Courier News

Top chefs offer up fresh takes on taco night

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:44:47 -0500

When salsa overtook ketchup as America’s favorite condiment in the 1990s, you had to know that “taco night” wasn’t far behind. Simple, satisfying and inexpensive, hard or soft tacos filled with meat, cheese and a what-have-you of veggies have become a staple for busy families. Sales of taco shells, seasonings and other products have grown steadily over the last decade, said Juv Marchisio, senior marketing manager for B&G Foods, which owns the Ortega brand. Research suggests that about half of all Americans indulge in tacos at home. And why not? Tacos offer communal family dining at its best: There’s no …

S. Elgin Lions honors members

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:27:58 -0500

SOUTH ELGIN — The South Elgin Lions have been involved in the community since 1954. During the club’s recent installation dinner, several Lions were honored for service. Paul Groth of South Elgin was given the Lions International Leadership Award, the third-highest award on the international level; and the Jim and Joyce Davis Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest awards on the district level. These awards were presented by District 1J Governor Leo Snyder. Over the last several years, Groth has assumed additional responsibilities, and he is known as the “go-to guy” in the district. He has assisted with major …

Good Times: Annual Golf Classic scores for Marklund

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:40:00 -0500

For 30 years, golf enthusiasts have hit the links in support of Marklund. The 31st annual Marklund Golf Classic on May 30 attracted 210 golfers and an additional 60 diners. They raised more than $157,000 in proceeds.

When your mate gains weight

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:40:49 -0500

No more jackets, hats, boots or gloves. It is time to bring out the shorts, tank tops, flip-flops and, oh yeah, the dreaded swim suits. Funny. The suit seemed to go on a lot easier at the end of last summer. The drawstring on the board shorts didn’t appear to strain to connect the two ends. Is it possible that you might have grown taller over the winter, since the one-piece bathing suit doesn’t stretch as well from thigh to shoulder? Mmmmm. Probably not. So when you grab the beach gear and whip on the summer wear and then say …

Literacy Connection celebrates at annual Tutor/Learner Recognition

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:29:38 -0500

ELGIN — Jennifer Bornekomosa celebrated more than 250 hours of tutoring during 2012-13 at The Literacy Connection’s Annual Tutor/Learner Recognition held recently at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin. Bornekomosa averaged nearly five hours per week of regular meetings with her adult learner, Bertha, who also was recognized for exceptional attendance. Bornekomosa began tutoring Bertha in December 2006. She has logged more than 800 hours of service since then. More than 100 other tutors and their learners gathered at the annual event to celebrate their outstanding efforts during the past year, according to a release from the Literacy Connection. Certificates …

Elgin DNA director Jason Pawlowski leaving

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:29:11 -0500

Elgin: DNA director Jason Pawlowski leaving The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin announced Monday that managing director Jason Pawlowski has accepted a new position to be the marketing manager for the St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It is with a profound sense of excitement tempered with some sadness that I announce this move,” said Pawlowski in a statement. “Even though I’m not an Elgin resident, the people of this city have adopted me as one of their own; and after three years of seeing the impact the Downtown Neighborhood Association can have on revitalizing our downtown, I have never …

Children’s Theatre of Elgin ushers in new era with ‘iSing’

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:07:30 -0500

ELGIN — When Allison Cherry stepped onto the Children’s Theatre of Elgin stage in 1992 as a second-grader, she never dreamed that she would one day end up running the show. But 20 years later, as writer and director of CTE and Fox Valley Theatre Company’s annual combined summer show, she is leading a whole new generation of artistic staff, most of whom grew up performing with CTE/FVTC. Cherry, a 28-year-old teacher at Prairie View Grade School near Elgin, directs CTE/FVTC’s “iSing: Sounds of a New Generation,” which will be presented June 21-23 and June 28-30 at the Elgin Community …

Free summer lunch program for Elgin youth offered

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:40:40 -0500

Elgin: Free summer lunch program for youth offered The city’s parks and recreation department, Northern Illinois Food Bank and several local churches are teaming again up to provide free nutritious lunches to youth this summer. “We are concerned about the health of our children, and we want to make sure that they are not going hungry and that they are learning to eat food that is nutritious,” said Elgin Parks and Recreation Director Randy Reopelle. The lunches will be provided to Elgin-area children age 18 and under from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from now to Aug. …

Historical Society House, Garden Walk is back

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:53:07 -0500

After a five year hiatus, the Dundee Township Historical Society is bringing back its popular House and Garden Walk fundraiser. The tour had been held for several decades on a bi-annual basis but was halted due to lack of volunteers to help get it off the ground. Marge Edwards, president of the Dundee Township Historical Society, said nearly 40 volunteers are helping to put this year’s event together. Set from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22, the House and Garden Walk will include self guided tours of six historic locations and three gardens in the East Dundee, West …

World Blood Donor Day is June 14

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:36:05 -0500

The World Health Organization started World Blood Donor Day 10 years ago to raise awareness of the increased need for donated blood products and to thank voluntary blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14, but its message is communicated worldwide throughout the entire month of June, according to a release from Heartland Blood Centers. Organizations around the world, including Heartland Blood Centers, a non-profit medical organization providing transfusion medicine services to 48 hospitals in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, is recognizing World Blood Donor Day by educating the public of …

Fox Valley: Feline Rescue adoptions free in June

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:36:52 -0500

Fox Valley’s Guardian Angel’s Feline Rescue is hosting an open adoption this month for rescued, abandoned and abused feline’s with no adoption fee to qualified adopters. Also, the organization will have a fundraiser yard and book sale from noon to 5 p.m. June 28 to 30 at 421 Martin Drive in South Elgin. Persons who have items to donate for this sale, or interested are in adopting or fostering a feline, can call (847) 931-4535. Donations also are appreciated in helping with the ongoing expense for needed medical care that all felines require. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box …

Dundee Township Rotary names ‘Service Above Self’ award winner

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:37:47 -0500

The Dundee Township Rotary Club has recognized Barbara Ferguson of Sleepy Hollow with the club’s special “Service Above Self” Award. “Our club is pleased to honor Barbara for her years of dedicated service within our community,” said Jim Bolz, president of the Dundee Township Rotary Club. “Barbara embodies the object of Rotary, which is to encourage and foster the ideal of service.” Andy Alpeter, Service Above Self Award chairman and past president of the club, added, “Barbara is a great lady who has and continues to dedicate herself to working within the Dundee communities to make our area a better …

Elgin event this month draws attention to esophageal cancer

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:37:16 -0500

Before her father’s diagnosis with the esophageal cancer that would ultimately take his life, Kayla Geier had never even heard of the disease. That’s why she and her sister Meghan created the “Smiles for Bob 5K,” a fundraiser event that aims to increase esophageal cancer awareness. The “Smiles 4 Bob 5K” race is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 195 Nesler Road in Elgin. “My dad passed away four months after his diagnosis,” said Geier, who lives in West Virginia but grew up in Elgin. “I had never even heard of esophageal cancer before. …

Elgin Police walk-and-talk scheduled for June 18

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:39:18 -0500

Elgin: Police walk-and-talk is scheduled for Tuesday The Elgin Police Department will kick off its 2013 community “walk and talks” on Tuesday in the Clifford Court area. The walk-and-talk initiative is conducted by officers and supervisors from within all divisions in the department. The program gives residents an opportunity to meet officers as well as talk about issues in the neighborhood that police might not be aware existed. Chief Jeff Swoboda said that over the past two years, the walk-and-talks have produced positive feedback and helped resolve some quality-of-life issues in a variety of neighborhoods. “Having open lines of communication …

Hampshire VFW Ladies Auxiliary is celebrating its 65th anniversary

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:40:33 -0500

HAMPSHIRE — The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043, founded in 1948, celebrated its 65th anniversary this week. The Hampshire auxiliary received a letter of congratulations on its anniversary from the national auxiliary’s headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. Hampshire auxiliary member Arlene Reiser said that some of the auxiliary’s original Hampshire area members were Lucille Connery, Velda Grimes, Bernice Jones, Elsie Prenner and Sally Seyller. The auxiliary received a check for $667 this week from Hampshire VFW Post 8043 Cmdr. Lowell “Whitey” Reiser as its half of the proceeds from the annual poppy sales. Funds from …

Hitting the books, and then the hay, at Dundee Library

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:39:28 -0500

EAST DUNDEE — The Fox River Valley Public Library closed early last Friday, but it was by no means empty. Instead, it was overrun with about 50 youths in second through sixth grade who participated in the Fox River Valley Public Library District’s first library sleepover. The event, held from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, included games, crafts, movies, snacks, pizza and tours of the library. Kids got to bring their sleeping bags and pillows, and lay them out in various areas of the library. Elizabeth Novak, the library’s new head of children’s services, came up with the …