ELGIN-MADE NUT MIX DOESN’T MAKE ‘COOLEST’ LIST
Orchard Valley Harvest Cran Nut Mix, made in Elgin, failed to crack the Top 16 in the annual Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s Makers Madness contest.
Nearly 80,000 online votes were cast to narrow the field of more than 100 products to 16 in the battle for “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” competition, according to a news release.
The top four vote-getters in the initial round were the NASA Standard Initiator made by Chemring Energetic Devices in Downers Grove; John Deere Combine made by John Deere in East Moline; 6000-RLA Ice Flaker manufactured by Howe Corporation in Chicago; and NERDS Juicy Gummy Clusters made by Ferrara Candy Co. in Chicago.
In the next round, products are matched up in eight head-to-head competitions for votes. The only item still in the running and made near Elgin is Gindo’s Whiskey Acres Maple Bourbon Whiskey Sauce, which is manufactured in St. Charles. It is going against the NASA Standard Initiator.
The top vote-getter will be honored at an April 15 ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield.
ELGIN LIBRARY UNVEILING FULLY REIMAGINED KIDSPACE
Gail Borden Public Library District will hold a celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 27, to unveil the “fully reimagined” KidSpace at the main library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin.
The multiphase major renovation project has modernized the library’s 19,200-square-foot children’s area, according to a news release. The revamped early learning area was unveiled in May 2025, and transformation began in November 2025 for the elementary school area.
Festivities will include a roving magician, face painting, giveaways, crafts, a scavenger hunt and an interactive wall, the release said. New renovations feature a centralized “Izaak Walton League Park,” reflecting the league’s sponsorship of the project and the project’s nature theme.
“This space is where the kids of our community start their lifelong library experience,” library board President Jean Bednar said in the release. “We believe this is an investment in the curiosity of every child that is able to spend time here.”
THE BURBS VINTAGE FEST BEING HELD AT JUDSON
The Burbs Vintage Fest will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in the Lindner Fitness Center on the Elgin campus of Judson University, 1151 N. State St.
It will feature more than 40 vendors selling vintage clothing, shoes, video gaming systems, home goods, collectibles and other items, according to a social media post. The free event is being run by Leo’s Vintage Store, 15 N. State St., Elgin.
For more information, call 224-806-7057.
SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES AT IZAAK WALTON CENTER
Hanover Township will host free spring break activities from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 30-April 3, at the Izaak Walton Youth Center, 899 Jay St., Elgin.
Children ages 5 to 14 can participate in a wide variety of free recreational, educational and social activities, including sports, games, and arts and crafts, according to a news release.
To register, call Hanover Township Youth and Family Services at 630-483-5799.
