Selected Community Events
VALLEY TRAIL RIDERS POKER RUN TRAIL RIDE
Jun 8, 2013 All Day
ROCK CUT STATE PARK EQUESTRIAN PARKGO ON A NICE TRAIL RIDE WHILE COLLECTING A POKER HAND! DOOR PRIZES! STEAK DINNER AFTERWARDS, $12.
TERRY HERBIG 815-289-9833 OR KURTIS LONGENECKER 815-997-7789 OR ELIZABETH LONGENECKER 815-222-4821
Lions Fish & Fun
Jun 1, 2013 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Rock Cut State Park - Lions Park areaEvent for people with disabilities and their families/staff
Deen Cooper815-282-8606
Durand Friday Night Frenzy
Jun 7, 2013 5-8 p.m.
Durand Town SquareOn the first Friday evening of every month, Downtown Durand will open up to the region with a host of events from entertainment; food and refreshments; activities; social interaction; and extended hours from the businesses on the square.
After the businesses close at 8 p.m., there will be a movie shown downtown. The family-friendly movie is free. Guests should bring their own chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available.
Friday Night Frenzy is brought to you through a joint effort of multiple Durand Revitalization committees along with D.A.R.T.S. and area businesses. Friday Night Frenzy is part of the ongoing effort to bring together area residents with local retailers and services; attract new businesses to Durand; and create a new social, cultural and entertainment scene right here in the community.
With all ages welcome, this is a great opportunity to see what Durand has to offer to its local residents and neighboring communities. Representatives from other area businesses will also be available to share what products and services are available right here in Durand, Lake Summerset, and beyond.
Visitors to Friday Night Frenzy can expect a different experience every month with new specials, entertainment and presentations for the whole family. So whether you’re looking for chance to sample the local fare or just get out and have a good time, come out for the inaugural Friday Night Frenzy on June 7 from 5-8 p.m.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/DurandFNF or call 815-248-2200.
Hunting for Collectibles in Cuba
Jun 5, 2013 7pm to 8pm
Kenrock Community Center 3218 11th St. Rockford ILPRESENTER: Mr. Stanley Campbell, Executive Director of Rockford Urban Ministries.
Mr. Campbell has been to Cuba six times in the last twenty years, and each time found the country changed, charming and challenging. Join Mr. Campbell as he enlightens and entertains us about his latest escapades in he embargoed island.
He will not only relate the many ways Americans can enter (and leave) Cuba, but also the challenges of finding collectibles, including coins, stamps, banknotes, books and almost anything else. Stanley Campbell is a long time member of the Rockford Stamp Club and has been collecting stamps since a young man.
A highlight of his presentation will be a Powerpoint slide show and actual items collected while in Cuba.
Sponsored by the Rockford Stamp Club. The program is free.
Stanley Campbell 815-964-7111
Pecatonica Gun & Knife Show
Jun 1, 2013 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
PcatonicaGun & Knife Show, All State and Federal Laws Apply, Sat June 1, 8-4 & Sun June 2, 8-3, At Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 510 W. First Street, Pecatonica, IL. Admission $5.00, Buy, Sell or Trade Firearms, Firearm related items, Archery items or Knives and related items. Also Hunting and Fishing items. Email to gunshow@nirpc.com for Gun Show Flyer. Sponsored by Northern IL Rifle & Pistol Club. Boy Scouts will be serving Breakfast & Lunch as a fund raiser. Web Site: www.nirpc.com . Gun Show Hot Line 815-964-6134.
Bob Biermann, 815-964-6134, gunshow@nirpc.com
Gay Pride Event: Art Opening: Every Stole Tells A Story
Jun 2, 2013 11:30am to 3:30pm
Emmanuel Lutheran Church: 920 Third Ave., Rockford, IL 61104Every Stole Tells A Story:
Emmanuel Lutheran Church will display fifty Liturgical Stoles* in our Sanctuary and Community Room from June 2nd through June 23rd.
There will be an Opening Reception with refreshments on Sunday, June 2nd from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Area residents and out of town visitors who are in Rockford for Gay Pride Fest on June 1st & 2nd are invited to our Emerging Church Service on Sunday, June 2nd from 10:15am to 11:15am. Everyone is invited to stay after for the Shower of Stoles Opening Reception at 11:30am. (Attending Emmanuel’s church service is optional. This event is open to the public.)
During the June 2nd Opening Reception there will be a continuous showing of So Great a Cloud of Witnesses. This documentary is a moving portrayal of the individual people whose stories are behind the creation of the stoles. It also tells how the Shower of Stoles Project began and of the impact it has had since its founding in 1996. This film includes stunning photos of many of the stoles that are currently part of this traveling exhibit.
The Shower of Stoles is a collection of over 1,000 Liturgical Stoles representing the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in thirty-two denominations and faith traditions, in six countries, and on three continents. Each stole contains the story of a GLBT person who is active in the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator, or active layperson.
This extraordinary collection of Liturgical Stoles celebrates the gifts of the GLBT people who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The collection bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation which means that we warmly welcome openly GLBT seekers and believers of all ages as well as their families and friends. EmmanuelLutheranRockford.org
The Shower of Stoles exhibit is also open for viewing from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday and on Sunday mornings from 9am to noon.
*A Liturgical Stole is the story-scarf that ministers and priests wear draped around their shoulders on top of their robes.
Catherine Rennert
(815) 968-1157
Cathy.Rennert@gmail.com
Express Yourself!
Jun 22, 2013 3:00 pm - 5;00 pm
Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem, Freeport, ILWhat does a girl’s self-portrait say about her? What can her own art teach her about how she looks at herself? Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) invites all local girls in grades 4–5 to participate in Express Yourself at the Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem, on Saturday, June 22, from 3–5 p.m. Studying famous self-portraits as a guide, girls will create their own self-portraits by using expressive color with oil pastels and words that describe each girl’s unique personality. This program is designed for girls interested in building self-esteem and learning about art.
Program fee is $15 per registered Girl Scout; $27 per non-registered Girl Scout and includes all art supplies and instruction. The additional $12 registers girls as Girl Scouts and allows them to participate in this program and many others throughout the year! For more information, call Stacie Simpson at 815-235-8777, Ext. 7148, or e-mail ssimpson@girlscoutsni.org. Register online at http://www.girlscoutsni.org/events.
Ann-Marie Soderstrom, 815-962-5591, Ext. 7172
Vacation Bible School at St. John's UCC of Belvidere
Jun 3, 2013 - Jun 6, 2013 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
St. John’s United Church of Christ 401 North Main Street BelvidereVacation Bible School
Abingdon Press’
Hip Hop Hope Jesus Makes Me Glad
FREE!
June 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th
St. John’s United Church of Christ
401 North Main Street
Belvidere IL 61008
All are invited to join the Dance!
For More Information Please Contact
Rev. Muriel Morley Jahn at 815-544-3773
or Email at murielmorley@gmail.com
Rev. Muriel Morley Jahn at 815-544-3773
or Email at murielmorley@gmail.com
Community Gardens to Be Dedicated June 5
Jun 5, 2013 10:30 am
Peterson Meadows, 6401 Newburg Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108On June 5, Community Gardens will be dedicated at Peterson Meadows Retirement Community, a program of Lutheran Services of Illinois (LSSI). Peterson Meadows is located at 6401 Newbury Street in Rockford. Funding for this garden is provided by the City of Rockford Human Services Department – Community Services Block Grant under the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The dedication will take place at 10:30 a.m.
The establishment of the gardens is a project initiated through Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), which is also managed by LSSI. RSVP received a grant for the gardens through the Health Futures Initiative. The garden will be run cared for by senior volunteers who are members of RSVP; additional volunteers are Peterson Meadows residents. Senior RSVP volunteers will lead the garden, build and maintain the garden beds, and weigh the produce and deliver it to the Belvidere Boone County Pantry and the Rock River Valley Pantry. There will also be a pantry delivery program for individuals who are homebound.
“We are so grateful to Peterson Meadows for supplying the land and the water for the garden,” says Lynn Dieterman, Healthy Futures Coordinator. “What a wonderful environment to involve seniors in the beauty and wonder that is life-giving about a garden, reliving a time when they perhaps had their own.”
The gardens have four raised garden beds. Two will be on stilts to be wheelchair accessible. The garden will be planted in peas, tomatoes, collards, Swiss chard, kale, jalapeños, green peppers, onions, spinach and beans, which the food pantries suggested as good choices. In addition, there will be four planters with flowers.
In addition to gardening by seniors, residents’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren are invited to participate on Saturday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m. for “Grow and Sow,” which will be supervised by a garden volunteer.
Since 2010, LSSI has managed RSVP in Winnebago and Boone Counties. RSVP connects volunteers 55 years and older with service opportunities in their communities that match their skills and availability. RSVP is part of the Senior Corps, which is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency that promotes community service. The Corporation also administers AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America.
RSVP has two offices – one in Rockford handles Winnebago County requests, while an office in Belvidere handles Boone County requests. LSSI’s role is to connect not-for-profit organizations or “work stations” – churches, schools, colleges, retirement communities, hospitals and agencies – with volunteers. LSSI also recruits volunteers. For more information on RSVP or the garden dedication, contact Diana Burke, program director, at 815/397-7103
Founded in October 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois is a statewide, not-for-profit social service agency of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For more information about the agency, visit www.LSSI.org and LSSI’s Facebook page.
Lynn Dieterman
Healthy Futures Coordinator
LSSI/RSVP
2222 E. State St., Suite 108
Rockford, IL 61104
P: 815-397-7103
Rock Cut Elementary School Fun Fair
Jun 1, 2013 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Rock Cut Elementary School, 7944 Forest Hills Road, Loves ParkBounce House, Cake Walk, Fire & Police Department will be there, concession stand, carnival games, face painting and prizes. Event is sponsored by Rock Cut PTO and are taking donations for door prizes, food, beverages, etc.
Carmen Miles, PTO Parent Volunteer, 815-654-4506, srtroop27@gmail.com
A River Gathering
Jun 20, 2013 - Jun 22, 2013 all day
Various locations throughout the region, with a Saturday Conference at the RVC Stenstrom CenterThe Four Rivers Environmental Coalition and Rock Valley College are hosting a three-day festival to celebrate the ecological, recreational, cultural and aesthetic value of the rivers in our region and to offer ways in which people can work to preserve them as resources and places of inspiration. For more information go to the website www.fourriver.org
Dennis Anthony, 815-965-2392, x3.
RESCUE RALLY
Jun 7, 2013 - Jun 9, 2013 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
CARLSON CANINE CAMP 388 LAMM RD. FREEPORT, ILLINOISBAKE SALE AND SILENT AUCTION ALL 3 DAYS. DOG WASH ON SATURDAY WITH RESCUE BOOTH ON SUNDAY. PROCEEDS GO TO FRIENDS FOREVER HUMANE SOCIETY AND MIDWEST MASTIFF RESCUE.
JAN CARLSON, 815-235-1500 WWW.CARLSONDOGTRAINING.ORG
Paranormal Tour
Jun 14, 2013 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, 411 Kent Street Rockford IL 61102Join us Friday June 14, from 7-10pm for scintillating tales from paranormal experts, listen to audio clips found in the Tinker Cottage, and enjoy a tour with the chance to have your own paranormal encounter. Each tour begins in the Barn. Price is $20 for members, $25 pre-paid, and $30 at the door. Reserve your spot today by calling 815-964-2424 Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum 411 Kent Street, Rockford, Il 61102. www.tinkercottage.com
Steve Litteral
815-964-2424
Workforce Development Institute
May 24, 2013 10:00 am
Freeport Housing Authority Empowerment Center, 1052 W. Galena Avenue, FreeportThe Freeport Housing Authority will host an Open House and Presentation of the Workforce Development Institute on Friday, May 24th at 10:00 am at the FHA Empowerment Center, 1052 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport.
FHA will combine current class offerings with classes focused on employability skills and additional specialized trainings to create the new Workforce Development Institute [WDI]. The WDI has a purpose to help identify Freeport as a “workforce ready community” and promote self-sufficiency. WDI is open to the public and looks to serve the unemployed through employability skills and specialized trainings and referred employees by local employers to improve employee performance. All participants will take the Work Keys and Talent Assessments and establish goals for progress to be evaluated during the WDI program. Successful completers of the proposed 72-hour Workforce Development Institute will earn a Certificate of Workforce Readiness that will be recognized by local employers in addition to the Work Keys Certificate. WDI will be located in the FHA Empowerment Center with class sizes of 12-15. An eligible participant is anyone 17 years or older willing to sign the WDI Participation Agreement. Cost will be $300 per individual, which includes the Assessments and all materials. Financial assistance will be available through FHA and business sponsorships.
Brenda Westfall
815-232-4171 Ext 1012
bwestfall@hacf.us
Trainfest 2013
Nov 9, 2013 - Nov 10, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
Exposition Center, Wisconsin State Fair Park 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis (Milwaukee), WI 53214Join over 23,000 families and model train hobbyists for enormous fun and endless discovery at Trainfest®, America’s LARGEST operating model railroad show. Spend hours entertained by 60 intricately-detailed running railroads. Returning this year is the popular concert series by Choo Choo Bob and the Holy Smokestacks Revue. More kids’ highlights include the Thomas the Tank Engine Jump house, racing trains on a dog-bone shaped track, a circus train ride, and more. Rounding out this spectacular show are model train manufacturers and retailers from coast-to-coast. Trainfest has something for everyone in its 200,000 square feet of display area. Visit www.trainfest.com for details and coupons.
Admission Information: Adults: $12 ($1 off online coupon) Kids 4-12: $5 (FREE with online coupon) 3 & Under: Always FREE
http://www.trainfest.com/contact-us/
Beloit 2013 Big Hill Amped Up Adventure Race
Jun 29, 2013 8:00am
Rock Bar and Grill 101 Maple Ave., Beloit WI 53511The Rock Bar and Grill will be the home of the 2013 Big Hill Amped Up Adventure Race. The Beloit race will be the final race of the three race Amped Up series trilogy that helps raise money and awareness for local community causes. This year’s Beloit race is being pushed back from it’s initial date of May 11th to June 29th due to the Rock River’s high water levels. The proceeds from the Beloit race are being directed towards helping establish a city wide bike rental program, as well as, helping the Leadership Development Academy (LDA) and Rock Trail Coalition with their Bridging Our Communities project.
Each one of the races is the centerpiece of a full weekend of activities with a pre-party and post-party bookending the races, combined with community music and art festivals in each city. Rivals Sports Bar & Grill and Suds O’Hanahan’s Irish Pub are hosting this year’s 2013 Beloit Pre-Amped party on Friday June 28th starting at 5:00pm. Racers will be able to pick up their race packets during the Pre-Amped Party at Suds at 435 E Grand Ave Beloit, WI 53511. The Pre-Amped Party will have live music, games and entertainment and is open to the general public.
The Big Hill Amped Up Adventure Race will kick off on Saturday, June 29th, beginning at 8:00am at the Rock Bar and Grill 101 Maple Ave., Beloit WI 53511. Participants will race along and through downtown Beliot, the Rock River and Big Hill Park, with the race culminating and finishing at the Rock Bar and Grill. The public is invited to watch the fun at the Amped Up Obstacle Course viewing area. In addition of having the opportunity to try your hand at the mobile climbing wall, attendees can enjoy food, art and other unique offerings at the Amped Up vendor area.
The full race series is sanctioned by the USARA, the primary sanctioning body for adventure racing in the United States. The Beloit race is an USARA regional qualifying race http://www.usaranationals.com/race.aspx#list.
Please visit www.ampedupadventurerace.com to become involved, register or find out more information.
Expo Explosion
Jun 22, 2013 All Day
Clock Tower Resort & Conference CenterShopping with over 15 Vendors. Win some great prizes.
Cheryl Roberson
815-505-8953
Paranormal Tour
May 24, 2013 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tinker Swiss Cottage Musuem, 411 Kent Street, Rockford IL 61102Join us Friday May 24 for scintillating tales from paranormal experts, listen to audio clips found in the Tinker Cottage, and enjoy a tour with the chance to have your own paranormal encounter. Each tour begins in the Barn. Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members & $30 at the door. 411 Kent Street, Rockford, IL 61102, 815-964-2424. www.tinkercottage.com
Steve Litteral
815-964-2424
Garden Walk 2013
Jun 19, 2013 Noon - 8:00 pm
various gardens in Rockford area"Visions of Nature's Beauty" Garden Walk featuring many beautiful gardens in the Rockford Area. Free admission. Take a self guided tour of many diverse gardens featuring gardens of every variety -- eclectic, traditional, country, old world and container. Some highlights include water features, garden art, grasses, herb gardening, perennials and vegetable gardening. Maps will be available after June 9 at area garden centers and at the Council of Rockford Gardeners website: www.councilofrockfordgardeners.org
Joan Pfeifer
815-226-0340
joanmaria@comcast.net
CommUNITY Pick-nic
Jun 23, 2013 Noon – 5 pm
Midway Village Museum 6799 Guilford Road RockfordThis is a FREE event and will bring together every neighbor who calls the Rock River Valley home. Regardless of city or rural location, your are invited to join Midway Village Museum in making the CommUNITY Pick-nic an event everyone can take pride in. Shop and browse the flea market area, listen to music, and enjoy entertainment while you relax and picnic in the beautiful ambiance of the Victorian Village. Purchase food and tickets for these children activities, play Bingo, and enjoy Village tours. Help the museum set a World's Record of "How Many Sock Monkeys Can Fit in a Kia?" Cultural entertainment and music, as well as, “Dunk a favorite Rockford Celebrity” are also part of the event festivities. Rain or Shine. No Pets. No Camping.
For details, www.midwayvillage.com or 815-397-9112.
Recover Me!
Katie's CupAll about recovery. DBT, Cognitive Behavior Skills, Creativity, Non-religious spiritual growth.
Nanette Fabros
815-540-1874
ntherese918@gmail.com
Gymnastic Academy North Free Running Class Begins
Gymnastic Academy North, 11447 2nd Street, Roscoe, IL 61073Coming February 27 only to Gymnastic Academy North...FREE-RUNNING!
Developed by the French military special forces and made popular (even viral) by urban
America, Free-Running is the art of navigating a variety of obstacles with
speed and agility. Off the beaten path of traditional gymnastics, in our
Free-Running classes students will be taught to vault over, leap over
and flip over shapes and equipment of all kinds. Everything from the
elementary speed vault to the challenging wall flip will be taught under
the careful instruction of our GAR North Staff. So get your little Urban
Ninja off the playgrounds and picnic tables and into the gym where
he/she will learn to leap, vault and flip with speed and agility! Classes are Wednesdays from 8:00 pm – 8:55 pm and Free Running Open Gym on Fridays from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. For more information, please call Gymnastic Academy North @ 815-623-2345 or visit the gym at 11447 2nd Street in Roscoe.
Max Dempsey
NAAC's 18th Annual Honor the Mounds Gathering
Aug 10, 2013 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Beattie Park, 400 block of N. MainThis is a one day, Native American Gathering to promote Native American Awareness of the mounds at Beattie Park and the surrounding area, and the Culture and History of Native Americans. This is a free event Hosted by the Native American Awareness Committee (N.A.A.C) of Rockford. There will be Native American drumming, dancing, food, Living History demonstrations, Arts and Crafts for sale, speakers, and a sacred fire for prayer. It will be at Beattie Park located on the 400 block of N. Main St., Rockford, IL. This is an ALL AGES, OPEN to PUBLIC Event. There will also be children's activities.
Corey Gettle, 815-914-8013, naacrockford@mail.com