Geneva Park District to receive grant for Peck Farm
We have an amazing set of river and rural trails for biking and walking in this area that are hard to match.
Peck Farm Park in Geneva is one of those great settings, giving one the feel of being in the open spaces of yesteryear.
That setting is about to get much better. As part of the state delivering grant funding for open space development, Geneva Park District will get $400,000 to expand the walking and biking trails and finish its plan for park on the property's north side.
Park district Director Sheavoun Lambillotte summed it up quite well when saying the funds will help improve the setting, but pointing out that "the natural areas are a haven for wildlife and an oasis of native Illinois landscape for all our residents to enjoy."
For those who haven't had a chance to visit Peck Farm Park, it has a mowed grass trail within its central prairie area that is fun to walk through. The paved trail surrounding the property links to adjacent neighborhoods and connects the park to Geneva's middle school campus.
It has a picnic shelter, a deck overlooking a scenic pond, and beautiful views that make for great photos, especially in the fall.
We can't overlook that the state funding helps make sure the natural areas remain protected.
A nature-themed playground and educational center sit on the property, as well as the popular butterfly tent.
Our local park districts play a key role in any effort to maintain open space for recreation and education. The Geneva Park District says it maintains approximately 700 acres for the community.
You can't go wrong spending time on this site, and those providing money from the state and those charged with making the best use of that money want to make sure it stays that way.
Mural artist worth noting:
The Geneva History Museum is going to make up for lost time - and lost recognition - at a 1:30 p.m. dedication Wednesday, March 6, at the Geneva Post Office.
It will be a celebration for the 102nd birthday of artist Manuel Bromberg, who created the 1940 mural "Fish Fry in the Park" for the Geneva Post Office.
"I was saddened to learn from Bromberg that no one greeted him when he came to hang the mural and there was no formal dedication ceremony," Terry Emma, executive director of the museum, said in an announcement about the celebration.
So, considering it was Bromberg's 102nd birthday, Emma figured the museum could celebrate the mural 79 years later.
After the ceremony, which will feature a plaque presentation to the post office that tells the story of the mural, the museum will host refreshments and a birthday cake until 4 p.m.
At his age, Bromberg won't be making the trip over to the post office. But those who attend are encouraged to write a birthday note that will be sent to Bromberg after the party.
Many marathons ago:
Apparently, as we age, a decade can seem to fly by in the snap of a finger. That is certainly the case when considering this year marks the 10th anniversary for the Fox Valley Marathon.
I remember reporting on the first one in 2009. If I didn't know about the 10th anniversary and someone asked me when the first one might have been, I'd likely say it was four or five years ago.
Regardless, I have a clear memory of the more than 1,200 runners lined up near the Blue Goose Market parking lot in St. Charles to take off on that initial 26-mile trek through the region.
Race organizers Craig Bixler and Dave Sheble, both of St. Charles, were quite pleased with the turnout of runners, which they said came from 30 different states.
It was also impressive how many volunteers and spectators were on hand for the festivities.
The event has gotten bigger and better since that initial launch, I'm sure. It's a safe bet that runners again will look forward to conquering the route this year on Sept. 22 in downtown St. Charles.
Decade for a dance:
As long as we're on the topic of events that, surprisingly, were 10 years ago when it seems more like they happened a year or two ago, I'll share another one.
It was stunning to realize it has been a decade since my wife and I danced a cha-cha in the first "Dancing with the Geneva Stars" event at Eagle Brook Country Club.
It was an annual fundraiser, for about five years, for the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and the Geneva Academic Foundation.
It was a lot of fun making that maiden journey under the guidance of the State Street Dance Studio instructors with couples like Steve and Sheila Persinger, Tom and Mary Rogers, Tim and Sue Baker and others.
But 10 years ago? That part isn't particularly fun to contemplate. But at least we can still do the cha-cha.
A textbook award:
A day or two after my column mentioned Bill and Janis Page of St. Charles were writing college textbooks, Bill sent along a note saying his wife had been honored for her work.
The Textbook and Academic Authors association informed them that Janis' book, "Introduction to Strategic Public Relations: Digital, Global and Socially Responsible Communication," earned a 2019 Most Promising New Textbook Award.
She'll get the recognition at a June conference in Philadelphia.
dheun@sbcglobal.net