A New Racquet Sport -- Pickleball

The Racket Club, a Crystal Lake Park District facility, is offering a new twist on racquet sports: Pickleball! 

Pickleball is growing in popularity quickly because it is played on a smaller court, with a wooden paddle and plastic ball similar to a “Whiffle Ball”, and most importantly-it’s great fun for all ages! This cross between tennis and ping pong has been especially well-received among senior communities where the scaled-down court dimensions are easier on the legs.

The Racket Club is offering several ways to experience Pickleball:

Pickleball Night, Friday, November 7, 7-9 pm
$5 (membership at The Racket Club NOT required). $5 admission, instruction provided, equipment provided, all levels of play are welcome. RSVP to The Racket Club, 847-658-5688

Pickleball (RSVP basis), each visit is $4 for members of The Racket Club and $5 for non-members. Space is limited, so please RSVP to 847-658-5688 to reserve your spot. Play is generally at an intermediate level, but newcomers are welcome to give it a try. Equipment is provided for those who need it

Mondays, 2-3:30 pm

Wednesdays, Noon-1:30 pm

Fridays, 7:30-9 am

Saturday, 3-5 pm

The Racket Club is located at 9101 South Route 31 (one mile south of Rakow Road) in Algonquin, Illinois 60102.  Please call Rob Laue, Club Manager, with questions at 847-658-5688.

Auditions At MCC Black Box Theatre For Spring 2015

The Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College will host auditions for its Spring 2015 production of “columbinus.”  A play sparked by the April 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, columbinus probes the psychological warfare of alienation, hostility and social pressure that goes on in high schools across America. Created by The United States Theatre Project, written by Stephen Karam and P.J. Paparelli and directed by Jay Geller, columbinus weaves together excerpts from discussions with parents, survivors and community leaders in Littleton as well as diaries and home video footage to bring to light the dark recesses of American adolescence.

Auditions will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 8 and 9 in the Black Box Theatre, Room E-122 at McHenry County College.  Those who are auditioning should provide a two- to three-minute dramatic monologue or a reading will be provided.  Roles are available for five men and three women, ages 16 through 25.

Callbacks will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11.  Rehearsals will begin on Monday, Jan. 19 and will continue each Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.  Performances will be held March 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21.  Scripts will be available on reserve in the MCC Library.  For more information, call (815) 455-8746 or send an email to jgeller@mchenry.edu.