Restoration group to host garden tours

Our friends at Northern Kane County Wild Ones will conduct tours of two gardens Saturday, May 24 in Elgin. The first tour will begin at 10 a.m. at 40W992 Creekwood Drive, Elgin and will feature a woodland garden near Bowes Creek. The garden includes wetland plants. 

The second tour will be conducted at 11 a.m. at 8N925 Crawford Road, Campton Hills, about one mile south from the first garden. The second garden features a six-acre savanna. Refreshments will be served after the second tour. For more information, call 847-794-8962.

— Share news and photos about your organization or business here. Email information and pictures to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Fox Valley Notes is available at Facebook and Twitter.

Library program to highlight garden herbs

The St. Charles Public Library will host a presentation about growing and preserving herbs at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22. The program will feature a master gardener from the University of Illinois Extension and will offer suggestions and recipes for using herbs in cooking. Admission is free. For more information about the program, call the library at 630-584-0076. The library is located at 1 S. Sixth St. in downtown St. Charles. (Submitted photo)

—Share news and information about your organization or business here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Fox Valley Notes is available at Facebook and Twitter.

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.

— Share news and photos about your business or organization here. Email information and pictures to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Fox Valley Notes is available at Facebook and Twitter.

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. 

— Share news and photos about your organization or business here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Fox Valley Notes is available at Facebook and Twitter.

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.  

— Share news and photos of your business or organization here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Fox Valley Notes is available at Facebook and Twitter.

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.

— Email comments, questions, and complaints to kbotteman@gmail.com. Fox Valley Notes is available at Twitter and Facebook.

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.

— Share news and photos about your business or organization here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Fox Valley Notes is available at Facebook and Twitter.