Community Calendar

On Thursday, May 1, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will host a seminar to explain how an agricultural conservation easement is the only way to ensure that your farm will never be developed.

The seminar will be held at 1102 McConnell Road in Woodstock, IL from 10:00 a.m. until noon, with lunch to follow. Hear from landowners who have gone through the farm preservation process and learn about the financial and legal aspects of an agricultural easement.

The seminar and lunch are free, but please register by calling The Land Conservancy at
815-337-9502 ext. 110 or register online at ConserveMC.org.

Panelists at the seminar include:

o David Wolf, attorney, The Law Office of David J. Wolf, Woodstock
o Frank Harrison, appraiser, Harrison & Associates, Woodstock
o Karen Strano, who preserved her family farm in Woodstock
o Ginger Gauger, who preserved her family farm in Richmond
o Farm Program Staff, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

This seminar is for people who own farmland and are thinking about its future and what they can do to keep it in agriculture, whether it stays in the family or not. An agricultural easement is a voluntary legal agreement that preserves the land for agricultural use in perpetuity.

The Land Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the natural and agricultural landscapes of McHenry County.

An introductory wing shooting clinic for beginning shotgun shooters will be held on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at Shabbona Lake State Park. Registration each day begins at 9:30, classes begin at 10. Lessons on safe firearm handling are taught by certified firearms instructors.

The clinic is "hand-on" and includes extensive live fire at flying clay targets under the supervision of wing shooting instructors certified by the National Sporting Clays Association and the Illinois Department of Natural resources. Auto-loading 28-gauge shotguns and hearing and eye protection are provided.

The clinic is sponsored by the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, Illinois Conservation Foundation, LaSalle and DeKalb County Pheasants Forever, and the Shabbona Sportsmen Club.

Call early to make a reservation, space is limited to 24 students per day. Classes consist of 4 students per instructor. The $10 registration fee includes all targets, ammunition and lunch.

To make a reservation, call Richard Carlson at 815-757-2949 or email rakcarlson@comcast.net.
To register and pay online go to https://dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/wingshooting.html

An introductory wing shooting clinic for beginning shotgun shooters will be held on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at Shabbona Lake State Park. Registration each day begins at 9:30, classes begin at 10. Lessons on safe firearm handling are taught by certified firearms instructors.

The clinic is "hand-on" and includes extensive live fire at flying clay targets under the supervision of wing shooting instructors certified by the National Sporting Clays Association and the Illinois Department of Natural resources. Auto-loading 28-gauge shotguns and hearing and eye protection are provided.

The clinic is sponsored by the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, Illinois Conservation Foundation, LaSalle and DeKalb County Pheasants Forever, and the Shabbona Sportsmen Club.

Call early to make a reservation, space is limited to 24 students per day. Classes consist of 4 students per instructor. The $10 registration fee includes all targets, ammunition and lunch.

To make a reservation, call Richard Carlson at 815-757-2949 or email rakcarlson@comcast.net.
To register and pay online go to https://dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/wingshooting.html

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn about the magic of compost! Create your own adventure with activities including:

Storytime for littles and soil sensory activity with the South Beloit Public Library at 10:00am
Community compost and vermicomposting exploration with Nettle Curbside Compost
Compost in a bag for kids with Sustain Rockford
Resources for environmental engagement with League of Women Voters of Beloit
Demonstration of using compost in the garden with Farmers Rising

This event is free for the community thanks to sponsorship from Batterman. Please RSVP to help us prepare.

Following this event, the South Beloit Public Library will be hosting games at M & M Dari Ripple from 12:00-1:00pm to celebrate the start of summer reading!