Sign of the times for fairgrounds

Even though it has been in place for a few weeks, the new electronic marquee for the Kane County Fairgrounds on Randall Road is hard to get used to.

The old sign, with the replaceable letters, informed me for decades about what was going on at the fairgrounds on any given weekend. The new sign is another in the fairgrounds' "sign of the times," falling in line with other improvements the past few years.

When the fair board was entertaining ideas to move the fairgrounds west and onto Route 47 more than 20 years ago, I wasn't against the idea but wondered if it was the best option.

Some St. Charles officials welcomed that proposal, so the city's portion of Randall Road could join the 1980s and get rid of the 1950s aura that surrounded their portion of a potential retail area.

I also wasn't crazy about another idea, also in the late 1980s, that a Kane County minor league baseball team could make its home near the fairgrounds property as part of St. Charles' west gateway - with the thought that the fairgrounds might eventually move and all of that property could be developed to coincide with a nearby ballpark.

The Cougars ended up in a far better spot on Geneva's east side, and we've seen what can happen to retail areas during down times.

It adds up to this: It turned out to be a good idea to improve the fairgrounds facilities and keep them on Randall as a signature of St. Charles and a link to its rural past.

It's all military pride: He'd like to see a few more "foot soldiers" make their way toward his military memorabilia booth before he closes shop on July 4.

Those foot soldiers would equate to a little more foot traffic at the Antique I market in St. Charles where Steve Thompson has once again put his Military Museum on display for public viewing.

He had several interested onlookers during the recent Pride of the Fox RiverFest, when he had some rare items on display. But he's hoping for more visitors before the display comes down next weekend.

Thompson, a St. Charles resident whose passion for military history has equated to his impressive display, also has committed to placing the exhibit in the Geneva History Center on Third Street during the Festival of the Vine Sept. 11 to 13.

Those who take the time to stop by his St. Charles booth July 4 or in Geneva in September will likely see some rare pieces.

"Among the many artifacts will be a German flag which once flew over Hitler's Eagles Nest," Thompson said. "It was captured and brought back by a Geneva G.I. of the 3rd Infantry Division."

Thompson said he also will be showing a set of Hitler's formal pattern sterling silver tableware and embroidered monogrammed napkins that were taken from the German dictator's Eagles Nest headquarters in the Bavarian Alps.

A better welcome mat: It's not an expansion project, even though most of the churches in our region would love more space.

Those braving the heat to visit Swedish Days this past week may have noticed a lot of construction gear and materials on the grounds at Geneva Lutheran Church on the corner of Third and Franklin streets.

Geneva Lutheran is getting a new roof and heating/air-conditioning setup, in addition to improving the entryway into the church.

They're looking for a more "welcoming" feel for the entryway, to go along with some new signs in the front of the church that will announce worship times.

It's all designed to help residents and visitors realize Geneva Lutheran is right in the middle of the Third Street retail district.

A lobster loss: As if the pending state budget, appropriately titled the "Doomsday Budget," doesn't put a vital agency like TriCity Family Services in enough trouble, the weather had to complicate matters.

Bad weather delayed the arrival of hundreds of fresh lobsters that were being brought in last weekend as part of the agency's annual Lobster Fly-In fundraiser. TCFS had to cancel the fly-in because there was a fear the lobsters might die before arrival because of the delay. Many who purchased lobsters were kind enough to donate the money to the agency anyway, but plenty of potential dollars were lost.

The agency stands to lose $100,000 in funding if the state budget passes, so by comparison the lobster dilemma was just another kick in the head. But who needs more of those?

Like so many other social service agencies, TriCity Family Services is going to need the community's help to make up the difference resulting from our state's failings.

Patriotic tuneup: We'll do our best to get you in a patriotic mood - a week before the Fourth of July festivities.

My service club will be handing out American flags to kids along the Swedish Days parade route this afternoon.

We've made this trek along the route from Anderson Boulevard and along State and Third streets to the train station for more than 20 years.

If you've never taken in the Swedish Days parade, you are passing up one of the great Tri-Cities traditions.

The blistering heat kept crowds down earlier in the week. So, if the weather cooperates, see you at the parade today.

dheun@sbcglobal.net