Community ties stretch back decades for Franks
The marquee of the Arcada Theater let it be known to passers-by last week that Frank's Employment, housed in the Arcada building on Main Street, was celebrating its 50th anniversary.
This might not mean a whole lot to those who haven't been around St. Charles since 1957, when the Frank family started this job-placement business -- now the longest such family-owned operation in the Fox Valley.
But in addition to congratulating the Franks on this anniversary, it should be noted that Ruby Frank and her son, Craig, have given a lot of time and money for the welfare of the community, particularly in attempting to keep two downtown jewels -- the Arcada Theater and the Hotel Baker -- alive long enough for other entrepreneurs to make a financial commitment to them.
For that, we say thanks, too.
Made to fit in: In the debate over whether the so-called "Eddie Munster" house at 405 S. Seventh St. in St. Charles, owned by Ann Shirley Bowie, should have landmark status, it should be noted most developers have not destroyed the character of local neighborhoods with other teardowns.
Leveling that stunning 1890s Victorian house would be a major change for that neighborhood, but it wouldn't be impossible for the developer to make new homes fit in an established neighborhood. Still, you can't replace history and it would be nice to somehow save this unique building, which is why it remains important for cities to have guidelines regarding replacing the old with the new.
Homes closer to downtown areas are key teardown targets, especially when the downtown itself has shown new life. Naperville's downtown serves as a good example.
When the First Street project in St. Charles is completed, developers will eye homes near that quadrant of downtown.
This same premise is driving developer Joe Stanton to consider residential condos on a portion of Third Street in Geneva he has purchased, where La Maison d'Elodie now stands. His strategy is based on the belief buyers would love the chance to live along the Third Street retail district. He's facing resistance from those who love the current look and feel of Third Street.
An eye for church: Here's something I had never seen before: A seeing-eye dog leading a blind person into one of the front-row pews at our church for a weekend service.
The dog, of course, was well behaved and even took its master up to receive Communion.
This person was likely just a visitor, as I have not seen her at Mass the past few weeks. But I would imagine it is not unusual for seeing-eye dogs to be with their masters at religious services.
Glad she's OK: And still another thing I had never seen before at church: During a Saturday afternoon service, a lady in one of the first pews had some type of seizure or health concern, and several parishioners rushed to her aid.
This occurred right as the service was ending, and paramedics were there moments later to take her to the hospital. She apparently was OK, so we were happy to hear that, as these unexpected emergencies cause concern.
dheun@sbcglobal.net