5 Things to Do: Legion dinner, happiness forum planned in the Sauk Valley this weekend

The Dixon American Legion‘s weekly dinner: The Legion will be serving grilled, plain or barbecue chicken breasts with salad, potatoes, rolls, vegetables and dessert for $13 from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. Call 815-284-2003 for reservations. Eat in or carryout available. The bar opens at 3 p.m.
The Whiteside Forum’s “Scandinavian Cultural Highlights and the Secret to Happiness:” This presentation by Ulf Jonas Björk will begin at 2 p.m. Jan. 26, in the Odell Public Library’s community room, 307 S. Madison St., Morrison. Admission to the forum is free. Attendees can learn why Nordic countries are the happiest nations, as ranked by the United Nations. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Björk taught journalism for 35 years at Indiana-Purdue University. He has written several book chapters and journal articles and coauthored two books. Björk was named a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in American Studies at Uppsala University in 2012. He has been an Augustana College Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center advisory committee member for over 20 years. Björk is currently a visiting professor of Scandinavian studies at the college. For information, text 815-718-5347 or email marcadami53@gmail.com.
The Sauk Valley Wedding Expo: The annual expo will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at Northland Mall, located on Route 2 in Sterling. The event is considered the area’s largest wedding expo and is designed for couples to help plan their perfect wedding, all in one stop, according to a news release. The expo will feature a fashion show along with exhibits on flowers, tuxedos and a variety of other wedding staples. Couples who register are entered to win a $250 gift certificate to use at the wedding expo vendor of their choice.
The Stupor Bowl: The Dixon Public Schools Foundation is gearing up for its annual Stupor Bowl, a competitive community trivia contest supporting local education. The event will begin with morning rounds taking place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Reagan Middle School cafeteria, 620 Division St., Dixon. The top four teams will continue to the playoffs at 1:30 p.m. The event costs $150 per team for nonprofits and families and $300 per team for businesses. All proceeds will go to support the Dixon Public Schools Foundation, which already has donated more than $50,000 in classroom grants to area schools. The event also will feature a silent auction, with bidding on a variety of items throughout the day. To compete, participants must submit an online entry form, which is available at www.dps170.org. The deadline to submit the entry form is Feb. 4.
Flock to the Rock: The fifth annual Flock to the Rock will be Feb. 8 in Rock Falls. Head down to the Lower Dam, 300 W. First St., Rock Falls, any time before 10 a.m. to view eagles soaring around the Rock River. Don’t forget your cameras and binoculars. Then, go over to Rock Falls American Legion Post 902, 712 Fourth Ave., (note the location change from previous years) at 10 a.m., for two educational speakers. The first speaker, from Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education, will give an hourlong presentation about birds of prey and will bring birds such as owls and hawks. The second speaker will present a 45-minute program about Native American storytelling. Robert Storm, an ice carver, will entertain with his skills of live ice sculpting outside the American Legion. This event is free and welcomes all ages.

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