Know Your Neighbors: Bill Burkardt, 
Golf course owner

Bill Burkardt, 72, has owned and operated Burkardt’s LP Gas, Polo, for 27 years.

Almost two years ago, he bought Edgewood Golf Course, also near Polo. Bill lives in Polo with his wife Bev Burkardt, 70. They have four daughters, Pam Ballard, 50, of Mount Morris, Patti Brewer, 49, of Los Angeles, Paula Faivre, 46, of Polo, and Penny Foster, 44, of Polo, and eight grandchildren.

On-the-job lesson: The best thing is always to be honest and truthful.

Alma mater: I graduated in 1955 from Mendota High School.

Philosophy: Don’t say you have to go to work. Say you get to go to work. If you really love what you’re doing, you’ll never work another day of your life.

Oughta be a law: If everyone was just honest with everyone, it would make the world so much better.

Hearts: Golf, playing cards and being with my grandkids.

Darts: Lazy, irresponsible people.

Haunts: Being with my grandkids and going to the golf course.

Hero: John Wayne, because of his sayings and the way he lived his life.

First job: I farmed by West Brooklyn when I was 21, and later farmed by Polo.

First car: A 1956 Mercury when I was 20.

People say I look like: When I was younger, people said Frank Sinatra.

Phobia: A gas leak you can’t find.

Guilty pleasure: Chocolate.

I’d like to meet: Henry Lipps, one of my grandfathers who died before I was born.

In the dictionary next to: Energetic.

Trading spaces: I’d like to visit Rome to see the Vatican and the pope.

Best thing about Polo: It’s a really caring place to live.

Shout out to: My wife.

Do you know someone who ought to be featured in Know Your Neighbors? Write to Phil Hartman at phartman@svnmail.com or call 800-798-4085, ext. 524.