Smash event in Geneva keeps pumpkins out of landfills
Pumpkins can be recycled for free at a Pumpkin Smash from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Community Gardens at Prairie Green, located at Peck and Bricher roads in Geneva.
The Pumpkin Smash, sponsored by the city of Geneva’s Natural Resources Committee and the Geneva Park District, is designed to reduce the number of pumpkins ending up in landfills, according to organizers. Park district crews will till the smashed pumpkins into the garden plots to add nutrients to the soil.
All pumpkin decorations, such as candles, yarn, stickers and plastic accessories, should be removed before recycling.
The Community Gardens at Prairie Green, is a cooperative partnership between the park district, the city of Geneva and the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.
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Elgin Community College’s Culinary Arts department will hold a five-course “Flavors for Flights” wine dinner on Nov. 7 at the school’s Performing Arts Center. (Shutterstock)
ECC Culinary Arts department hosting wine dinner Nov. 7
Elgin Community College’s Culinary Arts department will hold its “Flavors for Flights” wine dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at the Performing Arts Center in Building H on the college’s 1700 Spartan Drive campus.
“All event proceeds benefit the culinary study abroad program, expanding students’ education beyond the classroom,” Jenn Loiacano, director of the school’s Spartan Terrace restaurant, said in a news release.
Guests will be served a five-course dinner paired with wines from Oregon’s Sokol Blosser Winery. Each course will be prepared by ECC culinary instructors and students. Guests will receive a chocolate gift, crafted by ECC pastry students.
The meal will include a “study of squash,” a bread course, black cod with vegetables, venison with tuna and a variety of desserts. Each course will be paired with a different wine.
Tickets are $175. They are available at the Arts Center box office or by calling 847-622-0300 or going online at eccartscenter.org/tickets/eventdetails.aspx#event-26CULVC2.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office has received a county health department grant to strengthen its A Way-Out program for people who need substance use treatment and recovery services. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)
Kane awards substance abuse prevention, recovery grants
The Kane County Health Department has awarded $300,000 in grant funding to local organizations working to prevent opioid overdoses, expand access to treatment and support addiction recovery services.
Grant recipients are:
Association for Individual Development, to support its opioid prevention program and street outreach efforts;
Ecker Center, to expand its treatment programs for substance use disorder and support its mobile and stationary recovery cafés;
Gateway Foundation, to enhance its community outreach and recovery supports program;
Greater Family Health, to expand interventions to reduce fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses;
Kane County Sheriff’s Office, to strengthen the A Way-Out program, which offers people a pathway to substance use treatment and recovery services;
Lighthouse Recovery, to provide recovery services and building capacity to meet community needs.
Serenity House, to expand naloxone education and outreach and for offering post-overdose support
Funding is provided through state opioid response grant money administered by the Kane County Health Department.
Hanover Township receives $550k in grant funding
The Hanover Township Department of Aging Services has received $550,000 in grant funding from AgeOptions to support nutrition and social services, senior center operations, programming and older adult transportation services.
AgeOptions awarded $241,805 to support the township’s home delivered meal program; $118,663 for senior center operations, programming, counseling and transportation services; $105,204 to fund the the Stars N Stripes Café, the township’s congregate meal program; and $87,703 for its Caregiver Resource Center.
AgeOptions is a nonprofit that connects older adults and those who care for them with resources and service options, a news release said.
East Dundee residents receive Northern Kane chamber awards
Three East Dundee residents were honored at the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce awards dinner on Oct. 4, according to the village of East Dundee.
Lindy Tsetseranos received a community service award for her volunteer work with Dickens in Dundee, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Oktoberfest, community art show and summer chalk art projects. She also is a member of the East Dundee Arts Council.
State Farm Insurance Agent Michael Hasselbring’s office received the 2025 Business of the Year award.
Eastside Cafe received the Customer Excellence Award.
Dining and Cooking