Fox Valley club notes

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

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 great vacation spots, activities, games, camps, recipes, parties and more. If you are fresh out of ideas, come and be inspired. They will commiserate, share some laughs and gear up for a wonderful summer season. This is also a chance to learn more about Mothers & More. Mothers & More is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers. 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. Programs sponsored by Mothers & More of McHenry County are free and open to the public. Visit www.mchenrymothers.org.

McHenry County Legionnaires: On Thursday, May 28, all county posts are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the McHenry County Council at 7 p.m. at the McHenry American Legion Post 491, 1331 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry. The early meeting time is to allow the council to conduct the Post Everlasting Ceremony in memory of our departed Legionnaires. Host post is McHenry Post 451. For details, call Commander George Colwell at (847) 421-3350 or McHenry County Council Commander, Robert Howe Jr., at (815) 653-6937.

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: The Lake in the Hills American Legion Auxiliary Post 1231 will host the third annual Barbecue Meat Raffle at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at the post, 1101 W. Algonquin Road. Proceeds will help fund various donations related to children, including the annual children's holiday party, Hearts of Gold and other area children in need. Come and stock up on some quality meats ready for grilling. For details, call Shelley Walenga at (847) 658-2010. This event is opened to the public and they encourage all families to attend this fun event which in turn supports our local families in need. American Legion Post 1231 is a nonprofit organization supporting, active military personnel, veterans and their families through community service and sponsored held events. 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.

Kane County Audubon Society: The Kane County Audubon Society invites you to enjoy a bird walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 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 kanecountyaudubon.org.

Fox Valley Model T Ford Club: In coordination with Elgin's Preservation Month, Books at Sunset and the Fox Valley Model T Ford Club present a Sunday afternoon in the rumble seat on May 31.

Grab your suspenders, fedora or other Great Gatsby gear, jump into a vintage model T as your guide takes adventurers on a driving tour of Elgin's 1920s and '30s.

Experience the dark, soaring architecture of an award-winning Elgin landmark, featuring a prohibition favorite, the Ghost Elevator. Whisper secret codes for passage into a long-gone speak-easy and savor Bathtub Lemonade (with a little splash from a paper bag surprise) as piano jazz haunts the air. Enjoy the rhythm rush from young flapper dancers and smile as the sun streams into this 1927 treasure, that once was the classiest speak-easy in the northeast suburbs. Enjoy a "Ragtime Picnic" with white wicker chairs and a little lawn croquet near a babbling brook wrap your Sunday afternoon.

There is limited seating for 24. Cost is a $28 boarding pass, which includes driving tour, secret envelopes, drinks, speak-easy entertainment, and Ragtime Picnic. For details, call Books at Sunset at (847) 888-1860.

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.

Prairie State Bonsai Society: The Prairie State Bonsai Society will host its annual display and picnic Sunday, May 31, at the Japanese Garden at Fabyan Forest Preserve, off Route 31, 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 Genealogical Society: The Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 2 in the first-floor meeting room of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Elgin Genealogical Society past president and national speaker Becky Higgins will present a program titled "Beyond the Basics." This program is designed for both beginning genealogists as well as those more experienced at finding their roots. Members, visitors and guests should benefit from her presentation and are encouraged to attend and enjoy the fellowship of others who are seeking and documenting their ancestry. Visitors and guests are welcome. For information, visit www.elginroots.com.

Golden K Kiwanis: The Elgin Golden K Kiwanis will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The program by Carol Gugliemetti, health services coordinator, will be on "Life Lines Screening." Visitors are welcome. For information, call (847) 741-7176.

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.

Elgin Area Historical Society: The Elgin Area Historical Society is offering a bus trip to the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens in Vernon Hills on Saturday, June 6. The bus tour will leave the Old Main Museum, 360 Park St. at 8:30 a.m. and return approximately 3:30 p.m. The Cuneo mansion is a historic house museum. The home was designed by architect Benjamin Marshall for Samuel Insull, founder of the Commonwealth Edison Company. John Cuneo Sr. purchased the home and estate in 1937. He was the founder of The Cuneo Press and the Hawthorn Mellody Dairy. The Cuneo family lived in the home until 1990. The museum and gardens were opened to the public in 1991. The architectural landmark reflects the grandeur and artistry of the Renaissance. Experience graceful rooms adorned with European furnishings, tapestries, porcelain, and treasured works of art. Stroll the estate gardens, resplendent in roses and colorful blooms amid antique statuary and bubbling fountains. Cost is $35 for Society members and $45 for nonmembers. The cost includes bus and entrance to the mansion and gardens. The home is handicapped accessible and includes a gift shop. The group will stop at Long Grove Village on the return trip for lunch; the charming four-season village has numerous restaurants to choose from and will be at the cost and choice of the individual.

For reservations and information, call the Old Main Museum at (847) 742-4248. Reservation deadline is May 19.

NARFE: National Active & Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 2181 meets at 1 p.m. monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at the American Legion meeting room, 820 N. Liberty St., Route 25, in Elgin. The next meeting date is June 9. A guest speaker is usually scheduled on subjects of interest to the group. Lunch is available in the American Legion lunchroom before the meeting. Marcy Savage, executive director at FITE Center for Independent Living, will provide information on a range of equipment and services to help people achieve and maintain independent lifestyles in their own home. Active and retired federal employees and their spouses, also surviving spouses of those eligible to join NARFE from surrounding areas who are interested in becoming a member are welcome visit www.narfe.org/chapter2181, or call Nick Hyser for information at (847) 741-5772.

Elgin Area Women's Connection: The Elgin Area Women's Connection will meet for lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at the Villa Olivia Country Club, Route 20 in Bartlett. Executive chef Kim Pederson of Peach Tree Gourmet will demonstrates techniques and recipes for some refreshing and healthy, out-of-the-ordinary salads. They also will hear an inspirational message from Roxie Cardinal and enjoy a springtime lunch. Cost is $15 inclusive with complimentary child care. For reservations, call Jan at (630) 837-2632, Carolyn at (630) 213-1205, or e-mail Car644@gmail.com by Monday, June 8.

SHRM: On Thursday, June 11, Jill P. O'Brien will discuss the trends and an overview of the most important changes in the law relative to the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act, drug and alcohol testing in the workplace, wage/hour compliance issues, retaliation and whistle-blower claims and more.

The breakfast meeting for Stateline Society for Human Resource Management 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 or $25 for nonmembers, payable by cash or check at the door. Reservations are required no later than Monday, June 8. Visit www.statelineshrm.org for information or to make your reservation. Seating is limited.

There will be a discussion about these issues and many other topics that Human Resource professionals face on a daily basis. O'Brien is an Equity Partner and a member of the Executive Committee of Laner, Muchin, Dombrow, Becker, Levin and Tominberg, Ltd. She has 20 years of experience practicing exclusively in the areas of labor and employment law. She provides strategic advice to companies on a wide range of employment and labor laws including collective bargaining issues; anti-discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims; and numerous other employment related disputes. She was named a "Leading Lawyer in Illinois for 2009" and an Illinois "Super Lawyer" for 2009 and in several prior years.

Jewish Genealogical Society: Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois welcomes national lecturer and author Beau Sharbrough. He will be presenting "Jewish Research on Footnote.com" and "Automated Search Tools" at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster St., Skokie. Sharbrough previously worked as a product manager for tree products at Ancestry.com, and as vice president of content at Footnote.com. He writes regularly on technical topics in family history, with an occasional overdose of humor, and maintains the RootsWorks.com Web site. He is the author of "Gene's Anniversary Scrapbook."

The lecture is free to members; the charge for nonmembers is $10 (which can be applied to membership when you join by July 1). For information and to reserve your seat, call (312) 666-0100 or e-mail rsvp@jgsi.org

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, by letting Membership Chair, Janet Poyer, know by calling (847) 695-7122 or e-mail a request to jpoyner9@aol.com. A complete League Web site can be reached at 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.

Movin' On: This nondenominational social group provides a welcoming, social situation exclusively for widowed men and women in the northwest suburbs. Call Jane Nuxoll at (847) 934-1162.

On Monday, June 1, join the Lunch Bunch at noon at Donkey Inn, 923 S. Plum Grove Road, Palatine. Call Lenore at (847) 458-9697, if you are interested and plan to attend. There is no meeting in June.

On Saturday, June 20, enjoy cocktails at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Chin's Chinese Restaurant, 10 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. They will order off the menu and use envelopes for payment of individual dinners. Call the host, Arnold Stingley, at (847) 827-7581 for reservations no later than June 15.

On Friday, June 26, Happy Hour will feature cocktails at 5 p.m. at Richie's Café Clemenza Restaurant, 1766 Algonquin Road at Huntington Road, Hoffman Estates. Join the group for cocktails and stay for an optional dinner afterward. Call Diane Kinn at (847) 381-6549 for more information.

Join the group at the Twin Lakes Concerts in Palatine. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., but get there early at 6 p.m. or so. On Friday, June 12, enjoy Banjo Buddies Dixieland. On Friday, June 19, R-Gang will entertain specializing in Motown/R&B. Get together with members to enjoy music and refreshments. Admission is free, food and drinks may be purchased. Meet on the deck about 6 p.m. Seats fill up quickly, so come early. Call Diane Hainline at (847) 934-5542 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.

Sunburst Corvette Club: Sunburst Corvette Club will hold its regular monthly meetings on the first Wednesdays of April and May at a new location. The meetings will be held at Wool Street Grill and Sports Bar, 800 Feinberg Court in Cary. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m., but many members meet at 6 p.m. for dinner. Visit www.sunburstcorvetteclub.com