A chance to honor a teacher
If you've seen Jacobs High School basketball coach Jim Hinkle pacing courtside, you would know his passion for the game.
The fight for his wife has been less visible, but is no less passionate.
Off court, he's fought fiercely to keep his life partner near even as she battled the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease.
But Barbara Hinkle, a long-time Community School District 300 kindergarten teacher, is now in her waning days and will soon go to a nursing care facility in her hometown of downstate Carlinville.
Before her disease-prompted retirement in 2003, she touched many lives. Before she goes, her husband hopes you'll touch hers.
The coach and Barb's mom hope you'll take the time to tell Barb goodbye at an open house from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Hinkle home, 333 Lincoln St., Algonquin.
Although she's lost the ability to speak, Jim believes Barb will remember many faces. They'd love for you to stop by.
On stage!
Got an open night this weekend? The curtain goes up on "Little Shop of Horrors" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Blizzard Theater at Elgin Community College this weekend, thanks to a creative effort and partnership between Dundee Middle School and ECC.
As the middle school's choral director, Mona Jethmalani, puts it, the production features 100 student cast members and one giant, alien space plant.
She promises "thrills, chills and mayhem" in the musical spoof of monster movies from the 1950s. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children and students. Get them by calling (847) 622-0300 or online at elgin.edu/arts. They may also be available at the door. I hear it's an amazing production. Check it out!
Remembering
Even as St. Charles canceled this year's Memorial Day parade after being notified by the local American Legion that there was "a lack of participation," other towns are gearing up to honor those who made the greatest sacrifice for us.
Lots of local folks are working hard to honor our fallen veterans at other area parades. Dane Willman of Carpentersville tells me he'll have two floats in the Dundee Memorial Day parade at 2 p.m. Sunday. One float will honor our veterans and prisoners of war. The other is a return of the Dickens Village that made its first appearance at the Dickens in Dundee parade.
The parade starts in East Dundee and travels along Route 72 to West Dundee, winding up at Grafelman Park.
Ten-hut!
Elgin is also gearing up for a big-time Memorial Day salute on Monday. Services start at 8:45 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, 9:15 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park, and 9:45 a.m. at the Highland Avenue bridge and 11 a.m. at Bluff City Cemetery. Check your town's Web sites for other events.
Free grub!
Before you attend the Dundee event, the folks at Bethlehem Lutheran Church invite us all to stop by for some free food and fellowship at their fun fair from noon to 2 p.m.
And when they say free food they mean it. Christine Gross tells me they have donations from Jamba Juice, Chili's, Olive Garden, Trader Joe's, Panera Bread, Masi's Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings. The church is providing free hot dogs and popcorn as well. They're at 401 W. Main St., right across from Grafelman Park, where the parade ends. They'll have plenty of games and prizes for children and adults. The games are four for $1 and they ask you pay for water and pop.
No ribbin'
Like ribs? Check out the seventh annual Rib Fest in Elgin with live music, fun and plenty of ribs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. Al's Café & Creamery, Famous Kal's, Boondocks B-B-Q and Grill, M.T. Barrels Restaurant & Brewery, Hemmens Concessions, Elgin Public House, Canyon Creek Bar-B-Q, A Private Affair Ltd., and JC's Barbecue will be firing up the grills. Stop by!
Not buying
Kaye Gamble of Sleepy Hollow asked me to invite all of you concerned about the West Dundee Wal-Mart proposal to make sure you attend the continuation of the planning and zoning commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 27 at Randall Oaks golf course on Binnie Road just west of Randall Road.
It sounds like lots of you still have questions and concerns. As I wrote previously, it's good to have discussion and hear all the facts before you react. On all sides. I hope this time, the commission will be sure to let the residents speak first.