It's September, time for Oktoberfest, of course
Dust off those steins. It's nearly September, and that means Oktoberfest.
The logic in the timing escapes me, but a party's a party just the same.
The Rotary Club has announced the details of Palatine's version of Oktoberfest, which runs 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.
The most crucial ingredient in any respectable German festival is the beer, of course. Steigl will be served, along with a special Oktoberfest brew from Emmett's.
Christl's German Inn will provide potato pancakes, spaetzle and other tastes of Deutschland, and cuisine from Durty Nellie's and Morkes Chocolates will be served.
America's pastime won't be forgotten. The Rotary Club plans to set up a large-screen TV to broadcast the Cubs and Sox games.
Friday's schedule:
5 p.m. Die Musikmeisters, an eight-piece band
9 p.m. Bucket Number Six
Saturday's schedule:
Noon to 4 p.m. German dancers and kids activities
3-6 p.m. Wine tasting by Wine Cellar
4-8 p.m. Jimmy's Bavarians
8:30 p.m. Old School
Admission is free. Money raised through raffles and other means will support local charities, some of which include The Bridge Youth and Family Services, Palatine Opportunity Center, Little Sisters of the Poor, Clearbrook and Journeys from PADS to HOPE.
Oktoberfest will be held in the Fireman's Memorial parking lot downtown, Brockway and Slade streets.
For more information, visit palatinerotary.com.
Businesses support library: Whole Foods Market recently held a Community Support Day that sent 5 percent of purchases to the Palatine Public Library District. The result? A check for more than $2,800. The Palatine Whole Foods store partnered in the library's summer reading program, "Read ... Naturally."
And earlier this month, the library received a $3,000 grant from Target in support of family reading.
Reduced-fee eye exam: The Palatine Lions Club Al Hoover Memorial Fund is helping District 15 students receive eye exams for a reduced fee. As of this school year, the Illinois State Board of Education requires all kindergartners, or new students, have an eye exam. For details, call Elba Cortes at (847) 963-3130 or download a coupon at palatinelions.org.
Lookin' good, Vikes: I want to send a quick shout-out to Fremd's Class of 1998.
Despite some apprehension (OK, a lot), I joined more than 300 alumni at our 10-year reunion Saturday at Trackside in Arlington Heights.
As expected, the nostalgia ran thick. What I didn't expect was everyone to be so remarkably unchanged. Few were wider. Not too many had less hair. And all were dressed to impress.
Somehow I doubt that will be the case at our 20th, but I guess we'll find out in 2018.