Pingree Grove enjoying its time in the spotlight

Wyman "Clint" Carey, village president of Pingree Grove, never thought the town would be known for vodka and rum.

But for now, he'll take it.

Pingree Grove was in the news recently after officials agreed to use Magic Minus Zero, a biodegradable substance that promises to ward off snow and ice from the roads without harming plants or animals.

Here's the kicker.

It's made from rum and vodka byproducts, then mixed with magnesium chloride.

They'll be using it by itself and to treat their existing supply of rock salt.

Pingree Grove is one of the first towns in the state to use the stuff to de-ice its roads.

According to a company representative at Building Maintenance Systems, Inc., Campton Township and Coral Township have ordered it as well.

A few others, including Nunda Township, Barrington and Waukegan are testing it out before they order a full supply.

In the long run, Magic Minus Zero will be cheaper than rock salt, which has become super expensive due to increased demand, Carey said.

The story about Pingree Grove's flirtation with alcohol was picked up all over the place and on Thursday made its way to the Spike O'Dell morning radio show on WGN-AM 720.

Carey has been village president for about two years now and he said no other news event in Pingree Grove, a town of roughly 3,000 souls, had ever generated this much interest.

He granted O'Dell an early morning interview on the substance that looks and smells like soy sauce.

"I think it's great, positive news for the village to get that kind of information out and it was exciting ... it's exciting for this small little town to get the big city attention of WGN," Carey said.

The interview was on really early at 6:40 a.m. and the only reason I listened to it live was because Carey asked me to - I don't do early mornings.

He later told me I could have listened to the interview at a more reasonable hour on WGN's Web site.

Thanks a lot!

Anyway, in case you missed the interview, click here to hear it.

Carey hopes that the village's use of a rum and vodka byproduct secures it as one that looks to green solutions when it comes to solving everyday issues.

And in the meantime, he is loving the media glare.

"I hope Pingree Grove is on the cutting edge and that we always get that type of attention," he said.

In the money: Last week, the Algonquin Explorers got $2,500 richer, thanks to the committee that runs Algonquin Founders' Days.

The group, run through the Boy Scouts of America and sponsored by the Algonquin Police Department, is for people between 14 and 21 who are interested in pursuing a law enforcement career, said Detective Mike Seegers.

They immerse themselves in police work and use the skills they've learned - processing crime scenes, investigating accidents and traffic stops - in controlled situations.

The committee will also furnish them with 18 high-tech walkie-talkies.

"This gives them the opportunity to get their feet wet before they have to make a decision at the college level," Seegers said.

At Founders' Days, the explorers were responsible for providing security and making sure people had proper parking permits.

They will use the money to cover the statewide explorers competition that will be held in Springfield.

Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, McHenry County College and Pingree Grove. She lives in Elgin. To reach her, call (847) 608-2725 or send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com