Cast a vote for your favorite ghoul at library
Last Halloween, over 60 monsters, witches, and superheroes showed up at our house on Church Street, plus a few princesses, too.
I like to keep count and note which treats are most popular.
Last year, it was fruit-flavored gum, Sweet-tarts, and of course - chocolate.
If you want to make the kids really happy, toss in a few plastic novelty toys, but don't even think about candy corn. Ugh!
Over at the Huntley library today, you'll find a rogue's gallery of spooky staff photos on display through Nov. 9 in the reference area. Stop by for a look, cast a vote for your favorite and get a Halloween treat.
Take the family: One of my favorite plays, "You Can't Take it With You" by Kaufman and Hart, is the Fall Dinner Theater choice of the FCC Players who will perform it next Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8, in the fellowship hall of Huntley's First Congregational Church.
Anyone who has attended high school in the last 60 years has probably read or seen this classic comedy with its eccentric characters and improbable hijinks. It's good family entertainment with an energetic cast: Leon Urben, Liz Tannehill, Wade Runge, Laurie Runge, Tom George, Bob Kunz, Brittany Eder, Katelin Stack, Joe Dybdal, Dick Storer, Brendan Gaughan, Zack Shields, Lindsay Eder, Vicki Choin and Carli Wilson.
A $12 ticket includes both dinner and the show, which start at 6 p.m. each night. Reserve yours soon at (847) 669-3691 or stop by the church office on the corner of Church and Main in downtown Huntley.
Food drive begins: Thanksgiving will be here sooner than you think, and the Grafton Township Food Pantry is planning ahead. This week, it started its annual "Share the Spirit" holiday food drive, asking people or groups to sponsor holiday meal boxes or donate grocery gift cards for families in need.
Afternoon help is needed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. To volunteer or to make a donation, call (847) 669-8500 or e-mail food_pantry@graftontownship.us.
Tea tickets: Get your tickets now for this year's "Tea With Eleanor" benefit, hosted by the Huntley Area branch of the American Association of University Women. The tea party-style luncheon will be held Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Pinecrest Golf Club restaurant, 11220 Algonquin Road.
Tickets are $28 for adults and students age 12 and older. Wear your Roosevelt-era hats and fashions, if you like. Profits support local AAUW programs and their Eleanor Roosevelt Fund for education and research. Call (224) 388-2840 or e-mail to huntleyaauw@ameritech.net.
Eat, read, talk: The Huntley Area Public Library will host Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of "Pay It Forward," who will discuss the concept behind her popular book in a free local appearance at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12015 Mill St.
There will be a question-and-answer period after the presentation.
You can dine with your favorite author the night before the program, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Pinecrest Golf Club Restaurant in Huntley. A limited number of seatings are offered for $20 each, which covers the cost of the meal and tip. Call the library's reference desk to reserve your tickets by Monday, Nov. 9.
The library chose "Pay It Forward" as the first selection in its One Book, One Community program. Throughout November, library patrons may check out copies of the book or the movie, meet the author, and take part in book discussion groups, set for 10-11 a.m. Wed., Nov. 5 at National City Bank, and 7-8 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 6 at the old village hall on Coral Street.
PTA volunteer honored: Bill Heiden of Huntley was recently honored by his employer, the Valspar Corp., for his work with the Chesak Elementary PTA.
Heiden, one of three employees cited by the Wheeling-based plastics manufacturer for service to their communities, is a seven-year PTA member who helped to build the school's award-winning butterfly garden, which was recently recognized by the National Wildlife Federation, and worked to get it named a "Monarch Waystation" by the University of Kansas. Designed by volunteers, the garden includes native prairie wildflowers and grasses, seating areas and butterfly houses, and is open to the public. On Heiden's behalf, the Valspar Foundation will donate $1,000 to the Chesak PTA for future outdoor projects.