Bring your kite and fly it at St. Charles event
Here's something most people don't know about me: I was a terrific kite flyer as a kid. At least that's what adults always told me.
One of my mother's uncles is likely to blame. Every time he came out from Chicago to visit, he brought kites for the kids. And he taught us how to make the perfect tail, how to work the string and how to get that kite way up there with a good running start, and how to keep it aloft.
Once the kite was so far away you could barely see it, we would tie the string to a front porch rail, and let the wind do the rest of the work.
Why in the world am I bringing this up? Because it would be great if parents took their kids to the "Let's Go Fly a Kite" day on April 30 at Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles. Of course, nothing says the grandparents can't take on this task either.
The park district is offering this free event as a way to get kids out to enjoy what really is one of spring's simple pleasures. There's something about getting a kite up in the air that just feels great.
Why can't kids just fly their own kites, considering they have so many other organized events as it is?
Well, they could. But would they?
Are any uncles visiting these days with kite-flying expertise?
I have no problem with the park district organizing a special event for this activity.
To participate, you have to register your children at the pavilion in the park, between noon and 2 p.m. April 30. If kids don't have a kite, the first 50 to register receive a free kite kit, including supplies needed to decorate the kite.
He enters Arts Hall:
Congratulations are in order for sculptor Guy Bellaver of St. Charles, who will take his spot in the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame at a celebration April 14 at Villa Olivia Country Club.
The Fox Valley Arts Council's recommendation committee cited Bellaver's many sculptures throughout the area during his 35 years in St. Charles, especially Ekwabet, the Indian chief overlooking the Fox River; the veteran's memorial on the grounds of the Kane County Government Center; and his recent "reflections" piece near the St. Charles Municipal Center.
Bellaver has also earned his way into the Arts Hall of Fame by taking the time to share his skill and knowledge with others, not to mention the key role he and his wife Elizabeth play on the St. Charles Arts Council.
In short, the Tri-Cities area wouldn't be quite as interesting without Guy Bellaver calling it home.
Affordable prom dresses:
The CHIP IN organization in Batavia is at it again in preparation of the high school prom season.
The organization will hold its third annual prom dress sale April 14 through 17 at Congregational Church of Batavia. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. April 14 and 15, and 1 to 5 p.m. April 16 and 17.
Zano Salon & Spa in Batavia is teaming up with CHIP IN this year to make the dresses available. Students who qualify through their school guidance counselors can pick a dress at no cost. Others are able to purchase dresses that sell for $25 or $50.
Back at the course:
One of the many "golf guys" I came to know in this area was Rick Bell.
He was an assistant for the late Jim Wheeler in the mid 1980s at Pottawatomie Golf Course. He later went on to perform the same task for Dennis Johnsen at Pheasant Run.
That means he's been teaching people how to play and think their way through a golf course for many years.
Bell remained in the local golf world for a while, but left to teach at other courses, the most recent being Water's Edge Golf Course in Worth, Illinois. He spent the last five years in Worth, but he's back here now.
Bell will teach at Mill Creek Golf Course in Geneva this summer. Information is available on the Mill Creek website.
Mouth is watering:
Of all the menu items that the Finery & Blacksmith Bar in St. Charles lists on its breakfast menu, one surely jumps out at me and makes my mouth start watering.
That would be banana walnut French toast.
It might be worth keeping in mind for those who stop in at this new St. Charles restaurant.
dheun@sbcglobal.net