Faith Christian Academy's founder, director retiring - again

This time, Ruth Clapper can tell it's "official."

When the final class at Faith Christian Academy in Geneva graduates May 21, she will close the book on her 30-plus years as the academy's founder and director.

In fact, Clapper's "second retirement" with her husband, Jim, to their home in Virginia means that the book also closes on Faith Christian Academy in its current form.

Clapper established the school on Kaneville Road as an independent nonprofit preschool and kindergarten in 1982, eventually adding elementary and junior high grades.

She and her husband have done everything for the school - teaching, administrating, cleaning and raising funds.

But as one chapter ends, another appears to be looming.

"There is a group of parents who want the school to continue, and they are forming a new school called Geneva Christian to take our place," Clapper said. "It is bittersweet on one hand for us, but exciting for them."

Geneva Christian has already established a board of directors and is accepting enrollment through beginner's school, Clapper said.

"It will be a place to roll over our curriculum and our furniture to them," Clapper said. "Being a 501c3, we have to donate those things over to someone else when we close operations."

Clapper and her husband retired to Virginia eight years ago, leaving Faith Christian Academy behind for others to continue. When things weren't going as planned, the school's board asked Clapper to return.

"We hadn't sold our house here, so it was easy to come back, and we did," Clapper said.

But there is little doubt this time.

"It is time to move on," she said. "If the school has to close for us to be able to move, then that's how it has to happen, I guess.

"You never want that kind of thing to happen in that way, but God's picture is bigger than mine."

Healthy project

The folks at Fox Valley Food for Health have made plenty of meals - more than 9,000, they say - for more than 140 people battling illnesses.

It makes sense that this organization, started by registered dietitian Mary Fremgen nearly three years ago, raises funds by cooking even more meals.

The Fox Valley Food for Health Backyard Barbecue fundraiser is 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Mill Creek Golf Club in Geneva.

A barbecue pig roast, raffle and live auction will benefit the group in its mission. Tickets are $50 and available by calling Terri Pheanis at (630) 408-9522.

Crazy for Kabobs

A recent Facebook posting that received comments from friends focused on Just Kabobs in St. Charles, a restaurant on the west side that others have encouraged me to try.

Mike Smith, my editor at the Daily Herald, has brought it up a couple of times, saying his retired parents think the place is great.

So I had to go see for myself last week. I ordered the pork kabobs dinner, which came with oven-roasted potatoes, rice, pita bread and salad. It was quite tasty and a lot of food. It was very affordable and enough for a second meal the next day. I can see why the place was quite busy, even on a weeknight.

On to another mission

We'll miss seeing Beth Kucera's smiling face at the Third Tuesday Suppers at Geneva United Methodist Church - at least with her apron on as a worker at these monthly events.

Kucera has been a key organizer and leader for the free community meals, going on six years and running.

On Aug. 15, she's leaving her post of overseeing the kitchen and the dining operations to seek another volunteer effort.

She's confident she's leaving the church suppers in good hands.

"The suppers are here to stay," Kucera said. "Lots of good people will see to that."

Mr. Stombres' Opus

One of the most inspirational episodes of this soon-to-end school year unfolded last week at St. Charles North when band director Jim Stombres was given a major surprise to celebrate his retirement.

More than 100 of his former students came back to perform in a concert as a tribute to their instructor.

"My dad thought he was just going to a freshmen band concert, and his former students from about 20 states surprised him," said Allyse Rehak, Stombres' daughter. "They had organized this through a Facebook group."

Attendees were treated to a video montage of Stombres' career, which included previous stints at Batavia and Naperville North high schools. Students from those other schools also came back for this honor.

Once he got over the shock, Stombres conducted a few songs during the concert in what amounted to a fitting farewell to someone who has touched so many lives with the gift of music for 35 years.

Eye of beholder

Art has always been in the eye of the beholder and, as such, some may not be overly enthusiastic about St. Charles spending $50,000 for a new logo and branding campaign to promote the downtown area.

To them, I would say there are cities all over this country that don't pay much attention to their downtown areas or merchants. And it's not pretty.

The "Discover Your City Side" graphic concept highlights the most noticeable buildings in the city and is supposed to complement the perfect "Pride of the Fox" brand for St. Charles.

The most important message would be this: If you haven't "discovered" what is going on in your downtown district yet, it's time.

dheun@sbcglobal.net