There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
October
Family Wreath Workshop
Oct. 2, 2 p.m. Spend some quality time with family and create a special wreath together. Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights, (847) 255-1225, ahmuseum.org.
Poetry Writers Workshop
Oct. 3, 6:30p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join a group of local poets to share what you’ve written. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Book & Bag It – The Ghosts of Route 66
Oct. 5, noon-1 p.m. David Clark, author of “Images of America: Route 66 in Chicago,” explores the ghost stories and ghost towns found along Route 66. Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., Geneva, (630) 232-0780, gpld.org.
ESO Listeners Club: “City Lights”
Oct. 5, 1-3 p.m. Film music historian Steven C. Smith discusses Chaplin’s unique composing methods on “City Lights,” which paired the filmmaker – who had no musical training – with professional composer/arrangers to create a film score masterpiece. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Info: (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Night of Poetry
Oct. 6, 7-8:30 p.m. Join Raue Center for the Arts Poet-in-Residence Phil Denofrio and a district staff member as they lead you through poetry readings and reflections on the natural world as dusk settles in. The Hollows Conservation Area, 3804 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, mchenrycountyliving.com.
Living History Open House: Twilight
Oct. 6, 5-8:30 p.m. Enjoy the twilight ambiance of this 1850s house by candlelight while viewing the ever-changing colors in the Lost Valley Marsh. Powers-Walker House, Route 31 & Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.
The Big Sit: Bird Watching Event
Oct. 8, 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Join this annual, international, noncompetitive birding event when fall migration is in full swing. Find a good spot for bird watching, sit in one spot for a designated time period and count all the bird species you see or hear. Hosted by Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge & Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. Info: (815) 678-4532, hackmatacknwr.org or mccdistrict.org.
The Amazing Adventures of Bertha Benz & the History of the German Auto
Oct. 9, 2-3 p.m. Listen to a lecture by Anette Isaccs on Bertha Benz and the history of the German Auto. Elgin Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin, (847) 742-4248, elginhistory.org.
Writing Your Memoirs
Oct. 26, 10-11:30 a.m., Local resident Patricia Hare gives a motivational talk on why seniors should write their memoirs. She also gives instructions on how to begin and hints on how to awaken old memories. Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St., Woodstock, (815) 338-0542, woodstockpubliclibrary.org.
November
Education to Empowerment
Nov. 3 6-8 p.m. Aimee Cohen, author of “Women Up!,” presents a powerful and practical message that exposes seven self-absorbing behaviors that keep women from success. Using real-life examples, shared experiences and Aimee’s own guilty confessions, “Woman Up!” delivers the sage advice every women wishes she had at the start of her career. McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, mchenrycountyliving.com/.
8th Annual Green Living Expo
Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Local area businesses and organizations offer green products and services. Participants are encouraged to learn about topics such as energy savings, composting, local food options, bird watching and connecting with the local eco-community. McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-7765, mchenry.edu.
How to Price it Right: The Art and Science of Pricing Your Business
Nov. 9, 7-8:30 p.m. Larry Bussow, a business mentor, explains the importance of defining product cost, margin, expense and profit as part of your pricing strategy. Gail Borden Public Library District, 270 N. Grove Ave., (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Bird Walk
Nov. 12, 8:30-11 a.m. Even as the fall migration winds down, there are still plenty of birds to enjoy, and usually a surprise or two. Cantigny bird walks are conducted in partnership with the DuPage Birding Club. A small number of binoculars are available for anyone who wants to borrow a pair. Cantigny Park Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161 cantigny.org.
Sensational Squash
Nov. 13, 9:30-11 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m. Squash comes in many sizes, colors and flavors, so why not give them a try? Explore the story of the squash, dissect and explore different types and bake and taste their seeds and flesh. Take a recipe home to enjoy for the holidays. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.
Artful Women Presents: Alicia Marcos Birong
Nov. 13, 3-5 p.m. Alicia Marcos Birong, author and life coach, discusses the importance of raising a daughter with strong self-esteem. Raue Center For The Arts, Crystal Lake, rauecenter.org.
“Andrew Carroll: Creative Living Series”
Nov. 17, 10 a.m. Andrew Carroll has journeyed across America to find the unmarked historic sites where extraordinary events occurred, such as the train platform where the brother of Lincoln’s assassin saved the life of Lincoln’s son. From inventions to deaths, Carroll demonstrates that what we know as “history” is only a small cross section of the past. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Physics Slam V
Nov. 18, 8 p.m. Five different scientists/engineers get a short window of time to give short presentations on their particular brand of science. The audience gets to choose who does it best. Fermilab, Wilson St. & Kirk Road, Batavia, fnal.gov/culture.
December
Holiday Tea
Dec. 3, 1-3 p.m. Guests can listen to the sounds of the North Side Brass and enjoy singing carols along with piano player David Nelson. Indulge with cookies, drinks and other holiday treats. Elgin Area Historical Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin, (847) 742-4268, elginhistory.org.
Pearl Harbor – A Day of Infamy
Dec. 6 7-8:30 p.m. Battlefield expert Robert Mueller reviews why and how the Japanese almost wiped out the American Pacific Fleet in one fell swoop. Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.