Fox Valley club briefs
To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
McHenry County AARP: The McHenry County Chapter of AARP will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Fountains of Crystal Lake on Route 31, one mile north of Route 176. The speaker will be from the Crystal Lake Public Library. For chapter information, call Glenn at (815) 477-1952.
Elgin VFW Post 1307: The Men's Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1307, 1601 Weld Road in Elgin, will hold a meat raffle at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in conjunction with the VFW Fish Fry. Take a chance to win a turkey, ham and other prizes for your holiday celebrations. Also, on Sunday, Nov. 15, the Men's Auxiliary will hold its all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Tickets to the buffet breakfast are $5 in advance at the post or $6 at the door. Both events are open to the public. For details, call the post at (847) 888-9809.
Burlington Lions: The Burlington Lions Club will host a turkey raffle from 7 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at Mott's Lounge, 195 Main St. in downtown Burlington. Hams and steaks will be included along with 50/50 raffles and door prizes. Free turkey sandwiches will be provided throughout the evening. The event helps defray the costs of their children's Halloween party, Christmas party, ski for sight and numerous other club activities. Come out to Burlington and have a good time for a good cause. For details, e-mail brnstark@yahoo.com.
Art for All: Art for All, an Elgin area art league, will have their winter art show at the Gail Borden Library, through Dec. 15. An artist reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Also included is an elementary school environmental art show. During the reception, the kids can participate in a hands on kids art project, led by Art for All members. Bring the kids to the library and visit with some local artists and learn more about Art for All. Art for All has rotating exhibits at several locations in Elgin where members display their artwork. Visit artforall-elgin.com. They encourage all artists to join. All skill levels are welcome even non-artist or those who would like to learn more about art. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at Elgin Community Church, 991 Deborah, Elgin. For details, call Sandy Kaptain at (847) 741-7375.
Kane County Audubon Society: The Kane County Audubon Society will join in "Saw-whit Owl Banding" at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at Colored Sands Forest Preserve in Durand in Winnebago County. Reservations are required and there is a $25 per person fee. Meet at Peck Farm parking lot to car pool. The group will stop for supper along the way. For information call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386. On Saturday, Nov. 21, join in a bird walk at 8 a.m. at Les Arends Forest Preserve. View birds that work the shores of the Fox River and late fall migrants. Les Arends is located on Route 31 about 1.5 miles south of Wilson Street in Batavia. For information, call Jon Duerr at (630) 584-5891. Visit kanecountyaudubon.org.
Fox Valley Beaux Arts: Fox Valley Beaux Arts will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Elgin Public Museum, 225 Grand Blvd. in Lords Park in Elgin. The program will examine the art of Native Americans as shown through their textiles, jewelry and music. It is open to the public, as well as to members and guests of Beaux Arts. For information, call Marge Haefliger at (847) 697-7374.
Barrington Area LWV: The League of Women Voters of the Barrington Area will host a community forum from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 17 in the community room at the Cuba Township office, 28000 W. Cuba Road, Barrington. The topic will be "Illinois Financial Crisis: How did we get into this mess?" Sheila Weinberg, a certified public accountant and founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting, will explain and help explore options for a solution. All are welcome to this free program. For details, call Jane Hansen at (847) 951-0778.
Elgin Genealogical Society: The Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 in the first-floor meeting room of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The program will be "A Genealogical Gathering." Members, guests and visitors will learn about EGS and its work. Attendees will be given an opportunity to share their genealogical finds of the year and ideas will be shared on how to use holiday gatherings to add to your genealogical collections.
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, Nov. 19 at American Legion McHenry Post 491, 1331 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry. The host post is American Legion Richmond Post 253. For details, call Robert Howe Jr. at (815) 653-6391. The McHenry County Council will not meet in December. The next meeting will convene at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at American Legion Union Post 482.
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. 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.
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 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.
Stop by for its weekly Family Burger and Steak Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, except Nov. 26. Or enjoy the weekly Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 8 p.m. at the post home. It features your choice of haddock, perch, catfish, and shrimp with all the trimmings.
Girl Scouts: Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois will present its 15th annual Holiday Harvest dinner auction at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall in Aurora. Proceeds from this event benefit the programs for Girl Scouts in Northern Illinois. This year's theme is "Hollywood Harvest." Highlights of the evening include a live and silent auction, cash bar, and sit down dinner. Tickets are $75 per person with $40 of each ticket tax-deductible. To RSVP, call the Sugar Grove Service Center at (630) 897-1565 or visit girlscoutsni.org.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 lithrotary.org.