There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
September
Birds of Prey
Sept. 2, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Meet live hawks and falcons. Starved Rock State Park, Ill. Rts. 178 & 71, Utica, Ill., (800) 868-7625, starvedrockstatepark.org.
Sayonara Means Farewell
Sept. 3, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Invent your own mascot, dress up in the kawaii shop or practice katakana writing one more time before “Hello From Japan!” says goodbye. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Lifescape Senior Expo
Sept. 13, 9 a.m. More than 100 vendors promote subjects such as health care, financial planning, retirement and home improvement. The event also features health screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations and presentations. Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., lifescapeservices.org.
Crazy Water Critters
Sept. 14, 4-6 p.m. Study Turtle and Kelly Creeks, learn which critters call them home and collect important data about the watershed. Bring waders or boots if you have them. Waders also provided. For ages 5-13. Registration req. Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit, Ill., (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Sept. 16, 8 a.m. registration, 9:30 a.m. ceremony, 10 a.m. 2-mile walk. Held annually in more than
600 communities nationwide, this is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 977-9125, act.alz.org.
Midway Village: Spectacular Saturday
Sept. 16, 10:30 a.m. Travel to Portugal this month for a look at its culture, language, art and dance. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Basket Weaving Workshop
Sept. 23, 9 a.m. Construct a woven basket with expert Valerie LeFevre. Macktown Living History Center, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill., (815) 624-4200, macktownlivinghistory.com.
Family Fun Freshwater Biology
Sept. 23, 9 a.m. Spend time in the creek collecting organisms and identifying critters found under rocks and in leaf packs. Bring waders or boots if you have them. Waders also provided. Nature at the Confluence, South Beloit, Ill., (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org.
Harvest Moon Gala
Sept. 23, 6-10 p.m. Stroll the gardens and enjoy a special dinner at this premier garden’s fall fundraiser. Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, (608) 752-3885, rotarybotanicalgardens.org.
Tranquility Walks
Sept. 26, noon-1:30 p.m., Oct. 19, 9-10:30 a.m. Enhance mindfulness for wellness and self-care; discover the healing powers of nature through silent walking meditations. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.
October
A Visit with Abraham Lincoln
Oct. 7, 2-4 p.m. Actor Kevin Wood captures the essence of the 16th president as he walks you through Lincoln’s administration, the politics of his time, his famous speeches, slavery and the Civil War. Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St., Janesville, (608) 758-6600, hedbergpubliclibrary.org.
AJG: Aikido: The Art of Peace
Oct. 10, 7 p.m. Stephen Toyoda, president of the Aikido Association of America, speaks about this Japanese martial art and how its physical mechanisms can be applied to life. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.
Felix’s Cabaret Fundraiser
Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m. Step into a 1920s speakeasy with hors d’oeuvres and desserts, a silent auction, casino-style games and cabaret club acts. Proceeds benefit MPAC. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 406 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.
Sip, Sample, Support Fundraiser
Oct. 13, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Enjoy tastings from local restaurants and an extensive array of spirits from around the world, live music and science demonstrations. Age 21 and up. Discovery Center, Rockford, discoverycentermuseum.org.
Civil War Day and Gov. Hoard Day
Oct. 14, 10 a.m. Learn about the Civil War and Wisconsin’s role in it. Meet re-enactors, attend educational programs, try out kids’ games and activities, and take a closer look at wartime artifacts. Hoard Historical Museum, 401 Whitewater Ave., Fort Atkinson, Wis., (920) 563-7769, hoardmuseum.org.
Midway Village: Spectacular Saturday
Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m. Head to Mongolia to look at its culture, religion and traditions. Midway Village Museum, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Evening Garden Seminar: Unique Conifers
Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. Learn how conifers can improve your garden with form, texture, shape and color. Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville, (608) 752-3885, rotarybotanicalgardens.org.
Creatures of the Night: Owls & Bats
Oct. 21, 10 a.m. Learn what makes the owl a perfect predator and discover how bats navigate by echolocation. Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Belden School, 52 Heatherdowns Lane, Galena, Ill., (815) 858-9100, jdcf.org.
In the Outdoors: Mind Tricks (and Treats)
Oct. 21, 7 p.m. During this nighttime hike, learn the science behind why our minds play tricks on us, and finish the night with s’mores around the campfire. Atwood Center, 2685 New Milford School Road, Rockford, (815) 874-7576, rockfordparkdistrict.org.
November
Landscape Design
Nov. 4, 9 a.m. This daylong event is devoted to the study of landscape design. Rotary Botanical Gardens, (608) 752-3885, Janesville, rotarybotanicalgardens.org.
AJG: A Year in Review
Nov. 16, 7 p.m. Join Tim Gruner, AJG Curator and Head of Horticulture, as he gives an insider’s view of the many factors that influenced the gardens over the past 12 months, including weather patterns and special projects. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.