Community Calendar

Join us for coffee and conversation at this semester’s Pros at the Pick — a space to make connections and gain insight about what really goes on in museums. This semester we are featuring Jessi Haish LaRue, the Executive Director of the JF Glidden Homestead & Historical Center in DeKalb.

Jessi is proving that history can be innovative, community-powered, and anything but dusty. Leading the organization since 2022, she brings a creative, forward-looking approach to the birthplace of “The Winner” barbed wire—home to two National Register of Historic Places buildings. An eighth-generation DeKalb County resident and descendant of barbed wire baron Jacob Haish, Jessi’s connection to local history is both deeply personal and future-focused. With a journalism background from Kishwaukee College and Northern Illinois University, she pairs strong storytelling with strategic vision, guiding a lean operation of one part-time staff member and a dedicated volunteer team, funded entirely by donations. Under her leadership, the Homestead has expanded programming, fundraising, and public engagement, including the launch of Barbed Wire Weekend in 2024 celebrating the 150th anniversary of Joseph F. Glidden’s patent, and earning a 2026 DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year nomination.

All candidates who appear on the March 17 Primary will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the voters. They will state their reason for running for office.

An informal time for Q & A will follow — with refreshments!

The art of David Van Delinder is now on display in the Lowden Gallery from January 1 – February 28.

David’s career actually began in the music business. Blessed with talent in both art and music, he was a premier area guitarist at a young age, recording and performing with Chicago folk legends Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman, John Prine and others. His songs have been published and recorded by name artists.

When the road became unsuitable for a married man and father, he turned to his other muse, art. He worked his way up to senior art director for a well-known Chicago agency before deciding to go out on his own. He became a successful and respected freelance illustrator and graphic designer creating art and designs for billboards, magazines, packaging, and books.

David’s fine art is rooted in traditional technique and classical composition. His pen and ink drawings of abandoned barns and jazz musicians, impressionistic florals, landscapes, and classical oil portraits all display both virtuosity and inspiration.

Mr. Van Delinder also accepts commissioned portraits and other works in oil, pastel, charcoal and pen and ink. His pencil portraits of musicians and dancers are very popular and highly sought after.

He lives and works in Cherry Valley, IL.

Learning English can be difficult, and pronouncing the words correctly is a real challenge. In this six-week workshop you’ll learn to pronounce consonant and consonant blend sounds, practice hearing and saying the 20 vowel sounds of English, and learn how to pronounce common prefixes and suffixes.

This program is for adults. Registration is required.

For more information or to register, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2100.

The Senior Resource Center in Freeport, Illinois, will host a special historical presentation, “Professional Women, Firsts,” on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 2:00–3:15 pm, in partnership with Women of Courage & Commitment. This engaging program brings history to life through dynamic portrayals of remarkable women who broke barriers and reshaped their fields.

Audience members will “meet” Nellie Bly, portrayed by Deb Pausz, the fearless journalist known for her record-breaking 72-day trip around the world and her groundbreaking undercover exposé of a mental institution. Also appearing is Ann Rule, interpreted by Melissa McGuire, America’s most prolific and successful true-crime writer, with 35 books on the New York Times Best Seller list and a reputation as a “psychological detective” for her in-depth research and victim-centered storytelling.

The program also features Anna Sutherland Bissell, portrayed by Kris Chapman, who became the first female CEO in the United States after her husband’s death in 1889 and led the company for decades. Mary Patten, interpreted by Emily Painter, shares the story of her extraordinary courage at sea as a 19-year-old navigating immense challenges aboard a merchant clipper in 1856. Rounding out the presentation is Dr. Mary Walker, portrayed by Cathie Elsbree, the first—and only—woman to receive the Medal of Honor.

This presentation is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged due to limited seating. To register, call 815-235-9777.

The art of David Van Delinder is now on display in the Lowden Gallery from January 1 – February 28.

David’s career actually began in the music business. Blessed with talent in both art and music, he was a premier area guitarist at a young age, recording and performing with Chicago folk legends Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman, John Prine and others. His songs have been published and recorded by name artists.

When the road became unsuitable for a married man and father, he turned to his other muse, art. He worked his way up to senior art director for a well-known Chicago agency before deciding to go out on his own. He became a successful and respected freelance illustrator and graphic designer creating art and designs for billboards, magazines, packaging, and books.

David’s fine art is rooted in traditional technique and classical composition. His pen and ink drawings of abandoned barns and jazz musicians, impressionistic florals, landscapes, and classical oil portraits all display both virtuosity and inspiration.

Mr. Van Delinder also accepts commissioned portraits and other works in oil, pastel, charcoal and pen and ink. His pencil portraits of musicians and dancers are very popular and highly sought after.

He lives and works in Cherry Valley, IL.

Join us for this new gathering at Woodstock Public Library as we enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee and discuss a new program topic with a guest speaker every month. Free to attend, but advance registration is required.

February 26 - New Advances in Alzheimer’s Treatment with the Alzheimer’s Association
March 26 - Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention with the Illinois Comptroller’s Office
April 30 - Fall Prevention with Smith Physical Therapy+ of Crystal Lake
May 28 - Mental Health in Older Adults with NAMI of McHenry County
June 25 - Discount and Ride Free Programs with RTA

The art of David Van Delinder is now on display in the Lowden Gallery from January 1 – February 28.

David’s career actually began in the music business. Blessed with talent in both art and music, he was a premier area guitarist at a young age, recording and performing with Chicago folk legends Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman, John Prine and others. His songs have been published and recorded by name artists.

When the road became unsuitable for a married man and father, he turned to his other muse, art. He worked his way up to senior art director for a well-known Chicago agency before deciding to go out on his own. He became a successful and respected freelance illustrator and graphic designer creating art and designs for billboards, magazines, packaging, and books.

David’s fine art is rooted in traditional technique and classical composition. His pen and ink drawings of abandoned barns and jazz musicians, impressionistic florals, landscapes, and classical oil portraits all display both virtuosity and inspiration.

Mr. Van Delinder also accepts commissioned portraits and other works in oil, pastel, charcoal and pen and ink. His pencil portraits of musicians and dancers are very popular and highly sought after.

He lives and works in Cherry Valley, IL.

Join the Boone County Conservation District for story time and hands on activities to learn all about the tracks that animals leave behind! We’ll finish the program with a tracks scavenger hunt to discover ‘whose track is that!’ To register, email dgrelecki@bccdil.org or call 815-547-7935.

Kinnikinnick Creek Nature Preserve needs you! Join the Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves, the Peregrines of Rock River Valley, and the Boone County Conservation District for our Eco-Stewardship Volunteer Kick-off Event to help save the Oak Woodlands!

By joining us for the Kick-Off event and future Eco-Stewardship volunteer workdays you can:

-Explore and restore this beautiful bluff ecosystem
-Make cool friends & build community
-Revive biodiversity for an ancient oak savanna
-Learn about ecology & stewardship
-Make a meaningful difference for the Earth!

No experience is necessary! We provide the tools and instruction; you provide the energy!

Please bring a full water bottle and wear clothes and sturdy shoes you can work in. We recommend avoiding synthetic outerwear, as it can get snagged or burned by the brush fire.

When arriving, follow the signs for parking. If you have accessibility needs, please let us know.

Want to help us organize? Please email us at peregrinesrrv@friendsilnature.org.

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/5rwye5SEABdsGiJPA