Fox Valley club briefs
To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
AARP: The McHenry County Chapter of AARP will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Fountains of Crystal Lake, on Route 31, one mile north of Route 176. The guest speaker will be Wayne Pearson of Lifestyle Energy. Refreshments are served. For chapter information call Glenn at (815) 477-1952 or Fran at (847) 658-7222.
Elgin AAUW: On Saturday, Feb. 13, the Elgin Area Branch of the American Association of University Women will present a special program. Children's author and storyteller Lynn Rymarz will portray "Martha Washington: Our Founding Mother." Rymarz has been entertaining audiences with her portrayals of historical women since 2005. Her stories have been published in the children's magazines, Cricket and Highlights. In her portrayal of Martha Washington, Rymarz will share the story of how she met and married George Washington. She will share Martha's favorite recipes, including one for cough medicine. You will have the opportunity to hear the stories about George's wooden teeth and him chopping down the cherry tree. You will also hear of George's role during the Revolutionary War and how he became the nation's first president. The community is invited to this program at 9:30 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 1070 South St. in Elgin. There is no fee for the program. Mothers are particularly encouraged to come with their daughters. For information on the AAUW, call Gareth Sitz at (847) 695-6719 or e-mail garethsitz@sbcglobal.net. For information on Rymarz, visit lynnrymarz.com.
Fox Valley Chapter - Dance USA: A benefit for Butter the Comfort Dog will be held in conjunction with Greater Fox Valley Chapter - Dance USA, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. Doors open at 7 p.m. with a free waltz lesson from 7:30 to 8 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran's Activity Center, 300 Jefferson St. in Algonquin. Admission is $12 per person or $8 for USA Dance members. The waltz is included in the admission price is taught by professional ballroom dance instructors Frank and Joyce Penze. Ballroom, Latin and swing music provided by DJ "Dr. Rod." Snacks and beverages are available. Complimentary cake and coffee are provided. Dress code is dressy casual; no blue jeans or gym shoes. For information, call St. John at (847) 658-9300.
Elgin American Legion: American Legion Post 57, 820 N. Liberty St., Elgin, hosts a variety of activities and events which are open to the public. The American Legion Hall is available for rental for any event. For details, call (847) 741-1684. The next "Second Sunday Breakfast" will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. It is held the second Sunday of the month, September through May. 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 and include 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.
Stop by for its weekly Family Burger and Steak Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, or enjoy the weekly Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. at the post home. It features your choice of haddock, perch, catfish, and shrimp with all the trimmings.
The American Legion serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. There are miscellaneous lunch specials Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and spaghetti and roast beef sandwich lunch Thursdays and fried chicken or fish fry lunch Fridays.
Post 57 also invites the community to bingo Sundays starting at 1:30 p.m. with Early Bird Bingo and regular bingo at 2 p.m. It is also offered Fridays, with Early Bird Bingo at 7 p.m. and regular bingo at 7:30 p.m.
Valley Model Railroad Association: The Valley Model Railroad Association will have a portable layout at the monthly DuPage Train show. The show will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 2 and June 6 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, County Farm and Manchester roads in Wheaton. Admission is $7 or free for children under 12. The layout is HO scale, runs Digital Command Control, and has working signals. The public is welcome to run trains on the layout. For information about the show visit www.dupageshow.com. The model railroad club invites the public to view the layouts from 8 to 10 p.m. on various Fridays of the month at the club house, 33W519 Kenyon Road, off Route 25 in South Elgin. See the HO layout in progress and watch the trains run. You can run one of the club members trains for a donation. Reservations are required by contacting Steve Foglio at (847) 530-6039 or fogs13@comcast.net.
Altrusa International Club: The Altrusa International Club of Elgin with the Covenant Women Ministries presents its third annual popular free "Night of Music Concert" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 1565 Larkin Avenue, in Elgin.
A variety of love songs will be performed by soloists Betty Brown, Jeorge Holmes, Rise Jones, and Julie Golden, accompanied by Murna Hansemann at the piano, with dance duo James and Mary Rees Freeman. A reception for attendees will immediately follow the concert.
The objectives of the Altrusa International Club of Elgin are to cultivate friendly relationships, promote mutual understanding and foster the solidarity of women who are actively engaged in business and professions. Altrusa Club members engage in a variety of fundraising activities throughout the year, including the annual garage sale, to raise funds for local Elgin area nonprofits. It also hosts the annual Altrusa Woman of the Year Award recognizing a local woman for her outstanding community service.
This year's president is Joanna Wester with the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra. Members reside throughout the Fox Valley area from Algonquin, Bartlett, Elgin, Hampshire, Huntley, Pingree Grove, St. Charles, Sleepy Hollow, South Elgin and Wheaton. For information about the Altrusa International Club of Elgin and the free concert, contact Murna Hansemann at (847) 742-6431.
Elgin Genealogical Society: The Elgin Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 in the first-floor meeting room of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. After a short business meeting, John Lamb, professor emeritus at Lewis University in Romeoville, will speak on "The Illinois and Michigan Canal and its Impact on the Midwest, Illinois, and Chicago." Visitors and guests are welcome. Visit elginroots.com for further information and helpful links for genealogical research.
Plato Center HCE: The Plato Center Unit of Home and Community Education will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19 at the Plato Township Hall, 10N924 Rippburger Road in Plato Center. The hostesses are Lorry DuSell, Harriet Bradley and Gina Kelm. The lesson is "Maintaining Your Household System," presented by Jackie Anderson, Nancy Haire and Joan Rossi. They will be making plans for the cough pillow workshop and discussing the International Luncheon being held in April. Guests are welcome. Call Joan at (847) 931-8120 to attend this meeting or to attend any of the 10 units in Kane County, call the Extension Office at (630) 584-6166.
Audubon Society: The Kane County Chapter of Illinois Audubon Society invites the public to these programs and activities.
On Saturday, Feb. 20, join the "Gull Frolic" at the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club. The Illinois Ornithological Society, celebrating its ninth year, is sponsoring this event which includes food (including "Sea Gull Stew"), booths and a view of lots and lots of gulls, ducks, and other water fowl in the harbor. A $10 registration fee covers breakfast and lunch. More information is available at the IOS Web site. Contact Bob Andrini at (630) 584-8386.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, take a bird walk at 8 a.m. at Les Arends Forest Preserve, Batavia. Local naturalist Jon Duerr will lead a walk, and share his extensive knowledge, along the river to view water fowl as well as other birds that winter-over in Illinois. Meet at Les Arends which lies along the Fox River, south of Main Street and north of Route 56. For information, call Jon at (630) 584-5891. Visit www.kanecountyaudubon.org.
Cary-Grove Rotary Club: The local Rotary Club of Cary-Grove is collecting donations for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Donations will benefit the Haiti Charitable Foundation administered by Rotary International for aid to those in need in Haiti. Donations are being accepted at both Harris Bank locations in Cary and Fox River Grove, as well as Cary Bank & Trust. Donations should be made payable to "Cary-Grove Rotary Charitable Fund." This fund is a 501(c)3, and donations are tax-deductible as allowed; consult with your tax adviser. For details, call Phil Horn of the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove at (847) 639-9467.
McHenry County Women in Management: Certified financial planner Jennifer Dallas will be the featured speaker at McHenry County Women in Management's February luncheon. The luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Shah Center for Corporate Training and Illinois Small Business Development Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane, McHenry. Her presentation will encourage the audience to discover their money personality, provide basic investment strategies and ways to maximize retirement savings. She will also offer useful tips on saving and spending. Dallas is a financial advisor and certified financial planner with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Barrington and has worked in the financial services industry since 1999. She is focused on helping women, especially those who have been widowed or recently divorced. She is a past recipient of Women In Management's Charlotte Danstrom Award. Cost per person is $20 for members, $25 for guests. To make a reservation or for information, call (815) 363-2693, visit wimonline.org or e-mail mchenrycounty@wimonline.org.
Elgin Knights of Columbus: On Saturday, Feb. 20, the Monsignor Henry Schryer Council 654 Knights of Columbus will host their 12th annual Chili For Charity Cook-off and Dinner from 3:30 to 7 p.m. This fundraiser will be held at St. Thomas More School gym, 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. There will be 50 different chilis to choose from as contestants compete for the number one chili and prizes. Proceeds will benefit Elgin Catholic Schools, Elgin Soup Kettle and Elgin Youth Sports. For information, visit kofc654.org.
Crystal Clear Toastmasters: Crystal Clear Toastmasters will host a "Speak-A-Thon" on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Panera Bread, 6000 Northwest Hwy. in Crystal Lake. This is an opportunity to make progress on your leadership and speaker manuals or finish an educational award before the end of the quarter. Toastmaster, speaker, evaluator, general evaluator, timer and grammarian roles are available. To register for this event and reserve your slot between 2 and 5 p.m., contact April M. Williams at aprilmwilliams@live.com. Include your speech information (speech length, manual name, project number and title) and desired leadership roles. All speakers will also participate as evaluators or other roles. All Toastmasters in good standing may participate. This session is open to the public and guests are welcome to attend. Bring your speech and/or leadership manuals, and be prepared to evaluate for someone else. All speakers to print their speech introduction and bring this to the session. There is no fee to participate. Attendees can purchase a meal, snack or drink from the sponsor, Panera Bread.
Lincoln State Cat Club: The Lincoln State Cat Club's 50th anniversary show will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27-28 at Harper College in Palatine. See the best of the breeds in the Midwest compete for "Best in Show" among eight rings, talk with the breeders, listen to and ask questions at the education ring and shop for anything cat at more than 20 vendor booths. Admission is $8 per person with children under age 6 admitted free of charge. To print a coupon for a $1 off admission or for information, visit lscats.org.
Backyard Garden Club: Backyard Garden Club of Dundee Township, started in 1995, has designated a scholarship for students within Community Unit District 300. Individuals that apply for this scholarship must be a graduating senior, college freshman, sophomore or junior. Individuals that apply for the scholarship must submit an application that demonstrates educational or professional goals related to the environmental sciences. The scholarship is based on academic ability as well as financial need. Interested applicants should contact their District 300 guidance offices for details or e-mail Debbie Wollenberg, deb14119@msn.com. Application deadline is April 9.