BURLINGTON
‘History of Handbags’
Time: 2 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29
Place: St. John’s Lutheran Church
Cost: $5 donation
More information: 847-683-3443
Hampshire Ladies VFW Post 8043 will present a program by Marilyn Smaha, who makes custom purses and totes. She will also demonstrate how to “jazz up” a thrift store bag. Attendees may bring a special purse to share its story. Proceeds benefit scholarships for students in Hampshire and Burlington Central high schools.
Oktoberfest
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday
Dates: Oct. 4 – 6
Place: St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road
Cost: $8 for dinner
More information: 847-683-2338 or www.stjohnburlington.com
Youth group tent sale all three days to fund the cost of traveling to the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio in 2013. On Saturday, the Oktoberfest German dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. and Miller's Hometown Band will play from 5 to 8 p.m.
CORTLAND
Preschool Story Time
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday; next, Sept. 26
Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road
More information: 815-756-7274 or www.cortlandlibrary.com
For children 3 and older. No registration required.
First Grade & Up Story and Craft
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Every Thursday; next, Sept. 27
Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road
More information: 815-756-7274 or www.cortlandlibrary.com
Registration required.
Fall Festival and Parade
Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 14
Place: Cortland Community Park
More information: www.cortlandil.org
Parade at 1 p.m. Rides, vendors and live music at the free festival, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
DeKALB
Toddler Time
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 26
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 250
Stories, rhymes and more for preschoolers. No registration required.
Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Drive-Up Pork Dinner
Time: 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 26
Place: 3M parking lot, corner of Peace and Barber Greene roads
Cost: $10; tickets available from club members, at Inboden's in DeKalb, by email at kishsunriserotary@gmail.com and by phone at 815-757-8151
The meal will be prepared by Inboden's, which is roasting a pig on site. Each meal includes pulled pork, a biscuit, coleslaw, baked beans and double baked potato salad. Proceeds benefit the Rotary's scholarships for DeKalb and Sycamore high school students and DeKalb County Forest Preserve restoration projects.
'Fire in the Ashes: The Deepening Crisis in Our Public Schools'
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 26
Place: DeKalb High School auditorium
Author and social justice activist Jonathan Kozol will speak.
Free Community Meal
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Date: Second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays of every month; next, Sept. 26
Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.
More information: www.feedemsoup.org
For transportation, call 815-293-7433.
Bilingual Story Time
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 27
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 250 or theresaw@dkpl.org
Stories, songs and puppet play in Spanish and English for kids of all ages. No registration required.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Bullying
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 27
Place: DeKalb Senior Center, 333 Grove Ave.
Bullying can be a problem for any child. Two speakers from the Youth Service Bureau will talk to the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group about risk factors, signs of bullying, helping children to resist bullying and avoid becoming bullies themselves, gender differences in bullying and high-tech cyberbullying. Any grandparent involved in raising a grandchild is welcome.
'Bartleby the Scrivener'
Time: 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Dates: Sept. 27 – 30 and Oct. 4 – 7
Place: O'Connell Theatre, Stevens Building, Northern Illinois University
Tickets: Adults $16, seniors $13, students $8
More information: 815-753-1600, sotdboxoffice@niu.edu or www.niu.edu/theatre
A 90-minute adaptation of the humorous short story by Herman Melville.
Computer Help Lab
Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Date: Friday, Sept. 28
Place: DeKalb Public Library
Files and Folders Class
Time: 3 p.m.
Date: Friday, Sept. 28
Place: DeKalb Public Library
More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 220
Sign up by phone or at the reference desk. Learn to make a computer file folder and to move files around.
Kids' Garage Sale
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29
Place: Hopkins Park Shelter
Cost: $10 for a vendor booth
More information: 815-756-8560
Children can sell the toys, clothes, sports gear, books and other items they have outgrown. One round table will be available at each vendor space; sellers may provide their own additional tables. Booth space is 10-by-10 feet. The public is invited to shop.
Big Read: Community Fence Painting and Picnic
Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Sept. 30
Place: DeKalb Public Library
Help whitewash the library's picket fence and stay for a picnic including snacks and 1800s games and activities. A "Tom Sawyer" event from the Big Read.
'Juke Box' Barbershop Show
Time: 3 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Sept. 30
Place: Hopkins Park Terrace Room
Tickets: Adults, $12; seniors 60 and older and students 19 and younger, $10
More information: 815-895-5955 or 815-757-2447
The Kishwaukee Barbershop Chorus presents a show with a "jukebox favorites" theme. Call 815-757-2447 for tickets or 815-895-5955 for general information.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 2 – Nov. 6
Place: DeKalb County Hospice
More information: 815-756-3000
Six-week course to show caregivers how to care for themselves as they care for their loved ones. Registration required.
Candidates Night
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 3
Place: Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.
More information: www.egyptiantheatre.org
Meet and greet with candidates in the theater lobby from 6 to 7 p.m.
'Mark Twain and the Laughing River'
Time: 6 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 4
Place: Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.
More information: www.dkpl.org or www.egyptiantheatre.org
Blues Gone Wild
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Date: First Thursday of each month; next, Oct. 4
Place: The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway
More information: 815-787-9547 or http://thehousecafe.net
Monthly blues jam. Come to listen or to play. All-ages show.
'Rocky Horror Picture Show' with Shadow Cast
Time: 8 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 5
Place: Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.
Tickets: $10
More information: www.egyptiantheatre.org
Electronics Recycling Collection
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Municipal parking lot at Fourth and Grove streets
More information: 815-748-2408
Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk
Time: 10 a.m. check in, 11 a.m. walk
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Hopkins Park
More information: afsp.donordrive.com/event/DeKalb
Dave Stoddard Memorial Golf Outing
Time: Noon shotgun start; dinner at 5 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: River Heights Golf Course
Cost: $80 individual, $300 foursome, $15 dinner only
More information: 815-766-2805 or 815-751-4166
Cost includes greens fees, cart rental, beverage tickets and dinner. Proceeds support the Dave Stoddard Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a DeKalb High School student each year.
Book Signing Event
Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Barnes & Noble
Local author Margaret "Margy" Wright will sign copies of her first novel, "Pursuit of the Nightingale."
Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, Northern Illinois University Music Building, 400 Lucinda Ave.
Tickets: $5 to $15
More information: www.kishorchestra.org
Artist Reception
Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 7
Place: The Art Box, 308 E. Lincoln Highway
Reception for Carmen L. Armstrong, whose work will be displayed Oct. 1-27.
Maintain a Healthy Heart
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 9
Place: Kish Hospital's Roberts Conference Center
More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Cardiologist Shaun Kurien will discuss risk factors for heart disease and how to manage them. Registration is required and closes three days before program date.
'Media Coverage and Presidential Elections'
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 9
Place: Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center
Mark Stencel, NPR’s managing editor for digital news, will speak in this installment of the Northern Illinois University Presidential Speaker Series.
GENOA
Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Wednesdays; next, Sept. 26
Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care
A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.
Pork Chop Sandwich Dinner
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 26
Place: Genoa Masonic Lodge, 130 Route 23, behind McDonalds
Cost: $8
More information: 815-784-3744
This dinner by the Genoa Masonic Lodge and the Genoa-Kingston High School Cheerleading Squad includes one pork chop sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans and applesauce. Proceeds benefit the cheer squad and Masonic charities. Buy advance tickets from cheerleaders, Masons or at Embroidery Sew Into It, 201 W. Main St.
Vendor Extravaganza
Time: 1 – 4 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Sept. 30
Place: Genoa Vets Home, 311 S. Washington St.
A variety of crafters and direct sales vendors will be present, including Avon, Tastefully Simple, Miche Bags, Pampered Chef, Longaberger and more. There will be food and raffles; you need not be present to win raffle prizes.
Bingo
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Every Tuesday; next, Oct. 2
Place: Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St.
Electronics Recycling Collection
Time: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Municipal parking lot at City Hall
More information: 815-748-2408
Oktoberfest
Time: 2 – 9 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Chamberlain Park
Cost: $5; children 11 and younger, free
Entry fee includes one 50/50 raffle ticket. Event includes food vendors, a beer tent, live music by three bands, children's games, facepainting, two moon bounces, a balloon artist and a magician. Proceeds support the charitable efforts of the Genoa Lions Club.
Blood Drive
Time: 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 10
Place: Trinity Lutheran Church, 33930 N. State
HINCKLEY
Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Date: Monday, Oct. 8
Place: Hinckley Community Building
More information: 815-286-3220
Mark Moran, former senior editor of antiques and collectibles books, guest expert on Antiques Roadshow and author or coauthor of more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles will appraise fine art, furniture, ceramics, glassware, vintage photographs, advertising materials, folk art, toys, metalware, clocks and costume jewelry. There is no fee for this event, but registration is required if you are bringing items for appraisal.
KINGSTON
Rev. Harold Schmidt Walk for Christian Senior Ministry
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Sept. 30
Place: Walcamp, 32653 Five Points Road
This fundraiser for Christian Senior Ministry does not require participants to walk; they can enjoy bingo and refreshments inside the shelter if they prefer. Deacon Charles Ridulph reaches more than 250 seniors in a dozen DeKalb County senior residence centers every week through this ministry for nondenominational Christian worship services.
Pork Roast Supper
Time: 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Kingston United Methodist Church, 121 W. First St.
Cost: Adults, $9; children, $4
Complete dinner, including dessert. Carry-outs and gift certificates available.
Walcamp Fall Festival
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 7
Place: Walcamp, 32653 Five Points Road
More information: 815-784-5141
Pony rides, games, Civil War living history, hay rides, food and a market.
KIRKLAND
First Lutheran Church Lock-In
Time: 4 p.m.
Date: Friday, Oct. 5
Place: First Lutheran Church, 510 W. South St.
Cost: Nonperishable item for the food pantry
Youth in sixth grade and older are invited to a lock-in with music by Captive Free, pizza and Wii dancing.
MALTA
Roast Beef Dinner
Time: 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29
Place: Malta United Methodist Church
Cost: Adult, $12; adult double meat, $15; children 5 to 12, $5; children 4 and younger, free
Carryouts are available. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Menu includes roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet green peas, raspberry applesauce Jell-O salad, rolls, homemade desserts and beverage.
Tribute to Heroes
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 4
Place: Kishwaukee College
Tickets: $50
More information: 630-297-5948 or 815-739-9001
Paying tribute to members of the DeKalb County community who have dedicated themselves to community service and the development of youth. This year's honorees are Bob Coulter, Ken Doubler, Denny Rehn and Mike and Jenelle Muzzillo. Proceeds from the banquet support the Boy Scouts of DeKalb County.
SHABBONA
Museum Open House: Country Schools
Time: 1 – 4 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Sept. 30
Place: Shabbona-Lee-Rollo Historical Museum, 119 W. Comanche
More information: 815-824-2597
The museum will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a public open house. The theme will be country schools, the same theme it celebrated at its opening in 1992. People who attended country schools are encouraged to attend and reminisce. Light refreshments will be served.
SYCAMORE
Blood Drive
Time: Noon – 4 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 26
Place: Home Bound Health Care, 1625 S. Bethany Road
Bingo
Time: Card sales start at 6 p.m.; play begins at 7:15
Date: Every Wednesday; next, Sept. 26
Place: Sycamore Veterans Home, 121 S. California St.
Creating Tea Gardens
Time: 7 p.m.
Dates: Thursday, Sept. 27
Place: DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W. Prairie Drive
Cost: $5
More information: 815-758-8194
Bring a cup to sample tea. Registration required.
Garden Story Time
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Date: Friday, Sept. 28
Place: Sycamore History Museum, 1730 N. Main St.
Children 3 to 6 and their families are invited for a story, song and craft. Registration recommended.
'Teach What Matters'
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Friday, Sept. 28
Place: First Baptist Church
More information: heart2homeschool@yahoo.com
Todd Wilson shares funny real life stories and offers practical encouragement.
Harvest of Quilts
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday
Dates: Sept. 29 and 30
Place: Sycamore Middle School, 150 Maplewood Drive
Cost: $5 each day or $6 for a two-day pass
More information: 815-895-8229, kad0522@comcast.net or www.dcqg.org
About 200 quilted pieces will be on display. The featured artist will be Lois Jarvis. There will be a small quilt silent auction and a handmade gift boutique, as well as vendor booths selling quilting and sewing supplies. A certified textile appraiser will be on-site and will give written appraisals for a $40 fee.
Blood Drive
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29
Place: Bill Cho's Martial Arts, 1598 DeKalb Ave.
Schmack Rally
Time: 3 – 6 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29
Place: Good Tymes Shelter, Sycamore Park
Tickets: $25, children 10 and younger free
More information: 815-895-2074 or campaign@schmackforstatesattorney.com
Picnic and rally featuring an Inboden's pig roast and live music from One Beat Off. RSVP by Sept. 25.
Breakfast
Time: 8 – 11 a.m.
Date: Last Sunday of each month; next, Sept. 30
Place: Sycamore Veterans Home, 121 S. California St.
Cost: Adults, $7; children 11 and younger, $4
Includes omelets, eggs to order, potatoes, sausage, bacon, pancakes, french toast, biscuits and gravy, coffee, juice and milk.
'A Long Time Ago When Grandpa Was a Little Boy'
Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Monday, Oct. 1
Place: DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W. Prairie Drive
More information: 815-756-6361
Stanley Brandon will speak about his memoir.
Free Zumba
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 1, 3, 8 and 10
Place: Unlimited Performance Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine
More information: 815-748-8900 ext. 3 or www.kishhospital.org/programs
Try Zumba classes for free for four sessions. Registration required and closes three days before the program date.
Brown Bag Lunch
Time: Noon
Date: Thursday, Oct. 4
Place: Sycamore History Museum, 1730 N. Main St.
More information; 815-895-5762 or sycamorehistory.org
Get a sneak preview of Sycamore History Museum's new exhibit, "Play," opening to the public on Oct. 13.
'Putting the Garden to Bed'
Time: 6 – 7 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 4
Place: DeKalb County Center for Agriculture, 1350 W. Prairie Drive
Cost: $5
More information: 815-758-8194 or web.extension.illinois.edu.bdo
Learn how to close your garden this fall for a more productive spring. Registration preferred.
Blackwood Brothers in Concert
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 4
Place: Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave.
More information: 815-895-9113
Legendary gospel quartet in concert.
Walk With the Angels
Time: 9 a.m. registration, 10:30 a.m. walk
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Sycamore Oddfellows-Rebekah Lodge, 131 Sabin St.
Cost: Before Sept. 15, adults $20, children 8-15 $12, children 7 and younger free. Day-of registration $25.
More information: 815-501-1229 or jstilez@comcast.net
Sycamore Angels Rebekah Lodge 106 5K walk begins and ends at the lodge. There will be refreshments available at the turnaround point at the Rotary Park lake. The walk will be followed by a social gathering with food and raffles at the lodge.
Artist Walk and Studio Tour
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: DeKalb and Sycamore
More information: 815-899-9440 or www.sycamoreartattack.org
Meet more than 60 local artists and view their work at more than 13 venues. Art will be available for sale. Tickets are free. Brochures are available at the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, Taxco and Art Attack School of Art in Sycamore and at Mason Properties, the Art Box, the Daily Chronicle, WLBK and the YMCA in DeKalb.
Brookfield Zoo at the Museum
Time: 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Place: Midwest Museum of Natural History
Cost: Members $8, nonmembers $12. Cost includes museum admission.
More information: 815-895-9777 or www.mmnh.org
Staffers from Brookfield Zoo will bring exotic animals from around the world for a live animal presentation. Registration required.
Elmwood Cemetery Walk
Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 7
Place: Elmwood Cemetery Mausoleum
Cost: $5
More information: 815-895-5762 or sycamorehistory.org
Learn about the cemetery and eight of the people buried there.
WATERMAN
Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Thursdays; next, Sept. 27
Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care
A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.
Electronics Recycling Collection
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29
Place: Municipal parking lot on Route 30
More information: 815-748-2408