Events Calendar

Curious about throwing on the wheel and looking for a fun introduction to clay? This four-week mini-course will focus on the basic skills needed to create simple and sweet bowls and cups! Our focus during this program will center around the process of throwing, shaping, and trimming pots on a pottery wheel, while also exploring basic surface decoration and glazing techniques. Satisfy your curiosity and join this relaxing course geared towards students of all skill levels!
Join us and learn to create in a fun and supportive environment! Course fee includes clay, glazes, use of tools and brushes, bisque and glaze kiln firings, and weekly open studio hours.

Day: Thursday, August 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: MPD Ceramics Studio located at 1406 N. Randolph in Macomb, IL. Studio entrance parking is located at the back of the building.
Deadline to register: August 5th

Session Fee: $68.00 for Macomb Park District Residents, $90.00 for Non-Residents
To register, visit Tinyurl.com/MPDregister, call 309-833-4562 or stop by the park office to register in person!

Get ready for a night where the colors are loud, and the bingo competition is louder!
Join us for Vendor Bingo – Tie Dye Edition and enjoy: Bingo with cash prizes, Delicious food, Drinks & Desserts, and Shopping with 20+ local vendors

Warning: Tie Dye may increase confidence and bingo enthusiasm

Bingo Prizes: $50 cash each round (Winning looks good on everyone)

Theme: Tie Dye - Break out your brightest, wildest, possibly homemade creations. The more colors, the better!

The best tie-dye look could snag an extra $50 cash prize

Bring your friends, embrace the chaos, and come get groovy with us. Because nothing says fun like daubers, desserts, and a little rainbow madness.

Lots of vendors selling flower baskets, veggie starts, freeze-dried fruit and candy, baked goods, home and personal care products, and more!

Illinois Extension is excited to announce that CPR in Schools Training Kits are now available for community partners, schools, and organizations to borrow—thanks to the generous support of the American Heart Association. These kits provide an accessible, hands‑on way to teach life‑saving skills across Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties.

“CPR is a vital skill that everyone should know, and providing this training throughout Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties will help more people be prepared to act when it matters most.” Said Tara Heath, Extension County Director.

Each kit includes video‑led instruction and materials to train 10–20 participants in approximately 45–60 minutes, making it easy for anyone to coordinate a session—no prior CPR experience required.

Kits are available at all local Extension offices (Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties) and can be requested online at go.illinois.edu/CPR . A one‑week notice is requested for pickup, and with two weeks’ advance notice, additional kits can be delivered to an office location if needed. Borrowers will be asked to complete a brief demographic sheet so Illinois Extension can report community impact.

Questions may be directed to Shelby Carlson, Youth Development Educator, via email, srcarls2@illinois.edu.

These CPR kits offer a simple, effective way for local groups to build confidence, preparedness, and stronger, safer communities.

Come enjoy beautiful Lake Argyle while taking a relaxing morning pontoon boat ride on the lake as we watch for wildlife. Life jackets, binoculars, and field guides will be available, or you’re welcome to bring your own.
**Pre-registration is required, and space is limited to 6 participants. ** 
Please email Bridget.Hinchee@illinois.gov or call (309) 776-3422 for more information or to register.

In preparation for the “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibition coming to BPL this fall, join us to view episode 2 of Ken Burns documentary “The U.S. and the Holocaust"

Abingdon, Illinois, Farmers Market supports the local economy and the farm-to-table movement in Central Illinois. Est. 2025

Join Prairie Land Conservancy and Illinois Extension's 3rd Annual Conservation Tours! Hear from local land owners, land managers, and other experts about how to be a part of community conservation. Explore beautiful natural spaces from farms to nature preserves to home gardens in McDonough, Schuyler, and Hancock counties! See full May - Sept list and register at https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/angella-moorehouse-short-fork-seep-tour

Tour Description:

For the past 29 years, Angella Moorehouse has worked for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a field representative for the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission in west-central Illinois, where she prepares conservation easements to protect high-quality natural areas and assists in the management, along with flora and fauna monitoring of these sites. She has also published 6 insect field guides.

Join Angella on a tour of Illinois Nature Preserve Short Fork Seep! This 42-acre site is owned by Alice Henry, a Prairie Land Conservancy board member. The wetlands here are considered high-quality remnants: 1.7 acres of Grade B seep, and 0.3 acres of Grade B sedge meadow. Over the past 2 years, intensive management has been initiated to remove undesirable trees and shrubs to increase sunlight and promote the restoration of the wetlands, as well as the historic oak-hickory grove that existed before European settlement.

Please note this tour’s trail is rated as difficult.

Where's the tour? Registered attendees will be sent the address of the tour location via email.

Join us for three evenings of stargazing with hobby astronomer Larry Knicl. Depending on the date, we will have the opportunity to observe planets and the Moon and Mars (June), Mars, Pluto, and the Moon (August), Saturn, Pluto, and Neptune, and possibly remnants of the Orionids meteor shower (October); and many deep sky objects, including star clusters, nebulae, other galaxies, and the varying seasonal constellations. These programs will be held at the parking lot near the park’s Sunset shelter (1st left turn upon entering the park). For your comfort, bring a chair or blanket, insect repellent, and a flashlight. To make viewing safer, observing will be done using a telescope connected to a video screen, rather than a telescope eyepiece. In the event of inclement weather or poor visibility, these programs may be canceled, so check the Friends of ALSP Facebook page before heading out if the sky isn’t clear.
For more information, please call (309) 776-3422 or email Bridget.Hinchee@illinois.gov

Our 6th market of the season is here! Hot food this week will be from Little Pallet Farmhouse, and music by Tex Carroll. Production is increasing every week. Our vendors love seeing you!