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.


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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.


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Batavia photographer's latest project and more

Brian DeWolf seeks stories about the Hotel Geneva.

The Kane County Chronicle reports on Batavia photographer Brian DeWolf's latest project, which will feature pictures and stories about the old Hotel Geneva.

Church to offer 4th Tuesday meals
St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 101 S. Sixth St., St. Charles, will launch a free community supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. The free meals will be offered the fourth Tuesday of each month in the church's Fellowship Hall. This month's meal will include glazed ham, green bean casserole, salad and dessert. The meals are free, but donations are appreciated. 

Cougars to host a Night with the Cubs

The Kane County Cougars will host a Night with the Cubs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb.1 at Fifth Third Bank Park in Geneva. The event will feature members of the Cubs' front office staff. Admission is $60 and will include draft beer and an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Sycamore wins 2nd straight NI Big 12 wrestling title
Sycamore High School recently won its second consecutive NI Big 12 wrestling title. Congratulations to the Spartan grapplers on the accomplishment.