A map with many destinations and so much more

One of the neat things at Batavia High School this time of the year is the map (above) staff puts together of the United States and all the universities the school’s graduating seniors will attend later this year. The map is decorated with icons representing the various schools. Illinois typically contains the most icons, but images dot neighboring states and extend in all directions. Something like 98 percent of the school’s seniors go on to attend college, and this is an exciting time for the school’s seniors and their families. I always get a charge from looking at the map, imagining the schools these young students will attend and the great adventures ahead of them. Best wishes to the Class of 2017.

Garfield Farm marks anniversary
Garfield Farm Museum will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a lecture presentation at 6:30 p.m. May 12. Admission is $6, and the event will include light refreshments. The museum is located at 3n016 Garfield Road, LaFox.

Park district plans a tea

The Fox Valley Park District will host an afternoon tea from 1 to 3 p.m. May 12 in the district’s greenhouse. Guests may stroll the grounds, view the plants and enjoy refreshments. For more information, call 630-897-4261. The greenhouse is located at 259 S. Russell Ave., Aurora.

Plain Dirt Gardeners host sale

The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners will conduct their annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon May 13 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. The sale will offer native wildflowers, ferns, perennials, prairie plants and other items. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Wildflower Sanctuary along the Batavia Riverwalk. For more information about the sale, call 630-879-7578.

Theater to screen 'Terms of Endearment'

The Paramount Theatre’s Classic Movie Monday series will feature “Terms of Endearment” (1983) at 7 p.m. May 15. The classic comedy-drama features outstanding performances by Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels and John Lithgow. The doors open at 6:15 p.m., and admission is $1. Cash only at the box office, but credit and debit cards accepted at the concession stand. The theater is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Lori and I plan to attend. Maybe we'll see you there.

Library to welcome Amy Dickinson

The Batavia Public Library will host a presentation featuring columnist and author Amy Dickinson at noon May 18. Dickinson will discuss her new book “Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things”. The presentation is part of the Books Between Bites program. Admission is free and attendees may bring a lunch to enjoy during the hour-long program. The library is located at 10 S. Batavia Ave. For more information, call 630-879-1393.

Some hamburger trivia tidbits

Suzi Myers at the Kane County Farm Bureau recently shared some trivia about our love of hamburgers, and here are a few of my favorites:
• Americans eat nearly 50 billion burgers a year
• Hamburgers account for 40 percent of all sandwiches sold
• Lionel Sternberger, 16, is credited with creating the first cheeseburger, when he added a slice of American cheese to a hamburger in 1926. Thank you, Lionel.

The Kane County Chronicle recently published a photo gallery featuring local churches that host free community suppers. I volunteered as a greeter at the community supper at Bethany Lutheran Church April 28, the night the Chronicle’s photographer captured some pictures for the gallery.

Bethany Lutheran, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia, is part of a network of area churches that takes turns hosting free meals. Bethany hosts the supper from 5 to 7 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. The meal typically includes an entree, vegetables or fruit and a variety of desserts. Church volunteers serve up the food and even pack to-go orders.

My assignment was to welcome guests to the well-attended supper and included the opportunity to chat with many of the diners. A recent supper at the church included musical entertainment provided by Tom Kirkland and Jeremy Glaser. The duo had diners singing along to several classic hits. I was kept busy, but it was a pleasant experience, and I look forward to the next opportunity to serve. For more information about the Bethany’s community supper, call 630-879-3444.

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