Jul. 9, 2008
Illinois State Fair
Jul. 9, 2008
TOS Contest Central For the month of July
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Beautiful Words: Letters of Love from Mothers to Daughters
From our reviewer:
I so desire to communicate to my daughters (and sons, for that matter) that I love them extraordinarily. But as a homeschooling mother of six, I often feel my days have pressed me out of the opportunity. I had been praying about this recently, and God in His gentle providence saw to it that I would be reviewing Beautiful Words: Letters of Love from Mothers to Daughters, written by two homeschooling moms like me, Lorrie Flem and Wanda Gibert. Lorrie Flem is the mother of eight children, and Wanda the mother of six. They are busy doing the job of homeschooling, but they have both learned the art of communicating through meaningful letters written to their children and have endeavored to share the process through this helpful little book. Beautiful Words: Letters of Love from Mothers to Daughters is a lovely primer on writing meaningful letters of love to our daughters. (. . .)
The greatest portion of the book contains letters written not only by the authors but also by other mothers and grandmothers across time. If you feel you need inspiration, it's hard to imagine you wouldn't be able to find it in the appealing letters included here. I did find that the ornamental font used to print the letters was difficult to read, and I gave up halfway through several because I found it strained my eyes to read them. The remainder of the book, however, is printed in an easy-to-read script.
Read the complete review online and enter for a chance to win Beautiful Words: Letters of Love from Mothers to Daughters.
TO ENTER:
Email Deb with your name and mailing address and the subject, "Beautiful Words" for a chance to win*.
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Jul. 9, 2008
Events at Brookfield Zoo
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July 12-13, 2008
Don't miss Beanie Baby Days at Brookfield Zoo this summer!
July 20, 2008
Get ready to enjoy FREE live, outdoor music on the zoo’s East Mall on select Sunday afternoons all summer!
August 7, 2008
Don't miss your opportunity to meet Chicago White Sox players!
August 24, 2008
Get ready to enjoy FREE live, outdoor music on the zoo’s East Mall on select Sunday afternoons all summer!
September 20 – 21
Bring la familia to Brookfield Zoo and join in a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the “Party for All!”
October 18-19 and 25-26, 2008
Brookfield Zoo’s annual Boo! at the Zoo festival is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween!
For more information go to their website:
http://brookfieldzoo.pmailus.com/pmailweb/ct?d=FdOxzAAEAAP-----AAH2EA
Brookfield Zoo * 3300 Golf Rd. * Brookfield, IL 60513 * 708-688-8000
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Jun. 19, 2008
Buffalo Rock State Park
Jun. 19, 2008
Nachusa Grasslands - Franklin Grove, IL
The Nature Conservancy
Nachusa Grasslands Preserve
8772 S. Lowden Road
Franklin Grove, Illinois 61031
Phone: (815) 456-2340
Fax: (815) 456-2342
Nachusa Grasslands is one of the Conservancy's greatest on-going success stories. And it owes much of its success to the volunteer stewards who donate thousands of hours every year to help manage the preserve, one of Illinois' largest and last surviving prairie landscapes. They have worked tirelessly to transform this land into a unique mosaic of prairie, wetland and woodland.
Many uncommon or rare animals survive at Nachusa, such as Blanding’s turtles. Grassland birds — including grasshopper sparrows, dickcissels and Henslow’s sparrow — perch in the colorful prairie grasses, alongside one of the state’s largest populations of federally-threatened prairie bush clover. And one day, when this preserve is larger, bison may roam here again. In all, Nachusa is home to 600 native plant species and 180 species of birds.
More on their site at...
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/illinois/preserves/art1116.html
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Jun. 19, 2008
Early American Museum - "Bricks and Balustrades: School Architecture in Champaign and Ford Counties"
Come see this year's exhibit!
"Bricks and Balustrades: School
Architecture in Champaign and Ford Counties"
Exhibit Opening--March 1, 2008
This year's special exhibit, explores the meanings of local school buildings, both architecturally and within their community. Photographs of all school buildings currently in use in Champaign and Ford Counties will be featured.
March 1 through December 31, 2008.
Jointly sponsored with the Regional Office of Education and
curated by intern Kali Morgan of Rantoul. Ms. Morgan undertook this
project in conjunction with her studies at Southeast Missouri State
University.
http://www.earlyamericanmuseum.org/visitorinfo.htm
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Jun. 19, 2008
Rockford Park District - Free stuff to do!
Free Family Fun!
The Rockford Park District offers many free services and programs for your family to enjoy!
For more information on any of these programs or activities, call 815-987-8800 (TTY, 888-871-6171 ).
Time 2 Play Playgrounds
Held at ten sites around our community. Field trips, arts and crafts, planned activities, sports and games, semi-structured play and special events. A morning half-day site is held at Highland Park, and afternoon half-day sites are offered in seven neighborhoods, with all day programs held at Keye-Mallquist Park and Wantz Park.
Harkins Aquatic Center at Fair Grounds Park
Open to the public at no charge, and has been recently renovated with lots of water-play features! Swimming lessons are also offered free of charge at this location (for RPD residents only). Note: children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by someone 16 years or older at all pools and beaches.
Standfield Beach at Levings Park
Does not charge admission and has lifeguards. Open Saturday and Sunday, noon -7 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, 2 -7 p.m. Bring your shovel and bucket for a great day on the beach!
Lockwood Park Children's Farm
Across the covered bridge in Lockwood Park (the south side) is the Children's Farm. Friendly sheep, goats, pigs, and other farm animals await your small child. Children's Farm is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Feeding of animals is prohibited, except when feed is available for purchase in the park. Please have your children wash their hands after coming in contact with the animals.
Music in the Park Concert Series
A Rockford tradition for families to attend together, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., June 10 through August 14, at the Music Shell in Sinnissippi Park. Come early and enjoy a picnic supper beneath towering oak trees.
Other free concert series are Charlotte's Web on Saturday evenings July 12, 19, and 26, and Sinnissippi Sundays, which are presented by the Rockford Area Arts Council on July 13, August 10, and September 14.
Imagination Station is a performance series which delights the young and the young-at-heart! Music, magic, juggling, drama, and comedy will involve and amaze all ages. These free shows are approximately 45 minutes long. Wednesdays, June 11 through August 6 at 1:30 p.m., Sinnissippi Music Shell.
Summer Talent Showcase
Features all varieties of talents, including singers, dancers, rappers, as well as a talent show and more great family entertainment. If you enjoy watching American Idol, you will love Summer Talent Showcase - according to organizer Harlan Jefferson, "it's just like the Apollo." Sundays, 3-7 p.m. at Levings Park. Dates are June 1, 15, 29; July 13, 27; August 17.
Sunday in the Park (Domingo en el Parque)
Presents the art and culture of Rockford's Latino community. Each free show features professional entertainment, as well as a talent show. Sundays June 22, July 20, and August 10; 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Levings Park.
Free Days at Rockford Park District Museums
One day a week, the museums are open free of charge for individuals or families to visit. Tuesday, Rockford Art Museum; Wednesday, Burpee and Tinker Cottage; Thursday, Discovery Center (after 1 p.m.), and also Midway Village & Museum Center. Donations on Free Day are greatly appreciated!
Sinnissippi Greenhouse
Varying seasonal hours, but is open most days 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and is always free of charge to visit. The new Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens will also be open free of charge when it opens in 2009.
Parks, playgrounds, and recreation paths
Yours to explore throughout every corner of our community. Try the giant wooden Playworks parks at Liberty Park, Harlem Community Center on Forest Hills Road, or The Getaway Teen Playground at Black Hawk Park. WOW! Even grown-ups can play! Alpine Park's Paulyground is a universal design playground for children of all abilities, including children using wheelchairs, and the indoor playground at CherryVale Mall invites you to "Come play with us!"
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Jun. 19, 2008
Bartlett Nature Center
At the James "Pate" Philip State Park
2054 W. Stearns Road
Bartlett, IL 60103
Phone: 847-608-3100
Mon.-Fri. 9am-4pm & Sat. 9am-1pm
The goal of the Nature Center is to encourage children to participate in the preservation of our natural areas and the animals that live within them through hands-on projects, games and activities. Offsite programs can be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Programs are available for schools, scouting groups, child care centers, private parties and churches. We will set up the program or assembly to meet the needs of specific programs or themes. Programs may include hands-on projects, a wide variety of collections from nature, games and activities and interaction with live animals.The Nature Center is a facility of the Bartlett Park District.
A variety of nature related collections are on display within the Bartlett Nature Center. The Nature Center's regular hours are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 9am-1pm, excluding holidays.
A variety of animals call the Nature Center home including snakes, lizards, and insects. The Nature Center's regular hours are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 9am-1pm, excluding holidays. For more information call.
The Nature Center has a collection of over 900 books, videos, posters and materials relating to the environment, animals, nature, insects, rocks and minerals and more. If you are looking for something specific for a project give the Nature Center a call .
http://www.bartlettparks.com/Nature-Center/general.asp
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Jun. 4, 2008
Illinois Christian Home Educators Blog and Today's Contest
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Are you ready for another contest? This time the prize will be the beautiful hardback book Footprints in the Ash: The Explosive Story of Mount St. Helens by John Morris and Steven A. Austin.
I think our last contest was too hard. After all, it’s summertime now, so let’s make it fun. The 14th person to email and tell me who they want for the next United States president wins the book. Email me at bluedorn AT triviumpursuit DOT com. Don’t leave your message in the comments this time, but email me.
Laurie Bluedorn
P.S. don’t forget to check out new ICHE blog!
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May. 31, 2008
FREE GOLF CLINICS at the Rockford Park District
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www.rockfordparkdistrict.org
Rockford Park District invites youth and adult golfers for free
clinics on Sunday, June 1. In addition to instruction, practice time
on the driving range and putting green will also be included. Among
the teaching staff at the clinic, special guest instructor Michael
Hebron, PGA Master Professional and author from Smithtown , New
York , is scheduled to appear. The youth clinic for ages 8-15 will be
at Ingersoll Golf Course, 9:00-11:00 a.m.; the adult clinic for ages
16 and older will be at Aldeen Golf Club Practice Centre, 1:00-3:00
p.m.
To allow for adequate staffing, pre-registration is required
either on line at www.rockfordparkdistrict.org, by fax, mail, or in
person at Park District Customer Service locations (downtown or at
Carlson Ice Arena, Riverside and Perryville).
The clinics are open to
residents of Winnebago and Boone counties, and there is a maximum
limit of 60 participants per clinic. Registration forms are also
available at Park District courses, Customer Service, or by calling
815-987-8800.
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