What's unique about Huntley? Send your ideas

What's so special about Huntley? Lots of things, most of us would agree. But what does our little town have to offer that might draw others to visit here?

This week, I saw a business article that got me thinking about Huntley's tourist appeal. The economic future for towns like ours, the author claims, lies in services and tourism. Gone are the days of manufacturing jobs, and farms are fast disappearing.

Instead, he says, we should concentrate on drawing outside visitors to spend their time and money here in our little burg, by emphasizing our "uniqueness" as a tourist destination.

What makes a town unique? It doesn't have to be fancy or flashy, just something that no one else can match.

While visiting my dad in downstate Pekin (home of the "World's Largest Sundial," according to the savvy park district promoter who put up the sign), I had a chance to see some TV travelogues for other Illinois towns. Some were predictable. Chicago? No question, there's plenty to see. Springfield? Of course, with its Lincoln connections. But Carlinville? Olney? Or Alton?

Spend a day in Alton, I learned, and you'll see a life-size statue of the "World's Tallest Man," Robert Ludlow, who stood 8-feet 11-inches tall. Or check out the infamous "Piasa Bird," painted on a rock over the Mississippi River. Prehistoric Indians believed this monster-bird would swoop down and devour unwary river travelers ... or tourists, if you're not careful. Who wouldn't want to see that?

A few weeks ago, my husband, Rusty, and I drove to Wilmington, in Will County, to visit their antique shops and get a glimpse of the "Gemini Giant," a 28-foot fiberglass statue that stands outside the Launching Pad Restaurant, wearing a space helmet and holding an 8-foot rocket. Where else can you find a sight like that, and get a good burger, too?

This, I believe, is something Huntley should start thinking about. What do we have that other towns don't, and people might actually travel to see? As fast as Huntley is changing, we need to identify our local "attractions" before they disappear.

Take a look at Berwyn, for instance, which stands to lose its famous "Cars on a Spindle" artwork to make way for a new drugstore. As Joni Mitchell aptly wrote, "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?"

So I'm putting out a call, here and now, to all of you proud Huntleyites. Send me your nominations for unique Huntley attractions, and I promise to print as many as I can in an upcoming story on "Travel Huntley -- The Tourist Mecca of the Midwest!"

They don't have to be fancy, "official" or serious. They just have to be fun, unusual and visible from the street or available to the public (at least by appointment). And they have to be here -- in or around Huntley. Tell me what they are, where to find them and what makes them worth seeing. Send your suggestions to me by Aug. 1 at huntleynews@ameritech.net, and I'll try to get this tourism ball rolling.

Short on ideas? Here, I'll get you started with some places to have fun around Huntley this coming week.

Party with Harry Potter: The Huntley Area Public Library expects a record crowd tonight for its Harry Potter "Midnight Madness" celebration, set to coincide with the release of the latest -- and last -- new book in that magical series.

"We've already got nearly 130 people signed up," Doug

Cataldo told me earlier this week. "That's the biggest crowd we've ever had, I think, for any library event."

The party will run from 9 p.m. tonight through 1 a.m. Saturday, with readings, magic tricks, relay races and more fun activities for ages 7 and up. Copies of the new Harry Potter book will also be sold for $26 each, with $5 going to support the library.

The event will be at the First Congregational Church in downtown Huntley. Tickets are going fast at $3 per person, and preregistration is required. Attendance is limited to 150, organizers say, but a few tickets may still be available today. Call (847) 669-5386, ext. 28, as soon as possible, or visit the library at 11000 Ruth Road.

'Bucket Boys,' socks and more: The Huntley library will host an outdoor "Bucket Boys" concert from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 27 on the library's east lawn. This dynamic duo performs a lively, entertaining show with positive messages about dedication, teamwork and getting involved in one's school and community. The concert is free; bring your own lawn chairs, relax and enjoy. Details are posted at www.huntleylibrary.org.

Calling all "socks" fans! This summer, the library is collecting new pairs of socks that will be donated to local shelters run by PADS and Home of the Sparrow.

Only new socks are requested. A collection box is inside the front door, so if you're passing by, why not put a sock in it?

'Tip A Cop': You can help the Special Olympics and thank local law enforcers for a job well done, by stopping by Culver's on Saturday for their fourth annual "Tip A Cop" fundraiser.

From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., members of the Huntley Police Department will be serving sandwiches and ice cream at the fast-food restaurant on South Route 47 to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Joining the officers will be area Special Olympics athletes, some of whom have won top honors in regional and statewide competitions. You'll also have a chance to purchase Illinois Torch Run logo items and raffle tickets for a drawing to win a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.