Black history museum comes to Algonquin
Community Unit District 300 students seeking to learn more about African-American history can visit the Algonquin Area Public Library, which is commemorating Black History Month with a special visit from the DuSable Mobile Museum.
The DuSable Mobile Museum is a traveling, interactive exhibit which explores the life and times of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, an African Haitian, who in 1779 became the first nonnative person to establish a permanent settlement in Eschikagou - "the place of smelly onions" - known today as Chicago.
The museum will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at the main library on 2600 Harnish Drive. No registration is required.
"We're delivering African American history to your doorstep. Experience this American history through engaging exhibits and captivating story adventures," according to a library news release.
Sheriff's office to award scholarships:
The Illinois Sheriffs' Association will be awarding more than $54,000 in college scholarships statewide to students seeking to pursue higher education in the 2018-19 school year.
McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim will be awarding a $500 scholarship to be applied toward tuition, books and fees.
Scholarship applicants can be of any race, age, creed, color, gender or national origin. Eligible candidates must be permanent Illinois residents and residents of McHenry County. The scholarship must be used at institutions of higher learning within the state and students must be enrolled full-time for the 2018-19 school year (excluding the summer session).
Applications are available at the McHenry County Sheriff's Office or online at ilsheriff.org. Students must complete the application, answer the essay question and return all documentation by March 12 (postmarked by this date).
Batavia library giving away prom dresses:
The Batavia Public Library will host CHIP IN Batavia's fifth annual Prom Dress Giveaway on March 17.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., in Batavia.
More than 200 dresses and accessories, such as purses, shoes, and jewelry, will be available free to any girl from any school district, regardless of need. Private changing areas and a seamstress will be on hand to help with alterations.
"It is our goal to make sure everyone who needs and wants a dress can get one," said Joanne Spitz, co-founder of CHIP IN Batavia. "We encourage students to come with friends or family. It is a lot of fun, and the dresses are gorgeous."
The library also will be accepting donated prom dresses and accessories Thursday, Feb. 1, through March 16 at its checkout desk. Donated dresses and accessories should be clean and in good to excellent condition. Tax donation letters will be provided.
Monetary donations also are welcome at drop-off and will be used to help pay for tuxedo rentals and prom tickets.
CHIP IN Batavia was founded by Batavia residents Joanne Spitz and Melinda Kintz.
Last year, the organization gave away more than 165 dresses to students from throughout the region, including Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, Elgin, St. Charles. Dresses also were given to Rotolo Middle School for the eighth-grade dinner dance, and to the Batavia Interfaith Clothes Closet.
For more information, visit chipinbatavia.org, Facebook.com/ChipInBatavia or email info@chipinbatavia.org.