This 1993 issue of the Kane County Chronicle looks back at the history of Labor Day in the Fox Valley — including the key role played by Moline Malleable Iron Corp. in St. Charles.

Evidently, the company at one point employed more than 800 area residents before it closed in 1991. Here’s some more interesting history if you’re curious.

The old newspaper also included this delightful feature:

It’s not quite on the level of Swedish Days, but Festival of the Vine is a big deal in Geneva.

Organized by the Geneva Chamber, the annual three-day event kicks off at noon on Friday (9/6) and runs through 4PM on Sunday (9/8).

Originally intended as a celebration of “anything that grows on a vine,” the festival’s scope has expanded over the years to include local food vendors, beer vendors and a wide variety of activities.

Here’s what you should know:

Here’s where you’ll find the full schedule and details on the items listed above.

Planning ahead: The event will require several downtown street closures throughout the weekend. View them here.

_{LOCAL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT}

This summer may be slipping away, but savvy homeowners are already dreaming of future sun-soaked days.

Why wait for next spring’s rush when you can plan your perfect outdoor oasis now?

Our expert partners at 212° Construction Group are ready to turn your dreams into a new custom-built deck so you’re ready for that first beautiful day of 2025. Check out some before-and-after photos of one of their recent deck remodels.

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☑️ Road diet: Batavia plans to make significant lane changes to Route 31 this fall, with construction set to start as early as September 16.

☑️ Murder investigation: Police arrested a suspect at a Dallas airport after an Elburn man was recently found dead in Plano, TX.

☑️ Housing conundrum: While empty-nest baby boomers own more than a quarter of the nation’s large homes, those in the Chicago area are split between downsizing and staying put.

🔒 Political squabble: County officials sparked controversy by adding a “First Amendment area” outside the government center in Geneva after people handed out flyers criticizing the Kane County Board Chairman. The sign has since been removed.

☑️ Educational leadership: Several Geneva School Board seats will be up for grabs in the 2025 election, including the Vice President position.

☑️ Public improvements: Beginning this week, work on the St. Charles sanitary and sewer main project will require road and lane closures on Prairie Street. Get the details and timeline.

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☑️ Cooking up fun: The What’s Up St. Charles podcast celebrated its 200th episode in a hands-on culinary conversation with Fox Den Cooking owner Jessica Evans. See the video here.

☑️ Time to pay: The second installment of the Kane County real estate property tax bill is due tomorrow (9/3). Get more info and payment guidance here.

☑️ Native plants: A local conservation group is hosting a Fall Sale for native trees, shrubs and plants — orders can be placed here and are due on Friday 9/6.

☑️ Treasure hunting: 150 hand-crafted glass orbs (created by Fine Line Creative Arts Center artists) will be hidden in Kane County forest preserves as part of the Great Orb Hunt, which begins Thursday (9/5). Finders keepers!

🔒 State-of-the-art facility: Work on Delnor Hospital’s expanded cancer center — a $22 million project that added 15K square feet and doubled its capacity — is now completed and ready for patients.

☑️ Digital redesign: St. Charles officials are looking for volunteers to test a preliminary version of its new website before its upcoming launch.

Important note: This live music roundup covers the full week — Monday through Sunday. No newsletter will be sent on Thursday, so keep this bookmarked.

Sadly, the STC Live series has run its course in another sign that summer is quickly departing. Nevertheless, there are plenty of performances to choose from this week.

New format for today only due to the long list of events and no newsletter planned for Thursday, September 5. The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.

☑️️ A Night to Give: Stockholm’s Fundraiser | Tues 9/3 | Foxfire, Geneva

☑️️ GROW: Fall Open House Celebration | Thurs 9/5, 4-7PM | GROW Geneva

☑️️ Arlo Hendrix Fall Preview | Thurs 9/5, 5-8PM | Wilson Street Mercantile, Batavia

☑️️ Nonpartisan Voting Informational Event | Thurs 9/5, 6:30PM | St. Charles Episcopal Church

☑️️ Fall Kickoff Weekend | Fri 9/6 - Sun 9/8 | Batavia Boardwalk Shops

🎟️ BYOB Sunset River Cruise | Fri 9/6, 6:15PM | Paddlewheel Riverboats, STC

☑️️ Creation Care: The Way to Net Zero | Sat 9/7, 9AM-12PM | United Methodist Church of Geneva

☑️️ 3rd Annual French Med Spa Block Party | Sat 9/7, 10AM-2PM | French Med Spa & Cryothérapie, STC

🎟️ Pistons for the Parks Car Show | Sat 9/7, 10AM | Otter Cove Aquatic Park, Campton Hills

🎟️ War on Wheels Bike Ride: Cruisin' for CASA | Sat 9/7, 10:30AM | Sammy’s Bikes, STC

🎟️ Comedy All Stars | Sat 9/7, 7-8:30PM | Moonlight Theatre, STC

☑️️ Vultures | Sun 9/8, 1-2PM | LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, STC

☑️️ Dave DiNaso's Traveling World of Reptiles | Sun 9/8, 2-3:30PM | Riverlands Brewing, STC

🎟️ Fox Valley Marathon | Sun 9/22, 7AM | St. Charles

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles — including this $1.2M Geneva home, this $1.4M Batavia mansion and this $1.5M St. Charles property.

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

☑️ Council meetings: All three towns have City Council meetings tomorrow (9/3). See the agendas: Batavia | St. Charles | Geneva

☀️ Today: High 77F | Low 51F | Beautiful

🌤️ Tuesday: High 78F | Low 54F | Beautiful x2

☀️ Wednesday: High 81F | Low 57F | Beautiful x3

🌤️ Thursday: High 83F | Low 61F | Beautiful x4

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