Fifth Third Bank branch in Elburn to close

This is something we are all going to have to get used to, but it's not particularly easy for residents in a small village like Elburn.

Bank branches are closing left and right these days, but our computers and smartphones can help us do many of the things the nice folks at a bank branch used to do.

Those who use the Fifth Third Bank branch in Elburn recently learned that branch will be closing April 12, and village residents will have to use bank branches on Randall Road in Geneva or St. Charles.

"It's not a closure on our part, but a consolidation with the Geneva office," Elburn branch manager Kerry Jennehan said.

"People have been receptive about this and we are doing everything we can to make sure they have access to online and mobile banking," Jennehan said.

And therein lies the rub. So many banking tasks can take place remotely that the time-tested visit to the bank branch isn't as critical. Still, it is not an easy task for a customer to open a new account digitally, and the banks know this.

Plus, bank branches have become more of an "advice center" for customers than a place to do routine banking tasks. New apps or online formats are making some of this easier, and gives the banks a chance to teach someone with little or no tech skills to become a digital bank customer.

Remember about 40 years ago how we'd wait in long lines at the drive-through to deposit checks? Companies took care of that with remote deposit and electronic payments.

How about the checks we give our kids, nieces and nephews for special occasions? They can deposit a paper check from their phones. Or, if the giver is tech-savvy, those types of payments for gifts or for a baby-sitter or a haircut can be made through a person-to-person payment application.

It will be inconvenient for some Fifth Third customers in Elburn to drive to Geneva to see a banker or conduct business they feel more comfortable doing in person. But, like anything else in life, we will all get used to modern financial services before long.

Drugs and hoops

If ever there was a symbol of small-town U.S.A. in St. Charles, it was Bob Burger.

In taking a page right out of an "Andy Griffith Show" episode, Burger was the friendly local drugstore operator who also just happened to leave favorable impressions on thousands of families as the basketball coach at St. Patrick's School for nearly three decades.

In other words, if Opie was sick, Bob could get his proper medicine. If Opie and his buddies wanted to learn how to play basketball, Bob could handle that as well. Did we mention that his teams were almost always of top caliber in the area Catholic leagues?

The likable owner of Burger's Drugs passed away last week at the age of 82, and it's quite likely that many current residents in the Tri-Cities area didn't know who he was or what he did.

He basically did what many of his generation aspired to do - serve his country in the U.S. Army, operate his own business and help kids in his community. His store is long gone, but his memory will stick with many.

Opening signs

We like to see signs posted in empty storefronts promising new tenants in the coming weeks. Such is the case along River Street in Batavia, where Pal Joey's co-owner John Hamel plans to open Bar Evolution, a martini bar in the 27 N. River St. building that formerly housed O'Sole Mio and, prior to that, the offices of congressman Dennis Hastert.

Another business, called The Tea Tree, is also posting a sign that it plans to open soon in another part of that building.

In Geneva, we see a sign posted for Curds & Whey Cheese Company in the Ace Hardware retail strip on State Street. Owner Rob Murphy is looking to take over a vacant tobacco shop next to Papa Saverio's Pizza. Yep, the same Rob Murphy who was so active for years with the St. Charles Arts and Music Festival.

Sounds rough

"Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge." Just the name makes you cringe, but here's to hoping Tara Taylor of North Aurora fares well in this Country Music Television elite athlete endurance competition airing Sunday, Feb. 28.

In Taylor's bio, it says she'll have an edge over other female competitors because she loves any type of hand-to-hand fighting. Yikes.

She's currently a personal trainer, but a former military and police officer, as well as an elite body builder. So don't bet against her.

PechaKucha reminder

Don't forget to stop by Riverview Banquets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, for the Batavia Library's second PechaKucha night, this one called "Leapin' Lizards" in honor of Leap Year. It's an interesting night of brief presentations by various speakers and, for $5 a person, you can't go wrong. The presentations start at 7 p.m.

dheun@sbcglobal.net