A Halloween treat for kids with special needs

From 2 to 5 p.m. today, the Dundee Rotary will help kids with special needs celebrate Halloween at the Elgin Holiday Inn & Suites. This is the eighth year of a great tradition, brought by Jodi Schultz, former manager of the Holiday Inn, from Wisconsin.

Thirty rooms at the hotel are decorated by clubs and businesses in the area, with members giving treats to little participants and their families. Guests check in and are escorted to each room by the Interact Club of Dundee-Crown High School.

A huge complementary buffet is provided by Stephen Esh, hotel chef, in the ballroom decorated by chief engineer Mike Memmot.

Pat Spekowski of the Rotary Club says the kids are happy to be with children like themselves, and they feel empowered to even help those sicker than themselves. They get to vote on their favorite room and a trophy based on their votes goes to that company or club. For last-minute information, call Alan Scimeca at (847) 781-8020.

A safe Halloween

Cherie Aschenbrenner and Maricela Abonce of the Elgin Police Department have a list of sensible safety tips in English or Spanish for a happy time for children on Halloween.

For homeowners, the suggested time to hand out treats is from 3 to 7 p.m. Willingness to give treats and welcome visitors should be indicated by a porch light. Closed and locked garage and car doors limit the opportunity for trouble.

Those driving are asked to be vigilant as the excitement and dark costumes may lead kids to make unusual street crossings and be hard to see.

Parents are asked to go with young children and carry a flashlight. Light-colored costumes that don't inhibit visibility are best. Treats should come home and be checked carefully by an adult before digging in.

A concerned reader urged me to include where to find the state police sex offender list. You can get it at cityofelgin.org, click on "police department" and then scroll down for the connection to the list.

I have only happy memories of years of fun with my brothers and sisters, with Dad walking along smoking his pipe. Let the good times keep rolling for today's kids!

Pingree's planner

Fresh off a year's volunteer coordination of the centennial celebration for Pingree Grove, Kathy Vavra has been hired by the village president and village board to be a part-time event coordinator for the village.

A holiday tree lighting (using the newly planted fir in Centennial Park) is planned for Nov. 25. A choir will lend charm, and ornaments for the tree will be made by children in schools. Warm beverages will be served to nip the chill. Fliers will be going out soon to welcome all.

In order to keep having successful events, ideas are needed.

Kathy is recruiting members to serve on a committee and would like to have a mix of heritage and new residents in the community. Some possible events could be summer music in the park, a community picnic, and fall festival in 2008.

Interested? Call Kathy at (847) 464-2093.

Start of long season

Those folks with clipboards in front of the library and city hall are an early warning sign that elections are coming again. Starting Monday and going through Nov. 5, candidates for county, state and federal elections will be filing for office. Even-numbered districts in Kane County, the circuit clerk, coroner, recorder of deeds, supervisor of assessments and state's attorney and various judicial seats will be on the ballot. Delegates and alternates for party candidates for president are also chosen.

The primary in Illinois has been moved up to Feb. 5, so you'll probably be getting more than holiday cards in your mail in December. Early voting will again be available in the lobby of Elgin city hall. Call City Clerk Diane Robinson at (847) 931-5660 for details on the primary election.

The play's the thing

Janus Theatre opens a three-weekend run of "The Misanthrope" at 8 p.m. Friday in the Elgin Art Showcase.

This play, called fun, relevant and timely by Sean Hargadon, producing director, features an all-star cast of mostly Elgin actresses and actors.

Hargadon says that hypocrisy never has gone out of style, and sophistication, obsession and love only complicate matters.

Hargadon loves the new venue the theater can use on the eighth floor of the Professional Building in downtown Elgin. He says it is warm and accommodating, fun to work in. Audiences love the different configurations of the stage and seating.

There will be a post-show reception on opening night. To make reservations, call the box office at (847) 931-0637 or visit www.janustheatre.org for general information.

Wrap on events

• The Shredfest at First Community Bank had 210 cars bring 16,500 pounds of material.

• The Chair-ity Hockey Game at Reike Office Interiors secured $25,000 for Easter Seals Mobility Clinic.

Thanks for your participation!