Orchids, 'Peter Pan' and animal tracks

The Batavia Orchid Society will host its annual Chicago Suburban Orchid Show and Sale Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. The event will include thousands of orchids, demonstrations, displays and more. Shoppers will find plants, books, supplies and other merchandise for sale. Admission and parking are free. The show will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 

Theater group to stage 'Peter Pan'
Spotlight Youth Theater will present its production of “Peter Pan’ beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 and continuing on select dates through Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 W. Main St., Batavia. The production features performers ages 5 to 18. For ticket information and show times, call 847-516-2298, or go to www.spotlight.org.

Church to host Taize worship service
Our friends at the Congregational Church of Batavia will conduct a Taize worship service at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. All are welcome. The church is located at 21 S. Batavia Ave. in downtown Batavia. For more information, call 630-879-1999.

Corron Farm to offer Animal Tracks program
Campton Township will offer Animal Tracks, a family wildlife program Saturday, Feb. 15 at Corron Farm 7N761 Corron Road in Campton Hills. Guest naturalist Brock Moran will share information about local animals and lead participants on a hike through the farm. Admission is free. The program will be offered in two sessions. The first session will begin at 8 a.m. and is designed for children ages 10 and older. The second session will begin at 10 a.m. and is for children ages 9 and younger. Reservations are encouraged. For more information or to register for the program, call 630-387-1016.

Forest preserve district sets program at Pioneer Sholes School
Our friends at the Forest Preserve District of Kane County sent word of their Winter Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb 16 at the Pioneer Sholes School, an 1872 one-room school, in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. The event will include educational displays, songs, and crafts. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. The Durant House Museum, located near the schoolhouse, also will be open for tours. For more information, call 630-762-9746

Bethany Lutheran to host movie night
Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia will screen a movie at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. All are welcome. Snacks will be provided but visitors may bring some to share. For more information about the event, call 630-879-3444. The church is located at 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia.

Rauner to speak at Batavia event
Bruce Rauner, a Republican candidate for governor in the March 18 primary elections, will speak at an open house Saturday, Feb. 15 at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St. in downtown Batavia. The open house is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

— Share news and photos of business or organization here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo. Fox Valley Notes is available at Facebook and Twitter.

Kaneland Foundation to host Knight Run 5K

The Kaneland Foundation at Kaneland District 302 will host the Knight Run 5K at 8 p.m. June 21 at Kaneland High School, 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park. The event will include a quarter-mile run for children age 6 and younger at 7 p.m. and a one-mile fun run at 7:30 p.m.  The 5K will cover a flat cross country course on the school’s campus. Runners will finish on the high school’s track. The 5K will be timed and awards will presented in age groups and overall categories. The fee for the 5K is $25. Online registration is available.

Registration available for Vacation Bible School

Our friends at the Congregational Church of Batavia send word that they are registering participants in the church’s annual Vacation Bible School, which will meet July 15 to July 19. This year’s program is Kingdom Rock — Where Kids Stand Strong for God. For more information, call the church at 630-879-1999.

Township to host open house at original town hall

Campton Township will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22 at the township original town hall at 4N498 Town Hall Road, Campton Hills. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. The structure was established in 1874.

Nothing says summer like a demolition derby

The Sycamore Speedway hosts a demolition derby every Friday nights through Labor Day. Admission is $12 for adults (age 14 and older) and $5 for ages 6 to 13. Children age 5 and younger are admitted free. The speedway is located at 50W086 Route 64 in Maple Park and offers a full schedule of summer entertainment. For more information, call 815-895-5454.

Park district unveils new website

The Batavia Park District recently unveiled its redesigned website, and it’s impressive. The site has new a color scheme, easier navigation and other useful features. The site includes details on the district’s annual River Rhapsody Concert Series, which offers free concerts Wednesdays through Aug. 7 at the Batavia Riverwalk.

Athletes of the Year

Congratulations to Batavia’s Micah Coffey and St. Charles East’s Amanda Hilton on being named the Kane County Chronicle’s male and female athletes of the year, respectively. Coffey, a junior, played quarterback for Batavia’s football team, was the top scorer for the school’s basketball team and played first base for the Bulldogs’ baseball team. Hilton, a junior, excelled at a point guard for the Saints girls basketball team and as center-midfielder in soccer. 

Coach of the Year

We want to remember the coaches who help develop the area’s outstanding prep athletes, so we congratulate St. Charles East baseball coach Len Asquini on being named the 2013 Courier-News Coach of the Year. Asquini coached the Saints to a 28-12 record and a third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Nice work, coach.

Thanks for the warm greetings

I offer my thanks to those who took time to greet me at the Batavia United Way’s Dash with Dad 5K run June 15. I rode my bike and served as the pace setter for front runners in the event. Nearly 200 runners participated in the dash. The bright smiles and warm greetings made up for overcast skies and cool temperatures during the event.

— Share news and information about your business or organization here. Email information and photos to kbotterman@gmail.com. Please include caption information for each submitted photo.