Should Geneva build a new library?

Retired folks I know spend a fair amount of time, at least a lot more than when they were working, in two places - the library or the recreation center.

This intrigues me as I edge ever closer to that retirement age.

If you live in St. Charles and want to spend more time in a public library or a park district rec center, you're set up pretty well.

In Geneva, the rec center part is really good, the library part not bad, but pretty small. In Batavia, the library is wonderful, but the recreation center option doesn't exist. It has a park district gym, though.

I hope Geneva doesn't have too tough of a time getting a new library, and that Batavia Park District can stir community interest in a rec center again.

A chance for a nice recreation center slipped by a few years ago when residents voted against one being built in what is the retail strip center on Island Avenue. At least that retail strip didn't go belly-up, a result that easily could have occurred.

Geneva has its shot at a new library - if residents eventually approve a $21.8 million referendum to have one constructed along Sixth and Seventh streets.

Generally, I'm not going to carry the baton for any tax vote in this column. The editorial page is probably better suited for those things.

But I will say Geneva deserves a new library and Batavia deserves a new recreation center. But "deserves" means nothing if the tax bill math doesn't provide a good return on the investment.

No one likes to see a tax bill go up, but it doesn't take away from my sense that these towns should be able to point to top-rate facilities.

We can't cloud our thinking with the thought of the digital age potentially making libraries obsolete.

In fact, Geneva Library public relations and marketing director Paula Krapf notes, "The digital age has actually made libraries more important. We're surrounded by information, but don't know how to process it. That is something librarians are trained in, and available to help."

With a new library, a technology "commons" could be set up to offer a wide range of equipment, Krapf added.

And, as Batavia and St. Charles has proved, a bigger, newer library becomes more of a community center for special presentations and meetings.

As for Batavia and a new recreation center, it seems more people are realizing what a gathering place these centers become. Not only that, it fuels an ambition to lead healthier lives, which is always a good thing.

Here's to hoping both of these new public offerings become reality at some point.

A great farewell: Another note about the Batavia Park District: The staff there sure knows how to create a farewell send-off.

Co-workers put together a video and all sorts of accolades for Carla Hill, the Depot Museum curator and "queen" of the park district, in recognizing her retirement after 40 years.

It all came together at the park district's recent holiday recognition party to fete employees who have served the district for many years.

The celebration of Hill's legacy to the district was funny and touching, while also speaking to a vital point. You have to have people like Carla Hill in a community to make it a special place.

She's left that stamp on Batavia.

Some real gratitude: You can't deny that pieces of public art really stand out in our communities and bring their own special look into history or the human mind right before our eyes.

I've written about our communities' sculptures and art pieces on more than a few occasions. As such, I certainly like the motivations behind the Gratitude Project in St. Charles, of which Dr. C. Alfred Patten will serve as the engine driving this concept of expressing appreciation to volunteers and leaders through public art.

Patten has the St. Charles Arts Council, Downtown St. Charles Partnership and The River Corridor Foundation all weighing in on how to best get the project and future sculptures up and running.

It also reminds me that when I mention these various sculptures in the Tri-Cities area, it is a good idea to mention who created them.

In a recent column touting my appreciation for the Col. Baker statue in front of Hotel Baker and the Dellora Norris statue at the St. Charles Municipal Center concourse, I forgot to say who created these. They were the work of sculptor Ray Kobald, who has created some great tributes to St. Charles history.

On those sandwiches: Readers have shared a few of their favorite deli sandwich choices with me since I broached the topic a week ago. I will share those views on Sunday.

In the meantime, I tried another sandwich. It may not qualify as a true deli choice, but the BLT-Abby's Way at Abby's Breakfast and Lunch in St. Charles is quite interesting - and really good.

It might be the first time I had bacon, lettuce and tomato on wheat bread with cream cheese and eggs included. I know what you might be feeling. I too get hungry again thinking about it.

dheun@sbcglobal.net