Page 20 2026 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS June/July 2026 In 2005, Ransom was instrumental in getting the John Parke Gillett Memorial Bridge named one of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Structures in Illinois by Landmarks Illinois. Ransom owns the Country Bumpkin Antiques and Collectibles in Elkhart. Hobson said in 1990, Ransom, her mom and her husband bought the building the Country Bumpkin is currently in and did a complete restoration. The Country Bumpkin opened in October of 2014 and is celebrating its twelfth anniversary this year. Besides everything Ransom has done for the village, she helps a lot of people. She is an active member of the Christian Church who does good works in the village spearheading new projects. Downtown business owner Andrea Niehaus, who runs Horsefeathers, Little Foxes and Wild Hare Café with her husband Peter Niehaus, said Gillette is always the first person to jump in when anybody needs help or advice. Niehaus says, “I remember years ago when Peter was having a serious health crisis and I didn't know how to deal with it, so I called her and she came to the house, called 911 and took charge, even going to the hospital with me. Another time my ancient car conked out on I-55. I called her and she ran over to pick me up and told me what to do next.” Ransom’s caring spirit extends to many people. Andrea Niehaus says, “She's very aware of our seniors in the village and has arranged get- togethers and meals if needed when someone is ill.” When the Niehaus’s beloved cat Marmalade died, Andrea said, “she buried him for me up on the farm in a grove of trees and marked the grave with stones and said a prayer. Gillette is a very kind and well-meaning person and always makes time to help out.” Hobson shares similar sentiments. She says, “Gillette really is a very sweet and genuine person. I met her when I worked at the [Elkhart Public] library in 2010, but I didn't really get to know her until she had posted an ad in 2016 looking for help around the Country Bumpkin.” Though Hobson had not worked with antiques before, she says, “I applied even though I knew nothing about antiques, but I thought it was kind of funny because one of the job requirements was a sense of humor. I thought she was joking but came to find out that's not
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