Fox Valley club briefs
To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
Watch City VFW: Watch City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1307, 1601 Weld Road, Elgin, is a co-sponsor of this year's Marine Corps League Detachment No. 077 Toys for Tots campaign to provide toys for underprivileged children this Christmas. A large box is stationed at the front door for the collection of unwrapped toys. Donations also can be made at toysfortots.org, or a check may be left at the VFW made out to "Toys For Tots." Toys collected at the VFW are distributed locally throughout the Fox Valley. For details, call (847) 888-9809.
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.
Algonquin Lions: The Algonquin Lions Club will host its 42nd annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale in the parking lot of Algonquin State Bank, Randall Road and Huntington Drive in Algonquin. Sales begin from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. It will feature Fraser and balsam firs, 5 to 10 feet tall. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Food Pantry and FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Santa will be making a stop at the Christmas tree sales from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6.
Cary-Grove Jaycees: The Cary-Grove Jaycees will open its Christmas tree lot on Saturday, Nov. 28. The tree lot is located at the Algonquin Township office, 3702 Route 14 in Crystal Lake. They have been selling quality Christmas Trees for over 30 years in Cary and Fox River Grove. The low prices have not been increased in over 5 years, so you can get a great tree at a great price. The lot will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The proceeds of the Christmas tree lot go directly back into the community to support events such as Easter egg hunt, fishing derby, food pantry fundraisers, Junior Trojans, Cary Youth Baseball and other events and organizations that the Jaycees have been sponsoring for years. For information, e-mail Gail Overstreet-Williams at gailo32@sbcglobal.net.
Elgin VFW: Les Pace and the Pacemakers will host a free afternoon dance from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 at the Elgin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 1600 Weld Road. Big band era music is featured for listening, dancing or singing along. Refreshments and light food fare is available. For details, call Les at (847) 742-3879.
Elgin Area LWV: The Elgin Area Branch of the League of Women Voters will present a discussion on outsourcing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30 in the community room A at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Outsourcing has helped American business reduce costs and increase their profitability, but has diminished wages for the American worker. Wages for the medium family has been basically flat since 2001. Lower wages reduce tax revenue, which contribute to the growing debt and makes it difficult to pay for mortgages and buy American products. When an American worker loses a job due to outsourcing, the U.S. economy also terminates a customer for its products. The American worker and family probably may then lose their medical coverage.
Elgin Woman's Club: The Elgin Woman's Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. Hosted by the arts department, the program will feature a presentation by the "Born to Dance" Ensemble of the Sun City Strutters in Huntley, who will entertain members and guests with a holiday-themed dance program. Master of ceremonies for the ensemble will be Sarah Hudgens.
The group, formed seven years ago, studies tap, jazz and ballet and performs in Sun City, for area clubs, church groups and nursing homes. Average age of the women in the 35-member ensemble is 70, with students belonging to the entire group ranging in age from 55 to 85 years old. All instructors for the organization are volunteers and costumes are made by its members.
Hostesses for the December meeting are Leigh Butler, Audrey Gilbert, Lou Mutter and Betty Wear.
Members and guests are asked to make reservations no later than Friday, Nov. 27, by calling the hotline at (847) 622-3614. The luncheon meeting and program costs $15, which may be paid by check at the door the day of the meeting.
In addition to raising funds for student scholarships, members serve as readers in local schools, volunteer in hospitals and other agencies throughout the Elgin area and are active in recycling, conservation, women's health, international affairs and other projects. The club was organized 122 years ago and as its first project founded Sherman Hospital in a house at the corner of North and Channing Streets in Elgin. Since then the club has supported hundreds of local projects including yearly scholarships to Elgin Area School District U-46 high school students pursuing a medical career in college. The club maintains a strong relationship with the hospital it founded more than a century ago with representation on two hospital boards. The Elgin Woman's Club is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Information and a variety of club information may be obtained by going to gfwc.org.
Elgin Jaycees: The Elgin Jaycees will hold a general membership meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Elgin American Legion, 820 N. Liberty St. This leadership and training organization welcomes guests. For details, visit elginjaycees.org or contact info@elginjaycees.org.
Elgin Area Historical Society: As part of Elgin's Home for the Holidays celebration, the Elgin Area Historical Society will hold its annual holiday tea from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's Sterling Brass Quintet will be featured at 1 p.m. Society member Jan Embree will provide craft supplies for children to make holiday ornaments. The Old Main Museum is located at 360 Park St., Elgin and is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday. The museum store is open for holiday shopping and features an array of books about Elgin's history, video tapes, ceramics, children's old fashioned toys and games. For information about this program or the Historical Society, call the museum at (847) 742-4248 or visit elginhistory.org.
NARFE: National Active and Retired Federal Employees of the Greater Fox Valley Chapter 2181 will gather for a Holiday Luncheon at noon Tuesday, Dec. 8 at Grand Victoria Casino in downtown Elgin, 250 S. Grove Ave. The group will meet at the buffet which will be self-pay. Prospective members also are invited. Call the Hysers at (847) 741-5772 if you plan to attend and for information on membership with NARFE. Web site is www.narfe.org/chapter2181.
Elgin Area Women's Connection: The Elgin Area Women's Connection will hold a luncheon program from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 at Villa Olivia Country Club, off Route 20 in Bartlett. Terri Schmidt will explain the "Language of Love." Also, there will be the sounds of Christmas as they sing along with accordionist Elmer Lane of Elgin. Complimentary child care with reservation. To RSVP by Monday, Dec. 7, contact Jan at (630) 837-2632 or Carolyn at (630) 213-1205 or e-mail Car644@gmail.com. Cost for luncheon meeting is $15 inclusive, with complimentary child care.
Elgin Knights of Columbus: Get in your order now for the Elgin Knights of Columbus' annual "Chili for Charity" cookbook with favorite recipes donated from Brother Knights, friends, and relatives. Cost is $10. Send orders to Chili for Charity Cook Book, c/o Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 1427, Elgin, IL 60120-1427. Money orders or checks should be made payable to the Knights of Columbus 654. For details, e-mail Kirk at kstas@comcast.net.
Hampshire VFW: Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at the Hampshire Township Building, 100 Center St. For details, call (847) 683-3443. At the Nov. 9 meeting with Commander Lowell Reiser, the Salute to the Colors with prayer by chaplain Edward Wesemann was followed by a Veterans Day prayer and a moment of silence for departed comrades and sisters. Special guest was the VFW Fifth District Commander George Kessler of Post 7448, Winthrop Harbor. Present for the annual inspection, Commander Kessler's theme for the year is "Never Forget." Discussion was held in regard to the final plans for Veterans Day Assembly and visiting in the classrooms at school. Judging has been completed for the local level for "Voice of Democracy" and Patriot Pen essays and have been forwarded to the Fifth District for further judging. Veterans Day dinner plans have been finalized. Membership drive for the coming year is underway. New members are welcome. For details, call Reiser (847) 683-3443.
Hampshire VFW Auxiliary: Hampshire Ladies Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 8043 will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at the Hampshire Township Building, 100 Center St., Hampshire. For details, call (847) 683-3443. At the Nov. 8 meeting, conducted by president Jerrilynne Partlo, the Pledge of Allegiance was followed by singing of "God Bless America" led by musician Velda Grimes. Secretary and treasurer reports were approved and placed on file. The auxiliary has received monetary awards from the Department and National Ladies VFW Auxiliary for their over 100 percent membership. Carol Cleveland's application for membership has been approved for her grandson, Tanner Cleveland's service record. Reports have been sent to respective chairwoman for many programs, Americanism, Cancer Aid and Research, Community Service, Veterans Support and families. After the business meeting, judging was held for the Patriot Pen essays from St. Charles Borromeo School and Hampshire Middle School. They have been forwarded to the Fifth District for additional judging. New members are welcome; for eligibility, call Arlene (847) 683-3443.
Fox Valley Associates: The Fox Valley Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at the St. Charles Country Club. The lecture will be "Loving Frank: Frank Lloyd Wright's Scandalous Love Affair," with Barbara Rinella dramatizing the intriguing character Mamah Bortwick from the book "Loving Frank." Guests are welcome.
"Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan is a historical fiction depicting the outrageous relationship between the brilliant architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the wife of one of his clients, Mamah Bortwick Cheney. Mamah Bortwick was an emerging feminist, receiving her master's degree from the University of Michigan. A keen intellectual who loves to quote Goethe, and who cherishes the written word. Mamah settles into an ordered, respectable life in Oak Park, when she marries kind Edwin Cheney. Life will turn upside down, however, when Cheney hires Frank Lloyd Wright to design a new home for his family.
Rinella presents one-woman shows dramatizing current literature. She will bring to life the intriguing character of Mamah, who fights unsuccessfully to control her passion and her destiny.
Coffee will be served at 10 a.m., followed by the lecture at 10:30 a.m. and lunch at noon. The cost for members is $16 for the lecture or $36, and $20 and $40, respectively for guests. For reservations call Sue (630) 377-0208 before Dec. 7.
Toastmasters: Do you want to improve your speaking skills. Need to be more confident on that interview or presentation. 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 lithrotary.org.