Canoe-less club hopes to fill void in its name

Did you know that every year the St. Charles East High School Canoe Club considers changing its name?

No, the club hasn't developed aquaphobia. And no, members haven't gotten bored with canoes.

It's just that, well, they don't have any.

"Truth be told, we haven't paddled in years," laments art teacher and club adviser Nathan Shackelford.

See, about a decade ago, the club's canoe-carrying trailer was involved in some sort of highway crash, and its contents didn't survive, Shackelford said.

Since then, the club has enjoyed other forms of outdoor recreation -- camping, hiking, rock climbing -- but has remained up a creek, so to speak, when it comes to canoeing.

"Every year, we talk about changing the name," Shackelford said, "but everybody kind of likes it. It sounds fun."

Sure does. And that's where you might be able to help.

This year's club members are looking for generous, kind, caring and totally awesome water-sport enthusiasts to donate an old canoe or two to help get them off their feet and back onto the water.

Donors should call (630) 377-4852 and leave a message for Shackelford.

Meanwhile, members plan to carry on with archery, snowshoeing and horseback riding.

Kinda funny for a canoe club, huh?

Crow class: If you plan to build a scarecrow or paint a pumpkin this season, you might drop by Heinz Brothers Greenhouse Garden Center next month.

Fall decorating experts at the business, 2010 E. Main St., are putting on several workshops to help you gear up for fall.

A scarecrow-making class will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 2, 4, 8 and 10. The cost is $15 and includes all the materials you need.

Then there are pumpkin painting workshops from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 16, and 11 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 13. The cost for these is $5.

The price of each class seems really cheap, especially considering you won't have to clean up after yourself.

To make a reservation, call (630) 377-6288.

Peanut Days: In case you hadn't noticed, local Kiwanis members are out in full force for their annual Peanut Days fundraiser.

This is a great cause that netted about $35,000 last year for youth programs up and down the Fox Valley.

It works like this: For a $40 donation to Kiwanis, you get a case of 100 packages of freshly roasted peanuts.

In turn, Kiwanis doles out the money to worthy causes around the area, such as scouting groups, Lazarus House and Salvation Army.

Orders are being taken now, with deliveries expected late this month.

To donate, send your check made out to the St. Charles Kiwanis Foundation to P.O. Box 3, St. Charles, IL 60174.