Learn about electric cars and what’s on the market at Gail Borden Library, in Elgin, on March 23.

Events @ a Glance: Mind and Spirit Calendar

There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.

Learn about electric cars and what’s on the market at Gail Borden Library, in Elgin, on March 23.

February

Creative Living Series: David Catlin
Feb. 16, 10 a.m. This actor, director, playwright and teacher shares the journey he began when he and seven students looked to redefine the limits of theatrical experience. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.org.

Poverty and Education Reform
Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m. Join Illinois Humanities for a facilitated community dialogue about school funding. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

Living History Performance: Harriet Tubman
Feb. 26, 3 p.m. Actress Pam Welcome gives a moving performance that combines first-and third-person accounts about the life and struggles of Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 688-5161, Cantigny.org.

March

The Wilson Brothers
March 4, 11 a.m.-noon. Oscar and August Wilson built many of Geneva’s buildings, including City Hall, the Fargo Theatre and the State Bank. This program is in conjunction with a museum exhibit that highlights the people who designed, constructed and lived in some of Geneva’s most interesting homes and buildings. Geneva History Museum, 113 S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.

Greenhouse Tour
March 7, 11 a.m. Bob Carr, Cantigny’s greenhouse grower, takes guests on a guided tour of spring bedding plants. He also shows visitors the beginning stages of the summer plant series. Cantigny, Wheaton, (630) 688-5161, Cantigny.org.

Find a Way
March 11, 2 p.m. Motivational speaker Jenny Riddle talks about 64-year-old Diana Nyad’s completion of a 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida and the struggle to make it happen. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

Spring Fever Maple Sugaring
March 11-12, Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. Learn the time-honored method of collecting sap the old-fashioned way and see a maple tree tapping demonstration. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org.

History Speaks: Helen Keller
March 12, 4 p.m. Actor Jessica Michna portrays Helen Keller, the blind and deaf author, activist and lecturer. Led to the podium, Michna recites excerpts from the speech Keller gave to the International Lions Convention in 1925. The program continues in third person when Michna tells the audience about Keller’s life experiences. Naper Settlement, Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org.

Brown Bag Program: Geneva Disasters
March 14, noon. Learn about a tornado that hit the east side of Geneva on April 21, 1967, and the ways in which this disaster and others have rocked the city. Geneva History Museum, Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.

Creative Living Series: Robert Martin
March 16, 10 a.m. This emeritus curator of biological anthropology at Chicago’s Field Museum discusses reproduction, from the basic biology of sperm and eggs to the complexities of birth control and assisted fertility. Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.org.

Wonders of Science
March 19, 1 p.m. A fast-paced series of demonstrations on chemical and physical phenomena that engages young scientists mentally and physically. Fermilab, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

Driving Electric
March 23, 7 p.m. Think an electric car is too expensive and will leave you stranded for a place to recharge? Elgin Sustainability Commission Commissioner Paige Fitton eases your mind and fills you in on the types of electric cars available. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411.

Spring Wildflower Preview
March 23, 11 a.m. Get an inside scoop on Mother Nature’s schedule for spring wildflowers. See beautiful pictures of wildflowers while you learn which flowers will be blooming and when and where to find them. McHenry County Conservation District, 18410 U.S. Highway 14, Woodstock, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.

April

Breakfast With the Bunny
April 8, 9:30 a.m. While you enjoy a traditional breakfast buffet, the Easter Bunny hops through the room making stops at each table. After its rounds, the Bunny is available for photos. Crystal Lake Park District, Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Riverstone Buildings in the Tri-Cities
April 8, 11 a.m. Adam Gibbons, board president of Preservation Partners, presents the history of riverstone buildings in Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles. Geneva History Museum, Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.

History Speaks: The Endurance
April 9, 4 p.m. Author Rochelle Pennington traveled to England and Scotland to research Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 travels aboard Endurance, and she recounts the crew’s harrowing journey of survival as they attempted to reach Antarctica. Pennington’s presentation features dozens of documents and stunning pictures taken during the expedition. Naper Settlement, Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org.

Brown Bag Program: Geneva During World War I
April 11, noon. In memory of the 100th anniversary of the United States’ involvement in World War I, learn about how the war affected Geneva. Geneva History Museum, Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.

Spring Wildflower Walk
April 14, 9 p.m. Facts and folklore are shared as guests hike through the woods enjoying the beauty of spring wildflowers. Coral Woods Conservation Area, 7400 Somerset Dr., Marengo, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.

Creative Living Series: Mary Badham
April 20, 10 a.m. When she was 10 years old, Mary Badham was selected for the role of Scout Finch in the 1962 film “To Kill A Mockingbird.” With an interest in spreading a message of tolerance and compassion, she has spoken to audiences across the country and the world. Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.org.