There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
JUNE
Sunset Storytime
Through Aug. 31, Thurs. 6:30-7 p.m. Children of all ages and their caregiver can enjoy an evening storytime. Includes stories, songs and a craft. Little Theatre, RPL Main Branch, (815) 965-6731, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
Drop-in Storytime
Through Sept. 1, Fri. 10:30-11 a.m. Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to enjoy stories, songs and crafts. Little Theatre, Rockford Public Library (RPL) Main Branch, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford, (815) 965-6731, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
Galena Cemetery Walk
June 16, 7:30-8:30 p.m. The Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society remembers the lives and contributions of past Galenians with its annual Cemetery Walk. Local performers portray select individuals buried in Galena’s Greenwood Cemetery. Followed by a seated performance honoring the lives of these individuals. Grace Episcopal Church, 309 Hill St., Galena, Ill., (815) 777-9129, galenahistory.org.
Family Friday: EIEIO
June 16, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Pet friendly goats, sheep, ducks and fluffy bunnies down on the farm. Turn cream into butter, get into grains, and make some fun crafts. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Holistic Well-Being Fair
June 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Discover ways to live a healthier life through a holistic approach. Information booths on topics including intellectual, social, spiritual, occupational, financial and environmental well-being. Children’s activities. Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St., Janesville, (608) 758-6600, hedbergpubliclibrary.org.
International Day of Yoga
June 21, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Celebrate with the rest of the world on International Yoga Day with Womanspace. Just bring yourself and your yoga mat. Registration requested. Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford, (815) 877-0118, womanspace-rockford.org.
Understanding the First World War, A Century Later
June 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy lunch and a lecture about America entering World War I. Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 969-1999, veteransmemorialhall.com.
Family Friday: Konnichiwa Means Hello
June 23, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Try your hand at calligraphy, learn to draw like an anime artist and pick up a few Japanese words while exploring the “Hello from Japan” exhibition. Enjoy the high energy of a Taiko drumming performance. Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Family Friday: Swashbuckling Science
June 30, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sharpen your pirate skills and dress to get wet. Design a doubloon, test the boat that floats your swag and craft a sail to catch the wind. Put on a pirate hat, add a hook for your hand, sample hardtack and more. Eye patches and peg legs optional. Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
JULY
Teen Writers Workshop
July 1, 1 p.m. Discover your inner writer and hone your skills with local author Sherry Blakeley. For young adults. Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd., Beloit, (608) 364-2905, beloitlibrary.info.
Beekeeping Workshop
July 9 & Aug. 13, 2 p.m. Age 5 and up. Learn beekeeping techniques and tools of the trade. Bring your bee suits. Byron Forest Preserve, 7993 N. River Road, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.
Music by the Lake (MBTL): Richard Louv
July 23, 4 p.m. Richard Louv speaks about the importance of nature for physical and emotional health. He is a journalist and author of nine books, including “Vitamin N” and New York Times best-seller “Last Child in the Woods.” Presented by Music by the Lake. Ferro Pavilion, George Williams College, 350 Constance Blvd., Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.
AUGUST
Midway Village: Magical Gardens Family Event
Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Make Fairy houses, solve the mystery of the gnomes, discover magical plants and flowers, and more. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Meteors on the Mound
Aug. 12, 7-11 p.m. A night sky viewing event to coincide with the annual Perseid meteor shower. Learn about meteors and how the indigenous Americans interpreted the sky. Examine meteorites and use telescopes to see heavenly bodies. Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Horseshoe Mound Preserve, 1679 N. Blackjack Road, Galena, Ill., (815) 818-9500, jdcf.org.
MBTL: Ray LaHood
Aug. 13, 4 p.m. As part of the Town Square series, the former U.S. transportation secretary and Illinois congressman discusses partisanship in politics over his 36-year career in public service; moderated by Rick Pearson, chief political reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Presented by Music by the Lake. Ferro Pavilion, George Williams College, Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.
Total Eclipse of the Sun
Aug. 21, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Safely view this solar eclipse using the on-site telescope or a solar viewer. Some eclipse sunglasses will also be available. Byron Forest Preserve, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.