World War II veteran's book honors Eighth Air Force

When Edward Kendall retired several years ago, he figured a good hobby would be writing a book about something he knew quite well.

The 86-year-old Kendall knows about the Eighth Air Force and its role in helping the Allies win World War II. He was a member of the Eighth Air Force from 1941 through 1945, serving as a mechanic, inspector and crew chief of the bombers that flew over Europe.

Kendall, a resident of Batavia after living in Geneva for 35 years, has written a fictional account of the Eighth's actions titled, “The Safe House,” based in part on the true story of one of his friends who had to bail out over Holland after his plane was hit over Hamburg, Germany.

“I took up writing fiction about eight years ago, and have found it very challenging and much harder than I imagined,” said Kendall, who previously published a book of short stories.

“I don't have any great expectations about how many books I can sell,” said Kendall, who was a business consultant and taught business management at DePaul and Northern Illinois universities. “I want it out there to honor the Eighth Air Force.”

Kendall said he was pleased that the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah, Ga., would have the book available because he wrote it to honor those veterans.

During this Veterans Day week, Kendall has a great appreciation for his comrades in the Air Force who faced far more dangers than he in his role as a mechanic. But he did have a close call in Arizona, of all places.

“We were training on air-to-air refueling and one of the transfer pumps caught on fire,” Kendall said. “We were really close to bailing out, but the pilot got us down safely.”

“The Safe House” is available at Town House Books in St. Charles, and online at xlibris.com, barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Vote for cash

Mary Bencini of Geneva is at it again letting her friends know to spread the word and vote in an online contest that can secure funds for a worthy cause.

The latest daily reminders from Bencini regard the State Farm Insurance program called “Friday Night Feats” in which videos of dramatic high school football games are submitted for votes as the most thrilling moment of the season with the hopes of securing $17,500 for their school.

The push is on for Geneva High School to be awarded for the Vikings' thrilling 31-28 win over South Elgin with a 35-yard field goal by Ben Moore as time expired.

You can vote by registering on the fridaynightfeats.com site, and looking over the highlight choices to find the Geneva game.

Staying a salon

Once a storefront has a reputation for a certain business, why not keep it that way?

The former Act One hair salon site at 27 N. Second St. in Geneva is now called the Split Ends Salon, as owner Mary Finkler of St. Charles opened her doors to customers last week.

In addition to hair styling, the salon will offer full nail service and facials.