Community Calendar

Want to become a biodiversity hero? Learn how planting natives and removing invasive species can make you a part of the Homegrown National Park movement. Come learn about this nationwide call to action with a short film by renowned conservationist Doug Tallamy, followed by a presentation and Q&A with a local pollinator expert. Please register at www.woodstockpubliclibrary.org.

Join Us for Our 171st Season!

Set sail with the DeKalb Municipal Band as we launch our 171st consecutive summer concert series starting June 10th!

This season, we’re taking you on a musical voyage—each Tuesday night in the park will be filled with fresh breezes, familiar tunes, and new adventures. From maritime melodies to toe-tapping favorites, there’s something for everyone aboard.

So grab your lawn chair and join us under the summer sky. Your Tuesday night tradition awaits!

Spring is here and NIAAA is having our 2nd photo contest. We hope to have all nine counties we serve represented. We are looking for an iconic photo to represent each county: it should be something easily recognizable, a hidden treasure or notable view.

Please remember, this contest is open to everyone so please feel free to submit your own entries.

To coincide with the 10th anniversary of the historic Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, PFLAG Sauk Valley is sponsoring a photo exhibit titled Wedding Album. The exhibit honors a decade of marriage equality by featuring photos of couples with connections to the Sauk Valley area. Each photo offers a window into lives shaped by courage and love. More than just images, the exhibit weaves in text that recounts the journey toward equality and the legal triumph that changed countless lives. Running from June 4 - July 2, 2025 (Wednesdays - Saturdays) at The Next Picture Show in Dixon, Illinois, the exhibit is free and open to all, including Saturday, June 14, which coincides with Dixon’s Pride Festival–two great events in one location!

The Coliseum Museum of Art, Antiques & Americana presents Around the Farm, juried art show that celebrates farm life and farming and highlights the importance of agriculture in our area in original works in a wide variety of media, Jun. 6-Jul. 12.

It’s summertime, so join John and Laura at the park for our 5th summer of outdoor story times! We will be reading stories, singing songs, and having fun. After the stories, go play on the playground. We encourage you to bring a blanket to make sitting on the grass a little more comfortable.

All of the story times are at Huntley Park at 2nd and Garden Street in DeKalb. Look for us in the southwestern corner.

We will announce on the DeKalb Public Library Facebook page if the program is cancelled due to weather.

For questions or further information, please contact John at johna@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

This annual competition is open to artists living in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The Freeport Art Museum's annual Regional Juried Exhibition (RJE) mission is to offer established and emerging artists the opportunity to debut work created in the last two years. Opening on Saturday, May 10, 2025, the show runs through July 19, 2025. As FAM has gained a distinguished reputation for displaying a wide range of contemporary art, this exhibition has become a visitor's favorite.

Each year, FAM invites a new juror to select approximately 50 artworks for inclusion, and to give awards for first, second, third place, and honorable mention. This year's juror is Rodrick Whetstone, an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design teaching in the Department of Art and Design at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Award winners are announced at the opening reception.

The museum is open 10-5 Tuesday-Friday; 12-5 Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday

This new juried show has works of art that explore the use of color to share different narratives. Reception and announcement of awards on June 20, 6-8 pm.

Parents, are you looking for fun ways to keep your kids engaged this summer? Bring them to Camp Creativity — a series of interactive activities designed for school-aged children and led by Northern Illinois University students. Fuel your child’s curiosity and watch their creativity come to life!

This program is limited to the first 20 children. Sign-up will begin at the children’s desk one hour before the event.

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

The Northwest District Elks Lodges in cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation will sponsor a free children’s orthopedic assessment clinic on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Rockford. The clinic is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and is by appointment only. To make an appointment call the Illinois Elks Children’s Care office at 1-800-272-0074 between the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. There are no charges for any services at this clinic.

The Elks will hold the clinic at the Ortho Illinois office of Dr. Scott Ferry. The office is located at 324 Roxbury Road, in Rockford. The hours for the clinic are 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

No medical referral is necessary for the clinic, but physicians are welcome to refer patients to the clinic for a specific reason or second opinion. School nurses are welcome to refer children and families to the clinic. The clinic is an ideal time to have a child reviewed for bone and joint development.