Memorial statue never arrives for St. Charles preschool

For lack of a better term, it was simply highway robbery in the eyes of those who operate Hosanna Preschool at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles.

The staff at the preschool had a chance to help a family from the church that was facing the tragedy of losing triplets at childbirth - and the good intention turned into a tragedy of its own.

"We were at a loss of what to do," said preschool staffer Lynne Smith, explaining why preschool director Linda Horneck recently approached a newspaper consumer action columnist to help get the word out. There hasn't been much feedback from that.

So I'll do my part, because the word needs to be out about what has happened. The preschool decided to purchase a bronze statue of children on a tricycle as a memorial for the family, which donated money for the project.

The statue was purchased online in October of 2007 and, when it appeared the original order was not taken, again in July of 2008.

After a credit card was charged, the statue never appeared and the company appears to have fallen off the face of the earth, other than some reported legal problems in California.

"It was a great idea and it has just broken our hearts," Smith said. "We wanted to honor this family and it snowballed into something terrible."

The pursuit now is to somehow get back the $1,795, but that's not all.

"We want to recoup the money, but we still don't have something to honor those children," Smith said.

Anyone with ideas or thoughts on what can be done to get the money back and/or coming up with a way to memorialize the triplets, can contact the preschool at (630) 584-1575.

An artsy spark:

The current economy makes just about any new venture or proposal a real gamble, but there appears to be support from many in downtown Batavia to have an arts center added to the mix.

The Batavia Artists Association will operate the proposed arts center on Water Street, in a space once occupied by All Dressed Up.

With some keen marketing, it could be a spark for foot traffic downtown. The First Fridays program in Geneva, in which most of the art galleries joined in a citywide promotion, is proof that people enjoy this facet of their retail sectors.

Though nothing is certain in 2009, we're glad to see this initiative by Batavia artists.

Just more Stars:

I can't get out from under the "Stars" this year.

About a month after participating in the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission's highly successful "Dancing with the Geneva Stars" at Eagle Brook Country Club last month, my wife and I are looking forward to another look at the stars.

This one, titled "A Night Under the Stars," is the TriCity Family Services' annual benefit on March 20 at Eagle Brook.

The good news is that no one is asking us to dance for votes at this event. But this is always an enjoyable fundraiser for a great cause.

Wouldn't want it:

It may sound crazy in these current times to say there's a job you wouldn't want. But I would take a pass if someone offered me the job of working on the Elfstrom Stadium expansion for the Kane County Cougars.

OK, stop laughing. I know that if someone put a hammer and nail in my hands we'd end up with a Three Stooges routine.

But why would I take a pass on that job? It's been too darn cold to be working outside - especially in the elevated position of that new second deck at the Cougars' ballpark.

Help with taxes:

If your income for last year was $50,000 or less, you're eligible for free tax form preparation through the annual Aurora University program. Just show up in the lobby of the university's Dunham Hall between 8 and 11 a.m. any of the next four Saturdays to take part in this service.

More than 140 people took advantage of this offer last weekend - proof that the university is providing a much-needed service.

Has to have name:

We're reluctant to call it the Great Depression II, and those who were youngsters during the 1930s say our current situation doesn't compare. But it has to be called something, doesn't it?

How about The Great Adjustment? History may tell us years from now that we had to endure the Great Adjustment so that future generations weren't living in a world in which a loaf of bread would cost $15.

dheun@sbcglobal.net