Here's a long-distance call you can get for free

If you wanted to hear, but missed, the landmark conversation between local students and astronaut Clay Anderson, who was aboard the International Space Station while it orbited Earth, you're in luck.

The Gail Borden Public Library, which arranged the Wednesday chat with the Fox Valley Amateur Radio League, will soon be offering the entire event on DVD to check out of the library next week, said Denise Raleigh, the library's spokeswoman.

The presentation also is available on the library's Web site www.gailborden.info.

Due to a last-minute schedule change in the newsroom, I was lucky enough to be the Daily Herald reporter covering the event, which is the first time a library used amateur radio to communicate with the International Space Station.

It was an awesome experience, one you can also relive on the Daily Herald Web site's slide show presentation.

Anderson was very relaxed, funny and gentle with the kids when they asked him questions about living in the space station. That took some of their nervousness away.

His voice came through quite clearly and I was scared we wouldn't hear him at all, since it took three tries to get a decent connection with him.

On a personal note, some of the food they have to eat in space didn't look that appetizing to me -- I'll stick to the grub here on Earth.

Stay tuned to see what the library does to follow this act.

I don't know what it'll be, but I'm sure it'll be something huge.

Proud papa in Pingree: Congratulations are in order for Village President Clint Carey and his wife, Brook, who recently had a baby boy.

Jack Fletcher Carey was born Aug. 20. He weighed in at 6 pounds and 15 ounces and joins brother Owen, 13 in Pingree Grove. He also has older siblings Brandon, 23, and Chelsea, 21, who live in Chicago.

So how are mom and baby doing?

"Great, they're doing really good, (we're) getting used to sleepless nights," Carey said. "He's not colicky or anything, I think he's just out of whack."

Just in time for Halloween: Walking through Bluff City Cemetery can be a creepy proposition, but it's not so bad during the day.

Check it out for yourself during the Elgin Area Historical Society's 20th annual walk through the cemetery from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23.

Guides in costume will take you through the cemetery to meet six former "residents" and discuss some of Bluff City's monuments.

You'll be greeted by a man dressed as Elmer Gylleck, who I'm told was a well-known magician and local photographer, whose striking resemblance to Col. Sanders (the KFC man), caused quite a stir in Elgin.

Bluff City Cemetery is located at 945 Bluff City Blvd. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for kids under 14. For more information about the walk, call (847) 742-4248.

Feeling Swedish? Maybe not, but I can tell you that some of the best Swedish food I've ever had in this area is at the 28th annual Scandinavian Day festival.

It's going on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Vasa Park in South Elgin and the event coincides with the park's 55th anniversary.

You can learn all about Scandinavian culture while chowing down on Swedish pancakes, and other pastries and baked goods.

It's $10 to get in and children under 12 get in free. Don't forget to bring your empty stomach.