The Nippersink Public Library District, 5418 Hill Road, Richmond, will host Star Wars Party, an all-day event, on April 29. The event includes drop-in family storytime at 10 a.m., a free movie showing at 2 p.m., and games, crafts and activities all day (until 5 p.m.).

McHenry County

1st Annual ‘Friend-Raiser’ to benefit NAMI-McHenry

The National Alliance on Mental Illness-McHenry (NAMI-McHenry) will host the 1st Annual “Friend-Raiser”: An Evening of Theater, Music, Delectable Fare and Silent Auction, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 6 at Lakeside Arts Park, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. The event will feature monologues portraying true stories of hope and healing, performed by members of renowned Chicago theater company Erasing the Distance. Tickets are $65 (pre-sale) and $75 (at the door). Proceeds from the event will benefit NAMI, a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those whose lives are affected by mental illness. To purchase tickets online, visit www.buynamifriendraisertickets.eventbrite.com. For more information, call (815) 308-0851 or visit www.namimchenrycounty.org.

McHenry County

Lake in the Hills Fen conservation area earns award

The McHenry County Conservation District’s Lake in the Hills Fen conservation area recently was honored by the Chicago Wilderness alliance with the Excellence in Ecological Restoration Accreditation (platinum level) award for restoration and biodiversity work through adaptive management. The award recognizes large, high-quality natural areas and the organizations that manage them. The Fen conservation area, consisting of 229 acres adjacent to the 27-acre Lake in the Hills Fen State Nature Preserve, exists because of partnerships with the McHenry County Conservation District, the Village of Lake in the Hills and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The District is responsible for the management of the preserve, including properties owned by each agency. For more information, call (815) 338-6223 or visit www.mccdistrict.org.

McHenry

Tea Party fundraiser to feature local author Scully

The Senior Care Volunteer Network will host Tea Party, a fundraising event featuring local author Erane Elizabeth Scully, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28 at McHenry Villa, 3516 Waukegan Road. Scully will discuss her book, “The Carrion of Vine,” a historical account of her experiences during World War II. Tea and refreshments will be provided by Chef Andres. Tickets are $25. Proceeds will benefit Senior Care Volunteer Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping seniors maintain their independence by providing services such as transportation, minor home repairs, yard work and short-term care. For tickets, and more information, call (815) 455-3120 or visit www.scvnmchenrycounty.org.

Cary

National Drug Take-Back Day on tap at Police Dept.

The Cary Police Department, along with thousands of other law enforcement agencies nationwide, will participate in National Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29. The event is being held in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) “National Take Back Initiative,” allowing residents to drop off old, unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs for proper disposal. Personnel will be available at the Cary Police Department, 654 Village Hall Drive, to accept drop-offs. No syringes or liquids will be accepted. For more information, call (847) 639-2341 or visit www.caryillinois.com.

 Richmond

Library to host all-day Stars Wars Party

The Nippersink Public Library District, 5418 Hill Road, will host Star Wars Party, an all-day event, on April 29. The event includes drop-in family storytime at 10 a.m., a free movie showing at 2 p.m., and games, crafts and activities all day (until 5 p.m.). Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite Stars Wars character. Registration is not required. For more information, call (815) 678-4014 or visit www.nippersinklibrary.org.

Huntley

 Village sets slate for tree branch pick-up program

The Huntley Public Works and Engineering Department has scheduled its semi-annual curbside tree branch pick-up program for village residents. Pick-up north of Kreutzer Road will take place the week of May 1, and pick-up south of Kreutzer (Sun City) will take place the week of May 8. Branches must be placed on parkways the Monday before collection begins in each area. Branch collection crews will make one pass in each neighborhood. Branches put out after crews have passed will not be collected, and crews will not go on private property to pick up branches. A one-time drop-off for residents that miss the curbside pick is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon May 13 at Public Works, located on Donald Drive (near Bakley Street). For more information, call (847) 515-5222 or visit www.huntley.il.us.

Woodstock

 Local history focus of library walking tour

The Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd Street, will host Local History Tour: Celebrating Woodstock’s Story from 10-11:15 a.m. April 29. Participants will meet at the library entrance to embark on a walking tour that includes historic homes and buildings near Woodstock Square, coupled with stories about the community’s past residents and way of life. Architectural details will be highlighted along the way. For more information, call (815) 338-0542 or visit www.woodstockpubliclibrary.org.

Lake in the Hills

Village offers 2017 Photo Contest

The village is conducting its 2017 Photo Contest, held annually to find images that best capture life in Lake in the Hills. Select photographs will be featured on the Lake in the Hills website and calendar, and in various village publications. In addition, the contest winner will receive a gift card to a Lake in the Hills business. The contest is open to village residents and non-residents. Submitted photos may be color or black and white, and only images in digital format will be

accepted. Negatives or prints will not be accepted. Submissions can be no more than two years old, and may not have been previously entered in a village photo contest. A limit of five submissions per entrant will be allowed. Entry forms are available on the village website (www.lith.org). All entries must be submitted/postmarked by May 26 and sent to: Village of Lake in the Hills, Administration Department, 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, Ill. 60156. Photos and entry forms may also be submitted via email at todonnell@lith.org. For more information, visit www.lith.org or call (847) 960-7400.