New restaurants add more flavor to Batavia

It's great to see new restaurants opening in Batavia.

The Lodge on the Fox, 35 N. Water St., opened recently and is now up and running with quite an impressive menu with great prices.

I didn't order the deep fried dill pickles with garlic aioli sauce, but I heard they were terrific.

One thing about the Lodge that I like are the daily postings on Facebook (facebook.com/pages/The-Lodge-on-the-Fox). You can find out what the specials for the week are and also check to see if they are offering any new promotions.

The Gammon Coach House, behind the Gammon House, corner of Wilson and Batavia avenues, is also open now. It's a limited menu, mostly burgers.

“We plan to expand the menu in the near future,” said co-owner John With. “And we will open for dinner soon with a Friday night fish fry.”

It's great to see the expanded outdoor space with the beautiful flowers.

“In the spring, we'd like to add another patio where people can come and enjoy a glass of wine,” With said.

Local talent: Batavians are entering the creative world. Blake Stratton wowed crowds with his performances in Batavia musicals. Now he has taken his talent to the national stage, releasing his first CD.#8220;I've been working as a studio musician in Nashville, playing bass guitar,#8221; said Stratton. #8220;That connection led me to producer David Spenser, who produced this CD for me. I really want to write music and develop a career as a singer/songwriter.#8221;His CD, #8220;Bellevue EP,#8221; is available on iTunes.I also had a chance to read #8220;A Second Chance for Mickey Pye,#8221; a new book by first-time author A. J. Marzetti.#8220;Mickey Pye is a retired #8216;pain in the butt' Army sergeant who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer,#8221; said Marzetti. #8220;He makes peace with the world and then a mysterious figure comes into his life and promises a brighter future.#8221;A.J. Marzetti's book is available at Amazon.Next week: If you haven't purchased your tickets for the Batavia House Walk on Sunday, Sept. 25, now is the time to do it. Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (630) 761-3528. Included on the walk this year is the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary on North Batavia Avenue, along with two Victorians and two contemporary homes.Farewell: Sadly, I didn't realize that our community had lost one of its most dedicated servants, Don Johnsen. Don was my first interview for the Daily Herald when I talked with him about the Festival of Lights celebration. Throughout the years, he was always willing to help me connect with others for columns and to take time out from his volunteering to answer questions for me. I, like many others in our community, will miss him.