Civil War gravesites redicated in Batavia and more

Harry Reineke IV, a Batavia resident and member of the Sons of Union Veterans the Civil War, addresses the audience at a grave restoration dedication ceremony Oct. 28 at the West Batavia Cemetery.

     Area residents and public officials gathered Oct. 28 for a ceremony celebrating the restoration of several headstones at the graves of Civil War veterans at the West Batavia Cemetery.
     The brief ceremony was conducted by members of the Gen. Philip H. Sheridan Camp 2 chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. The group cleaned and restored several headstones of Civil War veterans at the cemetery earlier this year.
     The dedication ceremony included comments from local officials and the playing of "Taps."

St. Mark's to host holiday market
St. Mark's Lutheran Church in downtown St. Charles will host "Abundant Blessings," a holiday market featuring crafts, clothing, jewelry and other items, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 4.

Guitarist Jim Green to perform at STC library
The St. Charles Public Library will host a concert by guitarist Jim Green at 2 p.m. Nov. 12. Green’s acoustic stylings have been called relaxing and engaging. The performance is part of the library’s Sunday Concert series and will be presented in the library’s Carnegie Community Room. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. The library is located at One S. Sixth Ave. in downtown St. Charles.

Ellwood House to present Holiday Traditions
The Ellwood House Museum in DeKalb will its annual Holiday Traditions event beginning Nov. 15 and continuing through Nov. 30. The event includes guided tours of the museum with each room elegantly decorated for the holidays. The event is one of our favorites during the holiday season. Tickets are $10 for adults.

Batavia library welcomes local author
Batavia writer Marnie Mamminga will be the featured author at the Batavia Public Library's Book Between Bites program at noon Nov. 16. Mamminga will share essay from her most recent book "On a Clear Night". The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave., in downtown Batavia.

Library to screen “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
Our friends at the Messenger Public Library in North Aurora will show the musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" at 2 p.m. Nov. 19. The 1954 film stars Howard Keel and Jane Powell and is part of the library’s monthly Classic Cinema Sundays series. The library is located at 113 St., North Aurora. Admission is free but registration is encouraged. For more information, call 630-896-0240.

Farm Bureau features alpaca farms
The Illinois Farm Bureau's Partners magazine offers an interesting article about alpaca farms in Illinois, including the Timberview Alpaca Farm in Clinton. Here's an interesting fact: Alpaca fiber 22 natural shades, which allows farms to craft items with fiber and avoid using dyes that might harm the environment. I hope you find the report as interesting as I did.


— Share news and photos about your business or organization here. Email information and photos to kbottswrites@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Thank you for reading.

Corron Farm partners with museum for farm film

Submitted photo

Tom Corron over at the Corron Farm Preservation Society recently shared word that the farm will partner with the Elgin History Museum to help tell the history of dairy farming in the Elgin area. 
The society will provide documents and photos to the museum’s "Dairies to Prairies" project, a documentary film by the museum and Grindstone Productions. The Corron Farm was established in 1835 and produced milk for decades.
 The farm is preserved today to give visitors an idea of how farms operated in Kane County over the years, prior to suburban development. The farm is listed on the Kane County Register of Historic Places, according to information Corron shared.

Plenty of gems to be found in Batavia library’s local history collection
Many Batavia and Geneva residents are familiar with the intense athletic rivalry between the Bulldogs of Batavia High School and the Vikings of Geneva High School. But I’d bet many residents in both towns would be surprised to learn Batavia’s Bulldogs were once known as the Batavia Vikings.
It’s true, and the Batavia Public Library’s local history collection offers a concise history about the era when Batavia athletes competed as “Vikings.” George Scheetz, the library’s director, produced the history in 2011, and you don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy reading it.
I enjoy history in all its forms, from ancient to contemporary. I have a deep interest in local history and like to spend time with the Batavia Public Library’s local history collection. I still get a kick whenever I learn something new and interesting in the old records. You never know what kind of gems you might find.

Shell of Batavia welcomes Dunkin Donuts to Batavia Avenue
Shell of Batavia, 108 N. Batavia Ave., Batavia, recently announced the opening of a Dunkin Donuts store inside the station. The store offers walk-in and drive-through service. The Shell station was renovated inside and out to accommodate the Dunkin Donuts operation. Additional improvements are scheduled, and the station plans to host a grand opening celebration in the coming weeks.

Classic car shows return to Geneva
The Geneva Chamber of Commerce hosts the Geneva Classic Car Show every Thursday at 6 p.m. through Aug. 3 at the James Street parking lot, behind the old courthouse, in downtown Geneva. The show includes a DJ and food vendors. Admission is free.

STC library to host talk about female architects
The St. Charles Public Library will host author Anna M. Lewis at 7 p.m. July 18 as she discusses female architects, engineers and landscape designers from the 1800 to today. Admission is free. The library is located at 1 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. For more information, call the library at 630-584-0076.
 
Batavia library to look at switchels and oxymels
Cooking instructor Mary Krystinak will discuss non-alcoholic drinks that were developed during America’s prohibition era at 7 p.m. July 19 at the Batavia Public Library. The program will feature shrubs, switchels and oyxmels, drinks that were spiked with vinegar. Attendees can participate in preparing the drinks. The program is free, but registration is required. For more information or to register, call 630-879-1393

Elderday Center sets annual fashion show
The Elderday Center in Batavia will host Caring From the Heart, a fashion show, at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 19 at the Lincoln Inn, 1345 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. The event benefits the center’s daily programming. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about the event, call Lori at 630-761-9750

Two final items
• I enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables. I think some of the best produce around can be found at the many farmer’s markets in the Fox Valley areas. I visit at least two each week and enjoy meeting the various vendors. The Kane County Farm Bureau offers the Bounty of Kane, a listing of the area’s seasonal farm markets. I imagine there’s a market near you, so get out and enjoy some fresh produce.

• I heard my first Back to School sale commercial for the 2017 school year on July 2, and I think that’s just too darn early, in my opinion. I won’t mention the retailer that was doing the advertising. I’m not looking for trouble, and I know some folks like to plan ahead and get these things addressed early. But Batavia schools dismissed for the summer just over a month ago. Life moves too fast on its own without us pushing it along. Try to enjoy the summer while it lasts, and enjoy today. Besides, there will be plenty of time in August to buy those supplies.





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Farming's history and Swedish Days in Geneva

Kevin Botterman photo

Garfield Farm to look at farming and democracy
The Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills, will present Early American Farming’s Role in Democracy, featuring Judith Broggi, at 1 p.m. June 17. Broggi will discuss the farming tradition in Massachusetts, its role in the American Revolution, and its influence on Illinois history. Admission is $6. For more information, visit

Walking tour features Sycamore homes, history
The Sycamore History Museum will host guided walking tours of Sycamore’s Main Street beginning at 1 p.m. June 18. The tours will feature the architecture and local history of several private homes and public buildings, including the DeKalb County Court House and the Sycamore Public Library. The tours will start at the courthouse in downtown Sycamore. The fee is $5 per person. For more information, call 815-895-5762.


Geneva celebrates summer with Swedish Days fest
The annual Swedish Days festival will begin June 21 and continue through June 25 at various locations in downtown Geneva. The festival offers activities and entertainment for all ages, including live music, demonstrations, a carnival, crafts, sales, food, and a parade. For details, visit genevachamber.com.

Yorkville to host Midwest Car Show
The Midwest Street Rod Association will present its Gears and Ears Midwest Car Show June 25 at the Kendall County Fairgrounds in Yorkville. The show will be open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and features more than 600 vehicles.

A closing thought: 
    The International Olympic Committee recently announced it would add 3-on-3 basketball to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, aiming to appeal to a younger audience, according to ESPN.
    The 3-on-3 hoops competition will join recently added events such as surfing, climbing and skateboarding. 
    I am not interested in any of the added sports and can’t imagine the move will produce the results the IOC seeks. I follow news from the marketing industry rather closely, including efforts to successfully market to the millennial (those born between 1982 and 2004, roughly) demographic. 
    There’s a good chance that I am wrong, but I don’t think the Olympics will capture the millennial audience with skateboarding and other niche events. The Olympics face a variety of challenges, perhaps the greatest is convincing audiences the games remain relevant. 
    Audiences in the United States enjoy a range of televised distractions, and World Cup soccer generates stronger ratings with an international audience than the Olympics.
    If the IOC’s gamble pays off and skateboarding and modified-basketball competition attracts a younger audience, perhaps we’ll see similar additions to future Olympic games, say maybe a craft beer brewing event that includes a participation trophy for each brewer.




– Thank you for reading. Share news and photos about your organization or business here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo.

Batavia Lions Club to host annual pancake breakfast

The Batavia Lions Club will host its 40th annual pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 8 at the East Side Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren St. in downtown Batavia. The breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, coffee and milk. Tickets are $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 4 to 12. Children ages 3 and younger are free.

Elburn chamber plans annual craft fair
The Elburn Chamber of Commerce will host its annual craft fair April 1 at the Elburn & Countryside Community Center, 525 N. Main St., Elburn. The fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will include crafters, community organizations, refreshments for purchase and other attractions. For more information, call the chamber at 630-365-2295.

Evensen unveils new website
Christine Evensen at RealStar Realty recently unveiled her new website. Evensen specializes in residential real estate, and her site offers a variety of information about listings, finance tools and market data. You can reach Evensen at 630-399-2696.

Wade's World of Working opens in Batavia
Wade’s World of Wood Working recently set up shop at 951 W. Wilson St., Batavia. Wade specializes in Adirondack furniture and custom-made indoor furniture. Visit Wade’s website and follow him on Facebook. Welcome to the neighborhood, Wade, and best wishes.

Andres' marks 10th anniversary
Our Friends at Andres' Restaurant in Batavia recently marked their 10th anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted with Batavia Chamber of Commerce. We frequently visit Andres for breakfast and lunch. The bacado omelette is my favorite. Andres is located at 5 Webster St. in downtown Batavia.

Batavia chamber welcomes Allstate office
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony at March 14 at Jim Towns’ Allstate office,  713 W. Main St., Batavia.

Library to host Dewey Dash 5K
The Town and Country Public Library in Elburn will host its 13th annual Dewey Dash 5K run and Walk at 9 a.m. April 9 at the library, 320 E. North St. For more information, call 630-365-2244.


— Share news about your organization or business here. Email information and photos to kbottswrites@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Thank you for reading Fox Valley Notes.

Monika uses 'off seasaon' to refine bakery skills

Courtesy photo

Monika’s Organic Bakery is one of our favorite vendors at Batavia’s outdoor Farmers’ Market, and we happily followed Monika’s Facebook updates from Germany, where she recently spent a month at a bakery academy. Monika further developed her skills in bread making and dessert preparation. Monika’s bakery is located in Kingston and Monika regularly offers her baked goods at winter markets in St. Charles and Woodstock. During the summer months, Monika participates in outdoor markets in DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties. Batavia’s Farmers’ Market is scheduled to open June 3.

Library to host ESPN writer
The Batavia Public Library will host a presentation featuring ESPN senior writer Lester Munson at noon March 16. Munson will discuss two sports books, “The Last Innocents” by Michael Leahy and “All the Way” by Jordin Tootoo. The presentation is part of the Books Between Bites program. Admission is free and attendees may bring a lunch to enjoy during the hour-long program. The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave. For more information, call 630-879-1393.

Messenger library to screen 'Some Like It Hot'
The Messenger Public Library in North Aurora will show the classic 1959 comedy “Some Like It Hot” at 2 p.m. March 19. The movie stars Tony Curtis Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon. The screening is part of the library’s monthly Classic Cinema Sundays series. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, call 630-896-0240. The library is located at 113 Oak St., North Aurora

Here comes 'Restaurant Madness Week'
Batavia’s 2017 Restaurant Madness Week is set for March 20 24 and will include 30 Batavia eateries. For a list of participating restaurants and a coupon, click here.
The event is presented by Batavia MainStreet, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and the City of Batavia.

From the farm bureau:
The Kane County Farm Bureau recently shared these interesting facts:
• More than 30 million acres of land in Illinois are used for agricultural purposes.
• Illinois has about 1,500 different soil types.
• The average depth of Illinois top soil is 12.6 inches.
• The average age of an Illinois farmer is 56, and each Illinois farmer feeds 156. (And that average age fact ought to fuel some concern for each of us.)
• Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state.

Here’s what I think:
• I frequently comment about the sad condition of state government in Illinois, so I want to balance some of my criticism with a bit of praise. I had reason in recent months to visit two different facilities operated by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, one in Aurora and another in Elgin, and I left impressed with the staff’s efficiency and professionalism. I completed my business at both locations in less than 10 minutes and was tended to by workers who were pleasant and professional. I just wanted to go on the record with that before I return to complaining about the state legislature.

• When it comes to Hollywood depictions of military drill instructors, I can’t imagine any actor topping R. Lee Ermey’s performance as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in 1987’s “Full Metal Jacket”,  but Vince Vaughn does a fine job as Sgt. Howell in Mel Gibson’s Oscar-winning World War II saga “Hacksaw Ridge”. Lori and I recently watched the film, and I recommend it, but do not let the humor in this scene mislead you. The film’s combat scenes are beyond intense, and Mel really has a thing for flamethrowers.
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Concert, holiday programs highlight upcoming events

Photo by Kevin Botterman

Concert puts spotlight on Broadway tunes
The St. Charles Public Library will host Two for One Broadway, a cabaret performance featuring Matt and Cynthia Gruel, at 2 p.m. Nov. 13. The show will feature music from seven Broadway shows from the 1940s to the present. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. The show is part of the library’s Sunday Concert program. For more information or to register, call 630-584-0076. The library is located at 1 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles.

Library program to feature Our Lady of Angels fire
Jim Gibbons will discuss the Our Lady of the Angels School fire during a program at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Geneva Public Library. The 1958 fire at Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago claimed the lives of 92 children and three nuns.  Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. For more information, call 630-232-0780, ext. 251. On a personal note, my mother is still moved by her memories of the tragedy. Mom was raised in Chicago, but was residing in the suburbs at the time of the fire. I imagine the library's presentation will be a challenging but worthwhile experience for attendees old enough to remember the incident.

Senior center sets annual Holiday Craft Fair
The Oswego Senior Center will present its sixth annual Holiday Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19. The fair will feature hand-made items by more than 65 artists and crafters. Admission is free. The fair also will include a cookie sale, door prizes and other attractions. The center is located at 156 E. Washington, Oswego.  For more information, call 630-554-5602.

Festival of Lights program welcomes the holidays
Batavia will welcome Santa and the holiday season during its annual Festival of Lights program from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Batavia Riverwalk, 151 Island Ave., in downtown Batavia. 
    Santa is scheduled to arrive at 5:30 p.m. and will assist in lighting the community Christmas tree before sitting down to visit with children.
    The event will include a holiday craft fair, music, hayrides and other activities. Visitors can tour Christmas Tree Lane, a special attraction featuring 25 tress decorated by local businesses and organizations. Admission is free. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
    For more information, call 630-879-5235. The festival is presented by the Batavia Park District, the City of Batavia, Batavia MainStreet, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and the Batavia Police Department.

Did you know:
The Kane County Farm Bureau recently shared some interesting facts about cranberries, including these tidbits:
• The first recorded yield of cranberries was grown and harvested in 1816 in Dennis, MA.
• Honeybees are used to pollinate cranberry crops.
• Wisconsin ranks No. 1 in cranberry production.
• Cranberries need sandy soil, abundant fresh water and a growing season from about May to October. Cranberries are grown in the dry bed and then beds are flooded with water.


— Share news about your organization or business here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Thank you for reading. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

So long October and welcome November

As we prepare to set our clocks to daylight-saving time and close the book on October 2016, here's a look at some November calendar highlights and a bit of farming news.

Elburn church plans harvest dinner
The Elburn Community Congregational Church will host its annual Harvest Dinner benefit Nov. 6. The dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will include fried chicken, ham, potatoes, green beans and other items. Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for children. Children ages 6 dine for free. The church is located at 100 E. Shannon St., Elburn. For more information, call 630-365-6544.

Park District to host Heritage Day
The Geneva Park District will host Heritage Day on Nov. 12 at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road. Visitors can learn about the Peck family and enjoy a variety of activities, including sheep herding. The program will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will offer attractions for all ages. For more information, call 232-4542.

St. Mark's Lutheran Church sets Christmas market
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Charles will host a Christmas market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 12. Visitors will find crafts, artisans and other vendors. The event also will include a cookie walk, a silent auction, hourly drawings, children’s activities and other attractions. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, call 630-584-8683. The church is located at 101 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles.
 
Lundeen's, Blumen Gardens partner for event
Lundeen’s Discount Liquors in St. Charles will partner with Blumen Gardens in Sycamore to offer their annual fall wine event from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 12. The event will be on the grounds of Blumen Gardens, 325 Edward St., Sycamore, and will include a variety of wines and an appetizer buffet. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 815-899-1231.

Illinois corn, soybean harvest nearly complete
Illinois farmers harvested more than 83 percent of the state’s corn and soybean crops by late October, according to federal agriculture officials. The figure is above the five-year average for October of 77 percent, but below the 91 percent harvested by this time in 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Federal officials also said farmers have planted 68 percent of the winter wheat crop and about 38 percent of the crop has emerged.

Did you know:
The Kane County Farm Bureau recently shared information about pecans. Here are some of the details I found interesting:
• About 78 pecans are used in an average pecan pie. That’s important for those of us who enjoy a well-crafted pecan pie.
• More than 80 percent of the world’s pecan crop comes from the United States. Who knew?
• Pecan trees only produce nuts every two years, but pecan trees can live more than 300 years and produce nuts throughout that time.
• The Pecan is heart healthy and contains antioxidants and 19 vitamins.


— Share news and information about your business or organization here. Email news and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Thank you for reading. Your comments are always welcome.