Good morning!

In high school football playoff news, Batavia shut out Hoffman Estates 56-0 and St. Charles smoked United Township 42-12 to advance to the second round.

The Bulldogs will take on #4 Glenbard East on Friday while the North Stars will face #14 Mundelein Carmel on Saturday.

One other note: I’ve held off on mentioning this while waiting for verification, but a Daily Herald report has confirmed that the Country House restaurant in Geneva will be closing on November 12.

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If you’ve ever driven through the intersection of Dunham Road and Army Trail Road in Wayne (just northeast of St. Charles), there’s a solid chance you’ve struggled to keep your eyes on the road — and off of that fairytale-looking castle tucked behind the trees.

Built in the 1880s by local horse-breeding legend Mark Dunham, Dunham Castle once sat at the heart of a 1,700-acre farm that drew visitors from around the world, including VIPs from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago.

Like most historic buildings, several distinctive chapters have defined its life. For decades, it served as apartments — and there was even a waiting list to live there. Later, someone tried to bring it back as a grand single-family home, but the restoration stalled and it eventually landed in foreclosure.

During the 2010s, there were a few windows where public tours were offered. People lined up to get a peek inside, and what they saw was “pretty dilapidated,” to quote one visitor at the time. Still unique and gorgeous, just in poor condition.

Fast-forward to today: Dunham Castle has been remodeled as a private residence, though the iconic towers and red brick exterior still exude that European mystique.

See photos from the past decade and watch a YouTube video tour. 

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At Fox Valley Ophthalmology, caring for the Tri-Cities goes beyond great eye care — it’s about helping the people behind every pair of glasses.

For example, the FVO team recently joined runners and volunteers at the Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest in St. Charles, helping raise funds for Project Mobility’s mission to bring adaptive cycling to kids and adults with disabilities.

From community events to their full range of services — including LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma care, retina and cornea treatments, and family eye care — Fox Valley Ophthalmology continues to invest in what matters: local vision and local people.

☑️ New STC venue: Rec Haus has begun welcoming visitors at its new downtown St. Charles space. Learn more about the new games and activities bar.

☑️ Sustainable shop: Recently opened at 902 S. Randall Road in St. Charles, new grocery store Chipko Market offers a low-waste shopping experience with pantry staples, eco-friendly products, and a strong commitment to sustainability.

☑️ Food help is here: With SNAP benefits disrupted during the federal government shutdown, Tri-Cities food pantries and nonprofits are stepping up to help local families access meals and groceries. See a comprehensive list of resources.

☑️ Civic protections: Batavia officials are drafting an ordinance that would prevent federal immigration agents from using city property for civil enforcement arrests, though some question what enforcement would look like.

☑️ More open space: Campton Township has acquired the 113-acre Goldenstein East Farm from The Conservation Foundation for its parks and open space program, expanding local conservation land.

☑️ B-town budget: Batavia’s proposed 2026 budget includes investments in public safety and infrastructure, economic development initiatives, and resident engagement efforts — plus tax and utility rate increases. The first public meeting about the budget is Tuesday (11/4).

☑️ Friendly fires: Forest preserve officials will conduct prescribed burns this fall across dozens of local sites, including preserves in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Elburn, and Sugar Grove, to help restore native habitats and control invasive plants.

☑️ Not-so-friendly fire: In a recent interview, St. Charles firefighters shared firsthand memories of the 2022 Pheasant Run Resort blaze — the city’s largest fire in history and a crisis they described as "a once-in-a-generation event.”

☑️ Road work ahead: Crews will begin resurfacing Dunham Road between Muirfield and south of Kirk in St. Charles on Monday (11/3), reducing traffic to one lane for about two weeks.

☑️ Trapped travelers: After a long-delayed honeymoon, a couple from Geneva was stranded in Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa hit, enduring terrifying 185-mph winds and medical complications before a rescue group flew in to help evacuate them.

☑️ Hometown star: St. Charles native and actor Chris Witaske of ‘The Bear’ and other shows will return home to serve as grand marshal of the 2025 St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade during the city’s Holiday Homecoming weekend.

☑️ Merry makeovers: The Batavia Park District announced its Holiday House Decorating Contest, giving residents a chance to win prizes in four categories for their creative home displays. Find out how to participate.

☑️ Educational collab: St. Charles District 303 is forming a new Community Education Facilities Committee to gather public input on long-term school facility needs, funding options, and future improvements. Applications to serve are open through Friday (11/7).

☑️ Public input: Kane County residents are invited to a public hearing to share thoughts on Metra’s proposed budget (which includes a fare increase) on Thursday (11/6) at the Government Center in Geneva. Get budget and meeting details.

☑️ Illuminating service: Kane County will light its government buildings green from November 4–11 to honor local veterans as part of a countywide proclamation and the national Operation Green Light for Veterans campaign.

We finally had a chance to see No Vintage Strings at Riverlands on Saturday. They’re a local string quartet that puts their own spin on instrumental covers of well-known known classic rock, pop, jazz, and alternative songs.

Unconventional in the best way — you should see them sometime if you can. Check out the list of performances coming up this week.

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Cool breeze. Golden trees. Quiet, leaf-laden trails made for joyrides. This is the season to slow down, breathe it in, and make the most of every crisp, sunny afternoon.

With Valor Carts, you can explore a scenic beach, wooded trails, or even your own neighborhood — all without a drop of gas. All-electric, street-legal, and sustainably built for family fun, these carts are the perfect way to soak up the Midwest’s fall beauty in an eco-friendly way.

Have questions? Valor has answers.

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☑️ STC sips: The owners of Fulla Beans in Itasca are bringing their new concept, Swank Coffee & Wine Lounge, to Fox Haven Square in St. Charles in 2026, blending coffee, gourmet food, and wine in a cozy setting. This video tells their story.

☑️ Downtown fresh: Rosewood Farms — a popular community hub in Sugar Grove that sells naturally grown produce and hosts events and classes — is planning to open a new location at 12 S. Water Street in downtown Batavia this November.

☑️ Botanical bliss: Newly opened at 210 Cedar Ave. in downtown St. Charles, The Twisted Gypsy is a plant-filled botanical studio showcasing “vibrant living floral and plant artistry” with a variety of artisan goods for sale. See a video of the space.

✳️ Local looks good: Let’s show off our Tri-Cities pride with style, shall we? Urban Artisan in Geneva carries clever local apparel, quirky community gifts, and locally inspired home décor you won’t find anywhere else. Check out their Tri-Cities selection.

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☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $1.1M, 7-bedroom home built in 1864 on Fifth Street in downtown Geneva.

✳️ Need a trustworthy local realtor? Get in touch with Tri-Cities expert Chris Wallace at [email protected] or chriswallacere.com.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.

☑️ City meetings:

☑️ Police reports: View police reports and arrest logs for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Campton Hills.

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🎟️ Forager’s Friendsgiving | Tues 11/4, 6:30-9PM | Riverlands Brewing, STC | Join the autumn beer pairing dinner with food by the amazing Le Truff Noir.

☑️ Texas Hold’em Tournament | Tues 11/4, 6:30-10PM | STC Motorcycle Museum | Check out a free poker tournament held weekly on Tuesdays.

☑️ Holiday Sneak Peek | Thurs 11/6, 5-8PM | Downtown Batavia | Downtown shops stay open late so you can see their festive offerings (on a free trolley if you want!).

🎟️ Holiday Fashion Show | Thurs 11/6, 6PM | House of 423, Geneva | Enjoy fashion, community, food, and giveaways in a festive atmosphere.

☑️ First Pour Fridays | Fri 11/7, 5-7PM | Callahan Community Center, Batavia | Taste delicious wines and savor small bites with Fox River views.

🎟️ The Road to Us | Fri 11/7, 8PM | Arcada Theatre, STC | See actor, producer, writer, and singer Shaun Cassidy’s special music and storytelling show.

🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work [this]

😐 Mediocre, could take it or leave it [this]

🛑 3 minutes I’ll never get back [this]

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