Fox Valley arts & crafts calendar

November 12

Elgin Area Women's Connection: Holiday Craft, Bake Sale, Live and Silent Auction, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12 at Villa Olivia Country Club, Route 20, Bartlett. Guest speaker is Debbi Forney. Tickets are $15. For reservations, call (847) 524-5112.

November 14

Handmade in Hanover: The Hanover Township Senior Center will host its annual craft show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 14-15 at the senior center, 240 S. Route 59, Bartlett. There will be more than 40 crafters, food concessions, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Crafters of handmade items, who live in Hanover Township, are invited to participate. Space is limited. For information or an application, contact Tracey Colagrossi at (630) 483-5673 or e-mail tcolagrossi@hanover-township.org.

Craft and Vendor Show: Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Annual Craft and Vendor Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 in the main lobby and ground level meeting rooms of the hospital. Fifteen perent of sales from this show will be donated to area food pantries. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is at 450 W. Route 22, two miles west of Route 59.

November 14-16; November 21-23

McNeil Mansion Holiday Open House: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 162 S. State St., Elgin. Jewelry, knitted and felt accessories, vintage furniture, small antiques, holiday decor, candles, soaps, concrete birthbaths and leafs and more. Door prizes.

November 15

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show: The Mother's Club of Geneva is hosting its 34th annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Geneva High School, 416 McKinley Ave. The show will again feature over 130 booths showcasing handmade crafts, art, and jewelry. They will have many raffle prizes, a 50/50 cash raffle, and a bake sale with items made by club members. In addition, lunch featuring items from many local restaurants will be available for purchase. The Mother's Club has enjoyed a long history of providing one of the best craft shows in the area. They have added many new attractions to the show including: live music by Dean Milano, pictures with Santa, lunch with Ozzie T. Cougar, and personal book signing by our local children's book author Dave Algrim. Between all of these activities and the huge volume of quality hand made products available for sale, the show is sure to appeal to people of all ages. Admission is $4 and children under 12 are free. No strollers please. For information, call Lisa at (630) 208-8707.

Santa's CraftShop: Kaneland High School presents "Santa's CraftShop", a juried handmade only arts and crafts show, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at the school, 47W326 Keslinger Road in Maple Park. Santa Claus also will be at the show, providing the opportunity for children to have their pictures taken with Santa. A $1 admission fee benefits two student programs, which are the Peer Leadership Group and PIE Club (Partners In International Education.) The show will feature crafters from around the area and include categories such as holiday ornaments and decorations, fabric creations and clothing, one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry, glass items, wreaths, wood products, and other original creations. Lunch is available at the show. For information on the show, call (630) 896-1947.

Auxiliary craft show: The Ladies Auxiliary of Tri-City Evergreen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2298 will host an arts and craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 at the post home, 117 S. First St., West Dundee. For details, call Fran Ganshow at (847) 426-2205.

Holiday bazaar: The Corron Elementary School PTO will host its first-ever Holiday Bazaar, with the theme, "Your One-Stop Shop for Holiday Gifts," from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at the school, 455 Thornwood Way in South Elgin. Santa will make a special appearance from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is a $2 admission

Children's admission is free. There will be more than 70 vendors and crafters, a 50/50 raffle, bake sale and concessions. Face painting will be offered from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

November 21

Providence Christmas Market: Providence Christmas Market is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Northwest Bible Baptist Church, 9N889 Nesler Road, Elgin. Market will feature handmade items, crafts, baked goods, food and Grandma's Attic. Free admission and free parking. (847) 931-7222.

November 21-22

Merry Makers: For the 14th year, the Merry Makers will open the doors to the public at 816 W.Highland Ave., Elgin, for the annual Holiday and Crafts Show from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. The show will feature unique one of a kind handmade crafts, holiday decor and baked goodies. Admission is free. For more information, call Karen at (847) 888-2230.

November 22

Storm Artisan Expo: The second annual Storm Artisan Expo will offer artisan designs, crafts, jewelry, wood creations, pottery, home-baked treats and more from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St., South Elgin. Anyone who does crafts, quilts, sews or creates gifts may reserve a table or space now. Cost is $30 and one donated item worth $10 retail for a door prize table. It is sponsored by the South Elgin High fine arts department and the parent booster foundation. For information or reservations, e-mail jontuin@u-46.org or call (847) 289-3760, ext. 3663.

November 22-23

Human Hands Bazaar: St. Peter Catholic Church, 1891 Kaneville Road in Geneva, will offer the community a chance to view a collection of scores of Nativity sets loaned to the church by parishioners and community members from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23. Last year 175 sets were on display. Over the two days, about 1,000 people visited the exhibit. During this year's event, there is an opportunity to support two charitable causes. Items that make lovely gifts, as well as practical items for the home, are available in a mini bazaar from The Work of Human Hands. All products are made by the poor of developing nations. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be returned to them. The exhibit organizers will take a freewill donation and this money will be given to the St. Peter Community Food Pantry. The pantry feeds about 250 families from the Fox Valley area twice a month. For the convenience of visitors who enjoy having Advent reminders in their home, new Nativity sets, Advent calendars, prayer books and candles will be available for purchase. For details, call the parish center, (630) 232-0124.