By BART DILL, Elk Grove Village Trustee

The village's "heartlights" are starting to glow brightly for Queen of the Rosary's fund raiser called Bistro on the Boulevard 2000 on Sept. 15 and 16 from 6 p.m. until midnight. The Bistro event is a fun filled, conversational friendly evening. In addition, something new is added this year, a Las Vegas style casino for your enjoyment. You can contact the Ministry Center for information at 437-0403. Tickets are $50 per person and can be bought at the Ministry Center on Aug. 24, 29, 31 and Sept. 5 and 7, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and also on Saturdays, Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 and 9 between 10 in the morning and 12 noon. That "old sly wizard" in the mirror on the wall says he plans to be there and says he'll be wearing chicken feathers and his fish bones charms.

All eyes will again be on Elk Grove as the village's "heartlights" remain warm for another affair to remember in October. The Elk Grove Village Italian Sister Cities International, a non profit group, is asking folks to honor and participate in the first Termini Imerese - Elk Grove Village gala dinner dance. The grand celebration is set to take place on Friday, Oct. 13, 2000, at the Avalon Banquets in EG Village. Here's the evening's program: Hors D'oeuvres and an open bar, a dinner followed by entertainment and dancing to the music of "Nuove Onde." The deadline for registration is Oct. 3. For more information, please call (847) 734-9800. Readers are invited to take part in this meaningful event and share in uniting our exceptional community, with a splendid Italian town, Termini Imerese, as they become sisters and closer neighbors. Hope to see you there. This affair could well be the best entertainment event of the year.

Our condolences go out to Sue Pritscher and family on the death of her husband Joe who, after a long illness, died on Sunday, Aug. 20. Joe was a naval veteran, a successful enterpriser and devoted family man. The Pritscher's are parents of Joseph, Tom, Charles, Mary Beth Perkins, Sue, Teresa Moskal, Loretta Weber, and many grandchildren. This saying by Sal Pace seems fitting "we meet many people who walk in and out of our life but only a few leave footprints on our heart."

An "October surprise" is twenty-one-year employee Judy Dixon, the dedicated Director of General Assistance with the EG Township, deciding it was time to retire from "public service" effective Oct. 1. Dixon can take pride in the fact that her faithful performance of a vital duty has contributed much in maintaining the public's respect for government. Judy and Don are planning travels about the great USA. Our best wishes with an orchid goes to Judy, a village icon.

Just to let you know that the dapper red Continental owned by Martha and William Bauer got the "gaze" of folks on Parkchester Road as the Bauer's were visiting friends over the summer... Papa G's café, on Landmeier Road, officially opened on Aug. 15. The renovated eatery was once called the El Café...Heard that Hair Encounter, a family hair care salon, is expected to move into their digs in the Town Center from its Devon location real soon...A "whispers in the wind" buzz has it that a "new bank" is being thought about in the vicinity around Turner Avenue.

August moon yada talk is Coffee Expresso is being "dubbed" as one of the favorite summer gathering spots of local folks that includes the village's "who's who" like Mary Contreras, Mary Gallitano, and Christina Sitter. We hear that Joseph Gallitano, an honor student graduate of St. Viator High School, will be advancing his academic pursuits at the University of Michigan soon. Joseph's father, Dennis, is an attorney...A fitting toast to those who celebrated their wedding anniversaries in August: "May they always remember the blessings of love." Bagels and orchids goes to Kenneth and Sarah Waldenmaier (50 years), Humberto and Regina Gramajo (26 years), Ron and Liz Gajos (20 years) and Dan and Cris Schiffer (17 years).

The village's Plan Commission is one member short due to the departure of Kathy Zizzo who resigned in August. Zizzo was initially appointed to the commission by the former village president Dennis Gallitano. John Glass is the chairperson of this prestigious committee but "mum's the word" about Zizzo's "stand in" on the commission. The village president is empowered by state statute to make appointments to the board and commissions with the "advice and consent" of the trustees...Dittos: there is a vacant seat on the village's Community Services Board because of a member's resignation earlier this summer.

Special folks born under the Zodiac sign of Leo and Virgo who "tout" their natal day in August are the assistant village manager Ray Rummel, Joanne Nardiello, Diane Ambrose, William Jaworski, Paul Klevinsky, Richard Penley, Peter Gianaris, Cathy Carr, Westly Jacobson, Dorothy Vodicka and a talented graphic artist Rick James...Friends of Dick Penley are "elated" that Dick is mending nicely from recent hip surgery as his wife Jeannine sigh's in relief...We hear that village trustee Chris Prochno is looking tan and rested from her recent vacation in the Bahamas with her hubby Alex...Elk Grove Lion member John Hermansen is home and is recovering from his recent medical happening. Hang in there, John!

More summer goodies is library trustee Paul Kaplan and wife Carlyn tells Bart's Corner the happy news of their becoming first time grandparents in September. The expectant parents live in Atlanta...In August; David and Karen Olsen become first time parents of a baby girl who is named Megan Elise. This glad happening made Gerry and Bill Olsen grandparents for the fifth time...Former EG resident Jim Cabaj is now a Marketing Associate with QAD Inc. in Hoffman Estates. Nevertheless, his dad Jim Sr. still lives in the village...Local folks seen enjoying the green setting while dinning at the Itasca Country Club was #214 high school board member Alva Kreutzer with the company of Mirta Gunther, owner of Magique Fun House in Bloomingdale and banker friend Tom Farrell of American National Bank.

The village drums barreled out congratulations to three experienced firefighters who were recently promoted within the Elk Grove Village Fire Department. Making the lieutenants roster are Scott Peterson and John Fordon. Promoted to captain is Lt. Dale Banot who replaces Captain Doug Goostree on his appointment to deputy fire chief in June...A good luck wish with a gardenia goes to the new Community Services Coordinator Beverly Jaszczurowski. Beverly replaces Beth Madden who resigned her position in July. Beverly lives in the village with her family.

The annual picnic bash put on by the Queen of Rosary elite was well attended. Pastor Art Fagan and his loyal helpers can chalk up another winning lawn party. Some "picnickers" seen include Charles Eder, Carl Baumgarten and his daughter, deacons Ted Staddler and Ted Czarnecki, Jan Gawenda and her mother Rose Sparazynski, deputy fire chief Doug Goostree, and Bill Shannon. Also, Jim O'Malley, Patricia O'Malley, Tony Chakeen owner of Sparkle-Brite Cleaning, Marty Nardiello, former village trustee Joe Bosslet and wife Audrey, John Lantz, Mary Gallitano, Rev. John Robinson and Father Fagan.

Best wishes to our readers for a happy Labor Day holiday from Bart's Corner and the "wizard."