Community Calendar

What truly makes a dinosaur a dinosaur? This hands-on program explores the fascinating world of the Mesozoic Era, from the many species and lineages that defined the age of dinosaurs to the other remarkable creatures that shared their world. Discover which animals were close dinosaur relatives and which simply lived alongside them. Get up close with fossil replicas and a selection of actual fossils and learn about the field of paleontology and what researchers are still uncovering about these ancient animals today.

Presented by Mitchell Goodknecht, founder of ACCO (Animal Care Conservation Outreach), a Kankakee County–based educational outreach program specializing in natural history and wildlife science. Mitchell brings over nine years of science communication experience, a background in zoology and wildlife conservation, and hands-on expertise ranging from exotic animal care to volunteer education at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, including certification in dinosaur hall facilitation featuring SUE the T. rex and Maximo the Titanosaur. This program is free and open to the public. It is recommended for families and adults.

Contrary to popular belief, dinosaurs never went extinct — they're still alive and flying among us in the form of birds. Birds are the only dinosaurs to survive the cataclysmic mass extinction caused by an asteroid the size of Mount Everest crashing into Earth some 66 million years ago. The big question is: how? How did birds not only endure the apocalypse that wiped out every other dinosaur, but go on to evolve and populate every corner of the planet? Now, rare fossil discoveries are revealing the secrets of bird evolution going back more than 100 million years — telling the story of how resilient, feathered dinosaurs persevered and transformed into the vast, colorful array of species filling our skies today.

Free and open to the public. Approximately 53 minutes, rated G, and made possible through Kanopy.

Join us for a hands-on art workshop inspired by an extraordinary piece of history. Discover the story of Andrew Clemens, a 19th-century Iowa artist who crafted breathtaking works entirely from grains of sand. Then, create your own layered sand art jar, using color and pattern to tell a story, capture a memory, or simply enjoy the process. This program is free and open to the public. Recommended for ages 6 and up.

As we commemorate America250, join Artist and Art Historian, Denise Laurin, for a captivating multimedia discussion exploring the pivotal works of art that documented the Revolutionary War, and the remarkable transformation of George Washington from man to myth. Denise brings a rare combination of artistic sensibility and scholarly depth to every presentation. Holding an M.A. in Art History from Northern Illinois University, she spent nearly two decades teaching at the college level and has exhibited at venues ranging from the Chicago Cultural Center to MoMA-affiliated shows in New York City. Recognized as an advanced speaker by Toastmasters International, she is as compelling in front of an audience as she is in the studio.
This program is free and open to the public. It will be offered as a blended program with in-person and virtual options. To register virtually, go to: t.ly/ofioD.

Chicago famously has a sweet tooth, and why wouldn’t it? For much of the twentieth century, Chicago reigned supreme as the “Candy Capital of the World.” From Cracker Jack and M&Ms, to Snickers and Lemon Heads, many of the world’s most well-known sweets originated in the city. At its peak, 100 Chicago candy companies, including Wrigley, Mars, and Ferrara produced a third of all candy in the United States and employed more than 25,000 people. But however all-American this world of confection may appear; it was immigrants who came to Chicago in the nineteenth century who helped mold the industry. This program is free and open to the public. It is 55 minutes, not rated and made possible through WTTW/PBS.

The program opens with a short documentary produced by the Stained Glass Museum in England, tracing the origins of stained glass from its medieval beginnings to its enduring presence in modern art and architecture. Following the film, participants will take part in a hands-on workshop and create their own "faux" stained glass artwork. This program is free and open to the public. All materials provided. Recommended for ages 10 and older and adults.

Ever since childhood, Benjamin Franklin Gates has been obsessed with locating the legendary Knights Templar Treasure — the greatest fortune known to man. As he works to find and decipher ancient riddles that will lead him to it, he's relentlessly pursued by a ruthless enemy who wants the riches for himself. Now in a race against time, Gates must steal one of America's most sacred and closely guarded documents — the Declaration of Independence — before it, and a vital clue to the mystery, falls into dangerous hands. Heart-pounding chases, narrow escapes, and the FBI transform Gates's quest into a high-stakes crime caper and one of the most thrilling treasure hunts you'll ever experience. Rated PG for action violence and some scary images. Free and open to the public.

Do your kids need something positive, fun, and engaging this summer? 4-H staff, McHenry County Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom teachers, and 4-H Ambassadors are offering a summer 4-H club experience that introduces youth to a variety of exciting 4-H project areas in a relaxed, summer setting.

What Will Youth Explore?

This summer club provides a glimpse into the 4-H program and encourages independent learning through engaging, hands-on activities:
Agriculture Adventures:
McHenry County Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom instructors will share a short lesson and activity each session.
Outdoor Exploration:
Learn about birds, reptiles, mammals, and insects through games and hands-on experiences.
STEM Challenges:
Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with fun problem-solving activities.
Cultural & Creative Arts:
Express creativity through art and cultural activities.
Promoting Self-Care:
Emphasis on social-emotional health and proper nutrition.

Hosted by Judge Douglas Ginsburg, this documentary explores the spirit and worldwide influence of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Ginsburg guides viewers through the major turning points in U.S. and world history where the Declaration served as a blueprint for self-government, from the abolitionist movement and Women's Suffrage to the words that moved iconic figures like Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to action.

Its reach extends far beyond American shores. Since 1776, more than 100 countries have drafted their own declarations of independence, and Ginsburg brings these moments to life through short, character-driven stories spanning major waves of independence in France, Latin America, and the Czech Republic. We'll also hear from refugees fleeing Hong Kong, Venezuela, and Vietnam, each pursuing the promise of "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." And throughout it all, everyday people share their unfiltered thoughts on America's progress toward a nation where "all men are created equal."

The program is free and open to the public. It is approximately 56 minutes, not rated, and made possible through PBS.

What does it mean to be American? Join us for a hybrid community book club that brings readers together to explore that very question through the lens of the American Revolution. We'll kick off with a preview screening from Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt's PBS documentary The American Revolution, followed by an informal group discussion.

This month, we're reading Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence by Joseph Ellis. The summer of 1776 was unlike any other — the thirteen colonies boldly declared independence from Britain while facing the largest naval force ever to cross the Atlantic. Ellis brings this electrifying moment to life, following Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, and the Howe brothers as the Continental Congress and Army made history-defining decisions on the fly. It's a story of courage, chaos, and the unlikely birth of a nation — and we'd love to discuss it with you.

This free public program runs approximately 45 minutes and is available both in-person at the Granville Branch and virtually via Zoom. To register for Zoom, visit: t.ly/D9uwH. Copies of the book are available at the Granville Branch.