East High presents play on Anne Frank this weekend

St. Charles East High School brings the timeless play, “The Diary Of Anne Frank,” to life on the Norris stage this weekend.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles.

Due to newly released journal entries, an updated version of Frank’s story was presented on Broadway in 1997.

Cast includes Alex Aavang, Kirsten Benjamin, Jacob Boulay, Danny Brooks, Katie Driver, Donald Fisher, Katherine Henning, David Hepfer, Will Kazda, Greg Marchuk, Natalie Pierce, Chase Szorc, Katiana Tactikos and David Thomases.
For tickets and more information, call (630) 377-4754.

First roundtable discussion for 2007 to be held Feb. 21

The first St. Charles Heritage Center’s roundtable discussion of the year is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave.

Topic of discussion are farms and farm families. This will include discussing the family farms that once dotted St. Charles Township. As always, participants can bring photographs, memorabilia and stories to share with the group.

For more information, call the Heritage Center at (630) 584-6967.

Work closes Seventh Avenue through Feb. 23

Due to recent a cold weather snap affecting construction progress, Seventh Avenue, between Edward and Ronzheimer avenues in St. Charles, will be closed down until Friday, Feb. 23, weather permitting.

Crews are working in the area to replace a box culvert. However, unseasonably subzero weather recently has hampered construction efforts and forced crews to stop construction for a few days.

The existing detour route currently posted will remain in place for this extended time. The detour route takes traffic along Ronzheimer, 13th and Edward avenues.

Collection of yard waste resumes in city March 1

Collection of St. Charles yard waste bags by Onyx resumes on regular collection days starting Thursday, March 1.

Seventh annual Civil War Ball in St. Charles is March 3

The Farnsworth Mansion Foundation is holding its seventh annual Civil War Ball at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles.

A buffet-style dinner will be served until 6:45 p.m. Event will also have period music and dance instructions. Period attire is welcome but not required.

All proceeds will go toward rebuilding the Farnsworth Mansion, located near Langum Park on Route 25 in St. Charles, to be used as a Civil War Museum.

Advance tickets are $20 per person or $30 per couple, children 12 and under are $1. Tickets purchased at the door will be an additional $5 per person. Tickets can be ordered online at www.farnsworthmansion.com.

For information, call (630) 587-1530.

Workshop to teach thosehow to write life’s memories

The St. Charles Heritage Center is holding a workshop, “Lifestories, Creating a Memoir,” to show participants how to put memories on paper.

The workshop is from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at the St. Charles Township office, 1725 Dean St. For information, call (630) 584-6967.

Scholarships for mothers in school now available

The St. Charles Mothers Club is now taking applications for the 2007 Sherry Costello Memorial Scholarship.

Scholarship provides money to women who are currently earning college degrees to better support their families. Awards are based on need and academic merit.

Eligibility requirements are women with dependent children, financial need, residency in St. Charles or communities in the Fox Valley area, and enrollment in a degree program. Scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s university or college for educational expenses.

Completed applications must be received by Tuesday, April 3. For an application form, write to St. Charles Mothers Club, Attn. Scholarship Committee Chairperson, P.O. Box 1274, St. Charles, IL 60175; or call (630) 217-6667 (MOMS).

Annual city spring cleanup program moves to May

The 2007 spring cleanup program, normally held in April in the city of St. Charles, is being planned for May.

Each spring, the city conducts this two-week program, independent of its regular refuse service, to promote fire safety and help residents dispose of items difficult to discard.

Dates, times and details will be announced in the April/May issue of the city newsletter and on the city’s Web site at www.ci.st-charles.il.us.

Home inspector is named to Historic Preservation board

The St. Charles’ City Council approved the recommendation to appoint resident Michael Prestidge to its Historic Preservation Commission Feb. 5.

According to the city, Prestidge lives in a home that is 104 years old and he has tried to preserve it. His background is in construction and he currently works as a home inspector.

Prestidge fills a vacancy on the commission left behind by David English.

The commission reviews facade improvements and building permits for exterior work within the city’s historic district and consults on projects for historic buildings.