Elgin News Digest: ‘Stranger Things’ inspired hamburger wins annual competition; Dundee, Elgin libraries holding New Year’s parties for kids

‘Stranger Things’ inspired hamburger wins annual competition

A hamburger inspired by the sci-fi series “Strangers Things” was named the best burger in the second annual competition for Elgin High School School culinary students held Dec. 5 at the Chicago Street Pour House in downtown Elgin.

Senior Sofia Dekarske called her creation an “Upside Down” burger. The Upside Down is a sinister, predator-laden alternate dimension on the 1980s-set “Stranger Things.” Dekaske served her cheeseburger on a toasted bun with the bun’s typical inside the outside.

The burger’s condiment was a garlic aioli. Dekarske said a garlic bacon butter burger from Sonic influenced what she made for the contest.

Dekarske cooked alone and competed against four two-person teams that were judged by a panel of four adults. For her efforts, she received $100 and her burger will be on the menu at Chicago Street Pour House.

Dundee, Elgin libraries holding New Year’s parties for kids

Registration is underway for a New Year’s Eve parties for children at the Dundee Library in East Dundee and the Gail Borden Public Library in downtown Elgin.

Dundee’s Noon Year’s Eve party will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the 555 Barrington Ave. library. A Happy Noon Year party at the Gail Borden library, 270 N. Grove Ave., is set for 11:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Dundee Library’s party is designed for children ages 2 to 12 while the Gail Borden party is meant for ages 2 to 6.

To register, go to frvpld.info/event/noon-years-eve-83326 or attend.gailborden.info/event/14418505.

Opening date for Villa Olivia’s winter sports programs is Dec. 19

Bartlett Park District will open its winter sports programming at the Villa Olivia Country Club, 1401 W. Lake St., on Friday, Dec. 19.

The Villa Olivia property has a large hill for tubing, two ski runs, a chair lift and a terrain park with ramps and rails for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Four more runs and a mini-terrain park, all set up for beginners, are on a smaller hill, according to the facility’s website.

There are also four tow ropes for the smaller hill and two for the bigger hill.

For more information, including rates, equipment and lessons, go to bartlettparks.org/villa-olivia/winter-sports.