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.

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. 

Local communities plan 4th of July events

• Planit Kane offers a listing of 4th of July fireworks displays in the Fox Valley. Local officials say the annual displays will be presented despite the moderate drought in northern Illinois, so grab some folding chairs, pack some refreshments and go enjoy a local fireworks show.


• The Kane County Forest Preserve District will host a senior stroll from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 5 at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. The event is free and refreshments will be served after the stroll. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, insect repellent and sunscreen. For more information, call 847-697-2880. I photographed a few of these events in recent years, and I think the program provides participants a fine tour of the county's forest preserves.


• The Geneva Park District will offer safety classes for children starting the first grade. The week-long classes will be offered from 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m. July 9 to 13, and from 9 to 11 a.m. from July 16 to 20. The classes will include instruction with the Geneva police and fire departments. The fee for the program is $20 per child. For more information, call 630-232-4736.


• Garfield Farm Museum in LaFox will host a Settlers Eve Picnic Dinner and Sunset Contra Dance starting at 6 p.m.  July 7. Tickets are $75 and proceeds will benefit improvements to the farm museum’s 1906 Wisconsin-style dairy barn. The event celebrates the farm’s settlement and the museum’s founding. Reservations are required. For more information, call 630-584-8485.

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