Winfield Public Schools students have an “Adopt Our Troop” message. They will collect items to send in care packages to 2nd Lt. Jim Smolucha, from the Second Battalion 9th Marine regiment, to the Anbar Province in support of operation Iraqi Freedom, reports Patti Hennessey, Winfield Public Schools staff member. As the Iraqi security forces take primary responsibility for safety and security in the province, the battalion will provide support for the transition. Smolucha’s infantry platoon of Company G consists of 36 Marines. They will be supporting the security situation while stationed in Ramadi, Iraq. Students will collect items to send to Smolucha and his troops in December. A variety of items has been suggested to put in their care packages: baby wipes, socks, lip balm, candy, gum, decks of cards, batteries, games, magazines and pre-paid phone cards. Cash donations also will be accepted.

WAG switches dates

Winfield Area Gardeners members will meet one week later than usual at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, in Winfield Community Bank, 27W111 Geneva Road. Past WAG member Rita Harris will assist members in creating a holiday door swag that also can be used as a table centerpiece or on a fireplace mantle. Harris will provide pine cones, greens and a choice of red velvet or berry ribbon. Higher quality ribbon will be available for an additional $4.

Election of the 2009 WAG Board of Directors is approaching. The current board is in the process of choosing members for the nominating committee and accepting open nominations. Anyone interested in serving should contact WAG President Patti Ryan at (630) 653-1710. Dues for next year will be $30 per person, which breaks down to $2.50 per month. Each individual membership helps pay for the monthly speakers and for a subscription to “Garden Glories,” the official, monthly publication of Garden Clubs of Illinois Inc. The remainder of club costs is covered by WAG’s Good Old Days plant and bake sale. Treasurer Eddie Wollenberg will collect dues from now until Feb. 1. Payment can be made at meetings or mailed to Wollenberg.

Daddy/Daughter Dance

Winfield Park District’s annual Daddy/Daughter Dance is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. The deadline to register is Dec. 5. The event gives dad a chance to put on his dancing shoes and take his little girl on a dream outing. They will be treated to dance music and will dine on pizza and hors d’oeuvres. The evening will start off with a magic show performance by Jim Jensen. This will be an evening for both to remember. The dance will take place in the Charles R. Beggs Activity Center, 0N020 County Farm Road. For additional details and fee information, call the Park District office at (630) 653-3811. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Monday through Friday. The office is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

War correspondent

A war correspondent in Vietnam who photographed the conflict will give a program on his experiences at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Winfield Public Library, 0S291 Winfield Road. It will look at issues of life, death, luxury, corruption and the human paradox in the ill-fated war as seen through the eyes of Army photographer Roger Mattingly. He traveled from the delta to the demilitarized zone while photographing Americans and Vietnamese. Registration is not necessary for the program. For more information, call the library at (630) 653-7599.

Puppets, storytelling

Children and parents are invited to a drop-in Thanksgiving puppet show presented by two staff members at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in Winfield Public Library, 0S291 Winfield Road. No registration is required for the casual event, said Nuccia Choate of youth services, who puts on the program with Leslie Brittain, reference librarian.

“It’s one of our most popular things,” Choate said of the half-hour event designed for kids in strollers to about age 6. “We get a nice attendance and the kids look forward to it. We have three puppet shows in a row, and I put coloring sheets out for them and they can check out books. It’s also an opportunity for parents to mingle with other parents.”

In addition, weekly fall storytime sessions for 2-year-olds are offered at 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Sessions for 3-to 5-year-olds meet at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Mondays and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Registration is required.