Exercise not of the mind, but of the body for Presidents Day

Tomorrow is Presidents Day, and a day off school. Consider sending your house-bound student to the Centre for a day of supervised fun and exercise.

From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. students ages 5 to 12 can have a full day of games, crafts, climb the rock wall and swim. They'll need to bring a lunch, snacks and their swimsuit and towel. Cost for residents is $36 and for non-residents, $42.

Also available is a drop-in for teens from 1 to 5 p.m. They'll get a wristband for $10 and can use the gym, climbing wall and swim.

Call Brett Lind at (847) 531-7017.

College scholarships

It's that time of the year -- college acceptance letters are rolling in. Elgin has two state senators and two state representatives and each can give out up to eight, one-year tuition waivers to any state school -- undergraduate or graduate.

Since their application processes and deadlines are all a little different, I called all the offices and compiled their information.

Each office said that a student should apply to both his/her representative and senator. When their respective committees have selected the winners, they compare notes so that there is no duplication -- the most you can win is one scholarship, but applying twice puts you before two different committees.

• Sen. Mike Noland: www.noland.org; completed form and supporting documents must be postmarked or delivered by 5 p.m. April 30 to 100 East Chicago St., Suite 302, Elgin 60120. Call Rich Jacobs at (847) 214-8864.

• Rep. Ruth Munson: www.ruthmunson.com; completed form and supporting documents must be postmarked or delivered in person by 5 p.m. April 16 to 1146 Dundee Ave., Elgin, 60120. Call Brian Boudreau at (847) 622-1048.

• Sen. Chris Lauzen: www.lauzen.com; completed form and supporting documents must be postmarked or delivered by 5 p.m. March 17 to 52 West Downer Place, Aurora, 60506. Call Kim Murphy at (630) 264-2334.

• Rep. Tim Schmitz: www.timschmitz.org; completed form and support documents must be on site by 3 p.m. April 18 (postmark is not acceptable) at 127 Hamilton St., Suite D, Geneva, 60134. Call Beth Goncher at (630) 845-9590.

Vintage clothing

For the 20th year, Cat's Pajamas Productions will bring its vintage clothing, jewelry and textile show to the Hemmens Auditorium on Friday and Saturday. Sara Cassidy, the show's manager, says there will be 75 booths on two floors of the auditorium.

Anyone coming in vintage clothing will get a discount on admission. Secret judges in the crowd will award gift certificates to be used at the show for the best and most imaginative costumes. The Dundee Historical Society will repeat its very successful "What is this item?" booth, with the winners getting gift certificates for the show.

For the first time, Friday night shoppers will be treated to a reception on the lower level. The Thomas Gunther Trio will play swing music while attendees will be treated to gourmet appetizers made by John Ridley of A Private Affair here in Elgin.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, there will be a fashion show by the International Academy of Design and Technology from Chicago. Two mini-presentations will be held on the lower level: at noon, the Care and Storage of Antique Clothing and at 1 p.m. the Versatility of Scarves.

Call (847) 697-3616.

Leader nominations

A sure sign of spring-to-come in Elgin is the beginning of the process leading to Leader Luncheon, sponsored by the YWCA. Nomination forms for the awards can up found at www.ywcaelgin.org. These awards honor outstanding women in the arts, business and professions, communications and technology, education, public service, social service and volunteer service. There also is a special award for Racial Justice. Forms and supporting documents are due at the YWCA by 4 p.m. March 20.

The awards will be given at the 25th annual luncheon at the Seville on May 8.

Call (847)742-7930.

Benefit dinner

The Willard Elementary PTO will host a spaghetti supper to benefit the family of Bradley Wendt, who has recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The supper will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the South Elgin Lions Club, 500 Fulton St. For more information or for reservations, call Angie DeLeon at (847) 608-9091.

An account has been set up in Bradley's name, and checks can be sent Steve Marquardt, Associated Bank, 3000 N. McLean Blvd. South Elgin 60177.