Tri-Cities club briefs
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American Legion Post 75: Fox River-Geneva American Legion Post 75 will offer a "First Friday Fish Fry" from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Legion Hall, 22 S. Second St., Geneva. On the first Friday of every month, except this month when it will be Jan 8, it features a variety of seafood and chicken entrees with a wide selection of side dishes will be available at a cost of $7.50 to $9. Cocktails, beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages can be purchased from the cash bar. For information, call (630) 232-2171.
Sierra Club: The Valley of the Fox Sierra Club will present a program on "Upcycling - A Step Above Recycling" at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11 at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31). Upcycling is the practice of taking something that is a throwaway and repurposing it into something of greater utilization and intrinsic worth. Richard Fielding from Upcycle Products will be presenting, and he will have a display of rain barrels and composters that have been ecologically manufactured. The public is invited and there is no admission charge. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Terri Voitik at (630) 585-9212.
Geneva Rotary Club: The Rotary Club of Geneva is a service club whose members include business, professional and community leaders. It meets at 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Mill Race Inn in Geneva. For details, visit genevarotary.org.
Audubon Society: The Kane County Chapter of Illinois Audubon Society invites the public to these programs and activities. Visit www.kanecountyaudubon.org.
On Wednesday, Jan. 13, the monthly meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the barn at Peck Farm Park, Peck and Kaneville roads, about half-mile west of Randall Road in Geneva. Guest speaker Jack Shouba shares his pictures and tales of the unusual and fascinating "Animals of the Galapagos Islands." The meeting also will include the latest bird sightings, the opportunity to chat with other good folks who are interested in nature, refreshments, and the raffle. For details, call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.
On Saturday, Jan. 16, join Jerry Hope as he leads a car caravan on the rural roads of Kane County. Target birds for the day include snow buntings, horned larks, Lapland longspurs - birds not usually seen in town. The caravan will depart the Peck Farm Park parking lot at 8 a.m. For details, call Jerry Hope at (630) 377-1444.
On Saturday, Jan. 23, join a road trip to "Bald Eagle Watch Weekend" at 8 a.m. at Starved Rock State Park. This event, hosted by Illinois Audubon Society, features live birds of prey presentations along with eagle viewing. If you have been wanting to see bald eagles, there will be plenty of mature and immature ones to see. More information is available at illinoisaudubon.org. Contact Tim Balassie, the trip leader, at (630) 513-7345 if you have further questions.
Fox Valley Associates: The Fox Valley Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago will present a lecture for their winter Guest Night on Sunday, Jan. 17. The lecture is titled "Art in the Courtroom," presented by David Stark of the Art Institute of Chicago. This event will take place at the Herrington Inn, Geneva.
"Art in the Courtroom" will focus on court cases involving artists and art. The earliest lawsuit was brought by a painter, Artemesia Gentileschi, against a fellow artist for rape in the 17th century. Successful in her pursuit of justice, Artemesia went on to enjoy a brilliant career. In 1928, the sculpture of Brancusi was involved in a trial: a collector was accused of smuggling a manufactured product into his country without paying a tariff. The product in question was a Brancusi abstract bronze sculpture, "Bird in Space."
Stark, director of administration and interpretive media in the department of museum education at the AIC, will also discuss the trial of Dutch forger Hans van Meergeren, whose fake Vermeers fooled many experts, and an obscenity trial in Cincinnati over the exhibition of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe. This trial represented the first time a museum director risked being jailed over the contents of an exhibition.
The program will commence with a cash bar at 4:30 p.m. with the lecture beginning at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. This is a guest day; the fee for the program and dinner is $60 and reservations are necessary. For reservations, call Pam at (630) 377-5703 by Monday, Jan. 11.
St. Charles Mothers' Club: The St. Charles Mothers' Club will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at The Spice House, 577 S. Third St., Geneva. The club welcomes new members at any time. The club meets on the third Monday of every month. For information on the St. Charles Mothers Club, call (630) 217-MOMS or visit stcharlesmothersclub.org.
Sugar Grove Historical Society: The Sugar Grove Historical Society will hold a "Family Heirlooms Show and Tell" at its monthly program at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18 at the Bliss House, 259 Main St., Sugar Grove. Bring your family heirloom or photo to discuss. The Christmas quilt, hand quilted by Vickie Frantz, was won by Lori McCaffrey at the Dec. 7 raffle. McCaffrey is a volunteer at the Bliss House on Tuesdays. Bliss House is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays. See a display of Sugar Grove history. The book, "Sin-Qua-Sip: History of Sugar Grove Township" is available for $24. For details, call (630) 466-9726 or visit www.sugargrovehistory.org. The Sugar Grove Historical Society collects and preserves items of historic value relating to Sugar Grove Township since its 1834 settlement. They have civil and probate records for the area from 1839 to 1955.
Batavia American Legion Post 504: The next meeting of the Batavia American Legion Post 504 will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the VFW canteen, 645 S. River St. in Batavia. The Batavia American Legion Post 504 is currently looking for additional new members. If you or a member of your family has served in the military and would be interested in joining, call Don Nallenweg at (630) 406-9331 or visit the Web site at bataviapost504.org. Included in the Web site are photos of the new past commanders monument that was dedicated Dec. 5 at the Batavia west cemetery on Route 31.
Timely Talkers Toastmasters: Timely Talkers Toastmasters Club will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 20 and 27 at Valley Community Bank Clock Tower Plaza, 75 S. Randall Road, North Aurora. Timely Talkers Toastmasters Club of North Aurora invites all people interested in improving their oral communication and leadership skills to attend the supportive group. For information, call Lynne Noren at (708) 609-4983 or e-mail lynnenoren@dawsonsales.com.
Kane County Genealogical Society: The Kane County Genealogical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28 in the first-floor meeting room of the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. The topic for the evening will be "Digging in the Dirt: The History and Mysteries of the Will County Poor Farm and Potters' Fields" presented by Gina Wysocki of the University of St. Francis. Through this presentation, researchers will have a greater understanding of the development of early social service systems.
In the process of writing her book, Wysocki was able to identify one of several potters' fields in the city of Joliet and, since, it has been recognized as one of the area's earliest cemeteries. In her spare time she operates and directs tour services for those interested in Illinois fossil treasures. All are welcome to attend. For information, call (847) 697-1029 or e-mail kcgsinfo@wideopenwest.com.
Moms Connected: Moms Connected will meet from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28 at the west campus of First Baptist Church, 435 Keslinger Road, Geneva. It is a program for mothers of "tweens" and teens. It serves as a ministry to encourage, support and help moms connect with other women in this stage of teenage parenting. The Moms Connected morning includes an informative speaker, enjoyable table discussion, a continental breakfast and informal social time. Rob Rienow will be speaking on the topic "Developing Faith and Character in the Heart of Your Teen." For information about Rob Rienow, go to www.visionaryparenting.com.
To register, fill out a registration card at the welcome center, call (630) 232-7068, ext. 138 or e-mail jragains@fbcg.com before Tuesday, Jan. 26. Cost is $6 per person at the door. Childcare is available for $4 per child. Children need to be registered and prepaid one week in advance at the east campus to secure a spot. For details, visit www.fbcg.com.
North Aurora Mothers Club: The North Aurora Mothers Club will host its annual fundraiser - The North Aurora Winter Gala - from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Fox Valley Country Club in North Aurora. It will include hors d'oeuvres, dinner buffet, open bar, raffles and silent auction, with entertainment provided by Music by Design and a special performance by Moves Dance Studio.
In addition, there will be a pre-raffle before the gala; tickets are being sold now. The first prize is $1,000; tickets are $10 each and the winner does not need to be present at the gala. As the club's largest fundraising event, the proceeds from the Winter Gala will go toward supporting the community. Since its inception in 1997, the North Aurora Mothers Club has dispersed more than $150,000 toward programs benefiting local children and their families as well as the police department, fire department, library and community outreach programs.
North Aurora Mothers Club is currently seeking contributions from individuals and business for the Winter Gala. Those interested in helping make a difference in the community can make a donation or to attend the event and purchase tickets in advance, visit northauroramothersclub.org. Tickets are $50 per person only while supplies last. Membership is open to all those who are interested. For information, visit northauroramothersclub.org.
Boy Scout Troop 3: Troop 3 is preparing for its 100th anniversary in 2010. As part of that preparation, volunteers are updating troop history. Rosters going back to 1920 have been found and lists of boys and adult leaders from 1920 through 1949 have been compiled. Members of the troop would like to contact scouts and adults from these early years to learn more about the history of the troop. If you know how to contact former members or their family members, or would like information about the lists, please contact Jerry Roesner at (630) 892-1904 or Ed Stredde at (630) 896-6324, or send e-mail to troop3rosters@yahoo.com.
Troop 3 would also like any other information related to Troop 3 history, Bob's Hill Boys books, Troop 3 alumni, and Eagle projects completed by members of Troop 3.
Troop 3 is in the Foxfire District of the Three Fires Council, part of Boy Scouts of America. The troop is chartered by the New England Congregational Church, a charter that dates back to 1910. The troop has long been informally known as "Bob's Hill Boys," in association with books written by Charles Pierce Burton.
In 2008, the Three Fires Council served over 36,600 youth throughout DuPage, Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, and parts of Will and Cook counties. Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For more information please visit www.threefirescouncil.org.
Pottawatomie Garden Club: "Beyond the Garden Gate" is the theme of the 2010 biennial Pottawatomie Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 10. Five homes are featured. For the first time in 15 years, a garden boutique will be in one of the gardens. Another garden will have refreshments. Tickets will be available in April on the club's Web site, pottagardenclub.org, from club members and sites in St. Charles.