The briefs

Nominations due for Leader award

The Greater Elgin Area YWCA is seeking community leaders to be honored at its 25th annual Leader Luncheon The Seville, 700 Barrington Road, Streamwood, on May 8.

Anyone may nominate an individual or business for an award. Nomination forms can be obtained from the YWCA, 220 E. Chicago St., Elgin, IL 60120. Or download the form at www.ywcaelgin.org.

The completed forms must be returned to the YWCA by today.

The Leader Luncheon, a national event, is held annually to give public recognition to local women who may receive one of these individual awards: Margaret Hillis Award for the Arts, Beatrice Dorsey Award for Business and Professions, Margeurite Henry Award for Communications, Harriet Gifford Award for Education, Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding Award for Public Service, Marie Grolich Award for Social Service and Marjorie Leonard Award for Community/Volunteer Service.

An award in the area of Racial Justice will be given to a woman that has demonstrated achievement and leadership in this field. In addition, the Corporate Award honors one area business that has promoted innovative programs for women employees within their own working environment.

Nominations for Individual, Racial Justice and Corporate Awards will primarily come from the communities served by the YWCA -- Elgin, South Elgin, Algonquin, Bartlett, Barrington, Carpentersville, Crystal Lake, East and West Dundee, Geneva, Hanover Park, Hampshire, Hoffman Estates, Lake in the Hills, St. Charles, Schaumburg, Sleepy Hollow and Streamwood.

The Leader Luncheon will be held at on May 8.

Farm offers chance to hold baby lamb

Through the month of March, Pioneer Farm in Hampshire is opening up the farm to see and hold a baby lamb.

They raise registered Dorset sheep and have been lambing since Christmas Eve. Currently, they have 13 lambs, with new lambs being born weekly. Some have twin lambs.

They will be shearing some of the sheep, and there will be wool samples available. You will learn about the general care of the sheep, tags, tails, shots and what they eat. You'll probably see them nurse. Some of them get bottle fed.

They will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays in March for all to be able to hold a lamb. Cost is $4. For more information and pictures of the sheep, visit the Web site at www.enjoypioneerfarm.com. For details, call Carol Burnidge at (847) 683-2863.