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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Garfield Farm Museum to host woodland hike

Garfield Farm Museum will conduct a woodland wildflower walk at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3. Jerome Johnson, a biologist at the museum, will lead the walk. Johnson will discuss the history of the land and the impact of restoration efforts. Participants should wear appropriate clothing and walking shoes. The fee for the hike is $6. The hike will conclude by noon. The museum is located at 2N930 Garfield Road in Campton Hills. For more information or to make a reservation, call 630-584-8485. The museum is one of my favorite site's in the Fox Valley. I know first-time visitors to the museum will enjoy the museum's grounds and open spaces. 

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Nursery's exhibit features Anne F. Hanley's work

Our friends at the Wasco Nursery & Garden Center, 41W781 Route 64 in Campton Hills, will host Gallery of Nature, an exhibit featuring the work of Anne F. Hanley, through May 1. Hanley is a Batik artist and a Wheaton resident. After the long winter we just experienced, it sure is nice to savor the pleasant aspects of the outdoors, like gardening. For more information about the exhibit, call the nursery at 630-584-4424.  

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Coffee with Ogden, frugal man of the people

    I recently visited with my friend Ogden Botts at a local coffeehouse. Our visit started with small talk about the winter weather, but quickly turned to politics, typical fodder for any chat with Ogden.

    Ogden talked about Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, a Democrat, and his Republican opponent Bruce Rauner.

    “What a sad pair of candidates,” Ogden said. “A Democrat incumbent who thinks he’s governing under the same conditions that existed in the late 1980s and a millionaire who has never held a public office before, but has given money to Democrats and Republicans. What did we do to deserve this?”

    The negative tone of Ogden’s comment surprised me. A retired businessman, Ogden is usually optimistic in his outlook and opinions.

    “You’re a Republican,” I said. “I know you don’t agree with Quinn. He’s a Democrat, but how can you talk this way about your party’s candidate?”

    Ogden shook his head and chuckled a moment — actually, it was more a menacing laugh — but then he abruptly went silent.

    “I’m a conservative, not a Republican,” Ogden growled. “There’s a big difference, particularly here in Illinois.”

    I thanked him for the clarification, but noted he once told me he rarely, if ever, voted for Democrats.

    “Oh, I frequently vote for Republican candidates so I can see how you would assume I am Republican,” he said. “But I am not a member of the Republican Party, and I never identify myself as a Republican.

    “Of course, I would never call myself a Democrat, particularly now. That party cares about everything but the public checkbook and how to handle it responsibly,” Ogden said.

    “Hell, no. I am neither a Democrat or a Republican,” Ogden declared.

    “OK,” I said to him. “You’re an independent voter, right?” 

    Ogden shook his head, but there was no menacing laugh this time.

    “I’m beyond all those labels, and I think I am in good company,” he said. “I think there is a growing number of voters who are just fed up with party labels and the mismanagement that exists at all levels of government.”

    He paused, looked around the room and then started talking again, but at a slower pace.

    “You see, many voters, people just like you and me, realize we can’t continue to allow government to keep growing the way that it is, and we can’t allow this reckless, irresponsible spending to continue,” he said.

    “We need to drop the partisanship. We need to elect individuals who embrace living frugal,” he said.

    “That’s it,” I said. “You are a frugal voter, and you’re in search of a frugal party.”

    Ogden smiled. He sat back in his chair, took a long sip of his coffee, and looked at the ceiling for a long moment.

    “You are correct,” he said.

    “I am a frugal voter, and I intend now to set out to organize and activate other frugal voters,” Ogden said. “Are you with me?” 

    It was then my turn to take a long sip of coffee and look at the ceiling.

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Albright to stage 'The Curious Savage'

    The Albright Theatre Company will present its production of “The Curious Savage” beginning May 2 and continuing on select dates through May 17.

    The play tells the story of Mrs. Savage, a recently widowed millionaire who wishes to use her wealth to help others pursue their dreams. However, her stepchildren have other plans for the money and scheme to have her committed to a sanitarium. 

    The production is directed by Jana Sanders and Heidi Swarthout.The show will be presented at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For more information or to order tickets, call 630-406-8838. The theater is located at 100 N. Island Ave. in downtown Batavia.

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McNally's Irish Pub to present Kevin Flynn and the Avondale Ramblers March 13

McNally’s Irish Pub in St. Charles will start St. Patrick’s Day weekend Thursday, March 13 with a show featuring Kevin Flynn and the Avondale Ramblers. The Chicago performers will take the stage at 9 p.m. Flynn and the fun-loving Avondale Ramblers are known for rowdy, up-tempo numbers such as “I Love Whiskey,” and “The Road I Walk.”  I particularly enjoy the band's rendition of "The Minstrel Boy." The show is for ages 21 and older. McNally’s is located at 109 W. Main St., St. Charles.

In case you missed these items:

• Batavia aldermen voted 7-2 March 11 to recommend an electric rate package that includes a 6.5 percent electric rate increase this year and a 6.5 percent rate increase in 2015. The package also includes a $4 a month increase to customer charge and a half-cent increase to the city's home-rule sale tax in 2014. The package recommendation is set to be considered by the full Batavia City Council Monday, March 17. The proposed package was presented to help the city meet higher energy costs and expenses related to its ownership in the Prairie State Energy campus in downstate Illinois. Second Ward Alderman Marty Callahan and 3rd Ward Alderman Kyle Hohmann voted against the proposals. To read a Kane County Chronicle report about the vote, click here.

• Mooseheart's boys basketball team defeated Lanark Eastland, 51-49, March 11 to earn an opportunity to play for the IHSA Class 1A state championship Friday, March 14 against Mendon Unity. The trip to the state contest is the first for the Red Ramblers' basketball program. 

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The Arcada Theatre to host Gordon Lightfoot

    The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will welcome singer/storyteller Gordon Lightfoot for a performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Lightfoot achieved superstar status with hits such as "If You Could Read My Mind," "Sundown," "Carefree Highway," and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Tickets start at $39. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 630-962-7000. The Arcada is located at 105 E. Main St. in downtown St. Charles. 

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