Community Above Self—Adopt a family

Batavia United Way hosts holiday Adopt-A-Family

In keeping with tradition, BUW will again partner with the community to provide Christmas to Batavia families in need. Last year, we recruited sponsors to provide gifts to 129 families. We expect the need to be just as great this year. BPS101 staff identify the families who are in need of this boost and Sponsors shop from wish lists completed by the children. We also partner with area clubs who provide supplemental items such as gift cards, groceries, Christmas stockings and more. For information on sponsoring a family or other opportunities to make the season bright, visit us at bataviaunitedway.org

Join Rotary and do something really great!

Rotary is a group of community minded individuals who get together to make a positive impact. Through a mixture of volunteer hours and financial assistance, the Rotary Club has been a positive force in Batavia since 1948. We also like to socialize in a pandemic appropriate manner. Our annual fundraiser, the Corvette Raffle, is in its 32nd year and has helped us return almost $800,000 to the community. You can purchase tickets at bataviarotarycharities.com. Visit BataviaRotaryClub.org or email us at info@BataviaRotaryClub. org. There’s a good chance one of your neighbors or coworkers is a Rotarian.

Want to make an impact? Join the Rotary Club of Batavia.

Kiwanis Clubs donate to NIFB

Six local Kiwanis Clubs recently donated over $3500 to the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB).

These funds will be targeted to children and their families to

ensure they have access to healthy and nutritional food during this time of increased unemployment, remote learning environment and pandemic concerns. The Kiwanis Clubs involved in this effort include the Kiwanis Clubs of Batavia, Elgin Noon and Golden K, Geneva and St. Charles Noon and Golden K. Although the club’s fundraising efforts/opportunities have been severely limited this year, the clubs were excited to assist in this way.

Batavia Lions Club still serving

The pandemic impacted many of our regularly sponsored activities making us reinvent how “we serve.” Over the past months, the Batavia Lions reorganized their efforts to help the Batavia community. Vision and Hearing services are still available to those community members that demonstrate need. This October, we supported Trunk or Treat at the Batavia Apartments but minus the cars and crazy outfits. In November, the 4th Annual Underwear Party the Lions held with United Way has moved to Pal Joey’s to keep our participants safe. Learn more at our website: batavialionsclub.org or email us: batavialionsclubil@gmail.com

Batavia Moose Lodge

The Batavia Moose Lodge is part of an international organization of men and women dedicated to caring for young (Mooseheart) and old (Moosehaven), bringing communities closer together, and celebrating life. There’s no better feeling than making a difference in the lives of children, seniors and communities. Special community events are open to the public such as Moose-a-Palooza. Events are open to members and qualified guests only, unless stated open to the public. If interested in learning more about our organization, please contact us.

Holidays in Batavia

by Hannah Ott

Neighbors of Batavia Holidays in Batavia

The holidays will surely feel different this year. That doesn’t mean they can’t be festive and joyful. There will still be plenty of community events. You can celebrate safely with family and friends. Churches will have opportunities for worship. We all deserve a wonderful holiday no matter what this year brings. Here’s how to have one in Batavia.

In the community

Batavia’s Winterfest Art Market is currently scheduled for Dec. 11–13. The fine art and craft sale is an eclectic wonderland of unique creations, many of which will make the perfect gifts for your loved ones. It will take place in the Windmill Office Center. Times vary based on which day you visit. For more information go to downtownbatavia.com/winterfest-artmarket.

Abbey Farms at Marmion will be celebrating Christmas with an outdoor Santa Claus visit. It will be socially distant but filled with fun for kids. “Purchase your ticket to reserve your spot at your own picnic table (up to six per table). Santa will visit every table!” Abbey Farms shares. Kids are encouraged to bring letters for Santa. Each visitor will receive hot chocolate, six apple cider donuts, a coloring book with crayons, and a gift from Santa. Dates are Dec. 6, 13, & 20 from 8:30–9:30am.

Giving back is also a wonderful way to celebrate the season. The Batavia Women in Business is hosting the annual holiday fundraiser for the needy in the community. “Batavia Women in Business are collecting toys and raising money for the Batavia Access Toy Drive and Batavia United Way Adopt a Family. This is our annual fundraiser that benefits the children of Batavia and is our biggest fundraisers,” says Karen Gross, President of BWIB. “We are proud to support this great cause and give children something to smile about at Christmas.” You can donate a toy or gift card through December 8. New, unopened or wrapped toys can be dropped off at the following locations: Batavia Chamber of Commerce, K. Hollis Jewelers, The Tea Tree, and Gia Bella Designs. Gift cards must be dropped off at the Batavia Chamber of Commerce office in downtown Batavia.

This year, you can enjoy Batavia’s beloved Celebration of Lights without leaving the comfort of your home. Watch the virtual ceremony Nov. 29 at 5pm on your local BATV channel or find a link to the viewing on the Batavia Park District Facebook page. Be sure to visit Christmas Tree Lane throughout the season and vote for your favorite. Families can still visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 5 for a photo (see page 35).

For more fun in the Tri-Cities, enjoy the Geneva Christmas Walk. On Dec. 4, visit downtown Geneva for a splendid and sparkling event outdoors. It will be a different kind of walk this year with new ideas in store. Still, the tradition will be kept alive with its usual holiday cheer.

Holiday lights drives

Driving around looking at holiday lights is an activity unaffected by social distancing. Whether you plan a drive or just travel for the holidays, it can be a cheerful tradition. Local resident, Mark Conway, says “I go on Christmas Eve. The drives are

Photo: Mooseheart.org

relaxing because the roads are clear and I put on my Christmas music.”

Plan to visit all of the entrants in the Batavia Park District’s Holiday House Decorating Contest.

And don’t miss the annual Mooseheart Holiday Lights Tour. Drive through the 1.8 mile light

Neighbors of Batavia Holidays in Batavia

show. Visit mooseheart.org for dates and times.

Gathering safely

Whether virtually or in-person, spending time with family is a big part of the holidays. Many families are adapting to the new climate by simply having smaller dinners. Local resident, Abby Sheaffer, is having a “small, cozy dinner” with immediate family for Thanksgiving. “I’m excited to get together with family no matter how small the gathering. I love to cook, so I can’t wait to make my favorite side dishes to share.”

Some families have members who are high-risk individuals or can’t make their usual trip because of travel changes. They can try a virtual gathering. Everyone can still converse and catch-up. Relatives can send gifts prior to the event, so they can see their family members’ eyes light up opening them. If weather permits, there are outdoor options like a dinner around the campfire or on the patio with heat lamps.

If you plan to have a large gathering indoors, there are still ways that it can be safer. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) suggests that hosts open up windows for air flow, have one person serve food or prep singleservings, and ask their guests to limit activities in the two weeks prior to gathering. For travelers, the IDPH suggests bringing hand-sanitizer on the plane and washing hands regularly at rest stops if driving.

Opportunities for worship

Many churches already have masses and services streaming weekly. Some of the churches that do are Batavia’s Calvary Episcopal, United Methodist, Bethany Lutheran and Holy Cross Catholic. Christ Community of Aurora and St. Charles also stream online.

Whether you go virtual or socially distance inside, it’s important to continue to support your church. That includes fundraisers like the Congregational Church of Batavia’s Youth Christmas Wreath sale. Funds go to Compassion International for sponsored children. Visit congregationalchurch.org to purchase a fragrant wreath.

Decorating the home

You may be inside more often this year, so it’s nice to put extra effort into decorating your home. Sometimes it’s those little things that keep us in the spirit of the season most. Marilyn Malik, a senior citizen from Batavia, says “There are some items I don’t usually bring up from the basement, but this year I want to get all of them and do more decorating.” She’s especially excited about nostalgic pieces, saying “I’m even going to bring out my train set! It’ll be like being a kid again.”

You can also turn decorating into a social gathering. Try a Zoom crafting party where you and your friends make a fun holiday piece with a great memory behind it. Neighbors can also get together and do a house walk.

The Batavia Park District is also holding an online Holiday House Decorating Contest (see page 35). Submit a photo of your home by Dec. 13 and then vote for your favorites through Dec. 18 on the park district’s Facebook page.

Regulations and recommendations

The State of Illinois, Kane County, and City of Batavia share recommendations with the public on how to safely celebrate during the holidays. Please note that restrictions mentioned are subject to change based on the number of COVID-19 cases and positivity rates.

Kane County

Starting in late October with the shutdown of bars and restaurants, Kane County has seen its share of challenges with COVID-19 this season. That’s why the Kane County Health Department (KCHD) is strongly recommending everyone gets the flu shot. “Preventing influenza means fewer people will need to seek medical care and testing for possible COVID-19 or influenza,” it states. The KCHD also noted a rise in cases for teens and adults in their 20s. It urges parents to enforce stricter rules on social gatherings during the holidays. Visit KaneHealth.com for an updated toolkit in managing coronavirus as a county.

Batavia

The City of Batavia follows the regulations from the state and county. On cityofbatavia.net it reminds the public “Batavia is continuously monitoring updated information on COVID-19 and working with our partners at the state and local levels in order to best protect citizens from the spread of the virus.” Mayor Schielke recommends taking CDC precautions in addition.

For holiday shopping, the city recommends pick-up and delivery options through local stores. You can also support local artisans. Discover them through the Artisan Collective at downtownbatavia.com. Many of the crafters sell their items online.

The city also recommends ordering in food or getting it catered for bigger gatherings. If weather permits, there will be outdoor dining with heat lamps and tents approved by the city. View the document “Outdoor Seating and Guidance for Restaurants and Bars” at cityofbatavia.net to learn more about those specific restrictions. Restaurants…“We’re here to support you through thick and thin”

Some residents of Batavia are joining the fight, in their own way, to help local businesses survive this persistent COVID virus. On the east side of Batavia, Aaron Kilburg, and a group of neighbors, who have become closer during the pandemic through their texting group, have been thinking about what they can do.

“COVID is on all of our minds and when [Governor] Pritzker announced new restrictions, we were saying we want to help restaurants ’cause [sic] we know it’s going to be really difficult for them to survive this winter. One of my neighbors, Geoff Cheesman, actually had the idea to do a neighborhood chat and once a week pick a restaurant and encourage people to order (carry-out) on that night. Like tonight we have about six families ordering Riverside pizza. You know, we have a lot of food enthusiasts here so it’s just sort of a good way to support the community, for us to stay in contact and just have fun with it.

“I started thinking, if this works, what if 25 or 50 neighborhoods across Batavia started doing something like this? That would have a real impact on some of these restaurants. I also think that [it’s good] for the morale of those proprietors to know that ‘hey we realize this stuff is going on and we’re here to support you guys through thick and thin.’ I just think it would really have a huge benefit for everybody.” kaneneighbors.com 13