Group to host senator:

Women in Management Fox Valley kicks off its new year of speakers Thursday with state Sen. Karen McConnaughay of the 33rd District. The luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m. at Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road. Cost is $22, or $25 for nonmembers. Area women business owners and managers are welcome to attend. RSVP at wimfoxvalley.org. Upcoming speakers include Jill Card, owner of Jeans & a Cute Top, on Oct. 8; and Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda on Nov. 10.

Open house at Lazarus:

Lazarus House, 214 Walnut St., St. Charles, hosts an open house during its annual Community Appreciation Day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Over the past 19 years, Lazarus House has provided hospitality, food, safe shelter and education to those in need. Meet members of the board of directors and staff. Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, 301 W. Main St., celebrates the open house with “Spirit Day.” Walk around the corner to purchase sweets and pop, bring in a flier available at the open house and Rocket Fizz will donate 15 percent of your purchase back Lazarus House. Visit lazarushouseonline.com.

Step back in history in Huntley:

The Huntley Historical Society invites everyone to take a field trip back in time to be a student in a one-room schoolhouse. Diane McGowan, owner of the Haligus School, will share her discoveries during the restoration of the school, which was in existence from 1861 to 1946. It’s the last one-room schoolhouse in Grafton Township. The program is 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, in the Willow Room at Cosman Center, 12015 Mill St. Call Ronda at (224) 654-2070.

Family Fest Saturday in Cary:

Cary Park District’s Fall Family Fest is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at Lions Park on Silver Lake Road, north of Three Oaks Road. Visitors can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities such as hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, kids crafts, a pumpkin patch and more. Admission is $9 for kids 3 and older, $5 for younger kids and free for adults. Call (847) 639-6100 or visit carypark.com.

Tips on writing a book:

Author Travis Thrasher shares his methods and suggestions for writing a book in “Do You Have a Story to Tell?” at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Where do you find an idea? What are the steps to organizing the book? Is it fiction or nonfiction? How do you begin, persevere, and ultimately finish it? Thrasher has written more than 30 works of fiction in a variety of genres and has helped write memoirs and self-help books. Registration is required for this “How-To Community” program. Register at bataviapubliclibrary.org or by calling the library reference desk at (630) 879-1393, ext. 200.