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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Waterline Writers event to feature local writers

Jenny Scott

Waterline Writers will host an event featuring local authors at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 at Water Street Studios, 160 Water St., Batavia. Admission is free. The event will include writings by Tom Heneghan, Troupe Strozzi and my friends, Jenny Scott and Laura Vasilion. For more information about the event, go to www.waterlinewriters.org. 

Education foundation plans awards dinner

The Greater St. Charles Education Foundation will host its 18th annual Jazz Event and Distinguished Alumni Awards at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the St. Charles Country Club. The event will honor St. Charles Mayor Donald DeWitte, Michael Hood and Jon Miller. Tickets are $85. The event will include dinner, a silent auction, a raffle and entertainment. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.stceducation.com.

NIU Steelband to perform at Norris Center

The Northern Illinois University Steelband will perform music from a variety of genres during a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1014 Dunham Road, St. Charles. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.norrisculturalarts.com.

Mothers' club to host 5K run
The Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation will host its 13th annual Fox Trot 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. April 2 at the Batavia Riverwalk in downtown Batavia. Registration is available online at  www.signmeup.com/89651. The event will benefit Batavia schools. For more information, go to www.bataviamothersclub.org.

Karen Hollis

A note of thanks
I want to thank Karen Hollis of K. Hollis Jewelers in Batavia for acknoledging my photo work in a story abour her store that appeared in the most recent edition of Insight, a publication by Kaneland Publishing. The article discusses the recently-completed expansion project at Karen's store and her commitment to quality designs. 

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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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Register now for Oswego Chamber's business expo

The Oswego chamber's business expo is April 13.

The Oswego Chamber of Commerce is accepting registration for its Business and Consumer Expo. The event will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13 at the Oswego High School field house. The expo is one of my favorites and provides a fine opportunity for businesses and organizations to promote themselves. The event offers free admission and will feature exhibits, family activities and other attractions. For more information, call the chamber at 630-554-3505.

Gibby's host art activity

Gibby's Wine Bar & Market, 1772 S. Randall Road, Geneva, will host Vino Van Gogh from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26. Registration for the interactive arts activity can be completed at www.vinovangogh.com. 

St. Charles Chamber plans annual dinner
The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce will host its 91st annual Charlemagne Awards Dinner Friday, Feb. 1 at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, 4051 W. Main St., St. Charles. The event will begin with a social hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 630-584-8384.

Business group to host author 
Batavia Women in Business will host a presentation by writer Kelly Standing at the group’s monthly luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Lincoln Inn Banquets, 1345 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Online registration is available through Feb. 10. For more information, call the Batavia Chamber of Commerce at 630-879-7134.

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An end to the holiday season and to a box of See's

We recently closed the lid for the last time on the 2012 box of See's.

   

   Lori and I formally concluded the 2012-13 holiday season on January 20.

   We put away the holiday decorations about two weeks ago, but it was yesterday that we completed the final step in putting the recent holiday season to rest. It was yesterday that we ate the last piece of candy from this season’s gift of See’s Famous Old Time Candies. 

   My brother Mark gives a one-pound box of See’s to me and each of my  siblings, along with other gifts. I am not a big fan of chocolate candy, but I always look forward to Mark’s gift of See’s. It’s the only time of year that I savor a treat of gourmet chocolates. 

   There was a time when I considered the holiday season at an end the moment I pushed the last box of Christmas decorations into the attic. Not no more.

   I am now so fond of the See's treats that I declare the moment the last piece of candy is consumed as the formal and official end of the holiday season. 

   Following this rule, we typically note the end of the season about the third week of January, so this year’s end was just about on schedule. Some years we have stretched the season to the last week of January, but we’ve recorded a few years when our appetites for fine candy forced us to end the season on New Year’s Day. 

   Lori and I hosted the family Christmas dinner in 2011 and Mark rewarded us with a two-pound box of See’s, and the holiday season lasted almost to Valentine’s Day 2012. 

   As holiday seasons go, the 2012-13 season was a fine one. We managed to spend time with Lori’s side of the family as well as mine. We put aside our concerns about the lack of money, a growing pile of debt and similar things. We set our minds to giving thanks for the many gifts the Lord shared with us and our families during the past year.

   In my immediate (and extended family) each of us enjoys good health. We have succeeded during a time of prolonged economic stress for the nation. We ended 2012 with the same number of loved ones that were with us at the start of the year. We have not been able to say the same at the end of some recent years. 

   Yes, the 2012-13 holiday season is ended, but I carry forward fine memories of the festive period. I look forward to December 2013 and a fresh box of See’s Famous Old Time Candies, and I pray each member of my family will be there to enjoy a sweet treat with me.

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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.

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.