Pinecrest's new clubhouse opens with a bang

The Huntley Park District's new clubhouse at Pinecrest Golf Course opens today with an 8:15 a.m. ribbon cutting and the "shotgun start" of its first major event, the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Golf Classic. Around 100 golfers are expected for this year's outing, which raises money for Chamber operations and events throughout the year.

I recently stopped by the new, lodge-style clubhouse for a peek inside. The best way to describe it, I'd say, is "casual elegance." The spacious dining room and bar area offers a panoramic view of the 130-acre golf course, and the new pro shop should be a hit with local golfers.

"The building is beautiful," said Chamber director Rita Slawek, "and the developer who built it, Lamp, Inc., is the corporate sponsor of our outing this year, so that makes it really nice."

Pinecrest Golf Course is at 11220 Algonquin Road, west of Ruth Road in Huntley.

Golf cart parade: Pack up the kids and the sunscreen Saturday, and head to Sun City for its annual Golf Cart Parade. The day's festivities start at 9:30 a.m., when participants will check in at the Prairie Lodge and drive their entries past the judges, then park to await their decisions. At 11 a.m., the Fox Valley Concert Band will perform a free concert at nearby Fountainview amphitheater, sponsored by Citizens' First National Bank. At 12:30 p.m., the parade will step off from the Prairie Lodge parking lot and proceed down Del Webb Boulevard. The public is invited to attend, and visitors are urged to park at the lodge, on side streets, or on Sun City Boulevard. Parking is not allowed on the parade route itself.

Fireworks in Huntley: Huntley's annual fireworks display will be held July 4 at the Prime Outlets mall near Route 47 and Interstate 90. The show will start at dusk, with a 30-45 minute display provided by Mad Bomber Pyrotechnics. There is no charge and parking is available in the mall lot or at the nearby Jewel-Osco parking lot.

Concert band to play in Marengo: The Sun City Community Concert Band will play a free concert at 7 p.m. Monday, July 8 at Calvin Spencer Park in Marengo, located on the corner of Jackson and Hale Streets. The program includes patriotic songs, marches and Big Band tunes, along with other summer concert favorites. Bring your own lawn chairs and refreshments.

The band also needs clarinet, flute, trombone, sousaphone players. Practices are held 2:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Meadow View Lodge. For details, call Donna Bressler at (847) 669-7373.

"Friends" golf outing: The Friends of the Huntley Area Public Library will hold its second annual golf outing at the Pinecrest Golf Course on July 9, with proceeds benefiting the library's building fund. The event includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, a silent auction and raffle prizes, says coordinator Pam Kampwerth. Tickets are $95 for golfers or $20 for lunch only, which lets you take part in the silent auction and raffles.

Tickets should be reserved by Thursday. Organizers would welcome more prize donations. Call (847) 669-5386, ext. 28, or visit the library at 11000 Ruth Road to order tickets or drop off a prize.

Angling for fun: Looking for a new angle to entertain the grandkids? Sun City's Anglers Club is planning a membership meeting, fishing contest and pig roast July 9. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. at Meadowview Lodge, followed by a fishing contest at Wildflower Lake for members and their guests. At 12:30 p.m., the club will hold its second annual pig roast at the Fountainview Pavilion, near Sun City's Prairie Lodge. The cost for the pig roast is $10 per person.

The Sun City Anglers meet regularly from 9:30-11 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. For information, call Roman Sierzega (847) 515-2179.

Retired teachers' breakfast: Calling all retired Huntley-area teachers, current or past school employees and spouses. It's time again to make your reservations for the Retired Teachers' Breakfast, set this year for 9 a.m. July 16 at the Pinecrest Golf Club. The annual get-together is hosted by Huntley High School retirees Mary Ellen Moerke and Lori Lid, as a chance to catch up with old friends and to make new ones.

"It's just a local thing, not a part of the McHenry Co. Retired Teachers (Association)," Moerke says. "Everyone is invited, we order from the menu and pay for our own food."

The event is open to any current or former school employees who live in Huntley or have worked in area schools. Spouses are welcome, too, Moerke says.

"We have couples come, and people of all ages. Some are teachers who live here in town, but have worked in other schools."

The breakfast runs from 9 a.m. until "whenever we're done talking," she says. If you plan to come, call Moerke at (847) 669-5239 by July 9. Maybe I'll see you there - as a former District 158 employee, I try never to miss it. The food is always good, and the company is great!

Tom Lynch workshop: The Sun City Pencil & Palette Club will host internationally known watercolorist Tom Lynch for a special workshop Aug. 11-13. The three-day event will be held at the Huntley Park District Rec Center, and includes a continental breakfast each day and a brown bag lunch. The cost is $175 for club members, and after July 15 registration will be opened to the public at a fee of $200 per person. To sign up or for more information, call Bob Hurrie at (847) 515-7455.

Send your Huntley area news and events to Diane Ayers at huntleynews@ameritech.net or phone (847) 669-0848