Elgin News Digest: ECC students win scholarships for their recipes using Fisher nuts; Carpentersville Fire Department holding ‘Stop the Bleed’ class Monday; Gail Borden Public Library holding variety of BabyFest events in May

Mike Danahey, Courier-News (Elgin, Ill.)
·4 min read

ECC students win scholarships for their recipes using Fisher nuts

Elgin Community College culinary arts student Stephanie Kessel, of Steward, received a $1,000 scholarship for placing first place in the 13th annual Fisher Nuts Recipe Competition held April 17.

Kessel’s winning recipe was for an orange walnut crème brûlée, according to an ECC news release. Her submission was inspired by her Crohn’s disease, which requires that she use a lot of nut products in her diet, she said.

Other $1,000 scholarship winners were:

  • Anthony Vyleta, of Elgin, second place for Asian chicken skewers with pistachio sauce and almond flour naan;

  • Tanya Teeter, of Carpentersville, for sweet and spicy herbed cocktail nuts;

  • Andrea Chvatal-Hedstrom, of Carpentersville, for pistachio cranberry no-bake brownies.

Winners of a $250 scholarship were:

  • Bryan Guido, of South Elgin, for Mediterranean octopus over roasted red pepper and smoked pistachio hazelnut romesco sauce;

  • Mariana Huerta, of Carpentersville, for tres leches pistachio cake with almond whipped cream;

  • Dominic Mellace, of Bartlett, for poached swordfish with Thai chili peanut sauce;

  • Evan Swartz, of Elgin, for mole Manchamantel.

Kane County

A summit designed to raise public awareness and provide educational resources about human trafficking in Kane County will be held at Christ Community Church in South Elgin from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11.

The Kane County Human Trafficking Summit is a collaboration between the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, One Collective and the Fox Valley Family Violence Coordinating Council. Presenters will include the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, One Collective, Out of Darkness, Naomi’s House and representatives from the Elgin and St. Charles police departments.

“Human trafficking is a heinous crime that preys on the most vulnerable in our community,” Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said in the release. “Through collaborative efforts and events like the Human Trafficking Summit, we are taking a stand against this injustice, raising awareness and equipping individuals with the tools needed to combat trafficking in Kane County and beyond.”

The agenda will feature presentations covering various aspects of human trafficking, including introductory sessions, advocate testimonies, panel discussions, internet safety protocols and networking opportunities.

Register to attend by Monday, May 6, at kanetraffickingsummit.rsvpify.com.

Admission is free, and a complimentary lunch and coffee will be provided. The church is at 820 S. Randall Road.

For more information about the event, email freedom@onecollectiveelgin.org.

Carpentersville Fire Department holding ‘Stop the Bleed’ class Monday

The Carpentersville Fire Department is holding a “Stop the Bleed” class from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 6, at Station 93, 5000 Sleepy Hollow Road.

The free class will provide information on why controlling bleeding is important and how to do it effectively, according to a village webpage post.

To sign up for the class, go to cville.org/561/Stop-The-Bleed.

Gail Borden Public Library holding variety of BabyFest events in May

New and soon-to-be mothers and fathers can attend a host of BabyFest-related events in May being held by Elgin’s Gail Borden Public Library. They include:

Reading Challenge: Participants who read 150 books to their babies or babies-to-be during May will qualify for prizes. To participate, go to gailborden.beanstack.org/reader365.

Move and Play: This class for developing toddlers’ motor skills will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 6, and Monday, June 3, at the South Elgin branch, 127 S. McLean Blvd., South Elgin.

Children’s Musical Show with Nanny Nikki: Grammy-nominated children’s entertainer Nanny Nikki will perform from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, in the Meadows Community Rooms at the main Elgin library, 270 N. Grove Ave.

Baby Obstacle Course: The course will be set up from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, in the Meadows Community Rooms at the main library.

Sensory Fun for Every Little One: This drop-in play program will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m Thursday, May 9, in the Sally Lee Rooms at the main library.

BabyFest: A free health and wellness resources event that will include information on community services and early childhood literacy will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11, in the Meadows Community Rooms at the main library.

For more information, go to www.gailborden.info/babyfest.

Kane County Animal Control hosting pet chipping event in Carpenter Park

Kane County Animal Control will hold a pet chipping event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11, in Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville.

The first 50 Carpentersville residents with a valid ID can have their dogs and cats microchipped for free, according to a village social media post. For others, the fee is $15 per pet being chipped, payable by cash or check.

An adult 18 or older must accompany and handle any animal being chipped. Cats must be in carriers and dogs on leashes. For more information, call 630-232-3555.