History center to host author Annie Hansen

The Geneva History Center will host a book signing featuring author Annie Hansen and “Give Me Chocolate,” a Kelly Clark mystery, at 2 p.m., May 10. Admission is $10. Hansen is a local author, and the mystery series is set in Geneva. The history center is located at 113 S. Third St., Geneva. For more information or to make a reservation, call 630-232-4951.

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Time again for the St. Charles Fine Arts Show

The St. Charles Fine Art Show is May 25-26.

Courtesy photo

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership will present the 15th annual St. Charles Fine Art Show May 25 and May 26 on Riverside Avenue, between Route 64 and Illinois Avenue. The show will include 100 juried artists, demonstrations, live music and other attractions. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free parking is available at several nearby city lots. For more information about the event, call 630-443-3967.

History center looks at bygone occupations

The Geneva History Center continues its wonderful tradition of engaging presentations with Cobbler, Tailor and Trunkmaker: How My Grandpappies Made a Living at 7:30 p.m. May 23. Ginger Frere of the Newberry Library will discuss how some of our ancestors earned a living. The center is located at 113 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva. For more information, call 630-232-4951. 

Sugar Grove American Legion plans fundraiser

Our friends at 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. Each 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.

You're correct — 2013 is wetter than usual

Gilbert Sebenste, the staff meteorologist at Northern Illinois University, reports our area has received 1.59 inches of rainfall equivalent as of May 22. On average, the area should receive 4.55 inches of rainfall equivalent by May 31. So far this year, the area has recorded 17.86 inches of rainfall equivalent. Our average annual liquid total should be 13.09 inches by May 31, according to Sebenste. For more of Sebenste's fine reporting about area weather and discussions about our climate, go to www.weather.admin.niu.edu.

Park district launches paddle boat season

The Batavia Park District will launch the paddle boat season May 25 near the Peg Bond Center at 151 Island Ave. in downtown Batavia. The paddle boats are available for rent from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Boats are available from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call the park district at 630-879-5235. 

Visit Geneva's French Market

The Geneva French Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 26 in the commuter Metra parking lot near Fourth and South streets in downtown Geneva. Visitors will find fresh produce, tasty treats, crafts and other products at the market. The market is open Sundays through Nov. 10. For more information, call 312-575-0286. 

STC East junior named Athlete of the Week

Congrats to St. Charles East High School junior Jasper Koenen on being named the Kane County Chronicle's Athlete of the Week on May 22. Koenen won the singles title May 18 at the Geneva Boys Tennis Sectional. The Chronicle features Koenen in an interview here.

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Batavia celebrates Restaurant Madness

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is hosting Restaurant Madness through Saturday,  March 9.  More than 20 restaurants are participating in the special event. Diners can enjoy good food and save money all week long.

Dick Tracy cartoonist to visit Geneva
Dick Locher, a Dick Tracy cartoonist and a Pulitzer Prize winner, will speak at the Geneva History Center at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9. Locher will discuss his experience as an artist and his work as a syndicated editorial cartoonist. The center is located at 113 S. Third St., Geneva. Admission to the program is $10 for adults and $5 for students and members of the Geneva History Center. For more information about the event, call 630-232-4951. 

Books vs Badges benefit game
The fourth annual Books vs Badges Benefit Basketball Game will be played Sunday, March  10 at Batavia High School. The event features teachers from Batavia schools playing against members of the Batavia Police Department and the Batavia Fire Department. The doors will open at 4 p.m.  Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for seniors, students and children. Proceeds from the game will benefit the Batavia 4^th of July Fireworks Fund.

Fox Valley Orchestra plans concert
The Fox Valley Orchestra will present “All Things English,” a concert featuring classical favorites by English composer Edward Elgar, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For tickets, call 630-584-7200 or go to www.norrisculturalarts.com.

Chamber sets candidates forum

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will host a forum featuring the candidates for Batavia’s City Council at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave. The event is open to the public. Candidates for alderman will have the opportunity to comment on five questions. For more information about the event, click here. 

Geneva Underground Playhouse closes
I was disappointed to learn that the operators of the Geneva Underground Playhouse in downtown Geneva recently closed its doors and ceased operations. The playhouse was located in the basement of the Urban Grille restaurant, 524 W. State St. A spokeswoman for the playhouse said supporters could not raise the funds to maintain operations. The Tri-Cities is home to an active arts community, but the GUP will be missed.

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Judson University names new president

Gene C. Crume, Jr.

Judson University in Elgin named Gene C. Crume, Jr. as the school's seventh president on Feb. 8. Crume replaces Jerry B. Cain, who retired in 2012, and will begin his duties May 10. Crume most recently served as an independent consultant with St. Mary's University of Minnesota and the Peru State College Foundation in Nebraska. 

Geneva History Center series to feature Coultrap Elementary School
The Geneva History Center's Brown Bag Lunch series will host Memories of Coultrap, a discussion about Coultrap Elementary School, at noon Tuesday, Feb. 12. The presentation will include a history of the building and comments from Geneva residents. The fee for the program is $5 for adults and $3 for members of the history center. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch. Coffee and cookies will be provided. The center is located at 113 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva. For more information, call the center at 630-232-4951.

The Mystery Diner visits the State Street Diner
The Kane County Chronicle's Mystery Diner recently visited the State Street Diner, 630 W. State St., Geneva, and was impressed with the tasty offerings, including Mexican dishes, and hearty portions. The diner is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dress is casual, of course. I enjoy reading the Mystery Diner's reviews and frequently visit the restaurants featured in the reviews. I am happy to report that I always leave satisfied. 

Chick-fil-A opens in Batavia
Chick-fil-A recently opened a new restaurant on Randall Road in Batavia, near the Target store. The Kane County Chronicle recently reported on the grand opening. Welcome to the neighborhood and best wishes. 

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