From the clubs

To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.

Elgin Genealogical Society: The next meeting of the Elgin Genealogical Society will be at 7 p.m., Thursday Nov. 20, in the first floor meeting rooms at the Elgin Gail Borden Public Library 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. President, Becky Higgins, Family Historian and Orphan Train Rider Descendant, will present for the very last time the story of Sara Compton and the Orphan Train Riders. Higgins has been doing genealogical research for more than 15 years. She is past president of the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America and is a descendant of an orphan train rider. This is a repeat performance of a great program. For more information, call Larry Pepper, vice president, at (847) 426-7377. Friends, guests, visitors and new members are welcome.

SHRM: On Thursday, Nov. 20, Jennifer Redisi will present "Influencing Others and Negotiating." She brings 15 years of Fortune 100 major account and sales management expertise in the retail and technology industries. She is widely respected for listening skills, negotiating style, executive relationships and business acumen. Jennifer will discuss how influencing and negotiating are a part of daily life.

The meeting will be held at Hennessy's Restaurant, 2300 Bushwood Drive, Elgin, just North of I-90 off Randall Road. Registration begins at 11:15 a.m. Lunch is 11:30 a.m. to noon and the program from noon to 1 p.m.

Interested parties can call (847) 289-7170. The cost for Illinois Fox Valley SHRM members is $20; $40 for nonmembers.

McHenry County Legionnaires: The McHenry County Legionnaires from all county posts are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the McHenry County Council at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 at the American Legion Lake in the Hills Post 1231, 1101 W. Algonquin Road. The host post is American Legion Fox River Grove Post 119.

For details, call Fox River Grove Post 119 Commander Robert DePaul at (847) 639-0267 or the McHenry County Council Commander, Robert Howe, Jr. at (815) 653-6391.

There is no McHenry County Council Meeting during the month of December. The next meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009.

South Elgin Lions Club: The South Elgin Lions Club will hold its 34th annual Turkey/Meat Spin Fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 21. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the raffle begins at 7 p.m. at South Elgin Lions Club, 500 Fulton St., South Elgin.

Among the items to be raffled are turkeys, spiral ham, roasts, prime rib, steaks, and many other meat items. Tickets for each spin is $1 are purchased during the evening. One lucky loser will receive a Loser's Basket consisting of everything for a complete Thanksgiving Dinner.

Cash Bonanza tickets also will be on sale with the drawing held during the Turkey Spin. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Cash Bonanza has multiple prizes ranging from $25 to $500 to a single winner. Cash Bonanza winners need not be present to win.

All net proceeds raised by these two fundraisers helps spread holiday cheer to local organizations assisting residents in this area. If you have questions, call Lion Linda Scham or Lion Mary Holton at (847) 888-9575.

Henpeck Unit HCE: The Plato Center Unit of HCE will meet at 1 p.m. Friday Nov. 21, at the Plato Center Village Hall, 10N934 Rippburger Road. The hostesses are Marcella Drendel, Velda Engel, Arlene Reiser and Donna Zierer. The lesson for the day "Landscaping on the Wild Side" will be given by Nancy Haire and Margarete Schmoldt. Terri Lynn orders will be distributed at this meeting.

At this meeting the group will be making reservations for the Dec. 12 Christmas Party to be held at 11:30 a.m. at Sorrento's in Maple Park. The cost will be $10.95 for beef, chicken or fish. Elsje Starrenburg will be in charge of this event. Remember to bring two dozen cookies at the December luncheon for our donation to various organizations.

To attend any one of the HCE unit meetings, call the Extension Office at (630) 584-6166; to attend the Plato Center HCE meeting, call Joan at (847) 931-8120. All are welcome.

Prairie State LIFE organ club: The Prairie State LIFE organ club will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Music Education Center of America (MECA) in the Huntley Mall.

It will be a potluck lunch. Activities will include a Pumpkin Contest with pumpkin foods, decorations or other unique uses for pumpkins.

Elgin Chapter of Hadassah: Hadassah members, Blossom Wohl and Ella Hochstad, will present a discussion of Amos Oz's memoir, "A Tale of Love and Darkness," at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24. The meeting will be held in the public room of Sun City's condo building on Acadian Boulevard in Huntley. Questions about location can be obtained by calling Nancy Zimmerman, Program Co-Chairwoman, at

(847) 828-6090. Refreshments will be served. Guests are invited; RSVP's are requested of members and guests. Members are encouraged to read Oz's memoir or any of his other fictional works to obtain a flavor of this Israeli author. Car-pooling can be arranged through Nancy Zimmerman.

Golden K Kiwanis: The Elgin Golden K Kiwanis will hold its next meeting at at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. Judge Patricia Golden will speak on "Legal Bonds." For more information, call (847) 741-7176.

Fox Valley Beaux Arts: Fox Valley Beaux Arts recently celebrated 25 years in service to the arts with its annual luncheon and style show, "A Jubilee of Fashions." The festive event was held at the Elgin Country Club with more than 100 women enjoying the autumn day. The cocktail hour began with a silent auction of unique items and raffling of themed baskets, while pianist Murna Hansemann provided delightful music.

Before lunch, Marge Haefliger, president, welcomed members and guests and the invocation was given by Dona Jones. Mary Ellen Kanies Beckmann, first vice president, introduced local guest artist, Suzanne Poursine Massion. Massion discussed her paintings of Elgin architecture and downtown scenes which were displayed and auctioned at the luncheon.

After lunch, second Vice President Florence Ostdick introduced Barb Riebe, commentator from Coldwater Creek-Geneva Commons. The exciting Coldwater Creek fashions were modeled by members and friends of Beaux Arts. Women admiring the varied styles in the show included Chris Burris, Judy Cheetham, Sue Heider, Cheryl Karner, Pat Anderson, Sandy Haggard, Fran Mitchell, Laila Fox, Janine Kirkland, Joyce Price, Chrisanne Smith and Coral Reinert.

Proceeds from this annual Beaux Arts luncheon and style show provide scholarships for artistically talented senior high school students in the area.

Bull Valley Garden Club: The Bull Valley Garden Club held its October business meeting at Deer Run Golf Center. Pam DeVoe announced that 3,500 daffodils would be planted along Bull Valley roadways this fall; Judy Johnsos reviewed changes to the bylaws that will be voted on at the November meeting; Chis Curtis and Marie Randall will deliver floral arrangements to hospice; and Maggie Bailey, Vice President for Programs, reviewed information about the Stillman Nature Center in Barrington where members plan to tour. For information, call (815) 354-3842.

Elgin VFW: The Elgin Veterans of Foreign Wars Watch City Post 1307 and Les Pace and the Pacemakers will host a free public dance from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Big band era music will be featured for singing along, dancing or just listening. Light food service and refreshments are available for purchase. The VFW post is at 1601 Weld Road. For more information, call (847) 742-3879.

Elgin Woman's Club: The next Elgin Woman's Club meeting and program will be held at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 2 at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin.

Hosted by the Arts/Home Life Department, the program will feature a presentation by local artist Warren Mogler, who will display and discuss his drawings of local landmarks and homes. Mogler is a lifelong resident of Elgin and started drawing with pen and ink in 1960. His hand renderings include 38 points of interest in Elgin, including fire stations and the Walton Island flag.

Committee chairman for the December meeting is Lou Mutter, assisted by Audrey Gilbert and Betty Wear. Members are also reminded to bring items to be given to the Community Crisis Center of Elgin and baked goods for the annual holiday Bake Sale.

Members are asked to make reservations no later than Friday, Nov. 28, by calling the EWC hotline at (847) 622-3614. The luncheon meeting and program costs $13 and can be paid by check at the door the day of the meeting.

EWC members also will sell nuts at the Victory Center of Bartlett on Friday, Nov. 21 and in the main lobby of Sherman Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Profits from the sales will go toward scholarships for students from area high schools.

In addition to raising funds for student scholarships, members serve as readers in local schools, volunteer in hospitals and other agencies throughout the Elgin area and are active in recycling, conservation, women's health, international affairs and other projects.

For more information about membership in this 121-year-old Elgin service organization call the Hotline and your call will be returned within a day to respond to inquiries.

Batavia Bachelors and Bachelorettes Square Dancing Club: The club meets at The 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 Nov 28, Jerry Hill will call the square dance and Juliann Hill cue the round dancing. On Dec 12, Bob Asp will call the square dance and Howard Hoffman will cue the round dancing. The club will not meet Dec 26. Single dancers, as well as couples, are welcome. For information, call (630) 584-1343 or (630) 896-7133.

• 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.