Community Calendar

Coyotes are one of the most misunderstood species in Illinois and the U.S. They conjure up mixed feelings of fear, anger, and, for some, wild beauty. There are many stories about coyotes, and some circles believe them to be the jokester of the wild. Many of these feelings depend on who you are, where you live, and even what you do for a living.

Coyotes are blamed for many things they do and do not do in our spaces. They nonetheless receive the award for the most likely to succeed, despite the human population. We have all but paved the road for the coyote’s historical expansion.

Come and learn more about this incredible animal and what you can expect from them in your neighborhood. Wild Neighbors: Coyotes will be presented by Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator Peggy Anesi.

*Registration is required! To register, click here: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/wild-neighbors-coyotes

Oregon, IL, Women’s Club supports the local community with its 74th Annual Antique and Vintage Show with over 40 dealers from the Midwest!

Saturday, March 21st, from 9 to 5 and Sunday, March 22nd, from 10 to 3

Ample free parking, homemade concessions, handicap accessible.

Entry $8.00 per person

Antique appraisals on Sunday from 10 to 2 - $5.00 per item.  

The free AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program will again be available at the DeKalb Public Library and is for people with low to moderate incomes. AARP Foundation Tax -Aide volunteers will be available by appointment most Saturdays from February 7 through April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Be sure to bring a photo ID and all necessary tax documents, as well as last year’s return forms.

Please sign up for an appointment by contacting Frances at (815) 991-9418.

For more information, please contact the reference desk at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150 or at reference@dkpl.org.

America the Beautiful Art Exhibit
February 4 – March 21
Sponsored by Ron Bry

Awards Reception
February 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Judge: Stuart Roddy
Music: Jim Kanas & Roger Hintzsche

Participating artists include Cindy Bear, Alice Blue, Richard Born, Bob Cholke, Rick Davis, Connie Fry, Beverly Garcia, Chuck Gregory, Timothy Griffith, Dan Grossmann, Stephen Hart, Kat Heitzman, Maggie Isaacs, Bob Kapheim, Julie Kennelly, Linnea Koch, Paula Kuehl, Bob Logsdon, Colleen Logsdon, Henry Matthiessen III, Joy Meyer, Gary Pearson, Joe Popp, Stephonie A Schmitz, and Joseph Virbickis.

Joy Meyer

Taft Gallery Artist, February 1 – March 31

Joy Meyer earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Art Education from Northern Illinois University. She retired in 2005 after teaching art for thirty years, the last twenty years at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, IL. Joy also taught many workshops for both teenagers and adults during her career and shortly after retirement. She has won numerous awards for both her painting and her teaching.

Joy has enjoyed working in many different media including watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, glass etching, stained glass, and silk painting, but the medium she has chosen to specialize in during recent years is Acrylic Painting. She enjoys working in a fairly realistic style using primarily bright, cheerful colors. Her actual painting techniques vary depending on the subject matter being painted and the mood desired, often using many techniques within a painting to better represent the details within the painting. Joy also enjoys the challenges of working in an increasingly wider variety of subject matter.



Participants are invited to bring a favorite book from home, or select one from the library’s collection, and read aloud to Hobo. This relaxed, supportive experience helps build reading skills and confidence while making reading fun. The program is free and open to the public.

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.

Cora Hutchison is a life-long resident of the Rock River Valley, Midwest roots and a love of animals and nature has inspired much of Cora Hutchison’s past and current work. A self-taught artist, with some formal education, Cora has been active in the arts throughout her career. A soft style and photo realism in her work has brought her animals, landscapes and portraits to the forefront.

Originally, her art centered around pastels and eventually embracing watercolors for her animals and children. In recent years graphite has dominated her work in portraits and “Americana” scenes.

Cora has shown her art in galleries and venues locally and throughout the Midwest for several years working closely with the community and local groups.

Blooming Fusion returns to The Next Picture Show after its successful debut in 2024, bringing back a vibrant 2D art exhibition inspired by flowers, plants, and gardens. Running February 18 through March 28, 2026, this juried show highlights fresh perspectives and creative connections rooted in the natural world. The exhibition features original works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, mixed media, pen & pencil, and charcoal.

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

Join us as we celebrate the diverse and talented authors of McHenry County. Local authors will be on hand to display and discuss their latest work. Whether you’re a book lover, aspiring author, or simply curious about the literary scene in McHenry County, this is an event you won’t want to miss! A list of participating authors with be available starting March 4 on our website.
Date: Saturday/March 21
Time: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Are you a local author? Would you like an exhibit table at our Local Author Showcase? If you live in Woodstock, McHenry County, have a close connection to the community, or have books set in McHenry County, consider being part of our Local Author Showcase. Self-published authors welcome. Contact katieb@woodstockil.info or carriez@woodstockil.info for an application and more information. Deadline to register is February 27.