Since 1960 - Prowant Construction

Prowant Construction Company is a general contractor, building in a 50-mile radius of Lanark, Illinois. The company was started in 1960 by Arnold Prowant, and has since been passed on to his son, Lonnie.

With a new office and warehouse built in 1998, and the third generation of Prowants working their way into the business, Prowant Construction Company continues its tradition of quality work and customer satisfaction. In residential, commercial, and agricultural construction projects, their work has included custom built homes, home remodeling and additions, vacation homes, agricultural buildings, and commercial projects.

We pride ourselves on a long-standing tradition of excellence in craftsmanship in Northwest Illinois. Our work can be seen all around Lanark, Lake Carroll, and throughout Carroll County and the Blackhawk Hills region.

 

Quality Plumbing - More than Just a Name

A full service plumbing contractor in Lanark, Illinois, Quality Plumbing can complete all your plumbing needs - from small leak repair to complete plumbing design and installations. Quality Plumbing also has a backhoe for repairing and installing any water or septic lines.

Quality Plumbing carries a large inventory so that your new construction project, remodels, and service can be completed in a timely fashion. Located at 303 Rt. 64 West in Lanark, please call us at 815-493-8127.

The Special Touch - A Long Lanark History

Since 1985, The Special Touch Flower and Gift Shop has been a presence in Lanark at its current location on Rt. 64. As with most businesses in Lanark, its history goes back even further.

Dorothy Sorenson started selling silk arrangements in the 1960’s, and Cara Prowant’s Flower Shed thrived in the 1970’s and ‘80’s. In 1985, Patti Kloepping moved to the current location with more room for gift items and plants.

Since 1992, Rosemary Flikkema has progressed in offering a more extensive line of gifts, and has grown into an even larger space with garden items as well as jewelry. The Special Touch occupies half of the old adjoining Merchant TV building on the west end, offering the “Unique Mall” for local crafters and antique dealers to have a more visible presence. That makes the shopping options still viable in Lanark - come take a look!

 

Burkholder & Son: A Family-Owned Business For 38 Years

Burkholder & Son, Inc. began in 1966 as Quality Concrete, owned by Charles Burkholder and Lowell Hall. The name, Burkholder & Son, first began in 1973 while owned by Charles and Roger Burkholder. The business incorporated in 2005.

Today, Burkholder and Son, Inc. offers poured concrete foundations for homes and ag-related products, Redi-Rock retaining Wall System, and pre-casr products such as septic tanks, risers, parking curbs, steps, and floor drains. They also provide basement waterproofing, material conveyor rental, concrete pump rental, and concrete field tests.

Although concrete and related services offered have changed with the times, Burkholder and Sons, Inc. has remained a family business for 38 years. “Son” in the company title reflects Roger, yet it now encompasses all five children of Roger and Sherry Burkholder who have been employed throughout the years. Currently, thirteen employees work hard to produce and install the best quality concrete products.

In 2009, Burkholder and Sons, Inc. was pleased to take on the role of lead Concrete Contractor for “The Extreme Makeover,” which took place in Lena, Illinois. From all night construction to coordinating with multiple contactors, producers and volunteers, the time, sweat, and tears were just a small part of a grand experience.

In 2010, Burkholder and Sons, Inc. received the Lanark Friends of Veterans award for work done on the Lanark Veteran Memorial constructed in the Lanark Cemetery.

We look forward to serving the community and surrounding area for many years to come by providing customers with the best possible solutions for any of their concrete needs by producing, delivering, and installing the best quality products and service possible.

The Lanark Dental Clinic - Miles of Smiles

Established in 1934, the Lanark Dental Clinic started when the City of Lanark asked Dr. Isenberger to come to the area and offer dental services. The first office was located above the former drug store on the east side of Broad Street. The practice then moved across the street to what is currently the Clark Carroll Insurance office, so that there would be no stairs for patients to climb. Dr. Isenberger treated patients until one week before his death in 1976.

Dr. Greg Messina bought the practice at that time, and served the community until 1989, when Dr. Daniel Visel purchased the business.

On August 1, 1989, Dr. Visel and Dr. David Dillon started treating patients. Initially, the plan was to practice in the existing building for 3 to 5 years, then build a new building. The practice grew quickly and the doctors decided to break ground for a new office building.

Land was purchased on the corner of Broad and Franklin Streets, and construction began in the Spring of 1990. The first patients were seen at the new clinic in October of 1990.

Dr. Dillon continued to practice with Dr. Visel until August of 1991 when he left to further his career in another area. Dr. Mannie Beck came to work temporarily until Dr. Dennis Walters, a dental school classmate of Dr. Visel, was able to move from Minnesota and joined the clinic in April, 1993.

For a short time from 2005 to 2007, the practice was renamed Dental Design Services. Dr. Visel decided to leave the practice in September 2007, and it was then that Dr. Walters became the sole owner of the clinic. The name was changed back to the Lanark Dental Clinic on January 1, 2008.

Dr. Walters continues to provide patients in the Lanark and surrounding area with convenient, quality dental care in a caring atmosphere. The staff includes dental assistants Colleen Dunlap and Cathy Gruhn, office/dental hygiene assistant Dawn Dampman, dental hygienists Stephanie Sweitzer, Mary Luecke and Tina Endress, and office manager Kris Visel. Dr. Walters and his staff take pride in being part of the community and are glad to be able to offer dental services to each of our patients.

Eastland Fabrication: Serving Northwest Illinois

The land was purchased and the shop built for Eastland Fabrication LLC in 2003, at its current location on IL Rt. 73, a few miles north of Lanark. Mike Sweitzer, Steven Coulthard, Kim Haan, Mat Heldt, and Ryan Zuck are in the shop and office ready to serve customer’s needs.

In 2010, additional acreage was acquired and an addition was built to expand the shop area. Once the addition was complete, some of the larger machines were moved into the new space. Some much needed parking space for both employee vehicles and customer equipment was also added.

Not only does Eastland Fabrication custom fabricate items for the farm, home and industry out of steel, aluminum and stainless, welding repairs can be done on a variety of items as well. Eastland Fabrication is equipped with a press brake, 1/4” to 12 ft. capacity shear, plasma tracer table, two lathes and an end mill to do light machine work, and a 4 ft. box and pan brake, along with mig and tig welders. In addition, there is a portable welder to do service calls on site.

Over the years, Eastland Fabrication has added product lines to expand their services. Eastland Fabrication is your local sales and service center for Boss snowplows and salt spreaders, Western snowplow parts, and Meyer snowplows and salt spreaders. Eastland Fabrication is also Northwest Illinois’ authorized Shur-Co. dealer. A large inventory of replacement parts for the products sold is readily available.

Eastland Fabrication is proud to be a part of the Lanark community. and looks forward to continuing to serve the welding and fabrication needs of the people in Northwest Illinois. Come visit Eastland Fabrication and see what we can do for you.

Take Care of Your Vehicle at JD’s Automotive

John Daehler, owner of JD’s Automotive in Lanark, reminds everyone that basic maintenance helps avoid costly repairs down the road. Summer is the time of year to give your car some extra attention. Basic maintenance can go a long way toward improving the safety and dependability of your vehicle, plus it helps avoid costly repairs down the line.

The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best:

- Check the oil, filters and fluids should be checked regularly. Oil should be changed per the owner’s manual recommended intervals. Your car’s filters need regular inspection and replacement.

- Inspect hoses at each oil change and have them replaced when leaking, brittle, cracked, rusted, swollen or restricted.

- Check the brake system every year and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

- Check that the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. If it is three years old or more, the battery should be tested and replaced if necessary.

- Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

- Schedule a tune-up that will help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.

- Check the car’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting.

- Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers and struts, and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

- Check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts and bruises along the sidewalls.

- Have your car’s alignment checked at least annually to reduce tire wear and improve fuel economy and handling.

- Test exterior and interior lights and have bulbs that are not working checked immediately. Replace windshield wiper blades every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering for optimum wiping performance and safety.

To help you drive smart and save money, visit www.carcare.org and check out the free digital Car Care Guide. Then call JD’s Automotive at 815-493-2029

Hollow Fencepost Will Custom Build

If you can draw it or describe it we will certainly try to build it

The Hollow Fencepost is a family owned and operated business that started over 1o years ago in Lanark, Illinois, as a father and daughter partnership, which grew from a love of antiques, auctions and woodworking into a showroom of extraordinary quality furniture.

We specialize in custom building furniture primarily built from reclaimed barn wood.   We also create furniture from reclaimed cabinets, salvaged architecture from buildings, and new lumber (if specially requested).  Furniture refinishing is also an offered service.

Our inventory includes an extensive line of new dining chairs that can be finished to customer specifications in paint or stain.  We also have a large inventory of cabinets, dressers, vintage chairs, tables, hutches, buffets, etc. in our warehouse. We build harvest tables, entertainment centers, cabinets and shelf units of all sizes.  If you can draw it or describe it we will certainly try to build it!

Please contact us for further information on our inventory and services

124 E. Carroll St. Lanark, Il. 61046 815-493-9066 thehollowfencepost.com

Southview Car Wash: 17 Years of Service

“We have been in the area for over 17 years and have loved the people and the rural environment,” said Pat and Nina Mucerino, owners of the Southview Car Wash in Lanark. “From the beginning we wanted to look for a business that we could work at in the area. We looked at online listings, talked with brokers, and franchises. We searched in Du Page county, Freeport and Rockford, but really wanted something that was the ‘right fit’ closer to Lanark.

Pat continued, saying “When Jerry Martin from Shannon called us about Southview Carwash being available, we met Greg and Anne Lindsay and Patty Kloepping. We immediately fell in love with the people, the location and purchased the wash. The other washes progressively came available and we added them to our little business.

“Along the way we have been impressed with all the wonderful gracious friends and resources we have found to help us and make it all work. We relied on Greg and Anne from the start for their prior carwash knowledge and guide to the area. We still work with and consider great friends Jerry and Sally Martin and Patty Kloeppping.”

With Duane Pluck, Dan Schaulas, Bob Nelson and Paulette Rahn or Randy and Whitey at FS, Mike Switzer, Steve Coulthard, Kim Haan at Eastland Fabrication or Roger Burkholder at Burkholder and Son, Art or Allen Crouse of Crouse Pumbing, Fred Patchkey at Do-It-Best in Mount Carroll, or Tressie and Chuck Colehour Carrol County Auto Parts, the Mucerino’s felt that they could get about anything built, fixed, fabricated or purchased.

Friends such as: Marlis or Rhett at Country Company Insurance, Ann at Cutting Edge, Bob at Shaw’s or Oz at Land of Oz, John Lindsay or Charley Laurent, they could stay in touch with anyone that was having a problem.

“With John Nelson, Dave Shaulis, or Don Gillfillan at Exchange Bank or Omar Wilhelm at Shannon State Bank, or Ed Mitchell, Lanark’s Lawyer or Mike Munz with U.P.S. I could get anything financed, written up and delivered.

“We truly are blessed to live in such a wonderful community of caring, hardworking, trustworthy people, just to mention a few. We are so glad to be here.”

Working For You

The Lanark Body Shop would like to thank all of their customers, past, present and future, for making them Carroll County’s oldest operating body shop. Being National Car Care month, let’s discuss auto insurance.

“We are bombarded daily with commercials about saving hundreds on auto insurance,” said owner Shawn Smith. “Be aware, cheap insurance means cheap repairs. Standard repairs with cut rate insurance companies allows them to use substandard, inferior, non crash tested parts.

“Most also highly suggest using their ‘preferred shops’ or shops on their lists. Statements such as ‘you may have to pay more,’ or ‘they are not on our list’ are scare tactics meant to push you to shops that are buddied up with that insurance company. Those shops must in turn use less than the best paints and materials and hire cheaper labor just to keep the doors open.”

Smith stated that the Lanark Body Shop works for the auto owner not the insurance company. Period! In the state of Illinois you are required to obtain one repair estimate and have the right to choose the repair facility. Lanark Body Shop’s commitment to first rate repairs, 100% customer satisfaction, no matter the insurance company, is proven by their longevity and loyal customer base.

Should you have any questions relating to auto body repairs, welding, sandblasting or painting of any kind, give the Lanark Body Shop a call or stop by and see their newly remodeled shop.

“Have a great summer and always drive defensively.”

Shawn G. Smith, Owner

The Cutting Edge

(L to R) Katie Schipkowski, Renea Witt, Ann Strohecker, Jessica Zumdahl, Brittany Welch . . . Beautifying Lanark since 19??.

A warm welcome to JorjAnn and Peter Fink of Rock Creek Technology and Design . . . Educating America. Meet them at their Open House Grand Opening during OSD weekend Friday and Saturday, June 24 & 25, from 8 to 4 pm. Door Prizes and Discounts. Rock Creek Technology and Design is located at 411 S Broad Street, Lanark, or visit their web site at www.rctech.biz (PA photo/A. Williamson)