Children can “Dig Into Reading,” teens and tweens can go “Beneath the Surface,” and adults can enjoy “Groundbreaking Reads" at the McHenry Public Library this summer.

Registration for the Summer Reading Program begins with a kickoff from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 and runs through July 25. Registration is free to anyone with a McHenry Public Library card, but regular programs throughout the summer are open to everyone. Participants can register for Summer Reading any time after the initial kickoff.

At registration, readers will receive a bag containing a Bingo Card or Book Log (depending on age/grade) to keep track of their reading activities throughout the program, as well as some other “goodies.”

On the same day as the kickoff, The “James” Bus, the McHenry County Historical Society’s award-winning mobile history museum, will be in the library’s parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also beginning kickoff day at 10 a.m., patrons with a valid library card can get up to four free Ravinia lawn passes for select performances. Certain restrictions apply, so ask at the Questions Desk.

For information about summer programs, visit the library’s website at www.mchenrylibrary.org, or call the library at 815-385-0036. The library is on Route 31 south of Route 120.

The Polish Legion of Americans Veterans Post 188 will be the host Legion of this year’s Combined Veterans of McHenry Memorial Day ceremonies.

Participating McHenry veterans posts are the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 188, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600 and the American Legion Post 491.

The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Veterans Memorial Park in McHenry. The ceremony is open to all veterans and the public. 

After the ceremony is concluded at Veterans Memorial Park, participants will march to Weber Park on Riverside Drive. There, a wreath will be placed in the river in honor of the deceased veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. A rifle salute will be performed and taps will be played.

The group then will march to St. Patrick's Parish on Washington Street and conduct a third salute. From there, there will be a final salute at Woodland Cemetery, also known as St. Mary's Cemetery, on Richmond Road, McHenry.

After the ceremonies conclude, there will be a light luncheon served at the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 188, 1304 Park St.
        
Cmdr. Cliff Schmidt from the Polish Legion of American Veterans is this year’s master of ceremonies. McHenry Mayor Susan Low will be a guest speaker, along with other post commanders from McHenry.

For information, call 815-385-9789.      

McHENRY – GiGi's Playhouse McHenry County and its founders were recognized by the McHenry Area Character Counts Coalition.

The Down syndrome awareness and education centers provide current information and resources, specialized teaching, and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.

Programs are available for all ages and are designed to be therapeutic and goal-oriented in nature. They are free for the families.

The organizers recognized include Kathy and Don Adoski of Spring Grove, Michele Gehrke of McHenry, Laura Cook of Algonquin, Michelle Polizzi or Marengo, Rusty Davis of McHenry, Bill and Jess Lewis of McHenry, Chris Newlon of Bull Valley, and Sue Nickol and Terry Brenner of Rolling Meadows.

The coalition that issues the awards is made up by the city of McHenry, District 15, District 156, McHenry Area Youth Commission, McHenry Township Fire Protection District, and the McHenry Public Library District.

More information about GiGi's Playhouse can be found at its website, gigisplayhouse.org.

McHENRY – The McHenry Police Department's K9 program is the topic of this month's Coffee with the Chief.

Police Chief John Jones will meet with residents from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, May 13, in a classroom inside McHenry City Hall, 333 S. Green St.

Officer Larry Popp and his K9, Duke, will walk attendees through their job, demonstrating some of their duties. The discussion will cover drug detection, offender apprehension, searches and tracking.

Jones will also discuss events and criminal activities that have occurred within the city over the past months. Residents will have a chance to ask questions at the end of the evening.

These events occur the second Monday of each month at the same location.

- Emily K. Coleman

The McHenry Public Library, 809 N. Front St., will close early on Friday, May 10, for staff training.

For information, call the library at 815-385-0036 or visit www.mchenrylibrary.org.