Snowbound

As Chicago emerges from its third deepest snowfall in recorded history with nearly 20 inches (1967 -- 23", 1999 -- 21") and 50 mph winds which caused major drifting (so, the snow was barely 3 inches high in some spots and 4 feet high in others), Books on First also emerges from one of the few days in its history to be closed unexpectedly, maybe the first.  Larry was snowbound in our Walton abode 12 miles south of Dixon and his favorite employee Brenda said she had a 4' drift right in front of her home.  I remember our first months on the job.  We were determined to be open.

On Saturday, 2 January 1999, we began at 5am driving back from Chicago in fierce wind and snowfall to arrive just after 8:30am to a fully "handled it" Dixon with mounds of snow in the middle of downtown streets (which I think makes perfect sense as it allows people still to get into driveways).  We opened our doors only 45 minutes late and proceeded to wait until around 10am for our first "customer" who was Michael, wanting a free glass of water.  At other times when two-lane Route 26 between Dixon and Walton was dangerous to travel (due to snow squalls and drifting), we stayed at Comfort Inn or Presidential Inn in order to be in town to open the store.

Now, we have a trusted employee in town, but we still would not ask her to take on more than she can handle (like getting through snow drifts).

Speaking of snow (were we?), Snow White Bakery has closed its retail doors, a sad loss for Downtown and all of Dixon.  I heard that owner Catherine Benon still will be baking to order, so try giving her a call.

"Ten Years Feel Like 100"

8 September 2010 marks the decennial point of "Larry's Favorite Employee" Brenda Spratt time with Books on First and we will celebrate with chocolate-frosted marble sheetcake from Snow White Bakery, beginning at 7am on Friday, 9 Sep.  Come one, come all to assist in the celebrations. 

Brenda and Kevin Spratt have come to be an important part of the Books on First family.  Each brings an invaluable facet to the character of our place and Larry could never do without either of them.  We so much appreciate both of them (and no doubt about it, they are a package deal, Thank the Lord) and hope for many more years together in our endeavor as a great place to visit in Dixon, IL.  

Don't Despair. Books on First and Downtown Dixon Is Still Here for YOU

When City of Dixon puts that shovel down, it means business.  With last night's rain and the current drainage pipe disruption, the water collected in the basement of Books on First.  I'm a little worried about the stone foundation of our building, but for now, we're still standing.  Even flooded, we are open for business (although not prepared for an audit or decorating for Halloween with storage sitting in 4 inches of water).

Today, Books on First has no sidewalks outside or inside, but we hope photographer Charles ("Chuck") Osgood will not be deterred to come by and say hello, bringing us a few copies of Sidewalks, Volume 2: Reflections on Chicago, his latest published work with Rick Kogan, based on their Sunday Chicago Tribune Magazine regular feature (on the inside cover).

We tried to get them both for a longer visit to Dixon, and still might be able to host Chuck in the near future in conjunction with a show or talk at The Next Picture Show here in Downtown Dixon.

Meanwhile, Downtown Dixon awaits your visit.  There are still great gift ideas all around the neighborhood, from clothing and accessories from Tangibles to unique new and antique items at Waterfront Gifts to wine at Crystal Cork to wonderful cakes & breads at Snow White Bakery to jewelry at Trein's and Venier's to gift certificates at all of them plus Books on First which has a book for every kind of reader, including journals for those who want to write their own, as well as cards for Mother's Day. While the restaurants downtown are not open on Sunday, they are open for lunch and dinner on every other day (plus available for that gift certificate purchase).  Wait, I think I heard that Basil Tree Ristorante, our great neighborhood Italian eatery, is now open on Sundays.  Give them a call!

Looking ahead, Graduation Day is coming quickly on the heels of this weekend and all those great gift ideas which apply to Mother's Day (except maybe the wine) would equally apply to our new graduates.  If wine for the parents of the graduates won't be enough, we also have books on getting the kids out of the house or on the other hand, coping with the empty nest.  CONGRATULATIONS, ALL!