New businesses, fond farewells and historic preservation: A look back at the top stories of 2025 in Talk of the Town

A year-end review of the “Talk of the Town” column may not pass the taste test for those who love gritty politics, conflict and angst.

I covered much of that sort of thing years ago, and when the Daily Herald hired me to write this column, starting in 2003, it was clear the emphasis would ultimately be on good people, good things, and what makes the spirit within a community stand out.

Certainly not every column was able to avoid some conflict and debate within a specific city. If people were talking about it, the column was able to either clarify some stuff overflowing social media pipelines, or get comments from folks who maybe no one bothered to ask.

But mostly, 2025 marked another year in which people you may know, or would like to know, stood out. The following highlights remind us it was another good year with good people — in a year in which we really needed it.

A farewell and a welcome

As the new year began, former and current Geneva firefighters were fondly remembering Chief Frank Johnson, who had passed away. Johnson was the head of the fire department from 1980 to 1996.

He was a unique and respected leader during a time of significant growth in the city and facing challenges to keep the department equipped and staffed to serve that expansion.

In development news, St. Charles residents were welcoming word that a major retail area, Fox Haven Square, was earmarked for the city’s east side.

It was a dose of good news for that side of town, which has been saddled with the mostly empty Charlestowne Mall for a couple of decades.

Fox Haven Square was not replacing Charlestowne, but was close enough nearby to potentially spark other retail movement at Charlestowne or around it.

Wellness and history preservation

Randy and Amy Bennett of North Aurora spoke about their Intermission Therapies mental health clinic in Geneva, as well as their creation of a nonprofit, Second Act/Scene 2. It would serve those with little or no insurance seeking consultation or therapy.

In the area of keeping a community in touch with its history, Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley explained its views on historic preservation at a time when various communities were coping with questions about historic structures that owners wanted to move or demolish.

The Partners reiterated it was an organization essentially serving as a guide or resource when developers and residents were facing challenges with historic preservation committees.

Fox River, Fabyan Villa gardens

The River Corridor Foundation introduced a concept for a “floating garden” to be placed near Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles.

The idea was drawn from a similar project in Chicago, adding beauty and life to portions of rivers close to areas in which residents gather, either in parks and bike/walking trails. The concept calls for boardwalks for visitors to view the various plantings in a garden on the water.

The project continued to get positive feedback and growing support from the city and park district as the year came to a close. The foundation is moving forward on concept plants for this EcoPark.

Again, Preservation Partners shared its knowledge of the Fabyan Villa in the Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva, including insights into how Col. George Fabyan and his wife Nellie built up the property some 120 years ago.

The Japanese Garden on the site was created in 1910, looking similar to the aforementioned floating gardens with a set of boardwalks for visitors to admire the unique setting. The Partners noted the pond in the garden has a slow leak in it, creating an expensive problem to solve in the coming year.

Still, the garden has remained a popular spot for visitors and weddings.

Song, museum lift Batavia spirits

Steve Cohen of Batavia told us about a song he wrote, inspired by the “Peace on Earth” bridge in Batavia. His song essentially promoted unity and mental health awareness.

He viewed the song as a way to encourage people to set aside their differences and come together, citing the “Peace” bridge as the perfect place to do so.

Also in Batavia, the Depot Museum celebrated its 50th year at its Houston Street location, overlooking the Depot Pond.

An exhibit at the museum took people through the process of moving the museum to that site, including films of the day the move from the east side of Batavia took place along Wilson Street.

A pastor and a shelter

Hosanna! Lutheran in St. Charles said goodbye to retiring pastor John Nelson.

For many, Nelson was the only pastor they had known. He was retiring after 39 years at the church, having come to Hosanna! in July of 1986 right from the seminary.

Nelson touched a staggering number of lives with his interactions in the community and programs started at the church during his time as pastor.

As the summer moved into August, we visited Valley Sheltered Workshop in Batavia, finding that it was in good hands with executive director Hugo Saltijeral.

The workshop is moving toward its 60th birthday, which will take place in May of 2026. The site has given those with cognitive disabilities a place to work and find purpose since first opening under the guidance of Rev. Gilbert Johnstone in 1966.

In addition to wanting to help others in and around the community, Johnstone had a good reason to pursue the workshop concept. He did it so his developmentally-challenged son “Bobby” would have a place to work.

Another interesting story developed in August when we learned the Fox Valley Aero Club in St. Charles, to protect its supplies and equipment, used a canopy that once covered the drive-in customers at the popular Rex’s Driv-In restaurant on the east side of St. Charles in the 1960s.

A village and canine therapy

As we moved into the fall season, a walk through a Geneva neighborhood had many stopping to look at a large fairy village near the sidewalk along Fourth Street.

Turned out, the grandkids of Tom and Linda Abendroth made the village a passion project during warm-weather months.

It was a project the kids said they created simply for passersby to enjoy. You could say it was mission accomplished for the kids — Clara, Charlotte and Benjamin Brayton of Batavia — as many walking by stopped in their tracks to check it out.

In the small-business world, Jennifer Jordan of Geneva told us during a local chamber of commerce event about her Wonder Mutt Wellness business.

Wonder Mutt Wellness offers canine massage therapy, wellness and end-of-life services.

After years of working for the federal government, Jordan turned her love of dogs and a certification in canine massage therapy into much-needed services.

A new east-side look

Genevans were a bit startled to see a three-story building under construction on East State Street near Route 25, but the city approved The Roosevelt project as a signal that the city is undergoing revitalization on that side of town.

The Roosevelt, at 103 E. State St., will house a Great Western Flooring showroom on the first floor and apartments on the second floor. In addition to its classic building architecture, owners have plans to landscape the site in a way that would enhance a city corner that has not changed much the past several decades.

The city will continue to improve the streets and streetscape of the east side heading into 2026.

Colonial’s ice cream story

Former Colonial Ice Cream president Tom Anderson showed us his mini Colonial museum at the Colonial Café on the east side of St. Charles.

The museum has numerous photos and artifacts showing the history of his family’s dairy and ice cream businesses in St. Charles since 1901.

It also sparks memories of the grandest treat Colonial has offered with its trademark dessert — the six-scoop Kitchen Sink ice cream treat.

Anderson turned over the Colonial Café restaurant business, which of course features Colonial Ice Cream, to his son Clint Anderson in 2014.

And a Happy New Year

That’s a brief look back at the faces and places we focused on in the past year.

As in every year since my career started in the Tri-Cities in 1977, it has been an honor to meet new people and tell their stories, or look back on what has transpired and where the communities are heading now.

With that, you all have my best wishes for a Happy New Year!

• dheun@sbcglobal.net