Learn about the world of dragonflies Aug. 1 at Morton Arboretum in Lisle.

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 the world of dragonflies Aug. 1 at Morton Arboretum in Lisle.

July

Building Geneva
Through Aug. 26, Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Children ages 3-8 can become architects, masons or city planners through hands-on activities, including building a life-size brick house and log cabin. Registration required. Geneva History Museum, 113. S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 232-4951, GenevaHistoryMuseum.org.

Dinosaur Giants
Through Sept. 24, Mon.-Th. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. to 6 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. Meet the two-story-tall Jobaria, a pterosaur with a 16-foot wingspan and a Suchomimus, who looked like a crocodile with enormous claws. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

Origami in the Garden
Through Oct. 22, daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Discover delicate shapes created by origami masters, cast as large metal sculptures, as you stroll the Arboretum paths. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. Rt. 53, Lisle, (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

Adlai E. Stevenson Home Tour
July 13, noon-4 p.m. Learn about this Illinois governor, statesman and ambassador to the United Nations as you tour his home, a National Historic Landmark, the setting where he wrote speeches, reflected on world events and found solace in the landscape. Age 8 and up. Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home, 25200 N. St. Mary’s Road, Mettawa, (847) 367-6640, lcfpd.org.

Family Health Fest
July 15, 9 a.m.-noon. Open swim noon-2 p.m. Activities include a rock wall, games, face painting. Free bike helmets for the first 400 children under 16. Registration required. Centegra Health System-Huntley, 10350 Haligus Road, Huntley, (877) 236-8347, centegra.org.

Everything Comics
July 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Browse the offerings at a comic book convention and learn to how to draw comics. Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

Get to Know Fermilab
July 16 & Aug. 20, 1-3 p.m. Public tour for age 10 and up. Registration required for Sunday tours. Wilson Hall, Fermilab, Kirk Road and Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

Brown Bag with General Grant
July 20, noon-1 p.m. Re-enactor Jim Zingales performs as General Ulysses S. Grant, bringing a depth of knowledge and character to this frequently misunderstood man. Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin, (847) 742-4248, elginhistory.org.

Music by the Lake (MBTL): Author Richard Louv
July 23, 4 p.m. Richard Louv will speak about the importance of nature in our lives for physical and emotional health. He is a journalist and author of nine books, including “Vitamin N” and New York Times best-seller “Last Child in the Woods.” Presented by Music by the Lake. Ferro Pavilion, George Williams College, 350 Constance Blvd., Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.

Monarch Family Fun Fair
July 23, 1-4 p.m. Learn how you can help the monarch butterflies and their miraculous migration across the North American continent. Activities, games, face painting, arts, nature trunks and information on planting butterfly gardens. Crystal Lake Main Beach Pavilion, 300 Lake Shore Dr., Crystal Lake, (815) 477-5404, mccdistrict.org.

Importance of Honeybees
July 30, 6:30-8 p.m. Join a local experienced beekeeper to learn about the resurgence of beekeeping and why honeybees are so important to each of us and our ecosystem. Brookdale Conservation Area, 18410 Hwy. 14, Woodstock, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

August

Dragonflies and Daiquiris
Aug. 1, 7-9 p.m. Enjoy a daiquiri as you discover the intriguing world of dragonflies with an arboretum naturalist. These ancient insects are not only big and beautiful, they’re fierce predators and acrobatic flyers. Morton Arboretum, Lisle, (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

Silent Film Night
Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m. “The Black Pirate,” accompanied by music on the historic Arcada pipe organ.
Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

Antique Tool Show & Sale
Aug. 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Midwest Tool Collectors and the Early American Industries Association members display, trade and sell antique and collectable tools. Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, La Fox, (630) 584-8485, garfieldfarm.org.

MBTL: Ray LaHood
Aug. 13, 4 p.m. The former U.S. transportation secretary and Illinois congressman discusses partisanship in politics over his 36-year career in public service. Presented by Music by the Lake. Ferro Pavilion, George Williams College, Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.

Heirloom Garden Show
Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Rare and specialty fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs are displayed and sold by Midwestern growers. Garfield Farm Museum, La Fox, (630) 584-8485, garfieldfarm.org.

September

On the Trolley Storytime
Sept. 2, 9, & 16, 2:40-3:10 p.m. Hop on the trolley or a fun stortytime as it loops around Elmhurst. Meet at the Cottage Hill and Adelaide Street stop, located just east of the library. Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., (630) 279-8696, elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.

Colloquium at Fermilab
Sept. 6, 4 p.m. Scientist Victor Yarba speaks about Soviet and Russian participation in Fermilab’s program. Fermilab, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov.

Weed Ladies Fall Sale
Sept. 9-10, Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. Features creative seasonal floral arrangements with silk and dried florals as well as popular dried bouquets. Daniels House, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org

Elgin Cemetery Walk
Sept. 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Guides in period costumes introduce visitors to the fascinating lives of Elgin’s historical characters during a walking tour of the iconic Bluff City Cemetery. 945 Bluff City Blvd., Elgin, (847) 742-4248, elginhistory.org.

Born British, Died American
Sept. 25, 3-5 p.m. Enjoy living history by eavesdropping on Ben Franklin working and discussing his memoirs with his daughter, Sally. The Historic Gain House, 149 Hilltop, Lake in the Hills, (847) 567-5476, mccdistrict.org.