Events @ a Glance: Mind & Spirit Calendar

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

Learn about the Elgin area’s dairy-driven past at Gail Borden Public Library on May 14.

May

Bonsai Show & Sale
May 11-12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Featuring spring-blooming trees, bonsai on rocks and suiseki, the Japanese art of displaying interestingly shaped stones. Demonstrations, workshops, bonsai and bonsai supplies. Reg. online for workshops. Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.

Where Have All the Cows Gone?
May 14, 6:30 p.m. At one time, the Elgin area had more than 140 dairies, dairy farms and creameries. Now, there are just three. Explore our region’s history with dairy and watch the “Dairies to Prairies” documentary with Elgin History Museum. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

American Legion Post 75: A Century of Service
May 14, noon. Join Geneva History Museum for a look at the past 100 years of Geneva’s American Legion Post. American Legion Post 75, 22 S. 2nd St., Geneva, genevahistorymuseum.org.

Deep-Sea Bioluminescence
May 17, 8 p.m. Dr. Edith Widder, a MacArthur fellow, deep-sea explorer and 3-time TED Talks speaker, shares recent insights into the ways that light impacts the deep sea and how this knowledge impacts cancer, pollution, giant squid and neutrinos. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

The History of Provence, France
May 18, 1-4 p.m. Presented by Arnaud Monnier, this program highlights the culture and food of this famed region. Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1900 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, (847) 882-9100, hoffmanestates.org.

Water Lantern Festival
May 18, 6-10:30 p.m. Lanterns light up the Fox River in an event to celebrate life, filled with happiness, hope and great memories. River Edge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, enjoyaurora.com.

Dash for the Dogs
May 19, 6:15-11 a.m. The 9th annual 5K run/walk and 1-mile family fun walk raises funds to support Animal House Shelter. Citizen’s Park, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, (847) 961-5541, runsignup.com.

Entrepreneur Workshop for Kids
May 19, 3-4:30 p.m. Kids 7-13 learn the basics of entrepreneurship through running their own mock root beer stand. Targeted skills include communication, financial literacy, self-esteem, marketing, science and creativity. Crystal Lake Park District, Admin. Bldg., 1 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Tru: A One-Man Show
May 19, 3-4:30 p.m. Ron Keaton brings to life Truman Capote, one of America’s most colorful and controversial figures. Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington, (224) 512-4115, barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Spring Bulb Sale
May 23, 7-9 a.m. Bring a bag or box to transport home your favorite variety of tulip bulbs. Check website; subject to date change due to weather or timing of tulip blooms. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

An Evening with Krista Tippett
May 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The host of the podcast “On Being” and curator of The Civil Conservation Project living together in difference. Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St., Barrington, (847) 382-1300, barringtonarealibrary.org.

Garden Chef Series
May 25-Oct. 6, Sat. & Sun. 1:30 & 2:30 p.m. Learn to cook with garden-fresh ingredients as chefs prepare recipes in the open-air amphitheater. Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.

Noble Discontent: Louisa May Alcott
May 26, 3 p.m. Debra Ann Miller portrays Alcott: poet, author, abolitionist and nurse, patriot and suffragist. Drawing from letters and journals, Alcott speaks in her own words about her hopes, heartbreaks and inspirations. Norris Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200, norrisculturalarts.com.

Elgin During D-Day
May 30, 7 p.m. Jerry Turnquist, of the Elgin History Museum, uses newspaper clippings and photos to recall the ways World War II and D-Day impacted Elgin citizens. Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

June

BACF Fundraiser
June 3, see website for time. The 17th annual golf and dinner event features prizes, raffles and auctions. Barrington Area Community Foundation, Wynstone Country Club, 1 S. Wynstone Dr., North Barrington, (847) 382-8800, barringtonareacommunityfoundation.org.

Community Blood Drive
June 5, 3:30-7:30 p.m. Individuals 18 and up, weighing more than 110 lbs., are eligible to donate. Vitalant, The Barn, 231 S. Civic Dr., Schaumburg, (847) 923-3767, villageofshaumburg.com.

Solar Power Hour
June 8, 11 a.m. Learn about the grassroots program Solarize Chicago, which combines volume purchasing with community education in an effort to make solar energy more accessible. Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

Barrington’s Notables
June 9, 3-4:30 p.m. Barrington’s own Barbara Benson tells the stories of some of the most notable Barrington residents in the middle decades of the 20th century. Barrington’s White House, Barrington, (224) 512-4115, barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Armchair Generals: Wisconsin’s 15th
June 11, 11:45 a.m. bring a lunch and join Jerry Allen as he recounts the story of the “Scandinavian Regiment,” the 15th Wisconsin, which served during the Civil War. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

National Pollinator Week
June 17-21, 11 a.m.-noon. Meet a guest speaker in the pollinator garden each morning to learn what plants butterflies, moths, hummingbirds and bees of all kinds are attracted to. Get plants to establish your own pollinator garden. Cantigny, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.