Party for the pantry good; more is needed
Many of us are running around like loons these days, trying to buy and wrap presents atop our already hectic days.
Some of our neighbors aren't shopping at all. They are more worried about finding food to feed their families.
There is, sadly, no shortage of customers at the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry and other area pantries any time of year. Fortunately, many people, like Fred and Cheryl Alopogianis of West Dundee, are making sure the shelves aren't empty. Thanks to the Alopogianis' food pantry party Saturday, Dick Hoferle and other pantry volunteers were plenty busy stocking shelves Wednesday.
"It's wonderful," pantry Operations Manager Mary Terese Piemonte said. The Alopogianis' pantry party is one of many creative efforts people have come up with to help. And that's good because the need is sure there.
Some pantry customers are senior citizens who need a bit of help or young families struggling to make ends meet. It could be your neighbor, Mary Terese said. "By the time they take care of mortgage and bills, they're short that month." Many are embarrassed and need to be nudged to the pantry. They just need a utility bill or check to show they live in Algonquin or Lake in the Hills.
You can help
If you would like to help, consider canned fruit, canned pasta, canned tuna or chicken, boxes of potatoes, rice, condiments, spices, crackers, snacks, personal hygiene items, paper and cleaning products, eggs, meat, frozen items, etc. Canned vegetables and macaroni and cheese are stocked up right now and they have a steady donation of bread.
If your family needs a pantry boost, it's open from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays and every first and third Saturday at 600 E. Oak St. in Lake in the Hills.
Prime season
No matter what the motivation, it seemed OK on paper to move the Illinois primary up to Feb. 5. But I have to tell you it's a bit jarring to deal with so much political rhetoric amid "Silent Night" and jingling bells.
Instead of "Ho, ho, ho," am I the only thinking "Hah!"?
Missed reason
Oprah, of course, didn't ask me, but had she, I'd have said "No, girl. Don't go there."
When someone holds her unique power, it must be wielded most judiciously. Yes, she's drawn the spotlight to one intriguing candidate, but, as we all know, that media spotlight is fickle and rarely has staying power. I think she'd have had even bigger impact had she used her clout to draw attention to all the candidates and the race itself.
She could have pulled many disenfranchised voters into the mix by helping people relate to this sometimes intimidating process to pick a president. The more people learn and know of each candidate, the better informed the voting public. And that is a power indeed.
Name that piece
Oh, I'm loving your entries in our "name that piece" contest to aptly dub the interesting array of white outside the Algonquin Village Hall. Yes, many of you are making me laugh out loud. And some of you are provoking deep thought. It's sure gonna be tough to pick just two winners.
We're getting such great entries, we're going to give you another week or so to "name that piece." I started off calling it "Beheaded Q-tips." One reader dubbed it a "spaghetti garden." Another likened it to pick-up sticks. And that's just a few of the varied views proving the definition of art is individual.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of WineStyles on Randall Road in Lake in the Hills, our two winners will each get a free wine-tasting party for up to 20 people each. One contest entrant reader asked if she won, could she leave the other 19 people at home, but drink their wine? Now, now ...
Label your e-mail "Name that Piece" and send it to amack@dailyherald.com or phone it in to (847) 931-5725.
Season's reason
Don't forget, the folks at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way, Huntley invite us all to visit their Living Manger from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the church at Algonquin and Haligus roads. It's free and they also invite you to come in to enjoy refreshments and warmth.
You can get there on that newly widened lanes on Algonquin Road. That is one beautiful sight, isn't it?