Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why the Batavia Depot Museum made Illinois’ “weirdest” list

And check out Our 14th Annual Sing Along Messiah - Fox Valley Orchestra & Chorus on the Batavia Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 17th Patch AM
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Good morning Batavia! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why the Batavia Depot Museum made Illinois’ “weirdest” list
  • Why Batavia’s ICE policy matters in St. Charles’ heated debate

Also on today's calendar: Our 14th Annual Sing Along Messiah - Fox Valley Orchestra & Chorus and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Bataviafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Batavia? Post it to Batavia photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Bataviafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 35 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Thursday: Windy with periods of rain, temps: high: 46, low: 13. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Colder; breezy in the morning, with a high of 29 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• These Are the Weirdest Museums in Illinois You Have to See (khmoradio.com) — Batavia gets a quirky spotlight with the Batavia Depot Museum, home to a replica of the mental hospital where Mary Todd Lincoln was once committed. In a roundup of Illinois’ “weirdest” museums, the article encourages road-trippers to add Batavia to their bucket list. It also highlights unusual attractions in Chicago and Alton for those seeking offbeat adventures.
   

• Crowd expected again to urge St. Charles to ban ICE from public property Monday evening (shawlocal.com) — Batavia is highlighted among Fox Valley communities that have already barred civil immigration enforcement operations from using public property, as St. Charles residents push their city council to follow suit. The piece describes recent crowded meetings, residents’ fears about ICE tactics in everyday spaces, and how regional and state-level actions are shaping this debate. While focused on St. Charles, it signals how Batavia’s stance fits into a broader local trend.
   

📸 Around Batavia

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Batavia

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Batavia Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday December 17
  • Little Listeners (Ages 1-3 Years w/Caregiver)
    Geneva Public Library District - Discovery Spot
    9:30 am
  • Preschool Tales (Geared for Ages 3-6)
    Geneva Public Library District - Discovery Spot
    10:30 am
  • Intro to Shaker Cards (Adults)
    Geneva Public Library District - Temporary Makerspace
    10:30 am
  • Let's Play Mahjong! (Adults)
    Geneva Public Library District - Meeting Room
    1:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Batavia PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Op-Ed: Illinois Must Protect Disability Care Gains Made After Years of Underfunding —Tina Cross Read on Patch
  • 🕎 Happy Hanukkah⁠, Aurora!
    May this season continue to bring you and your family endless blessings, peace and love. (Nextdoor )
  • Mid-year update on the district's strategic plan and its "power metrics," featuring presentations from multiple departments including Academics, Special Education, Business, Technology, Facilities, and the Fine Arts Centre.
    https://batavia5thward.blog/2025/12/15/mid-year-strategic-plan-update-power-metrics-unveiled/?utm_source=nextdoor&utm_medium=jetpack_social (Nextdoor Memorial Field)
  • PetSmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate in Geneva. Apply here.
  • The Fresh Market posted a job opening for Cashier Team Member in Geneva. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Batavia here.

🗞 Nearby News

North Aurora

  • Pet of the Week: Lulu: Old girl needs new home (thevoice.us)
  • Illinois extends open enrollment deadline health care (thevoice.us)
  • Twenty-five years as Santa (thevoice.us)

St. Charles

  • St. Charles Police clarify role amid concerns over federal immigration actions (kanecountyreporter.com)
  • John Bush Performs First Show Celebrating His Anthrax Era, Fans Already Begging for More (rockcelebrities.net)

Montgomery

Ok Batavia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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