Tri-Cities Sept. 11 observances

Several agencies are having special activities Thursday to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Batavia: Fox Valley Unity Church, 230 Webster St., will have participate in the World Unity Day of Prayer at 10 a.m. There will also be a prayer vigil, and walking of a labyrinth, until 6 p.m.

Sugar Grove: There will be a 24-hour event at the Sugar Grove Library, Snow and Main streets. The library will open at 12:01 a.m. There will be ceremonies at the flagpole, community gatherings and regular library business throughout the day. People are also encouraged to read and reflect about the meaning of Sept. 11. The Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry will sponsor a picnic on the library lawn at noon as part of its monthly meeting. Veteran Ed Huss will speak about "Being Patriotic." Tickets are $15, and are on sale at the front desk. Librarians will encourage people to register to vote. The library will also have hourly drawings for the privilege of dedicating a gift book, supplied by the library, in honor or memory of an individual or group of your choice.

Elburn: Town and Country Public Library, 320 E. North St., will conduct a flag ceremony at 8:45 a.m. Colors will be posted by members of Daniel Simpson American Legion Post 630.

South Elgin: In conjunction with the fire protection district, the village is sponsoring Patriot Days at 9:15 a.m. at South Elgin High School, 706 E. Main St. William Luchsinger, an Army staff sergeant and firefighter/paramedic for South Elgin, will speak on selfless service. School District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres is also expected to speak during the hourlong event.

Aurora: Author and motivational speaker Robert Renteria will be the grand marshal of the 12th annual March Against Violence, sponsored by East Aurora High School's National Honor Society, at 3:15 p.m. The March Against Violence, which is normally held in October, was rescheduled to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the attacks. The march will begin on the front lawn of the high school on Fifth Avenue and proceed east to Smith Street, north to North Avenue, west to Union Street, and south to Fifth, concluding at the school. Student organizations, service clubs, and community agencies are encouraged to bring banners and signs to represent their affiliations and to support the student-led efforts of discouraging violence in the local community. For information, call Clayton Muhammad at (630) 774-9306, or send e-mail to cmuhammad@d131.org.

Elgin: The city will hold a program at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 150 Dexter Court, at 10:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Elgin AMVETS, the program will feature an address by Dale Dopkins, a retired United Airlines pilot and Navy fighter pilot. Mayor Ed Schock is also slated to speak at the 45-minute program. For more information, call Robert Whiteleather, AMVETS Post 202, at (847) 608-1481.