Taking one for the team

I've covered the Elgin Area Historical Society and Museum's walk for the past two years and it's always a good time.

I love walking through the cemetery, running into Elgin folks I've not seen in a while - I saw my former neighbors Chuck Keysor and Jim and Jill Warner - and learning all about the people who contributed to this wonderful city.

If you've never been, local actors portray famous Elginites who are buried at the cemetery.

They don period clothing and speak as if they were that person.

For the past two years, I've encountered August Conte, who this year portrayed Philip Freiler, a man who owned a local saloon and fought to keep Elgin from becoming dry.

During the presentation, Conte, in character, slammed newspapers for telling lies about what happened to Freiler and his stance on the issues.

He did the same thing last year when he portrayed Elmer Gylleck, a well-known architect, magician and photographer who lived in Elgin for 90 years.

I was in the audience both times when he made those comments.

Sunday, I just sort of sat there half smiling and glanced over at Bill Briska, treasurer for the Elgin Area Historical Society and Museum, to see his reaction.

Last year, I just held my head down and felt embarrassed.

When I got up to leave, Conte came over to me and said he hoped I wasn't offended by what he said about newspapers.

I said it was all in good fun and that I knew he wasn't talking about me or my paper, since neither one of us was around during Freiler's time.

I look forward to seeing who Conte plays next year and seeing if he works in a reference about the press for the third time.

The final countdown: Pingree Grove is slated to begin its special census today, a process that's sure to secure additional funding from the state.

Census workers will be in town between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

It will continue on until everyone's been counted.

Officials estimate another $93,000 from the state, once the results get certified.

I've written about this special census before and you may be wondering what ever happened to it.

Well, out of concern for census workers and their safety, the head count in the town of nearly 3,000 souls was delayed for a month until all of the road construction in town calmed down.

New eats: I enjoy chowing down on free food as much as the next person, so if you're near Algonquin, the new Famous Dave's barbecue restaurant on Randall Road is giving out free samples of their ribs, in preparation for its upcoming grand opening.

The free samples will be handed out from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 in the nearby Wal-Mart parking lot, 1410 S. Randall Road.

All are also invited to the grand opening is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Oct. 13 at the restaurant that's at 1521 S. Randall Road.

There will be lots of ribs there as well.

For information, call Famous Dave's at (847) 458-0960.

This location replaces the one that had been in Carpentersville since 2001.

Ladies tea rescheduled: Huntley's branch of the American Association of University Women has moved its upcoming Eleanor Roosevelt benefit, dubbed "Tea with Eleanor" from noon to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Pinecrest Golf Club Restaurant.

It was originally slated for Oct. 11, but because many of its attendants are busy, it's been moved to the November date.

•Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, McHenry County College and Pingree Grove. She lives in Elgin.