Elgin News Digest: U-46 to replace playgrounds at 5 elementary schools; Dundee seeking volunteers for mental health board; Randall Oaks Zoo holding ‘Dinovember’ scavenger hunt

U-46 to replace playgrounds at 5 elementary schools
The District U-46 School Board has approved spending more than $385,000 to replace playgrounds at five elementary schools.
New playsets designed for children ages 5 to 12 are to be installed at Bartlett Elementary in Bartlett, Fox Meadow in South Elgin, Ronald D. O’Neal in Elgin and Spring Trail in Carol Stream, according to a board memo. The playset at Huff Elementary in Elgin will be for children ages 2 to 5 to support the school’s Pre-K program, officials said.
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All five sets of equipment are expected to be installed sometime prior to the end of the current school year.
Dundee seeking volunteers for mental health board
Dundee Township is accepting applications through Monday, Dec. 4, from residents who would like to fill three upcoming vacancies on its 708 Mental Health Board.
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The seat terms are Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2027, according to a news release. The board meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month and may call committee and special meetings as needed throughout the year.
Board members are unpaid volunteers and must reside within Dundee Township. They are involved in various aspects of providing for the community’s mental health needs, the release said.
Those applying should provide a resume highlighting their qualifications, current employment and organizational involvement along with a letter of interest.
Documents can be sent by email to supervisor@dundeetownship.org or mailed or dropped off at the Dundee Township Supervisor’s Office, 611 E. Main St., Suite 201, East Dundee, 60118.
Randall Oaks Zoo holding ‘Dinovember’ scavenger hunt
The Randall Oaks Zoo will be holding a “Dinovember” scavenger hunt during its regular hours of operation, from Wednesday, Nov. 1, through Sunday, Nov. 26.
Normal admission rates apply. Participants who find all the dinosaurs posted throughout the zoo will be rewarded with a 10% discounty off gift shop purchases, according to the zoo’s Facebook page.
The zoo is located at 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee.
For more information, go to www.dtpd.org/randall-oaks-zoo, call 847-551-4312 or email randalloakszoo@dtpd.org.
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Otherwise known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a holiday of Hindu origin and is widely celebrated throughout India. The Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin is planning a free program to celebrate the traditions on Nov. 7. (Khokarahman // Wikimedia Commons)
Gail Borden library holding Diwali celebration Nov. 7
The Gail Borden Public Library is planning a free celebration to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the main library branch, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
It will provide an opportunity to learn about the holiday through stories and activities. No registration is necessary.
For more information, call 847-429-4597.
An easy way to get rid of old Halloween pumpkins is at Geneva’s Pumpkin Smash, a recycling event that will be held Saturday at the Community Gardens at Prairie Green. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Pumpkin Smash in Geneva being held Saturday
Instead of throwing away that old pumpkin after Halloween, people can recycle them for free at Geneva’s Pumpkin Smash event set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Community Gardens at Prairie Green at Peck and Bricher roads.
Pumpkin-themed food vendors will be on site, and patrons also will also be able to recycle batteries, aerosol cans and paint cans for a fee, event organizers said.
All pumpkin decorations, such as candles, yarn hair, stickers, googly eyes and plastic ears, should be removed from the pumpkins before recycling.
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The Pumpkin Smash, sponsored by the city’s Natural Resources Committee and the Geneva Park District, is a way to reduce the number of pumpkins ending up in landfills, according to organizers.