Time for flu shots, rummage sales and ghosts

Ann Christiansen says she's never had a flu shot and she never gets the flu. What's her secret?"I don't get sick. I don't know how, I just take lots of vitamins," says the Huntley High School librarian. "I guess I've been fortunate. I've worked at the school for 18 years, so I'm pretty immune to all the stuff the kids get and pass around."For the rest of us who aren't so lucky or sturdy as Ann, it's time to start thinking about getting that flu shot now that the weather has turned seasonably cool again. For the past few days, I've run into people all around town who are sneezing, sniffing and suffering from a sudden run-in with the flu.Huntley School District 158 has been offering flu shot clinics at several schools, and there's another one coming up on Oct. 23, from 3-7 p.m. at Heineman Middle School. Community members and children ages 9 and older are invited to stop by. No appointment is necessary, and nurses from Community Health Works will administer the shots.The cost is $25 each for flu immunizations; for $40, pneumonia shots will be available. Medicare w/p>

The McHenry County Health Department will offer flu shot clinics at McHenry County College on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, and at other locations around the county on dates that are listed on its Web site, www.co.mchenry.il.us/Common/CountyDpt/health. Shots cost $30 and Medicare Part B coverage is accepted. Call (815) 334-4510 for an appointment.

Rummage sale: The Fall Rummage Sale at the First Congregational Church continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, on the corner of Church and Main streets in downtown Huntley.

Hosted by the Women's Circle, this annual mega-sale fills several rooms in the Fellowship Hall and often spills out onto the lawn. You'll find everything from soup bowls to nutcrackers -- plus clothing, toys, dishes, linens, books, furniture, exercise equipment, holiday decorations and much more.

On Saturday, all remaining items are marked down to $3 per bag. For information, call (847) 669-3691.

Senior Coffee: This month's Senior Coffee program, hosted by the Huntley Area Public Library, will start at 10 a.m. Monday in the community room at MidAmerica Bank, 13300 S. Route 47. Grafton Township Supervisor John Rossi will discuss the food pantry program and the township's transportation service for senior citizens and the disabled. Refreshments will be served. There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is requested. To sign up, call (847) 669-5386 or visit the library at 11000 Ruth Road.

Avoid being scammed: Grafton Township's first senior citizen event will be held Oct. 18, said spokesperson Harriet Ford. "Do Not Be A Victim!" The seminar is about protecting yourself from scams and will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Huntley Park District's Cosman Cultural Center 12015 Mill St.

The program includes presentations by the McHenry County state's attorney's office, the McHenry County sheriff's office, the Citizens Utility Board, and Harris Bank. There is no charge to attend, refreshments will be served and there will be a prize drawing.

The Grafton Township Senior Bus will provide free transportation for those who need it on a first-come, first-served basis.

To RSVP for the event or sign up for a ride, call (847) 669-8500.

Daddy-Daughter Dance: Would you like to treat the little sweetheart in your life to a special night out on Sweetest Day? If so, you'll need to sign up fast.

Monday is the deadline to register for the Huntley Park District's Sweetest Day Daddy/Daughter Dance, set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 in the REC Center gymnasium.

"We've had almost 100 (couples) sign up so far," said Stacy Fletter in the registration office.

"We do have limited availability, but there's probably room for another 50."

The evening includes dance music and refreshments. Tickets are $15 per couple for park district residents or $22 for non-residents, plus $5/$8 for each additional child.

Dress may be formal or casual, whichever you choose, and the dance is not limited only to daddies, Fletter said. Step-dads, grandpas, big brothers, or special family friends also may escort their favorite young ladies to the dance.

For details or to register, visit www.huntleyparks.org or call (847) 669-3180 and press "0" for the registration office.

Family fun: Looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween?

The Friends of the Huntley Area Library will hold its Family Fall Fun Fest from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 in the old village hall on Coral Street. The open-house party includes stories, crafts, refreshments, treats and prizes, and visitors may come and go anytime throughout the evening.

Library patrons are invited to dress as their favorite book character #8230; but maybe all of you Carl Hiaasen fans might want to rethink that idea?

There is no charge to attend, but you'll need to sign up soon. Registration is open until next Friday, Oct. 19, in children's room at the library, located at 11000 Ruth Road. Call (847) 669-5386 for details.

Hit the trail: Advance group tickets are on sale now for the McHenry County Conservation District's 2007 Trail of History, set for Oct. 20-21 at Glacial Park near Ringwood.

In recent years, this living history "timeline" event has grown into an exciting two-day festival that draws hundreds of re-enactors and thousands of spectators throughout the Midwest.

Roaming the trails of Glacial Park, you'll encounter native Americans, French explorers, pioneer families, soldiers, tradesmen, and other characters from the early Illinois frontier.

Staffed primarily by local volunteers, this year's schedule includes 135 costumed interpreters demonstrating trades and crafts common to our region's early settler days. Visitors can tour a pioneer kitchen, a frontier school, a military camp, and an Indian village.

There will be crafts, games and dress-up activities for children, plus demonstrations of military tactics during the French and Indian War.

Perennial favorites are Dr. Balthazar's traveling medicine show, swordsmanship and blacksmith demonstrations, and an array of musicians, dancers, and fortune tellers. Refreshments and craft items are available for sale.

Shawn Riedemann of Lake in the Hills portrays an 18th-century woman in an early French-Canadian settlement, where the heritage of white trappers and native tribes combined.

"We cook in the ground with Dutch ovens, and (use) recipes from the 1700s, so we cook like they did," she says.

And they eat well, too. Popular dishes are baked fish topped with pecans, flat breads with blueberries, and deer stew, Reidemann said.

"We have buffalo with biscuits at night while we're (camping) there," she said. "It's a lot of fun -- it's the best fun of my life. I love every second of it!"

Trail of History runs from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Oct. 20-21. Parking near the encampment site is available for those who cannot walk the trails, and a shuttle is provided to take them to the encampment area. Pets are not allowed into the event.

Tickets are $6 per adult or $2 for children ages 6-12 or seniors ages 60 and older. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Advance tickets are 25 percent off, and must be purchased a week in advance for pickup, so order yours today. Regularly priced tickets will be sold at the event.

Glacial Park is north of McHenry off of Route 31. For details, call at (815) 338-6223 or visit www.MCCDistrict.org.

Great Lakes issues: On Oct. 18, the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District will host Peter Annin, author of the book "Great Lakes Water Wars," at 7 p.m. at the McHenry County College auditorium.

Annin, a veteran journalist, will talk about the increasing challenges being placed upon the Great Lakes by pollution, international treaties, overuse and politics. will be just a few of the discussion topics. Admission is free; no registration required.