Church dedicates peace pole

Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove recently dedicated a peace pole that was put together with the help of a Boy Scout troop.

The dedication took place Sept. 9 during worship services.

Boy Scout Troop 401 carved the word "peace" on to the pole in nine different languages including Arabic, English, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish.

The idea was conceived by the church's Peacemakers group, which holds regular sessions with other religious groups to work toward peace.

"It's actually a project that goes on around the world," said Anne Marie Gerhardt, director of communications for the church. "They've dedicated peace poles around the world."

The Boy Scouts spent 50 hours on the cedar pole to earn their wood carving merit badge.

The pole is installed near the church's front entrance at 401 W. Dundee Road.

Just around the corner: The Buffalo Grove 50th anniversary committee will meet once again 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the village bar and grill, 48 Raupp Blvd.

The committee plans on sending out a calendar and historical book in December to all village residents. They also have commemorative notecards and key chains on sale at village hall.

For more information on the 50th anniversary, to become a sponsor, or to help the committee, call (847) 459-2511 or visit www.vbg.org.

Seeking a member: The Buffalo Grove plan commission has an opening with the retirement of Susan Kenski-Sroka.

Trustee Jeff Berman brought up the issue at the village board meeting Monday, saying that the plan commission has had problems with establishing a quorum. He urged Village President Elliott Hartstein to find a replacement soon.

Hartstein said the reminder was unnecessary, as he's had talks with the plan commission about finding a suitable replacement. He also asked any residents interested in the position to come forward.

Special commemoration: The Buffalo Grove park district is hoping to have its Veterans Memorial ready for dedication in time for Veterans Day.

The district will have its normal Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 10, as it does every year.

Mike Terson, spokesman for the district, said the construction at the memorial at Veterans Park, 1300 N. Weiland Road, should also be finished by then.

The project includes granite monuments that recognize the five branches of military service. The district will also be putting up paving bricks for those who want to honor a member of the military.

The park also includes the Blue Star Memorial, which was dedicated in 2004.