There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
June
Bow Tie March & 5K Run
June 7, run at 7:30 a.m., march at 8 a.m. A one-of-a-kind event to raise awareness of men’s cancer, educate the community on screenings for early prevention, and celebrate men who are cancer survivors. Proceeds benefit Healing Pathways Cancer Resource Center. Home Depot, 6930 Argus Dr., Rockford, healingpathwayscrc.org/bowtiemarch.html.
Laurent House Tours Begin
June 7-8, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. Tour Laurent House, the only building ever designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a person with a disability. Birthday cake and lemonade served for Wright’s 147th Birthday Celebration. Tours are first and last weekends of each month. $15/advance registration online only: laurenthouse.com. Tours begin at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford.
15th Annual Jazz on the Rock
June 13, 7 p.m. “Roaring ’20s Gala” theme; costumes encouraged. Dinner, cash bar, auction, raffle, more. $75. Benefits Children’s Home + Aid. Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St., (815) 962-1043, childrenshomeandaid.org/jazzontherock.
The Making of a Garden
June 19, 7 p.m. Horticulture Manager Edward McKee gives an overview of the 132-acre public Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and the creation of a world-class Japanese Garden addition. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-3307, andersongardens.org
Read with Lilly, the Library Dog
June 20, 27, Aug. 8, 15, 2-3 p.m. Kids love to read with Lilly, a trained Reading Education Assistance Dog. Registration and parental permission required. Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd., Beloit, Wis., (608) 364-2905, beloitlibrary.info.
12th Annual Midsummer Magic
June 21, 4:30-9 p.m. VIP Party w/ BBQ & all the fixins, live entertainment, 40 food stations; silent auction, raffle. Fundraiser for Old World Wisconsin, W372 S9727 Hwy. 67, Eagle, (262) 594-2922, oldworldwisconsin.org, friendsoww.org.
July
Your Own Home
July 9, 1-3 p.m. Ages 18-plus. Learn about the benefits, risks and process of buying your own home, sponsored by Woodforest National Bank. Rockford Public Library (RPL), Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St., Rockford, (815) 965-7606, option 2, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
Book to Film Series: Monuments Men
July 9, 6 p.m. Free. Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd., Beloit, Wis., (608) 364-2905, beloitlibrary.info.
A Night in the Garden
July 10, 5:30-8:30 p.m. An evening of food and tours of the gardens. $75. Fundraiser for Outreach Jail Ministries, a nonprofit group that assists those incarcerated in the area while in jail and after their release. Info: Rockford Outreach, rockfordreachout.org. Event: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8858, rockfordparkdistrict.org/ncg.
Hoo Haven Animal Show
July 12, 11-11:45 a.m. Hoo Haven will bring some amazing animals to see and learn about. All ages. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-7606, option 2, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
An Evening in the Gardens
July 20, 5-8 p.m. Explore eight gardens, including the Cultural Heritage Gardens, representing five cultural groups that settled here in the early 1800s. Gardener interpreters in period attire answer questions. Free. Boone County Conservation District, 503 N. Appleton Road, Belvidere, (815) 547-7935, boonecountyconservationdistrict.org.
Mr. Pete Sings Science
July 17, 2 p.m. Musician and science teacher Mr. Pete brings his guitar, jokes and dancing to this show about dinosaurs, fish and other “sciency” things. Free. Beloit Public Library, beloitlibrary.info.
Sharing Traditional Japanese Art & Culture
July 17, 7 p.m. Learn about Japan House and its gardens, located on the campus of the University of Illinois, and its mission to promote appreciation of Japanese culture and related Asian cultural concepts. $5/members free. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, andersongardens.com.
Fresh and Local: How to Use It
July 26, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Meet with a local food expert for recipes, tips and tricks for getting the most out of your local bounty. Rockford Public Library (RPL), East Branch, 6685 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 965-7606, option 2, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
Finding Grants for a Non-Profit Organization
July 30, 2-3:30 p.m. Learn to search the Foundation Directory Online to find grants for a non-profit organization. This is not for businesses or individuals. Phone number or email address required. Must be proficient using the Internet. Space is limited. RPL Main Branch, Rockford, (815) 965-7606, option 2.
Cryptozoology
July 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Do you believe that Big Foot and Loch Ness Monster are real? Research these and other monsters to see if they really exist. Ages 13-19. Auditorium, RPL Main Branch, Rockford, (815) 965-7606, option 2.
August
Mr. Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show
Aug. 1, 2 p.m. Smarty Pants takes audiences to a fantastic circus made entirely of balloons. Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd., Beloit, Wis., (608) 364-2905, beloitlibrary.info.
Alzheimers: Know the 10 Signs
Aug. 6, 6 p.m. A basic overview of Alzheimer’s disease, risk factors, diagnosis, benefits of early detection. Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford, Ill. (815) 877-0118, womanspace-rockford.org.
Financial Recovery
Aug. 13, 1-3 p.m. Whether you are experiencing financial difficulties for the first time or you have experienced ongoing financial problems, this module will provide you with the steps you can take to develop a financial recovery plan and rebuild your credit. You will have an opportunity to assess your current financial situation and develop a financial recovery plan. Taught by Woodforest National Bank. RPL Rock River Branch, Rockford, (815) 965-7606, option 2.
Bubble Show
Aug. 16, 2-3 p.m. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, this engaging show teaches the science of bubbles with a bubble volcano, a bubble roller coaster, a kid in a bubble, fog-filled bubbles and more. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-7606, option 2, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
Beauty of Kimono
Aug. 21, 7 p.m. Kimiko Gunji, Associate Professor Emeritus and the former Director of Japan House at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will speak about traditional kimono and its history, and will demonstrate kimono dressing. $5/ members free. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 316-3307, andersongardens.org.
Renewable Energy Fair
Aug. 23-24, 9 a.m. Learn about renewable energy and sustainable lifestyles. Booths, exhibits and presentations from more than 70 businesses and organizations. Ogle Co Fairgrounds, Limekiln Road, Oregon. Info: illinoisrenew.org.
Tree IQ: Planting, Feeding, and Getting Ready for Winter
Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m. Christy Marsden, Horticultural Educator with UW Extension, will talk about planting trees in the fall and how to get all of your trees ready for winter. Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd., Beloit, Wis., (608) 364-2905, beloitlibrary.info.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Ceremony
Aug. 27, 7 p.m.. Annual program to commemorate the historic 1858 debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square, 114 E. Douglas Street, Freeport. (815-975-7631)
Run, Walk, Wheel for RAMP
Aug. 30, 7:30 a.m. Half-marathon, 5K run, 3K Walk/Wheelathon. All proceeds benefit RAMP, a local non-profit organization that provides services that assist people with disabilities to live as independently as possible. Event: Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St., Rockford. Registration: runwalkwheel.com.