Enjoy an old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh ride in the woods from Dec. 26-30 at Danada Forest Preserve, Wheaton. On Dec. 15 & 29, visit the preserve’s equestrian center to see live farrier demonstrations about the care of horses’ hooves. (jsorbieus/Wikimedia photo)

Events at a Glance: Recreation & Destinations Calendar

There’s so much to do in our region of the Old Northwest Territory! Here’s a sample of our recreation and destination events

Enjoy an old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh ride in the woods from Dec. 26-30 at Danada Forest Preserve, Wheaton. On Dec. 15 & 29, visit the preserve’s equestrian center to see live farrier demonstrations about the care of horses’ hooves. (jsorbieus/Wikimedia photo)

December

Christmas Around the World
Dec. 8, 15, 22, Sat. noon. Luncheon at the Oscar Swan mansion with food and décor each representing a different culture: Germany, Mexico, New Orleans and Italy. Santa will drop by. $29; call for reservations. Oscar Swan Country Inn, 1800 W. State St., Geneva, (630) 232-0173, oscarswan.com.

Christmas Walk
Dec. 7, 6 p.m. Holiday shopping, dining, roasting chestnuts, strolling carolers, freshly made candy canes and hot cider. First, Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, and her attendants arrive by horse-drawn carriage. Santa lights the Great Tree and opens his Gingerbread House at 6:30 p.m. Downtown Geneva, (630) 232-6060.

Geneva House Tour
Dec. 7-8, Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. to 4 p.m. Five distinctive homes decorated for the holidays will open their doors to visitors for self-guided tours. A traditional tea at the Congregational Church in Geneva, and a keepsake decorating and entertaining ideas booklet are included. $30. Info/Tickets: Geneva Chamber of Commerce, (630) 232-6060, genevachamber.com.

Christmas Memories House Tours
Dec. 8-Jan. 7, Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy the house decked in greens, savor the aroma of holiday treats and see the table set for company. Tours on the hour. Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago, (630) 876-5900, dupageforest.com.

IRM Happy Holiday Railway
Dec. 8-9, 15-16, noon-6 p.m. Take a magical train ride and visit with Santa Claus and his elves at the Toy Workshop. Children on Santa’s “Good” list will recieve a gift. Special Fare Event; no passes honored. Museum/buildings not open on these days. Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union, (815) 244-7245, irm.org.

Durant House Museum Candlelight Event
Dec. 8-9, 2-6 p.m. Enjoy the cozy hearth and the scent of fresh evergreens while experiencing 19th-century Christmas traditions. Then, stop in at the 1872 one-room Sholes School, open 2-5 p.m. $3/$1 children. LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles, (630) 377-6424, ppfv.org.

Owl Walk
Dec. 9, 5-7 p.m. Search for sights and sounds of the owls that reside at Glacial Park during the winter. Enjoy a hike through the forest preserve, then listen to an indoor presentation and meet a live owl. Dress for the weather and be prepared to walk about a mile over hilly terrain. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.

Introduction to Snowshoeing
Dec. 11, 7-8 p.m. Learn how to dress, where to go, and equipment needed to snowshoe in McHenry County. Staff from 2K Adventure Gear showcase winter gear and share advice. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.

Holiday Lights Decorating Tour
Dec. 20-31, 6-8 p.m. Grab hot chocolate and a warm blanket for this self-guided car tour around St. Charles, to view the most dazzling holiday decorations. Guides available starting Dec. 20, online or at Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave., St. Charles, (630) 513-6200, stcparks.org.

Christmas on the Farm
Dec. 15-16, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Behold a Victorian Christmas, and learn the origins of several holiday traditions. Visit with an old-fashioned Santa, and take your picture in a sleigh. Stop by a warming fire for caroling and hot apple cider. Free. Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago, (630) 876-5900, dupageforest.com.

Farrier Demonstrations
Dec. 15, 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. See the farrier tend to the horses’ hooves and learn about the tools & techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing. Danada Forest Preserve, Equestrian Center, 3S501 Naperville Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-6012, dupageforest.com.

Winter Solstice Campfire
Dec. 21, 6-7:30 p.m. Welcome the arrival of winter with folklore activities and wassail around a campfire. Dress for the weather. Register by Dec. 20. Meet at Borland Cabin. Ryerson Woods Conservation Area & Visitor Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Deerfield, (847) 968-3321, lcfpd.org.

Solstice Night Hike
Dec. 21, 6:30-8 p.m. Investigate old ways to celebrate this celestial event while creating new ones, including a luminary night hike ending at a campfire. Dress for weather. Please do not bring flashlights. Registration required; under 14 must be with paid adult participant. Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides, Danada Preserve
Dec. 26-30, noon-2 p.m. Take a 12-15-minute sleigh ride through prairies and woodlands and learn about the features of this historic preserve. Hay wagons used with fewer than 4 inches of packed snow on the trail. $5/$2 ages 5-12. Danada Forest Preserve, 3S580 Naperville Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-6012, dupageforest.com.

January 2013

Frosty Fishing Fair
Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn from experts about safety, techniques, equipment; see demonstrations; shop vendors; fish and play games; food and beverages available. Four inches of ice required. State fishing license/trout stamp required for ages 16 and up. Lake Atwood, The Hollows Conservation Area, 3804 U.S. Hwy. 14, Cary, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Owls of McHenry County
Jan. 11, 7-8:30 p.m. Search for owls during a short hike as they claim territories and mates during the winter months. Learn more about them through stories and folklore. Dress for the weather. Simultaneous but separate “Owl Prowl” for children ages 6-13. Both at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Winter Scavenger Hunt
Jan. 12, 1-2:30 p.m. Following an introduction around the campfire at the pavilion, head out on a scavenger hunt to find winter plant life and signs of animal activity. Registration required; under 14 must be with paid adult participant. Picnic Grove No. 1, The Hollows, Cary, mccdistrict.org.

Wildlife Tracking for Families
Jan. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. Search for clues about what wildlife has been around and make your own animal track cast. $10/family; $15/nonresident family. Ryerson Woods Conservation Area & Visitor Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Deerfield, (847) 968-3321, lcfpd.org.

Winter Constellations
Jan. 18, 7-8:30 p.m. Around a campfire, learn to identify major constellations, and listen to the stories behind them. Dress for the weather. Registration required; under 14 must be with paid adult participant. Brookdale Conservation Area, 18410 U.S. Hwy. 14, Woodstock, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.

Animal Tracks, Traces and Trails
Jan. 19, 1-2:30 p.m. Youngsters can learn about animal clues and behaviors while following tracks in the snow. Entire program is outside, so dress for weather. For kids without adults. Rush Creek, 20501 McGuire Road, Harvard, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

An Afternoon with the Short-Eared Owls
Jan. 19, 4-5:30 p.m. Join a dusk hike to search for signs of this Illinois endangered species. BYO binoculars; dress for the weather. Short presentation first. Registration required; under 14 must be with paid adult participant. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Ringwood, mccdistrict.org.

February

Groundhog Day
Feb. 2, 1-2 p.m. See what groundhogs really do in February; games and activities inside, followed by a short hike through the woods. Dress for weather. Age 4-13. Registration required; must be with registered adult. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood, (815) 338-6223.

Owl Prowl with Steve Bailey
Feb. 8, 7-9 p.m. This ornithologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey in Burwood discusses owl behavior and identification, followed by a night walk to look and listen for owls. Dress for the weather; BYO flashlight/binoculars. By Friends of Ryerson Woods and Chicago Botanic Garden. Registration required: (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org. $37/$29 for FRW or CBG. Event: Ryerson Woods Conservation Area, Deerfield, (847) 968-3321, lcfpd.org.

Winter Woods Walk
Feb. 9, 2:30-4 pm. Explore the winter wilderness during this guided forest preserve walk with activities along the route. Dress for the weather. Reg. required; under 14 must be with paid adult. Coral Woods, 7400 Somerset, Marengo, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Adlai E. Stevenson II Day
Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-noon, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Learn about this former Illinois governor, presidential candidate and Libertyville resident and tour his historic home. Ages 8 and up. Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home, 25200 Saint Mary’s Road, Mettawa. Info: Lake County Forest Preserve, (847) 367-6640, lcfpd.org.

Romantic Night Hike
Feb. 14, 7:30-9 p.m. Learn wildlife courtship behaviors in a guided hike or self-guided ski/hike, then warm up with hot chocolate and s’mores. Borland Cabin, Ryerson Woods, Deerfield, lcfpd.org.

Breakfast and Birding
Feb. 17, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Breakfast and coffee followed by a hike in search of winter birds. BYO binoculars, field guide. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Ringwood, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.

Learn to Cross-Country Ski
Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-noon. Learn a little history about this ancient sport while developing your skills, and then practice in the forest preserve. BYO ski equipment. Dress for weather. Dependent on conditions. Raven Glen Forest Preserve, U.S. Hwy. 45, Antioch, (847) 968-3321, lcpd.org.

Cat’s Pajamas Vintage Clothing, Jewelry and Textile Show and Sale
Feb. 23, Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Two floors filled with nearly 75 vendors with vintage clothing, jewelry and textiles. Fri. sneak peak with cocktail bar, clothing contest, live rockabilly. Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, (847) 931-5900, hemmens.org.