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Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
St. Charles show a magnet for Fox Valley art lovers
Art lovers throughout the Fox Valley made their way to downtown St. Charles over the weekend as the St. Charles Business Alliance offered its 27th annual Fine Art Show, a juried display of more than 100 artists. The two-day show ran Saturday and Sunday at its usual location in downtown St. Charles on Riverside Avenue between Main Street and Illinois Street. Jessica Reitsma of Oswego was one of the early attendees on Saturday and said her favorite art form is photography. 'I love it. It's my favorite – mostly things with nature. I probably have 10 or 15 things scattered around the house,' Reitsma said as she shopped with her mother Teresa Stanis of La Grange. 'The thing I'm drawn to most is water and waterfalls.' St. Charles Business Alliance Director Jenna Sawicki said the actual total of 112 artists at the event 'is the most we've ever had since I've been here, which is 11 years.' 'We're really excited to utilize more space and be able to showcase all these really creative artists that are coming to St. Charles,' she said. 'We're using more of the footprint behind one of the buildings and while we don't have a cap on the number of artists, we want to make sure the show flows and we have a good mixture. We want to make sure all of our artists are of a certain caliber.' While most of the artists at the show were from the Midwest, Sawicki said there were others 'that we pull from Florida and Pennsylvania' and other places. Weather permitting, the show draws around 20,000 people over the course of two days, she said. 'People come to get a sense of community and we definitely pull people from the Tri-Cities but this also pulls people from Chicago because we do have such talented artists,' Sawicki said. The show also included an activity area for kids where they could paint a car as well as artist demonstrations. Artist Tina Birkhoff said this was her first year displaying her work at the event and was very excited to be at the show over the weekend. 'I do watercolor flowers and I've only done three official art shows so far,' she said. 'I love the area and to be here is quite a blessing. My stuff is very bright – it's like Georgia O'Keeffe. My paintings take anywhere from 25 to 45 hours to do.' Stanis said she and her daughter have come 'at least three times before,' adding that 'we might be looking for a birthday present for my daughter since her birthday is in June.' 'Otherwise, we're just browsing,' she said. 'I've bought earrings here and a lazy Susan for my daughter. I love ceramics. I love all the art and seeing all the art and wish I was artistic. I've been going to art shows for 20 years.' Maxine Wrobel of Winfield was at the show on Saturday and said she had already 'bought an awesome print over there and the title of it was 'Don't Talk to Me.'' 'It's like a surly owl with a cup in its claw. It's perfect for me,' she said with a laugh. 'We've been coming for 20 years. I just like to look at everything and see what's new – what's the hip new thing and what everyone is doing. This is literally on the calendar every year.'
Chicago Tribune
15-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
St. Charles goes green for St. Patrick's celebration
The St. Patrick's celebration in St. Charles on Saturday brought families to the city's downtown to revel in all things Irish. Lauren Mudrak of St. Charles was there with her young son Brady, who is 6 years old. 'I've come to this parade before but it's a been a long time – kids, priorities, you know,' Mudrak explained as she stood near Sixth Street in St. Charles where the St. Patrick's Parade was starting. 'This is Brady's first parade. I told him there is going to be a long line of people going through St. Charles passing out candy.' The St. Charles Business Alliance organized the annual parade and many other St. Patrick's activities beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. Events included an opening ceremony at First Street Plaza which included live music from bagpipe players and entertainment from Irish dancers. Those in attendance at the ceremony were also treated to complimentary face painting using designs that included a shamrock or a pot of gold. While waiting for the 2 p.m. parade, visitors were encouraged to explore the boundaries of the parade route between Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue to search for 10 shamrocks that were hidden as part of a scavenger hunt. On March 18, three winners in the scavenger hunt will be selected to win a 'pot of gold' valued at $400, officials said. Photo opportunities for families were available at First Street Plaza and other sites, and many local businesses were offering sales and specials in honor of the celebration. St. Charles Business Alliance Executive Director Jenna Sawicki said the St. Patrick's Parade has been held every year since 2000 with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. 'We have 81 entries this year. That's capacity for us, and we always have a waiting list,' she said of the parade. Beyond showcasing the businesses in town, Sawicki said the annual parade and other St. Patrick's activities give people 'an opportunity to come out and go into our bars and restaurants,' adding that 'this is really great for our entertainment district.' 'Hopefully people discover some of the retail shops that have opened up and it's a great way to start to dethaw (from the winter),' she said. Sawicki said that St. Patrick's events have a universal appeal, and are 'all about celebrating the beginning of spring and getting together with friends.' 'It's just a happy holiday and a great way to showcase the community and getting back together and seeing old friends,' she said. Saturday's celebration was held as blustery conditions swept through the downtown, which was awash with a sea of green from those dressed for the occasion. Becky Mokelke of Yorkville elected to come to the parade with her boyfriend Roy Ware of St. Charles and said despite being far from home, 'I thought it would be a really great time coming out for the parade.' 'I love the traditions. Roy had corned beef and hash for breakfast already,' Mokelke said. 'He already got the party started early. I'm part Irish but I know everybody enjoys this regardless of their heritage.' Ware said it was actually his first time coming to the parade despite living in town for 50 years. 'I was invited to ride in one of the cars in the parade,' Ware explained. 'My favorite part of all this is being with family and friends and seeing all the smiles.' Julie Starck of St. Charles said she has come to the parade every year as she owns a business in town and that the parade was an important event 'because everybody comes out for it.' 'This gets the community together and gets everybody in the mood for St. Paddy's and we have an awesome community here in St. Charles,' she said. 'My favorite part of all of this is the people. It brings our town together and gets us happy to live where we live.' Melissa Christensen of Itasca was literally dancing on the sidewalk and said this was her fourth year at the parade. 'I keep coming back year after year because it's fun,' she said. 'The kids love it. So many great parades here and seeing the marching bands and the dancers. I'm part Irish but this is universal – we all come together. You don't need a reason to celebrate. Just come out and enjoy life.'
Chicago Tribune
10-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
St. Patrick's parade, activities set in St. Charles
The St. Patrick's celebration in St. Charles set for Saturday is more than just the annual parade downtown, organizers said, with a variety of activities planned. The celebration starts at 11 a.m. Saturday with an opening ceremony at First Street Plaza in downtown St. Charles near Gia Mia and McNally's Irish Pub & Kitchen. It will feature performances from Irish dancers and bagpipers, along with a complimentary face-painter to get people into the spirit of the day, officials said. Following the opening ceremony, visitors can take part in a St. Patrick's-themed scavenger hunt. To participate, individuals will need to locate shamrocks hidden throughout the downtown. There will be 10 shamrocks hidden within the route of the parade – Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue. Once located, the participant will need to take a photo of themselves with the shamrock, scan the QR code and submit the photo along with the form found on The form will be available online starting March 15. The more shamrocks that are found, the more entries participants get, organizers said. On March 18, three winners in the scavenger hunt will be selected to win a 'pot of gold' valued at $400, officials said. The St. Patrick's Parade will begin at 2 p.m., stepping off at Sixth Street and traveling down Main Street to conclude at Fourth Avenue. Attendees will also have the chance to capture their time at the St. Patrick's Parade by visiting the photo opportunities around town, officials said. Many businesses will also be hosting special sales, promotions and events in honor of the day. For more about local deals taking place during the St. Charles St. Patrick's Parade, go to St. Charles Business Alliance Executive Director Jenna Sawicki said the annual St. Charles tradition of the St. Patrick's Parade is a special one. 'The St. Charles St. Patrick's Parade has been a favorite community tradition for over 20 years,' Sawicki said in a press release about the event. 'It's the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family, support our amazing businesses in town, and of course, enjoy all the Irish-festivities that the day has to offer.'
Chicago Tribune
14-02-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Deadline extended for taking part in St. Patrick's Parade in St. Charles
The deadline to apply to take part in the St. Patrick's Parade in St. Charles has been extended to Friday, Feb. 21, event organizers said in a press release, The parade is set to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, along Main Street in St. Charles, beginning at Sixth Street and concluding at Fourth Avenue. Local businesses, community groups and non-profits are encouraged to participate in this year's parade, organizers said. To view the St. Patrick's Parade entry form, go to Entries that will have more than 20 walkers will need to reach out to the St. Charles Business Alliance at 630-443-3867 or at info@ for special permission and guidelines, according to the release. For more information on the parade, go to Senior Services offering free tax help from AARP AARP is hosting free income tax preparation services at Senior Services Associates at 2111 Plum St. in Aurora, officials said. Appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through April 8. Those interested in the service can stop in at Senior Service to pick up a tax information packet and schedule an appointment during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 630-897-4035. Kane sheriff's office to award college scholarship The Kane County Sheriff's Office will be awarding a $500 scholarship through the Illinois Sheriffs' Association to a student wanting to pursue higher education during the 2025-26 academic year. Scholarship money can be applied to tuition, books and fees only, according to a news release. Students must be enrolled full time at a certified institution of higher learning in Illinois. Applications are available at They need to be submitted by Friday, March 14, to the Kane County Sheriff's Office, Attention: Sheriff Ron Hain, 37W755 Route 38, Suite A, St. Charles, IL 60175. DuPage County proclamation recognizes 211 helpline The DuPage County Board proclaimed Feb. 11 as 211 Day at its meeting Tuesday to recognize the helpline that connects county residents with health and human services. DuPage County residents can dial 211 to receive around-the-clock information and referrals to mental health services, addiction support and rehabilitation, crisis counseling, supplemental food programs, shelter and affordable housing options, a news release on the board's action said. Additional services include information on employment, financial assistance, senior programs and transportation. To access the free, confidential service, call 211, text a ZIP code to TXT211 or 898211, or go online at In 2024, specialists connected about 8,650 people to services, according to the release. More than 4,100 residents sought assistance for utility payments, more than 2,100 requested rent assistance and about 650 received referrals to local food pantries, the release said. Genealogy in spotlight at library The St. Charles Public Library will host 'Too Good to Be True: Learn How to Spot and Stop Genealogy Fraud' with professional genealogist Candace Marx at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Huntley Community Room at the library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles. The genealogy world has a long history of fraudsters and fabricated facts, library officials said. Good family historians want to create truthful trees and avoid being conned by information that looks 'too good to be true,' according to event organizers. In this lecture, Marx will discuss past and present genealogy scams and tips for avoiding them. For more information or to register, call 630-584-0076. Plano Food Pantry open Feb. 21 Those in need can pick up a box of canned goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen meat, bread, milk, eggs and more at the Plano Food Pantry from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at First Lutheran Church, 200 N. Center St. in Plano. Participants should bring their food pantry card, if they have one. If they don't, they can bring identification and one will be issued in a couple of minutes, pantry officials said. Kane County launches Behavioral Health 360 initiative The Kane County Health Department has launched Behavioral Health 360, an online platform to help people facing mental health and substance abuse issues. A self-help tool, the site provides information, strategies and local resources to assist people in taking control of their well-being, according to a news release. It's free to use, confidential and designed for both teens and adults. Mental health providers also can use Behavioral Health 360 to share reliable information and resources with their clients, helping to supplement in-person care, the release said.
