Heun: Fondly remembering of Gross National Product

Jim Freedlund has made his rounds for the Batavia post office since 1973, but he's been playing the guitar for much longer.

"There may be a few days when I don't pick up a guitar, but there are more days that I do," Freedlund said. "It's just part of what I do."

It started 50 years ago for Freedlund when he got his first guitar as a teen. For nearly as long, his name and those of some fellow Batavians are mostly attached to that of a local band from the 1960s called Gross National Product.

Under a different name, the band started modestly enough at teen parties in the area and high school events. It eventually grew to become GNP, a popular nine-piece band showcasing some of the most talented musicians in Batavia. And the band could do more than rock.

"We did a formal dance for Waubonsee (Community College) because we had the horn section and did a few Big Band type songs," Freedlund said.

Currently, Freedlund handles the sound system for the monthly Sunday concerts at Kiss the Sky record shop in Batavia.

Gross National Product hasn't played regularly since the band members went off to college, but those who are still in the area got together for a show at Kiss the Sky last September. It was part of the 45th high school reunion weekend for the Batavia High School Class of 1969, the year Freedlund and some other bandmates graduated.

"Four or five of us have never really stopped playing for any amount of time," Freedlund said. "So we got together for a rehearsal and went over all of the songs."

With a crowd of more than 100 followers on hand, the band went through a song list that reflected its journey, starting with early Rolling Stones tunes that they mastered in the basement of Mark Voigt, to the later Chicago-type tunes with horns.

"EZ" Dave Haines was part of that early group before moving on to become the frontman and harmonica player for another popular local band, DeLuxury.

Freedlund still has his first guitar, a Silvertone acoustic he bought for $26. His parents splurged in 1965 in buying him a used Gibson SG Junior electric guitar for $100. "Boy, do I wish I still had that guitar," he said.

Like any other young musician in that era, Freedlund kept track of the popular Chicago area bands. His band was lucky - and good - enough to open a show for The Flock.

He also had a great experience when his college band "Free Will" opened an Ides of March concert at Majestic Band Stand in Lake Geneva.

For now, Freedlund enjoys handling the sound at Kiss the Sky, playing his guitar and getting together with Gross National Product members to relive good, old times.

"I never had big aspirations to be a rock 'n roll star because it wasn't feasible," Freedlund said. "I enjoy playing guitar, but there are plenty of other things, such as family, that are more important."

The father-son combos

It was great to hear that St. Charles banker Steve Martin earned the Charlemagne Award, recognizing the city's top citizen for the year. Set aside his many accomplishments and services to the city, and this guy still deserves the award based simply on how much he loves his hometown.

Plus, he joins his father, Jim Martin, a longtime city official and volunteer, as a recipient of the prestigious award. Jim Martin won the honor in 2001.

So, this father-son combo thing must have been catching last week. Geneva football greats Joe Herrera (Class of 1979) and his son Nick Herrera (Class of 2006) were inducted into the Geneva High School Sports Hall of Fame on the same night.

A good Preservation move

When Kernel Fabyan's was at 511 S. Third St. in Geneva, it was the perfect popcorn shop. It also worked well for Smuzi Juice Bar, which specialized in healthy drinks and food at that location after Fabyan's went to State Street.

With Smuzi now closed, Preservation Bread & Wine owner Lawrence Colburn bought his own building plus the next door 511 site.

Colburn envisions converting the empty building into a "food truck without wheels," where takeout food items separate from Preservation Bread & Wine would be available.

"We are planning on keeping Preservation Bread & Wine just the way it is and going with a totally new concept at the Smuzi location," Colburn said. "A potential crossover will be if there are bread needs, we will bake them over here (at the current location).

"It's a great little building with a ton of character, and I'm really looking forward to it," said Colburn, who added the new building won't carry the Preservation name.

Colburn doesn't foresee converting the driveway between the buildings into a customer seating area, but he's not ruling out anything.

A new taste

Attention, coffee lovers! A new destination in Geneva is scheduled to open Monday. Owners Spiro Kovelis and Pete Kostopoulos hope the full-service specialty coffee bar at their Buttermilk Café, 7 W. State St., will resonate with customers.

But coffee is only part of the equation. This is a new breakfast and lunch spot, hoping to make a go of it in a location that has formerly touted pizza or burger and beer joints.

This location stands out nicely near the river along North River Lane and the adjacent retail areas. Parking seems easy enough in that area, so if Buttermilk can deliver the goods, this location could have a longtime tenant.

dheun@sbcglobal.net