There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
November
Dance and Watch “The Nutcracker”
Nov. 11, 3:30 p.m. Take a ballet lesson, then watch the professionals perform an excerpt from “The Nutcracker.” Ages 6 and up. Reg. req. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Elgin History Museum Annual Benefit
Nov. 11, 6 p.m. Alexander Hamilton, portrayed by Terry Lynch, makes a guest appearance as this year’s speaker. A silent auction, cash bar and hearty appetizers round out the evening. Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin, (847) 742-4248, elginhistory.org.
Feast for Survival
Nov. 12, 3 p.m. Take a family-friendly hike at Hastings Lake and explore natural foods found in nature. Learn how Native Americans, local wildlife and native plants adapted to survive the cold winter months. Reg. req. Shelter A, Hastings Lake, 21155 W. Gelden Road, Lake Villa, (847) 367-6640, lcfpd.org.
Geneva’s Newspaper of Record
Nov. 11, noon. Join former editor Dave Rogers and others who share stories from The Geneva Republican newspaper, now marking its 170th year. Geneva History Museum, 113 S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 232-4951, genevahistorymuseum.org.
DogFest Walk n’ Roll Illinois
Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. At this family- and canine-friendly festival, walk along the riverfront, enjoy music, bid on prizes and raise funds to support Canine Companions’ mission of providing assistance dogs that serve people with disabilities. Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles, (815) 776-0102, support.cci.org.
One Book One Garden
Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m. Join a discussion of “Lab Girl,” by Fulbright Award-winning geobiologist Hope Jahren, who traces her life through stories from a childhood in rural Minnesota to building three laboratories for studying trees, flowers, seeds and soil. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.
Creative Living Series: Annie Polland
Nov. 16, 9 a.m. coffee and conversation, 10 a.m. program. The education and programming chief for the Lower East Side Tenement Museum in New York City, Pollard features the stories of three immigrant families as they crossed international and cultural borders to become new Americans. Woodstock Fine Arts Association, Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockfinearts.org.
Money in Politics: How Much is Too Much?
Nov. 16, 7 p.m. Sarah Brune, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, presents practical tools for keeping up with the fast-paced world of political money in Illinois and answers questions about what’s to come in 2018. Reg. at wheatonlwvil.org. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.
Clay Jenkinson
Nov. 18, 8 p.m. Appearing in costume and character, Jenkinson humorously presents both sides in a debate between two of the country’s greatest presidents: Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. Fundraiser for the Crystal Lake Library Foundation. Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.
Thanksgiving for Nature Scavenger Hunt
Nov. 19, 1-3 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon discovering gifts from nature as you walk the designated trail searching for clues; then savor a hot beverage. Reg. req. Edward L. Ryerson Welcome Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, (847) 968-3320, lcfpd.org.
Hamilton’s Women
Nov. 19, 1 p.m. Historical re-enactor Leslie Goddard brings to life three women pivotal to the life of Alexander Hamilton. Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org.
Silly Celebrations
Nov. 19, 2-3:30 p.m. Celebrate National Puzzles and Games week and some of the silly national “holidays” that come around each month. Activities for kids of all ages. Reg. online. Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Freemont St., Arlington Heights, (847) 225-1225, ahmuseum.org.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece
Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m. Create a floral arrangement for your table or entryway, featuring fresh and dried flowers in a fall palette. Bring wire cutter, hand pruner and small cardboard tray. Reg. req. Cantigny, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.
Talkin’ Turkey
Nov. 21, 10 a.m. Learn about turkeys, listen to stories, sing songs, and make a turkey craft. Ages 3-5. Reg. req. Cantigny, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.
Hertz Trout Valley 5K Turkey Trot
Nov. 23, 8-10 a.m. Trot out on Thanksgiving morning for a scenic run and bring a non-perishable item to support the Cary-Grove Food Pantry and the Trojan Track and Cross Country Association. Reg. online. Trout Valley Lodge, River Road, Trout Valley, (815) 382-2673, troutvalleyturkeytrot.com.
An Evening with C.S. Lewis
Nov. 24, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. British actor David Payne offers a humorous, fascinating and enthralling insight into the life of a man who became a legend in his own time. Payne portrays Lewis speaking to a group of American writers visiting England in 1963, as he recounts the significant events and people that shaped his life. Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.
December
9th Annual Snowflake Shuffle
Dec. 2, 9 a.m. A 5K/10K race that raises money and awareness for mental health services through TriCity Family Services. Prizes for best costumes and top 5K and 10K runners. Location: Royal Fox Country Club, 4405 Royal & Ancient Dr., St. Charles, (630) 232-1070, tricityfamilyservices.org.
Kiwanis Santa 5K Run
Dec. 3, 9 a.m. 5K participants get a five-piece Santa suit to wear while they race. Proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters, CASA, Turning Point, Girls on the Run, Main Stay Therapeutic Farm and the local Kiwanis. Starting point: Raue Center for the Arts, Crystal Lake. Info: (815) 459- 1773, kiwaniscrystallake.com.