From the clubs
To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
Hampshire-Burlington Jaycees: The Hampshire-Burlington Jaycees would like to invite prospective members to a membership social on Thursday, Feb. 12, at Corkshire Pub in Hampshire. The event takes place from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. after the general membership meeting. Prospective members will meet a number of members who will help them learn a bit about the organization without feeling the pressure to join. And show them just how much fun and rewarding it is to be a Jaycee.
Haven't shopped for your valentine yet? The Jaycees have invited home-based businesses from the area to bring great last-minute ideas.
Every year, the Hampshire/Burlington Jaycees conduct numerous programs to serve the community and accumulate funds for operation of the chapter and community donations. Some of our projects in Double Decker Poker Run, food drive for the Hampshire-Burlington Food Pantry, Bar Olympics, Spring Faire, Pictures at Santa Comes to Hampshire and more.
They have already started planning events for 2009. Join the "Mardi Gras" Bar Olympics at Corkshire Pub on Feb. 28. They are planning the "Double Decker Poker Run" for March and the annual Spring Faire/Easter egg Hunt on April 4 at St. John Lutheran Church on French Road.
The chapter holds their monthly general meeting at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at Corkshire Pub in Hampshire. For information, contact Michelle Kollins at michellekollins@foxvalley.net or visit hbjaycees.org.
AARP: The McHenry County Chapter of AARP will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Fountains of Crystal Lake, 965 N. Brighton Circle West. The subject will be "Exercise for Seniors." Refreshments are served. For chapter information, call Glenn at (815) 477-1952 or Fran at (847) 658-7222.
Elgin Junior Woman's Club: Are you looking for something fun to do with your sweetheart on Valentine's Day on Saturday, Feb. 14? The Elgin Junior Woman's Club is hosting a "Chocolate and Champagne" evening at Benedict's Eggs and More in East Dundee. This event features chocolates from Cocoa Cabana in West Dundee as well as appetizers and champagne. There will also be raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing. You must be 21 to attend. Tickets are $35 and proceeds will benefit The All People's Interfaith Food Pantry. For information or to make a reservation, call Sue at (847) 428-2966.
Elgin AAUW: The Elgin Area branch of the American Association of University Women will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Elgin Art Showcase at the Professional Building, 164 Division St., Elgin. Parking is available in the city lot. The program will be presented by Sylvia Grady, coordinator of the Art Showcase. Sylvia was previously employed as a classroom teacher and art instructor for Elgin Area School District U-46. An artist and performer in her own right, she has served as a commissioner and chairwoman of the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission. Her program will be "The Changing Face of Art in Elgin." She will speak about the development of the Art Showcase and grants available through the Cultural Arts Commission. She also will discuss her work as coordinator of the Artspace project for the city of Elgin. Artspace is a leading nonprofit real estate developer for the arts. The meeting is open to the public.
Fox Valley Men of Harmony: Barbershop quartets from the Fox Valley Men of Harmony will deliver singing valentines to surprised sweethearts on Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14, in the Fox Valley area. Singing valentines are delivered to homes, restaurants, classrooms, hospital rooms, offices etc. between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Formally dressed barbershop quartets deliver two love songs, a red rose and a personalized card to your valentine. The cost is $50. To order, call Arnie at (847) 931-1432 or email arn24@aol.com.
Rotary Club: The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Rotary Club is hosting "Romance the Night" from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, 800 S. Route 31. Tickets are $50 each. The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. with a two-hour open bar cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres, carving stations, raffle prizes, many wonderful silent auction packages, a sweet table with a cash bar during live auction and music for dancing with live DJ. Odds of winning are great as this party is limited to 250 guests so make your reservation today.
All proceeds from "Romance the Night" will be directed to support youth and many programs in the community. For information or to purchase tickets, call Mary Ann O'Hara at (847) 854-8051. For information, visit www.alglithrotary.org or e-mail romancthenight@gmail.com. Payment can be with a Pay Pal account, MasterCard, Visa, etc.
Elgin LWV: Candidates vying for the 2-year term on the Elgin City Council will be featured in a League of Women Voters of Elgin candidate forum at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. The candidate meeting will be held in the community meeting room at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. A primary election will be held Feb. 24 to narrow the slate to four for the April election. The public is invited to attend this forum to hear and compare the view of candidates in an open, unbiased setting. Candidates will make a statement and then take questions from the audience. For information, call (847) 697-0988.
Elgin American Legion Post 57: The Elgin American Legion Post 57 will host a breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 at the post home, 820 N. Liberty St., Elgin. This breakfast is open to the public. The menu and prices are: steak and eggs, $6; eggs to order with sausage, bacon, and potatoes, $4.50 or with two pancakes/no potato $5. Omelets are $5 with cheese, mushrooms, green, red or hot peppers. Also included are white or wheat toast, juice and coffee, as well as a few other beverage specials. In addition, the American Legion hall is available for rental for any event. For details, call (847) 741-1684.
St. Charles Mothers Club: The St. Charles Mothers Club will hold its February monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at Hosanna! Lutheran Church, Randall and Red Gate roads in St. Charles. After a brief business meeting, members will be participating in an Intro to Bikram Yoga class. The session will be taught by an instructor from St. Charles Bikram Yoga. Any prospective member is invited to this meeting. For club information, call (630) 217-MOMS or visit stcharlesmothersclub.org. For details on yoga, contact (630) 513-YOGA or visit www.bikramyogastcharles.com.
Fox Valley Beaux Arts: The Fox Valley Beaux Arts will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. The evening will be a "Potpourri," a showcase for members' talents, as well as favorite examples of artistry that inspire members. There will also be a silent auction of household treasures. All those who support the arts in the Elgin area are welcome to join Beaux Arts in an enjoyable evening. For information on the meeting or to become a member, call Marge Haefliger at (847) 697-7374.
Barrington Area LWV: Should the President be elected by direct popular vote? While the last election went smoothly, this is still a pressing question for citizens of this country. Join the League of Women Voters of the Barrington Area for a brief recorded presentation and lively discussion of this issue at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the Barrington Area Public Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy. It is open to the public, no charge.
Tri-City Evergreen VFW: The Ladies Auxiliary of Tri-City Evergreen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2298 will host a chili dinner featuring chili, hot dog and dessert from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at the post home, 117 S. First St. in West Dundee. For details, call Fran Ganshow at (847) 426-2205.
Altrusa International: Altrusa International Club of Elgin, together with Covenant Women Ministries, presents "Night of Music Concert" on Thursday, Feb. 19. Love songs will be performed by featured soloists, Rise Jones and Betty Brown. Also performing will be Ralph Cox on piano/organ; Richard Osborn on violin; and Murna Hansemann on piano. The program starts at 7 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 1565 Larkin Ave. in Elgin. There will be a reception after the program. For details, call the church at (847) 888-2302.
Elgin Genealogical Society: The Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 in the first-floor meeting room of the Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. After a short business meeting, guests and members will participate in a game of "Genealogical Jeopardy." The morning group enjoyed this activity in January and now the evening group will take a try at this fun learning activity. For information, visit the Web site at www.elginroots.com.
Fox Valley ABWA: The Fox Valley Charter chapter of the American Business Women's Association presents a program on publicity coverage and news release information, led by James Hill of mhn PR & Internet Marketing, for the February meeting. Join an evening of networking along with the opportunity to learn skills to promote your company or business. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road in Elgin. The $15 charge, which includes dinner and the program, is due by Feb. 12. Reservations can be made by contacting Vickie Cashmore at (847) 220-1173 or contact foxvalleyabwa@sbcglobal.net.
Plato Center HCE: The Plato Center Unit for Home and Community Education will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Plato Township Hall, 10N924 Rippburger Road, Plato Center. The hostesses are Joan Rosse, Elsje Starrenburg and Joan Ziethen. Because the January meeting was canceled because of the weather, they will be presenting the lesson "Maximizing Kitchen Appliances-Slow Cookers." The lesson will be presented by Joan Rossi with the help of Nancy Haire, Jackie Anderson and Joan Ziethen. For information about any of the 10 units in Kane County, call the Extension Office at (630) 584-6166 or to attend the Plato Center meeting call Joan at (847) 931-8120. All are welcome.
Welcome Club: The Welcome Club of the Fox Valley invites those with an interest in knowing more about the club, and their various activities, to a get-acquainted membership coffee at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the home of board member Joan Brady. Call (630) 482-9090, or (630) 262-0815 for information, location and directions.
It is a social and philanthropic organization for women in the area who are interested in meeting and making new friends through various social and fundraising activities. This coffee is open to new residents to the area, and club members are encouraged to come to meet the board members and learn more about the club and the various special interest groups coordinated by members. Club activities include breakfast, lunch, and dinner outings; group games such as bunco, bridge, mah-jongg, pinochle, tile rummy, Mexican train dominoes, and scrabble; Lifestories, a memoir group, mini-book groups, movie and theater outings; a sewing group; a walking group; a special singles group; an end of year picnic; informal dinner parties, and more. New activities and interests groups are added frequently by our members. Many of members reside in areas around the Fox Valley, including Aurora, Batavia, Bartlett, Elburn, Elgin, Geneva, Lily Lake, Maple Park, North Aurora, St. Charles, South Elgin, Sugar Grove and surrounding areas. The group meets regularly during the months of September through June. Each monthly meeting includes a meet and greet, which kicks off the meeting, followed by a short general business meeting, an entertaining and informative program. The annual membership fee of $25 provides you with a membership directory and a monthly newsletter that recaps the upcoming monthly events and activities. For membership information call Carol at (630) 482-9090, or Dawn (630) 262-0815, or visit www.welcomeclubfoxvalley.org.
McHenry County WIM: Carson Pirie Scott Community Day Coupon Books are now available through McHenry County Women In Management. All proceeds benefit WIMs scholarships to three local women that will be awarded this spring. The books are $5 each and contain a $10 coupon good on any item $10 or over, plus other discounts. Coupons may be used at Carson's Community Day event, Feb. 27 and 28 at all Carson Pirie Scott locations. Coupons may also be used online. The annual scholarship program provides three $1,000 scholarships to deserving local women. One scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior, one is awarded to a woman continuing her education, a third is awarded to a female student of any age who has overcome a significant hardship. Applications will be available at the WIM Web site shortly and awards will be presented at the group's June luncheon. To purchase a booklet or for information, e-mail mchenrycounty@wimonline.org or call (815) 363-2693 before Feb. 19.
Knights of Columbus: The Monsignor Henry Schryer Council 654 of the Knights of Columbus will host its 11th annual Chili for Charity Cook-off on Saturday, Feb. 21. The event will take place at St. Thomas More School, 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Judging will commence at 1:30 p.m. The doors will open to the public at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 in advance, or $7 at the door. For details, visit www.kofc654.org/chili.
Kane County Audubon Society: The Kane County Audubon Society will join the Chicago Lake Front Gull Frolic at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Meet at Peck Farm parking lot, located at Peck and Kaneville roads to car pool to Chicago. For information, call Tim Balassie at (630) 513-7345.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, join "Fox River Birding By Car" at 8 a.m. Meet at Peck Farm parking lot to car pool. For information, call Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386. Visit www.kanecountyaudubon.org.
Toastmasters Club: The Crystal Lake Toastmasters Club is holding its International Speech Contest from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at Amcore Bank, 5100 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake. Community audience members are welcome and invited to attend. For information, visit www.crystallaketoastmasters.org; or contact Connie Bartholomew at (847) 337-1204 or cbartholomew19@yahoo.com.
Huntley Lions: The Huntley Lions Club is again inviting the community to the annual February Steak Fry Dinner. The meal will feature a charcoal broiled steak, baked potato, salad, rolls, coffee and milk. Lions Club members and Huntley High School students will serve your meal at the American Legion Hall at Coral and Woodstock streets in Huntley. This year's Steak Fry will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. The cost is $15 per person. Children can get a hamburger for $4 or a free hot dog when accompanied by their parents. Tickets are available through Lions Club members or at Hoppy's Barbershop. Limited tickets will be available at the door. For details, call Jim Heavey at (847) 669-5636.
Elgin Junior Woman's Club: Elgin Junior Woman's Club is celebrating 75 years of friendship and service at a Diamond Anniversary luncheon. The festivities will be held March 7 at Villa Olivia Country Club in Bartlett. Call Loretta Revesz at (847) 224-4318 or e-mail to, slr735@comcast.net to be included in this memorable event.