Adam Kovac's returned home from Iraq

I'm happy to report that Adam Kovac, our fearless Kane County courts and South Elgin reporter who spent almost a year serving in Iraq, has safely returned to the U.S.

For almost nine months, Kovac was stationed in Iraq with the Illinois National Guard. He finally returned stateside last week.

I haven't seen him yet, but am told by the higher-ups that he'll spend a month reconnecting with his family, friends and getting used to civilian life all over again. He should be back to work in late November or early December.

I last saw him a few months ago when he was here handling a family situation and he was in good spirits. Adam is a real class act, and it's always a pleasure to work with him.

If you'd like to send a card welcoming him home, you can mail it to: Daily Herald, 385 Airport Road, Suite A, Elgin, IL 60123, Attn: Adam Kovac.

Some new DNA: Anxious to meet the new executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association?

The group on Tuesday is having its Out to Dinner gathering at Akina's Thai Restaurant, giving you a chance to break bread with Tonya Hudson, DNA's new executive director.

The $15 buffet dinner includes soft drinks, tea, chicken satay, pad Thai, pork fried rice, curry beef, chicken and vegetable stir fry, tom yum soup and egg rolls.

You have until Monday to reserve your spot for the dinner, which starts at 6:30 p.m. the next day.

To R.S.V.P., call Jennifer Benson at (847) 488œ1456 or e-mail her at jbenson@elginil.org.

Bricks and mortar: If you live in Pingree Grove, it's not too late to buy a brick or bench for Centennial Park, which will be dedicated two weeks from today at noon.

In fact, it'll never be too late, says Cathie Vavra, the committee's chairwoman.

"We're never going to close that down. People are going to be moving in left and right, so we're always going to be selling those."

Benches cost $1,000, 8-inch by 8-inch bricks are available for $100 and bricks measuring 4 inches by 8 inches are $50. This money helps pay for the park, which pays homage to the town's founders and current residents.

"It's beautiful; it's going to be a nice memorial park," Vavra said.

In case you were wondering, the committee has sold two benches and 70 bricks as of this writing.

To buy a brick or a bench, call Vavra at (847) 464œ2093.

• Lenore Adkins covers South Elgin, Elgin neighborhoods, Pingree Grove and Central Unit District 301. To reach her, call (847) 608œ2725 or send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com