Calendar: Cutting, dividing, rooting houseplants

BELVIDERE, Ill. — The Houseplant Propagation workshop will be 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St., Belvidere.

Get houseplant propagation basics from a Boone County master gardener. Learn techniques for taking cuttings, dividing plants, rooting in water or soil, and caring for new starts.

Call the library to register at 815-544-3838. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/58336fru.

4-H Winter Workshop

YORKVILLE, Ill. — The 4-H Winter Workshop will be 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 6 at Kendall County Extension, 7775 IL-47, Yorkville.

Join 4-H teen leaders for a hands-on workshop to make fun, winter-inspired crafts. Participants ages 5 to 10 will create their own snowman ornament, paint a votive for a gift, and make trail mix.

Cost is $15. Register at https://tinyurl.com/35h84w8y.

For questions, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Tina Anderson at athenaa@illinois.edu or 630-553-5823.

Engaging Indoor Activities

FRANKFURT, Ind. — Boredom to Brilliance: 25 Engaging Indoor Activities will be 6 to 8 p.m. ET Dec. 9 at Clinton County Extension, 1111 S. Jackson St., Frankfort.

This program is designed to give parents, caregivers, and childcare providers a toolkit of 25 easy, low-cost, and engaging activities to keep children learning, moving, and having fun indoors. Each activity focuses on supporting important areas of toddler development — fine motor, gross motor, language, creativity, and social-emotional growth — while also being practical for everyday use.

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdccvjpz.

The program also will be offered 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET Dec. 9 at Tippecanoe County Extension, 1950 S. 18th St., Lafayette, https://tinyurl.com/32adtke8; and 6 to 8 p.m. ET Dec. 16 at Warren County Learning Center, 26 E. 2nd St, Williamsport, https://tinyurl.com/4v35kcfc.

Pollinator Garden

BELVIDERE Ill. — Pollinator Garden will be 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St., Belvidere.

Discover how to create a vibrant garden that supports essential pollinators with a Boone County master gardener.

To register, call the library at 815-544-3838. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3nv2sezv.

Pioneer Farmer Meeting

VALPARAISO, Ind. — The Pioneer Farmer Meeting will be 8:30 a.m. to noon CT Dec. 12 at Graeber’s Farm, 236 S 200 W, Valparaiso.

Participants will learn about land values, Farm Bureau priorities, and soybean management.

Healthy Appetizers

DANVILLE, Ill. — Healthy Appetizers will be 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 13 at Danville Public Library, 319 N. Vermilion St., Danville.

With the holiday season just around the corner, this class will share fresh and flavorful appetizer ideas that are both delicious and nutritious. Learn simple ingredient swaps, creative presentation tips, and ways to enjoy holiday favorites with a healthier twist. Participants will also get to sample one of the recipes during the session.

Floral Workshop

LEWISTOWN, Ill. — Design-on-a-Pine: Holiday Floral Workshop will be 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Fulton County Extension, 15411 IL-100, Lewistown.

Christine Wright, Hy-Vee floral manager, will demonstrate how to create a stunning holiday arrangement — just in time to have fresh flowers for hosting family and friends.

Cost is $15, Register at https://tinyurl.com/29z2nrk8.

PARP Event

CLOVERDALE, Ind. — Sprayer technology, soil fertility and fertilizers, and the 2025 regulatory update will be discussed at the December PARP event, 9 to 11:30 a.m. ET Dec. 16 at Endeavor Communications, 2 S. West St., Cloverdale.

Winter Farmer Meeting

KOUTS, Ind. — The Winter Farmer Meeting will be Dec. 16 at Cornerstone Community Church, 605 Maple St., Kouts.

Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. CT and the program begins at 5:30 p.m..

Open to all farmers, this program will feature Darcy Telenko, Purdue University associate professor of botany and plant pathology, who will discuss “Disease Management in Corn and Soybeans.” Nikky Witkowski, Purdue Extension agriculture and natural resources educator, will discuss “Updates from Office of Indiana State Chemist.”

Renewable Energy

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Renewable Energy webinar will be 12:30 to 2 p.m. ET Dec. 17.

With growing demand from data centers and other high-load users, planners need to understand how energy infrastructure and policy shape development decisions. This session offers practical guidance on coordinating with utilities and evaluating energy capacity in local planning.

Holiday Baking

BRIDGEPORT, Ill. — Holiday Baking workshop will be 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Dec. 17 at Red Hill High School, Family and Consumer Science Kitchen, 908 Church St., Bridgeport.

Lawrence County 4-H Program Coordinator Maisie McClure and Red Hill High School’s Family and Consumer Science Teacher Madalyn Hammel will be partnering to lead this workshop while teaching proper baking techniques. Youth ages 8-18 are invited to attend and do not have to be a member of 4-H.

Entertaining the Healthy Way

BRIGHTON, Ill. — Entertaining the Healthy Way: Creating Easy Nutritious Appetizers will be 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

Whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering or a lively holiday party, the class has everything you need to create delicious and healthy appetizers. Participants will get hands-on practice making holiday appetizers, taste testing, and take home some recipes.

Register for this free class by calling the library at 618-372-8450. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yeywaftv.

Charcuterie Creations

WATERLOO, Ill. — Holiday Charcuterie Creations will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at The Vintage Wine Bar, 212 S. Main St., Waterloo.

Participants will discover how to artfully arrange meats, cheeses, and festive bites like a pro. Each participant will receive a small charcuterie board and all the ingredients needed to make their own creation.

Cost is $25. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y9uejf95.

Holiday Centerpieces

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Holiday Centerpieces will be 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Jo Daviess County Extension, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth.

Attendees will take home a festive and unique evergreen holiday centerpiece and a mason jar oil candle.

With the holiday centerpiece, participants will learn the basic elements of floral design and create a stunning centerpiece using fresh evergreens, fresh flowers, novelties and ribbon.

The mason jar oil candle is a combination of beautiful pine cones, evergreen sprigs, cinnamon sticks and essential oils — perfect for illuminating the home during the dark and cold winter months.

Cost is $30. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ydnzrymz or call 815-858-2273.