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Schock Centre to be closed till 3 p.m. Monday for repair work

The Edward Schock Centre of Elgin will be closed from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, so workers can perform essential water line repairs.

The facility will not have access to its main water supply during the work, according to a news release. For that reason, Parks and Recreation Department Director Maria Cumpata said The Centre will make the following changes to its programming for for day:

  • Water aerobics will be canceled;
  • Open swim will be canceled all day and lap swim will be available starting at 3 p.m.;
  • Pickleball will be canceled;
  • Open gym will be available from 5 to 8 p.m.;
  • The climbing wall will only be available from 4 to 8 p.m.;
  • The fitness center and walking track will not open until 3 p.m.

All other programs scheduled for 3 p.m. or later will be held, the release said. Should the closure go beyond 3 p.m., participants will be notified by email about cancellations.

To accommodate members during the closure, an outdoor group fitness class will be offered at 9 a.m. in the east shelter at Lords Park, 100 Oakwood Blvd., Elgin.

The Centre is located at 100 Symphony Way. For more information, call 847-531-7000.

Registration underway for South Elgin Christmas events

Registrations are being accepted for two traditional Christmas season events in South Elgin.

The village’s Parks and Recreation Department will host a lunch with Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Village Squire, 480 Randall Road, according to a news release.

Kids’ meals will feature a cheeseburger or chicken fingers. Adults can choose from a cheeseburger or chicken sandwich. All meals include fries and a beverage. Every child will get time with Santa, and the lunch will feature crafts, coloring and reindeer food. Guests can take their own photos.

The cost is $17 per child and $23 per adult for village residents and $25 per child and $29 per adult for nonresidents. To register, go to www.southelgin.com/registration, Section  #33601.

A holiday lights tour for adults 18 and older will be held from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12.

Participants will meet at the South Elgin Public Works Building, 1000 Bowes Road, to be transported to see village houses decorated for the holidays. Hot cocoa will be served.

Cost is $25 for residents, $30 for nonresidents. Register at www.southelgin.com/registration, Section # 33024.

A ribbon-cutting event for the newly renovated Sperry Park in South Elgin, which includes a new playground and other amenities, will be held Monday night at 800 Michigan Ave. (Village of South Elgin)
A ribbon-cutting event for the newly renovated Sperry Park in South Elgin, which includes a new playground and other amenities, will be held Monday night at 800 Michigan Ave. (Village of South Elgin)

Ribbon-cutting set for Sperry Park renovations in South Elgin

A ribbon-cutting event will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, to celebrate the completion of renovations at South Elgin’s Sperry Park, 800 Michigan Ave.

Among the amenities are a new playground, a ninja-style obstacle course, pickleball courts, a new pavilion, landscaping and parking lot upgrades, according to an online news release.

The $1.6 million project was partially funded by a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant from the state and a $274,000 Community Development Block Grant from the federal government, according to the release.

Platt Hill Nursery, with locations in Carpentersville and Bloomingdale, has been named the Illinois Retail Merchants Association's 2024 Illinois Retailer of the Year. (IRMA)
Platt Hill Nursery, with locations in Carpentersville and Bloomingdale, has been named the Illinois Retail Merchants Association's 2024 Illinois Retailer of the Year. (IRMA)

Platt Hill Nursery named IRMA’s 2024 Retailer of the Year

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association named Platt Hill Nursery its 2024 Illinois Retailer of the Year at the group’s 67th annual meeting Oct. 3 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.

Platt Hill was established in 1980, and the family-owned plant and landscaping business has locations in Carpentersville and Bloomingdale, according to a news release.

For more than 20 years, the nursery has partnered with local high school special needs programs to provide a hands-on course for students. It also provides guest lectures, donations and internship opportunities to College of DuPage and McHenry County College and donates plants to municipalities and Eagle Scout projects, the release said.

Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said in a statement that Platt Hill Nursery’s commitment to business excellence and community involvement embodies the core values of Illinois retailers.

El Trote De Las Calacas, aka the Skeleton Trot, is a new 5K race and walk being held Nov. 2 to benefit the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation and the U-46 Educational Foundation. (Gail Borden Public Library)
El Trote De Las Calacas, aka the Skeleton Trot, is a new 5K race and walk being held Nov. 2 to benefit the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation and the U-46 Educational Foundation. (Gail Borden Public Library)

Registration deadline Oct. 18 for first El Trote de las Calacas

The inaugural El Trote de las Calacas, or “Skeleton Trot,” is a family-friendly 5K race being held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, as part of Gail Borden Public Library’s Day of the Dead Festival.

Runners and walkers need to sign up by Oct. 18 to participate in the USTF-certified 5K event, which starts and ends at the 270 N. Grove. Ave. library in Elgin and take participants through the city’s historic northeast neighborhood and along the Fox River, a news release said.

The fest that follows will feature face painting, costumes, music, artistically decorated Olmec heads, huge Catrina puppets, a community ofrenda, Mexican treats and more.

Proceeds from the race, which costs $55 for adults and youth and $20 for ages 6 to 11,  go to the U-46 Educational Foundation and the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation.

For more information or to register, go to runsignup.com/Race/IL/Elgin/ElTroteDeLasCalacas.