Fox Valley club notes
From the clubs To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
Slow Global Warming: Slow Global Warming, Solutions for a Global World will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. today in the second-floor community room at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
The first half of the "Two Percent Solution" film will be shown and then discussion questions and answers will be held as well as brainstorming about ways to outreach to the Greater Elgin area. For information, call S. Kaptain at (847) 741-7375.
Kane County Genealogical Society: The next meeting of the Kane County Genealogical Society will be held at 7:30 p.m. today in the first floor meeting room of the Geneva History Center, 113 S. 3rd St., Geneva.
The guest speaker for the evening will be Marian Richter Schuetz, presenting "The Feds Have Records on Your Ancestors." Schuetz, genealogy instructor at Waubonsee Community College and the College of DuPage, will discuss the various federal records available to the family researcher as well as insights to access of these records.
All are welcome to attend. The mission of the Kane County Genealogical Society is to gather and preserve regional historical records and serve as a county-wide educational resource for those interested in genealogy. For information about the meeting, call (847) 697-1029 or visit www.rootsweb.com/~ilkcgs.
Elgin Area League of Women Voters: The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. With that mission in mind, Elgin Area League members cannot think of a more important time in our history, to re-engage members, and invite everyone to consider membership. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
The annual meeting of the Elgin Area League of Women Voters will be held today. A potluck dinner will begin at 6 p.m. in the home of member Barbara Mulliken. The business will include the election of 2008-09 officers and board members and the adoption of the local program for the 2008-09 year.
The League will be considering a local program for the year that includes studying the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Framework in the U-46 schools, a continuing investigation of voting practices and procedures and to monitor Elgin's efforts to become a "Cool" city. The Elgin League also will continue to study Mental Health and Disability Services in the county in partnership with the St. Charles/Geneva League.
A foundation of the League of Women Voters, the Observer's Corp will also be re-established. League members will be encouraged to observe public meetings from the local school board to Kane County Board, and report back to the general membership.
All current members of the Elgin Area League of Women Voters are encouraged to attend this annual meeting and get involved in the local programs and committees. Call host Barbara Mulliken at (847) 697-0988 to confirm your attendance. Any area resident interested in League membership can call president Janet Poyner at (847) 695- 7122.
Friendship Star Stitchers: Judy's Quilt and Sew and the Friendship Star Stitchers will host their annual quilt show from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Hampshire Middle School, 560 S. State St. More than 200 quilts will be on display, and there will be a silent auction; a Dear Jane display; 2007 Mystery Unveiling; and a Quilt Bed Turning exhibit.
Proceeds from the show, excluding rental fees, will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Coalition and the Gilda Club of Chicago. Last year $2,000 was raised and donated equally to both organizations.
Admission is $5; children age 12 and younger are admitted free. The public is invited to participate and attend. Additional information and quilt entry forms can be picked up at Judy's Quilt and Sew, 390 S. State St., Hampshire.
VFW Post 2298: The Ladies Auxiliary of Tri-City Evergreen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2298 will host an all-you-can-eat-spaghetti night from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the post home, 117 S. First St., West Dundee. Cost is $6 for adults or $3 for children, age 6 to 12; children under age 6 get in free. The dinner includes spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, one glass of wine, and dessert. For details, call (847) 428-9006.
Sons of Union Veterans: The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War The Philip H. Sheridan Camp 2, Department of Illinois and the George Armstrong Custer Camp 1, Department of Illinois will host a "Meet The Sons" event at noon Saturday at the Elgin Area Historical Museum, 360 Park St.
There will be Civil War artifacts on display as well as items from the Grand Army of the Republic.
Learn about the Sons of the Union Veterans and what they do. There will be a question-and-answer period as well as a show-and-tell.
This will be a great time to learn more about the Civil War heritage. Refreshments will be served. For details, call Jim Zingales at (847) 648-0444.
Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association: The Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association, which has planned Elgin's Memorial Day observance for over a century, recently elected new officers and those individuals would like your help in planning this year's program.
Selected to lead the organization during the next year were Jerry Turnquist as president, Carolyn Hansen, vice president, and Patricia Porter as secretary-treasurer.
Hansen will be continuing in her same role while Turnquist replaces Don Sleeman, and Porter replaces Trish Dieringer, both who will be remaining with the organization.
The Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association was formed in the 1890s to continue the work of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veteran's organization, which had coordinated the observations since the Civil War.
This year will mark Elgin's 140th Memorial Day program, and the association plans an observance with a strong historical focus.
The group would like more community organizations to join in its efforts. Currently, the association is made up of more than a dozen veterans, civic, fraternal and service groups; each group sends a representative to the meetings. Members hope to broaden that support.
Clubs and organizations that would like to join are asked to call either Jerry Turnquist at (847) 431-2472 or Carolyn Hansen (847) 888-1455. Regular meetings are the last Saturday of each month from January until May.
Elgin VFW: A free public dance will be hosted by the Elgin Veterans of Foreign Wars from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Les Pace and the Pacemakers will be playing big band favorites for listening, singing and dancing pleasure. Refreshments and light food service is available at the VFW, 1601 Weld Road. For details, call (847) 742-3879.
Elgin Watch City VFW: The Elgin Watch City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1307 and its Men's Auxiliary have undertaken a project to help one of their members. They are reaching out to the community for assistance.
Randall "Skeeter" Kucharski served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Infantry from 1970-71. During his tour of duty, Skeeter was exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical that was proven to cause diabetes and other diseases in the soldiers exposed to it. Skeeter developed diabetes in 2005 and was almost immediately crippled by a severe stroke that disabled him nearly completely. He cannot walk without assistance and often requires the use of a wheelchair. His bedroom is on the second floor of their home. Every night Skeeter must try to ascend the stairs to get to his bedroom and descend the stairs in the morning. This requires his wife or another family member to help him and prevent his falling.
The Elgin VFW Post and Men's Auxiliary are assembling volunteers of all trades and talents to build an addition to the Kucharski home to provide a first-floor bedroom for Skeeter with handicapped accessibility.
The post is asking members of the business community for donations of building materials or cash donations to make this a reality. They hope to break ground in May.
All donations to this effort will be recognized with a letter confirming your generosity that may be used as proof of your charitable donation for tax purposes. This is a nonprofit project by Skeeter's friends and comrades.
If you are able to help, call VFW chaplain Doc Sheehan at (847) 921-0449. All calls will be returned promptly. Monetary donations can be mailed to: The Randall Kucharski Benefit Fund, c/o Fifth Third Bank, 1645 Larkin Ave., Elgin, IL 60123, Attn: Barbara Lopez.
BNCA: The Barrington/Northwest Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago has planned an event to welcome the arrival of spring.
May 1 is the date for the annual Membership Tea which is designed to celebrate "new beginnings" with an old-fashioned concept -- afternoon tea and condiments. Guests are invited to meet existing members, learn more about this wonderful organization, and share a bountiful assortment of tasty treats.
In addition a staff member from the Art Institute will provide an enticing lecture certain to have the audience thinking about the "outdoors." Annie Morse will present "Inside/Out: Sculpture and the Art Institute." She will answer our many questions about various sculptures beautifying Chicago.
Morse is a Senior Lecturer in Museum Education who has been lecturing for the department since 1996.
The event takes place at 1 p.m. for tea and 1:30 p.m. for lecture at Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 S. Brinker Road, Barrington.
There is no fee for this program and reservations are not necessary. Guests are welcome. For information, call Board Chairman Lenore Elsener at (847) 255-9492.
Culture Club: On May 3, Immanuel Lutheran Church's Culture Club will discuss "World Without End" by Ken Follett. The club will meet immediately after the 6 p.m. service, around 7:15 p.m. in Luther Hall C.
The Rev. Bill Yonker will lead the discussion of the book. He noted that Follett's first in this series, "Pillars of the Earth," is one of his favorites reads. The community is invited to join in the discussion. The church is at Route 72 and Van Buren in East Dundee. Parking is available in both the south and western lots. For details, call the church office at (847) 428-4477.
Audubon Society: The Kane County Chapter of the Audubon Society meets for programs and activities.
On May 3, enjoy a bird walk at 8 a.m. at Nelson's Lake. On the first Saturday of each month, Kane County Audubon invites the public to join them as they view the birds of Nelson Lake. This month, they will look for migrants and new arrivals. Meet in the parking lot by the silo, which is west of Nelson Lake Road, and about three-quarter mile south of Main Street, and 2 miles west of Randall Road in Batavia. For information, call Rhonda Nelson at (630) 879-1387.
On May 14, the meeting night will be at 7 p.m. at the barn at Park Farm Park at Peck and Kaneville roads, about one mile west of Randall Road in Geneva. The program will be "Belize and Beyond" by member Jerry Hope. Hope has been shooting slides for 55 years and loves getting off the beaten trail. For details, call Jerry Hope at (630) 377-1444.
On May 17 at 8 a.m., take a bird walk at Big Rock Kane County Forest Preserve. See warblers and other new arrivals. From Geneva go west to Route 47 and go about three miles south of Sugar Grove to Jericho Road. Go west on Jericho about 3.5 miles to entrance on the right. Meet in the parking lot. For information call Terry Murray at (630) 896-3219.
Or visit www.kanecountyaudubon.org. For information on the Illinois Audubon Society, call Tom Clay at 217-544-BIRD (2473).
Young Eagles Chapter 101: On May 4, the EAA Chapter 101 will hold their Young Eagles Rally from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Young Eagles is to promote aviation to children, ages 8 to 17. All boys and girls who come out will get the chance to take their first flight in a private airplane. Come out and meet the pilots, see the different types of aircraft and maybe even get the chance to control the plane while flying with the pilots assistance. The rally is held the first Sunday of each month till December at Schaumburg Regional Airport, Irving Park Road and Wright Boulevard in Schaumburg. The rally is held weather permitting. For information or to register, call Chuck Soumar at (708) 788-6390 or e-mail Youngeagles101@aol.com.