Dine-in or carryout? Restaurant owners, diners weigh risks as pandemic continues

The stress of operating a restaurant has to be overwhelming, especially when trying to keep track of what the state is telling you to do to keep things safe during the pandemic and what might happen next.

With lockdowns, then eased restrictions or re-openings in some regions taking place on a rotating basis, diners are left guessing whether to go out to eat, ask for delivery or pick up a meal curbside.

A few months ago, I was fairly adamant that restaurants should not be open when virus numbers were spiking. Over time, I put myself in the shoes of a restaurant owner and softened that stance.

If the safest possible protocols were in place, and state rules were being followed regarding the number of people allowed, and customers in masks felt safe enough to go, then the place should be open for business.

"The decisions should be left up to the businesses to see what we can do to keep things safe and stay afloat, at least for the next few months," said Pietro Verone, owner of Villa Verone in Geneva. Verone will celebrate 25 years of business early next month. He acknowledges he has been luckier than most restaurant owners because he has no rent to pay and his outdoor dining setup is one of the nicest in the Tri-Cities.

"Even with that, it's been rough," Verone said. "We're doing all we can do, and it's not only for my customers but also my family, as they've all been working here since we opened."

Verone hates to see any restaurant close after trying to hang on for so many months.

At various times, medical experts said it was an unnecessary risk to have restaurants open to diners. That's when creative owners came up with the outdoor bubbles and other measures, like deep cleaning and spreading tables apart, as ways to overcome income loss.

Some chose to challenge the guidelines and fight through it in court, while others allowed 25-diner sittings, scheduled in advance, to abide by the 25-person rule.

But the premise for restaurant owners sharing stories of their struggles has been basically the same: This has been a tough road to travel against a relentless foe in COVID-19, and they can only hope for the end - of the pandemic, not their restaurants - to come soon.

"I keep telling my customers that spring is right around the corner like we live in Finland or something," Verone said. "Things are going to get better, and I am trying to keep a positive attitude."

Time for storytellers:

So what vaulted me into a journalism career, you may or may not ask?

I wrote a short story in third grade that my teacher thought I copied from a book. Where she came up with that idea remains a mystery. But it was a Catholic school in the early 1960s, so all bets were off regarding common sense and positive feedback.

Luckily, I wrote this story at my kitchen table, with my mom checking in on it to see how things were going (and to make sure I did my homework). When the wild accusation came, I had a strong ally. Ultimately, it taught a great lesson - that I had some writing skills that may not have been pursued if not for this teacher who probably surmised that a kid who spent too much time goofing off couldn't possibly be a good writer.

This is my roundabout way of encouraging people to write stories - and even submit one in the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission's short story contest for a chance to win Chamber of Commerce gift certificates. This contest is open to adults as well as students in middle school and high school. The contest theme is "Geneva in the year 2020 or 2021." It can be family-friendly fiction or nonfiction with a maximum of 1,200 words.

Writers can submit entries through 5 p.m. Monday, March 1, on the city website or mail a typed hard copy to: City of Geneva, Cultural Arts Commission, 22 S. First St., Geneva, IL 60134. The Cultural Arts Commission will review submissions, and a panel of local literary experts will choose the winners in late April. The contest is limited to the first 150 entries.

The winning stories in each age category will be published on the city's website and through social media. Send questions to Cate Tracy at culturalarts@geneva.il.us.

It's true patriotism:

The deaths, injuries, threats and property damage at our nation's Capitol Building on Jan. 6 by a group of thugs parading as patriots continues to leave the nation shaken.

Regardless of political allegiances, it was extremely difficult to watch, especially for those who understand what it means to honor our elections' democratic process and how to best demonstrate patriotism in our country.

The duty of promoting patriotism became deeply ingrained for me as a member of the Tri-Cities Exchange Club for more than 20 years. One of the club's national initiatives is promoting patriotism. Those "Freedom Shrines" you see in our libraries, schools and along the Freedom Walk in St. Charles were installed by club members.

Thus, it was important for the National Exchange Club to quickly remind U.S. citizens that Exchange members will continue to spread patriotic values the proper way.

In part, the message from national on Jan. 7 stated:

"While our society has never achieved perfection in tolerance, an awesome majority of Americans strive to accept behaviors and beliefs that are different from their own.

"Those who desire a strong America, safe communities, and a unified people understand that tolerance is a strength necessary for positive discourse and a healthy society.

"The attack on Capitol Hill yesterday left shocking images in the minds of people around the globe. As Americans shake off their own disbelief, we call on Exchange Club members to be positive examples in their communities, leading in unity and inspiring communities to become better places to live."

A pricey purchase:

The pandemic lockdown has forced many people to look at what they have accumulated in their homes - and determine which things become charitable donations or head to the recycling or trash bins.

You never know what you'll find when you make these sorts of deep dives into your closets and files. My most stunning find was a $588.35 receipt from 1983 that I saved for who knows why.

It may sound like it could have been the receipt for a used car, but it was actually from a store on Maple Avenue in Naperville called Video Villa. It covered the cost and taxes for my first VCR, a General Electric model with a wired remote.

The technology was exciting enough to convince me to pull what likely amounted to my entire bank account to purchase this fascinating machine. It could play VHS tapes of movies not long after the movie was in a theater and record favorite shows when you weren't around. This was truly mind-blowing nearly 40 years ago.

Recording came in handy to feed an addiction picked up in college a few years earlier that I hadn't cured - watching the soap opera "All My Children" daily. Now, I could record it while I was at work.

And the wired remote? That was kind of crazy, in looking back on it. After I got married in 1984, the coveted VCR came along as part of the package. Our dog wasn't impressed with the wired remote. She chewed right through the wire.

dheun@sbcglobal.net