Used toys serve a valuable purpose as well
With toy drives all around us, and time running out for some that could certainly use a few more donations, the question has been raised about what can be done with "gently used" toys. The most common items are stuffed animals that have apparently lived a healthy life and remain in pretty good shape.
Most of the drives prefer new toys, and that makes sense. First, it would be nice to give a kid a toy that is current and popular. Second, you don't want to give a kid a toy with missing pieces, broken parts or a scummy appearance.
It's getting late as far as donations go, but if any organization, church or youth group is collecting toys and would take some of the gently used variety, send me an e-mail and I will slip in a note in my Sunday column. Interested people can then contact the organization immediately.
One reader told me that his three children have an array of stuffed animals in good condition that they want to donate, so that's a good example of what I am referring to here.
Also, it's not too late for those inclined to purchase a new toy and get it to any number of toy drives occurring in the area.
Greek on the menu: Where one Greek restaurant falters, another is ready to pick up the pieces.
That might be the general conclusion, as I am hearing that Wickman Properties and St. Charles are ready to close a deal with another Greek restaurant to move into the space recently vacated by Dimitri's on the east side.
Dimitri's was a quality restaurant in its 3755 E. Main St. location, but I am hearing this new eatery will be well-known throughout the region. We'll be anxious to hear the latest on this development.
Some great additions: The Great Hall of the Batavia Public Library became much greater earlier this month when two new murals gracing that hall were revealed by library officials and artist Thomas K. Melvin.
Michele Martzel, who handles promotions for the library, is encouraging anyone who has not yet seen the murals to stop by the library.
"They add some zing to the Great Hall," Martzel said of the murals depicting Batavia history and the "Timeless Love of Books and Reading."
These murals will certainly catch your attention, as they are on-canvas paintings that stand 5 feet 6 inches in height and a 27-foot base.
Thanks should go out to the Rotary Club of Batavia, the Roger W. Johnson Foundation, and Friends of the Batavia Public Library who helped fund the murals.
Get in the spirit: You'll have to be in good holiday spirits to read my next two columns. On Sunday, I'll bring you my annual holiday column on interesting Christmas trivia and facts as presented by my fellow service club member, the Rev. William Beckman of Immanuel Lutheran in Batavia.
And a week from today, I'm going to take a Christmas Eve trip down memory lane with recollections of toys that have been under the Christmas tree for the past 50 years.