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Breakfast Bracket: and then there were two…
Wow, what a photo finish to wrap up the Final Four of the Tri-Cities Breakfast Bracket.
Top-seeded Nosh barely edged out Harner’s by three votes (out of 471 total respondents) to reach the championship. Buttermilk soundly defeated Alexander’s Cafe by about 100 votes to solidify the matchup.
So Nosh, located on Third Street in Geneva, will take on Buttermilk (a couple of blocks down the road on State Street near the river) for Tri-Cities breakfast bragging rights in 2026.
May the best breakfast emerge victorious.
P.S. Here’s an overview of the full bracket results for those interested in a recap.
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🥐 These baked goods are made fresh, by hand, every morning
Every morning before Maple Leaf Coffee House even opens, head baker Aiden is in the kitchen turning out a full lineup from scratch: cinnamon rolls, blueberry scones, muffins, and rotating seasonal specialties that will make your mouth water.
Need something gluten-free or vegan? There's always plenty of options waiting in the case — and you won’t have to worry about sacrificing flavor.
Stop in for a treat with your coffee on the sunny patio, or order a pack of your favorite baked goods to go online. Either way, you’re in great shape.
☑️ Pond cleanup: As the Batavia Park District considers options to fix Depot Pond's worsening algae and sediment problems, consultants are recommending a surface aerator over a decorative fountain.
☑️ No charges: The Kane County State's Attorney's Office has ruled the May death of a 44-year-old Campton Hills resident an accident, confirming she was struck by a vehicle outside her own home.
☑️ Housing vision: Kane County's Board approved a new long-term strategic housing plan after a market analysis projected the county could need just over 46K new homes by 2050 if current growth trends continue. See what’s in the plan.
☑️ Arts and aid: St. Charles officials are recommending $103K in funding for local arts groups (flat for a third year) and $700K for mental health agencies (up about $20K), though funding allocations between individual organizations have shifted.
☑️ Swedish Days detours: Geneva police shared details on downtown streets that will close in stages starting Tuesday (6/23) as the city gears up for Swedish Days, which runs June 24-28. Get the details.
☑️ News notes:
A group of demonstrators gathered to protest local and national ICE activity on Saturday along Peck Road and Route 38 in Geneva.
Low-cost, drive-through rabies vaccination and microchip clinics will be held 6/27, 8/8, and 10/10 from 10AM-1PM at 4060 Keslinger Road in Geneva.
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☑️ Tree drama resolved: St. Charles will host a public ceremony June 27 to plant a Liberty Elm honoring America's 250th anniversary, after the Daughters of the American Revolution withdrew a tree offer from Kane County following the board's repeated rejection of a costlier plan at the courthouse in Geneva.
☑️ History on display: Good Templar Park in Geneva will open its historic Swedish cottages and a 19th-century Viking ship for guided tours over Swedish Days weekend. Learn more about the attractions and their history.
☑️ Cycling in STC: The St. Charles Business Alliance rolled out a useful biking guide, including popular route maps, safety rules, upcoming group rides, an interactive bike rack map, and a list of local shops for gear and repairs.
☑️ Access to necessities: MDW Cares is launching The Essentials Exchange, a new push to get menstrual care products to Kane County residents who can't afford them. Learn about the program and how you can help.
☑️ A toast to summer: Tickets are on sale now for Batavia MainStreet's 15th annual Cocktails in the Park, set for July 25 in downtown Batavia along the Fox River.
☑️ Park improvements: State Sen. Linda Holmes and State Rep. Matt Hanson were on hand to present the Batavia Park District with a $250K grant that will go toward synthetic turf at the Riverwalk playground and new restrooms at Engstrom Park.
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Summer live music series in various public spaces are now in full swing for the season — plus this week will feature Swedish Days performances kicking off on Wednesday.
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🇸🇪 Bargains inside, bargains outside!
Don’t miss The Little Traveler's Swedish Days sale starting on Wednesday, June 24! Here’s a preview:
Fair Trade Warehouse Sale: A tent full of handmade goods from developing countries — ALL HALF PRICE
Home & kitchen: Tablecloths, placemats, dish towels, coasters, wash cloths, coasters, paper plates & napkins, Swedish Dish Cloths, yard stakes, tote bags, area rugs, beach towels, wood and metal signs — ALL HALF PRICE
Decor & gifts: Swedish dish cloths, decorative pillows, chandeliers, yard stakes, tote bags, boxed note cards, journals, list pads, compact mirrors, magnets, nightlights — ALL HALF PRICE
Fun stuff: Puzzles, games, toys, loungewear/sleepwear, dolls — ALL HALF PRICE
Fashion: Summer hats, summer tops, summer dresses, summer jackets, novelty socks, handbags, loungewear/sleepwear — ALL HALF PRICE
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☑️ Upscale cafe concept: Swank Coffee & Wine Lounge is preparing to open at Fox Haven Square in St. Charles, with a fireplace lounge vibe and a menu that shifts from pastries and coffee in the morning to sandwiches and wine in the afternoon.
☑️ Local therapy service: A new therapy practice called Clever Fox Counseling has opened in downtown Batavia, offering mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and families.
✳️ Swedish styles: Want to get in the Swedish Days spirit and look good doing it? Make sure to check out Urban Artisan’s Swedish Days merch selection (a portion of the proceeds for each sale help fund the Swedish Days Parade).
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☑️ July Dinner Club: Next month, we’ll return to downtown Geneva on Wednesday, July 22: registration is already open. I suspect attendees will be intrigued by the surprise afterparty location for this one…hope you can join!
☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities area — including this $1M St. Charles home (with a sauna and a bar) adjacent to Royal Fox Country Club
✳️ 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.
☑️ Civic meetings: Rep. Dan Ugaste (who represents Illinois’ 65th district) will be at Arcedium Coffeehouse in St. Charles for a Constituent Coffee event on Tuesday (6/23) from 8-9AM. Stop by if you’d like to chat or ask questions.
☑️ Police reports: View police reports and arrest logs for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Campton Hills.
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Presented by Valor Carts.
✳️ Summer adventures: We've rounded up eight worthwhile outdoor getaways within three hours of the Tri-Cities, with travel tips from Valor Carts for making the most of nearby camping, lake house, and state park destinations. See the full list.
☑️ Swedish Days Festival | Wed 6/24–Sun 6/28 | Downtown Geneva | Geneva's 76th annual five-day festival with parade, carnival, and nightly entertainment.
☑️ Gray Whale Botanical Gin & Cocktail Tasting | Wed 6/24, 4:30PM–7:30PM | Atwater's, Geneva | Kick off Swedish Days with gin tastings and creative small plates.
🎟️ Summer Solstice Sound Wash | Wed 6/24, 7PM–8:15PM | Power Moves Yoga, STC | Sound bath meditation with singing bowls, gongs, and chimes.
🎟️ Over 50 First Dates | Thu 6/25, 6PM | Rock N' Ravioli at Arcada Theatre, STC | In-person singles event for those 50 and over seeking genuine connection.
🎟️ Book Talk with Cheryl L. Eriksen | Fri 6/26, 3PM–4:15PM | STC History Museum | Book talk + signing exploring the legendary racehorse Greyhound and St. Charles history.
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