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The trend of new homes in old neighborhoods

New homes cropping up in older neighborhoods in Geneva, St. Charles

If I were a rich man, it's not likely I would biddy, biddy, bum all day long. But I might do one of the other suggestions Tevye the dairyman sings about in "Fiddler on the Roof."

He says he would build a big, tall house with rooms by the dozen.

I don't really need that, but the other part of his lament makes a lot of sense. He says he'd build that house "right in the middle of town."

It's something to think about when seeing what has occurred in older neighborhoods near, or on the outskirts, of our downtowns. Over the past few decades, what start as "tear downs" of older homes often result in beautiful new houses in an established downtown or riverfront neighborhood.

It doesn't take long to spot this type of development. It is taking place on Kaneville Road and Cheever Avenue, and along First Street, north of downtown, in Geneva. There are other spots in between, of course, like the homes that went up in Merritt King's old Campbell Street neighborhood between Fifth and Sixth streets.

In St. Charles, some new homes have caught attention in the area around Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, and there are other pockets between Fifth and Sixth streets along Indiana Street, or along Cutler Street between Seventh and Eighth streets.

A change like this would definitely be under consideration if I were a rich man, because it would be a lot of fun. I'd go further than Tevye might, because he was singing up a storm about having "a fine tin roof and real wooden floors" in his dream home. The floors, yes. The tin roof? Nah, too loud if it rained.

For those who fall into the "crazy rich" category, a winter hideaway in Hawaii and a summer place in the Upper Peninsula probably attract more attention.

But for this non-crazy-rich man, a new home in a historic neighborhood in the Tri-Cities would be quite cool.

Some more stores:

That fencing along the outside edge of the far southwest corner of the Home Depot parking lot in Geneva is the first step in what will eventually be two new tenants.

Considering how many empty storefronts dot our retail strip malls in the region, it's hard to imagine anyone building a brand new structure for that purpose.

But it's happening. There hasn't been any publicity about what types of stores or services are going in there, but it's along Randall Road, so that gives it a fighting chance if the right retailers pop in there.

A foodie fest:

The barbecue pork sandwiches were fine by me the past few years, but if the St. Charles History Museum wants to expand its summer fundraiser to become a "Best of St. Charles Foodie Fest," that would also fall right into my wheelhouse.

The event, scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday for those 21 and older, will take place at the museum and the Third Avenue parking garage. It will feature various local restaurants providing food samples.

This has always been one of our favorite events, but it became even more so when learning that music from a deejay and dance lessons from Vargo's Dance are part of the equation this year.

A silent auction and other raffles are part of the fun. Cost is $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers. They are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the history museum Tuesday through Saturday, or at stcmuseum.org/events. Tickets are also available at the event.

Dealers making deals:

Antiques on State has been operating in Geneva for nine years now at 422 W. State St., but here's something shop manager Karen Klaske shared that I didn't realize.

The shop is actually a co-op made up of many different dealers who take turns at the front desk.

That setup makes for an interesting mix of antiques, as well as jewelry, artwork, furniture, glassware and other items.

The store had plans for an outdoor sale starting Saturday, July 23, to kick off its anniversary celebration, which will continue through Sunday, Aug. 7, with various discounts. The shop is open seven days a week, probably because antique lovers are on the hunt at all hours.

Pokemon trances:

As we see young and old alike wandering around with their smartphones in Pokemon Go trances, we have to weigh the good with the bad.

The good: These people are out moving around. Something tells me the alternative for video gamers is likely sitting on a couch.

The bad: They really are in a "lost world" of sorts. When seeing a group of them walking through a local park, it reminded me of that classic horror film "Night of the Living Dead." Someone else modernized that by saying it was like "The Walking Dead."

Either way, it is odd to see kids walking, necks down, staring at a phone for long periods of time.

But, hey, I do it too. It's just that I am usually monitoring a Cubs game on my ESPN app.

dheun@sbcglobal.net

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