From the clubs
To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
Kane County Audubon: At 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, join a field trip to view birds at Nelson Lake. The group will look for fall migrants and new arrivals. Meet in the parking lot by the silo, west of Nelson Lake Road, about ¾ mile south of Main Street, and about 2 miles west of Randall Road in Batavia. For details, call Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1387.
• A meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Peck Farm at Peck and Kaneville roads, 38W199 Kaneville Road, Geneva, about one mile west of Randall Road in Geneva. This meeting is the annual Potluck Dinner and members' slide/ picture night. For more information or what to bring to the dinner call Ann Holt-Harris at (630) 208-6620.
For more information on Kane County Audubon and for maps to activities, visit the Web site, www.kanecountyaudubon.org or call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386 or Jerry Hope at (630) 377-1444.
For information on Illinois Audubon Society call Tom Clay at 217-544-BIRD (2473) or www.illinoisaudubon.org.
Barrington United Methodist Women: Have you ever wondered who the Barrington United Methodist Women are and what they do?
Come and find out by playing a lively round of U.M.W. Jeopardy as we enjoy a Friendship Luncheon at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road, at Route 59 in Barrington.
The Barrington United Methodist Women are proud of their considerable mission efforts and want to share their work with you. Call the church offices at (847) 836-5540 by Sept. 14 to RSVP and indicate child care needs. All are welcome.
VFW Watch City Post 1307 Ladies Auxiliary: The Ladies will be marching in Elgin's first Patriot's Military Parade to be held at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 13 at ECC.
The Auxiliary is sponsoring a blood drive in conjunction with Heartland Blood Center from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the VFW Post 1307. The public is welcome. Call Lynnetta (847) 428-3020 for reservations; walk-ins are accepted.
For Make A difference Day, the ladies are conducting a two-month food drive, Sept. 1 to Oct. 24, to help the local food pantries. To donate items, call Kathy at (847) 697-6034 or Lynnetta at (847) 428-3020.
The Auxiliary also is launching a project to make and donate lap robes to our veterans in VA hospitals and nursing homes. If you would like to donate a lap robe call Mary at (847) 888-2002.
If you would like to help the Ladies Auxiliary in their endeavors, call Sue at (815) 477-3322. New members are always welcome.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County is kicking off its First-Class Vacation for Two raffle to Hawaii. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to support the youth serving agency's mentoring programs. The First-Class vacation package will include a six-night/seven-day stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui, round-trip, first-class airfare for two, limo ride to/from O'Hare International Airport, convertible car rental and $3,000 hotel credit for island excursions, meals, beverages, spa services and parking.
For tickets, call the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at (815) 385-3855 or online at www.bbbsmchenry.org. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold. The drawing will take place Sept. 5. To buy a ticket or learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, call (815) 385-3855.
Crystal Lake Toastmaster Club: Correction: The Crystal Lake Toastmaster Club is holding its Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at Amcore Bank, 5100 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake. Community audience members are welcome and invited to attend.
The Crystal Lake Toastmasters Club is part of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to providing opportunities, tools and support to improve your communication and leadership skills. The Crystal Lake Toastmasters Club meets from 8 to 10 a.m. on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of the month at the Crystal Lake Amcore Bank located on Route 14. Visitors are welcome at all club meetings. For more information about the club visit the club Web site, www.crystallaketoastmasters.org; or contact 2008-2009 club president Connie Bartholomew at (847) 337-1204 or cbartholomew19@yahoo.com.
Fox Valley Mixers: The Fox Valley Mixers and Batavia Bachelors 'N' Bachelorettes, in cooperation with the St. Charles Park District, will offer square dance lessons at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St., Route 31, in St. Charles. Lessons are held once a week from 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays. The caller and instructor will be Howard Hoffman. The first two lesson nights are free. Singles and couples are welcome. For details, call Bonnie at Fox Valley Mixers at (630) 584-1194 or Alice with Batavia Bachelors 'N' Bachelorettes at (630) 584-1343. Or e-mail Susan and George at GGM81@aol.com. Visit online at www.foxvalleymixers.org or home.comcast.net/~edhaering/batavia.htm.
Welcome Club: The Welcome Club of the Fox Valley invites those with an interest in knowing more about the area to attend the general meeting and monthly program at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive in Geneva.
Mickey Miller, administrator of Elderday Center in Batavia, and Kally Klose, a board member and volunteer, will be the special guests. They will share the details of their dedication and love, that have helped them to keep the facility open for the last 10 years, and inspire attendees on how they, too, can be of help.
"No individual will be refused admission to the center due to a financial need," said Miller. In addition to the program, new residents to the area, and new club members are encouraged to meet all the board members and learn more about the club and the special interest groups coordinated by members.
Club activities include breakfast, lunch and dinner outings; group games such as Bunco, bridge, mah jongg, pinochle, tile rummy, Mexican train dominoes, and scrabble; Lifetstories, a memoir group, mini-book groups, movie and theater outings; a sewing group; a walking group; a special singles group; an end-of-year picnic; informal dinner parties; and more. New activities and interests groups are frequently added by members. Enjoy an evening of seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and making plans for a fun-filled year.
The Welcome Club of the Fox Valley is a social and philanthropic organization for women in the area who are interested in meeting and making new friends through social and fundraising activities.
Many of members reside in areas around the Fox Valley, including Aurora, Batavia, Bartlett, Elburn, Elgin, Geneva, Lily Lake, Maple Park, North Aurora, St. Charles, South Elgin, Sugar Grove and surrounding areas.
The group meets regularly September through June. The annual membership fee of $25 provides you with a membership directory and a monthly newsletter that recaps the upcoming monthly events and activities.
For membership information, call Nora at (630) 587-9845, or Carol (630) 513-5773, or visit the Web site at www.welcomeclubfoxvalley.org.
Gazebo Quilters: The Gazebo Quilters group will hold its regular monthly meeting at 9 a.m. Sept. 9 at the First Congregational Church, Main and Church streets, Huntley. Members are asked to bring a fat quarter of quiltshop quality fabric and food for the food pantry. Roberta Williams will present her photo-to-fabric quilts and then will conduct a workshop on making a wool applique bag. The cost of the workshop is $15 per person, and those interested should call in advance to Kae McQueen, (847) 515-8852. New members are always welcome.
NARFE: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association will meet at 1 p.m. Sept. 9. Chapter 2181 meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at the American Legion meeting room at 820 N. Liberty St., Route 25, in Elgin. Come early and have lunch prior to the meeting in the American Legion lunchroom. Refreshments will be served after the meeting. At this meeting, there will be a sign up sheet for a tour of Eastgate Manor in Algonquin. If you'd like to sign up via phone, call Henry at (847) 426-5520. The program at the meeting will be presented by Dr. D. Landon, chiropractor, with an office in Elgin. Join NARFE to know what is going on regarding services and benefits and to support NARFE legislation goals to help save your existing benefits.
Active and retired federal employees and their spouses, widows and widowers from surrounding areas who are interested in becoming a member and also receiving the monthly NARFE Retirement Life magazine are welcome to attend the meetings. Call Nick at (847) 741-5772.
Henpeck Unit: The next meeting will be on Sept. 9 at the home of Emily Sjurseth in Plato Center. Program booklets for the 2008-2009 year will be completed at this meeting.
Membership is open to men and women of any age, regardless of race, creed or national origin. For information about the organization or free 1-year membership, call unit Chairwoman Peggy Gross at (847) 683-3826 or membership director Mary Ann Harter at (847) 683-3632.
American Needlepoint Guild: The Fox Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St. in Algonquin. They will be taught "Amy's Spring Garden." For supply information, call Jan Hyser at (847) 639-2592.
McHenry County AARP: The McHenry County Chapter of AARP will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Fountains of Crystal Lake on Route 31 one mile north of Route 176. The speaker will be Craig Strubue of Merrill Lynch on seniors better managing their money. In October, the speaker will be Dr. Anthony Probenzano of Osco Drugs on managing medication. Refreshments are served. For chapter information, call Glenn at (815) 477-1952 or Frances at (847) 658-7222.
Stateline Society of Human Resource Management: On Thursday, Sept. 11, Janelle Crowley, human resources director for the city of Woodstock and president of the McHenry County Sheriff's Merit Commission, will discuss the signals of potential workplace violence situations and how to recognize the signs of aggressive behavior. No one is prepared for workplace violence. In nearly eight out of 10 cases, killers left behind clear warning signs. In many instances companies fail to identify and/or recognize the signs of trouble in the workplace. USA Today found many employee problems were ignored. This interactive discussion will include findings from real life case studies.
Crowley is a certified assessor and team leader for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. She was nominated and awarded the "Glass Ceiling Award" by The National Center for Women and Policing in Los Angeles for initiating a new hiring process for the McHenry County Sheriff's Department.
The breakfast meeting begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. and will adjourn at 9:45 a.m., meeting at the Family Service and Community Mental Health, 4100 Veterans Parkway in McHenry. Cost to members is $15; cost for nonmembers is $25 payable by cash or check at the door. Reservations are required no later than Sept. 8. For details or to make reservations, visit Web site at www.statelineshrm.org. Seating is limited.
Square Dancing Club: The Batavia Bachelors and Bachelorettes Square Dancing Club meets for the fall at Free Methodist Church, Third and Walnut streets in St. Charles. Dancing is from 8 to 10:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays. On Sept. 12, Bobby Poyner will be the caller with Anna and Howard Hoffman as the cuers. On Sept. 26, Jimmy Robison will be the caller with Juliann Hill as the cuer. Single dancers are welcome. For information, call (630) 584-1343 or (630) 896-7133.
Kiwanis Club: The Kiwanis Club of Elgin meets at noon each Tuesday at The Hickory Stick Bar & Grille Restaurant, 875 Sports Way, Elgin, located at the Highlands of Elgin's Golf Course. Meetings are open to the public. There is a $10 charge for lunch. Membership information is available by calling Kiwanian Laurie Totton at (847) 429-5435.
• Submit club news and photos of activities to Club News, Daily Herald, 385 Airport Road, Suite A, IL 60123. Or e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com or fax to (847) 608-0849.