Northern Illinois Community Calendar

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a fantasy role-playing game where imagination is key. If you want to slay a dragon, be a wizard, or explore a magical world, come check out D&D!

No experience necessary - beginners welcome; ages 9-13. No registration is required.

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

In American society, the library serves as a sanctuary for the "marketplace of ideas," guided by the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and the right to receive information. Join LIRE Rockford for a compelling look at the current landscape of book challenges in America and explore why protecting access to diverse perspectives is not just a library mission, but a fundamental civil liberty that ensures every citizen has the freedom to read, learn, and think for themselves.

This program is free to attend and is intended for adults. It is part of the America 250 initiative, celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For more information about the program, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108.

For more information about LIRE Rockford, visit www.lirerockford.org.

Science, technology and art come together when creating special effects for live entertainment events. Every minute of entertainment represents many hours of work behind the scenes by specialists in engineering, materials science and mathematics.

NIU Professor of Theatre Tracy Nunnally has been one of our most popular STEAM Café presenters. At this STEAM Café, he’ll present an updated talk about how engineering and math help to keep people safe while making them feel as if they’ve been part of death-defying feats. Professor Nunnally will delve into the fascinating details of special effects planning and safety analysis as he walks the audience through the process of moving live theatrical effects from idea to reality.

Discover the art of magic and illusion as William Pack presents this special interactive program commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini! Learn about his rise to stardom and his legacy of creating entertainment that tricked the eye and teased the mind.

Born and raised in Chicago, William Pack is a magician, storyteller, and author. At 11 years old, William got his first job in a magic shop and has been performing ever since. William has won numerous awards for his magic and comedy performances. In 2001, he taught actor Will Smith sleight of hand for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the film, Ali.

This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year. It is intended for ages 16 and up. No registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

For more information, contact Leah at leahh@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 2112.

Opportunity House will host Band Together 2026, an evening of live music, food, fun, and fundraising on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Whiskey Acres Distillery in DeKalb. The event will raise funds to support Opportunity House Athletics and Recreation, creating more opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate, connect, and enjoy community life.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and general admission tickets are $40. Tickets are available online at www.ohinc.org/band-together and at the door while supplies last. Day-of-event availability is not guaranteed, so advance ticket purchases are encouraged.

Guests will enjoy an evening featuring:
• Live music by returning favorite Back Country Roads
• Food
• Cash bar
• Auctions
• Raffles with prizes
• Photo booth
• Plenty of opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors

Whether guests come for the music, food, raffles, auctions, or simply to support Opportunity House, Band Together offers an opportunity to celebrate community while helping create meaningful experiences for the people Opportunity House serves.

Nik's Wish, a Rockford-area nonprofit granting wishes to young adults ages 18–24 battling cancer, is celebrating 15 years and 500 wishes granted with its biggest Nik's Home Run yet! Join us for a 7K run, 1.5 mile walk, Youth Run/Walk, Grammy's Auction, and a festive indoor afterparty — all in support of young adult cancer patients who fall through the gap between pediatric and adult cancer care programs. Registration includes a t-shirt and swag bag. Can't join us in person? Sign up for the Virtual 5K and participate from anywhere!

🌸 New This Year — Memorial Garden Tribute Signs
Honor someone you've lost with a personalized 18x24 yard sign featuring their name and photo, displayed throughout the event in our Memorial Garden. For just $25, friends, family, and fellow supporters will walk through and remember them together — and after the event, the sign is yours to keep forever.

🏆 Fundraise & Win
Sign up as an individual or build a team and raise funds to unlock milestone rewards — from exclusive medals to a limited edition trophy. And our TOP individual fundraiser wins a one-week condo stay in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida! Generously donated by Jason Martin, the condo sleeps up to 6, is pet friendly, and sits steps from the sugar-white sands of the Emerald Coast. Available August–December 2027.

This year's goal is $25,000 — every dollar goes directly toward granting wishes and delivering joy to young adults fighting cancer right here in our community.

Noelle of Bare Soul Healing leads this free sound healing session designed to ease the nervous system and quiet the mind. Soothing vibrations from therapeutic instruments such as crystal singing bowls, Koshi chimes, drums and more create a peaceful space for grounding, relaxation, and renewal.

Please bring a yoga mat or towel if you wish. A limited number of chairs will also be available. You may also wish to bring a small blanket, as the temperature of the room can vary.

Due to the nature of this event, we will be closing the doors when the program begins at 11:00 a.m., so please arrive on time if you wish to be admitted.

This event does not require registration. It is first come, first served, and is limited to ages 12 and up.

Noelle is a healing practitioner in Sycamore and has a passion for sharing the benefits of sound healing with the public. Bare Soul Healing is a nature-rooted practice integrating sound healing, yoga, meditation, astrology, and other methods dedicated to supporting emotional well-being and inner peace.

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

Whether you are curious to start or want to connect with others who practice herbalism, this workshop series is for you. Herbalism is the ancient practice of using plants to support health and well-being. Each session will begin with a brief round table discussion, then move into a practice with herbs led by Krysta Wasilewski. This program is best suited for ages 15 and up. Please register in advance to help us prepare.

October 10th – Medicinal Herbal Syrups – Whether it’s immune supporting elderberry, or cough calming cherry bark, we’ll learn the nuances of making herbal syrups for health and healing. We’ll take time to craft personalized syrup kits to make at home!

Nature At The Confluence is committed to providing affordable environmental education for our community. We invite you to choose the participation fee that is most accessible to you, either $15, $20, or $25 per person. Your participation fee helps offset our cost of supplies and staff time.

On August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife, Abby, were murdered with a hatchet in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Andrew’s daughter, Lizzie Borden, was charged with the double murder, but was eventually acquitted of the charges. The murders remain unsolved to this day.

Chicago actor and storyteller, and native of Fall River, Massachusetts, Edward Dzialo, shares the details of the unsolved double murders, and paints a fascinating picture of Lizzie, both before and after the gruesome event, including the use of photos and Lizzie Borden memorabilia.

This free presentation is intended for teens and adults. Parental discretion is advised for younger children. No registration is required. It is part of the America 250 initiative, celebrating our nation throughout the year.

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

Join Ben King of the Madison Mycological Society and Bill Springer of Iconic Fungi as we talk about common mushrooms you can find in Northern Illinois and then go for a short walk to see what is growing on the Severson Dells Forest Preserve trails. Please note this is an introductory class and not all inclusive to all mushrooms that are edible or not. Never eat anything you aren't 100% sure of! All ages. $3 member/$5 non member.

Register at: https://wildrootsnaturecenter.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/event-detail?event=9653