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[MAY 12, 2001]  If there’s one day during the year you make a concentrated effort to honor that special woman in your life, it’s the second Sunday in May. My grandmother used to say that when you took the mother out of a home, you took everything out of a home. As someone who considers my own mother to be my best friend and can’t begin to describe how important she has been in my life, I must say I think Grandma had a point.

[click here for Part 1, posted May 10]

Close your eyes and wish for the one thing

You cannot do without, and when you do,

Near your heart you'll find it, always there,

Treasure that is dear but not so rare,

Held in the mesh that all your dreams flow through.

In truth, no gift more happiness can bring,

And so this day I give my love to you.

—Nicholas Gordon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What Is A Mother?

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,

To love us, whatever we do,

With a warm understanding and infinite patience

And wonderful gentleness, too.

How often a mother means swift reassurance

In soothing our small, childish fears,

How tenderly mothers watch over their children

And treasure them all through the years!

The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness

For any mistake, big or small,

And generous always in helping her family,

Whose needs she has placed above all.

A mother can utter a word of compassion

And make all our cares fall away,

She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter

And make life delightful and gay.

A mother possesses incredible wisdom

And wonderful insight and skill —

In each human heart is that one special corner

Which only a mother can fill!

—Katherine Nelson Davis

History of Mother's Day

The custom of honoring mothers began thousands of years ago, when people created myths about gods and goddesses who moved the sun across the sky and twinkled the stars at night. Some of the first myths were told by the ancient people of Phrygia in Asia Minor, who believed the most important goddess was Cybele, the daughter of Heaven and Earth, considered to be the mother of all the gods. The people of Phrygia held an annual festival to honor her, and that is believed by many to have been the first celebration to honor a mother. The Greeks and Romans also celebrated their own powerful goddesses with gifts.

During the Middle Ages another kind of celebration began, when many children had to leave home to earn money and were allowed only one holiday a year. The fourth Sunday during Lent was designated as the day children went home to see their mothers. The day was called "a-mothering" and the custom of "Mothering Sunday" was started.

Although there were several suggestions for a day to honor mothers, Anna Jarvis is considered the real founder of Mother's Day in America. Born in 1864, she was only a year old when the Civil War ended. Jarvis remembered her mother saying that a Mother's Day would help heal the fighting and bad feelings caused by the war. So, when her mother died, Jarvis asked her minister in West Virginia to have a Mother's Day service on May 12, 1907 — now remembered as the first Mother's Day celebration in the United States.

By 1909, almost every state was celebrating the special day, and on May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

Jarvis organized the International Mother's Day Association, and at the time of her death, in 1948, more than 40 countries were observing Mother's Day.

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Although Mother’s Day is now celebrated in many different countries, not all of them celebrate it on the same date or in the same way. Norway observes the holiday on the second Sunday in February, and Argentina celebrates it on the second Sunday in October. Lebanon celebrates Mother's Day on the first day of spring, and South Africa uses the first Sunday in May. In India, the Hindu people celebrate a 10-day festival called Durga Puja in early October to honor Durga, the Divine Mother.

Mother's Day in France is celebrated much like a family birthday, and it occurs on the last Sunday in May. The entire extended family gathers around the family dining table for dinner, and at the end of the meal a beautiful cake is presented to the mother.

Sweden also has a family holiday on the last Sunday in May. Shortly before Mother's Day the Swedish Red Cross sells tiny plastic flowers. The money from these "Mother's Flowers" is used to give vacations to mothers with many children.

Activities to honor mothers are different in each country and even for each family. Some mothers enjoy a special breakfast in bed made by their children; some receive gifts, flowers, cards, or enjoy a family gathering. Many churches hold special services to celebrate Mother's Day, local restaurants have special menus and brunch items, and herb farms and greenhouses hold special events.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[MAY 10, 2001]  If there’s one day during the year you make a concentrated effort to honor that special woman in your life, it’s the second Sunday in May. My grandmother used to say that when you took the mother out of a home, you took everything out of a home. As someone who considers my own mother to be my best friend and can’t begin to describe how important she has been in my life, I must say I think Grandma had a point.

A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.

—Victor Hugo

All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.

—Abraham Lincoln

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us, when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.

—Washington Irving

A mother had a slender, small body, but a large heart — a heart so large that everybody's grief and everybody's joy found welcome in it, and hospitable accommodation.

—Mark Twain

The mother loves her child most divinely, not when she surrounds him with comfort and anticipates his wants, but when she resolutely holds him to the highest standards and is content with nothing less than his best.

—Hamilton Wright Mabie

While there are many prime parental examples of the male species around, they have their own day of honor in June. But Mother’s Day, celebrated for thousands of years around the world in a variety of ways, is the day designated to honor all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, family friends and women everywhere who affected someone’s life in a positive way.

In fact, most people do remember their moms on the big day. According to research statistics from Hallmark, the essence of Mother's Day is pampering, indulging, reflecting, honoring and remembering the importance of family, and acknowledging the power of women. Mother's Day is the third-largest card-sending holiday in the United States, according to the card company, and approximately 132 million greeting cards will be purchased this year for the special event.

According to the International Mass Retail Association (IMRA), consumers spend on average more than $100 on Mother’s Day activities, with cards being the most purchased gift, followed by flowers, taking Mom out for brunch, giving gardening items, clothing, jewelry and home fashions. About 96 percent of all consumers celebrate Mother's Day — the highest participation rate of all seasons.

While 49 percent of American households give Mother's Day greeting cards, they are not all purchased for birth mothers. The holiday is observed for a wide range of relationships. In addition to adult- or child-to-mother/grandmother and husband-to-wife, the celebration now extends to aunts, mothers of loved ones, friends and any other person who plays a motherlike role. That, according to the IMRA, reflects the fact that "traditional" is no longer traditional — more than 35 million stepfamilies exist in the United States.

According to statistics from the American Floral Endowment Consumer Tracking Study, Mother’s Day comes in second in terms of money spent on flowers for holidays, with Christmas and Chanukah being first. More people purchase flowers, houseplants, and outdoor bedding and garden plants for Mother's Day than for any other holiday except Christmas. More than 80 percent of people giving flowers give cut flowers and outdoor bedding and garden plants. Of Mother's Day floral purchases, 66 percent are made by women and 54 percent are purchased for their mother.

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Bev Smith, an employee at Clark’s Herbal Country and Greenhouses, in rural San Jose, said a lot of mothers and families like to buy flowers during the Mother’s Day weekend, and many children take advantage of the workshops offered the day before the big event to make their own gift to give to their mothers.

"You see a lot of woman here and a lot of mothers and daughters," she said. "Sometimes we have kids who like to pot up plants for their moms and make them flower baskets," she said. "Mothers are nurturing, and I think people like to give their mothers plants and flowers to nurture. Most mothers like flowers. Some mothers don’t buy flowers for themselves, so kids come out and buy for them. A lot of people also buy gift certificates for their mothers."

(To be continued)

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[click here for Part 2]

[MAY 8, 2001]  Suffering with the pain and stiffness of arthritis doesn’t mean you have to throw in the trowel or give up on those tasty tomatoes or fresh bouquets of zinnias this summer. More than a million people in Illinois suffer from this disease, which causes swelling in or around joints and can make it hard to do movements you rely on every day at home, work or play. But if you love to garden and don’t want to give up your summer vegetable patch or flower bed, there are several guidelines to help you enjoy your green thumb this summer.

*Like any activity, you should consult your doctor or physical therapist to see what necessary precautions you should take.

*Plan to garden during the times of day when you feel your best.

*Before you begin to work in the yard, warm up your joints and muscles with a brief walk or some stretching exercise to get your body ready for the activity and help prevent injuries.

*You can garden longer and more comfortably if you pace yourself. To help prevent stiffness, avoid working in the same position or doing the same activity for long periods of time. Switch tasks every 30 minutes or so and take a 15-minute break every hour.

*Wearing braces can also provide support and rest weak or sore joints.

*If you feel any pain, stop your work and wait until you feel better for continuing. If you experience pain the day after gardening, scale back the amount of activity you do the next time.

*With creativity and advance planning, you can create a garden that suits your specific needs. Assess your abilities and arrange your garden in a way that makes your tasks easier and conserves your energy. For example, make sure your garden has a nearby water source so you don’t have to carry watering cans or hoses long distances. Keep a storage area or tool shed close to your garden so you don’t waste energy hauling tools around the yard.

*Consider garden arrangements that are simple to maintain and help you avoid awkward movements. Try arranging your garden in terraces with raised beds so you don’t have to bend over. Planting raised beds will eliminate some bending and make plants easier to reach. Raised beds means that the soil level in the bed is higher than the surrounding soil. A bed should be no wider than 4 feet across, but the length can be whatever suits the site or gardener’s needs. Wider beds can be subdivided into sections accessible from planks or steppingstones. Raised beds provide more production per square foot of garden and don’t require the usual space between rows because no walking is done in the bed to cultivate or harvest.

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*Create wide paths throughout the garden so you will have room to move easily. Trellises which support climbing plants and vines make a vertical garden that helps you avoid bending while tending plants or harvesting fruits and flowers.

*If you really want to simplify, try scaling back your garden and use containers. You can arrange your plants in small containers rather than a large outdoor plot in the ground.

*Choose lightweight pots, window boxes or other small and unique containers so you will have manageable areas to work with one at a time. You can arrange the pots at different heights so plants are easier to care for.

*As you garden, be careful not to put undue stress on joints. Use tools such as hoes or rakes that have long handles, so you can avoid bending or stooping. If you have to work close to the ground, place only one knee on the ground and keep your back straight, or use a stool. While carrying supplies such as bags of soil, hold the bag underneath with both hands and bend at your knees to lift it. You can also put your supplies in a wagon or wheeled cart and roll it to your destination.

*Weed your garden when the ground is wet, because the moist ground makes weeds easier to pull.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[MAY 7, 2001]  Suffering with the pain and stiffness of arthritis doesn’t mean you have to throw in the trowel or give up on those tasty tomatoes or fresh bouquets of zinnias this summer. More than a million people in Illinois suffer from this disease, which causes swelling in or around joints and can make it hard to do movements you rely on every day at home, work or play. But if you love to garden and don’t want to give up your summer vegetable patch or flower bed, there are steps you can take to continue your hobby.

At the Chicago Flower and Garden Show recently at Navy Pier, the Arthritis Foundation Enabling Garden gave practical strategies to make gardening with arthritis easier and more enjoyable. Among the characteristics of the display garden were raised beds, trellises with vertical plants, sitting areas with benches and wide paths for easy accessibility. The garden was a prime example of how a beautiful, lush garden does not have to be only a dream for those with arthritis.

Amy Rasing, branch director of the Sangamon County area Arthritis Foundation, said there is a common misconception that people suffering with arthritis can’t continue to enjoy many activities, like gardening. In fact, gardening and other forms of exercise are some of the most important things they can do. Rasing said gardening is a great activity for maintaining joint flexibility, range of motion and quality of life, and by incorporating a few simple modifications in to your gardening routine, you can keep your backyard flowers growing without pain.

"They’re afraid they have to give it (exercise) up and afraid that it will hurt to move. So it affects not only gardening, but affects a person’s ability to enjoy walking or riding a bike," Rasing said. "Actually, it’s been proven and supported by the Arthritis Foundation, that exercise is one of the keys to pain relief. So if you’ve never gone to a fitness club to work out, it doesn’t mean you have to start. We tell people just to do what they enjoy and do it to a point it becomes their form of exercise. If you have always enjoyed gardening, that’s what we want you to do."

Rasing said that although exercises like working in the backyard flower garden can still be enjoyed, people with arthritis may have to alter the way they garden, what they plant and of course, be careful not to overdo it. "They will have to maybe do it in moderation and make some adaptations, but we encourage people to continue doing what they always have done. Maybe they won’t get down on their knees, use stools on wheels and other tools, ask for help for tilling and other things they can no longer do, but they can still be involved in other processes of gardening," she said.

"The same adjustments you make in a gardening situation may be the same movement adjustments you make in your daily life. Exercise is the key. It offers so many people a peace of mind and a natural adrenaline boost, plus keeps their joints as mobile as possible."

One common misconception associated with the disease is that it’s a natural part of aging and it only affects senior citizens. In fact, more than half of the people with arthritis nationwide are under the age of 65. The most common forms are rheumatoid, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

"It is striking people of all ages. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis. There are kids with arthritis," she said. "There are 43 people nationwide with arthritis and more than one million in Illinois. There are so many myths and so much we still don’t know. But it does not have to be a natural part of aging. Therapies, drugs and resources now available have almost halted some of the processes. They have by no means cured it, but we’ve seen vast improvements at keeping the highest quality of life possible."

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Tips for gardening with arthritis

(source: Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritis.org)

*Choose young plants to avoid dealing with tiny seeds that are hard to handle.

*Plant shrubs or perennials that bloom every year so you don’t have to replant.

*Plant flowers that are easy to maintain and require little care and don’t need regular pruning.

*Try miniature fruit trees or vegetable varieties that can be grown in pots.

*Wear a carpenter’s apron with several pockets for carrying frequently used hand tools.

*Enlarge tool handles with grip tape or foam tubing.

*Use a stool, foam or kneeling pad with handrails while working near the ground.

*Choose ergonomic tools with large grips and extended handles or use small, lightweight children’s size tools that are easy to handle. Tools with tubular steel handles rather than wood are also more lightweight and easier to use.

*Wear gloves to protect hands and joints.

*Always keep pruners sharp to make cutting easier.

*Use sprinklers instead of large watering cans.

*Consider purchasing a hose caddy to store your garden hose so you can wheel the caddy to your work area and unroll the hose as you need it.

*Spread mulch to reduce the need for watering and weeding.

*Try using spray bottles to reach hanging plants or a water wand extension for your hose to reach plants more easily

(To be continued)

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[click here for Part 2]

[APRIL 27, 2001]  Asparagus, a member of the lily family, is an elegant vegetable included in many gourmet menus. In ancient times, it was considered a luxury item, fit for a king. Today, the cost may still seem lavish, but the scrumptious taste is worth every penny. In our area, early spring is the season to enjoy locally grown asparagus, so plan to include it in your meals.

The greatest demand is for all-green asparagus, which is available fresh, canned and frozen. White asparagus is found in some areas, available fresh and canned. Some may grow a splendid, deep burgundy spear that looks purple until cooked, when it turns green.

Nutritionwise, asparagus is a good deal. One cup of raw asparagus has only 31 calories, 6 grams of carbohydrate, 3 milligrams of sodium, a trace of fat and no cholesterol. Green asparagus is also a good source of vitamin A.

When buying fresh asparagus, select green, tender spears with dark green, closed tips. Store asparagus upright so that only the cut ends are in water. For best quality use within two to three days, changing the water daily. Since asparagus deteriorates rapidly after picking, it should be eaten, processed or refrigerated as soon as possible.

To prepare the spears, break or cut off tough butts as far down as they will snap easily. Wash thoroughly, leaving stalks whole, or break or cut into pieces.

Asparagus can be steamed, boiled, sautéed, stir-fried or microwaved. Cook quickly and watch closely, as asparagus is done when it turns bright green and is tender with a bit of crispness.

To microwave, place 1 pound of spears in a two-quart, microwave-safe baking dish. Add a couple teaspoons of water, cover and cook on high for four to eight minutes, until tender-crisp. Let stand for a couple more minutes before uncovering and serving.

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The list of seasonings and garnishes that complement the flavor of asparagus is almost endless. Try with dill weed, chives, bacon or bread crumbs. Or cheese, lemon butter, hollandaise sauce or pimento. For the purist, toss freshly cooked asparagus with a teaspoon of butter and sprinkle with a dash of salt. Enjoy!

Asparagus-Ham Rollups

1 pound asparagus spears

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons flour

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon dry mustard

1 cup milk

1 cup (4 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded

6 slices boiled ham, thinly sliced (about 6 ounces total)

Cook asparagus until tender. Melt butter in heavy saucepan, stir in flour, salt and mustard. Gradually stir in milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add cheese and continue stirring until cheese is melted. Be careful not to overcook. Divide asparagus into six portions. Alternate direction of flower ends within each portion. Place asparagus portions on and parallel to narrow end of each ham slice, extending flower ends over edges of ham. Roll as for jellyroll.

[Jananne Finck, nutrition and wellness educator, University of Illinois Extension, Springfield Center]

[APRIL 26, 2001]  Strawberries are not only good to eat, they are also a good source of vitamin C.  According to Jananne Finck, nutrition and wellness educator with the Springfield Extension center, strawberries are a nutritious fruit.  In fact, one cup of fresh berries provides about 88 milligrams of vitamin C.  This more than meets the recommended daily amount for most children and adults.

Strawberries are low in calories, too, with one cup of unsweetened berries weighing in at only 55 calories.  This makes these tasty berries a low-calorie way to add flavor, nutrients and pleasure to our meals.  They are also great for snacks.

Handle fresh berries carefully

Whether you pick your own strawberries or buy them at the local grocery, handle fresh berries gently.  According to Jananne Finck, fresh strawberries preserve their food value and quality if handled with care.

If you pick your own berries, avoid placing them in the sun any longer than necessary.  It is best to place them in the shade of a tree or shed. Avoid placing them in a hot car, if possible.

Cool strawberries as soon as possible after picking or purchasing.  Before refrigerating the fresh berries, sort them but don't rinse until just before using.  Store the fruit in a shallow container, uncovered, in the refrigerator.

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When you are ready to use the strawberries, wash them quickly in cold water.  Be careful not to let them soak in water.  Lift the berries gently from the wash water and drain well before the stems and hulls are removed.

Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for three or more days, depending on the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor. The berries also tend to shrivel.

For more information on freezing strawberries or other fruit, contact your local University of Illinois Extension Office, 732-8289.

[Logan County Extension Unit news release]

Animals for Adoption

These animals and more are available to good homes from the Logan County Animal Control at 1515 N. Kickapoo, phone 735-3232.

Fees for animal adoption: dogs, $60/male, $65/female; cats, $35/male, $44/female. The fees include neutering and spaying.

Logan County Animal Control's hours of operation:

Sunday  –  closed

Monday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tuesday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday  –  8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturday  –  closed

Warden: Sheila Farmer
Assistant:  Michelle Mote
In-house veterinarian:  Dr. Lester Thompson

[APRIL 14, 2001]  The  phrase "river town" brings to mind bustling, rough-and-tumble spots — places like St. Louis or New Orleans. The river constantly brings new people and new opportunities, then carries them away again. But there is another kind of river town, the kind where the waters offer a bit of tranquillity, an antidote to change. That’s what the little Fox River brings to St. Charles and Geneva, busy Chicago suburbs that nevertheless have managed to hang onto their past. A vibrant downtown, beautiful old homes, vintage red barns and the timeless river all combine to give the towns a restful dignity.

St. Charles

Nestled in the heart of the Fox River Valley, the shopping and dining districts of Century Corners and Old St. Charles reflect the city’s early beginnings. The Hotel Baker and the restored Arcada Theater, both located on Main Street, pay tribute to the roaring 1920s, and the Municipal Center, built in the 1940s, even manages to blend in with its historic neighbors.

The copper-clad gazebos on the Main Street Bridge offer a nice vantage point from which to view the Fox River rushing over the small dam and take a closer look at the city’s four bronze foxes, which each represent a vital element of the community — business, education, religion and recreation. The pieces of art were made in France and given to the city 30 years ago by Herbert Crane, a local resident and businessman. They certainly are not the only foxes around. Stone foxes decorate yards, and toy foxes pop up in shop windows. The Thirsty Fox pub welcomes parched visitors.

Although for several years I had intended to visit this area, partly because of the touted monthly Kane County flea market, it was only recently on a warm winter day that my husband and I spent a weekend in the area. We did hit the flea market for a few hours one day, but I was more impressed by the charming demeanor of the area and surprised by the historic feel of the two communities.

Just off Main Street lies Century Corners, home to an eclectic mix of small shops. You’ll find the Stonehouse on Cedar store, which is part art gallery, part gift shop and even has a small shed tucked away behind the main building stuffed with antiques like salvaged concrete, turn-of-the-century urns from an Iowa bank and vintage farm tables.

My favorite discovery, and a required stop for anyone who loves to garden, is Scentimenal Gardens, which is filled to the brim with a variety of things related to plants and flowers. Several rooms offer a wide variety of items including antique Majolica roof tiles, dried flowers, hand-painted furniture, vintage oil paintings of pansies and roses, wicker plant stands, leather furniture, candles, and pottery. The owner of the shop is also a landscape designer, and in the warmer months the shop features antique roses, kitchen herbs and potted plants.

Across the street is Town House Books and Cafe, a shop crammed with both books and personality. The maze of shelves invites you to wander, perusing books at random as the floorboards creak beneath your feet and the homey smell of coffee whets your appetite. Sit down and have a snack there, or you can wander just down the street — maybe the town’s airy chimes will be playing as you go — to the Warehouse Confectionery. This spot combines folksy antique store and yummy candy shop, including homemade chocolates. Don’t miss the chocolate-dipped gingersnaps.

Also in this area of town is a store called Panache, located in a restored 1800s cottage,
which owner Cheryl Herman has filled with an eclectic array of antiques, home and garden accessories, French soaps, and dishes and linens.

Main Street is also a shopper’s paradise, with shops lining both sides of the street. Prairie
Gourmet offers unique high-quality kitchenware, cookware and gifts for the gourmet cook, plus an array of cheeses and many other specialty foods. The shop also offers on-site cooking classes.

There are several places to spend the night, but if you want to splurge and feel pampered, rest your head at the Baker Hotel. Built by Edward J. Baker, a local philanthropist, businessman and millionaire who is also responsible for Baker Memorial Community Center and many local buildings, this 55-room hotel opened in 1928 and has become one of the most famous spots in town. The hotel, called the Crown Jewel of the Fox, has hosted many famous entertainers in its famous Rainbow Room, including Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo, Louis Armstrong and Lawrence Welk. In 1996, the hotel underwent a $9 million historical renovation. Even if you don’t spend the night, you should take a peek at this small hotel with grand illusions. The marble floors, hand-stenciled woodwork, original antique walnut furnishings and lighted dance floor are just a few examples of why this hotel earned a reputation for being the grandest small hotel in the Midwest.

If all that shopping and walking leaves you hungry, there are many good options. Before
hitting the Kane County flea market early on a Sunday morning, my husband and I enjoyed a hearty but healthy breakfast at Colonial Cafe, a local tradition since 1901. The cafe is known for its all-day breakfast, home-style cooking and, maybe most of all, its "kitchen sink sundae," which is actually two banana splits served together in a
replica of a metal kitchen sink. We managed to resist the tempting dessert items, kitchen sink and all, but those who do indulge win a bumper sticker to prove they ate it all. The walls of the charming cafe are lined with old black-and-white photos of former employees as well as scenes from the restaurant’s past and its original owner’s humble beginnings as a small, local ice cream manufacturer. The restaurant also sells boxes of Colonial Ice Cream for those who want to take the taste home.

Most areas of interest are located within a short walking distance, and you can take a self-guided walking tour of the town’s historic sites, which include several museums.

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The Dunham-Hunt House Museum, located at 302 Cedar Ave., is open Tuesdays and Sundays in June, July and August.  Built in 1836 with locally made bricks, this restored 19^th-century home is the oldest brick house in town and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was converted into a museum after being owned by one family for 140 years. The site features six different display rooms and hosts special holiday events.

The St. Charles History Museum, located at 215 Main St., is open every day except Monday and is housed in a remodeled 1928 service station. The museum features rotating exhibits and permanent displays on the history of the city, an extensive collection of Civil War, Native American and 19^th-century household artifacts, as well as research archives and a gift shop.

The William Beith House, located at 1850 Indiana St., is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 6 though Aug. 24. This restored limestone Greek Revival home was developed as a preservation study house, and visitors can play detective discovering clues and piecing together the history of the house.

The Garfield Farm Museum, located at 3N016 Garfield Road in LaFox, is open Wednesdays and Sundays, June through September, and by appointment. Visitors can tour the only intact 1840s living history farm and former Teamster Inn in Illinois being restored as a working farm.

One of the things that make this area special is the meandering Fox River. Joggers trot by on walking paths, ducks slowly float by, and an occasional fisherman tries his luck on the water’s edge. Follow this river south, past small parks and Victorian homes, and it will take you to Geneva.

Geneva

Although you can easily spend a relaxing afternoon exploring St. Charles, one of the best
things about this area is that just a few minutes away is the town of Geneva, which has even more quaint shops, historic homes, and more than 30 miles of biking and walking paths through prairies and woodland settings. I’m very glad we decided to drive a little farther and take time to discover this town.

A thriving downtown business district features more than 100 specialty shops located in historic storefronts and Victorian homes. Just on State Street alone, there’s a store called Dingers Dog Bakery and Boutique, selling low fat, all-natural dog cookies and imaginative gifts for the discriminating owner and pets; an aromatherapy shop and spa; and a European shop specializing in imported antique pine tables and French fabric.
This is a shopper’s paradise, where everything from clothing and housewares to gifts, jewelry and art is offered in shops along the tree-lined streets.

One of my favorite finds was Les Tissus Colbert — two floors of French fabrics, antiques and furniture from England, Belgium and France. Another whimsical store you won’t find just anywhere is Pariscope, which bills itself as a French department store and is a like a big candy store for adults who adore all things French. Everything from vintage fabric to soaps and furniture is scattered about.

For dining, I would recommend Le Berry Bistro, which is housed in the Berry House Shops. Built in the Greek Revival architectural style in 1854, the historic Samule Berry house has been expanded and now houses 12 shops and this restaurant on three floors, served by an elevator which opens to the garden level and upper decks. The restaurant’s specialties include leg of lamb, baked with crumbled bleu cheese and served with grilled eggplant and tomato basil sauce, and steak au poivre, a strip steak served with caramelized onions and bordelaise sauce.

If you’re just in the mood for a bit of light refreshment, don’t miss Graham’s Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream. Owners Robert and Beckie Untiedt are popular with local residents and tourists because of their gigantic chocolate-covered strawberries and coconut almond ice cream, among other tasty temptations. When I visited on an unseasonably warm winter afternoon, customers were enjoying their ice cream cones on Adirondack chairs plopped in the eatery’s front yard.

It’s a pleasant town to spend a day walking around, because everywhere you look you can see views of the river. Geneva owes its roots to the Fox River, which was formed by the melting of the Great Wisconsin Glacier that once covered the top half of what is now the state of Illinois. The river was the reason settlers first came to the Geneva
area, then known as the Big Spring. French traders and missionaries first came ashore in the early 1830s to trade with the Indians and settle. The city was called LaFox until 1850, when government records were officially changed to Geneva.

Geneva has a strong Swedish influence, due to the fact that when a branch of the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, which was built in St. Charles, was extended to Geneva, Swedish immigrants began settling there. Chicago was the dispersal point for many of the immigrants from Sweden, and as the Fox Valley area became more populated with the Swedish newcomers, the city even designated a home for those who needed assistance.

Geneva has maintained its historical integrity, which can be witnessed at the Geneva Historical Center, located in Wheeler Park, which contains an interesting collection of rural and small-town artifacts, costumes and furniture.

Although the two towns are located approximately 40 miles west from the busy streets of Chicago and the main streets through town are usually packed with traffic, there is still a quiet, genteel nature to these cities. Despite obvious suburban sprawl surrounding the communities, glimpses of their history can be seen in the form of vintage red barns and farmhouses that dot the roadsides. Once you pass the shopping centers and new construction sites and enter the hearts of these two cities, it’s refreshing to see the
restored downtown areas look much as they did a century ago.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[APRIL 13, 2001]  The phrase "river town" brings to mind bustling, rough-and-tumble spots — places like St. Louis or New Orleans. The river constantly brings new people and new opportunities, then carries them away again. But there is another kind of river town, the kind where the waters offer a bit of tranquillity, an antidote to change. That’s what the little Fox River brings to St. Charles and Geneva, busy Chicago suburbs that nevertheless have managed to hang onto their past. A vibrant downtown, beautiful old homes, vintage red barns and the timeless river all combine to give the towns a restful dignity.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

[click here for Part 2]

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