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🍦 Ice cream in the Tri-Cities
On Monday, we polled TCC subscribers a simple question — who has the best ice cream in the Tri-Cities?
Several establishments received support, but a clear favorite emerged: Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream in Geneva (receiving 30% of the votes). Here’s some background on the popular shop:
When: Its 3rd Street location in Geneva first opened in December 1987.
Expansion: They have another location in downtown Wheaton.
Treats: In addition to ice cream, they’ve got chocolates, candies and Italian sodas.
Try this: According to one respondent, “Graham's has THE best butter pecan, rich with buttered salted pecans.”
More ice cream, more better
Here’s a list of other local (and regional) ice cream shops (in order of most votes from Monday’s poll):
Batavia Creamery: Multiple readers called out the wide variety of unusual, rotating flavors at this downtown shop. Clearly a local favorite.
Oberweis Ice Cream & Dairy: You’ve likely seen the century-old company in the news lately. Thankfully, it sounds like they plan to open more locations despite the bankruptcy drama. Locations in Geneva and STC.
Kimmer's Ice Cream: Kimmer, who graduated from BHS around the same time as me, opened the St. Charles location in 2010. They’re now in Wheaton and Elmhurst, too.
Colonial Cafe: Though their motto is "Scoopin’ Fun Since 1901," the STC location for the charming, nostalgic cafe technically opened in 1957.
Fanny's Thai Roll Ice Cream: Originally opened in Elgin with a STC location on Randall, the shop specializes in Thai ice cream made with fresh fruit. According to one reader, “the key lime pie ice cream is incredible!”
Candy’s Creamery: A few folks mentioned this Mill Creek spot — that’s my bad for not including it originally. It’s locally owned with “love in every scoop” as one reviewer put it.
Kilwins Chocolates & Ice Cream: One reader kindly pointed out that this is a chain (didn’t realize it has locations in about 30 US states, oops). Locations in Geneva and STC.
Hey Sugar, Sweet Sensations and All Chocolate Kitchen (all in Geneva) each received a vote as well.
LOCAL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
🎁 This Saturday: Charity Shopping Day at The Little Traveler
Saturday is your day to shop local, support charity and indulge in summer sweetness — all in one place.
Swing by Charity Shopping Day at The Little Traveler this Saturday (June 29) and 10% of your purchase will go to one of three local charities.
Proceeds from initiatives like this are what allow these organizations to do amazing things in our community. Don’t miss this opportunity to give back!
Plus, there’s no better local spot to satisfy your summer sweet tooth than The Little Traveler — make sure to check out their selection of Wild Bill's All-Natural Craft Sodas and Summer Taffy in yummy fruit flavors.
📰 News to use
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☑️ Minor twister damage: Tornados stormed through both Elburn and Wheaton last Saturday night while most of us were asleep.
☑️ Path plan: Funding from a federal grant may allow Batavia to make big improvements to the Fox River Trail near the wastewater treatment plant (where it’s now closed for construction).
☑️ Flood tragedy: A 75-year-old Elburn man died after being swept away by flood waters while trying to cross a river in Iowa.
🔒 Venture Park: Geneva officials approved a project that includes annexing 55 acres on Geneva's east side for construction of a massive warehouse.
🔒 Board shakeup: St. Charles School District 303 Board President Heidi Fairgrieve stepped down from her role. She’ll remain on the board, but Joseph Lackner has been appointed President.
☑️ New laws: Several new IL laws go into effect on Monday, including a slight gas tax bump, the nation’s first child influencer protections and the ability for undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses.
🏘️ In the community
☑️️ Crisis prep: Kane County recently held training sessions to instruct school and emergency officials on how to facilitate family-student reunification during a crisis.
☑️ Donations needed: A dangerously low blood supply has spurred Versiti Blood Center to issue an emergency request for donors. They have a location on State Street in Geneva.
☑️ Electric disruptions: ComEd told the City of Geneva that recent power outages were due to tree branches strewn by storms and a wildlife incident.
☑️ Refuse rates: Beginning on July 1, garbage collection prices will increase for Geneva while refuse, recycling, and yard waste prices will increase in Batavia.
☑️ Illinois CCL: A local security and training practice is offering intensive two-day courses for Illinois concealed carry in July and August in St. Charles.
🔒 Tenure continues: St. Charles School District 303 extended the contract of Superintendent Paul Gordon through 2029 — which includes a pay bump and new goals.
🎸 Live music
Really good stuff on deck for this weekend, including several early afternoon performances on Saturday and Sunday afternoon shows at the Batavia and Geneva libraries.
There’s plenty happening in Geneva and St. Charles tonight if you’re looking to enjoy some outdoor tunes in this beautifully mild weather.
🏬 Local biz
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📸 Credit: Batavia MainStreet | The Sturdy Shelter team
☑️️ Worthy investment: Three Batavia small businesses have been awarded $10K grants intended to boost independent businesses that have a meaningful impact on their community.
✳️ Roof whisperers: The expert local contractors at 212° Construction Group take the right approach with the right materials at the right price. Trust them the next time you tackle your roof.
🗓️ Events + things to do
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☑️ Summerfest 2024 | Fri 6/28, 5-8PM | Pottawatomie Park, STC | A family-friendly bash with local beers, food vendors, business booths and a bags tourney.
☑️ Summer Memories Gallery | Opens Sat 6/29 | Water Street Studios, Batavia | The Community Gallery’s vibrant new exhibit will run through August 25.
☑️ Georgia Peach Stop | Sat 6/29, 9-10:30AM | Batavia Moose Lodge | Grab some fresh, hand-picked peaches — plus pecans, pistachios and blueberries.
☑️ Tractor Supply Adoption Event | Sat 6/29, 1-3PM | Tractor Supply Co, STC | Meet adoptable puppies and dogs — and maybe even add to your family.
🎟️ Historic Riverboat Cruise | Sun 6/30, 12:30-3PM | Pottawatomie Park, STC | STC History Museum docents lead a fascinating Fox River voyage.
🎟️ Flip Flop Frenzy! | Mon 7/1, 11AM-1PM | It’s a Girl Thing, Geneva | A flip-flop decorating event for kids with games, pizza and treats.
🗞️ Un-classifieds
☑️ Local home sales: Residential property sales for the week ending June 15 featured seven in Batavia, 21 in Geneva and 13 in St. Charles — including:
A $1.6M, six-bedroom mansion on Sunset Road in Geneva
A $1M home on 2nd Avenue in St. Charles
☑️ Local obituaries: During the past week, Tri-Cities funeral homes posted obituary information for several individuals in the area.
🌖 Weather snapshot
🌤️ Today: High 76F | Low 61F | Pleasant
🌩️ Friday: High 75F | Low 69F | Storms likely
🌤️ Saturday: High 84F | Low 60F | Breezy + hot
☀️ Sunday: High 75F | Low 52F | So much sun
📖 Thanks for reading
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