Fox Valley club briefs
To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
McHenry County Legionnaires: 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, Sept. 24 at the Hebron Public Library, 9908 St. Albans St., Hebron. The library is one block south of Route 173 and two blocks east of Route 47. The host post is the American Legion Hebron Post 606. For information, call Commander Kenneth Kraft of Hebron Post 606 at (815) 648-2689, or McHenry County Council Commander Robert Howe Jr. at (815) 653-6391.
Kane County Genealogical Society: The Kane County Genealogical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in the first-floor meeting room of the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. The presentation will be "Germans - Finding the Paper Trail" given by Patricia Reaves, a German educator and genealogist. There will be an overview of Germany and German historic areas will be presented. Examples of various types of German groups, including German-Americans, and their paper trail will be shown. Translations and the German old script will also be discussed.
Reaves is a native German, who came to the U.S. at 11 years of age. She is skilled in reading German script, has a master's degree in German, and currently teaches Advanced Placement courses at Riverside-Brookfield High School. She is also a professional translator and researcher for the UW Madison Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies. Reaves has presented numerous German genealogy workshops throughout Illinois and Wisconsin and is also the author of "A German Genealogical Primer." For information, call (847) 697-1029 or visit www.rootsweb.com/~ilkcgs.
Cary-Grove Rotary Club: The Rotary Club of Cary Grove is hosting a large rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at 746 Northwest Hwy. behind Panera Bread in Fox River Grove. There will be lots of great items at affordable prices. Proceeds will go toward supplementing the Charitable Fund. Help raise money that will benefit the local community. For information, visit www.carygroverotary.org.
VFW Post 2298 Auxiliary: The Tri-City Evergreen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2298 Ladies Auxiliary will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at the post, 117 S. First St., West Dundee. The dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad and dessert. Cost is $8 per person. For details, call (847) 428-2205.
AARP: The McHenry County Chapter of AARP will meet at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at The Fountains of Crystal Lake on Route 31 one mile north of Route 176. Speaker will be a representative of the Fountains on the topic of Assisted Living. For chapter information call Glenn at (815) 477-1952.
Donor Club: The Donor Club of Elgin will present its traditional book review and tea at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin. The tickets are $12 each and will be available from members or by calling Jacque at (847) 888-8586. Limited tickets will also be sold at the door. Tea, coffee and cookies will be served. There will be homemade cookies, peanut brittle, breads and cupcakes for sale as well as some gently-used books. A basket raffle will also be held.
This year marks Barbara Rinella's 23rd year of giving book reviews for the Donor Club. This year's selection is "The American Lion, Andrew Jackson In The White House" by Jon Meacham.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, the book tells of the story of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. According to the Random House Web site, "Beloved and hated, venerated and reviled, Andrew Jackson was an orphan who fought his way to the pinnacle of power, bending the nation to his will in the cause of democracy."
Elgin Junior Woman's Club: The Elgin Junior Woman's Club will host the first "Toss For Charity" to benefit the Larkin Center from 6 to 11:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 at Mudd and Eddie's, 302 S. McLean Blvd., Elgin. There will be a 50/50 raffle, raffles prizes, winning and losing team prize. You must be present to win prizes. There will be specials on beer, pitchers and hamburgers. If you would like to play, contact Sue at (847) 428-2966, or e-mail at SLucioEJWC2006@aol.com. Your registration fee is needed to hold your place. There will be no refunds.
Elgin Area LWV, ECCO: In "Getting Past Gas ... Got Goat? Got Gas!," learn how to use less petroleum for food, transportation, energy, and more from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 at Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area and Elgin Climate Change Organization, it will be moderated by Donna Askins. Energy, food, transportation and a post-petroleum small business will be discussed. Participants should bring paper and pencil. Goat petting will take place at 4:30 p.m. at the outdoor stage. Register at www.gailborden.info. Admission is free.
HCE: At the Sept. 23 city council meeting, Elgin Mayor Ed Schock proclaimed the month of October as Kane County Association for Home and Community Education. The first week, Oct. 4-10, will be devoted to 4-H club and Oct. 11-17 will be devoted to HCE. Displays will be on exhibit at Books at Sunset, 1100 South St. and Trefons Family Restaurant, 1569 Larkin Ave. Kane County Association for Home and Community Education is dedicated to addressing the issues of community outreach, cultural enrichment, family living, international study, public relations and community involvement for the entire population of Kane County. For information about HCE and the 10 units in Kane County, call the Extension Office at (630) 584-6166
Elgin Woman's Club: The Elgin Woman's Club luncheon meeting and program will be held Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. The business meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at noon. Hosted by the Home Life Department, the program will feature a presentation on home fire safety and the "File Of Life," by Lt. Robert Bedard of the Elgin Fire Department. Bedard has been with the Elgin Fire Department for 20 years and currently serves as their public relations person. He also hosts a monthly spot on Elgin's local cable station. Club members are asked to bring nonperishable food items for the Salvation Army food pantry. Reservations should be made no later than Friday, Oct. 2, by calling the hotline at (847) 622-3614. The luncheon meeting and program costs $15 and may be paid for by check at the door the day of the meeting. The club meets monthly from September to May at local restaurants for luncheon meetings and programs. Women interested in receiving more information about the Elgin Woman's Club may also call the hotline.
Stateline SHRM: On Thursday, Oct. 8, Donna Rogers, college of business and management instructor and owner of Rogers HR Consulting, will discuss succession planning at the next Stateline Society of Human Resource Management meeting. Organizations compete fiercely for top talent and many invest enormous resources in attracting the best candidates. Yet, when it comes to actually assessing the candidates to determine which will perform well, many organizations fail to use scientifically-proven assessment methods. Such assessments have been shown to result in significant bottom-line savings and productivity increases. This presentation provides an overview of the various options available and helps you to select assessment tools appropriate for your organization.
The breakfast meeting begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. and will adjourn at 9:45 a.m. They will meet at the Family Service and Community Mental Health Center, 4100 Veterans Parkway in McHenry. Cost to members is $15; cost for nonmembers is $25, payable by cash or check at the door. Reservations are required no later than Monday, Oct. 5. Visit www.statelineshrm.org for information or to make your reservation. Seating is limited.
Boy Scout Troop 43: Boy Scout Troop 43 of Carpentersville will be selling hoagies from now until Oct. 9. It features salami, provolone cheese and prosciutto on a fresh six-inch Gonnella hoagie bun, topped with fresh onions, tomatoes, olive oil and their special secret ingredient. Plain or hot and spicy hoagies are $4.50. You can purchase your freshly made hoagies for delivery on Saturday, Oct. 17 by calling the Hoagie Hotline at (847) 426-5193. All proceeds will help a Scout go to camp. For information, call Chuck Molenda at (847) 426-5193.
Valley Model Railroad Association: The Valley Model Railroad Association invites you to its open houses from 8 to 10 p.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month at the club house, 33W519 Kenyon Road, off Route 25 in South Elgin. See the HO layout in progress and watch the trains run. They are open to new members. You can run one of the club members trains for a donation. For details, call (847) 742-2028 or e-mail vmr50@aol.com. Club members will be running HO and G Scale trains at the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 to Sunday, Oct. 11. They also hold their annual November Open House from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22.
Hampshire VFW: Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12 at the Hampshire Township Building, 100 Center St., Hampshire. For details, call (847) 683-3443. At the Sept. 14 meeting, Commander Lowell Reiser opened the meetings with salute to the colors and the prayer by Chaplain Edward Wesemann. Special prayers were read in remembrance of Patriot Day, Sept. 11 and POW/MIA Recognition day, Sept. 18. A thank-you was extended to members for the participation in Coon Creek Days and Burlington Fall Fest parades and for their cooperation at the booth for "Vets 700" drawing. The winners of the drawing were: Marie Dalby, Dennis Sunderlage and Henry Gehringer. The proceeds from the drawing benefit the student scholarships at Hampshire and Central high schools. Blue Star flags have been presented to Amy Siegmann for her son, Matt Moser, Lisa and Tony Reiser for their son, Kyle, and Sheri Stadie for her son, Brandon Gehringer. The Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contests are under way. Plans are being organized for the Veterans Day, Nov. 11, programs at the Hampshire Schools. Membership for the coming year has begun and VFW Post 8043 welcomes new members. VFW Day is Sept. 29, the VFW was established in 1899.
Hampshire VFW Auxiliary: Hampshire Ladies Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12 at Hampshire Township building, 100 Center St., Hampshire. For details, call (847) 683-3443. The auxiliary welcomed new member Usa Reiser, mother of Kyle Reiser. The annual inspection was held with the Fifth District President Barbara Gray present with senior vice president Judith Patterson. Life memberships for the following members, Joyce Deutsch, Leila Deihs, Doris Kiock, Mary Lou Manning and Frances Stuehler, and they have been presented with their life membership pins. Heart Cancer pins are available for purchase, proceeds benefit the Cancer Aid and Research program. Special project for the Department President, JoLynn Altvater will be "Honor Flight" for the benefit of World War II veterans to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. Special Cancer project by the Department President is "sell a valentine for cancer" and also to benefit cancer aid and research. The "All Holiday Gift Basket" raffled off at Coon Creek Days was won by Kathy Cahoon and the solar light that was donated was won by Linda Cahoon. The "All Holiday Gift Basket" at Burlington Fall Fest was won by Betty Reiser, all proceeds from the donations will be used for the scholarships at Hampshire and Central high schools. At the social meeting Sept. 14, the following 50-year members, Joyce Deutsch and Joan Theis were honored. The other two 50-year members, Norma Diedrick and Jean Schendel, are out of state. The members were presented with their respective 50-year membership pin. Illinois Day, VFW National Home, Eaton Rapids, Mich. is Oct. 3.
Hampshire VFW: The Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 and Auxiliary kick off this year's Voice of Democracy scholarship competition. The contest is open to all hight school students in ninth through 12th grades, including home-schooled students. Students participate by writing and recording a 3- to 5-minute audio essay expressing their views on this year's topic, "Does America Still Have Heroes?" Students' recordings are first judged at the post level with winning recordings advanced for judging at district, state and national levels. Monetary awards are given at each level. The top winner in each state earns a free trip to Washington, D.C. and the first-place winner in the national competition receives a $30,000 scholarship plus the awards issued at the post, district and state levels. Student entries including the recording, typed copy of the essay and a complete application are due to our post by Nov. 1. For complete details regarding this exciting competition, call Post Democracy chairman Lowell Reiser at (847) 683-3443 or visit www.vfw.org under youth scholarships.
This competition is sponsored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary throughout the country and has attracted over seven million participants in its 60-year history. An award presentation will be scheduled later this year to honor the top winners in our post competition.
VFW Post 1307: The Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars 1307 will host a fall festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 at the post home, 1601 Weld Road, Elgin. It will feature a basket raffle, bake sale, and a used cookbook sale. There will be Vendors from Watkins, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and Tastefully Simple available for your shopping convenience. The Ladies Auxiliary will be serving a Chili and Cornbread luncheon for $3 from noon to 2 p.m. Desserts will be available. The Fall Festival is a fundraiser to support national military services and other VFW programs. Come join us for an afternoon of fun and show your support of veterans past, present and future.
Huntley American Legion: Huntley American Legion Post 673, 11712 Coral St., will host its annual "Feather Party" from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Nov. 7. The Legion will be raffling off turkeys, hams, ducks, steaks, and other items. The Legion will also provide free turkey sandwiches. Many door prizes will also be given away. Everyone is welcome. You could go home a Big Winner. You do not have to be a member of the Legion to participate in this community event. The American Legion is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans, their families, and the community. It is the Legion's largest fundraiser of the year. The proceeds help achieve those goals to support many charitable donations.
Fideliter Club: The Fideliter Club of Elgin, a nonprofit organization, will hold its 121st annual Charity Ball on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Prairie Lodge/Sun City in Huntley. The theme of this year's Charity Ball is "Camelot." The black-tie event will begin with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m., followed by dancing to the music of the Sophisticats. The cost is $275 per couple, or $137.50 per person. For reservations and information, contact Brenda Morrissy at (847) 888-9303.
The first vice president and this year's ball chair is Pat Szpekowski, president of PmS advertising, inc. of Carpentersville. "Our annual charity ball serves as the Fideliter Club's major fundraising project to benefit many area not for profit service agencies who serve the needs of women and children," said Szpekowski. "I am honored to lead and continue this long-standing Elgin tradition."
The Fideliter Club and Charity Ball is steeped in a rich history of helping others. "The Fideliter Club is Elgin's oldest philanthropic organization founded in 1888. "Through the proceeds of our annual charity ball, the Fideliter Club donated over $25,000 this year to area non profits," Szpekowski added. "These donations are possible because of the generosity of local individuals and businesses."
The Fideliter Club provides donations to the milk fund at the Elgin Child and Family Resource Center and the developmental and bilingual preschool programs in Elgin Area School District U-46.
The profits of the annual Charity Ball also assisted the Elgin Boys and Girls Club, Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township, Girl Scouts-Sybaquay Council, Senior Services, Larkin Center, Ecker Center for Mental Health, Cal's All Star Angels, Summit School, Inc., Centro de Informacion, Elgin Day Care Center, Little Angels, United Way of Elgin, Community Crisis Center, Literacy Connection, Well Child Center, Greater Elgin YWCA, Glenwood School for Boys, and Elgin Christian Development Corp.
In its earlier years, members of the Fideliter Club would personally visit the "neediest" families in Elgin to provide food and clothing. These were times before the motorcar and the telephone. Club members personally made many long trips to carry out their generosity.
The Fideliter Club today is composed of 34 women from the greater Elgin area. The 2009 officers are: Kacey Rupczynski, president, Pat Szpekowski, first vice president; Kathy Hannell, second vice president; Betsy Cappas, recording secretary; Linda Gruber, corresponding secretary; Brenda Morrissy, treasurer; Mickey Brown, immediate past president; and Angie Young, historian. For information, or to donate to this worthwhile cause benefiting area children, call Brenda Morrissy at (847) 888-9303.
Elgin Junior Woman's Club: The Elgin Junior Woman's Club is hosting a Vendor and Home Decor Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 at Epworth United Methodist Church, Randall Road and Highland Avenue in Elgin. Items from Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Celebrating Home and many more vendors will be available. There will also be craft and bake sale items to choose from. For information, contact (847) 224-4318 or slr735@comcast.net. Proceeds will benefit Children's Research Foundation.
Toastmasters: Do you want to improve your speaking skills. Need to be more confident on that interview or presentation. Come join the Listen Learn Lead Toastmasters for a fun and enjoyable way to keep the butterflies flying in formation. It meets at the Walker Parking Consultants building, 505 Davis Road in Elgin. The meetings are from noon to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Call (630) 605-4815 or e-mail to vtreague@hotmail.com for more information.
LITH Rotary: The Lake in the Hills Rotary Club meets every Wednesday from noon until 1 p.m. at the Colonial Cafe, 2555 W. Bunker Hill Drive in Algonquin. The club is currently accepting new members. If you are interested in membership, join them on Wednesday for a free lunch to learn more about what the Rotary Club has to offer. Visit the Web site at www.lithrotary.org.
Sow Little Thyme: Sow Little Thyme Garden Club meets monthly in the Dundee area on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. For meeting places and information, call Sheila at (847) 428-0849.