Pictures of Huntley residents past and present sought

If you have old photos stashed away, Huntley's Historic Preservation Commission wants you to share them.

This month, the group will host "Save It Forward," a local photo project that hopes to collect old photos of our town and former residents through the years, as well as pictures of today's homes and families, to save in the Huntley library's local history archives.

Residents are asked to bring their old photos or new pictures of their families and houses to a special session on Sept. 27 at the old village hall. From 8 a.m. to noon, photos will be scanned and returned to their owners. New families are invited as well to document Huntley as it appears today, and to become a part of our town's history. There's no charge to participate; for details, call James Williams at (847) 669-9600.

Fall Fest on the way: Labor Day reminds us that fall is coming and so is Huntley's Fall Fest, set for Sept. 12-13 at Deicke Park, in and around the park district's Cosman Center. Admission each day is $5 per person, with a $2 discount on Saturday if you donate an item for the Grafton Food Pantry, an old camera or a used cell phone.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Sept. 12, with a beer garden and food available. Live music starts at 6:30 p.m. with Tongue & Groove, followed by Modern Day Romeos until 11 p.m. Admission on Sept. 12 is for adults only.

On Sept. 13, the family fun starts with the Sun City Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, 7-11 a.m. in the old school cafeteria. The menu includes pancakes, link sausage, applesauce, juice, and milk or coffee; tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 3-12, available at the door. Proceeds help fund charitable Lions Club projects in the local community.

Also on Sept. 13: the Gazebo Quilters quilt show, Rolling Thunder R/C Racing, a rock-climbing wall, antique appraisals, a Baggo tournament, and a Kids' Parade for ages 3-12, from 9-10:30 a.m. with Lollypop the Clown. Shuttle buses will run on Sept. 13; find more details at www.huntleyfallfest.org.

Apple pie bake-off: Also on Sept. 13, you'll want to stop by the Huntley Farmer's Market for their Apple Pie Bake-off. Aspiring local chefs may compete in separate categories for adults (16 and older) and kids (15 and under). Registration is from 10 - 10:30 a.m., and judging starts at 10:30 sharp. A copy of each recipe must be included. First prize is a Farmer's Market tote filled with goodies from the market. For details, go to www.huntley.il.us, or call Barb Read at (847) 515-5262.

Food giveaway: The Grafton Township Food Pantry will hold a 10,000-pound food giveaway starting at 11 a.m. Sept. 18, at the township office on Vine Street.

Supplies have been purchased from the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and will be handed out to any individuals or families in need who reside in Grafton Township.

Available items include meat, fresh produce, baked goods, nonperishable items and household cleaning supplies. Distribution will continue until 1 p.m., or whenever the supplies are gone; no registration is required.

Thanks to the Friends of the Huntley Area Library, participants will be offered free books to take home, and refreshments will be served. Free bus service is provided for seniors or disabled persons who do not have transportation. To arrange a ride, call (847) 669-8500.

Choo, choo: Want to engineer some fun for those kids - or grandkids - in your life? Then mark your schedule now for Sept. 28 - the annual Open House hosted by the Kishwaukee Valley and Eakin Creek Model Railroad Club.

From 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. the Sun City group will open its doors to the public at the Millgrove Woodshop in Sun City. You'll get a "toot" out of their landscaped displays, tiny villages, and amazing collection of model trains of all gauges, styles and eras. Admission is free; children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

This year's event includes an expanded G (gardening) scale train display, and club members will be on hand to answer questions.

If you're not familiar with garden railroading, these are not the little Lionels you recall from childhood. This popular hobby uses larger trains ranging in scale from 1:22.5 to #1 gauge or 1:32, and organizers say, combines the fun of model railroading with creative landscape design.