The Fox Lake Festival of Lights will be held Nov. 24. The event begins with the Kris Kringle Winter Market (2-6 p.m.) and the Grand Opening of the ice skating rink (2 p.m.; weather dependent) at Community Garden Green, 17 E. School Court.

McHenry County

Flavell named Conservation Found. Exec. Director

The McHenry County Conservation District announced that Shawna Flavell has been named Executive Director of the McHenry County Conservation Foundation (MCCF), established in 1999 and governed since then by a volunteer board of directors. As MCCF strives to create and foster conservation partnerships, a new full-time Executive Director on board will help drive and promote the foundation’s strategic initiatives. Flavell spent the past 13 years building a career in philanthropy through various roles within a number of not-for-profit organizations. In her most recent role as Development Communications Specialist for The Nature Conservancy — Illinois Chapter, she assisted projects that raised more than $12 million in support of local and global conservation efforts. For more information, call 815-338-6223 or visit www.mccdistrict.org.

Crystal Lake

ComEd to soon upgrade streetlights across city

The city announced that ComEd plans to upgrade thousands of streetlights across Crystal Lake with energy-efficient LED light fixtures and bulbs that will significantly reduce energy consumption and improve light quality. ComEd recently sent notice to the city that it will soon begin upgrading streetlights in Crystal Lake as part of the Smart Ideas Energy Efficiency Program. The upgrade is being done at no cost to the city. ComEd owns and maintains most of the streetlights along public streets in the city, with notable exceptions being the decorative streetlights in downtown Crystal Lake and a section of streetlights along Route 14, which are owned and maintained by the city. Crystal Lake is responsible for paying the electricity charges for all the streetlights through a lease agreement with ComEd. As part of the upcoming upgrade, existing high-pressure sodium or mercury vapor bulbs will be replaced with more energy-efficient Smart LED bulbs. Because the Smart LED bulbs are more energy-efficient, ComEd estimates that the city will save approximately $68,000 per year in electricity charges. For more information, call 815-459-2020 or visit www.crystallake.org.

Huntley

Upcoming holiday event offers slew of activities

The village announced that A Very Merry Huntley 2018 will be held at various locations Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. On Nov. 30, the Village Hall Municipal Complex, 10987 Main St., will host the Kris Kringle Market and Tree Decorating Contest voting (bring spare change to the voting; all donations benefit the Grafton Food Pantry) from 3-8 p.m.; and the Kids Room (free activities for kids), free train rides on the Huntley Holiday Express, a visit with Mrs. Claus and live reindeer, and hot chocolate and s’mores (sponsored by Journey Church) from 4-8 p.m. In addition, the Huntley Public Library, 11000 Ruth Road,  will offer free horse-drawn trolley rides through Parisek Park and the Library Open House from 3-8:30 p.m. On Dec. 1, First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St., will host the Indoor Farmers Market & Craft Fair (in Fellowship Hall) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the First Congregational Church Bell Choir’s Famous Cookie Walk (9 a.m. to noon), free horse-drawn trolley rides (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), free kids craft-making (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and a performance by the church’s Handbell Choir at noon. In addition, Trinity Lutheran Church, 11008 N. Church St., will offer free family games, the Scholastic Book Fair and more from noon to 2 p.m. The event continues at Town Square (on Coral Street between Church and Woodstock streets) with additional trolley rides (3-6 p.m.), live reindeer (4-6 p.m.), the Community Pasta Dinner at American Legion Post 673 (4-7 p.m.), and the announcement of the Tree Decorating Contest winners (4:45 p.m.). Beginning at 5 p.m., Santa will arrive via fire truck, followed by the Tree Lighting, Holiday Fireworks Show and pictures with Santa. For more information, contact Barb Read at 847-515-5262 or via email at bread@huntley.il.us — or visit www.huntley.il.us. 

Cary

Yard waste collection program to end Nov. 28

The village announced that its yard waste collection program will end on Nov. 28, coinciding with the last regularly scheduled pick-up day in November. Advanced Disposal will provide unlimited yard waste collection, including leaves, at all eligible households. In order to be collected, yard waste and leaves must be contained in 33-gallon kraft biodegradable brown bags, and must be placed at the curb. Yard waste that cannot fit in a kraft brown bag can be bundled and secured tightly on both ends using a strong, biodegradable cord, string, rope or twine — and cannot exceed 50 pounds in weight, 2 feet in diameter and 4 feet in length. For more information, call 847-639-0003 or visit www.caryillinois.com.

Fox Lake

Fox Lake Festival of Lights includes parade, market

The Fox Lake Festival of Lights will be held Nov. 24. The event begins with the Kris Kringle Winter Market (2-6 p.m.) and the Grand Opening of the ice skating rink (2 p.m.; weather dependent) at Community Garden Green, 17 E. School Court. The Festival of Lights Parade kicks off at 5 p.m., starting at Grant High School, 285 Grand Ave., and continuing along Grand Avenue. Immediately following the parade, the annual Holiday Tree Lighting will be held at Millennium Park, 6 Rollins Road. For more information, call 224-225-1404 or visit www.foxlake.org.

–McHenry County News Briefs–