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 Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. Joyce Higgins will present "African-American Genealogy." Visit www.elginroots.com. Visitors are welcome.
Elgin Area Historical Society: As part of Preservation Month and International Museum Day, the Old Main History Museum, 360 Park St. in Elgin, will host a Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series at noon Thursday, May 21. The guests are volunteers from the Elgin Police Department History Collections group and the Elgin Fire Barn Museum. They will talk about the history of these important government services. Bring your lunch, beverages and dessert will be provided. From 1 to 3 p.m., behind-the-scene tours of the museum will be offered. Tour the museum's off-limit archives to view the local history treasures not on exhibit. The museum is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday. For details, call (847) 742-4248 or visit www.elginhistory.org. May 21 is a free day for everyone.
Boy Scout Troop 161: On Friday, May 22, Boy Scout Troop 161 of Cary will be placing flags on the graves of service men and women at Windridge Cemetery in Cary at 5:30pm in honor of Memorial Day. Before this day, at the Scouts' regular meeting a representative from Cary Grove AMVETS will come and show the boys the meaning of the symbols as seen on the grave stones. Each one representing a different branch of service. The Scout Masters have been working with the AMVETS for the meaningful event.
VFW Post 2298: The Tri-City Evergreen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2298 will place flags on the graves of veterans at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, May 23 at the Dundee Township Cemetery East in East Dundee. On Sunday, May 24, they will host the Dundee Township Memorial Day parade in downtown East and West Dundee. The lineup will be at 1 p.m. with the parade stepping off at 2 p.m. The VFW Post 2298 canteen has new hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Lunch is also being served now from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Saturday. For details, call Jessie at (847) 844-0943 or the post home at (847) 428-9006.
South West Area Neighbors: The South West Area Neighbors will host a trolley tour showcasing over 30 Sears Catalog Homes, narrated by Rebecca Hunter on Saturday, May 23. Cost of the tour is $5 per person. The event will last approximately one hour with two sessions being offered, at 10 and 11:30 a.m. The event begins at Zion Lutheran Church, 330 Griswold St. in Elgin. There will be a presentation from Judy Brownfield, owner of Books at Sunset, with books from local authors available for sale. Light refreshments will be served. For information, contact Kathy at (847) 888-3024. Both Ziegler's Hardware Stores and Books at Sunset located in Elgin have tickets available for purchase. A special thank you to state Rep. Keith Farnham for his continued support in helping to sponsor the trolley car for this event.
Kane County Audubon Society: The Kane County Audubon Society invites you to a bird walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 23 at Lone Grove Forest Preserve, a wooded oasis in the midst of farm land. Go west on Main Street in Batavia to the four-way stop in Kaneville Road. Go right on Harter Road about 0.8 mile and turn left on Perry Road. Go 2 miles to entrance on the left. For details, call Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1387.
On Saturday, May 30, enjoy a bird walk at 8 a.m. at Lippold Park, part of Fox Valley Park District, to see migrating and nesting warblers. Lippold Park is about 1.7 miles south of Batavia's Wilson Street bridge on Route 25. For details, call Bill Koch at (847) 931-9123. Visit www.kanecountyaudubon.org.
American Legion Post 119: The American Legion Frank H. Nagel Jr. Post 119 of Fox River Grove will sponsor a Memorial Day Parade at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25. The American Legion is seeking organizations to participate in the Memorial Day Parade and ceremony. The parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. Any organizations wishing to participate in the parade can call American Legion Commander Bod DePaul at (847) 639-0267.
Huntley American Legion: The Huntley American Legion Post 673 will host its annual Memorial Day Parade at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Local clubs, organizations, businesses, and others interested in participating in this year's parade should contact Patrick Conley Commander at (847) 659-1883 or e-mail at pandjo66@yahoo.com by Friday, May 22. Or contact the Huntley Legion Hall at (847) 669-8485 between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
Mothers & More: Mothers & More of McHenry County is hosting a summer idea exchange from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 28 in the fellowship room at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Use the Church Street entrance. All are welcome to share ideas for fun, frugal, creative things to do during the summertime. Share your thoughts on vacation spots, activities, games, camps, recipes, parties and more. If you are fresh out of ideas, come and be inspired. This is also a chance to learn more about Mothers & More. All guests will be entered in a drawing to win a free membership. To RSVP, contact lseiter@sbcglobal.net or (815) 479-5733 or (815) 451-3350. Visit www.mchenrymothers.org.
Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group: Family Alliance Inc. hosts the Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at 2028 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. With recent changes the agency is experiencing, there is now a $5 charge for each session attended. If you plan on attending, contact Cheryl Levinson at (815) 338-3590 or clevinson@familyallianceinc.org by Friday, May 22.
Lakes Region Historical Society: On Thursday, May 28, the Lakes Region Historical Society will host a program given by Tony Olszewski of the McHenry County Paranormal Society. Olszewski will discuss local hauntings and the ability to help those in the area experiencing paranormal activity. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at The Meeting House, 977 Main St., Antioch. All are welcome, admission is free and refreshments will be served. For information, call (847) 395-4912.
American Legion Post 1231: Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231 Auxiliary will host its third annual barbecue meat raffle at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at the post home, 1101 W. Algonquin Road. For details, visit www.post1231.org.
South Elgin Lions: The South Elgin Lions Club offers Half Price Bingo on Saturday, May 30. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the bingo and raffle games start at 7 p.m. All regular bingo games (computer and paper) will be sold at half price. All special or raffle games will be sold at regular price. South Elgin Lions Club offers hands-free computerized bingo play and two smoking breaks (a covered shelter is provided) during the evening. Food and beverages are available for purchase. A total of $2,100 will be paid out on all bingo games in addition to the raffle payouts. Some of the higher bingo and raffle payouts to a single winner include the following: Bull's-eye, $250; Red/White/Blue Raffle, $200 plus a potential progressive payout of $2,050 in 52 numbers or less; Lucky Lion Raffle, $100 to $1,000; Double Action Raffle, $100 plus a potential progressive payout of $3,700; Tic Tac, $150 plus a potential progressive payout of $5,400; and Bingo Jackpot, $500. For details, call Lion Paul Groth or Lion Allan Shelton at (847) 888-9575.
Prairie State Bonsai Society: The Prairie State Bonsai Society will host its annual display and picnic on Sunday, May 31 at the Japanese Garden at Fabyan Forest Preserve, off Route 31 in Geneva. Special guest Bonsai Master Ben Oki will offer a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by the picnic from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Cost for the workshop is $60; bring your own tree to style. For details, call Jim Beck or Linda Camp at (630) 690-0404 or e-mail jbpuofm@aol.com.
Elgin VFW: The Elgin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post will host a free public dance from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31. Music will be provided by Les Pace and the Pacemakers. Les and the guys specialize in big band era hits, and play just for the fun of it for the public's dancing, listening or just singing along. Light food fare and refreshments are available. The VFW is located at 1600 Weld Road. For details, call Les at (847) 742-3879.
Kane County Democrats: The Kane County Democrats will host their 12th golf outing Wednesday, June 3 at Hughes Creek Golf Course. Tee times begin at 10 a.m. Dinner is at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $110 per person for golf or $40 for dinner only. For details, call (630) 513-1588.
Hampshire Lions: The Hampshire Lions 18th annual Lions Club Golf Tournament will be a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Friday, June 19 at Randall Oaks Golf Club and Banquets, off Randall Road in West Dundee. There will be two flights to the tournament, two-person Handicap Flight, and a four person Scramble Flight. The entry fee is $100 per golfer, which includes 18 holes of golf, a riding cart, a delicious prime rib dinner, and prizes for everyone. The Handicap Flight must have their entry form, complete with each partners handicap along with checks payable to the Hampshire Lions Club returned to Hampshire Lions Club, P.O. Box 415, Hampshire IL 60140 by June 15. Proceeds from this charity event will support Lions charities, which include aiding the blind, hard of hearing, underprivileged children, and other worthwhile community activities. For details, call Fred Rackow, chairman, at (847) 683-3729.
Elgin LWV: At the recent 80th annual meeting of the League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area, the members voted on a budget, bylaws changes and local program for the coming year of 2009-10. Highlight of the evening was awarding 50-year honorary membership pins to four members: Shirley Simon, Ann Schneck, Myra Becker and Dorothy Yeoman for being members of the League for 50 years. A new slate of officers was installed which included: Sigi Psimenos, president; Janet Poyner, vice president, membership; Betsy Thrasher, secretary; Sandy Kaptain and Donna Askins to serve on the board of directors and Shirley May Byrnes and Doretta Williams to serve as the nominating committee for next year. The League program for next year includes promoting the sustainability of Elgin, looking for ways Elgin can decrease dependence on petroleum, education of homeowners of "green" energy-saving solutions, workshops on lobbying, running for office, and continuing the study of mental health issues in partnership with the Kane County Mental Health Group. After the annual meeting, the new members who have joined in the past year were invited to a May Fest which introduced them to League history, policy and the meaning of program and positions that the League takes. People interested in joining the League of Women Voters can request to receive a couple of months of newsletters which are sent out each month, or a new members kit, can call Janet Poyner at (847) 695-7122 or e-mail jpoyner9@aol.com. Visit www.lwvnet.org.lwv.il/elgin/.
South Elgin Lions: The South Elgin Lions Club will host its second annual "Cookin' On The Grill Summer Meat Spin" on Friday, June 26 at the club house, 500 Fulton St. in South Elgin. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the raffle starts at 7 p.m. Among the items to be raffled will be many favorite summer meats, including T-Bone, Porterhouse, and New York Strip Steaks, Filet Mignon, Pork Chops, Salmon Filets, Lobster Tails, Baby Back Ribs. There will also be special Prime Rib raffles. One lucky loser will receive a Grill and a Coleman Extreme 62-quart Wheeled Cooler filed with various picnic items. The bar will be open throughout the night. All net proceeds will benefit the South Elgin Lions Club and its charities. For details, call Lion Mark Dobrzynski at (847) 888-9575.
Elgin Junior Woman's Club: Elgin Junior Woman's Club is hosting its annual Treasured Gardens Garden Walk again this year. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at the east side of Elgin. The starting location will be at the General offices of the Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin. Tickets will be $12 before the walk and $15 on the day of the event. For information or to reserve tickets, contact Elena Lipinski sjlipinski@yahoo.com, or Trisha Cooper at ywatrisha@yahoo.com, or (847) 741-9739.