Community Calendar for Zion, Winthrop Harbor, Beach Park, Wadsworth, Gurnee and Waukegan

WH VFW meat raffle
Winthrop Harbor VFW Post 7448, 1112 Sheridan Road, is hosting a meat raffle in the Canteen, Saturday, Feb. 18 beginning at noon. For more information call 847-872-7676

Zion Genealogical Society
The Zion Genealogical Society will meet Feb. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Zion-Benton Library, 2400 Gabriel Ave., Zion. Tony Burroughs, the leading expert in African American genealogy, is the speaker. No charge, everyone welcome. Space is limited, registration is required. Call the library at 847-872-4680. For program information, call Joanne Layne at 847-360-0360.

Waukegan Bowmen
Waukegan Bowmen will hold an indoor 3-D shoot Feb.18-19, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at 20714 107th St., Bristol, Wis. (two miles north of Wisconsin/Illinois border, one mile west of Rt. 45 on County JS). Bring family and friends to shoot indoors in a heated range. Breakfast, lunch, refreshments will be served. Visit waukeganBowmen.com for information.

BP Thunder Softball Chili/Hot Dog fund raiser
Beach Park Thunder Softball will hold its 7th annual chili/hot dog dinner and silent auction fund raiser Feb. 18, 5-8 p.m. at Kenneth Murphy Elementary School, 1315 W. Wadsworth Rd., Beach Park. Tickets $5 at the door; children 5 and under free. Profits support the organization and end of season Nationals tournament. Silent and live auction items are cash/check only.

St. Johns UCC Pancake Breakfast
St. Johns UCC, 1520 McAree Road, Waukegan, will hold its all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and raffle, Feb. 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Get a little taste of Mardi Gras with pick-a-prize-raffle that offers a great selection of items including services and gift cards.

Tri Charter Chapter of the ABWA
Tri Charter Chapter of the American Business Women Association will meet Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, 200 N. Green Bay Rd., Waukegan. All welcome. Dinner reservations required. Call Vera Hernandez at 847-244-0277for menu and reservation. For more information contact President Linda Busch at 847-546-6728.

Winthrop Harbor AARP Chapter 871
The Winthrop Harbor AARP Chapter #871 will meet Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Winthrop Harbor Community Center, 1520 Seventh St. (two blocks east of Sheridan Road). A video selected by members will be shown on the Great Trans-American Train Ride. Refreshments served. Guests welcome.For information call Jerry Larson at 847-746-6567 or email jerryplarson@sbcglobal.net.

Waukegan AAUW
The Waukegan Area Branch of AAUW will meet Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Gurnee Police facility, Washington and O'Plaine Road. Attorney Doug Stiles describes how he collected evidence to convince the Smithsonian Museum curators there was a secret message inside Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch. The family story relates that Stiles' great-great-grandfather, a Washington D.C. watchmaker, inscribed a message inside the watch while repairing it at the beginning of the Civil War. The event is free and open to the public. For more information e-mail jps2aauwwwab@comcast.net or visit http://aauwwaukegan.blogspot.com.

Kenosha Public Museum Travelogue
Canadian Maritime Provinces- Feb. 24, 7 p.m.- John Holod focuses on the Maritime Provinces of Canada, just across the border from Maine. Stops include Prince Edward Island, the setting for Anne of Green Gables, and Perce Rock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence of Quebec, one of the largest natural arches located in water, and the natural icon of Quebec. The Cabot Trail in Cape Beton, Nova Scotia, is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Doors open 6:15 p.m., seating is unreserved at Reuther Central Auditorium, 58th St and Sheridan Road, Kenosha. Travelogues are free and sponsored in part by a grant from the Kenosha News and Parkside Manor.

The House That Grace Built
Hear about Lake County's newest transitional home for women in recovery, The House That Grace Built. A chicken dinner will be served at the Best Western Hotel, Zion, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6:30pm. For more info, contact Deb Gonzalez at 847-208-5615. RSVP required. Hosted by Police Chief Brooks and Pastor Ken Fielding.

World Day of Prayer 2012
Church Women United will sponsor a service observing World Day of Prayer, an ecumenical celebration of informed prayer, March 2, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 658 Grand Ave., Waukegan. Registration 12:30 p.m., program starts 1 p.m. This year’s service was written by Christian women of Malaysia using the theme Let Justice Prevail, showing it takes courage, compassion and active engagement for justice to prevail for all. Social hour follows service. Contributions of non-perishable food items for COOL Food Pantry will be gratefully accepted. Everyone invited.

Lake County Gem and Mineral Society
The Lake County Gem and Mineral Society meets the third Tuesday, 7 p.m., at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Public welcome. Call Rachel Schreiner at 847-973-1808 for more information.

Teen Mops
Are you a pregnant or parenting teen? Join Teen MOPS to find a great place for support, encouragement and new friends! Meetings are 2nd/4th Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., September-May at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Dr., Zion. No cost to attend, childcareprovided. Call 847-746-1411 with questions or to arrange transportation.

MOPS
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, the 2nd/4th Wednesdays, 9-11:30 am. Childcare provided; first meeting is free. MOPS is for any mother with children from birth through kindergarten. During your MOPS meeting, enjoy fellowship, teaching, creativity and you time, while your child is lovingly cared for. Ccall 847-746-1411 for more information.

Cancer Support Group
A Reason for Hope Cancer Support group is held 2nd/4th Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. at First Methodist Church, West and Martin Luther King Dr., Waukegan in the Bride's Room in the sanctuary. Enter through the front doors. The group is for assistance and support of individuals affected by cancer, including patients, survivors, caregivers and those grieving the loss of a loved one. Call Jenny Mitchell 847-791-7843 for more information.

Winthrop Harbor Lions Club
The Winthrop Harbor Lions Club meets the fourth Thursday at 7 p.m. at Stone Creek Grill, 206 Sheridan Road. Guests welcome. For more information call Debbie Coan at 847-872-2970 or visit winthropharborlionsclub.org.

Zion Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast
The Zion Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast is held the fourth Wednesday, 7:30-9 a.m. at El Lago Restaurant, 2216 Sheridan Road, Zion. You don't have to be a Chamber member to attend. Cost is that of your breakfast. Bring business cards; bring a guest. For more information call the chamber office, 847-872-5405.

Winthrop Harbor VFW fish fry
The Winthrop Harbor VFW Post 7448, 1112 Sheridan Road, holds a fish fry Fridays, 5-7 p.m. in the upstairs hall. Choice of fried cod or catfish, homemade hushpuppies, fries, coleslaw and dessert for $7.Handicap parking available in the back the building for those who do not climb stairs.Call Barbara Miller 847-872-7676 for more information.

Zion-Benton Kiwanis
The Zion-Benton Kiwanis meet Tuesdays 7:30 a.m. at El Lago Restaurant, 2216 Sheridan Road. New members welcome. For information call Paul Last at 847-445-3948.

Sunrise Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of Illinois Beach Sunrise meets Thursdays 7-8 a.m. at Zion-Benton New Tech Campus, 1634 23rd St., Zion. New members welcome. For information, call Bob Grulke at 872-7621 or Mike Bruno at 746-7643.

Overeaters Anonymous, Waukegan
Overeaters Anonymous meets Thursdays, 7 p.m,. at St. Paul’s Church, 824 N. Lewis Ave., Waukegan, (park and enter through the back). Call Gloria at 847-599-0730 for more information.

Waukegan TOPS
Women and men interested in losing weight are invited to attend meetings Fridays at Bertrand Lanes, 2616 Washington St., Waukegan. Weigh-in 9-9:30 a.m., meeting 9:35-10:35 a.m. For information call Ellen at 847-662-3636.

Zion Tops
Lose weight, have fun, make new friends with TOPS Thursdays at Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion. Weigh-in is 5:30-6 p.m., meeting 6:15-7 p.m. For more information, call Karen at 847-623-1765.

Overeater’s Anonymous, Kenosha
A spiritual program for men and women using 12 steps and 12 traditions to losing weight with no weigh-ins, no dues. Meets 6:30 p.m. at Kenosha Medical Center: Tuesdays in Conference room C; Fridays in Community Educational Room. For information call Mary 262-652-5635 or Ann 262-344-1217.

Repatriates support group
The Repatriates Community Support and Empowerment Group, a peer-led support group, sponsors meetings Fridays 6-7:30 p.m. at the Staben Center, 424 South Ave., Waukegan for ex-offenders who can’t find employment or are having other struggles due to their past. For more information call 847-244-0805.

St. John’s Prayer group
Silent or Centering Prayer is held Thursdays 7-8 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1520 McAree Road, Waukegan. For more information call Ed at 847-395-3214 and leave a message.

The Parent Group
One Hope United offers free, anonymous parent support and education groups throughout Lake County. Groups meet weekly and are offered in English and Spanish. Free childcare. For information on a group in your area call Carleen Otto at 847-245-6826.

Gamblers Anonymous
If gambling is destroying you or someone you care about, you are welcome to attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings at the Civic Center in Libertyville, Saturdays at 8 p.m. For more information, call 312-346-1588 and ask for public relations. There is no charge.

Habitat ReStore
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, 3545 Grand Ave., Gurnee, has 24,000 square feet of new and used building materials. ReStore hours: Tues.-Fri 9 a.m-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For information call 847-249-3260 weekdays.

Swedish Glee Club
The Waukegan Swedish Glee Club, a male chorus of 27 members, rehearses Wednesdays at 8 p.m. in Lake Forest. The chorus sings songs in English as well as Swedish and gives several concerts each year. New singers welcome. Call Fred Fortney at 244-7465.

A Safe Place Crisis Center
A Safe Place offers safety, shelter, counseling and advocacy for abused women and their children. A Safe Place/Lake County Crisis Center also offers weekly support groups for victims of domestic violations in several locations within the county. All meeting places are confidential. Call the 24-hour HELP LINE at 847-249-4450; TTY 847-249-6557.