East Dundee man unfurls flag at Chicago Bears game East Dundee resident Gary Brown was recognized Sunday, Nov. 10, as a special guest of the Chicago Bears during the Bear Down Flag Ceremony before the game againsts the New England Patriots at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Brown was chosen as a patient at the Cardiometabolic Clinic at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, where he went for treatment after he having triple bypass surgery at the hospital more than two years ago. Since he started going to the clinic earlier this year, he no longer needs to take insulin or use a CPAP machine, a hospital news release said. The clinic offers patients with cardiovascular disease and pre-diabetes or diabetes a comprehensive approach to managing their conditions, the release said. “Going to the cardiometabolic clinic has been an amazing, life-changing experience,” Brown said in the release. They have helped me through everything and made my health feel important.” Experience Italian culture, cuisine at ECC event Wednesday Elgin Community College’s “A Taste of Italy: Exploring Culture, Tradition and Cuisine” will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Spartan Terrace in Building I of the ECC campus, 1700 Spartan Drive. Free and open to the public, those who attend the Bill Pelz Global Speaker Series presentation will sample small authentic Italian delicacies, including balsamic vinegar, focaccia, parmesan cheese, truffle mushroom pasta and gelato, according to a news release. ECC professors David Zacker and Kimberly Rother will discuss Italy’s culture, regional diversity and the role of cuisine in daily life. Registration is required, with on-site registration accepted on a space-availability basis. To register, go to elginedu.jotform.com/233126817403956. For more information, contact Lauren Nehlsen at 847-214-7809 or [email protected]. The 100th anniversary of First United Methodist Church of Elgin’s current church building will be celebrated with events being held Saturday and Sunday. (First United Methodist Church of Elgin) First United Methodist celebrating 100th anniversary weekend First United Methodist Church in Elgin is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its current church building with events being held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16-17. At 1 p.m. Saturday, the 216 E. Highland Ave. church will hold a renewal of wedding vows mass, according to the church website. All married couples, regardless of denomination or sexual identification, are invited to the special vow renewal ceremony led by the Rev. Dr. Felicia LaBoy, a news release said. Participants will receive a commemorative certificate and can attend a light reception to be held following the ceremony. A play area available for children will be open. To take part, register at www.fumcelgin.org/celebrating100years. At 10 a.m. Sunday, the church will hold a 100th anniversary worship service. The Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer will deliver a special message and the service will include special music, communion, a rededication of the building and a presentation on the history of the building, the release said. A potluck lunch reception will follow the service in Rogers Hall. To sign up to bring a dish, go to www.fumcelgin.org/celebrating100years. For more information, call Michelle O’Connor at 847-606-9699 or Cheryl Hayes at 847-217-0136.