Construction at Thompson Middle School campus sparks memories for St. Charles residents

Even though I didn't grow up in St. Charles or attend high school years ago at what is now the Thompson Middle School site, it is a big change to see the construction unfolding on that school campus.

I've noted before that Reid Field on that Thompson campus was the first place I covered a high school football game as a sports editor here in the Tri-Cities 40 years ago.

It was a slice of Americana, sitting in a field between what became Thompson and Haines middle schools. Of course, in my job it should be noted that it did have a decent press box as well.

It was within walking distance for nearly everyone in the west side neighborhoods, and easily spotted by those driving along Main Street. In other words, everyone in town at that time would know when the Saints were playing a home game.

So it was strange enough to see the Saints move to their sparkling new Norris Stadium facility on the east side in the late 1970s, let alone seeing Reid Field leveled about a year ago now.

It appears that an artificial turf field and track will take its place, but that work is only part of the full-blown demolition taking place on parts of Thompson Middle School.

For years, my late mother-in-law and her neighbors walked around the fields or through the Thompson campus to get to any number of events taking place in town, or maybe simply to go get a treat at Dairy Queen across Main Street. They'd really be surprised now.

All sorts of thoughts must be running through the minds of those who have been around here since they were kids and went to school at either Haines or Thompson.

However, it is slightly different than watching your school demolished and never coming back. Thompson is not going anywhere. In fact, all of this construction of the school's east wing that has as many as eight to 10 pieces of heavy equipment on site will result in a nearly $47 million renovation and expansion.

Former students have taken to Facebook to reminisce about their time at Thompson and how strange it is to see it basically look like a war zone.

But plenty of Thompson memories will still unfold. Maybe 50 years from now, some will reminisce about what it was like to be some of the first students in the renovated Thompson.

Helps the troops:

Operation Support Our Troops-America has been promoting this big concert for weeks, so here's a reminder in case you've missed it.

The Rockin' For The Troops concert takes place Saturday, July 14, at Northwestern Medicine Field in the Kane County Cougars' stadium in Geneva.

The bands start at 3:30 p.m. with performances from Seventh Heaven, Ayla Brown, Rockie Lynne, Ryan Weaver and The Voices.

All tickets are $25 lawn seats and can be purchased on the osotamerica.org website, by calling the Cougars box office before 5 p.m. today at (630) 232-8811, or stopping by the stadium at 34w002 Cherry Lane.

All proceeds benefit the military, family and veteran support programs of Operation Support Our Troops.

Organizers are asking that those who attend consider bringing a new DVD, CD or iTunes gift cards, playing cards, toothbrushes, pens, gum, mints, puzzle books or pain medication like ibuprofen to drop off at Gate 1 on the day of the concert.

A fine Craft:

We finally got a chance to try Craft Urban, on James Street in Geneva, and the place did not disappoint.

The food was really good here, and the portions were just right. The Craft Urban burger was a nice choice for me, while my friends raved about the trout they ordered.

Chef Andrew Sikkelerus told me the restaurant has done extremely well since opening less than a year ago, and that it was actually good to get a slight breather during the week of Fourth of July, which was obviously much slower than the barrage the eatery served during Swedish Days a couple of weeks earlier.

The perfect setting:

The builders of The Riverwalk in downtown Batavia surely had the annual Windmill City Festival in mind when constructing the public square that now includes a band shell in the idyllic Depot Pond setting.

Every city has its favorite spot to stage certain festivals, and sometimes those spots bounce around to various parts of town. Batavia doesn't have to think these sorts of things out too much.

The Riverwalk takes care of all of that and more, providing the perfect gathering place for residents and visitors, no matter what type of event the city or park district is hosting.

Windmill City Festival runs July 13 through 15 - and you know where to go to start the fun.

That 'R' word:

The word "retirement" comes up far more often in our household conversations as my wife and I edge closer to that stage of our lives.

Unlike some who might be dreaming about retirement with trips to Europe, or moving to warmer climates and other bucket-list-type things, my thoughts are much simpler.

Such as: Wouldn't it be nice to just sit in the food court of Costco, have a hot dog and waste away time before shopping?

Or go to the movie theater for a 1 p.m. showing on a Monday - and maybe be one of only a few people in the place?

Or go to the library and just read and relax for a few hours?

Or take a long morning walk and not worry about getting back in time for a daily conference call with co-workers?

Or maybe even go out to eat on a Wednesday night?

Stuff like that just doesn't happen now.

And I know what you're thinking. My wife better come up with some things she likes to do, if she doesn't want to get dragged into my simple dreams.

dheun@sbcglobal.net