🌽 Farm fresh near the Tri-Cities

We all know and love the farmers markets in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles. Sometimes it’s fun to mix things up, though.

You might be surprised by just how many farm-based businesses and agritourism destinations are sprinkled across Kane County. Take a Saturday drive out west of town and you’re bound to happen across a few hidden gems.

Or if you’re a planner, you can consult the Bounty of Kane, a handy resource from the Kane County Farm Bureau. It’s a directory of 30+ spots across the county — farms, vegetable stands, orchards, nurseries, pumpkin patches, greenhouses, and country stores — that sell directly to consumers.

Plus, it’s got a map that shows you where to find them. I’ve definitely added some spots to my summer to-do list.

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🇺🇸 Wanna know what freedom feels like?

Try driving an electric LSV from Valor Carts. It’s so much more fun than a golf cart — no gas, no noise, and nothing holding you back.

These rides are street-legal, built to federal safety standards, and fully loaded with features like seat belts, mirrors, headlights, and turn signals. And yes — they go up to 25 mph, so you can actually use them for transportation.

Just in time for summer, Valor’s Fourth of July Sale is offering big savings on every model.

📰 News to use

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☑️ More discussion needed: Campton Hills has postponed its public hearing on a proposed 900-home development in rural La Fox until July 15, giving the village more time for negotiations related to annexation and school district issues.

☑️ Agile on aging: As Kane County’s population ages, local leaders are taking a closer look at what seniors need to live well — from safe housing and reliable transportation to stronger community connections and caregiver support.

🔒 Election watch: State Rep. Dan Ugaste of Geneva is considering a run for Illinois governor in 2026, weighing his chances against incumbent JB Pritzker and other GOP hopefuls.

☑️ Scammer alert: Kane County officials are warning about local phone scams where callers impersonate law enforcement or court officials, falsely claiming missed jury duty or warrants to demand money or personal information. Learn what to watch out for.

☑️ Projects planned: Geneva is moving ahead with a wave of summer infrastructure projects, including road resurfacing, parking lot upgrades, and underground electric replacements that will affect traffic, parking, and power service.

☑️ Artery interrupted: Roadwork that is set to begin on Route 64 in St. Charles on Tuesday (7/1) will cause intermittent lane closures through November, so plan for delays and consider alternate routes if necessary.

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Whole lotta hype: Hundreds flocked to downtown St. Charles last week for the grand opening of the new Whole Foods, creating community buzz as the major grocer takes over the former Blue Goose space.

☑️ Midweek music: Free Wednesday night concerts return to Geneva’s River Park in on July 9, featuring live music, food trucks, and scenic views along the Fox River.

☑️ No cart for you: Elburn officials voted against allowing golf carts on village streets, citing safety concerns and a lack of places around town they could legally be used.

☑️ Vintage views: Geneva’s Historic House Tour returns on July 20, offering a rare chance to step inside four 19th-century homes and learn the stories behind them.

☑️ Bug bite basics: The Kane County Health Department is urging residents to take simple steps to prevent mosquito and tick bites this summer, helping reduce the risk of illnesses like West Nile virus and Lyme disease.

🎸 Live music

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Looks like the warm weather is here to stay for the foreseeable future, which certainly bodes well for patio music.

I’ve been taking full advantage, pulling off my first summer trifecta this weekend: Alex Hoffer at Preservation on Thursday, Noah Gabriel + Dave Ramont at Art History on Friday, and John Herpolsheimer Duo at Aurelio’s on Saturday. I hadn’t seen Alex Hoffer before — best Dave Matthews covers I’ve ever heard.

✨ Award-winning brunch at an unbeatable price

Sunday brunch is a time-honored tradition — and you won’t find a better value in the Tri-Cities than at The Little Traveler’s Atrium Café. In fact, it was named Best Brunch in West Suburban Living’s 2024 Best of the West.

For just $12.95, enjoy a full spread of fresh, house-made favorites, from fluffy omelets with crispy bacon to Swedish pancakes and Crab Cakes Benedict. Trust me, there’s a reason so many local folks have been coming back for decades.

💥 Beyond brunch: Check out The Little Traveler’s Summer 2025 Almanack for upcoming events and exciting new products.

🤝 Local biz

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☑️ Gamers’ delight: Prairie Lakes Mobile Gaming, which just celebrated a ribbon cutting last week, brings a 25-foot trailer equipped with XBox, Nintendo, and other games to local driveways for parties and events of all kinds.

☑️ The next chapter: Pretty Pages — a Batavia shop that sold stationery, books, candles, decor, and gifts — announced on Saturday that the storefront would close permanently at the end of the day. See the owner’s message to the community.

✳️ Handmade coasters: There’s nothing better than a cold drink at the end of a hot, summer day — except maybe setting it down on a coaster that makes you smile. Urban Artisan’s stellar selection is made in house, with designs ranging from classic movies to sports and quotes.

🎯 How to market in 2025: Print is disappearing. Social is saturated. Big tech doesn’t care. Partnering with a hyperlocal email newsletter (like this one!) is a proven way to connect directly with local residents. Become our newest marketing partner.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $1.5M home on Bennett Street in Geneva (fun to look at, I always bike past this one on the Fox River Trail).

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

☑️ Get connected: Do you know someone who has recently moved to Batavia or North Aurora? Send them to Welcome Home Batavia, a free service offering info, resources, gifts and gift certificates to connect people to their new community.

☑️ City meetings:

• Tuesday (7/1): Batavia Special City Council Meeting (agenda) and Committee of the Whole Meeting (agenda)

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

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Happy Birthday ‘Merica | Mon 6/30 - Sun 7/6 | Tap House Grill, STC | Independence Day-worthy food and drink specials all week long.

🎟️ Family Lego Night | Tues 7/1, 6-8PM | Geneva Library | A fun-filled night of creativity and connection for the whole family.

🎟️ Fake ID Line Dance Session | Wed 7/2, 7-8:51PM | Vargo’s Dance, Geneva | Have a blast learning the famous dance from the movie “Footloose.”

☑️ Senior Stroll | Thurs 7/3, 10AM-12PM | Fabyan Forest Preserve, Geneva | Enjoy a relaxing walk around the scenic riverfront forest preserve.

☑️ Black Apron Pop-Up & Comic Swap | Thurs 7/3, 5PM | Bad Alice, Geneva | Delicious burritos, sandwiches, and a delightfully nerdy comic book swap.

📖 Thanks for reading

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