Check out our November/December newsletter!
ksrequipment.com
805 E. Howard St. Pontiac, IL 61764 Phone: 815-842-1149 Pontiac
29987 N 300 East Road Streator, IL 61364 815-673-4320 Streator
1501 5th St. Lacon, IL 61540 309-246-2645 Lacon
A Business Built on Lasting Relationships
After 40 years in the farm equipment business, it is exciting to observe the changes in the farmers we serve, as many of our customers expand operations, add employees, or focus on increasing efficiencies and profits on existing farm ground. In each situation, it is imperative that we establish impeccable integrity and services to meet their changing demands. Gone are the days when a farmer would buy a simple product, set it up himself, and figure out how to make it work. In the 15 years of KSR, we have gone from one specialist in guidance products to five, and they’re all busy guiding the expanding operations, working with farms demanding more precision, or both. We love partnering with our customers and helping them succeed. One of the greatest joys of being a dealer is working with generations of farm families. We guide them to the perfect piece of equipment, the best finance plan, and the latest proven farming
practices. Our KSR team loves helping farmers stay viable, and that partnership goes both ways.
After many years in a John Deere dealership, our customers become our close friends as well as business partners. Yes, we are often in the same social circles, support our children’s school activities, and attend the weddings or funerals of our families, but the bond that results from working side by side through the farming seasons runs deep. We are thankful, and we appreciate the trust and bonds that have developed year after year, transaction after transaction. Recently, while pricing a piece of equipment for a young farmer, I recalled dealing with his great grandfather soon after entering the business. Now, four generations later, we still have the same appreciation and trust of a solid partnership. As one of the senior partners at KSR, it has been a joy to train the next generation, teaching everything we know, including our successes, victories, and failures. KSR is fortunate at Lacon, Streator, and Pontiac to have a new generation of talented co- workers willing to receive the baton. It has been a pleasure to have Dan Cassady in an office on one side and Zack Sauder on the other. It has been a joy to watch them learn the business and develop relationships with customers. It gives us confidence for the future as we watch them take over and deal successfully with our customers of 30-plus years. It is also a benefit to have them instantly available to guide us baby boomers as we increase reliance on our computers and devices. It’s great to be a part of the KSR family as we grow the next crop of dedicated partners!
-Ed Sauder ksrequipment.com | P1
Nov - Dec 2017
3 Cleaning ‘Rip-Offs’ That Actually Work
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But sometimes we stumble across a few hidden gems that make our lives easier. And, when it comes to cleaning house, we can all use a little “easier.” Check out these products you may have already written off and let them surprise you. Dollar Store Cleaning Products If you’ve ever ducked into the local dollar store to buy some Mylar balloons for your niece’s birthday party, you might have noticed the jugs and spray bottles plastered with the word “Awesome.” Surely, this knock-off soap can’t work as well as your brand-name products, right? You’d be surprised. Online reviewers sing Awesome’s praises, suggesting it should really be a higher price for how well it works. Just make sure you wear gloves when you use it. Detergent Pods You use too much soap in your washing machine and dishwasher. At least, that’s what the New York Times reported as the No. 1 complaint from repair people and appliance experts. Modern appliances are designed Client Testimonial McMahan Lawncare & Landscaping “I’ve been going to KSR since I started my business. I’ve always had Tyler McMahan
to use less water, and as soap becomes more concentrated, using too much can damage your machine. That’s what makes detergent pods so handy. They don’t look like they can clean all your dishes or an entire load of clothes, but they actually provide the perfect amount for modern machines. You save money on detergent and machine repair! Foam Cleaning Blocks Anything with “magic” in the title sounds like a scam. For this reason, you may have avoided the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and similar melamine foam products. But this is one case where the product lives up to its wild claims. Melamine foam is abrasive and can break down and remove material from fine cracks and textures, making it an effective cleaner. It can be used to whiten sneakers, clean tub scum, and remove permanent marker from your fridge. Since the snake oil salesmen in the days of old first tricked trusting folks out of their hard-earned cash, consumers have wised up and are quick to write off perceived scams. Still, every now then you get lucky, and the cheap white sponge really does make the stove look like new. But you should still think twice before you say yes to gas station sushi.
On Jan. 30, 2018, Bill Kallas will have worked at KSR Equipment (formerly Gardner Sales & Service) in Pontiac for 45 years. Bill started his career with us in 1973 as a parts salesperson, and five years later he became a full salesman. Since then, he has sat at the exact same desk, selling equipment to customers, customers’ children, and customers’ children’s children. Bill Kallas Employee Highlight
One of Bill’s fondest memories of working here was when he was driving a boom tractor in the parking lot and caught the wire of a telephone pole, knocking it over on the hood of a customer’s brand-new car. He had only been working here about a year and thought it was the end of his career. Luckily, the customer and Delbert Gardner, the owner at the time, were both very understanding and agreed, “That’s what we have insurance for!” Bill resides in Pontiac with his wife Kathy. He has three children and six grandchildren. He is a very avid golfer and a big Bears and Cubs fan! When he’s not playing golf, he’s watching his grandkids play sports. When asked how it feels to be working somewhere for almost 45 years, he said, “I always said you want to get a job that you get to go to, not a job that you have to go to.” Bill has never met a stranger. His personality allows him to make anyone comfortable, and everyone he helps knows that he has their best interest, as well as KSR’s, in mind. He can create a solution for any problem that comes through the door. Bill’s passion for the farm equipment and lawn and garden business, and his desire to satisfy customers’ needs with John Deere equipment, has made him a great asset to our team. Needless to say, we are very fortunate Delbert didn’t give him the boot 44 years ago!
great service and they always have the parts that I need when I need them. Being a lawn care company, if I break down, I need service fast. KSR has been great at getting to me quickly and even swapping my mower out for a loaner so I can keep working. Everyone, from the sales to the service people, is great!” -Tyler McMahan
P2 | ksrequipment.com
End of the Season Lawn and Garden Sale!
Is your old mower just not cutting it? (Get it? Ha-ha-ha!) Kick it to the curb and come see us for our very first End of the Season Lawn and Garden Sale. We have over 100 new and used units in stock and ready to find a new home in your garage: lawn mowers, snow blowers, compact utility tractors, and
gators in a variety of shapes and sizes. We’ve slashed the prices because we want them out of here! Plus, we’ve extended the sale through NOVEMBER just for you! Financing options are available. Come see us today!
*Prices shown do not include sales tax.
Have a Cow!
It only takes 3 ingredients to make these crispy, flavorful potatoes. They’re the perfect side dish for any meal. Roasted Parmesan Pesto Potatoes
INGREDIENTS
• 2 pounds red potatoes, quartered • 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• Salt and pepper, to taste • 3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
3. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over potatoes and put pan back in the oven. Roast for additional 10–15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and crispy. Remove from oven and serve warm. ( Recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com .)
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In large bowl, combine potatoes and pesto. Toss to coat. Transfer potatoes
to large baking sheet or shallow roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Roast 20 minutes and remove from oven.
ksrequipment.com | P3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
805 E. Howard St. Pontiac, IL 61764
Inside This Issue A Business Built on Lasting Relationships
PAGE 1
These Products Make Housework Easier!
PAGE 2
Testimonial and Employee Highlight
PAGE 2
End of the Season Lawn and Garden Sale
PAGE 3
Roasted Parmesan Pesto Potatoes
PAGE 3
New Year’s Around the World
PAGE 4
New Year’s Celebrations
From Every Corner of the Globe
Reykjavik, Iceland This time of year, the world’s northernmost capital only gets four hours of sunlight, so residents love an excuse to go wild. Beginning around 4 p.m., bonfires light up the city, burning off the past year’s negative vibes. It only gets more festive from there. And there’s no better way to cure a New Year’s hangover than visiting one of Iceland’s picturesque hot springs. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Just before celebrations reach their apex in America, Brazil’s most famous city puts on a party like no other. Revelers dress up in white and go to Copacabana Beach for an all-night celebration. Boats filled with flowers are put out to sea to honor the oceanic goddess Yemanja. Music, dancing, fireworks, and an unrivaled atmosphere — Rio has it all.
When you think of marquee New Year’s Eve parties, New York is probably what comes to mind. The Times Square ball drop has become an iconic moment that closes out the calendar, but it’s far from the only mega celebration. Let’s take a globe-trotting tour of some of the world’s biggest and best New Year’s Eve parties, time zone by time zone. Sydney, Australia Due to its location, Sydney is the first major city to close out one year and begin another. With this honor comes the dignified responsibility of getting the party started, and the city doesn’t hold back. The world’s largest fireworks display illuminates the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House, drawing over 1 million visitors every year. On Bondi Beach, there’s also a dance party that would make a music festival blush. Hong Kong, China China’s most cosmopolitan city recreates the famed ball drop in its own Times Square shopping mall. From there, locals go to Victoria Harbor, partying on boats and the city’s many rooftop and terrace bars. The grand finale? A stunning pyrotechnic dragon slithering across the sky. Berlin, Germany Celebrations in this capital begin with a wacky tradition: the Berliner Silvesterlauf. It’s a race where runners deck themselves out in their holiday best and flip pancakes as they run through the streets. When the sun sets, more than 1 million people gather at the Brandenburg Gate for a night of world-class bands and spectacular fireworks. Oh, and the afterparties last well into the morning.
If you follow the new year from one end of the world to the other, you might be a little tired by the time 2018 hits our shores. Partying with the entire world, however, makes the effort worthwhile.
P4 | ksrequipment.com
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