The Huntley Farmside

              5M. 5
Volume 40 No. 12
Your hometown newspaper
Thursday April 6,2000
© 2000 Press-Republican Newspapers
Spring cleaning
Randy Westman "drags" his field in preparation for the planting of oats on his farm west of Huntley last weekend. Westman said he expects the crop to be ready by mid-July if the rain is right this spring.
Huntley Farmside photo by David Ewart
Getting ready for the big
by Deborah Niemann
Huntley Farmside
Plans have begun already for Huntley's 150th birthday bash to be held August 17 to 27,2001.
Some of the ideas on the draw¬ ing board include a house walk, a cemetery walk, a dance, tree planting, an ice cream social and church choir performances, as well as a parade and fireworks, said Chuck Ruth, coordinator for the event. There will even be a kid's program prior to the fire¬ works at the high school
With a proposed budget of $142,000, the committee hopes to bring an unforgettable celebra¬ tion to the village.
The history book, memorabil¬ ia, 2001 calendar, cookbook and service club night should raise enough funds to cover their expenses, which will leave an additional $99,000 that will need to be raised to cover the event.
"We're getting started this early because the history book, the cook¬ book and the calendars need lead time for print¬ ing. We hope to have these ready for distribu¬ tion later this year."
— Chuck Ruth, event coordinator
"The fine details haven't been worked out," Ruth said. "We've met only five or six times, so a lot of this is still in the infancy as far as being developed.
"We're getting started this early because the history book, the cookbook and the calendars need lead time for printing," Ruth continued. "We hope to have these ready for distribution later this year."
Youth football needs $5,000
by Deborah Niemann
Huntley Farmside
The Huntley-Youth Football Association needs $5,000 before starting its sixth sea¬ son, said HYFA treasurer Rita McMahon.
"We figured out what it costs to equip them, and it comes to over $220 — and that doesn't include insurance," McMahon explained.
Parents are required to pay $100 for their sons to participate, which is an increase over the $65 that was charged in previous years.
The league provides shoulder pads, leg pads, helmets, "anything to equip these kids so they play safely," according to McMahon.
While only 100 boys played last year, more than 136 registered this past week¬ end, which is already more than the planned maximum of 120.
"I think it's great we have this kind of interest," McMahon said.
McMahon, whose 13-year-old son has been playing in the league since its incep¬ tion, said the increase in the size of the league is due to the growth of the area.
"I do think it will get bigger," McMahon explained. "We had set a tentative cutoff point of 120 kids, but we are going to get together this week and see if we can increase those numbers."
She said the biggest growth was in the lightweight division, which includes 9- and 10-year-olds.
"I think you can see the good this group is doing," McMahon explained, saying this year's sophomore high school team, "which had such a good year, was the first one to go through our program."
She said the boys also learn teamwork and discipline, because playing football is a major commitment of time.
At a gilance
For more information or to make a donation, call Huntley Youth Football Association treasurer Rita McMahon at (847) 669- 9600.
Bible dramatist presents 'That First Passion Week' at First Q)ngregational
Steve Goss, well-known Bible dramatist, will present "That First Passion Week" at both services, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 9, at the First Congregational Church of Huntley.
Dressed as one of the disciples, he will give a live presentation by
an eye witness to those dramatic events of that first Holy Week.
Goss is well known for his dra¬ matic Bible presentations around the Chicago area, being on call by a number of churches to present New Testament and Old Testament events — all using
words directly from the Scriptures. He brings a sense of "being there" to the audience, reviewers said.
The public is invited to come to either service to hear Goss's ren¬ dition of "That First Passion Week."