Illinois Extension Carroll-Lee-Whiteside unit announces spring 2024 events

SPRINGFIELD – The University of Illinois Extension Carroll-Lee-Whiteside unit, part of the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, has released its events calendar for the spring.

The Illinois Extension provides educational programs for youths, families, farmers, gardeners, businesses, schools and organizations in Carroll, Whiteside and Lee counties. Each of the events is created based on research conducted to identify annual priorities in each community, which allows the organization to respond to evolving and emerging needs.

Events for the spring include brain fitness classes, dog training, youth development, gardening, cooking and more.

Call the registration office at 815-632-3611 for reasonable accommodations required to attend any event.

Events

Wits Fitness, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. April 8, Edward Murphy Room at KSB Town Square Center, 101 W. Second St., Dixon

• Kara Schweitzer, an educator from the University of Illinois Extension, leads participants through interactive activities designed to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive function and memory. New participants are welcome to join at any time.

Wits Fitness, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 9, CGH Health Foundation Community Room, Sterling

• Kara Schweitzer, an educator from the University of Illinois Extension, leads participants through interactive activities designed to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive function and memory. New participants are welcome to join at any time. To sign up, call Beth Sterk at 815-625-4790, ext. 3977, or email beth.sterk@cghmc.com.

Kids & K-9s, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 16 and 23, Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center, Dixon

• Kids & K-9s is a survey class that will introduce different aspects of dog training and is designed to help dogs become a more integral part of families. Open to youths ages 8 to 18 beginning Saturday, Feb. 10, and running select Saturdays through August. Beginner classes will take place at 11 a.m., and advanced classes are at 1 p.m. This event is free for 4-H members and $20 for non-4-H members. Register online by April 1 at go.illinois.edu/kidsk9.

Mindful Mechanics, from 5 to 6 p.m. March 18 and 25 and April 1 and 8, Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon

• Teens ages 13 to 19 are given tools to build positive relationships with themselves and others. The program aims to promote mindful practices that lead to improvements in managing goals, developing a sense of self, managing time and stress, and regulating emotions. Register online at go.illinois.edu/CommunityEdSVCC.

Wits Fitness, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. March 20 and April 17, Henry C. Adams Memorial Library, Prophetstown

• Kara Schweitzer, an educator from the University of Illinois Extension, leads participants through interactive activities designed to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive function and memory. New participants are welcome to join at any time. Register by calling the Henry C. Adams Memorial Library at 309-714-2699.

Ready Set Grow … Gardening Workshop, from 8 a.m. to noon March 23, Loveland Community House, Dixon

• The Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties offer participants information about horticulture, backyard gardening, pest control and more. Register online at go.illinois.edu/readysetgrow.

Lee County Project Pool, from 8:30 a.m. to noon March 23, Lee County 4-H Center, Amboy

• This workshop is designed to showcase some of the unique project options available in the 4-H program. Open to all, ages 5 to 18. Registration is required by March 16. Registration is $20 and can be done online at go.illinois.edu/projectpool.

Cooking with Vegetables | Carroll County Master Gardeners, at 5 p.m. March 25 and April 22, York Township Public Library, Thomson

• Join Master Gardener Nancy Gmitro for a lesson on cooking with spinach and asparagus. Learn the basics of planting, harvesting and creating recipes. To register, call the York Township Public Library at 815-259-2480.

Cooking with Vegetables | Carroll County Master Gardeners, at 5 p.m. March 28 and April 25, Mount Carroll Public Library, Mount Carroll

• Join Master Gardener Nancy Gmitro for a lesson on cooking with spinach and asparagus. Learn the basics of planting, harvesting and creating recipes. To register, call Mount Carroll Public Library at 815-244-1751.

Salsa Garden | Big and Small Gardening, at 6 p.m. April 2, Winfred Knox Memorial Library, Franklin Grove

• The Lee County Master Gardeners have started their gardening series, “Big and Small Gardening,” to teach all ages the basics of gardening. The series will be the first Tuesday of each month, alternating a youth program at 4 p.m. and an adult program at 6 p.m. Join the Master Gardeners for their adult lesson to learn about milk jug salsa gardening. Register by calling 815-456-2823.

Wits Fitness, from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 4, York Township Public Library, Thomson

• Kara Schweitzer, an educator from University of Illinois Extension, leads participants through interactive activities designed to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive function and memory. New participants are welcome to join at any time. Register by calling York Township Public Library at 815-259-2480.

Wits Fitness, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 4, Mount Carroll Public Library, Mount Carroll

• Kara Schweitzer, an educator from the University of Illinois Extension, leads participants through interactive activities designed to stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive function and memory. New participants are welcome to join at any time. Register by calling 815-244-1751.

Looking for the Funny Side: The Value of Humor, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 9, York Township Public Library, Thomson

• Humor can be good for you, as it has physical and psychological benefits. This free program will help you look at the ways that humor can help when dealing with stress and change. Register by calling the York Township Public Library at 815-259-2480.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Workshop, from noon to 5 p.m. April 10, Whiteside County Extension Office, Sterling

• This workshop teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youths. Register online at go.illinois.edu/youthmentalhealth.

Bullet Journaling, from 5 to 6 p.m. April 10, Winifred Knox Memorial Library, Franklin Grove

• Bullet journaling can help organize life tasks, thoughts and feelings, identify stressors, help process emotions and intrusive or avoidant thoughts, gain insight and confidence, and promote empathy. Supplies are included, and there is no cost to attend. Ages 8 to 18. Call the Winifred Knox Memorial Library to register at 815-456-2823.

Succulent Wreaths, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. April 13, Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon

• Learn more about what succulents are and how to care for them. Craft and take home your own succulent wreath. Supplies are included. Ages 12 and older. Register online at go.illinois.edu/CommunityEdSVCC.

4-H Junior Gardener SPIN Club, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays from April 16 to July 30, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dixon

• This program teaches children about the wonderful world of gardening through hands-on investigation of growing their own vegetables and flowers, as well as learning to harvest. A portion of the produce grown will be given to people in food-insecure situations. The club is for youths ages 8 to 18, and the cost is $30 for non-4-H members and $10 for 4-H members. For information, call the Lee County Extension office at 815-857-3525. Register online at go.illinos.edu/LeeCoJG.

Pixel Pioneers Virtual Special Interest Club, April 23, 30 and May 7, 14, 21, 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 23 and 30, and May 7, 14, 21 and 28.

• Explore digital creativity from home with engaging sessions on typography, logos and more. Join the 4-H Pixel Pioneers Virtual SPIN Club, where sessions take place on Zoom and materials are mailed to participants. The program is open to youths ages 8 to 18, with an enrollment deadline of April 1. A $5 supply fee is applicable for 4-H members, and nonmembers must pay $25. To enroll, visit go.illinois.edu/pixelpioneersnewmember for new members and go.illinois.edu/pixelpioneers for current members.

Hold That Thought: Understanding Memory and Forgetfulness, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 14, York Township Public Library, Thomson

• Misplacing keys and forgetting why you entered a room are common occurrences in the human experience. However, understanding the memory process and adopting strategies for better brain health can help mitigate everyday forgetfulness. Join us to discover how to keep your memory sharp at any age. Call the York Township Public Library to register at 815-259-2480.