Pingree Grove's top official also a Mr. Mom

If you're walking the streets of Pingree Grove during the day, you might want to make sure you're not doing anything foolish.

That's because you may bump into Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey.

Carey tells me he's in Pingree Grove a whole lot now because he's not spending as much time at his day job as a West Dundee jeweler.

"Meetings have just come to consume so much time," he said. "I couldn't let anything stall around here so I had to kind of go part-time to one day a week."

And to those ever important meetings, Carey says his 6-month-old son Jack is usually in tow.

He jokes that when his son turns 5, he'll have the vocabulary befitting a village official, using words like annexation and deliberation on the school playground.

While dad and baby are making nice on the homefront, Carey says his wife Brook is holding down the family's finances.

"I am Mr. Mom right now," he joked.

Artists alive!

A few weeks back, I got a private tour of McHenry County College and was absolutely astounded by all the amazing art I saw.

It turns out, there will soon be something new for you to feast your eyes on.

Artist and instructor Diane Wlezien and her students will be displaying their exhibit "Share Your Spirit in Art 7." The exhibit runs from April 1-30th and will be in the community room inside the Woodstock Opera House.

You're invited to attend the artist's opening reception from 3 to 5 p.m. April 5.

Watercolor paintings done by beginner and intermediate art students also will be on display.

For more information, call Wlezien at (847) 516œ8302.

Run LITH, Run!

I've always joked that Lake in the Hills residents must be among the healthiest people alive, thanks to the all the races the village hosts during the year.

So for all of you die-hard runners out there, you should know that the ninth annual "Run thru the Hills" 5K and 10K race is just around the corner on April 13 and you likely know what you need to do to register.

But for those of you new to this area, here's how you register.

You can actually do it online by going to www.lith.org and clicking on "community," then clicking on "special events/race events."

Yet if you need to get a hold of someone, you'll want to contact at Andrew Gemmell at (847) 960-7462.

Alternately, you can send him an e-mail at agemmell@lith.org.

This course will take you thorough the rugged terrain around Woods Creek Lake.

But don't think you'll find me punishing myself on like this on a Sunday morning.

You'll probably see me at the finish line eating flaming hot Cheetos, drinking an Evian and fumbling for my pen and notebook.

Happy running!