There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
October
Porcupine Quillwork
Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn the Native American art of birch bark decoration with quills and create a small medallion to take home. Bring a small awl if you have one. Reg. online. Severson Dells Nature Center, Winnebago, Ill., (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com.
Sustainable Gardening: Fall Preparations
Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn techniques for putting your garden to bed, such as removing overwintering sites for insect pests, gentle tilling, composting and cover cropping. Angelic Organics Learning Center, 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia, Ill., (815) 389-8455, learngrowconnect.org.
Herbal Tea Making
Oct. 21, 1-3 p.m. Join herbalist Shannon Redden to learn about herbs to support your immune system this fall and winter. Blend some immunity tea to take home and enjoy. Reg. online. Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.
Rhythm & Brews
Oct. 21, 6-11 p.m. Try fall and winter beer from local and regional craft brewers, paired with barbecue. Music provided by the Milwaukee-based blues band Altered Five. Tickets online; supporting the arts in Freeport. Freeport Art Museum (FAM), 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, (815) 125-9755, freeportartmuseum.org.
Book Launch with Tom Warren
Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-noon. Join a conversation with Rockford author Tom Warren, retired professor of education at Beloit College, about his new book, “The Learner,” which “confronts God, golf and beyond.” His story is set in a community on the Illinois-Wisconsin border and features a young minister grappling with the challenge of his new job while trying to master golf. Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford, (815) 986-0628, katiescup.com.
November
‘Voices from the Past’ Symposium
Nov. 2-3, Fri. 7-8:30 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fri. keynote speech by Kay Rhoads, Principal Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation. Archeologists and representatives from Native American communities explore the discoveries of the rich record of artifacts, hearths, storage pits, house remains and burial mounds left by the native people who once inhabited the Mississippi Driftless area. Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, 500 Fillmore St., Hanover, Ill., (815) 858-9100, jdcf.org.
Wildflower & Bird Walk
Nov. 3, 9 a.m. Grab your binoculars and start off your day in nature with a hike to look for fall migrant birds and prairie flowers. Reg. online. Jarrett Prairie Center, Byron Forest Preserve, 7993 N. River Road, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.
Hometown Heroes: Vietnam Veterans
Nov. 10, 1 p.m. Meet several local heroes, see Vietnam-era artifacts and talk with students who have produced the documentaries “The Fear of Dying” and “Shot Down,” based on the experiences of Rockford Vietnam veterans. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Fall Full Moon Tranquility Walk
Nov. 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jar candles light your way as you move silently through the trails of the Arboretum, experiencing the beauty of the moon. Reg. online. Gather at Clarcor building. Klehm Arboretum, Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.
Bites & Lights!
Nov. 29, 5-8 p.m. At this fundraiser, mingle with friends over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to music by the Dave Potter Trio; silent auction and bucket raffles; holiday shopping in the Garden Gallery. Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, (608) 752-3885, rotarybotanicalgardens.org.
December
Daylong Retreat
Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Slow down, savor the quiet and feed your soul through meditation, writing, walking in the woods and “playing” in the art studio. Reg. online. Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford, (815) 877-0118, womanspace-rockford.org.
Lunchtime Speaker Series
Dec. 4, noon. Bring your lunch and a friend to hear Bruce Olson speak about the influenza outbreak of 1918 and the role of the Rockford Woman’s Club. Rockford Woman’s Club, 323 Park Ave. Rockford, (815) 695-4233, rockfordtheater.com.
Restorative Yoga
Dec. 6-27, Thu. 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. A slow-paced, gentle practice, focusing on introducing basic poses; restorative yoga helps promote deep relaxation of the body and the mind. Reg. online. Womanspace, Rockford, (815) 877-0118, womanspace-rockford.org.
Explore Alcohol Inks
Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. This class used the expressive medium of acid-free, fast-drying transparent dyes, specially formulated to create a colorful, polished stone effect. Reg. online. Rock Valley College (RVC), Bell School Road Center, 3350 Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 921-7821, rockvalleycollege.edu.
Barn Owl & Turkey Vulture Show
Dec. 8, 1 p.m. Get up close and personal with a barn owl, a turkey vulture and snakes. Jarrett Center, Byron Forest Preserve, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.
Beekeeping Workshop/Party
Dec. 9, 2-4 p.m. Learn beekeeping techniques, tools of the trade and how to order packaged bees for spring shipment; honey tasting, honey recipe samples, wassail and door prizes. Jarrett Center, Byron Forest Preserve, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.
Art Lecture
Dec. 13, noon-1:30 p.m. Art educator Sister Mary Boyd speaks about Dutch master Rembrandt, whose works depict a wide range of subjects, including portraits, landscapes, biblical and allegorical scenes. Reg. online. Womanspace, Rockford, (815) 877-0118, womanspace-rockford.org.
Deep Ecology
Dec. 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Explore a philosophical approach to understanding our role in nature, where all components of any ecosystem have equal standing. Reg. online or by phone. Severson Dells Nature Center, Winnebago, Ill., (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com.