Community Calendar

Free Health Fair open to adults of all ages. Wide variety of health care services informational booths. Health screenings. Wheelchair and walker adjustments and repairs. Coffee bar. Door prizes awarded throughout the event.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 @ 8am
Early in 2025, Crystal Lake lost a true champion. Bob Blazier, known colloquially as “Mr. Crystal Lake,” passed away on January 9th at the age of 98. A man of true character and integrity, Bob’s life served as a model of good citizenship and community service. Raue Center is honored to hold the race that bears his name and do our part to keep the spirit of his legacy alive.

Through the “Blazier Run” we aim to build community, just like Bob. For over six decades he exemplified what it means to put service above self, working tirelessly to improve the educational, healthcare, and business sectors of Crystal Lake.

HOW IT STARTED
Twenty-nine years ago, a 5K charity event was born to honor Bob Blazier’s unparalleled community accomplishments. At the time, Bob was working tirelessly with a handful of community organizers to reinvigorate downtown Crystal Lake by renovating, reconstructing, and raising the curtain on a new performing arts center. Recognizing the important future role that Raue Center would play for the community, Bob asked that this new 5K race benefit the historic non-profit theater.

AN ENDURING LEGACY – SUPPORT THE ARTS
Register now and join us for the 28th annual Bob Blazier Run For The Arts. Help keep Bob’s name and legacy thriving in 2025 and beyond. Lace-up your shoes and run, walk, or simply show up to make your mark on our community and show that the arts truly matter. For more information, visit https://www.rauecenter.org/bob-blazier-run-for-the-arts/

The Senior Resource Center is excited to introduce a new fitness class, Better Balance & Strength for Older Adults, in partnership with Pathway Physical Therapy LLC. This six-week program is designed to help older adults improve strength, flexibility, and balance in a safe and supportive environment.

Led by experienced physical therapists, participants will engage in gentle exercises aimed at enhancing mobility, preventing falls, and promoting overall well-being.

Class Details:
📅 Dates: Tuesdays, April 8 – May 13
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
💰 Cost: $42 for six weeks
📍 Location: Senior Resource Center, 206 E. Stephenson Street, Freeport

Registration & Payment:
• Payment of $42 (cash or check) is required to secure a spot.
• Drop off payment at the Senior Resource Center
• Spaces are limited—early registration is encouraged!

✨ Take control of your health and stay active with this engaging, supportive class! For more information, contact the Senior Resource Center at 1-815-235-9777.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be both rewarding and overwhelming. To support family caregivers, the Senior Resource Center, in partnership with Lifescape Community Services, is offering a free, evidence-based, 9-week Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers™, designed to help caregivers manage stress, improve their well-being, and develop effective coping strategies.

This program has been proven to enhance the quality of life for family caregivers by teaching stress management techniques, problem-solving skills, and ways to navigate the emotional challenges of caregiving. Each week, participants will receive practical tools and supportive guidance to help reduce stress and maintain their own health.

Program Details:
📅 Dates: Wednesdays, April 16 – June 11
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Senior Resource Center, 206 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, IL 61032
💲 Cost: FREE (Includes weekly gifts to aid in stress management)
☎ Registration: Call 815-235-9777 (Limited to the first 10 participants)

What Participants Will Learn:
• The effects of stress on the mind, body, and spirit
• Relaxation techniques to reduce stress
• How to manage challenging behaviors in dementia patients
• Coping with grief, loss, and depression
• The power of positive thinking and self-care

Caregivers will gain practical skills, emotional support, and valuable resources to help them navigate their caregiving journey with greater ease and confidence.

Join the Boone County Conservation District for a morning of giving back to nature as we help keep our sites looking beautiful! We will be clearing brush and invasive species along the Kishwaukee River at Spencer Conservation Area. Grab your friends and family; the more the merrier! No experience is necessary and tools/protective gear will be provided. For more information and to register, call 815-547-7935 or email dgrelecki@bccdil.org.

Experience the healing and wellness-promoting effects of forest therapy, the practice of immersing the senses in the atmosphere of the forest. This 90-minute introductory session will be held at P.A Nehring Forest Preserve at 380 Bethany Rd. in DeKalb.

Certified Forest Therapy Guide Beth Hanson of Peace in Nature Forest Therapy will lead this mindful walk and help you awaken your senses and connect with nature. No two walks are the same!

Registration is required, as space is limited. This program is open to ages 16 and up.

Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes, bring a water bottle, and wear sunscreen and bug spray if you require them. There are no restrooms on site, so please plan accordingly. You may also bring a small camp chair if you wish, as there will be some quiet time to sit during the walk.

In case of inclement weather, we will post a cancellation announcement on social media and email all registered participants.

This program is made possible through a partnership with the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board. Through leadership and funding, the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board supports access to high-quality behavioral healthcare services for the residents of DeKalb County.

This program is also sponsored in part by the Rick Johns Memorial Fund.

For additional information or help with registration, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

Lace up your boots and join conservationist Nathan Hill for a walk around Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens. The mile-long walk will begin just outside the manor. Guests will travel with Nate to the sunken garden and into the woods to learn about wildflowers and discover springtime blooms. The event is limited to 15 people. Tickets must be purchased one day in advance.

The Senior Resource Center is excited to introduce a new fitness class, Better Balance & Strength for Older Adults, in partnership with Pathway Physical Therapy LLC. This six-week program is designed to help older adults improve strength, flexibility, and balance in a safe and supportive environment.

Led by experienced physical therapists, participants will engage in gentle exercises aimed at enhancing mobility, preventing falls, and promoting overall well-being.

Class Details:
📅 Dates: Tuesdays, April 8 – May 13
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
💰 Cost: $42 for six weeks
📍 Location: Senior Resource Center, 206 E. Stephenson Street, Freeport

Registration & Payment:
• Payment of $42 (cash or check) is required to secure a spot.
• Drop off payment at the Senior Resource Center
• Spaces are limited—early registration is encouraged!

✨ Take control of your health and stay active with this engaging, supportive class! For more information, contact the Senior Resource Center at 1-815-235-9777.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be both rewarding and overwhelming. To support family caregivers, the Senior Resource Center, in partnership with Lifescape Community Services, is offering a free, evidence-based, 9-week Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers™, designed to help caregivers manage stress, improve their well-being, and develop effective coping strategies.

This program has been proven to enhance the quality of life for family caregivers by teaching stress management techniques, problem-solving skills, and ways to navigate the emotional challenges of caregiving. Each week, participants will receive practical tools and supportive guidance to help reduce stress and maintain their own health.

Program Details:
📅 Dates: Wednesdays, April 16 – June 11
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Senior Resource Center, 206 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, IL 61032
💲 Cost: FREE (Includes weekly gifts to aid in stress management)
☎ Registration: Call 815-235-9777 (Limited to the first 10 participants)

What Participants Will Learn:
• The effects of stress on the mind, body, and spirit
• Relaxation techniques to reduce stress
• How to manage challenging behaviors in dementia patients
• Coping with grief, loss, and depression
• The power of positive thinking and self-care

Caregivers will gain practical skills, emotional support, and valuable resources to help them navigate their caregiving journey with greater ease and confidence.

Memory Cafés provide a safe place for those experiencing memory loss and their care partners to socialize and have fun with others in similar situations.

During these informal gatherings, guests are invited to settle in with coffee, or tea, and snacks to hear about a featured free resource. Then it’s time for a “get to know you” question and singalong with a familiar song. Next, we’ll enjoy a presentation, play games, do crafts, or share photo cards to spark memories and conversation. Then we’ll close the program with another short singalong. At each Café there will be a table with free resources and giveaways, along with books to check out, and a brain-stimulating “to go” activity to take home.

March 20 - Spring has Sprung!

In March, we’ll reminiscence about favorite spring activities, make a tissue paper kite, and paint a four-left clover with marshmallows.

April 17 - Bees, Honey, and More

It’s all about honey and buzzing bees in April as local bee-keeper and owner of Big Red’s Heavenly Honey in DeKalb, Randy Mullis, will treat us to a presentation on beekeeping and give out samples of some of his beeswax products. Get in touch with Randy of Big Red’s Heavenly Honey, DeKalb, at (815) 751-1440.

May 15 - Vegetable Patch Memories

In May, we’ll explore tools which a gardener uses, get our hands dirty by finding the bugs in the garden, and put together our favorite garden using magnetic pieces and see where our memories take us.

This program is sponsored by Care Patrol and Off the Leash Coffee Company.

First time attendees please email Susan at susang@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114 and give names of care partner and guest.