Lions, Leos helping one of their own who is in need
About a month ago at a South Elgin village board meeting, I met Dave Bulkley, who has lived in town for 29 years with his wife, Mary.
He told me that the summer floods destroyed his house, making it moldy and uninhabitable.
This forced the family to move in with relatives. Bulkley said he had hoped to return to his house by Thanksgiving.
The Bulkleys are quite active on South Elgin's community service scene.
For example, Dave Bulkley belongs to the South Elgin VFW, the South Elgin Lions Club and the Nemki Dancing Society. Mary Bulkley also is a part of the Nemki Dancing Society.
Their community service hasn't gone unnoticed and the South Elgin Leo Club recently donated all of the proceeds it made from an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner to the Bulkleys.
It cost $7 for adults and $3.50 for children under 10. There was also a cash bar. According to Allan Shelton, an adviser to the Leo club and past president of the South Elgin Lions Club, that came to $1,950.
By the way, the Leo club is like the Lions club, only it involves children.
This money is a small step toward helping the couple get back on their feet and replace some the items damaged in the floods.
If you'd like to make a donation and missed the dinner, you can send a check made payable to the South Elgin Leo Club. The address to mail it to is: 500 Fulton Ave., P.O. Box 221, South Elgin, IL 60177.
If you have questions, call Shelton at (847) 695-8174 or to Lion Debra Mainard at (847) 697-8611.
Supporting our troops: Do you know of any soldiers stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan?
As part of a class project, students from Burlington Central High School are furnishing care packages for the men and women of our armed forces stationed in those two countries.
Please send names and addresses along to Susan Zagorski at SZagorski@burlington.k12.il.us
You can also reach her at Burlington Central High School by calling (847) 464-6030.
Speaking of veterans, our very own reporter Adam Kovac is returning to work Monday. Yeah!
Bring your empty stomachs… for the Elgin Area Historical Society's annual dinner that's scheduled for noon Nov. 11 at the Centre of Elgin.
This year's event will offer an American Indian theme.
Clyde Ellis, professor of history at Elon University, will be the event's keynote speaker and he'll discuss the history of Native American lore clubs.
For his upcoming book, Ellis also has interviewed a number of participants in the Hiawatha Pageant that was held in Elgin for 50 years -- one of the permanent exhibitions at the Elgin Area Historical Society and Museum features relics from the pageants.
The evening also includes a silent auction of collectibles -- all proceeds will benefit the operation of Old Main, the building that houses the Elgin Area Historical Society and Museum.
It costs $24 for members and $30 if you're not a member. The event is open to the public, but you must reserve your seat.
For more information, visit www.elginhistory.org or call (847) 742-4248.