🇺🇸 Local Memorial Day traditions

If you’re still undecided on how you’ll spend today’s holiday, note these opportunities for reflection and community connection:

• Memorial Day ceremonies and parade in downtown St. Charles

• Pancake breakfast at United Methodist Church of Geneva

• American Legion Memorial Day Parade in downtown Geneva

• Herring Breakfast hosted by Batavia Vikings Ring Lodge 18 at the Batavia VFW

The Tri-Cities have been commemorating Memorial Day with parades and special events for more than a century.

As far as I can ascertain, Geneva has held a parade since at least 1903; St. Charles’ parade tradition started no later than 1906; and an annual Batavia parade was documented as early as 1910.

The most recent record I could find of a Batavia Memorial Day parade was in 1969; the parade seems to have been discontinued ever since.

I'd be curious to learn if anyone knows why the city stopped holding the parade (shoot me a note if so).

In addition to the events listed above, the Kane County Veterans Memorial (located at 719 S Batavia Ave. in Geneva near the Kane County Government Center) is worth a visit if you’ve never been.

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📰 News to use

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☑️ Elected officials: During a special meeting on Wednesday, the Kane County Board will consider an ordinance to increase salaries for board members, Chairman, Sheriff, County Clerk and Treasurer.

☑️ Outdoor upgrades: On Thursday, Batavia launched a project that includes installing an outdoor fitness court, pollinator garden, fishing outcroppings, bike pump track and a new skate park at the Clark Island Recreation Area.

☑️ Voices heard: A number of Geneva residents voiced opposition (view the public comments) to a proposal to build a new Verizon cell tower. A Geneva panel then voted against the project after a three-hour public meeting.

🔒 Advocating for support: More details have emerged about last week’s Batavia School Board meeting, which lasted four hours and featured about 200 attendees. Public comments included allegations of racism, bullying and homophobia.

☑️ Not an ideal scenario: St. Charles and other Illinois communities could end up relying on the coal-fueled Prairie State Generating Station for most of their power through 2050.

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Quarry conundrum: Many folks have questioned how to get to the Quarry amid the ongoing construction on Water Street. The City of Batavia issued guidance to help folks get there safely.

☑️ Riverfront demo: Geneva’s Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing at 7PM tomorrow (5/28) regarding the proposed demolition of a house at 117 S. River Lane.

☑️ On the water: Kane County is offering a creek exploration series and youth kayak fishing programs as a way to discover local lakes and waterways this summer.

☑️ Downtown plan: The Batavia Plan Commission recommended approval of the draft downtown plan, which will be taken up by the Committee of the Whole tomorrow.

☑️ Inaugural flight: Geneva police will launch their snazzy new surveillance drone during today’s American Legion Memorial Day Parade.

🎸 Live music

Thanks to special mid-week shows at Moonlight and Arcada Theatres plus the ongoing St. Charles summer concert series, Thursdays have become quite busy on the live music front.

The full mid-week lineup includes several patio performances for those looking to enjoy the weather.

🏬 Local biz

☑️ Prime corner revamp: The owners of Hacienda Real in Geneva and Salsa Verde in St. Charles plan to open a new Mexican restaurant this summer in the former downtown Geneva location of Sergio’s and Potter’s Place.

☑️ Buon appetito: Have you tried the Italian cuisine at Thorabella’s in Batavia yet? The newest addition to the downtown dining scene celebrated a ribbon cutting last week.

🗓️ Events + things to do

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🎟️ Foam Party | Fri 5/31 | Burberry Gates Farm, STC | Drop off the kids so they can celebrate summer with foam, laughs and treats — and you can enjoy a night out on your own.

☑️ Chop Around the Clock | Fri 5/31 - Sat 6/1 | Foltos, Batavia | Foltos barber shop’s annual 24-hour cut-a-thon features raffles, music, food and family fun.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: Residential property sales reported during the past week included 13 in Batavia, 10 in Geneva and four in St. Charles — including a $715K Batavia home in the Tanglewood Hills subdivision.

☑️ Local obituaries: During the past week, Tri-Cities funeral homes posted obituary information for one individual in Batavia, one in Geneva and one in St. Charles.

☑️ Deal of the day: Half-off burgers and $2 off drafts is a SOLID Tuesday night deal over at Sidecar Supper Club in Batavia.

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌥️ Today: High 72F | Low 53F | Clouds continue

🌩️ Tuesday: High 70F | Low 5F | A stray storm

🌤️ Wednesday: High 67F | Low 47F | Nice spring day

☀️ Thursday: High 72F | Low 45F | Sunny splendor

📖 Thanks for reading!

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