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.





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

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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Still plenty to do in a busy January

I like to think I manage time well, but I am always surprised (and a little intimidated) by how fast time passes. I looked at my calendar this afternoon and realized the first month of new year is more than half gone and running down quickly. I've jotted down a few items on scraps of paper and wanted to share them with you.

Library program to feature Wright Brothers Jan. 21
The Books Between Bites program at the Batavia Public Library will host a presentation about “The Wright Brothers,” David McCullough’s account of the Wright Brothers journey to Kitty Hawk. Barbara Kalina, a former history and literature teacher with the Batavia school district will lead the presentation and discussion from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 21 at the library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. For more information, call the library at 630-879-1393. 



Music boosters to host pancake breakfast
The Marmion-Rosary Music Boosters will host their annual pancake breakfast from 8:30 to
1 p.m. July 24 at Marmion Academy’s Lux Dining Hall. The event will include musical entertainment. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. The breakfast will include unlimited pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and beverages. For more information, call 630-897-6936.


Geneva school district unveils new website
Geneva School District 304 officials recently unveiled the district's new website, featuring a crisp and bright look. I still enjoy visiting websites just to see the type of design and presentation techniques organizations employ to tell their stories. I think the school district did a fine job with their redesign effort, but visit the site and decide for yourself.

Slow down and enjoy better health
One of the best ways to improve overall health and peace of mind is to slow down, according to a recent report from our friends at AARP. The report offers some simple steps to follow in the new year. One of my favorites is the suggestion to slow life’s busy pace with writing. It seems making time to sit down and write (either with pen or keyboard) offers many benefits, including an easing in our need for speed. I added “write more” to my new year’s resolution list, and I hope the health benefits alone will be motivation enough to make writing more a resolution I can keep throughout the year.


Extension offers valuable tips
I always enjoy reading the University of Illinois Extension's blog posts and reports. The extension's staff covers everything from agriculture and gardening to nutrition and consumer tips. I particularly enjoy the gardening advice and enjoy thinking about gardening activities during January's bitter-cold days. Planning for springtime tasks helps to keep me going when daytime high temperatures are in the single digits.
 
Movin’ On
Sending out some tardy congratulations to Ryan Klassy, who recently ended a good run as information director at the Kane County Farm Bureau to take on a new job at a local community college. I met Ryan about eight years ago while I was working for the Chicago Tribune and always enjoyed coordinating the Tribune’s coverage of the farm bureau’s activities. I also enjoyed reading Ryan’s columns in the farm bureau’s monthly publication. Best wishes in the new gig, Ryan.


— Share news and photos about your organization or business here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com.


 

Batavia to launch Winter Farmers Market Jan. 10

Batavia’s Winter Farmers Market will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 10 at Gaetano’s Batavia, 15 E. Wilson St. The market will offer organic breads, meats, eggs, and other items. The market will be open Saturdays through May 23. The market is presented by Batavia MainStreet.

All Canada Show continues at Pheasant Run
The annual All-Canada Show, featuring a fishing and hunting expo, continues Jan. 9 to Jan. 11 at the Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.  The show will offer exhibits, seminars and presentations. The show will be open 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors. Children ages 17 and younger are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, call 920-362-0966. 

Books Between Bites
The Batavia Public Library will its next installment of the Books Between Bites program at 1 p.m. Jan. 15. Steven Sullivan, a retired judge, will discuss Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and the Golden Age of Journalism. Sullivan will discuss some of the event and personalities included in the book. The program is open to the public and admission is free. Attendees are invited to bring a lunch and eat during the program. The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave. in downtown Batavia. For information about future programs, click here.

Daddio’s featured in Illinois Farm Bureau publication
Daddio’s Diner, 134 W. Wilson St. in downtown Batavia, was featured in the winter edition of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s "Illinois Partners" magazine. I can endorse all the good things the article reports about Daddio’s. The cinnamon-raisin French toast is one of favorite items from Daddio’s menu, but I have a long list of favorites there. Make a point to visit Daddio’s and enjoy a meal. For more information about Daddio’s call 630-879-5299.

More from the Illinois Farm Bureau
I always enjoy reading the Illinois Farm Bureau’s "Illinois Partners" magazine. Each edition contains a variety of information about Illinois agriculture and Illinois farmers. The magazine covers a range of topics. Here’s a sampling from the publication’s winter edition:
• Dianne Ruff of downstate Lincoln is an artist who works with wheat. She practices the art of wheatweaving, according to an article by Joanie Stiers. Judging by the pictures accompanying the article, Ruff appears to a talented weaver of wheat. 
• Illinois farms produced 46.2 million bushels of wheat in 2014, ranking the state near among the top 15 wheat producing states in the U.S. according to Wheat 101, an interesting little article.
• Jan Phipps offers Tips for the Aging Gardener, a brief item chock full of helpful suggestions. I am not a talented gardener, but I like the activity and enjoy the outdoors. I make a point of visiting local hardware stores and garden centers during the winter months just to look at outdoor tools and daydream about warm days and sunny skies. 

And one more item from the Illinois Farm Bureau
Our friends at the Illinois Farm Bureau sent word reminding us January is National Egg Month and sharing some interesting facts about eggs. Here are some of the points I found most interesting.
• About 6.1 billion dozen eggs are produced each year in the U.S.
• A typical adult will eat about 250 eggs each year. I’m sure total count of consumed eggs is much higher than the average.
• Illinois is ranked 25th in the nation for egg production.•Most eggs produced today will be at the grocery store within 72 hours. That is an accomplishment worth noting, I think.Share news and photos about your organization or business here. 

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Batavia's annual Art In Your Eye Fest opens Sept. 19

The 10th annual Art In Your Eye Festival will open at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 in downtown Batavia and will continue through Sept. 21, offering exhibits, live music, and attractions for all ages.

The festival will be open 10 a.m. to 10: 30 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For a schedule of events, click here. Admission and parking are free.

The festival features a fine arts show, an exhibit at Batavia’s City Hall, the Avenue of the Arts, and children’s art activities. The festival also includes a beer and wine tent, and activities at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Food will be available for purchase.

Friday’s schedule includes musical entertainment by Noah’s Arcade at 6 p.m. and Libido Funk Circus at 8 p.m. 

Saturday’s musical entertainment schedule features performances by Spectators at 6 p.m. and Modern Day Romeos at 8 p.m. 

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Kane County Fair opens July 17

The Neverly Brothers is one of many bands that will provide musical entertainment at the Kane County Fair, which opens July 17 and continues through July 21 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. The fair offers a wide variety of summer activities, including a carnival, free shows, exhibits, livestock displays, a battle of the bands, a demolition derby and championship bull riding. The fair also serves up a variety of food. The fair is a wonderful summer tradition and one you will want to attend. The carnival offers ticket specials and the fair's website offers coupons. 

More summer fun
For those seeking more summer fun, Batavia's Windmill City Fest continues through July 14 in downtown Batavia, and the 35th annual St. Sophia Greek Festival continues through July 14 on the grounds at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 525 Church Road, Elgin. Both festivals offer food, entertainment and attractions for all ages.

Watch the Tour de France at Chez Moi

Chez Moi Cafe & Catering, 415 W. State St. in downtown Geneva is showing the Tour de France during breakfast hours mornings through July 21. Visitors can view the race and enjoy special offerings each week. For more information, call Chez Moi at 331-248-0654. 

Speaker to share the history of golf

The Batavia Public Library will host a presentation by golf historian Peter Longo at 7 p.m. July 16. Longo will present a humorous, fact-filled look at golf’s 600-year history. The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged and can be completed by calling 630-879-1393, ext. 200.

Movies for $1

Randall 15 IMAX, 550 N. Randall Road, Batavia, is screening children’s movies from 10 a.m. to noon daily during the summer. Admission is $1. “Space Chimps” is the featured movie July 15 through July 19, and “Ice Age: Continental Drift” will be featured July 22 through July 26. For more information, call 630-225-8400.

http://www.gqti.com/theaters.aspx?theaterid=1468

Library to offer felting program

Elburn's Town and Country Public Library will host felting for teens at 10:30 a.m. July 16. The program is for those in grades 6 to 12 and will be presented by Natasha Lehrer of Esther’s Place in Big Rock. The library is located at 320 E. North St., Elburn. Participants are asked to register for the program. For more information, call 630-365-2244.

Cougars to host Bark in the Park

The Kane County Cougars will celebrate man’s best friend when the team hosts Bark in the Park at 6:30 p.m. July 17 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva. The event will include a dog parade, contests and an appearance by the Fly Dogs. Dogs will have free admission to the lawn area. A water station and a doggie restroom will be available. For more information, call 630-232-8811.  The Cougars will play the Great Lakes Loons. 

A Celebration in Chocolate

Interiors for Business, 409 N. River St., Batavia, will host a Celebration in Chocolate from 6 to 9 p.m. July 19. The evening will feature wine, chocolate to celebrate the unveiling of the poster for the 2013 Art in Your Eye Fine Art Show and Festival. Tickets are $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 630-220-1425. This year's festival will be conducted Sept. 21 and Sept. 22 in downtown Batavia.

Geneva Jake's to close July 29

Rick Nagel at Geneva Patch recently reported that Geneva Jake's, 407 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva will close its doors later this month after a five-year run. The store is now conducting a final sale. I'm a big fan of the store and have enjoyed Geneva Jake's postings on Facebook. Lori and I like to support independent businesses, and we're disappointed to see this one close. On a related note, Three B (Brothers, Burgers and Beer) at 7 W. State St. in downtown Geneva recently closed its doors, according to a report by the Kane County Chronicle’s Brenda Schory. The business had been open less than year.

A boat-load of fish, but not a world record

One of the more interesting news stories of the past week, in my opinion, concerned Johnny Wilkins' effort on July 5 to set a new world record for the number of fish caught in a 24-hour period. Wilkins, a La Grange resident, caught and released 2,011 fish using a rod and a simple hook at an Oakbrook Terrace pond, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. As impressive as that number is, Wilkins was 638 fish shy of the record 2,649 fish, which was set in 2011 in Minnesota. Wilkins said he needed to catch 1.8 fish per minute to break the record. Wilkins told the Tribune he had trained for six months to develop his upper body strength. He also said he plans to to make another try for the record next year. I wish you well in your endeavors, Mr. Wilkins.

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Arcada Theatre to welcome Gretchen Wilson

Country singer Gretchen Wilson 

Submitted photo

The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will welcome award-winning country rocker Gretchen Wilson for an 8 p.m. performance May 24. Tickets for the show start at $39. The Arcada is located at 105 E. Main St. in downtown St. Charles. For more information about the show or to purchase tickets, call 630-962-7000.

Library event features ecology at Fermilab

The Batavia Public Library’s New Lyceum Lecture series will host a presentation by restoration ecologist Ryan E. Campbell at 7 p.m. May 20. Campbell will present More Than Physics: The Ecology of Fermilab. Campbell will share details about the restoration projects at Fermilab. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged and can be completed by calling the library at 630-879-1393, ext. 200. The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia.

Rotary club plans car show

The Wilmington Rotary Club will host a Car Show and Cruise from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 18 at North Island Park on historic Route 66 in Wilmington. The event will include a raffle, children’s activities and food. The registration fee to display a vehicle is $10 per car. Proceeds will benefit local charities. Spectators are admitted free.

Star gazing at Peck Farm Park

The Fox Valley Astronomical Society will host a Public Star Party at 7:30 p.m. May 18 at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. The event will begin with a short presentation in the orientation barn. The program will then move outside, where participants can view the moon, Saturn, Jupiter and the Whirlpool Galaxy through a telescope provided by members of the society. Guests may also bring their own telescopes. 

Sugar Grove American Legion plans fundraiser

The Sugar Grove American Legion Post 1211, 65 First St., Sugar Grove, will host a fundraiser starting at 6:30 p.m. June 1. Pulled pork sandwiches will be available for purchase for $5. The sandwich will come with coleslaw and chips. The Duke Band will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. For more information about the event, call 630-466-9700.

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Batavia library to look a sports, Cajun culture

The Batavia Public Library is located in downtown Batavia.

   The Batavia Public Library will close out February with special programs that will feature the world of professional sports and the music of Cajun culture. 
    ESPN editor Lester Munson returns to the library at noon on Thursday, Feb. 21 to discuss "Over Time: My Life as a Sportswriter" by Frank DeFord and "Dream Team" by Jack McCallum. The program is part of the library's Books Between Bites series, and attendees are invited to bring a lunch or purchase one from the 10 South Coffee House, located inside the library.
     The library will present "The Cajuns: Their History, Language, Culture and Song" at 2 p.m. Feb. 24. The program will feature the Midway Ramblers. The entertainers will perform Cajun music and share details about Cajun culture. The program is part of the library's Sundays on Stage series. Admission is free, but registration is required.
    The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave. in downtown Batavia. For more information, call 630-879-1393.

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Batavia library to offer music program

The Batavia Public Library will host a music program on Jan. 5.

File photo

The Batavia Public Library will host a classical music program at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. Music historian Jim Kendros will explain how to listen to classical music and will discuss the works of Vivaldi and other composers. The program is a preview to the "The Four Seasons" concert by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre. The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. The music program is free, but registration is required. Registration can be completed online or by calling 630-879-1393, ext. 200.

Park district to host 5K run Feb. 3
The Geneva Park District is accepting registration for its Super Bowl Shuffle 5K Run on Sunday, Feb. 3. The race will begin at 10 a.m. at Geneva Middle School South, 1415 Viking Drive, Geneva. The early registration fee is $34. The deadline for early registration is 4 p.m. Jan. 31. The registration fee on Feb. 3 is $39. Check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m. on Feb. 3. For more information, call 630-232-4542.  A party will follow the run and will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kane County Fairground’s Robinson Hall. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The party is sponsored by the Dam Bar & Grill in Geneva.

Mother's Club to meet
The Geneva Mother's Club will met at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road, Geneva. The meeting will feature a presentation by Sue Underhill, a counselor, who will discuss the psychology of dieting. For more information, visit www.mothersclubofgeneva.org.

Batavia couple to open gelato cafe
Andrea and Tora Chiappelli of Batavia plan to open O'Sole Mio, a gelato cafe, at 27 N. River Street in February. The couple will serve gelato, an Italian version of ice cream, as well as other items, including beer, wine and mixed drinks, according to a report in the Kane County Chronicle.

Open Range Grill to open Batavia location
The Open Range Grill at Bliss Greek Golf Club in Sugar Grove plans to open a Batavia location Jan. 4 at the former location of the Lodge on the Fox restaurant at Houston and North Water Street. The restaurant will offer barbecue, pizza and craft beers. For more information about the Open Range Grill, go to www.openrangegrill.com.

—Share news and photos of your business or organization here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information with each submitted photo.