Geneva antique shop marks first anniversary
Let's make it clear that The Berry House, 227 S. Third St. in Geneva, is a good place for a specialty retailer to set up shop. The dozen or so shops get plenty of traffic from those visiting Third Street.
However, it is also possible for these stores to be out of sight, out of mind, if you don't make the effort to go inside the building.
We go there fairly often, but it was still surprising to hear that The Gathering antique shop is preparing for its first anniversary at that location with an open house celebration March 4-5.
Apparently, time flies when business owners are passionate about their trade.
The shop emphasizes refurbished antiques and other items for decorating a home, said Carrie Tatone, who along with her husband Joe, owns and operates The Gathering.
She's particularly happy with a paint line she has in the store called Re-purpose because it helps people “transform their old items into great treasures again,” Tatone said.
She offers classes and demonstrations of this process in her store, as well as selling newly painted items.
“The open house is a thank you to our loyal customers and inviting new ones to come in,” said Tatone, who hopes to stir a little excitement by having prize giveaways during the event.
She wishes she had time to take in antiques from customers and refurbish them, but instead offers ways to help customers revitalize their own antiques.
The Gathering provides a service to show people how to do some tasks and how to use the paint line. It also offers “paint and take” workshops.
And this first year went by in a blur.
Down on the farm:
The Corron family was certainly an excellent party host for many years, usually having a Labor Day weekend bash that we were happy to attend annually.
I learned more about a working farm from our friend Dave Corron than at any other time in my life.
It makes sense that the Corron Farm Preservation Society is hosting a meat raffle and chili cook-off fundraiser to support renovation of the farm, which it is trying to qualify for National Register status.
The event, which is open to the public, will be 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Silver Spur Ranch, 45W445 Lees Road in Maple Park.
The chili cook-off is limited to 15 entries, and the cost for the tasting is $5. Those interested in the tasting need to register ahead of time by calling Rhonda at (224) 629-0369.
Proceeds will help renovate the historic dairy barn and support other restoration or educational programs at Corron Farm in Campton Township.
The preservation society will provide cornbread, chips and nonalcoholic beverages, and a full cash bar is available.
Delivering smooth drinks:
It was interesting to stop and chat with Margaret Carlson while recently walking near the courthouse in downtown Geneva.
Most of my past dealings with Carlson have been focused on music and her talent as a jazz singer.
She has performed for various local events and fundraisers, and her CD of jazzed-up Christmas songs still finds its way to the CD player in our home during the holidays.
But this time our chat was about a business she has been running for seven years. She reminded us she operates ProFusion at 31 N. Second St. in Geneva, providing healthy smoothies and other herbal drinks for customers.
It's only open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. In that regard, it would be the perfect spot for those who prefer a healthy shake for lunch.
Flawless footwork:
Having worked for two bosses who had daughters on high school dance teams, I often heard stories about what a long, grueling grind the dance season is for these girls.
But, oh, how it pays off in the skill these girls show during halftimes of home basketball games. It's the time when most residents will see them in action, and it was no surprise to see the Geneva High School girls get a standing ovation after a routine at a recent game.
They were that good and, of course, fans were recognizing the fact that the team recently corralled its fourth straight Class 2A state title.
dheun@sbcglobal.net