Fox Valley club briefs

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

Elgin American Legion: American Legion Post 57, 820 N. Liberty St. in Elgin, hosts a variety of activities and events which are open to the public. The American Legion Hall is available for rental for any event. For details, call (847) 741-1684.

The next "Second Sunday Breakfast" will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10. It is held the second Sunday of the month from September through May. The menu and prices are: steak and eggs, $6; eggs to order, with sausage, bacon, and potatoes, $4.50 or with two pancakes/no potato, $5. Omelets are $5 and include 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.

Post 57 will host its popular "Second Wednesday Spaghetti Night" from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13 at the post home. These spaghetti dinners are held the second Wednesday of the month from September through May. The cost is $6 per person, and the menu includes spaghetti with meat and mushroom sauce, meatballs, garlic toast, and salad.

Stop by for its weekly Family Burger and Steak Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Or enjoy the weekly Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. at the post home. It features your choice of haddock, perch, catfish, and shrimp with all the trimmings.

The American Legion serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. There are miscellaneous lunch specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and spaghetti and roast beef sandwich lunch on Thursdays, and fried chicken or fish fry lunch on Fridays.

Post 57 also invites the community to bingo every Sunday starting at 1:30 p.m. with Early Bird Bingo, and regular bingo at 2 p.m. It is also offered on Fridays with Early Bird Bingo beginning at 7 p.m. and regular bingo at 7:30 p.m.

Sierra Club: The Valley of the Fox Sierra Club will present a program on "Upcycling - A Step Above Recycling" at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11 at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31). Upcycling is the practice of taking something that is a throwaway and repurposing it into something of greater utilization and intrinsic worth. Richard Fielding from Upcycle Products will be presenting, and he will have a display of rain barrels and composters that have been ecologically manufactured. The public is invited and there is no admission charge. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Terri Voitik at (630) 585-9212.

Hampshire VFW: Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at the Hampshire Township Building, 100 Center St., Hampshire. For details, call Commander Reiser (847) 683-3443. At the Dec. 14 meeting with Commander Lowell Reiser, the Salute to the Colors with prayer by Chaplain Edward Wesemann, were followed by a special prayer read in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, 1941. Special guests were Fifth District Inspector William Oerly of Post 4551, and Post member Brian Follman, on leave for the holidays, was present. The charter was draped in memory of Lavern Martens, a World War II charter member of the post, past commander, adjutant, representative for Kane County Veterans Commission, squad leader for the military services for 63 years, and also for Korean War veteran, life member and past commander, Norman Deihs. Follman gave a short talk on his experiences overseas. The Post Patriot Pen winner from St. Charles Borromeo School was Neil Tarnowski and Hampshire Middle School winner was Jacob Manning. The Voice of Democracy winners from Hampshire High School were Patrick Dumoulin, Marcus Quick and James Super and they received monetary awards, all participants of the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy received citations, flags and Pledge of Allegiance rulers. The banquet will be held Saturday, Jan. 9 at Antioch Post 4551, where the winners will be announced from the Fifth District for both Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy. Christmas packages were sent to military personnel stationed overseas. Thank-yous were extended to the post members for their participation in the military services for the two deceased comrades.

Hampshire VFW Auxiliary: Hampshire Ladies Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at the Hampshire Township Building, 100 Center St., Hampshire. For details, call Arlene at (847) 683-3443. At the Dec. 14, meeting conducted by President Jerrilynne Partlo, the Pledge of Allegiance was followed by a prayer with chaplain Donna Proffitt, and the group singing of "God Bless America." Presentation of awards for Patriot Pen have been completed. Auxiliary winner at St. Charles Borromeo School was Madison Zilch and winner at Hampshire Middle School was Anthony Olerky. All participants in the essay program at both schools were presented with a flag and a Pledge of Allegiance ruler with pictures and dates of all the U. S. presidents. Monetary donations were made for veterans at Elgin Mental Health Center and Fifth District Operation Christmas Cheer. Christmas packages were sent to local servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan. A new project is under way with direction of veterans support chairwoman Donna Proffitt for new underwear and socks for the veterans at Hines Hospital, Elgin Mental Health Center and Transitional Living Services in Hebron. Boxes for the donations are placed at Fenzel Motor Sales, 206 S. State St., Hampshire; Comprehensive Family Health, 185 S. Main, Hampshire; and Motts Lounge, 195 Main St., Burlington. Monetary donations would also be accepted. All donations are greatly appreciated and the boxes will be available until Feb. 8. New members are welcome.

Henpeck HCE: The Henpeck Unit of Kane County Association for Home and Community Education will meet at noon Tuesday, Jan. 12 for lunch at Papa G's Restaurant in Elburn. A lesson on "Talking About Tough Topics" will be presented by Mary Ann Harter. Guests are welcome; call Mary Ann Harter at (847) 683-3632 for details and directions. The Dec. 17 meeting was a Christmas Celebration at Sorrento's Restaurant in Maple Park. As it was originally postponed from Dec. 8 due to bad weather, members of the Hampshire Unit were not able to attend on the alternate date. Instead of a gift exchange among members, cash donations were collected for the Hampshire/Burlington Food Pantry. Membership in AHCE is open to men and women of any age regardless of race, creed or national origin. For more information about the organization or a free one-year membership in the Henpeck Unit, contact Peggy Gross at (847) 683-3826 or Mary Ann Harter at (847) 683-3632.

NARFE: National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 2181 meets at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the American Legion meeting room, 820 N. Liberty St., Elgin. On Jan. 12, Kathleen Haerr will speak on "Living Green, Living Healthy." Membership is open to civilians who are eligible to receive an annuity or survivor annuity from the federal retirement programs of any agency of the United States government including: retirees, current employees, spouses, and surviving spouses of those eligible to join NARFE, and former spouses who are legally entitled to a federal survivor annuity. Lunch is available in the American Legion lunchroom before the meeting. For information, call Nick Hyser at (847) 741-5772 or visit www.narfe.org/chapter2181.

BNCA: The popular "Seminar Series" hosted by the Barrington/Northwest Community Associates of the Art Institute offers programs on Tuesdays, Jan. 12 and 19. The "Seminar Series" will be offered at Barrington Area Public Library, 5050 N. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. Light refreshments will be available at 12:30 p.m. and lecture begins at 1 p.m. Cost is $15 per lecture. Advance registration is preferred but not mandatory. Call Harlene Perozzi at (847) 842-1960 for information. On Jan. 12, Miranda Hofelt will present "Sunlight and Shadow: The Legacy of Adams, Weston, and Cunningham." Hofelt is an adjunct lecturer for the Art Institute's Museum of Education and will use many photographs from the Art Institute's collection to demonstrate the visions of these 1920s photographers who explored new techniques, new visions, and demonstrated the enormous potential of photography. On Jan. 19, Cynthia Noble, an adjunct lecturer for the Art Institute, will explore the complex relationship between photography and painting. She will address the frequently-asked question: Why paint a naturalistic portrait when photography can readily capture a likeness? Noble also will analyze the effects of modern technology on both mediums.

Audubon Society: The Kane County Chapter of Illinois Audubon Society invites the public to these programs and activities. Visit kanecountyaudubon.org.

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, the monthly meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the barn at Peck Farm Park, Peck and Kaneville roads, about half-mile west of Randall Road in Geneva. Guest speaker Jack Shouba supplies some warmth on a January evening when he shares his pictures and tales of the unusual and fascinating "Animals of the Galapagos Islands." The meeting also will include the latest bird sightings, the opportunity to chat with other good folks who are interested in nature, refreshments, and the raffle. For details, call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.

On Saturday, Jan. 16, join Jerry Hope as he leads a car caravan on the rural roads of Kane County. Target birds for the day include snow buntings, horned larks, Lapland longspurs - birds not usually seen in town. The caravan will depart the Peck Farm Park parking lot at 8 a.m. It's a fun way to see the birds while staying warm. For details, call Jerry Hope at (630) 377-1444.

On Saturday, Jan. 23, join a road trip to "Bald Eagle Watch Weekend" at 8 a.m. at Starved Rock State Park. This event, hosted by Illinois Audubon Society, features live birds of prey presentations along with eagle viewing. If you have been wanting to see bald eagles, there will be plenty of mature and immature ones to see. More information is available at the IAS Web site. Contact Tim Balassie, the trip leader, at (630) 513-7345 if you have further questions.

Elgin Area Women's Connection: The Elgin Area Women's Connection will hold a luncheon meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13 at the Villa Olivia Country Club, Route 20, Bartlett. Teri Elliot-Burke, inspirational speaker, physical therapist and busy mother, will share the"top 10 ways for women to preserve their good health. She will also share her experience of finding peace when life seems out of control. Cost is $15 with complimentary child care. For reservations, call Jan at (630) 837-2632 or Carolyn at (630) 213-1205 or e-mail Car644@gmail.com by Monday, Jan. 11.

McHenry County AARP: The McHenry County Chapter of AARP will meet on at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Fountains of Crystal Lake on Route 31, one mile north of Route 176. Speaker will be chapter member Frank Kajihawa on internment during World War II. Refreshments will be served. For chapter information, call Glenn at (815) 477-1952 or Frances at (847) 658-7222.

Elgin Area LWV: The League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area and Gail Borden Public Library will hold a candidates forum at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 at the library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. This forum prior to the primary election is open to the public. Only candidates with a primary opponent will be featured. The offices invited are the Republican candidates for the Kane County Sheriff and Treasurer's offices, Democratic candidates for District 17 of the Kane County Board and Democratic and Republican candidates for the 16th Circuit judicial race. County board candidates will appear at 2 p.m. and judicial candidates will appear at 3 p.m. Candidates will make a statement and then take questions from the audience. For information, call (847) 697-0988.

VFW Men's Auxiliary: The Elgin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1307 Men's Auxiliary will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17. Advance tickets are $5 for adults. Tickets at the door are $6 for adults and $4 for children age 12 and younger. The VFW is at 1601 Weld Road. Advance ticket sales end at noon Saturday, Jan. 16.

Fox Valley Associates: The Fox Valley Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago will present a lecture for their winter Guest Night on Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Herrington Inn, Geneva. The lecture is titled "Art in the Courtroom," presented by David Stark of the Art Institute of Chicago. "Art in the Courtroom" will focus on court cases involving artists and art. The earliest lawsuit was brought by a painter, Artemesia Gentileschi, against a fellow artist for rape in the 17th century. Successful in her pursuit of justice, Artemesia went on to enjoy a brilliant career. In 1928, the sculpture of Brancusi was involved in a trial: a collector was accused of smuggling a manufactured product into his country without paying a tariff. The product in question was a Brancusi abstract bronze sculpture, "Bird in Space." Stark, director of administration and interpretive media in the department of museum education at the AIC, will also discuss the trial of Dutch forger Hans van Meergeren, whose fake Vermeers fooled many experts, and an obscenity trial in Cincinnati over the exhibition of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe. This trial represented the first time a museum director risked being jailed over the contents of an exhibition. The program will commence with a cash bar at 4:30 p.m. with the lecture beginning at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. This is a guest day; the fee for the program and dinner is $60 and reservations are necessary. For reservations, call Pam at (630) 377-5703 by Monday, Jan. 11.

League of Women Voters: The League of Women Voters has invited candidates in contested races for the 14th Congressional District to a forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18 at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. Contested candidates for state Senate District 25 and state Representative District 50 also will participate in this forum. This forum is sponsored by the Leagues of Geneva-St. Charles, Batavia and Elgin. The public is invited and will have an opportunity to submit questions for the candidates. The forum will be moderated by a member of the League of Women Voters. The forum also will include a panel of representatives from the media. At the end of the forums, audience members will be invited to meet informally with the candidates. Additional information may be obtained via www.lwvgenstc.org.

DAR: Kishwaukee Trail Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, representing McHenry County, will hold its next gathering on Monday, Jan. 18 at Home State Bank's community room in the lower level, 611 S. Main St., Crystal Lake. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. followed by a program "Revolutionary War Era Clothing" presented by Donna Finegan of Palatine, a colonial-era textile expert. After the meeting and program, the group will gather for a brown bag or box lunch. The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education. For information about the DAR, call Cathy Carlton at (815) 337-1818. For DAR membership information, call Marcia Flanagan at (815) 648-4941. To order a $10 box lunch, call Kathy Hartke at (847) 639-4205.

Lincoln State Cat Club: The Lincoln State Cat Club's 50th anniversary show will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27-28 at Harper College in Palatine. See the best of the breeds in the Midwest compete for "Best in Show" among eight rings, talk with the breeders, listen to and ask questions at the education ring and shop for anything cat at more than 20 vendor booths. Admission is $8 per person with children under age 6 admitted free of charge. To print a coupon for a $1 off admission or for information, visit lscats.org.

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.