Reality TV- style dance marathon will help injured youth group leader
Are you a fan of reality TV shows like "Dancing with the Stars," or "So You Think You Can Dance?" If so, you'll find that same thrill at an amateur "reality" show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Huntley's Trinity Lutheran Church, 11008 N. Church St.
Members of the church's youth group, The Living Light, will dance their hearts out to raise donations for Gary Schultze, their group leader, who was hit by a car and now is unable to work.
A lifetime Huntley resident, Schultze is employed in construction and helps to support his sister, who also is ill.
"Gary is a hardworking guy who volunteers his time to help our church, and he has done so much for our young people," the Rev. Charles Kittel told me this week. "Now that he needs help, they want to do something for him."
"Swingin' For Schultze," the youth group's live dance marathon, will help raise money for that cause, Kittel said. Participants will collect pledges and try to keep dancing for six full hours.
The event is open to the public, and a $3 ticket buys you a hot dog, a drink and a snack -- plus some very amusing "reality-style" entertainment.
Sure, they're not professionals, and their costumes aren't as glitzy, but you can't beat their enthusiasm or their energy.
Extra hot dogs are just $1 if you're still hungry. There'll be games, too, organizers said. For details or to sponsor a Living Light dancer, call the church at (847) 669-5780 or Carli Melman at (847) 669-6563.
Good turnout for Huntley toddler: The turnout was great, I hear, at the benefit pasta dinner for little Teagan Haniszewski, held Monday at Niko's Grill and Pub. A friend reports that Teagan's parents, Bryant and Carly, were moved to tears by the generosity that local residents have shown for their family. Since June, 2-year-old Teagan has been battling brain cancer at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. After Monday's fundraiser, Bryant Haniszewski thanked the Huntley community for their support via a Web posting from his daughter's hospital room.
"I was told of a family that came out to tonight's dinner, (who) read an article about the dinner in the paper," he said.
"This family was celebrating their daughter's third birthday, and they wanted to celebrate it by helping another little girl -- our girl.
"We don't know how to thank you."
No thanks are necessary, Bryant. That's what neighbors are for.
I was glad to hear this week that Teagan's condition is improving, and she has been transferred from the ICU to a regular room.
To follow her recovery and send your own wishes, visit www.carepages.com and enter the page name "princessteagan."
The ABCs of W-I-N-E: Are you a wine lover who has always wanted to learn more about it, but don't know where to start?
As we -- the "unsophisticated" -- know very well, it is not a simple subject. When I was growing up, my own dad always loved a glass of wine on special occasions, especially the "M.D." variety.
The poor guy even tried to make his own, using his granddad's recipe for bathtub tomato wine. But … well, let's just say that my mom never appreciated the "bouquet" of the fruits of his labor.
So, as you can see, my own palate could probably use a little educating.
Do not let this happen to you. To develop your own good taste in wine, you can start by signing up for the Huntley Area Public Library's Wine 101 program, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the community room of Algonquin Bank and Trust, 4049 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin.
Certified wine specialist David Biegemann, owner of Pop More Corks, will explain the ABCs of wine quality, and teach you how to select wines at restaurants and retail stores.
The program is free (and you don't have to be a snob to attend), but you should register in advance. Call (847) or visit the library's reference desk at 11000 Ruth Road.