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.

What do you do when the company that employs your town is also making it sick?

This powerful investigative documentary follows the small, working-class town of Crossett, Arkansas, where decades of pollution from Georgia-Pacific, one of the nation’s largest paper mills and chemical plants, have left residents facing serious health consequences. Georgia-Pacific is privately owned by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch through Koch Industries, a corporation that produces many familiar household brands, including Brawny paper towels, Quilted Northern, Angel Soft toilet paper, and Dixie paper cups.

Crossett’s story is not unique. It represents countless American communities caught in a painful bind: economic dependence on major employers whose operations may be harming public health and the environment. Often unseen and unheard, these towns bear the hidden costs of industrial pollution. The film documents one man’s determined fight to protect his community, and asks urgent questions about corporate responsibility, environmental justice, and who pays the price for everyday products.

The film is 1 hour and 30 minutes, not rated, and made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public.

Plant seeds with the Hispanic Association of Bilingual Language Acquisition (HABLA) during a lively bilingual story time! This empowering event celebrates the joys of speaking more than one language and encourages children to embrace their cultural identity.

Don’t miss this special storytelling event filled with language, creativity, and community.

This program is for pre-K children through 5th grade. No registration is required.

For additional information, please contact Theresa at theresaw@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

Siembra semillas con HABLA, Asociación Hispana de Adquisición de Idiomas Bilingües, durante una emocionante lectura de un cuento bilingüe. Este evento celebra la alegría de hablar más de un idioma y motiva a que los niños acepten su identidad cultural.

No se pierdan este evento de lectura lleno de idioma, creatividad y comunidad.

Este programa es para niños de preescolar hasta 5º año de primaria. No se require registración para participar.

Para información adicional, por favor contacta a Theresa en theresaw@dkpl.org o al (815)756-9568 ext. 3350.

If flowers could speak, what would they say? Sarah Taylor from the Colonel Palmer House will kick off our Prairie Roots program series to discuss the origins of plant taxonomy, symbolic and historic meanings of flowers, flower arrangements through history, symbolic gardens, and more.
Attendees will have the opportunity to create a “Tussie Mussie” craft (a historic bouquet with a secret special message using fresh flowers).

Advance registration is required. Free to attend.

Take Root: A Farm Business Class Farmers Rising - The Land Connection - Food Works

January 13 – June 6, 2026
Tuesday and Thursdays
6-8pm
Four quarters · Four weeks each · One-week break between sections
Final presentations on June 6
(Last official class day: May 21, followed by a two-week break)

Mentorships to follow (optional)

About the Program

Take Root is a comprehensive virtual training program designed for people exploring farm business ownership and farmers in their first 1–5 years. This guided, step-by-step course helps participants build the confidence, clarity, and practical skills needed to launch or strengthen a farm enterprise.

The course follows a structured 4-section curriculum, each lasting four weeks. Between each section, participants take a one-week pause to reflect, catch up, and prepare for the next phase. After the final session on May 21, students will have two weeks to finalize their plans before returning on June 6 for peer presentations. Once presentations are complete, students will have the opportunity to join a mentorship program specialized to each person.

What are the benefits of Take Root?

✔ Build a complete farm business plan

✔ Join a supportive community

✔ Learn from experienced farmers

✔ Strengthen your business knowledge

Course Sections:

Quarter 1: The Dream: Foundations of Farm Life

Quarter 2: Enterprise: The Business of Farming

Quarter 3: Operations: Building it Out

Quarter 4: Finance: Keeping and Maintaining the Farm

Tuition & Accessibility

Total cost: $500 (not including mentorship)
Enrollment fee: $25 (applied toward tuition)

To ensure the program is accessible to all, we offer:

Payment plan

Need-based scholarships (based on current grant-supported scholarship fund availability)

Mentorships to follow

We can not wait for a great year with Take Root!

Jillae- Farmer Training Program Facilitator at Farmers Rising