From the clubs

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

Elgin Noon Kiwanis: The Consul General of Nepal will speak to the Elgin Noon Kiwanis Club at noon July 8 at the Hickory Stick restaurant in Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-2255.

Kane County Audubon Society: The public is invited to programs and activities of the Kane County Audubon Society.

On July 9, meet at 6 p.m. for a Night Bird Walk at James (Pete) Philip State Park (formerly Tri-County Park), off Stearns Road in Bartlett. Meet at 5:30 p.m., bring a sack meal to eat with members before the walk. The park is on the north side of Stearns Road, between Dunham and Powis roads in Bartlett. For information, call Roger Hotham at (847) 697-7484.

On Aug. 2, take a field trip at 8 a.m. to Nelson Lake, Dick Young Forest Preserve. On the first Saturday of each month Kane County Audubon invites the public to join them as they view the birds at Nelson Lake. Meet in the parking lot by the silo, which is on the west side of Nelson Lake Road, about three-quarter mile south of Main Street and 2 miles west of Randall Road in Batavia. For information, call Rhonda Nelson at (630) 479-1384.

On Aug. 13, a Night Bird Walk is planned for 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at Johnson Mound Forest Preserve. Arrive at 5:30 p.m., bring a sack meal to eat with members before the walk. To get to Johnson Mound from Batavia. Go west on Fabyan Parkway about 5 miles to Hughes Road Turn right on Hughes Road and go 2.5 miles to park entrance on the right. The group will be viewing shore birds at the sod farms across from the parking lot. For information call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.

Kane County Audubon is the local chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society and meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday each month, September through May. Meetings are held in the orientation room, (the Barn), at Peck Farm in Geneva.

Field trips, bird walks, and nature hikes are scheduled throughout the year and on meeting nights during June, July and August.

For information on Kane County Audubon, visit the Web site www.kanecountyaudubon.org or call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386 or Jerry Hope at 630-377-1444.

For information on Illinois Audubon Society, call Tom Clay at (217) 544-BIRD (2473).

Elgin Kiwanis: The Elgin Golden K Kiwanis will hold its next meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday July 9 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The program will be, John Bradburen; his topic will be, "South Africa."

For more information, call (847) 741-7176.

NARFE: National Active and Retired Federal Employees will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 8. Chapter 2181 meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at the American Legion at 820 N. Liberty St., Route 25, in Elgin. Lunch is available in the American Legionˆ lunchroom before the meeting. Coffee and desserts will be served after the meeting.

This month NARFE chapter 2181 will welcome NAIPC which is National Aging in Place Council. Their objectives are to build lasting coalitions of allied business professionals in communities across the U.S. to assist seniorˆ homeowners with pursuing their long term needs and organize educational activities

to highlight home and community based services and products including health care, transportation and housing that enables seniors to successfully age in place.

The NARFE chapter 2181 annual picnic will be on Tuesday, Aug. 12 at the upper level of Tyler Creek Forest Preserve on the west side of Route 31ˆ  just south of I-90 tollwayˆ in Elgin.

For information about NARFE call Nick at (847) 741-5772.

McHenry County Chapter of AARP: The McHenry County Chapter of AARP will meet on Thursday July 10 at noon for its annual luncheon to support the Salvation Army in Crystal Lake at 290 W. Crystal Lake Ave.

Reservations will be taken at that time for the August picnic at the Fountains of Crystal Lake. For chapter information, call Glenn at (815) 477-1952.

Puerto Rican Heritage Organization: The 2008 Junior Miss Puerto Rico of Elgin and Miss Puerto Rico of Elgin pageants will be held at 5 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road in Elgin.

Contestants will be judged on their research project on a Puerto Rican town, along with public speaking, cultural costume and evening gown competitions.

For more information, contact Tamika Morales at (847) 909-8740 or pageant@prho.org.

Fox Valley Rocketeers: The Fox Valley Rocketeers, a local club of model rocketry enthusiasts, will host its July rocket launch from 1 to 5 p.m. July 12 at Raintree Park in Woodstock. Rocket fliers are welcome to come and fly low-power rockets and to attend the club meeting from 7:30 to 9 p.m. July 7 at the McHenry Public Library.

For details, call Mark Bundick (815) 337-9068, Ken Hutchinson (815) 444-0539 or visit www.foxvalleyrocketeers.org for a map to the field South Elgin Lions: The South Elgin Lions Club will host a drawdown raffle on July 11. Half of the net proceeds raised this night will benefit the Alexander Leigh Center for Autism located in Lake in the Hills. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the club house, 500 Fulton St., and the raffle begins at 7 p.m. with a dance following the raffle.

The philosophy of the Alexander Leigh Center is that every child deserves a place to learn and develop within a supportive environment. Although every child with autism is unique, they all share several characteristics; sensory integration dysfunction, impaired communication system, and a lack of social awareness. The Alexander Leigh Center addresses these characteristics through a team approach in their intensive year-round therapeutic day school for children between the ages of 5 and 10. The academic environment is adapted to each child's individual communicative and sensory needs and includes occupational, speech/language, education therapy along with support for the families through parent workshops, home visits and consultations with teachers and therapists.

This fundraiser includes the drawdown raffle, dinner and dance for $20. If you do not wish to participate in the raffle, the cost is only $10 for the dinner and dance. A cash bar will be available. For details, call Lion Allan Shelton at (847) 888-9575.

Elgin AAUW: The Fox Valley Garden Walk, showcasing six Elgin gardens west of Randall Road between McDonald and Big Timber roads, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12.

Ticket booklets, which include coupons from area nurseries, are $10 if purchased before July 12.

They will be available after June 1 in Elgin at: Jewel Foods at 1040 Summit St. and 1660 Larkin Ave.; Al's Cafe & Creamery, 43 DuPage Court in downtown Elgin; and Books at Sunset, 1100 South St.

Tickets can also be obtained by calling (847) 741-9475. On the day of the walk, tickets will be $12 and may be purchased at garden walk sites at 40W639 Russell Road and 8N316 Dittman Road. Tickets are nonrefundable.

This event is sponsored by the Elgin Area American Association of University Women. Monies raised from this project will be used by the educational foundation to provide scholarships for women seeking advanced degrees.

Any college graduate with a four-year degree or a graduate with an associate's degree is eligible to become a member of AAUW. Membership information will be available on the day of the walk or by calling (847) 742-4866.

McHenry County Historical Society: The McHenry County Historical Society will present its 24th annual Heritage Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13 at the museum, 6422 Main St., Union. There is no charge for admission to any of the museum's buildings or family entertainment.

The society has an antiques/collectibles auction, an indoor White Elephant sale, along with a huge used book sale, vintage clothing sale, garden/plant sale and baked goods sale. Weaving, quilting, blacksmithing demonstrations, a 1920s vintage car exhibit, and more will be featured. For all the pie bakers in the county, there is the annual Pie Baking Contest. Call the museum at (815) 923-2267 for details.

The theme this year is "Ain't We Got Fun!" Be sure to check out the "Arrival - the 1920s" which highlights the Fox River Grove-Cary area. The fair committee is looking for items to sell, particularly auction donations which should be dated before 1950. For information concerning the fair, contact McHenry County Historical Society Heritage Fair committee at (815) 923-2267 or online at www.mchsonline.org.

Stateline SHRM: The Stateline Society of Human Resource Management presents "Building a Recognition Culture." On July 17, Bill Bergstrom, national recognition manager for Terryberry Co., will present information on why employee recognition is essential in the workplace. He will review the eight keys for developing an effective recognition program and discuss how to put them into practice in your organization. In this seminar you'll learn strategies for aligning your employee recognition initiative with corporate objectives and you'll get a step-by-step guide for implementing a strategic employee recognition program. He has consulted with organizations ranging from family businesses to Fortune 500 companies, formulating and implementing recognition programs that focus on workforce talent retention and performance improvement. Terryberry Co. has been an innovator and leader in the recognition industry since 1918.

The breakfast meeting begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. and will adjourn at 9:45 a.m. at the Family Service and Community Mental Health Center, 4100 Veterans Parkway in McHenry. Cost to members is $15; cost for nonmembers is $25 payable at the door. Reservations are required no later than July 14. Visit on the Web at www.statelineshrm.org for information or to make your reservation. Seating is limited

Philoptochos Society: The Philoptochos Society of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church will present "Step Up ... For Life" Benefit Luncheon and Festival of Tables.

Taking place at 11 a.m. on Oct. 11 in Elgin, this charitable event will greatly benefit children afflicted with cancer through our direct support of Children's Oncology Services Inc. and St. Iakovos Retreat Center.

Tickets are $44 and include a gourmet lunch.

Children's Oncology Services Inc. believes that a diagnosis of cancer should not prevent a child from experiencing the simple joys of childhood. Through the One Step At A Time programs, COSI offers camp experiences and educational programs throughout the year that allow children with cancer to just be kids.

Their programs offer fun, friendship and support in a safe and nurturing environment.

The St. Iakovos Retreat Center is set on 137 rural acres and provides an ideal setting to meet individual, family, group, educational and church requirements. Additional proceeds will contribute to the charitable works of St. Sophia Philoptochos. Philoptochos, meaning friend of the poor, is a philanthropic group based on helping local and international charities including Feed the Hungry, Children's Cardiac Fund, National Cancer Society, Y-Me and a variety of local nursing homes, orphanages and homeless shelters, just to name a few.

Guests will be treated to a most memorable afternoon. For more information, visit the event Web site at www.stepupforlifebenefit.com or call (847) 888-2822. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Submit club news and photos of activities to Club News, Daily Herald, 385 Airport Road, Suite A, IL 60123. Or e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com or fax to (847) 608-0849.