Services has been a trusted home health care provider in The Sauk Valley Area for 35 years!

Home Health & Nursing Experiences

From providing , cleaning and home aide to 24 hour service, Gaffey Heath Services wants to provide you and your family with the best home care possible.

“They were wonderful!

The nursing staff was great and really helped us through a difficult time when they cared for my husband Gene. The nurses talked and comforted Gene. They wanted our feedback and acted on the suggestions we gave them. They were awesome!”

“I would recommend Gaffey to anyone.

- Cindy Hartman

My husband, Brandy Spencer, chose Gaffey because his mother, Jeanette, had them and she was very pleased with their services. I felt comfortable with them caring for Brandy. The caregivers took excellent care of him in his final days. The staff is very trustworthy and gave me guidance and helped me through a rough time. They gave me comfort and reassured me we made the right choice. Gaffey was there for us throughout everything. Brandy passed away September 2013 and they continue to check up on me after the fact. I would recommend Gaffey to anyone.”

- Dallas Spencer

2026 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

The Loft at K’s Korner

BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE FOR SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

Weddings and birthdays, baby showers and retirement parties – those are just few of the special events hosted inside The Loft at K’s Korner explains Marion Younger.

She and her husband, Andy, own the special events venue that was transformed from a former dairy barn into a beautiful, large open space. The event works for an intimate gathering or a party with 300 guests.

K’s Korner has been in the Younger family for 54 years and Andy Younger purchased it from his father more than 20 years ago. Before welcoming guests and hosting celebrations, the space was used to store 10,000 bales of hay, and its address was located further up Route 30 just outside of Rock Falls.

The barn was moved to its current location on Galt Road in Sterling in 2014 and underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2015. Today it retains the beauty and rustic look of a dairy barn with modern amenities including climate control for year-round comfort and an elevator to move equipment and food easily into the entertainment area. The elevator is large enough to accommodate moving tables, chairs and DJ’s sound equipment, Marion said.

Though it used to be a barn, today the venue retains a sense of elegance. Many wedding couples enjoy using the beautiful wooden, winding staircase in their photos of their special occasion.

“It’s always wonderful to see how each party is set up and the weddings are always so beautiful,” Marion said.

The Loft is a great location for those who want to customize the room design. Marion and Andy provide the space and clients supply the decorations. They offer a list of vendors who can assist clients as they plan

More Info

Location: 13030 Galt Rd Sterling, IL, 61081-8986

Phone: (815) 626-2988

Online: On Facebook and kskornerbarandevents.com

their special events. Marion said she has seen couples create a romantic space for their wedding ceremony and reception or create a fun space with a bounce house for a child birthday party.

“One weekend we hosted a baby shower, a birthday party, a wedding, a military farewell and a celebration of life,” Marion said. “From birth to the celebration of one’s life, we can host every occasion in The Loft.”

Additionally, the couple uses the space for their own special events, hosting holiday parties, comedy night, adult bingo, a sweetheart ball and benefits for local organizations. The Loft at K’s Korners is the place to celebrate with family and friends.

Rental of The Loft is $250. There is no charge for celebration of life or for benefits. Rental includes rented space, tables and chairs and bartender service of full bar if desired. The couple allows hosts to bring their own food or use a caterer. Advance reservations are recommended and a deposit will reserve the date.

In addition to The Loft the Youngers have a smaller venue available for no charge on the first floor of the barn. The Udder Room, named in honor of the dairy barn, can accommodate 60 guests. For The Udder Room hosts can use a caterer and the space is available on first come, first served, or call for a reservation.

What began as a local corner bar has grown into a memorable event destination, retaining the warmth and community spirit the Youngers have been known for at K’s.

Visit The Loft or the Udder Room during operating hours or book an appointment to meet with Marion and Andy and tour the space.

•

IDEAL VENUE FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY GATHERINGS

Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice

BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE FOR SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

It started with a vision for a better way to provide care for patients in their homes, the place they were most comfortable. As a nurse, Kim Gaffey saw her patients and wanted to offer something more.

This year her business Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice turns 35, having helped thousands of patients and their families.

“Never would I have imagined in 35 years we would have all of the services we haven” Gaffey said.

Today she has Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice which provides referral-based patients with in-home care through professionally licensed nurses and therapists to administer care. She also established a second company, Gaffey Health Services, which provides certified nursing aids and homemakers who can assist clients with a range of tasks, from daily activities of living to preparing meals and even driving clients to medical appointments.

Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice provides cares in a multi-county area including Whiteside, Lee, Carroll, Ogle counties and portions of Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Bureau, Henry and Winnebago counties. Gaffey and her team have gone the extra mile to ensure their able to care for veterans, patients with Medicaid and it is a recognized Community Health Accreditation Program.

One area of special meaning to Gaffey is the

hospice division. She established hospice care in 2009 to focus on the comfort and care of patients near the end of their life.

“I believe hospice is a sacred duty for a nursing professional,” Gaffey said, calling the service an honor.

In hospice care, there is an opportunity to care for the patient, easing pain and providing comfort but it also provides care and support for the patient’s family in that time. In accordance with federal government requirements, Gaffey utilizes volunteers in her hospice care program. These volunteers can be someone who sits with a patient, to provide company, or to enable a family member to run to the grocery store, tend to other appointments. A volunteer may be someone who supports the patient’s family, joining them at the kitchen table for a cup of coffee and a moment to talk. There’s even opportunities to volunteer in the office, helping with administrative work.

“The administrative volunteer helps so that we can have more time a patient’s bedside,” Gaffey explained.

Gaffey’s team of hospice caregivers and volunteers often go above and beyond, and families began to take notice. They felt compelled to show gratitude. The Gaffey Hospice Foundation enables individuals

and businesses to make charitable donations. Gaffey established the foundation where 100 percent of the donations go directly to patients and their families.

Through the Gaffey Hospice Foundation her team have helped families with needs that can arise during hospice care, from medical costs, equipment and other unexpected expenses that can be taxing on a family.

Hospice care is an end of life care, but it may not necessarily mean care for a few days or a week.

Gaffey explained sometimes care can continue over the course of several months.

“The earlier we can get hospice care started the more ways we can help the individual and their family prepare,” Gaffey said.

Hospice care can even include music therapy, something Gaffey has seen have a truly positive impact on patients. The team was caring for a hospice patient with Alzheimer’s Disease and the patient had stopped speaking. The team brought in a certified music therapist and the patient began to sing along with the therapist .

“The family was so happy. The music therapy triggered something within the patient’s brain and they responded,” Gaffey said.

In addition to the private contributions to the Gaffey Hospice Foundation the team has coordinated fundraisers through the years, from guest bartending events to sand volleyball tournaments. Gaffey said for 2026 she hopes to coordinate a pickle ball tournament, mixing some fun for a great cause.

And to mark the business anniversary of 35 years, Gaffey said she’d love to have a larger event, like a gala, to celebrate the company, it’s hardworking staff and the patients and families they have cared for through the three decades.

More Info

Location: 3408 E. 23rd Street, Sterling, IL 61081

Health Services: 815-625-5575

Home Nursing and Hospice: 815-626-3467

Online:

On Facebook and gaffeyhealthservice.com

many more studio, Sauter styles and work out. like making requests for requested a left wrap their their hands. added. the shop with the they stopped work. She’s summer, enjoying the pull out hands may just something to let

TESTIMONIALS

Hospice Experiences

Choosing hospice care for a loved one isn’t easy. These families trusted Gaffey to care for, & comfort, their family during one of life’s most difficult journeys.

They go the extra mile and then some!

Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice helped to take the burden off of us when they cared for my mother and father-in-law, Velda & Emmert. They are trained and know what’s best for the patient. I get a sense of calm knowing that both were in such great hands.

Margaret Zumdahl

I would highly recommend them all.

In 2007, we found out my wife, Elsie, was diagnosed with dementia. As time went on and Elsie was being cared for at home, we knew we needed more help for Elsie. My family attended local seminars to gather information. We found that information helpful, but far from complete. We began to research nursing homes and assisted living centers. However, due to other family member’s negative experiences with nursing homes and assisted living centers, as well as the cost of them, we talked as family and decided caring for Elsie at home was the better choice. After looking into several home nursing companies, we chose Gaffey Home Nursing. We found the information they provided to be more helpful and useful. Elsie was admitted onto nursing services on November 19, 2014, and received home visits from a Registered Nurse and Certified Nursing Aide.

As Elsie’s condition changed, we entered the hospice stage of help. With the Gaffey Bridge Program, Elsie was admitted to hospice services on March 31, 2016. Elsie was able to have the same caring staff that she did before. Now, we receive home visits from a Registered Nurse, Certified Bath Aide, Music Therapist, and Medical Social Worker who come to help with Elsie’s healthcare as well as any problems that our family has. The Medical Social Worker was able to provide more specific information on Medicare Part D while under hospice care that no one had explained before. This was very helpful to me and my family. We were able to save more money each month as we are on a fixed income. The Registered Nurse and Medical Social Worker visit once per week, Certified Nursing Aide visits twice per week, and Music Therapist visits twice per month. Also, every 60 days the hospice Medical Director makes a home visit to re-certify Elsie for hospice care. All these services are provided to us by Gaffey Hospice. We’ve been very pleased with the help from Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice as well as their staff. We’ve been very pleased with the complimentary music therapy service and how well Elsie responds to it. Gaffey Home Nursing & Hospice people are very caring and helpful, and I would highly recommend them all.

Everett Kraft

A background in construction and a passion for harnessing renewable energy sums up Ethan Fiene, who with his wife Hilary, created Stateline Solar based in Lena. Ethan was just 23 when he decided to follow his passion and establish his own business bringing solar power to the areas farms, businesses and homeowners.

Since launching in 2017 the company has helped more than 800 customers bring solar renewable energy to their homes, reaping cost savings at time when utility costs are on the rise. Hiliary Fiene said Illinois customers are seeing it doesn’t take long for a return on their investment.

“It’s phenomenal,” Hilary Fine said. “It makes a huge impact.”

The state of Illinois continues to offer solar renewable energy credits, which can help pay for almost half of the system install costs. Stateline Solar offers customer financing options to help as well.

The basic solar panel system can provide daytime energy for a home, decreasing the amount of energy a home needs to use from the electrical grid. Customers who opt for a battery enables them to have more energy independence and can strategically utilize their banked power at night. Grid-tied solar can also tap into net metering, which is when the utility agency credits the homeowner for the extra solar power they have provided back to the grid.

Even in the Midwest winters, solar panels continue to provide power.

“We really try to work with home owners to select their panel style, location and make sure it’s a great

2026 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Stateline Solar

BY MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE FOR SAUK VALLEY MEDIA

sunny location,” Hilary Fiene said, adding that residential customers can opt for roof mounted solar panels or in some areas, a ground mounted solar panel system.

One of the newer options that is taking off is using solar canopies, located near a residential pool, garden or even in a community park where, for example, the structure already exists as a canopy over a picnic area or in one’s garden, and solar panels can be attached to collect renewal solar energy.

“It’s a really neat , multi-use of the system,” Hilary Fiene said.

In addition to solar installations and service, Stateline Solar can install EV charging stations to make it even more convenient to charge an electric vehicle at one’s home or business.

One hesitation customers have for going solar is concern for ongoing maintenance, but today’s solar panels are built to withstand heavy winds and the typical elements. Most panels come with a 25-year manufacturer warranty, and the team at Stateline Solar plans to be there for the life

of the system to provide service to address any concerns, Hilary Fiene said.

“We view our customers as customers for life,” she said.

For the Fienes and their team at Stateline Solar, it has been an exciting journey to help others on the path to renewable energy, with having installed systems for more than 800 customers in less than 10 years.

And the company is growing with its recent acquisition of Arrow Solar and adding a second business office in Galena. The company serves residents in Illinois as well as southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa.

Stateline Solar’s focus is residential, commercial and agricultural systems for personal use, an important distinguishing factor in today’s solar businesses, especially in rural areas.

“Most of our team grew up on a farm, so we understand the value of land,” Hilary Fiene said.

As a small, family-owned business Stateline Solar is able to custom design solar systems, for example, adding panels to an existing farm structure.

One area Stateline Solar would like to grow is connecting with local schools, to offer their solar renewable energy services providing a cost savings and the educational opportunity to help the next generation share the same passion for renewable energy sources. Hilary Fiene said they’ve offered bids to a handful of local schools and provided their first school installation recently to Scales Mound School District.

As solar energy systems continue to grow, the team at Stateline Solar has taken time to help work with more than 10 local fire departments to educate their crews on how solar panel systems function, what to be aware of and where to locate the disconnect to shut off the system and other elements such as battery backup systems in case of structural fire with solar on it.

Ethan and Hilary are grateful to grow an amazing business, servicing their home region with renewable services and working alongside a great team of people.

“We love seeing the end result,” she said.