Fabyan Forest Preserve gets a new look
A lot has changed at Fabyan Forest Preserve in the past two months, and that "lot" is the parking setup on the west side of the river. Two new parking areas have helped transform the popular forest preserve to the point you feel you are in a new state park.
The walking/bike trail along the river, where the parking lot was previously located, will soon be completed with new turf to enhance the winding trail. Best of all, it now keeps cars away from the river's banks.
We've noticed that people tend to think they can drive along this new path, but forest preserve rangers have installed signs to keep cars clear of certain areas.
There is a minor concern about people having to walk too far to get to the Japanese Garden for a wedding or other event, but it appears that anyone unable to walk long distances could be dropped off near the garden.
Sponsoring those bowlers: A great window display in the Merra-Lee shops along Third Street in Geneva proclaims the store is celebrating its 80th birthday, having opened in 1929, the year the stock market crash triggered the Great Depression.
The display tells us the only way for Merra-Lee to advertise then was to sponsor bowling teams, which wore shirts stating, "Merra-Lee We Roll Along."
The legend and lore: The discussions may not be as lively as when Jimmy Kacheres was alive and shared stories about yesteryear in St. Charles, but there is still plenty of interesting history to share about the city.
Anyone who enjoys recalling names and places should participate in the Joe K. Anderson Round Table Discussion from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pottawatomie Community Center.
These trips down memory lane carry Joe K.'s name because the late Colonial Ice Cream kingpin was one of the first to "hold court" at these types of sessions - telling stories ranging from the history behind area families, to the glory days of the Hotel Baker, Arcada Theater and Arcada Supper Club.
It's been said that there's much to be learned about the past that can help us in the future. In this case, let's just say that longtime St. Charles residents have fun telling others about what made the "Pride of the Fox" click years ago.
Do you know? To get you in the mood for the history roundtable stories at Pottawatomie Community Center, here are a couple of blasts from St. Charles' very distant past:
Crane Road is named after Herbert Crane, heir to the Crane Plumbing Co. in Chicago. He owned property on the west side of Route 31, just to the south of what is now Crane Road.
Dean Ferson is a prominent name, having Dean Street and Ferson Creek Road named after him. He arrived in the area in 1834 and, along with his brother Read, was instrumental in building a saw mill and tradehouse in the region. He also was a farmer who lived near what is now the intersection of 12th and Dean streets. By 1835, the entire Ferson family lived here.