Move over Easter Bunny! It's time for an ornament hunt

A not-so-secret Santa invites us all to look for a little gold in the coming days. And silver. And, best of all, some green.

The same souls who have been decorating Raceway Woods trees and bushes with red ornaments the past two years -- prompting plenty of "Who did that?" and "Why are those here?" -- have now decorated the serene spot with gold, silver and green ornaments.

If you find one, you can turn it in for cash. Each one is worth a different amount, ranging from $5 to $20. They ask you only turn in one per family so that others can share in the fun.

Jack and Donna Redmer hope their festive ornament hunt will entice you to enjoy the peaceful, snowy trails at Raceway where you can find respite from the holiday rush, share some special family time or just commune with the birds. The Redmers are stewards of the peaceful former raceway tucked between West Dundee and Carpentersville's northern edge between Huntley Road and Route 31.

Once you find an ornament, you'll see it has directions attached on how to redeem it. You'll then turn them in at the Dundee Township office in the lower level of the Dundee Township Public Library building, 557 Barrington Ave., East Dundee.

Remember: Look for green, silver or gold ornaments. Please leave the red ones where they are ... for now.

The Redmers are hoping a local children's group would like to collect the red and any other uncollected ornaments after Jan. 1. That group will get $1 per red ornament and the cash for any remaining silver, green or gold baubles.

If your children's group is interested, send me a note or give me a call and we'll put your name in the hat. I'm at amack@dailyherald.com or (847) 931-5725.

Humbug City

The ornament hunt is far merrier than my last Friday at a big-chain store in the area. I'm pretty sure the Grinch is alive, well and thriving there.

As my hubby and I headed into the store, my foot caught on the entry rug, which had buckled since it was placed atop a loose door jamb. I turned into a windmill, my arms flapping futilely as I tried to regain my footing before toppling to the floor in a less-than-graceful cartwheel. Owie.

A bit freaked -- I've already had too many knee surgeries to count -- I tried to get up, but couldn't. That freaked out my hubby who asked a clerk for help. The dismissive clerk said he was busy helping someone else. I can't print what my husband then told him.

Eventually, my husband got loud enough to get a manager's attention.

Several customers -- all looking around in puzzlement at the store's employees standing there watching -- did stop and offered to assist. I thank each of you kind folks. You, clearly, have hearts.

As for me, my knees and hands are bruised, but will, hopefully, heal quickly. I'm not sure my holiday spirit will ever recover.

Holiday rush?

So am I a columnist with a grudge? Nope. This isn't about me or my knees. It's about people being kind to other people. When my hubby and I've shared this bad moment with others the past few days, almost everyone has had a similar tale to tell about how rude people seem to have become. Are we in such a hurry, so worried about lawsuits, so caught up in ourselves that we're forgetting to be kind?

I don't really believe that, for I saw the incredible outpouring from strangers for a little girl named Taylor Radtke as her family went through desperate times. But so many of you have told stories of people almost running them over with cars, elbowing them out of the way, not acknowledging them for opening doors or letting them into traffic that it's hard to believe this is the week before Christmas.

Shopping Mecca

Did you know there are 9,355 department stores in the United States? That's down from 9,589 in 2005. Combined, they have 789 million square feet of shopping space. Thanks to the U.S. Census Bureau for that fun fact. It's good to know there are lots of shopping options for us all out there.

Name that piece!

Have you named that piece yet? You have until 5 p.m. Friday to enter our contest to come up with the most creative entry to aptly name the public art piece in front of the Algonquin village hall. We'll have two winners and each will get a free wine tasting for 20 from the fine folks at Wine Styles in Lake in the Hills. They'll provide the wine. You can bring 19 of your closest friends -- or 18 of your closest friends and a certain friendly columnist. You probably shouldn't invite her to go shopping afterward, though.

Call (847) 931-5825 or e-mail amack@dailyherald.com to name that piece!

On the road

Given our very wintry weather of late, Debra Quackenbush of the McHenry County Health Department has some good tips for us as we ready for holiday travel. Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car … just in case.

Include snack food, chains or rope, a shovel, windshield scraper, water, extra hats, coats and gloves, road salt and sand, flashlights with extra batteries, help signs, a brightly colored flag, booster cables, blankets, flares, a cell phone, a portable charger and extra batteries, and a battery-powered radio. I think I only have about two of those items in my car.

Oh, Santa ...