Rebirth of Ray's right in line for W. Main

St. Charles Mayor Don DeWitte admits that he had his first "legal" beer at Ray's Evergreen, so he does have a soft spot in his heart for the 80-year-old tavern that will be renovated and expanded next month -- rather than knocked down, as was feared last year.

"This was one of the last true taverns in town, and what (property owner) Peter Lappin is proposing in a more family-oriented setting makes a lot of sense."

DeWitte also said that at one time his father was asked if he wanted to be a part owner of the business, which long catered to the Dean Street "Belgium Town" area, near the DeWitte family home.

The rebirth of Ray's falls right in line with other new development along West Main Street, including a new restaurant and service station in the future where Spring View restaurant and the Clark station now sit, and the recent buildup of West Towne Market. Now it will be interesting to see what happens at Main and 14th streets to the abandoned dry cleaners business.

"It's a redevelopment initiative that is working its way eastward from Randall Road," DeWitte said.

Catching these bugs: I had not seen this in nearly 40 years. A driver motoring along Fabyan Parkway tossed a bag of garbage out the window and onto the road.

It was a shocking reminder that maybe all of that litter we see on our roadsides isn't just from stuff blowing out of our recycling bins and off the garbage trucks.

I can remember in the 1960s that litterbugs would pitch fast-food wrappers and bags or, more commonly, ashtrays full of cigarette butts from their cars. But fast food and cars were in their honeymoon stage at that time, so it could be that people simply didn't know better.

But to see it now is somewhat appalling.

"Our officers definitely enforce the littering statutes," St. Charles police public information officer Paul McCurtain said. "It's surprising, but it still happens on occasion and, like many other things, we don't always catch people in the act. But when we do, we take action."

That action could result in a fine up to $500 if violating a city littering ordinance, or up to $1,500 if it occurs on a state highway.

Geneva police Cmdr. Steve Mexin said his department also issues tickets when catching a litterbug in the act.

"The one thing we will still see on occasion is someone dumping their ashtray on the street," Mexin said.

We have enough garbage piling up from our recycling efforts and Mother Nature's tendency to be a bit windy at times, so let's hope that my spotting of this idiotic violation is a rare occurrence.

Clean those fingers: After much prodding from my son during his college spring break, I made my first trip to Buffalo Wild Wings in the Geneva Commons. Everything you've heard about how good the chicken wings are at this place is true.

I will add this: You'll make good use of the packets of finger wipes and napkins they give you with your meal.

dheun@sbcglobal.net