Owner considering bringing back Manor to St. Charles
Longtime fans of the Manor Restaurant weren't happy when owner Nick Mougros had to move his business to South Elgin on Randall Road when the First Street renovation unfolded in St. Charles.
Then, about a month ago, they were disappointed again when the relocated Manor in South Elgin closed its doors because of the poor economy and wrangling over a lease at that location.
Some readers mentioned that they thought Mougros had opened the Rise 'N Shine Pancake House and Restaurant in South Elgin, but he told me a couple of weeks ago that he is not the owner. He said some of his family members are involved in operating that restaurant at 720 N. McLean Boulevard, which readers have had rave reviews about.
More importantly, Mougros told me his intention is to bring the Manor back to St. Charles at some point within the next year. He had a family emergency to deal with recently and couldn't share specific details, but I am hoping to learn more in the near future.
His comments were enough to get me speculating that the Manor could resurrect itself in any number of empty restaurant locations in St. Charles.
The former Springview Restaurant on the west side of St. Charles came to mind. But I remembered that back in March of 2008 the owners had told me their intention was to reopen in the fall of 2009 with a new look.
The Sellas family, which has owned the restaurant for about 25 years, probably faced a slowdown on those plans because of the poor economy - but announced the restaurant site at 1650 W. Main St. will reopen in about a month with quite a makeover and the new name of Gabby's Kitchen.
Patrons of the old Springview won't recognize the place because of this makeover, which you can get a glance at on the gabbyskitchen.com Web site.
With the former Springview returning to action, Mougros would have to look at other spots for the return of a Manor in St. Charles. The empty Baker's Square, Rex's Cork 'n Fork, Sage Bistro or some open spots in strip shopping centers might be worth look-sees - if the building configuration and lease price were right. Or, dare we say it, somewhere within the First Street redevelopment?
Wellness that works: With so much debate about the new health care reform law, let's hope we don't forget that it's important for people to take care of themselves first and foremost - and it sure doesn't hurt when your workplace encourages it.
A tip of the hat must go out to the City of St. Charles for its upcoming recognition with an award for "exceptional work site wellness" at a state human resources conference.
Offering physical activities for employees and having healthier foods in vending machines is a good start for any company, and the city does this and more.
Church joins dinner list: The idea to offer free community dinners at area churches is picking up momentum.
Virginia Miller of Fox Valley Presbyterian Church called to tell me her church has been influenced and guided by the community dinners held each month at Geneva United Methodist Church and members have decided to offer one at the Presbyterian church.
The meals will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. the third Friday of each month at the church, starting April 16, at 227 East Side Drive in Geneva.
"We will offer a different meal each time, but we'll have something for the kids as well," said Miller, the publicity chairwoman for the dinners. "Kids sometimes might not be interested in a pork roast or something like that."
Miller said the idea behind the free dinners is the same that has helped create them in other congregations. "It is to build community during difficult times," Miller said.
Church members Craig Cooper and Ruth Ann Seney are heading up planning for the dinners, Miller added.
"We've had a couple of test runs with community dinners on Wednesday nights during Lent, but we're really looking forward to starting these Friday night dinners."
It was about farming: In addition to the usual need for more athletic fields, the St. Charles Park District also had a cause in mind when preserving Primrose Farm and turning it into a park on Crane Road. Planners knew that as time passed, this area would start to lose touch with its rural roots.
One look at the Randall Road corridor tells you how easy it would be to forget about farmland.
So it remains important for area youngsters to have the opportunity offered by upcoming programs such as Family Farm Chores or Hands-on Milking at Primrose Farm to understand what went on around here for so many years.
The farm, which was most prominent in the 1930s, opened to the public last spring after extensive renovation. A volunteer orientation session is scheduled for April 17 for those who would like to help showcase this local history.
Road less traveled: If outdoor adventures are your cup of tea, you can combine it with a vacation that won't destroy your budget. And as things continue to thaw out around here, being outdoors has far more appeal to most folks.
"Staycations" took hold last year as people looked to save dollars by vacationing in the area.
We're lucky to live in an interesting part of the state in the Fox Valley, and also to have Chicago nearby. But I have mentioned the Shawnee National Forest in the past as one that should be considered, though it is six hours away. This southern Illinois treasure was my favorite place when I was a college student down there.
I was reminded of this by en e-mail from Southern Illinois alums that was singing the praises of this great part of our state.
Anyone who enjoys camping, hiking, fishing and other outdoors stuff, should visit this massive forest preserve. It truly is the most awesome natural setting in our state.
dheun@sbcglobal.net