Constant craving for 'The Latest' shop to hit Geneva
You've seen the cartoon character float in the air, arms and feet flapping, with a huge smile on his face as the aroma of something near and dear to his heart has his nostrils in full gear and his body levitating toward the source of the sweet smell.
Homer Simpson comes to mind when he gets a sniff of nearby doughnuts.
That would describe my visit to The Latest Crave cupcake shop at 227 S. Third St. in Geneva during its grand opening last weekend. Plenty of other folks had the same idea, as a steady stream of customers checked out a local edition of what has really become a national craze.
"I think it started with the 'Sprinkles' cupcake shop in New York in the movie 'Sex in the City,' " said Elaine Swedun, co-owner of The Latest Crave with partner Nancy Cornwell. "Now cupcake shops are popping up all over the country."
Swedun, her apron covered in chocolate from working in the kitchen, was pleased with the response on the shop's grand opening day Nov. 8.
"We sent out some press releases, but a lot of it has been word-of-mouth," she said.
It may start with word-of-mouth, but it will soon be "taste of mouth," when customers start to eat cupcakes such as Red Velvet, Blackbottom, Chocolate on Chocolate, Snickerdoodle and many other specialties.
"We started thinking about doing this just after the first of the year," Swedun said. "We were already wholesaling our gourmet English Toffee to several stores, so this was a natural for us, and we thought, hey, we can do this.
"When the 'Just In Time' delicatessen here was leaving, the location opened up for us," Swedun said.
Losing some sweets: Even though my sweet tooth likes the idea of The Latest Crave cupcake shop opening in Geneva, it will have to do without a couple of other sweet shops in the future.
After much hoopla nearly 10 years ago when it opened a Randall Road location in St. Charles, it was surprising to see the Krispy Kreme store shut down.
I have to admit that I was never hooked on these particular doughnuts, but they had a significant following when they burst on the local retail scene. I knew their popularity had faded a bit in the past five years, so the combination of a bad economy had to be a final blow.
To add insult to injury, I noticed that the Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins location in Geneva also has shut down.
That's a lot of sweet stuff - and plenty of calories - no longer available.
Collecting toys again: It seems like Jim Wheeler has been collecting toys for kids for as long as he's been teaching area residents to hit a golf ball straight.
Wheeler is involved again in the drive to get toys to the Salvation Army for the holiday season. His pro shop at Pottawatomie Golf Course is one of many drop-off spots for the St. Charles Breakfast Rotary's "Toys for Kids" program.
Other drop-off spots include Norris Recreation Center, Baker Community Center, Pottawatomie Community Center, all of the St. Charles grade schools, Hosanna Lutheran Church and Geneva Middle School South.
Those other needs: Toys aren't the only things that help families during the holidays. You can be certain that far more people are down on their luck this year. That means food, clothes and other necessities will be needed. When you see those of us who gladly donate our time to ring the bell for Salvation Army this season, be sure to continue your incredible generosity.
Just keep swinging: It could be argued that anyone still trying to play golf probably should check in with a therapist, but some of them will be playing in the Turkey Trot two-man scramble at Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora today.
The best title for a winter season golf event was the Frozen Fingers tournament that pro Dennis Johnsen offered years ago at Pheasant Run in St. Charles.
And no, I have never played in a winter golf tournament. I struggle enough in the warmth of summer.
dheun@sbcglobal.net