Rotary Club citrus sale brings winter chance for sunshine in a box

It's strange how a single incident can bring to mind a whole flood of happy memories.

That happened when Pat Szpekowski sent me information regarding the annual Gourmet Citrus Fruit Sale that serves as a major fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Dundee Township

I remembered my grandparents and their annual winter expedition to Florida to avoid the joys of a six-month Michigan winter. This trek usually provided me with an occasional postcard of a Seminole Indian wrestling an alligator -- or if I was really lucky, a miniature carton filled with gumballs resembling tiny oranges.

My parents and other favored relatives received cartons of the real thing -- wonderful Florida citrus. When the freezing wind was whistling at the windows and the snow had drifted against the door, this gift of a little bit of Florida sunshine let us know that somewhere the earth was warm and we could enjoy a bit of it vicariously.

Later, after moving to Illinois, I worked as part of a writing assessment team for District 300 with Chere Anderson, whose husband Tom is an active Rotary member. Every year, she would bring in the order form for the Rotary Club's sale, and in early December the cartons would arrive, filled with the most fantastic-looking fruit.

The oranges were so large that we had to decide whether or not they were grapefruit, and their aroma and juiciness were wonderful. No sugar need be applied to the grapefruit halves -- they were sweet enough already.

You have the opportunity to create memories like these for yourself and your family and help a good cause. The citrus fruit is packed in cartons containing four-fifths of a bushel of fruit. Each box contains fruits of approximately the same size.

The number of fruits per box varies with the box size. Typically there are 40 to 44 large seedless navel oranges per carton and 30 to 36 rosy-skinned seedless pink grapefruit per carton. Full-sized cases cost $30 and half-sized cases containing two-fifths of a bushel are $20. You also can purchase a half a case filled half with grapefruit, half with oranges for $25.

When we were at work we bought full cases and divided the fruit up ourselves, sampling a bit along the way.

The delivery date for this year's Rotary Club Gourmet Fruit is Dec. 6. Rotary members will deliver the cases to your door. You can use the fruit as a special gift for friends, family or business associates.

It's as healthy as it is delicious. Everyone appreciates a thoughtful gift of beautiful, vitamin-packed citrus fruits -- especially if you've checked out the price of orange juice at the grocery store lately.

To place your order, call Dundee Rotary Club member Pat Szpekowski at (847) 426-6900. She can even e-mail an order form to your work if you would like to order as a group.

Awards dinner: The Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce will have its annual awards dinner on Oct. 6 at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin.

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with entertainment, appetizers and networking and dinner at 7:30 p.m. The evening's entree is hickory-grilled petite filet mignon and sauteed breast of chicken topped with Madeira sauce. Following the dinner is the awards celebration and village recognition.

Here is a list of some of the nominees.

For Customer Service of the Year: East Dundee's The Anvil Club, Elgin's Holiday Inn, West Dundee's LaSalle Bank and East Dundee's Mason's Martini and Grille.

For Business of the Year: Fast Signs in Carpentersville, Harris Bank of Carpentersville and West Dundee, CDM Promotions of Roselle, Famous Dave's in Carpentersville, and PMS Advertising.

Volunteer of the Year: Brenda Curry of Mid-America Bank in Carpentersville, Mark Harms of First Midwest Bank of Carpentersville, Sue Lanners of Cardunal Savings Bank, Jeff Lipson, Re/Max Central West of West Dundee and Sue Robinson of Elgin Community College.

All members of the business community are invited. The cost is $50 per person with a cash bar. For information or to make a reservation by Friday, call Melissa Hernandez, executive director, at (847) 426-8565 or e-mail nkcchamber@ameritech.net .