The Arcada Theatre to welcome Bachman & Turner

The Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles will present a Night of Bachman & Turner Overdrive featuring Randy Bachman and Fred Turner at 8 p.m. June 28. Bachman and Turner will perform their classic hits and new works. Tickets start at $59. The Arcada is located at 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. For more information, call 630-962-7000.

Library to put spotlight on 'amore'

The Batavia Public Library will present That’s Amore featuring singer Heather Braoudakis at 2 p.m. June 30. Braoudakis will perform songs about love by Nat King Cole, George Gershwin and others. The presentation is part of the library’s Sundays on Stage series. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, call the library at 630-879-1393, ext. 200. The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave. in downtown Batavia. The series will present a Tribute to Mae West on July 28 and The Artful Song on Aug. 25.

Church plans Vacation Bible School

Calvary Episcopal Church in Batavia will offer its Vacation Bible School from July 8 through July 12. The program will meet from 9 a.m. to noon and is open to children ages 5 and older. The theme for this year’s program is Paul’s Discovery: Creating Ambassadors for Christ. The suggested donation for the program is $25 per child. Registration can be completed online. The church is located at 222 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. For more information, call 630-879-3378.

It’s now ImageSmith Creative

Lisa Smith Youngdahl recently changed the name of her Batavia-based business from Lisa Smith Youngdahl Graphic Design to ImageSmith Creative. The change reflects the extensive range of services Lisa now offers at the 25-year business. ImageSmith Creative uses a multi-channel approach to develop dynamic marketing materials. Services include digital and offset printing, direct mail, brochures, banners and more. For more information, call Lisa at 630-360-3111.

Bethany Lutheran to offer free community supper

Our friends at Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia will host their monthly community supper from 5 to 7 p.m. June 28. The church is located at 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. The meal is offered free, carry-outs are available and all are welcome. Donations are accepted. For more information, call 630-879-3444.

Dunkin Donuts to host grand reopening at St. Charles location

Dunkin Donuts, 1711 W. Main St., St. Charles, will celebrate its grand reopening with a party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28. The celebration will include games, prizes and a raffle. Visitors also will find special prices on donuts and small coffees. 

Repticon to visit Kane County Fairgrounds

Repticon, an expo featuring reptiles and exotic animals will visit the Kane County Fairgrounds June 29 and June 30. The show will include animal presentations, exhibits and vendors. The expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 5 to 12. The fairgrounds are located on Randall Road, near Route 64, in St. Charles.

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Kaneland Foundation to host Knight Run 5K

The Kaneland Foundation at Kaneland District 302 will host the Knight Run 5K at 8 p.m. June 21 at Kaneland High School, 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park. The event will include a quarter-mile run for children age 6 and younger at 7 p.m. and a one-mile fun run at 7:30 p.m.  The 5K will cover a flat cross country course on the school’s campus. Runners will finish on the high school’s track. The 5K will be timed and awards will presented in age groups and overall categories. The fee for the 5K is $25. Online registration is available.

Registration available for Vacation Bible School

Our friends at the Congregational Church of Batavia send word that they are registering participants in the church’s annual Vacation Bible School, which will meet July 15 to July 19. This year’s program is Kingdom Rock — Where Kids Stand Strong for God. For more information, call the church at 630-879-1999.

Township to host open house at original town hall

Campton Township will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22 at the township original town hall at 4N498 Town Hall Road, Campton Hills. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. The structure was established in 1874.

Nothing says summer like a demolition derby

The Sycamore Speedway hosts a demolition derby every Friday nights through Labor Day. Admission is $12 for adults (age 14 and older) and $5 for ages 6 to 13. Children age 5 and younger are admitted free. The speedway is located at 50W086 Route 64 in Maple Park and offers a full schedule of summer entertainment. For more information, call 815-895-5454.

Park district unveils new website

The Batavia Park District recently unveiled its redesigned website, and it’s impressive. The site has new a color scheme, easier navigation and other useful features. The site includes details on the district’s annual River Rhapsody Concert Series, which offers free concerts Wednesdays through Aug. 7 at the Batavia Riverwalk.

Athletes of the Year

Congratulations to Batavia’s Micah Coffey and St. Charles East’s Amanda Hilton on being named the Kane County Chronicle’s male and female athletes of the year, respectively. Coffey, a junior, played quarterback for Batavia’s football team, was the top scorer for the school’s basketball team and played first base for the Bulldogs’ baseball team. Hilton, a junior, excelled at a point guard for the Saints girls basketball team and as center-midfielder in soccer. 

Coach of the Year

We want to remember the coaches who help develop the area’s outstanding prep athletes, so we congratulate St. Charles East baseball coach Len Asquini on being named the 2013 Courier-News Coach of the Year. Asquini coached the Saints to a 28-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Nice work, coach.

Thanks for the warm greetings

I offer my thanks to those who took time to greet me at the Batavia United Way’s Dash with Dad 5K run June 15. I rode my bike and served as the pace setter for front runners in the event. Nearly 200 runners participated in the dash. The bright smiles and warm greetings made up for overcast skies and cool temperatures during the event.

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Geneva set to host Swedish Days Festival

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Cadence Health will present Geneva’s annual Swedish Days Festival June 18 to June 23 in downtown Geneva.The festival will offer a variety of activities and attractions for all ages, including live entertainment, a carnival, crafts, summertime treats, exhibitions, merchant specials and the 64th annual Swedish Days Parade. Visitors will find a variety of musical entertainment and an array of food offerings. Libido Funk Circus, one of the area’s most entertaining bands, will perform at 7:30 p.m. June 20 on the festival's center stage. For more information about the festival, call the Chamber at 630-232-6060, or click here. The Chicago Tribune published a special advertising section for the festival.

Swedish Midsommar Fest set for June 16

The 103rd annual Swedish Midsommar Festival, a day-long celebration of Scandinavian heritage, will begin 9 a.m. June 16 at Good Templar Park in Geneva. 

The event includes traditional Scandinavian foods, folk dancing, tours of the Swedish summer cottages, a non-denominational worship service at 10 a.m. and other activities for all ages. The admission fee for adults in $5. Children age 12 and younger are admitted free. Parking is free.

Hillbilly Rockstarz launch STC's Concerts in the Park series

The St. Charles Park District begins its annual Concerts in the Park Series at 7 p.m. June 13 with a performance by Hillbilly Rockstarz at Lincoln Park in downtown St. Charles.

The band plays a mix of contemporary hits and country classics. Admission is free, and attendees are encourage to bring a blanket or chair. Lincoln Park is located on on West Main Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets. In the event of foul weather, the concert will be moved to the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St. 

The Concerts in the Park series continues on Thursdays through Aug. 16. The series will present R-Gang on June 20 and Mr. Myers on June 27.

Batavia Green Walk set for June 15

The Batavia Green Walk will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 15 at the Batavia Riverwalk in downtown Batavia. The event will include a variety of activities and workshops. 

Activities will include a family bike ride, free yoga classes, arts and crafts for children, paddle boats and kayaking. Workshops will be presented in the Batavia Government Building and will cover a range of topics, including allergy-free cooking, birds of the Fox River Valley and water quality of the Fox River. 

The event is presented by Batavia MainStreet, the Batavia Environmental Commission, the Batavia Park District and the City of Batavia. 

Club plans Swedish Days Ride

The Fox Valley Bicycle and Ski Club will host its annual Swedish Days Ride June 23 in Burlington. The event offers participants mileage options ranging from 27 to 100 miles. Check-in will be conducted from 6 to 9 a.m. The registration fee is $25 for a single rider and $45 for families (at least one adult and children age 16 or younger). 

Online registration can be completed through June 19 at www. active.com. Only cash or checks will be accepted for fees on the day of the event.

Waterline Writers to host reading

The Waterline Writers group will host a reading by local writers at 7 p.m. June 16 at Water Street Studios, 160 Water St., Batavia. The evening will include readings by Donald J. Bingle, Susan DeLay and Kevin Burris. 

Luciano offers a final salute to Pete Vonachen 

Peoria Journal Star columnist Phil Luciano, a former colleague of mine at the Northern Star, composed a fine farewell June 10 to Pete Vonachen, the entrepreneur credited with making a home for minor league baseball in Peoria. Vonachen, 87, died in his sleep June 10. 

Vonachen purchased the Peoria Suns baseball franchise in 1985 and worked with longtime friend and radio announcer Harry Caray to secure an affiliation with the Chicago Cubs. The Peoria team was renamed the Chiefs and set Midwest League attendance records in the late 1980s. 

I attended my first Chiefs game in July 1986 and recall being impressed with the strong attendance at a Thursday night game and the contagious enthusiasm of the team’s fans. 

Hector ponders hail

John Hector, a copy editor at the Chicago Tribune and all-around good egg, posted this question on Twitter during the thunderstorms that soaked the area June 12: “Before coins and golf were invented, how was hail measured?” 

Setting the pace for the Dash with Dad

I am scheduled to serve as pace setter for the Batavia’s United Way’s Dash with Dad 5K run at 8:30 a.m. June 15 at the Batavia Riverwalk in downtown Batavia. If everything goes according to plan, I will be the guy on the bicycle a short distance ahead of the runners. If you plan to be at the Riverwalk at that hour Saturday morning, say hello. For more information about the run, call Jody at 630-879-4041.

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Batavia United Way ready to Dash with Dad

The Batavia United Way will host its Dash with Dad 5K run at 8:30 a.m. June 15 at the Batavia River Walk in downtown Batavia. The early registration fee is $30. Day of the event registration is $35. Early registration can be completed online. The registration fee is $15 for ages 15 and younger. Race day registration will begin at 7 a.m. 

This year’s event will include a Kids Fun Run for children under age 10. The fun run will start at 9 a.m., and the fee is $10. Proceeds from the event will support United Way activities. For more information, call Jody Haltenhof at 630-879-4041.

Tory Chiappelli of O' Sole Mio Gelato in Batavia prepares crepes.

Good eatin' at the farmers market

If you visit Batavia’s Farmers Market on North River Street in downtown Batavia, bring an appetite and enjoy some of the food offered there. Visitors can buy fresh crepes at O’ Sole Mio Gelato and breakfast tacos prepared by Andres Restaurant. The market is open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Oct. 19.

Farm bureau celebrates Dairy Month

June is national Dairy Month, and our friends at the Kane County Farm Bureau filled the group’s monthly newsletter, the Kane County Farmer, with a variety of facts and features celebrating all things dairy. For example, cows can see in color, and the average cow chews at least 50 time per minute. Use that to inform and entertain your friends.

To view the newsletter, click here. Be sure to read Ryan Klassy’s item, "A Proud but Smelly History," a salute to Limburger cheese, on page 7. 

Dairy breakfast and farm tour

Linda and Dale Drendel will host a dairy breakfast and farm tour from 6 to 11 a.m. June 15 at their farm, 15N057 Walker Road in Hampshire. 

Milking demonstrations involving some of the farm’s 150 dairy cows will be conducted from 6 to 9 a.m. Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the barns, view the dairy equipment and take a seat in a modern tractor. 

The farm breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, applesauce, cheese, milk, coffee and ice cream. A donation of $8 for adults and $5 for children (ages 5 to 10) will be collected at the farm. Children ages 4 and younger are admitted free. 

Education foundation to host golf outing

The Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence will host a golf outing June 24 at the Prairie Landing Golf Club in West Chicago. Play will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The fee is $175 for an individual golfer and $700 for a foursome. The feel includes a boxed lunch, golf and dinner. A dinner-only ticket is available for $50. Registration can be completed online. 

Cougars home stand start June 11

The Kane County Cougars will start a six-game home stand June 11 with a 6:30 p.m. contest with the Burlington Bees at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva. The Cougars and Bees will play at 6:30 p.m. June 12 and June 13. 

The Cougars will then welcome the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for a three-game series starting at 6:30 p.m. June 14. The two teams will play at 6:30 p.m. June 15 and at 1 p.m. June 16, Father’s Day. 

The Cougars will offer a post-game fireworks show June 13, June 14 and June 15. The Cougars will host special promotions and themes during the home stand, including Superhero Night and Jimmy Buffett Night.  For more information, call 630-232-8811.

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Trolley museum to present Rails to Victory

The Fox Valley Trolley Museum, 361 S. LaFox St. (Route 31), South Elgin, will present Rails to Victory June 8 and June 9. The performance will take riders on a trolley tour of France during the Nazi occupation of World War II. The program recreates a rail line between Paris and Rouen during the summer of 1944. The performance is family-friendly, but includes loud noise, theatrical gunfire and battle reenactments. The museum will present five performances daily staring at 11 a.m. Tickets for the trolley tour are $15 and can be purchased online. For more information, call 847-697-4676.

Chamber sets ribbon-cutting ceremony

The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce will conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Acquaviva Winery Tasting and Wine Bar, 214 W. Main St., St. Charles, at 4:30 p.m. June 12. The event is open to the public. The Acquaviva Restaurant and Winery is located at 47W614 Route 30, Maple Park. For more information about the ribbon-cutting, call 630-513-6770.

Moon Dance returns to Maple Park

We’re pleased to share the good news that owner George Georgiou recently reopened his Moon Dance Diner and Grill in Maple Park. 

Georgiou closed the diner less than year ago, despite enjoying strong business during weekend hours. The diner simply could not attract steady business during the week, Georgiou told the Kane County Chronicle.

He recently reopened the business, operating it from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, when the diner sees a steady flow of customers. Moon Dance also is open Wednesday nights, when the diner hosts a cruise night from 5 to 8 p.m. Moon Dance is located at 309 Main St., Maple Park. For more information, call 815-827-90063.

Ideal Industries name new CFO

Ideal Industries in Sycamore recently named Carmelle Giblin the company’s new chief financial officer. Giblin replaces Jim Pfotenhauer, who will continue with the manufacturer in the role of vice president of finance, secretary and treasurer. Giblin recently was vice president and general manager at Kester, a manufacturing business. Ideal Industries manufactures tools and supplies for installation professionals in the construction and data communications industries.

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Sugar Grove to host community garage sale weekend

 

Bargain hunters will want to visit Sugar Grove for the community garage sale weekend June 7 and June 8. Sales will be offered at locations throughout the village. Lists of participating addresses and maps will be available at local businesses. The event is organized by the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 630-466.7895.

Way to go, Britney

Congratulations to St. Charles East senior sprinter Britney Williams on being named the Kane County Chronicle’s Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year. 

Williams holds five school track records in individual and relay categories, according to the Chronicle. She will attend Iowa State University on a full academic scholarship and plans to be a member of the women’s track team there. 

Calling all Metal heads

Our friends at The House Cafe, 267 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, will host Metalwest Fest, starting at 6 p.m. June 8. The event will feature nine bands, including Beneath the Floorboards and Lugubrious. If you have need to bang your head, direct your feet to downtown DeKalb Saturday night. For more information, call 815-787-9547.

Malta Days offers summer fun

The Village of Malta will celebrate summer with its annual Malta Days Festival. The three-day event opens at 5 p.m. June 7 and continues through June 9, with activities at various locations. 

Friday’s festival scheduled includes a carnival, crafts, food booths and a beer garden. The Red Woody Band will perform from 7 to 11 p.m.

The schedule also includes a pancake breakfast, a car show, a petting zoo, a 5K run, a parade, live entertainment and activities for all ages. For more information, call 815-825-2330.

Church relocates from Batavia to Sugar Grove

Covenant of Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church recently moved from a Batavia location to Sugar Grove, where the church conducts worship services at John Shields Elementary School, 85 S. Main St., Sugar Grove. Pastor Jim Megchelsen leads the congregation. For more information, call 630-906-9661. 

Farm bureau sets annual golf outing

The Kane County Farm Bureau will conduct the 13th annual John Buck Memorial Golf Outing June 19 at Randall Oaks Golf Club, 4101 Binnie Road, West Dundee. 

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and play will begin at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start. The outing will include lunch and dinner. The event will benefit the John Buck Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 747-683-4633. 

Church to offer Christian education 

Rev. George Byron Koch and our friends at Resurrection Anglican Church, 100 Wycliffe Drive, West Chicago, will begin Starting With Genesis, a Christian education class, on June 16. The class will meet from 9 to 9:40 a.m. Sundays and is open to all. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy light refreshments. For more information, call 630-231-1175. 

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RiverFest marks start of 2013 festival season

RiverFest will include the popular Dragon Boat Races.

Courtesy photo

The City of St. Charles RiverFest will open at 11 a.m. June 6 with a carnival offering thrill rides and other attractions. The full festival will open June 7 and continue through June 9 at locations in the city’s downtown district. 

The festival will offer live music, a three-day craft show, food vendors and activities for all ages. Festival activities will take place at Lincoln Park, Pottawatomie Park, the St. Charles Municipal Building, the River Walk and at Main Street and Route 31. Here is a map and full schedule for the festival.

The popular Dragon Boat Races will be conducted Saturday and Sunday. Some downtown streets and municipal parking lots will be closed during the festival.

Foltos plans Chop Around the Clock

Craig Foltos and the crew at Foltos Tonsorial Parlor, 7 E. Wilson St. in downtown Batavia will conduct the annual Chop Around the Clock event from 4 p.m. June 7 to 4 p.m. June 8. Foltos and others will cut hair to benefit Ronald McDonald's Children's Charities. 

The event takes place on the sidewalk along Wilson Street and will include music, dancing, a bake sale, an open, mic, hot dogs and other activities. 

Even if you don’t need a haircut, be sure to visit Craig and enjoy all the excitement and people watching.

Shakespeare on Clark youth workshop 

Julane Sullivan at Shakespeare on Clark recently sent us word of the group’s youth theatre workshop, which starts June 11. 

This summer’s program features a production of “A Midsummer Nights’s Dream” in August at Clark Island Park in Batavia.  The program is for ages 8 to 16. The production will be directed by Sullivan and Bryan Renaud. 

Rehearsals will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. The program will meet at the Jester’s Courtyard, located inside All Dressed Up Costumes, 901 N. Batavia Ave., Batavia. The registration fee is $200 and includes the workshop, costumes and make-up for the performances. 

For more information, including show dates, call 630-879-5130. 

Information about Shakespeare on Clark’s production summer production schedule is available here. 

Shakespeare on Clark is a summer program presented in cooperation with Batavia MainStreet, the Batavia Park District and the Batavia Arts Council. 

Enjoy breakfast at Primrose Farm

The St. Charles Park District’s Primrose Farm will host a dairy breakfast featuring locally grown foods from 9 a.m. to noon June 9. The farm is located at 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles. 

Participants can enjoy an old-fashioned farm breakfast, a hayride and some hands-on activities. Registration is required. The fee for the program is $12 for adult residents of the park district and $6 for children. The fee for nonresidents is $18 for adults and $9 for children. Children age 3 and younger are admitted free. For more information, call 630-513-4370. 

Albright to host Best of the Fest 

The Albright Theatre Company, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia, will host Best of the Fest, featuring the top films from the Geneva Film Festival. Screenings will be presented June 7, 8, and 9. Screenings will begin at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. 

Tickets are $10 per showing for adults, $8 for students and seniors. A weekend pass is available for $20 for adults and $16 students and seniors. 

For more information, call 630-406-8838.  

Blackberry Bar and Grill to host duo 

Al and Susan Schubert will perform country, rock, folk and rockabilly songs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. June 8 at the Blackberry Bar and Grill, 1S731 Route 47 in Elburn. For more information, call 630-365-9740. 

Dinner to benefit Holiday in the Grove

Organizers of Sugar Grove’s Holiday in the Grove will host a pork chop dinner June 6 to raise funds for the annual event. The dinner will be served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, 176 Main St., Sugar Grove. 

The cost is $11 for a two pork chop dinner and $9 for a single pork chop meal. The meal will include beans, cole slaw, applesauce, a roll and butter. A children’s meal (hot dog, beans, cole slaw, applesauce) will be available for $4. 

This year’s Holiday in the Grove is set for Dec. 7 and will include a breakfast with Santa and other activities. 

For more information about the dinner, call 630-466-7160. 

Church plans golf outing

St. Gall Catholic Church in Elburn will host a golf outing at 11:30 a.m. June 15 at the Hughes Creek Golf Club, 1749 Spring Valley Drive, Elburn. The fee is $90 per golfer and will include 18 holes of golf, lunch, a cart and dinner. A dinner-only ticket is available for $20.

The event will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society. For more information about the event, call 630-365-6030.

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