Deck your house for Halloween
Ah, Halloween, a time for mischief, mayhem and dark makeup colors.
But if you live in Lake in the Hills, it's time to get your house Halloween-ready.
The village is holding a house-decorating contest called "Ghost, Goblins and Ghouls, Oh My," which lets residents show off their creepy, yet creative sides for the whole town to see.
The contest starts now.
Judges will be touring homes from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, in search of the scariest and cheeriest houses in the village.
Registration is free and the winners score a gift certificate to a local restaurant, as well as bragging rights.
Winners have to keep their decorations up through Halloween.
Moreover, the village will display the winning houses on its Web site, www.lith.org.
Registration is free and can be done by calling (847) 960-9460.
Cary costuming: It seems Michael Jackson and Jon and Kate Gosselin costumes will be pretty big this Halloween season with the adult set and it will be interesting to see what the kids come up with.
If you want a sneak preview, Cary is holding a costume contest for children ages 2 to 7 and for adults.
The party promises to be a safe and family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween that includes games, treats and crafts.
It is scheduled for 1 to 1:45 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Community Center, 255 Briargate Road.
An adult must accompany every child and preregistration is required.
You can register at the community center or online at www.carypark.com.
Space is limited and it costs $6 to register for Cary Park District residents, $9 for nonresidents.
For more information, visit www.carypark.com.
A local nightmare: By the way, the remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" opens April 30, 2010.
Why should you care about the knife-wielding stalker who kills people in their dreams?
Because some of the scenes were filmed right here in Elgin at Bluff City Cemetery.
Christmas already? The Crystal Lake South High School Booster Club will hold the 35th annual "A Country Christmas Arts & Craft Show" at Crystal Lake South High School on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25.
The free show includes a variety of juried arts, crafts and grub from Cugino's Gourmet Foods.
The new items this year include: trash cans, stained glass, antique jewelry, hand-painted concrete leaves and birdbaths.
The proceeds will benefit the school's athletic department.
For more information, call (815) 455-3860.
• Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Cary, Fox River Grove, Pingree Grove and McHenry County College. To reach her, send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com or call (847) 608-2725.