From the clubs

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

Kane County Genealogical Society: The next monthly meeting of the Kane County Genealogical Society will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, in the first-floor meeting room of the Geneva History Center, 113 S. 3rd St., Geneva.

The presentation for the evening will be "How I Survived the Blitz" presented Joy Aavang, noted local speaker. Aavang has led an interesting life, full of experiences in England both before and during World War II and later as an immigrant in America. She has been involved in the craft of storytelling which has resulted in the sharing her stories of growing up in England, experiencing bombing raids and six years of war, and her early years in America.

All are welcome to attend this interesting and unique presentation.

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, call (847) 697-1029 or visit the society's Web site at www.rootsweb.com/~ilkcgs.

Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club: Club meetings are at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Batavia Public Library, Route 31 and Wilson Street in Batavia. For information, visit www.fvbsc.org.

The social hour will be at 7 p.m. with the program at 7:30 p.m. A discussion of business matters will be at 8 p.m.

Nonmembers are welcome to attend. Some rides are canceled depending on the weather. For details, visit the Web site at www.fvbsc.org.

On Thursdays through July 31, the club offers its "Weekly Road Ride DQ" at 6:15 p.m. Meet in the graveled parking area at the Dairy Queen in Wasco. Ride out and back for 2 hours. The distance is 30-plus miles, depending on the available daylight.

• On Tuesday, July 29, join in a weekly trail ride at 6:15 p.m. Meet behind the Kane County Government Center, Route 31 and Third Street in Geneva, for a 20-to 25-mile early evening trail ride at 10- to 12-mile pace.

• On July 25, join in a "Nite Ride" at 6:30 p.m. starting at Panera Bread in Geneva. Optional dinner at 7 p.m. It will be a 17 mile ride with lights required.

• On July 26, enjoy a "Dinner Ride" at 3 p.m. with dinner at On The Border in St. Charles. For details, call leaders Tom and Julie at (630) 443-2080.

• On July 27, the Melon Metric XXI will be held at 6:30 a.m. It starts from Plano High School, 704 W. Abe St. This is located just off Route 34 west of Yorkville. The route options are 32, 62, and 100 miles, on mostly flat roads. Registration is $20 on the day of the ride. It is organized by the Naperville Bike Club. For details, visit Web site www.napervillebikeclub.com.

• On July 27, join in a Saturday lunch ride to Benedict's Eggs and More in East Dundee. The ride starts at 8:30 a.m. at Bennet Park in St. Charles for a 40-mile round-trip ride. The leader is Bobbie Woods.

• On Aug. 10, join in the "Windy 60" at 6:30 a.m. This popular annual metrical century begins at the Student Recreation Center at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Distance options include 20, 43, and 63 miles. The route includes a few steep albeit scenic hills through a major state park. Registration is $19. The ride is organized by the DeKalb County Bicycle Club at (815) 758-8879 or (815) 758-1562. Or e-mail to windy60@gmail.com.

Square Dancing Club: The Batavia Bachelors and Bachelorettes Square Dancing Club meets for the summer in the air-conditioned hall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 S. Rush St., Roselle. Dancing is from 8 to 10:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays, however a dance will not be held on July 25, as members will be attending the state convention. On Aug. 8, Jerry Hill will lead the rounds with Juliann Hill as. On Aug. 22, it will be the 34th anniversary dance with Tom Roper and Angie and Bob Huckeby. The summer dances are casual attire except for the anniversary dance. Single dancers are welcome. For information, call (630) 584-1343 or (630) 896-7133.

Northwest Suburban Astronomers: The Northwest Suburban Astronomers, in cooperation with the McHenry County Conservation District, will host a public star party at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area, Shelter 2, in McHenry County. Visitors can look at stars, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the help of NSA member telescopes.

Marengo Ridge Conservation Area is on the east side of Illinois Route 23, approximately two miles north of the town of Marengo. This "Search the Stars" is part of the MCCD "Let's Go Camping" event. Details can be found at www.mccdistrict.org/special-events.htm.

Bring warm clothing as nights can be very chilly, insect repellant and a flashlight covered with red plastic or cellophane - red light preserves your night vision. Visiitors are welcome to bring their own telescope or binoculars. Visit the Web site www.nsaclub.org for club information. The party is free.

Elgin Golden K Kiwanis: Elgin Golden K Kiwanis will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 30 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The program will be by Bob Mogler, coordinator for the newly formed "Elgin Experience Group" for Active People "50" and over, sponsored by the Elgin State Bank. For information, call (847) 741-7176.

Mothers & More: "What Works For You?" is a discussion night that's a great opportunity to learn and share the best secrets of mothering, working, home management and life in general.

Join mothers from Mothers & More of McHenry County as the group facilitates a great discussion of sharing, laughing and learning from each other. Just come prepared with three ideas that really "work for you" in balancing your life as a mom.

The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. July 29 at the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce 427 W. Virginia St., Crystal Lake. To RSVP, call Libby Nelson at (815) 479-5733 or e-mail to seiter@sbcglobal.net.

• Find all of your children's clothing, toy and equipment needs at the 10th annual Fall KidStuff Resale. It will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 2 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1023 S. McHenry Ave., at McHenry and Dartmoor by Crystal Lake South High School, Crystal Lake.

The sale will include more than 16,000 items from 140-plus sellers of gently used fall and winter children's clothing, toys and equipment, including infant supplies, nursing items, bedding, strollers, beds, etc., at great prices. Proceeds from the sale purchase items for the Crystal Lake and Grafton Township's food pantries plus support Mothers & More of McHenry's activities and other outreach projects. From the Spring 2008 Resale proceeds, more than $2,500 was donated to food pantries.

An admission fee will be collected at the door by the Food Pantries. Each adult shopper should plan on bringing $1 or equivalent food donation for the pantries to gain admission to the sale.

Mothers & More is proud to support the community with this sale and greatly appreciate the support and generosity of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish for the use of their space.

Visit the Crystal Lake Food Pantry site at www.clpantry.org and the Grafton Township site at www.graftontownship.us.

For more information about Mothers & More, call the hotline at (815) 334-7813 or check out the Web site at www.mchenrymothers.org.

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

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.

• 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. 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 details, call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.

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).

• 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.