The briefs

Resale shop has half-price sale

The Algonquin St. John's Mission Resale Shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

The shop is in the heart of Algonquin, one block west of Route 31 at 215 Washington St. with easy parking.

The shop will hold big half-price sales on clothing and a Wurlitzer piano key board and a Singer sewing machine are available.

Start your new year and visit our Mission Resale.

Seasonal donations are accepted only on Friday or Saturday when the shop is open. Call (847) 658-9105 with any questions.

Civil War group announces contest

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table has announced its 2008 annual high school scholarship essay contest.

This year's award for $1,000 is available to any senior student from McHenry County's public or private high schools.

The award is based on submission of a 500 word essay based on a Civil War topic and will be graded by a committee from the Round Table organization. Copies of the essay topic and necessary application forms will be available from school guidance counselors or through the Round Table Web site www.mchenrycivilwar.com.

Essay entries must be accompanied by a completed application form and must be mailed to Scholarship M.C.C.W.R.T., P.O. Box 1865, McHenry, IL 60051 no later than April 16.