There’s so much to do in our neck of the Old Northwest Territory! Here’s a sampling of some upcoming events.
April
National Poetry Month: Famous Women Poets
April 15, 7 p.m. Area actresses present poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay, Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton and Maya Angelou. Reg. requested. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
Elgin Alive: URBANIZED: A Documentary April 16, 6:30 p.m. How the physical design of a city dictates where we live and work, how we get around and relax, more. Discussion follows. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
“A Life at the Library of Congress”
April 18, 10 a.m. Longtime library historian John Y. Cole provides a personal account of the Library. Creative Living Series. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
The Art of Marc Chagall
April 18, 6-7 p.m. Dr. Michelle Paluch-Mishur discusses Chagall’s style and major themes. Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 Forest Preserve Dr., Wauconda, (847) 968-3400, lakecountydiscoverymuseum.org.
Authors on the Fox: Ed Herdrich
April 18, 7-8:30 p.m. Educator, licensed private detective and author presents the program, “Chasing Shadows: My Life as a Private Detective.” Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
The Midwestern Native Garden
April 18, 7-8 p.m. Gardener and best-selling author Charlotte Adelman discusses native plants for your yard, and which will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Free. Ryerson Woods Conservation Area, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Deerfield, (847) 968-3321, lcfpd.org.
30 Men vs. 30 Women Who Cook Fundraiser
April 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit local organizations. Tickets: (630) 232-6060. From Geneva Chamber of Commerce. Event: Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.
Green Lens Environmental Film Festival
April 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Films by students and local talent from around northern Illinois, informational displays, panel discussion, more. Info: niu.edu/greenlens. Event: Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd St., DeKalb.
Earth Day Celebration
April 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. A local green market, rain barrels for sale, a bicycle tune-up shop and rodeo, paper shredding, electronics recycling, more. Free. Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva, genevaparks.org.
Earth Day Celebration
April 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Guided nature hike, games, crafts, live entertainment, environmental exhibitors, food vendors, recycling drop-off (check for complete list of acceptable items). Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.
Wings & Wildflowers
April 20, 9 a.m. Discussions and tours on birds and sustainable landscapes by local experts and Cantigny staff. Free with paid parking. Limited seating; reg. requested. Education Center, Cantigny Gardens, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 260-8162, cantigny.org.
Earth Day Tree Planting
April 20, 10 a.m. Help Kane County Forest Preserve District staff plant hundreds of oaks in a few short hours. Holes will be pre-dug. Free. Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve 39W933 Russell Road, Elgin. Info: (630) 232-5980, kaneforest.com.
Spring Celebration
April 21, 1-4 p.m. Nature walks, crafts, games, and sheep shearing and herding demonstrations. Free. Ryerson Woods, Deerfield, lcfpd.org.
Recycled Art Workshop
April 21, Create art from discarded, recycled and found items. Aurora Public Library West Branch, 233 S. Constitution Dr., Aurora, aurora.lib.il.us.
Rainwater: Flushing for the Future
April 22, 4-5 p.m. See how the Welcome Center at Ryerson Woods was built with water-saving features. Free. Ryerson Woods, Deerfield, lcfpd.org.
Butterfly Gardening
April 25, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn to identify local butterflies, the plants they rely on and how to attract butterflies to your backyard. Indoor event. Glacial Park, Ringwood, mccdistrict.org.
History Tour: Celebrating Woodstock’s Story
April 27, 10-11 a.m. Hear stories about past residents, noting architectural details along the way. Meet at the Spring House in Woodstock Square. Info: Woodstock Library, (815) 338-0542. Woodstock Square, Woodstock.
Director Screening: Refuge
April 30, 6:30 p.m. Documentary director Ethan Bensinger gives voice to the last generation of Holocaust survivors in Chicago. Discussion follows. Reg. required. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
May
Fox River-Chain O’ Lakes Clean-Up
May 4, 8 a.m.-noon. Help to collect debris from the water and adjacent public property. Last year’s event netted more than 14,000 tons. Work from the shoreline or from your boat. Site locations and updates will be listed on the district’s website. Teens earn service hours. Info: mccdistrict.org.
Plant Identification for Beginners
May 4, 2-3:30 p.m. The basics of plant identification. Held indoors and out. $15. Registration required. Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve, 41W600 Hughes Road, Elburn, (630) 232-5980, kaneforest.com.
The WASP: Women’s Air Force Service Pilots
May 5, 4 p.m. Rebecca Sutera Tulloch, certified FAA pilot, talks about the more than 1,100 women who served their country in WWII, flying every military aircraft used by American forces. History Speaks Lecture Series, Century Chapel, Naperville, napersettlement.museum.org.
8th Annual Fireside Chat About Elgin’s Past
May 5, 3:30 p.m. & 5 p.m. An informal discussion about aspects of Elgin’s past, led by Elgin historians E.C. “Mike” Alft and Jerry Turnquist. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
Spring Amphibians and Reptiles
May 9, 6:45- 9 p.m. Series for adults interested in nature. Each monthly gathering will feature a nature-themed discussion or activity. All ages of adults are welcome. Free. Reg. required. Creek Bend Nature Center, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W584 Dean St., St. Charles, kaneforest.com.
Elgin’s Green Expo
May 10-11, Fri. 7-9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The largest event of its kind in the Fox Valley. Aquarium filled with Fox River fish; Native American traditions; live birds of prey; music, dancing and fire ceremonies; exhibits; Green Award nominations. Info: elgingreenexpo.org. Event: City Centre, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. ❚
Advanced Plant Identification
May 11, 2-3:30 p.m. An overview of plant morphology and terminology needed to identify plants. Held both indoors and out. Registration required. Creek Bend Nature Center, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles, (630) 232-5980, kaneforest.com.
Rehabbing Elgin Bungalows
May 13, 7 p.m. Elgin contractor and historian Dennis Roxworthy includes images and information on old home repair and maintenance, including choices in historic paint colors. Please register. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
Smart by Nature
May 14, 6:30-8 p.m. We’re still discovering all the ways that nature takes care of us and can teach us to improve our lives. A 30 minute DVD about ecological design inspired by nature is followed by outdoor exploration. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779.
Gong Meditation with Kenny & Boontiva
May 15, 1 p.m. Experience the sound energy and guided deep relaxation of the gong as it moves through the nervous system, opening, clearing, healing, recharging the whole mind, body and spirit and triggering a
meditative state. Please register. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
The 10 Warning Signs: Early Detection Matters
May 15, 7 p.m. A basic overview of Alzheimer’s disease and covers risk factors, diagnosis, and the benefits of early detection. Please register. Hosted by Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
Brown Bag Lunch
May 15, noon. International Museum Day. Native American Art by Carl Flaks. Bring your lunch;
beverages and dessert provided. Elgin Area Historical Society, 360 Park St., Elgin, (847) 742-4248, elginhistory.org.
The Guns at Last Light
May 15, 7:30 p.m. Author Rick Atkinson discusses the final volume of his Liberation Trilogy. The dramatic account will take readers through D-Day, the liberation of Paris, Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge, and the Third Reich. Atkinson won the Pulitzer Prize for History for An Army at Dawn. Free parking & admission. Teachers can earn CPDU credits. Cantigny Park Visitors Center, Wheaton, (630) 260-8162, cantigny.org.
The Hell Creek Formation: The Twilight of Non-Avian Dinosaurs
May 16, 7 p.m. Take a trip 66 million years back in time and explore the Hell Creek formation with field paleontologist, Rob Sula. Learn how paleontologists interpret fossils of Triceratops, Edmontosaurus and, of course, the mighty Tyrannosarus rex. Using actual fossils, excavation photos and site maps, Rob will examine this remarkable ecosystem that included the last non-avian dinosaurs to walk on earth. Please register. Gail Borden Library, Elgin, gailborden.info.
Hops and History with “Chicago by the Pint”
May 17, 7:30 p.m. Using a variety of local breweries as the gateway, the author Denese Neu provides pint-sized history lessons to enjoy with your pint. Registration: Gail Borden Library, gailborden.info. Event: Elgin Public House’s Pub 217, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin.
Gardenology
May 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This downtown fest brings together vendors and experts in farming, landscape design, weavers, local nurseries, and more with products and information on herbs, flowers, vegetables, heirloom plants, perennials, attracting birds & butterflies, controlling wildlife, composting, organic fertilizers and more. Rain or shine. Downtown Geneva, from the courthouse to the Metra station. Info: gardenologygenevail.com.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
May 18-19, Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 1-5 p.m. Find great bargains and help the library. In the Meeting Room and Zimmerman Room. Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy., Barrington, (847) 382-1300, balibrary.org.
Turtles of Kane County
May 23; 7-9 p.m. Learn about the species of turtles that call Kane County home and the challenges they face during spring when they must come out of hibernation, find mates, and establishing foraging and nesting territories. $15. Registration required. Hickory Knolls, St. Charles, stcparks.org.
Walking with Soldiers: The Civil War Tour
May 25, 2-3:15 p.m. Walk begins at Naper Settlement Visitor Center Mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which started in 1861 and lasted for four years, with a special tour at Naperville Cemetery. Learn the story of how Levi Shafer’s gun fired the first two shots at Gettysburg; see how the shell that
killed Dr. Horace Potter is incorporated into his headstone; view the grave of a Confederate soldier buried
at the cemetery; and hear stories of Civil War veterans who were from Naperville. For ages teen to adult.
(Some historical materialMay be too graphic for younger audiences.)
June
4th Annual Aurora Green Fest
June 8, Guest Speakers, Green Vendors, Recycling extravaganza, Green Car Show Live Music,
Environmental education – Local organic farms, Be green to save green, Sustainable living solutions,
Green art show, Green kids activities and MORE! Visit Website Prisco Community Center 150 W Illinois Ave. Aurora, IL
Tea with Chocolate Dipping Station with the Historical Society’s Annual House Walk
June 9, 1-3 p.m. Homes throughout the Arlington Heights community are featured on the annual walk.
Proceeds from the Walk benefit the Historical Society. 847.255.1225 ahmuseum.org Arlington Heights
Historical Museum, 110 W. Freemont St., Arlington Heights, (847) 255-1225, ahmuseum.org.
John Philip Sousa
June 9, 4-5 p.m. Terry Lynch as the “march king” tells how a 13 year old boy runs away to join the circus,
becomes the bandmaster of the U.S. Marine Corps. Band, conducts the President’s own Marine Band
under five presidents, and writes 136 military marches along the way. Suitable for all ages. History
Speaks Lecture Series Century Memorial Chapel, 523 S. Webster St. Naperville, (630) 420-6010,
napersettlement.museum.org.