Fox Valley clubs notes
Elgin Genealogical Society: The Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the first-floor meeting room of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. After a short business meeting, Sharon Kasmira will present her program, "Self-exploration Through Writing an Ethical Will." She has been featured in newspapers and magazines and has appeared on CBS television. Guests are welcome. For information, visit elginroots.com.
SHRM: Illinois Fox Valley Society of Human Resource Management presents a program on "Employment and Labor Law Legislative Update" Thursday, April 16, at Hennessy, 2300 Bushwood Drive, Elgin. Registration begins at 11:15 a.m. Lunch will be from 11:30 to noon and the program from noon to 1 p.m. Interested parties can call (847) 289-7170. The program will be presented by Jeffrey Risch, an attorney with Wessels and Sherman. Employment law is constantly evolving. Today's managers in any type of organization operate in a complex and litigious environment. Every employment decision your organization makes must meet strict legal criteria. It is important to know not only what the law states, but also how the law has been interpreted in recent court decisions and how new statutes could affect your business.
Valley Creek Homeowners Association: The Valley Creek Homeowners Association invites you to its general meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Provena St. Joseph Hospital Auditorium, 77 N. Airlite St., Elgin. Topics at the general meeting will be installations of new officers, and Ruthanne Hall, a management analyst for the city of Elgin, will present the odd-even parking ban proposed by the city of Elgin. Mark your calendars for the annual garage sale on May 15-16.
Home and Community Education: The Plato Center Unit of Kane County Association for Home and Community Education will meet at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 17, for the International Luncheon celebrating the country of Belgium. They will meet at the Plato Center village hall, 10N924 Rippburger Road, Plato Center. The hostesses are Elsje Starrenburg, Mary Katarzynski, Joan Rossi and Joan Ziethen. Harriet Bradley will give the lesson on "Blues, Blahs and Bouncing Back." Dues of $15 will be due at the April meeting and reservations for the annual meeting on Wednesday, May 20, are also due. The ladies from Edgewater were at this meeting with the greeting cards, whose profits go to the Elgin's Community Crisis Center. Guests are welcome at this meeting. Call Joan at (847) 931-8120, or to attend any of the 10 units in Kane County, call the office at (630) 584-6166.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: The second annual My Sister's Dress sale to help make prom affordable for all McHenry County high school girls will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18, in the gym, Building A at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. With the average price of attending high school prom climbing to nearly $500, many teenagers would be unable to attend prom without this opportunity to purchase a dress for $20. All proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County. Contact (815) 385-3855 or mysistersdress@gmail.com.
Kane County Audubon Society: On Saturday, April 18, enjoy a bird walk with Kane County Audubon Society at 8 a.m. at Elsen's Hill DuPage Woods Forest Preserve, off Route 59, half-mile north of Route 38 in West Chicago. This forest preserve offers migrants and early nesters. From Route 59, go about three-quarter mile to Gary's Mill Road, turn left and go half-mile to entrance on the left. Meet in parking lot. For information, call Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1384.
Dundee Township Historical Society: The Dundee Township Historical Society will present its annual Historical Tour Sunday, April 19. After a brief presentation at the museum, 426 Highland, West Dundee, guests will board a bus for the magical history tour through the township. The theme is "Dundee and the Civil War." Stops along the way will give riders an opportunity to meet with costumed interpreters who will portray some of the people who played a role in the Great Rebellion and hear their stories of the war. The 52nd Illinois Infantry Volunteers were engaged in many important battles of the war and their stories of heroism will be told on the tour. Advance tickets will be available at Family Pride Cleaners, 537 S. Eighth, West Dundee, or at the museum the day of the event. Tours are scheduled at 1 and 2:30 p.m. A $7 donation is requested. For information, call the museum at (847) 428-6996.
Elgin VFW: The Elgin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 1600 Weld Road, will host a free public dance from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 19. Music will be provided by Les Pace and the Pacemakers. The guys play just for the fun of it for dancing, singing along or simply listening to music mainly from the big band era. Light food service and refreshments are available for purchase. For details, call Les at (847) 742-3879.
Elgin Area Historical Society: On Sunday, April 19, the public is invited to hear Michael Kuryla recount his service aboard the USS Indianapolis at 1 p.m. at the Old Main Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin. The Indianapolis holds a place in history due to the notorious circumstances of its sinking, which was the worst single loss of life at-sea in the history of the U.S. Navy. After delivering critical parts for the first atomic bomb to the U.S. air base at Tinian on July 26, 1945, it was in the Philippine Sea when attacked on July 30, 1945, by a Japanese submarine. Most of the crew died from a combination of exposure, dehydration, and shark attacks as they waited for assistance. Michael was lost at sea for four days. Kuryla and his wife, Lorain, are devoted members of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization. He continues to serve as an ambassador for his ship and fallen shipmates and is currently working with the city of Chicago to build a memorial at Navy Pier. For details, call (847) 742-4248 or visit elginhistory.org.
Elgin American Legion: The American Legion Post 57, 820 N. Liberty St. in Elgin, will host a breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, April 19. This breakfast is open to the public. The menu and prices are as follows: steak and eggs, $6; eggs (to order) with sausage, bacon, and potatoes for $4.50 (with two pancakes/no potato, $5). Omelets are $5 with cheese, mushrooms, green, red or hot peppers. Also included are white or wheat toast, juice and coffee, as well as a few other beverage specials. Call (847) 741-1684 for information.
McHenry County Historical Society: The McHenry County Historical Society wraps up its "Sampler Series" Monday, April 20, at the society's museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Look into the world of "Magic" with a panel of longtime magicians at 2 p.m. Magicians will do some tricks and tell stories of performing in famous sites like Riverview Park and Chicago's Treasure Chest Club. Registration is required. Cost is $10. To register, call (815) 923-2267 or visit mchsonline.org.
Fox Valley Beaux Arts: The Fox Valley Beaux Arts will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at Taylor YMCA, 50 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin. The program will be theater sketches presented by local entertainer, Matt Fox and Friends. Guests are welcome to join members in a fun-filled evening. For information about programs or membership, call Marge Haefliger at (847) 697-737.
Golden K Kiwanis: The Elgin Golden K Kiwanis will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The program will be by attorney Gary Lundeen on "Difficulties Selling Homes In Today's Market." Visitors are welcome. For information, call (847) 741-7176.
South Elgin Lions: The South Elgin Lions Club, 500 Fulton St., will host a Smelt Fry Dinner Friday, April 24. Dinner will be served between 5 to 8 p.m. It will cost $7 for smelt, fries, coleslaw and dinner roll. There will be free hot dogs for the kids. The meal does not include the beverage, but a cash bar will be available. Carryout dinners are also available. The DJ and music will begin at 7 p.m. until closing. For details, call Joe Groth at (847) 888-9575.