Motorcyclists' fundraiser 'an astounding success' in Elburn

You can't ask for a much better start to the holiday season toy and food drives. Yes, those have started already.

For nearly 30 years, motorcyclists have rumbled through Elburn and into Batavia as part of the DuKane A.B.A.T.E. Toy and Food Run. So they have a pretty good idea of when their efforts have paid off.

The A.B.A.T.E. folks got excellent weather for the event last month, so it was not surprising to hear them calling it "an astounding success."

They gauge this by the number of truckloads of toys and food donations they delivered to charities such as Bikers Against Child Abuse, Hesed House, HELPS Ministry, Batavia and Elburn food pantries, and many others. Apparently, there were plenty of truckloads.

A.B.A.T.E., which promotes motorcycle safety and rights, also counts on motorcycle dealerships to join in on the efforts.

"We can't overlook the efforts of the seven area motorcycle dealerships that collected donations and served as remote registration points for the parade," DuKane chapter President Judy Kaenel said. "This is what the motorcycling community does, again and again and again."

Let's put in a plug for Elburn here, too. The small village is pretty much overrun by motorcycles on the day of this event, yet it seems to provide the staging area and tons of support every year.

Fast-food wasteland?:

Batavia has had a little trouble in the fast-food world the past couple of years.

First, the Burger King on Houston Street closed and Hardee's moved in. Now Hardee's has also closed.

White Castle along Randall Road closed a couple of years ago, and a location that was fast-food Italian and then a barbecue restaurant near Menards has been empty for some time.

"The White Castle site may see some action very soon, and other than as a fast-food outlet," city administrator Bill McGrath said.

The restaurant site near Menards was actually purchased by the nearby BP gas station two years ago and modified as part of its new car wash, before going back on the market, McGrath said.

The fast-food world is undergoing some changes, though.

"I think White Castle and Hardees may both be victims of tough accessibility and perhaps demographic changes, too," McGrath said. There is a rising desire among consumers "for what they perceive to be healthier foods," McGrath added.

Changing 'Closet' space:

Geneva's loss is Batavia's gain, at least in terms of this particular young adult clothing store.

Plato's Closet has made its move to 69 N. Randall in a shopping area between Sears Hardware and Target, moving a stone's throw south of its previous spot at 1900 S. Randall Road in Geneva.

The store operates on the concept of selling gently used brand name clothing, with "brand name" being the key. The chain says it avoids being considered a typical secondhand clothing operation by generally buying only top-name brands that have been in retail stores within the past year and a half.

The Ray's mystery:

Some St. Charles history appears ready to be rewritten as the shuttered Ray's Evergreen Tavern site at 1400 W. Main St. could be entering a new era.

For several decades, Ray's Evergreen was the west-side tavern of choice for St. Charles residents, with many of its patrons living in the nearby "Belgium Town" section along Dean Street.

What made Ray's so popular back then would be difficult to duplicate now. It thrived on blue-collar workers gathering when the factories closed, and it offered the popular Belgian lawn bowling game called Rolle Bolle.

It was also the starting and ending spot for weekly pigeon races, of which many residents participated.

The past decade or so, it has had a more modern appeal with an outdoor seating area and expanded menu. But it closed more than a month ago.

Now, the city awaits the next move from owners, including a liquor license application, though it seems somewhat shrouded in mystery when glancing at the tavern's Facebook page. Owners promise to reopen, but they aren't indicating when or how.

A major facelift, or even a rebuilding project and rebranding, can't be out of the question at this point.

An "under new management" sign posted outside tells us whatever happens next, some different folks may be calling the shots. Matt O'Rourke, economic development division manager for St. Charles, said the property owner remains Martin Farm Holding LLC, but some new managers may be operating the business side.

For the orphans:

Using music to put some emphasis on the need to help orphans, Sanctuary Church in Batavia is hosting a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Local musicians Candy Kless, J. Brian Hill, Nancy Small-Killeen and Howard Clark will perform with a choir made up of local singers from various church and schools in the Fox Valley.

The concert is free, but the church, 1S430 Wenmoth Road, will accept donations. Money raised from the concert will help purchase medical supplies, equipment and clothing for orphans at the Henen Provincial Orphanage in China.

dheun@sbcglobal.net