Pal Joey's pizza attracts a following

Pal Joey's in Batavia puts pizza in the spotlight.

Kane County Chronicle photo

The Kane County Chronicle's Mystery Diner recently reviewed the pizza creations offered at Pal Joey's restaurant in downtown Batavia and truly enjoyed the sampling of pies. The Mystery Diner was particularly impressed with the quality of the pepperoni pizza, but noted the expansive variety of toppings available. The restaurant offers several other menu items, including pasta, ribs and seafood. But I encourage visitors to stick with pizza. Pal Joey's is located at 31 N. River St.  An ongoing street-renovation project on River Street makes it a bit of challenge to reach Pal Joey's, but visitors arriving from the west side of the Fox River are encouraged to park at the municipal lot at Batavia's City Hall and use the pedestrian bridge to cross the river and reach the restaurant. Might sound like a hassle, but as the Mystery Diner noted, the pizza is worth the effort. For more information about Pal Joey's call 630-593-6600 or visit www.paljoeys.com.

The Daily Chronicle names Duchnowski news editor

Congratulations to Jillian Duchnowski on being named news editor at the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb. Duchnowski most recently served as an editor at Yorkville Patch, an online community news site. Prior to joining Patch, she was an award-winning reporter at the Northwest Herald in McHenry County. The Daily Chronicle and the Northwest Herald are products of Shaw Media. The Daily Chronicle is one my favorite small daily newspapers.

Kane County Fairgrounds to host flea market

The Kane County Fairgrounds will host its next flea market show Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 4. Admission is $5 per day for adults. Children 12 and younger are free with a paying adult. Parking is free. The market offers a variety of merchandise. The fairgrounds are located at 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

The Howard House Hotel was located at 123 S. Third St., St. Charles.

St. Charles Heritage Center photo

Article details St. Charles' spiritualist history

The Kane County Chronicle recently published an article by Abby Sheaffer that details a visit Mary Todd Lincoln made to St. Charles in 1871 to attend a seance at the Howard House Hotel, which was located on south Third Street. Mrs. Caroline Howard, the proprietor's wife, was said to have the gift of clairvoyance, according to the article. Sheaffer's article is fun reading for the Halloween season and engaging local history for any time of year. It's a long report, but worth the time. Sheaffer is a St. Charles resident, and fans of local history are sure to enjoy her article.

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Hoban Sisters to perform at benefit show

Carly and Jackie Hoban of St. Charles.

Submitted photo

The Hoban Sisters, a St. Charles-based duo, will perform Oct. 20 at a benefit concert at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St. in downtown St. Charles. The concert will feature the Henhouse Prowlers, a popular Chicago-based bluegrass band.  The show is hosted by the St. Charles Noon Rotary Club and the Bob Leonard River Corridor Foundation. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Rotary's youth scholarship and the foundation.  The Hoban Sisters, Carly and Jackie, will open the show. The concert is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors ages 60 and older and $15 for students. For more information about tickets, go to oshows.com. 

Entries sought for Electric Christmas Parade
The Downtown St. Charles Partnership seeks entries for its annual Electric Christmas Parade. This year's parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 in downtown St. Charles. The parade is part of the Holiday Homecoming celebration, a two-day event that kicks-off the holiday season in St. Charles. The parade attracts thousands of guests to downtown St. Charles and is a wonderful opportunity to showcase a business or community organization. For more information, call the Downtown St. Charles Partnership at 630-443-3967

St. Charles North runner named KC Chronicle's Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to St. Charles North's Spencer Gray on being named the Kane County Chronicle's Athlete of the Week on Oct. 17. Gray won the UEC River Cross Country Meet on Oct. 13 and helped North win the team title. 

Chicago-area athletes aid Harvard's football team
Division 1 football teams — Alabama, Texas, LSU — receive a lot of coverage and TV time. Many other college teams, those in Division I-AA, for example, often don't appear on TV and usually receive little attention outside of their home regions. However, the mid-major schools are providing a lot of excitement for college football fans this season. Harvard University's football team is 5-0 (2-0 in conference play) this season. I am always interested in winning football programs. I am curious about how coaches and schools go about building a successful program. I noted with interest that coach Tim Murphy aggressively recruits throughout the country, and Harvard's football team roster includes several players from the Chicago area, including these athletes:
• Cameron Brate, TE, Naperville (Naperville Central)
• Nick Burrello, WR, Clen Ellyn (Glenbard West)
• Jack Dittmer, DT, Oak Park (Fenwick)
• Ben Falloon, K, Orland Park (Marist)
• Michael Hirsch, TE, Glenview (Glenbrook South)
• Matt Koran, LB, Joliet (Joliet West)
• Connor Loftus, LB Glen Ellyn, (Glenbard West)
• Rick Zajeski, RB Hinsdale (Hinsdale Central)

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Strawflower Shop celebrates 34 years

The Strawflower Shop and Rug Merchant in Geneva.

Submitted photo

Our friends at the Strawflower Shop and Rug Merchant at 210 W. State St. in Geneva are celebrating their 34th year. The store is offering a variety of specials on merchandise. Stop in today. We're sure you'll like what you see. For more information about the store, call 630-232-7141 or go to www.strawflowershop.com. 

The Phillips 66 station on Batavia Avenue in Batavia recently closed.

Batavia Patch.com photo

Shell expected to replace Phillips 66 at Batavia site
Shell gas is expected to open soon at the former Phillips 66 station at 108 N. Batavia Ave., Batavia, co-owner Dan Siddiqui recently told Batavia Patch.com. Siddiqui said he closed the Gas Mart USA Phillips 66 in late September to clean the interior and install new display shelves and other equipment. The store is expected to reopen soon and will later add Shell gas pumps.

Laurie Milbourn, center, owns Going to My Happy Place Yoga.

Submitted photo

Laurie Milbourn opens yoga studio
Congratulations to our friend Laurie Milbourn on the recent grand opening of her yoga studio, Going to My Happy Place Yoga, 316 Anderson Blvd., Geneva. Milbourn shares the site with World Martial Arts USA. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and members of the business community attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Scott High owns Tri County Coins & Collectibles.

Sandy Bressner photo

Newspaper features Elburn store
The Kane County Chronicle reported about Tri County Coins & Collectibles at 111 N. Main St. in downtown Elburn. The store is owned by Scott and Silvia High. The store buys a variety of coins, currency and other collectibles. To learn more about the store, call 630-365-9700 or visit www.tricountycoins.com.

Dr. Rachna Arora

Submitted photo

Dreyer welcomes gastroenterologist
Dreyer Medical Clinic recently announced that Dr. Rachna Arora joined the clinic's Department of Gastroenterology. Arora see patients at the clinic's Highland and Rush-Coley Campus locations. Arora received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. For more information about Dreyer Medical Clinic, call 630-879-7500.

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K. Hollis Jewelers plans expansion celebration

Karen Hollis will host a three-day expansion celebration starting Oct. 4.

Kevin Botterman photo

   The K. Hollis Jewelers store in Batavia will host a three-day event starting Thursday, Oct. 4 to celebrate the store’s expansion.

   The recently completed project more than doubled the size of the store, which is located at 147 S. Randall Road, near the Jewel-Osco store. Owner Karen Hollis will host the celebration. The event is open to the public. Hollis opened the store in 2005 and now employs 10 workers. 

   The expansion celebration will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday. The party will include raffle prizes and Karen Hollis design giveaways. Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke will conduct a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m.

   The event will continue on Friday with special trunk shows starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until 5 p.m. The showings will feature merchandise from Gottlie, Pandora, Skagen, and Stacie and Libby.

   The event will conclude on Saturday, with trunk shows starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until 5 p.m. Saturday’s showings will include Dizeo Silver and Miralee.

   For more information about the event, call the store at 630-879-8003. To learn more about K. Hollis Jewelers, go to www.khollisjewelers.com.

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Mooseheart runs over Hawks, 35-0

Mooseheart's Sahr Mahoney dashes past a defender.

Kevin Botterman photo

   The Mooseheart Red Ramblers football team dominated the Kirkland-Hiawatha Hawks Sept. 29, recording a 35-0 homecoming victory.

   The Ramblers defensive line shut down the Hawks’ running game, but Kirkland QB Mike Mercado, a junior, effectively picked apart the Ramblers’ secondary in the fourth quarter. Turnovers and key penalties kept the Hawks from getting on the board late in the game.

   Mooseheart’s offense relied on running backs Joe Feemorlu, a sophomore, and seniors Sahr Mahoney and Oumaru Abdulahi in the victory.

   Mooseheart, 5-1 on the season, will play its next two games on the road. The Ramblers will travel to Chicago International Charter-Longwood Academy Oct. 4, and then will play at Hope Academy Oct. 12.

   Mooseheart will end its regular season at home Oct. 19, when the Ramblers host North Shore Country Day.

   To learn more about the Ramblers’ football season, click here.

   To view more photos from the game, click here.

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Batavia House Walk set for Sept. 30

This traditional home is included in the Batavia House Walk.

Sherry Simonetti photo

Batavia MainStreet will host its sixth annual House Walk, an award-winning event, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 30. The theme for this year's event is based on home-decor magazines and features homes that represent particular designs and lifestyles, such as "Cottage Living," "Traditional Homes," and Colorado Homes and Lifestyles." This year's event will include a shuttle bus for participants. The fee for the bus is $15. House Walk tickets are $18 in advance and $20 the day of the event. For more information about the event, call 630-761-3528.

Geneva store to host annual holistic health fair
Soup to Nuts Alternative Grocery in Geneva will host its fourth annual Fox Valley Holistic Health Celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 30. Admission is free. The store is located at 716 W. State St., Geneva. The fair will offer information for living healthy, organic food vendors, presentations, children's activities and other attractions. For more information about the fair, call 630-232-6646.

Elburn Lions Club seeks crafters for car show
The Elburn Lions Club seeks crafters for its All Wheels Car Show on Oct. 7. The event will take place at Elburn Lions Park, 500 Filmore St., Elburn. For more information call 630-365-6315.

Orchestra to offer two concerts in October
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the start of its 36th season with two concerts in October. The KSO will present "French Impressions Redux," its fall concert, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building of Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. The concert will feature the music of Maurice Ravel and Claude DeBussy. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors ages 62 and older, and $5 for children 12 and younger. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before the concert. All seats are general admission. The symphony also will present its annual Halloween Concert at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. Admission is free and there will be trick-or-treating before the 5:30 p.m. concert. I am a longtime fan of the KSO and urge readers to make time to attend at lease one of its concerts this season. For more information about the KSO, call 815-756-3728.

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Rock River Fest to benefit autism awareness

7th Heaven is scheduled to perform at the River Rock Fest.

Submitted photo

The River Rockhouse, 106 S. Riverside Ave.,  St. Charles will host River Rock Fest from Sept. 28 through 30 to benefit autism awareness. The River Rockhouse was formerly Chord on Blues. The three-day festival will include live music, bags, a beer garden and other attractions. The event's live music will begin at 5 p.m. each day and continue to 10:15 p.m. Admission is $5 before 9 p.m. and $10 after 9 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), a national organization committed to increasing awareness of autism. For more information about the event, go to www.river-rockhouse.com.

Steel Beam Theatre sets final performance for 'Mermaid'
The Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles will present its final performances of its production of "The Little Mermaid" at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sept. 29. The theatre is located at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. 

Huntley to host Fall Festival
Huntley's annual Fall Festival will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 28 and continue through Sept. 30 at Deicke Park, 12015 Mill St. The festival will offer music, children's activities, a fireworks display, food, a beer garden and many other attractions. Admission is free during the day, but  $5 after 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

St. Mark's plans blessing of the pets
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva will conduct its sixth annual Blessing of the Animals at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the old Courthouse, 100 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva. The event is open to the public and all kinds of pets are welcome. The blessings will be conducted by the Rev. Mark Tusken and the Rev. Claudia Nalven.

Waubonsee to host College Night
Waubonsee Community College will host representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities during its annual College Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at the school's Sugar Grove Campus, Route 47 and Waubonsee Drive. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Visitors can gather information about the college selection process, attend presentations and learn about financial aid. For more information, call 630-466-7900, ext. 5756.

NIU running back Leighton Settle in action against Kansas.

Shawmedia.com photo

NIU football set to begin MAC schedule
The Northern Illinois University football team will open Mid-American Conference play at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 29 when the Huskies host Central Michigan University. The Huskies enter conference play 3-1 under head coach Dave Doeren. NIU enters conference play as the defending conference champion — a title the Huskies last held in 1984. NIU won the MAC West Division two years in a row. NIU defeated Kansas, 30-23, at Huskie Stadium Sept. 22 and the Chippewas of Central Michigan topped Iowa, 33-31 on the same day. For more information about the game or to buy tickets, go to www.niuhuskies.com. I am an NIU grad, and you can bet I back the Red and Black Attack. 

A preview of the Big Ten's games for Week 5
I am a big fan of Big Ten Conference football and enjoy reading a variety of previews of each week's round of games. Bleacher Report provides a preview of Week 5 in the Big Ten Conference. Enjoy the games. 

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