🎖️ Veterans Day happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles

Saturday is Veterans Day. Like most American holidays these days, we’ll likely encounter a slew of insincere, one-size-fits-all social media posts from corporate accounts attempting to manufacture goodwill with the least amount of effort possible over the next couple days.

But service veterans — in the Tri-Cities area and across the country — deserve better than that.

Which is why I’d like to use this unique forum to personally thank the military veterans from my own family (past and present), given their deep roots in this area.

Greg Wicklund | current Geneva resident: Thank you to my uncle Greg, who served as an Army medic at Fort Ord in California during the Vietnam War from 1966-1967.

Bob Wicklund | Batavia (1922-1993): Thank you to my grandpa (Greg’s dad), who served in the Navy during World War II. Incidentally, Bob met my grandmother Lois while he was stationed in Washington state (she was working at a factory that produced torpedoes for the war effort). 

Karl Kraft | Batavia (1920-2019): Thank you to my paternal grandpa, the family patriarch who also served in the Navy during World War II. Karl was aboard the USS Franklin when it was twice bombed by the Japanese in March 1945. He survived the infamous attack by treading water for hours until he was rescued.

And thank you to other local, extended family members who served, including my uncle Orland Van Bavel (Air Force 1951-1955, Korean War veteran), great uncle Donald Wicklund (lost his life when his plane was shot down over Austria during WW2), great uncle John Wicklund (was serving at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed by the Japanese), and great uncle Uncle Everett Kraft (Army engineer who built bridges for US troops in Germany). 

Local Veterans Day happenings

If you’re looking for ways to express gratitude this weekend, St. Charles is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday morning, where World War II veteran Duane Stevenson will be honored on his 100th birthday. There’s also a Veterans Day Salute in downtown Geneva at Third and State, followed by an open house at American Legion Post 75 on Second Street.

In addition, the St. Charles North Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble will pay tribute to local veterans with patriotic music during a special celebration on Saturday evening.

And on Monday, veterans can enjoy free movie tickets (on what is said to be Illinois’ largest movie screen) at Batavia's new Emagine movie theater.

📰 News to use

The 🔒 icon indicates a potential paywall. The *️⃣ icon indicates that an account/login is needed.

☑️ Kane budget: Kane County posted its draft FY2024 budget for public review until 11/21, including a convenient pie chart illustrating exactly where your property tax dollars go.

☑️ B-Town budget: Get the details on Batavia’s proposed $95.7 million 2024 budget, which (residents will be pleased to note) includes no increases to property taxes or electric rates.

🔒 Equipping officers: To comply with state law, a Geneva committee has taken the first step toward the purchase of $400K+ worth of camera equipment and software for law enforcement.

🔒 Science spotlight: Gov. Pritzker was in town on Monday (along with other national/local officials) for the unveiling of Fermilab’s new, cutting-edge quantum research lab — one of the nation’s largest.

☑️ Rail improvements: The Route 31 train bridge in Geneva will likely undergo more repairs on Saturday, which may necessitate closing one lane near the underpass.

☑️ Civic discourse: Batavia’s City Council meeting on Monday included discussions about new surveillance cameras, public amenity projects and the pending tree preservation project.

🔒 Hollywood of the Midwest: Director David Fincher (he of Fight Club and Benjamin Button fame) filmed part of his latest movie in St. Charles. And it premiers on Netflix tomorrow.

🏘️ In the community

🔒 Heritage on display: For a relatively small city, Batavia has a surprisingly long, rich history. A new sign display initiative aims to tell those stories in a unique, compelling way.

☑️ Postseason football, round 3: Batavia dominated Lincoln-Way Central last Saturday, setting up a showdown with undefeated Hononegah in Rockton on Saturday. Geneva, who stomped Lake Forest last weekend, will travel to Cary to face Grove on Saturday.

☑️ A chance to serve: Batavia is in the market for a new 7th Ward Alderperson — anyone who’s interested should submit an online application by 5PM on 11/20.

🔒 The phone can wait: In response to an assortment of accidents that have occurred in or around town, Elburn officials are considering larger fines for distracted driving.

☑️ Under consideration: A new development project recently materialized in Geneva involving the annexation of three lots totaling 7.51 acres on Route 38 from Elm to Kautz roads.

🔒 Cookie capital: Days after a St. Charles baker won Food Network’s “Halloween Cookie Challenge,” another hobbyist from Batavia is set to appear on the network’s “Christmas Cookie Challenge.”

Evidently, there’s something in the water here — perhaps this should be the subject of a forthcoming investigative report?

🏬 Local biz

☑️ Sweet-tooth tidings: Crumbl Cookies, which has grown from a humble cookie shop to a booming franchise with over 900 locations, celebrates a grand opening for its Geneva location tomorrow.

☑️ Duck, duck, donuts: Another day, another grand opening for a sweet treat shop. The first 50 guests to Duck Donuts’ new spot at the Geneva Commons on Saturday will get a special surprise.

🎈 Special events

Starting Friday

☑️ Winterfest Art Market: The downtown Batavia festive fun gets going with food, drink, local shopping, workshops and a variety of live music at Kiss the Sky all weekend long.

Starting Saturday

☑️ Artisan Craft & Food Fair: This Saturday and Sunday, you can head out to Heritage Prairie Farm in Elburn for handmade wares and tasty treats from a host of local vendors.

Sunday

🎟️ Kane County Sportsman’s Show: Held at the Kane County Fairgrounds from 7:30AM to 1:30PM, the year’s second-to-last show features more than 250 vendors plus food and drink.

🎸 Live music

*Below are “listed” start/end times — actual play times tend to vary. The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee. Links to band/event info are provided where available.

Note: We’ve confirmed that 93 Octane Brewing is done with live music for the season.

Thursday (11/9) ⬇️

✔️ Matt Keen: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 4-7PM | Musician info

✔️ Jack Byron: Preservation | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info + video

✔️ Throw a Flow Hip Hop: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 7-10PM

✔️ PBJ: EvenFlow | Geneva | 7-11PM | Event info

✔️ Stan Karcz: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ Matt Keen: Moonlight Theater | St. Charles | 7:30-9:30PM | Event info (Busy guy!)

Friday (11/10) ⬇️

✔️ Frankie Smiles: Geneva Winery Bistro & Wine Bar | Geneva | 5-8PM | Musician info 

✔️ Henry JBC: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Band info

✔️ Pleasant Panic: The Hive | St. Charles | 6:30-9:30PM | Band info

✔️ Brother John Kattke: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Event info + video

✔️ Dennis O’Brien: Foxfire | Geneva | 6:30-9:30PM | Musician info

🎟️ Libido Funk Circus: EvenFlow | Geneva | 7PM | Band info

✔️ Paul & Jay Music: Sturdy Shelter | Batavia | 7-10PM | Musician info (+ DAMO BBQ)

✔️ Johnny Burnett: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ Deacon Frost: Moonlight Theater | St. Charles | 7:30-10PM | Event info

🎟️ Tom Sandoval & The Ultimate Party Band: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8PM | Event info 

✔️ Afternoon Logic: Tanna Tap | Geneva | 8PM | Event info

✔️ Bronson Rock: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 8:30-10:30PM | Band info

✔️ Michael Paterson: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM | Musician info

🎟️ The Mix Dance Party: Club Arcada | St. Charles | 8:30-11PM | Event info 

✔️ Lou Shields: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 9-11PM | Musician info

✔️ Spocket: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9:30PM-2AM | Band info

Saturday (11/11) ⬇️

✔️ Billy Denton: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 2-5PM | Musician info

✔️ Jake Mack: Art History Brewing | Geneva | 5-8PM | Musician info

✔️ John Ivan Geneva Winery Bistro & Wine Bar | Geneva | 5-8PM | Musician info

✔️ Brother John Kattke: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Musician info

✔️ Olivia Ports: Riverlands Brewing | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Event info

✔️ Noah Gabriel: D and G Brewing | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Musician info

✔️ 70s Night: Preservation | Geneva | 6-10PM | Event info

✔️ Jamey Darnold: Evergreen Pub | St. Charles | 7-10PM | Event info

🎟️ Veterans Day Concert Featuring Joe Cantafio and Friends: Moonlight Theater | St. Charles | 7:30-9PM | Event info

✔️ Peter Miletic: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ Blue Oyster Cult: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8PM | Event info 

✔️ Rearview: Old Towne | Geneva| 8PM | Event info

✔️ Russell Thomas Group: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 8:30-10:30PM | Band info

✔️ Rob Noonan: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM | Musician info

✔️ Anthony Padilla Duo: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 9-11PM | Band info

🎟️ Killing Me Smalls: EvenFlow | Geneva | 9PM | Band info

✔️ Ransom Creek: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9:30PM-2AM | Band info

Sunday (11/5) ⬇️

✔️ Henry JBC: Preservation | Geneva | 1-4PM | Band info

🎟️ Elvis Sunday: Club Arcada | St. Charles | 3-8PM | Event info 

✔️ Blue Grass Sunday: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 4-7PM | Event info

🎟️ Faster Pussycat: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8PM | Event info 

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌤️ Today: High 55F | Low 32F | Nice fall day

☀️ Friday: High 49F | Low 27F | Nice sunny fall day

🌤️ Saturday: High 50F | Low 32F | Nice fall day, repeat

🌤️ Sunday: High 52F | Low 32F | Nice fall day, double repeat

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Sam 

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