Growing up on a farm just about 30 miles west of Geneva, I thought that it was such a treat to be taken to my mom’s favorite lunch destination, the Little Traveler. This was a favorite place for mom and her friends to reunite and catch up on life. Sometimes I was afforded the opportunity to “tag along.”

As time went on and I moved away, finally settling in SC, I began to appreciate the unique experience of visiting the Little Traveler each summer with my mom. Nowhere else seemed to offer such a wonderful opportunity to dine and shop for hours all in one store. One summer when I was coming home for a class reunion, she suggested that we have lunch at the Little Traveler to see if I might be able to find just the right dress for the occasion. Sure enough, we found a two-piece outfit that was the prettiest teal color with some crocheted detail that made it a one-of-a-kind outfit. She loved it the minute she saw it on me and insisted on buying it for me.

Sadly, six years ago this very month, my sweet mother passed away leaving an unbelievable void in my life. As I was making my decision as far as what I should wear for her funeral, I put aside the notion of wearing the traditional black outfit and decided upon that awesome teal dress that we shopped for together. It represented not just a singular moment of time we shared at your shop, but in a larger sense it represented the importance of spending quality time with the people you love most. Thanks for providing some great memories!

Beth Jacky, Lexington, SC

When being asked what childhood memory stuck out in my mind, I was extremely surprised at the picture that flashed in my mind.  The image of the front of The Little Traveler.  The lunches, puppet shows, and story times that I was given the opportunity to sit through have made a memory that is unforgettable.  I remember my mom getting the newsletter and I would anxiously await what event was scheduled.

I was first taken to The Little Traveler when I was five years old.  I went with my grandma and mother in order to meet my childhood obsession: Madeline, the character from my favorite book.  My grandmother promised me I could take my picture with her.  Sure enough, I got my picture and even got to work side by side with my grandma to make a hat just like Madeline’s.  Little did I know at the time that this outing would be one of my favorite memories.

My grandma became sick this year with cancer, and during her treatment I kept playing that memory over in my mind, hanging on to such a fun time.  I am happy to say my grandma is cancer-free at the moment.  I hope we can make another trip to lunch at The Little Traveler once again, and I can feel like “one of the ladies.”

Sincerely,

Kelly Del Valle, Woodridge, IL

Kelly will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter. Send your letters to Almanack Editor, 404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.

My story begins when I was 5 years old.  My mother told me and my sister Anne that on the weekend we would take the train to Geneva to meet our great-aunt Kate.  I had heard stories of her worldly travels and at Christmas we always received a special gift from her.  Living in Chicago in 1946 and not owning a car, the train was really our only option.  What an adventure!

We walked up Third Street to The Little Traveler and rang the doorbell.  Someone let us inside and we waited in the foyer to be greeted.  I remember looking up the long staircase as I heard aunt Kate’s footsteps from above, then at the turn of the stairs she came into view with a big smile.  She was a very gracious and generous woman whom I will never forget.

I have returned to The Little Traveler often since then and, in fact, I was there last weekend.  I always take a moment to gaze up the stairs when I enter to remember her.  I am so pleased that her legacy lives on.  Her name was Kate Howard Raftery, the founder of The Little Traveler, but she was my great-aunt Kate.  Great indeed!

John Howard Loader

Oak Lawn, Illinois

John will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter. Send your letters to Almanack Editor, 404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.

I’ve started bringing my only granddaughter there to celebrate her Oct. birthday.   We started when she was four and have done it for three years now.  Also, when being rewarded for being so good when her Dad was recuperating from surgery, her mother wanted to reward her and Kathryn said she wanted to go to Geneva shopping with Grandma Purple. Now what’s better than that?

-Helen

Greetings from South Florida!

Though I live in a vacation capital, for the last few years I have spent my vacation in Batavia with visits to my brother and sister-in-law.  And I just want to share with you how the highlight of those visits has become a day spent in Geneva at The Little Traveler– and I do mean a pretty full day.  Our day always takes on the same delightful pattern: we shop our way to the middle of the store, stop to energize at The Atrium Cafe for lunch, continuing shopping our way through the rest of the store.

These enjoyable “day trips” have actually taken on the status of family legend where the mantra, “Don’t buy anythng that won’t fit in the suitcase,” is featured.  It seems that with great regularity I not only fill my suitcases with your little treasures but I fall in love with a large treasure that requires a very large box that must be shipped home!  A chandelier, a wall decoration, and a statue have all made the trip from The Little Traveler in Illinois to my home in Florida.

Let my family tease me.  I’ll be back for more treasures… and I’m glad that you ship!

Thanks for the fun!  See you next year.

Fondly,

Trish Kornblatt, Boynton Beach, FL

Trish will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter. Send your letters to Almanack Editor, 404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.

Christmas Mistletoe/Kissing Krystals — Sparkling gold and red mistletoe atop a large crystal pineapple comes in a gift box. $18.00

Snowman Bath Fizzers – Lavender bath bombs perfect for the hostess to relax after the big party. Three bath balls dressed as Santa. $13.75

Christmas Potpourri — Our most popular scent. A bag of this potpourri will get anyone in the mood for the holidays! Large $14.00

Ceramic Lighted Santa — He’ll light up your hostess’ holidays and best of all, he’s also available at our on-line store for only $15.95

Talk Turkey To Me — The entertaining Turkey and all the trimmings cookbook for the holidays and year round.  Also available at our on-line store for $19.95

Children ages 4-8 are invited to join us Sunday, December 13, at 1:00 pm in our Atrium Café to prepare for Santa’s arrival! Write and decorate a letter a letter to Santa and then mail it to the North Pole in our special mailbox.  Afterwards we’ll create a unique care package for Santa that’s a departure from milk and cookies!  $7 per person.

EVENT CANCELED

These merry festivities begin at 9am on December 12 and 19.  $10 for children, $12 for parents includes the meal, program and a $5 coupon for the adults.  Sign up by calling 630.232.4200 in after 10am on November 16.

Friday and Saturday:

*Brighton On-The-Go – Receive a specially designed Dayplanner and Journal FREE with a $100 Brigthon Purchase.  Designed to fit in your Brighton handbag!

Friday, December 4 11 a.m.-3 p.m.:

* Swarovski Crystal Event – Meet Ann Andrea, Swarovski representative, see what’snew for Holiday 2009. With any purchase, sign up for a free gift drawing.

* Waterford Crystal Holiday Event — We have the new and exciting pieces for 2009. Sign up for a free gift drawing.

* Lladro Holiday Extravaganza –Angela Casa, Lladro representative, will meet and greet Lladro fans and present the newest in the line. Sign up for a free gift drawing.

* Williray for the Holidays –  Beccy Metzgar will visit the shop to show off these whimsical Country folk art pieces that are designed as a celebration of the holidays. Enter a drawing to receive a signed large creche, valued at $250. Special Purchase Friday Only: Holy Family Creche $132.50. (originally $265.00)

* Colonial Candle Gala –Light up your holidays with beautiful candles. Sign up for a free gift drawing.

Saturday, December 5:

* Byers’ Choice Event - During the Geneva Christmas Walk, a company representative will be showcasing all the new pieces for Christmas 2009.  Stop in and register to win a free piece from Byers’ Choice!

* Berghoff Cafe Cookbook Book Signing – at 1:00 p.m. Carlyn Berghof will be here to sign copies of this new cookbook filled with simple and satisfying classic recipes from Chicago’s Berghoff Cafe.

Local Author Rick Moser debuts his newest book with us on Saturday, November 21, at 10:30am.  The story is a fable about three geese that look very different from each other but discover on their journey that their hearts are very much alike.  This story is a great way for parents and teachers to teach children about diversity.

Rick will be available after the reading to sign your purchase.  $5 from each book will be donated to Lazarus House.

Back to the Manger… a treasure hunt for the nativity is a heart-warming, beautifully illustrated storybook that takes you through our own home town of Geneva, IL to relive a very old Little Traveler tradition.  The authors will be in our Antiques Room for a book signing from 11am to 2pm on Saturdays, November 21 and December 19.

Copies of Back to the Manger can be purchased all season long in our shop or at our on-line store.  $19.95

In the late 1920’s Kate Raftery, our founder, purchased a Neapolitan creche to use as a showpiece for the store’s holiday decor.  For years customers made a visit to The Little Traveler to see the nativity as part of their holiday tradition. The mother-daughter team of Margaret Ann Philbrick and Sarah Ellen McGreevy now brings to life the story of one family’s search for the creche.  Back to the Manger is a unique and entertaining way for children and adults alike to experience a bit of history.

I had the most delightful experience at the Little Traveler.  I would like to share it with you.  I had finished my shopping and was ready to go to my car.  However, it began to rain while I was going to the front door of the Traveler to wait for a let up- – it just wouldn’t stop raining.  I walked back to the jewelry dept. to bide my time and then a wonderful employee came to my rescue.

I did not have an umbrella and was wearing a jacket with suede trim.  It was decided I shouldn’t get the suede wet.  So your employee got a big plastic bag, cut a hole for the head and a slit for one hand to open the car door. When I thanked them for the rain gear, they said, “Of course, we’re a full service store,” and off I went.

Thanks so much to that special employee (I did not get her name), but the staff is really special.  That’s why I keep coming back to The Little Traveler.

Mary Lou

I had a spur of the moment lunch at The Little Traveler yesterday.  I just want to tell you how wonderful it was!  Lunch was delicious, our server so sweet and kind.  My friend and I walked around, she bought a jacket and every person in your shop said ‘hello,’ and asked if we needed help.

I left a birthday card my friend gave me.  I went back today to see if it was there (it was an expensive “talking” card), and they put it away in a drawer and gave it back to me!  Today, too, every person said hello, smiled or asked if I needed help.  You run an extraordinary shop!

Joanne

Hi Mike

I am 67 years old …my first visit was when I was 15.  My mother and her friends took a train from Sterling Il for a special outing back in the 40’s.  The Little Traveler has been a special part of my history.  My aunt, even though she was in New York, when she came into town we always went to the Little Traveler.  Now my grandchildren, who are in Texas, and their mom make it a special event to visit the Little Traveler and have lunch and shop.

I just wanted you to know how special it is and that it has a place in my heart, and I have passed that along.

Thank you for still being there.

Linda

I work at a school in the northwest suburbs around 45 minutes from Geneva. The tradition of spending the day at The Little Traveler started with just two of us. We make two trips a year—one in October on Columbus Day and another in June. Our group has now grown to six or seven ladies for a day of fun and shopping. Every time we start to drive to Geneva one of the ladies tells us how as a child, she performed in the Swedish Days Festival, singing Swedish songs with the Varblommans Children’s Club. As we ride to Geneva, she entertains us with a Swedish song which gets us all laughing and sets the mood for the day. This time together twice a year away from the work place lets us unwind and really get to know one another as friends, not just co-workers. The memories will always be cherished. Talking about all the fun we had is what has made our group grow and hopefully keep growing. Thank you for having us to your beautiful home twice a year.

Sincerely,

Barbara Ruhl and the School Ladies, Franklin Park.

Barbara will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter. Send your letters to Almanack Editor, 404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.

Looking for beautiful wedding gifts for any upcoming nuptials? Look no further than The Little Traveler. We have a wonderful assortment of pre-wrapped gifts that let you grab and go on your way.

Dear Little Traveler,

I wanted to write a note to express my gratitude for always being there when needed. I was in desperate need of Christmas ornaments, at a non-Christmas time of year…

Growing up in our family, we chose an ornament every year from Marshall Field’s and ate under the Christmas tree. As we’ve gotten older, we continue this tradition with our children, and also give each other ornaments. When my youngest sister Wendy got married, I gathered a basketful of ornaments symbolizing things like “hope,” “love,” “security,” “home,” “friendship,” “marriage,” etc.

However, when my other sister Donna got engaged in February and planned a September wedding, there was no holiday season around the corner to help with my gift idea. The opportunities for finding cute and appropriate ornaments were very slim, but I really wanted to recreate another wedding basket or ornaments. Even online, I couldn’t find what I wanted.

With the shower fast approaching, I drove to The Little Traveler in July and found almost every single ornament I needed. Donna told me afterward that she was hoping I was going to do the ornament basket and I did because of your Christmas rooms.

So thank you again, for making one of our family traditions just perfect!

Sincerely,

Karen Baldwin, Oak Park

Karen will receive a $50 gift certificate as a token of our thanks for this lovely letter. Send your letters to Almanack Editor, 404 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134.