In partnership with the City of DeKalb’s “America 250” initiative in honor of the year-long celebration for our country’s 250th anniversary of the United States, Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists are launching a series of community collections throughout the year to support local non-profit organizations that support those in need and promote a healthy lifestyle in our area.

As part of this effort, Northern Rehab is excited to introduce our first initiative: “250 Books & Games for the Future,” a donation drive to support CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the children they serve in DeKalb County. CASA DeKalb County’s mission is to advocate for and be the voice of children in our community who have experienced abuse or neglect, ensuring they have a safe, permanent home and a brighter future.

“In honor of America 250, Northern Rehab wanted to celebrate in a way that reflects who we are and how we serve our patients,” said Northern Rehab physical therapist Melissa Beck. “We are deeply committed to supporting the communities we serve, and this America 250 collection drive allows us to invest directly in local children and families. Our goal for the ‘250 Books & Games for the Future’ drive is to collect 250 new items—children’s books, classic board and card games, and puzzles—to support children served by CASA DeKalb with opportunities for learning, connection, and joy.”

From April 6–17, community members are invited to drop off donations during regular business hours at any Northern Rehab location in DeKalb (3266 Sycamore Road), Genoa (540 E. Main Street), and Rochelle (1211 Currency Court, Suite 1).

Donations will directly benefit children served by CASA DeKalb County, providing them with age-appropriate books to support literacy and imagination, as well as games that encourage positive social interaction, family time, and fun. As our nation reflects on 250 years of history and looks ahead to the next generation, this drive offers a meaningful way for neighbors to invest in the futures of children right here at home.

All items should be new to ensure the children receive high-quality books and games that they can enjoy and cherish. Requested donations include:

• Board books for babies/young children
• Pre-K books (ages 3 – 5 years)
• Books for pre-teens, teens, and young adults (boys and girls)
• Generic kids’ books (not a specific topic or holiday books)
• Classic board games (Connect Four, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Yahtzee, Candyland, Dominoes, Hi Ho Cherry-O, Pass the Pigs, Don’t Break the Ice, etc.)
• Classic card games (Uno, Skip-Bo, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, memory/matching, 5 Crowns, Old Maid, Phase 10, etc)
• Children’s puzzles (12 to 500 pieces, board puzzles)

By participating in “250 Books & Games for the Future,” community members can join the America 250 initiative in a local, tangible way by honoring the past while investing in the potential of children who will shape our shared future.

For more information, please visit northernrehabpt.com or call 815.756.8524.

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists, voted DeKalb County’s Best Physical Therapists for 14 consecutive years and Ogle County’s Best Physical Therapist for 6 years, is a physical therapist owned and operated physical therapy practice dedicated to providing clients with the very best one-on-one customized care and has built a solid reputation and strong relationships within the communities they serve. Learn more at NorthernRehabPT.com and follow them on most social media platforms.

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

An exhibition of twenty-four original paintings created by the Plein Air Painters of Rockford depicts Rockford iconic scenes and surprises. Artworks include views of Klehm, Sinnissippi Gardens, Midway Village, Indian Hill Manor and many more. The exhibit is located in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.

Lowden Gallery Artist: Ellen "Ellie" R. Bartels
March 1 - April 30

​Ellie has a BA degree in Education and a BFA in Studio Art , both from the University of Washington. She taught art, K – 12, in Orangeville, Il for 12 years. She currently lives in Freeport, Il.

Ellie states, “ The process of transforming paint and canvas into an appealing and effective image scares, frustrates, excites and inspires me.

My work starts out with a subject or theme in mind, usually based on my personal response to nature or a past experience, and a general plan on how to accomplish my goal. As it progresses spontaneity and intuition take over and my unconscious becomes the director.
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I have found that both oils and acrylics work well as vehicles for translating my inner vision to outer reality. Both comply with my enjoyment of layering paint and working the canvas by scraping, rubbing, scratching through, dry brushing, etc., to create depth and texture and to bring the surface to life.

It is my wish that the viewer will want to spend time with my work, to contemplate its meaning, discover its complexities, or to just enjoy the colors and shapes.

The Black & White PLUS Photography Show is a juried exhibition celebrating the strength and versatility of monochrome photography. This show invites photographers to explore imagery created without full color (including traditional black-and-white, sepia-toned and cyanotype), focusing instead on composition, contrast, light, shadow, texture, and visual storytelling.

The gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday 10-4 or by appointment.

Wolf started photographing using an old Agfa in his early teens. He acquired one of the iconic range finder cameras, a Canon 7s, in the late 1960s, moved on to SLRs and twin-lens reflex cameras, established a dark room and processed his own color slides.

Along with his wife, Linnea, an artist who has worked in the visual arts for over 40 years, he has participated in many week-long photo shoots throughout the United States.

During 2018, 2019 and 2020, Wolf & Linnea spent a January week each year at Bosque del Apache in New Mexico photographing sandhill cranes, snow geese and other migrating birds. In 2019 they spent two weeks photographing birds and wildlife in Costa Rica and made trips to northeast Florida in 2019 and 2021 to shoot wading birds during their roosting period.