Beginnings—The only thing we have to fear

The only thing we have to fear…

“So here, then, is the last fifty years of American politics summarized: we became more consistent in the party we vote for not because we came to like our party more, but because we came to dislike the opposing party more. Even as hope and change sputter, fear and loathing proceed.”

Ezra Klein

by Roger Breisch

Ifear for the future of the United States of America.

Until recent years, if you asked how much the United States changed over the nearly 70 years I have lived, I might have said that it had changed, but, for good or bad, it is not fundamentally different from what it was in 1951. I thought of this country as a stable exemplar of democracy.

But I have begun to wonder about our democracy and its stability. Two recent books, Why We’re Polarized by Ezra Klein and Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum, leave me wondering if we could lose our democratic republic as have countless democracies during my lifetime.

When change is incremental, we are often blind to monumental shifts that amass over time. In 1950, The American Political Science Association published a paper coauthored by many of the country’s most eminent political scientists. In it they pleaded for a more polarized political system. They lamented the Democrat and Republican parties each contained too much diversity, looked too much alike, and worked together too easily. In those days, when going to the polls, many citizens split their ballots, caring more about issues than party affiliation.

Things began to change dramatically in the 1960s. Prior to 1964, the Democratic Party was the party of the Dixiecrats, southern democrats who pledged allegiance to Jim Crow laws and “separate but equal” policies, ignoring the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v Board of Education. After the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, and the emergence of Barry Goldwater and his allegiance to states’ rights, the Dixiecrats jumped parties. Lyndon Johnson, the night he signed that legislation, was said to lament, “I think we just delivered the South to the Republican Party for a long time to come.”

As divisions grew—as the parties became ever more distinct—Americans began to choose sides, not unlike we do with sports teams. Voting became less about issues and more about making sure your “team” won. As Klein said above, voters came to dislike the other party more and more, allowing fear and loathing to proceed.

While an inspiring future vision can encourage people to act, inciting fear calls forth powerful passions and unpredictable behaviors. In the face of abject fear, rationality and logic exit the stage, replaced by irrational and senseless acts. Given enough fear, anger can easily become the appetizer we choose, followed often by an entrée of violence.

Over the past two decades, fearful rhetoric has come to dominate our political discourse. How many recent political campaigns promised policies aimed at a brighter future versus asserting that a vote for the opponent would give the other party the power to destroy you and everything you love? And, of those who promised a path to the promised land, how many either changed their rhetoric or went down to defeat?

In her book, Anne Applebaum recalls a conversation with behavioral economist Karen Stenner. Stenner reminded her that people are often attracted to authoritarian ideas because they are bothered by complexity. The work of Nobel award-winning economist Daniel Kahneman (Thinking Fast and Slow) reminds us the human mind is lazy. We will typically choose a simple, albeit errant, answer to a problem, rather than doing the work of challenging our assumptions. Is it any wonder, then, that we have witnessed the emergence of QAnon, countless conspiracy theories, and authoritarian rhetoric? They offer simple, if not irrational, answers in a complex world.

Our 32nd president, Franklin D Roosevelt famously said, “the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself— nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” Unless we recall these extraordinary words, learn to speak to one another with compassion and understanding, and face our fears together, we just may face them torn asunder.

Roger E. Breisch is a resident of Batavia and Speaker/Provocateur View his TEDxQuincy remarks on his website: REBreisch.com His latest book, Questions That Matter, is available at Amazon.com

Neighbors of Batavia Surviving a pandemic

Scot and Terry Beltran opened Daddio’s restaurant in 2007.

Photo courtesy DaDDio’s

This time last year, Batavia restaurant owners were faced with a challenge they never imagined possible. Just days before the annual “Restaurant Madness Week” Illinois Governor Pritzker Illinois issued a statewide stay-athome order. The restaurant event was cancelled. What followed has been a yearlong challenge of survival, for restaurants and many other local businesses. With perseverance, creativity and help from a supportive community here’s is how they came out stronger

“You just have to do whatever you can to survive,” says Terry Beltran, co-owner, with husband Scott, of Daddio’s Diner.

There was no prior pandemic experience for businesses to fall back on or to guide them.

As Beltran recalls, “it was very hard because we had to close for two months. Everything was uncertain... But it was really devastating. Most small independent restaurants live from week to week. You’re not going to get rich doing this.

“You do it because you love the business. You love the area, you love your customers, you love and know the community. So it was a time for us to pause and say, OK, is something we want to keep going forward with. Or you know, just throw in the towel, start all over again. We decided that was not an option. We love Daddio’s. We love Batavia. We have been blessed with a great community that has been there with us over the years.”

This is Daddio’s fourteenth year. They have survived a recession, business interruption during the Walgreens construction, fierce competition...not to mention a pandemic!

But Daddio’s and other Batavia’s restaurant owners successfully adapted to a challenging business environment and found a way to survive. They found ways to remain resilient through shutdowns and re-openings. They connected with a community, discovering customers’ true appreciation for their service.

Facing new challenges

Illinois’ stay-at-home directive began on March 21, 2020. More residents started working from home. Batavia students prepared for remote learning. Essential businesses stayed open, adding new guidelines.

As a non-essential business, the restaurant industry was greatly affected by the mandate. Rules against indoor seating required owners to rely on takeout sales or build outdoor options. Other restaurants had to close temporarily. It wouldn’t be until late June that restaurants could open their doors again.

Local support in lockdown

Batavia’s restaurateurs persevered through it all, and the community came together in support of them. Residents supported businesses by ordering take out and spreading the word about delicious local options. Through mostly virtual word of mouth, devoted customers helped restaurants stay afloat.

Local resident Jerry Meehan was one of them. He used social media to compile a list of restaurants that were offering takeout and delivery during the lockdown. “We all need to support these businesses now so they’ll be back after this mess,” said Meehan.

He shared some great advice, “If you’re getting carry out from a place you’d normally dine in, tip as you normally would.”

It’s an important reminder to support food service workers who have been affected by the pandemic. Many, if not most, of the employees in local restaurants, are Batavia residents.

“After 14 years, we’ve seen families grow up and now their children are bringing their families into Daddio’s,” says Terry Beltran proudly. “And they’ve also seen our girls (Kritsi and Tess) grow up ‘cause both of our girls worked at Daddio’s throughout high school and college. Kristi, our youngest daughter is still here while finishing up her graduate program through Loyola. She graduates in May.”

Over the years Daddio’s has provided part-time work for many Batavia High School students.

Community fundraising

As the pandemic year progressed, community support continued postquarantine. With better weather, restaurants were able to seat customers in outdoor areas. Phase 4 began, allowing indoor seating at limited capacity. Residents quickly spread the word about where one could dine outside. They shared information about restaurants they’d recommend that had great cleaning practices.

Locals started fundraisers to help restaurants and their workers get back on their feet. That was especially helpful after the indoor dining shutdown in late October. There were virtual shows like BrewAid in support of Kane County breweries. Other locals set up online fundraisers to help business owners; however, most of the owners simply paid it forward.

Restaurateurs give back

While the community upheld their favorite local restaurants, the owners

Neighbors of Batavia Surviving a pandemic

Terry Beltran adds to the “Cup of Kindness” wall at Daddios.

gave back to the community as well. Their efforts helped some of those most affected by the pandemic like vulnerable senior citizens, essential workers working harder than ever, and families in need due to unemployment.

Restaurant owners like Tammy McCarthy of Double Yolk donated hundreds of meals to the elderly. Bulldog Nutrition worked with the community to provide healthful care packages to essential workers. Owners of Bocaditos Café, Silvia Sanchez and Juliana Cancelo, helped raise funds for reopening Batavia school, Hoover-Wood. They continue to donate their tips to local programs throughout the year, as well.

Restaurant owners also gave back through community collectives such as United Way and Northern Illinois Food Bank. Limestone Coffee & Tea was one of many local restaurants to work with non-profit Batavia Mainstreet in providing food for essential workers. Owner John Hamel, of Pal Joeys and Bar Evolution in Batavia, continued to help the community via Batavia United Way.

Despite this past year’s industry challenges, Hamel is ready to support the collective at its annual Soup Sampler on March 23. The soup tasting event will be done by curbside this year, but the fundraising will be just as successful. It will take place at Bar Evolution from 4:30–7pm. You can pick up your soup tastings, nine servings at six-ounces each, and know that your donation is going to a good cause. All funds raised through Batavia United Way go to various community programs which support families in need.

In Daddio’s there is a “Cup of Kindness” wall. Patrons can add to the wall with a ticket of any value. Then any person in need, no questions asked, can take a ticket off the wall and redeem it for a cup

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of coffee, or a meal, courtesy of an anonymous donor.

“I would probably say we’ve had several hundred contributors,” says Terry Beltran.

Restaurant Madness Week is back and bigger

In this issue of Neighbors of Batavia there is all the information you need to participate in “Restaurant Madness Weeks” and help local businesses survive. The 10% discount is extended to two weeks this year. By participating, patrons can take advantage of another 10% discount in April. This is just one small way to help, and receive something in return.

Future of Batavia’s restaurants

One of the most unsettling realities of a pandemic, is that the future can’t be absolutely predicted. The vaccines are now being distributed, and there are hopeful expectations that overall, things will improve throughout the 2021 calendar year. But so much has been learned though this awful experience. Some programs, like Daddio’s “Cup of Kindness”, born out of a pandemic, may find life far beyond it. The resilience of the Batavia community has demonstrated the power of a community when individuals unite to overcome the worst of times.

Local restaurant owners don’t know what this year has in store, but they know one thing—they’re ready for anything.

East Side!!! West Side!!! Which is best?

Help support Batavia restaurants with a friendly competition.

A partnership of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, the City of Batavia and Batavia MainStreet is encouraging households to order local take out at least once a week. Batavia MainStreet will spotlight five Batavia restaurants each week, encouraging residents to place an order Monday–Thursday. Order for the family or better yet, get friends involved and have the entire neighborhood order on the same night Make certain you let the restaurant know what side of town you are from for tracking purposes. In the spirit of friendly competition, MainStreet will track which side of town (East or West) places more orders each week at the spotlighted locations. They will then post the results the following week. downtownbatavia.com

Our restaurants need your support during these challenging times, so do your part—be safe and order out.