Calendar: Make blankets to take home, donate

ALBION, Ill. — The Tie Blanket Workshop will be 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 7 at COUNTRY Financial Hall, 90 W. Pine St., Albion.

At a time when families are pulled in different directions by busy schedules and digital distractions, this workshop offers a chance to reconnect through creativity and compassion. By coming to this workshop, families will not only share quality time but also learn the joy of giving. Each family will create two cozy blankets, one to take home and one to donate to the Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Mount Carmel. Youth ages 8-18 are invited to attend, along with their family, and do not have to be a member of 4-H.

Holiday Centerpiece

DANVILLE, Ill. — The Holiday Centerpiece Make and Take with with Master Gardener Rhonda Ruhnow will be 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Danville Public Library, 319 N. Vermilion St., Danville.

Participants will create a holiday centerpiece using a vase, fairy lights, pine cones, greenery, and flowers. A $10 registration fee will cover all supplies.

Heart Healthy Nutrition

ELKHART, Ind. — The Heart Healthy Nutrition educational program will be 4 to 5 p.m. ET Dec. 17 at the Elkhart Public Library - Pierre Moran Branch, 2400 Benham Ave., Elkhart.

Heart-healthy eating is an important way to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. The program will provide an overview of foods proven to benefit cardiovascular health, accompanied by practical recipes for daily use.

Register for this free program by calling 574-533-0554 or email fink24@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2v65et87.

Fruit Tree Pruning

FREEPORT, Ill. — The Fruit Tree Pruning Fundamentals virtual workshop will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

This class will teach participants the science and artistry behind proper pruning, empowering them to maximize their harvest while maintaining healthy, beautiful trees for years to come. The skills you learn in this course will prepare you to prune your fruit trees in the dormant season of mid-December to late February when pruning should be done.

Before class, you’ll have the opportunity to submit photos of your fruit trees, which will be analyzed to create customized pruning plans tailored to your orchard’s unique needs.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4f6mhdpu.

Healthy Entertaining

BRIGHTON, Ill. — Learn how to create easy and nutritious appetizers at Entertaining the Healthy Way, 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

Join University of Illinois Extension for a festive and fun-filled holiday appetizer class that will leave you feeling confident and inspired to impress your guests this season. Also discussed will be making healthy substitutions for allergies, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Participants will get hands-on practice making holiday appetizers, taste testing, and take home some recipes.

Computer Basics

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Digital Skills Lessons: Computer Basics will be 4 to 5 p.m. ET Dec. 18 at the Allen County Public Library - Hessen Cassel Branch, 3030 E. Paulding Road, Fort Wayne.

Learn how to build essential skills for navigating the digital world with workshops led by Cheyanne Geideman, Allen County Purdue Extension’s community development educator.

This workshop is designed for the individual who is considering adding a computer to their home or is interested in learning more about computers in general. Participants learn the basics of hardware and software, to better understand how to get the most from a computer, and the five things to consider in making an informed decision when purchasing a computer.

Laptop computers will be provided for the class, but you are welcome to bring a personal laptop with you to participate. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p9tb9wb.

Area 2 Beef Meeting

SALEM, Ind. — Area 2 Beef Meeting will be noon to 2 p.m. ET Jan. 3 at Southern Hills Church, 1645 IN-135, Salem.

The meeting — for beef cattle producers in Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Scott, and Washington counties — will feature great food and valuable information on a variety of beef topics. The program is free, but RSVPs are required. Visit https://tinyurl.com/3m33z7bz.

Food as Medicine

FLORA, Ind. — Learn about diabetes management and chronic heart disease prevention at the Food as Medicine program, 3 to 5 p.m. ET Wednesdays, Jan. 7 to March 25, at the Carroll County 4-H Building, 102 N S 4th St., Flora.

Participants will receive lab data, cooking demos, food boxes with recipes to take home, and incentive items to address personal health barriers.

Legislative Update

URBANA, Ill. — The online Illinois State Legislative Update will be noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 7.

Explore legislative updates on recent and upcoming changes to state law impacting counties and local governments at this event hosted by Illinois Extension in partnership with the Illinois Association of County Board Members.

Speakers will include:

• Kelly Murray, a registered lobbyist with a background in political science. She founded the Counties of Illinois Risk Management Agency and the Institute for Excellence in County Governance in partnership with the University of Illinois.

• Taylor Anderson, a registered lobbyist who has worked with the Illinois General Assembly for more than a decade, representing local governments and business entities.

Houseplant Care

OREGON, Ill. — Houseplant Care program will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 8 at Rock River Center, 810 S. 10th St., Oregon.

Love houseplants but not sure how to keep them happy? Learn tips and tricks to help your indoor plants thrive all year long — from watering and light to soil and troubleshooting.

Chick Embryology

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Chick Embryology program will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. ET Thursdays, Jan. 8, Jan. 15,, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29 at Johnnie Mae Farm, 2518 Winter St., Fort Wayne.

Children will learn about chick development, watch chicks hatch, and have a hands-on science experience.

Using a Smartphone

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Digital Skills Lessons: Using a Smartphone or Tablet will be 4 to 5 p.m. ET Jan. 8 at the Allen County Public Library - Hessen Cassel Branch, 3030 E. Paulding Road, Fort Wayne.

This workshop is designed to cover the basic functions of both Apple and Android devices. Participants will become familiar with the layout of the device, touch on what an operating system is, and how to secure a device. At the end of the lesson, participants will have time to practice powering on, discovering the home screen, and using gestures such as scrolling, swiping, and tap/hold/drag.

Peoria Agronomy Summit

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The Illinois Extension Peoria Agronomy Summit will be 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Illinois Central College, East Peoria Campus, 1 College Drive, East Peoria.

The event will provide producers with the latest agronomic research updates and equip them with information that will empower them in their farm decision-making. The 2026 theme centers on soil and nutrient management.

Session topics will include Visionary Approach to Nitrogen Management, with Howard Brown; Phosphorus in Illinois: The Old, the New, and the Future, with Andrew Margenot; Soil Biology, with Stacy Zuber; Reducing Nitrate Loss from Farm Tiles, with Lowell Gentry; and Soil Health Principles, with Pete Fandel.

Cost is $20, and includes all presentations, light refreshments, and lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/395ub9tv.

Winter Sowing

BELVIDERE, Ill. — Winter Sowing will be 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St., Belvidere.

Learn how to start seeds all winter long. A Boone County master gardener will demonstrate how simple containers, cold weather, and a little planning can give you hardy seedlings that are ready for spring planting.

Call the library at 815-544-3838 to register. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/etpsee33.

A Healthy You

ANGOLA, Ind. — Steps to a Healthy You will be 5 to 7 p.m. ET Thursdays, Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 19 and April 16, at Steuben County Offices Building, 317 S. Wayne St., Angola.

This four-session program is designed to empower individuals with practical skills for healthier living. Research shows that two-thirds of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be prevented through lifestyle changes, especially healthy eating patterns and regular physical activity. The Mediterranean-style eating pattern has proven to be particularly effective in reducing the risk and impact of chronic disease.

This program offers a practical approach to healthy eating, combining food demonstrations with mindfulness techniques to support behavior change. Each session focuses on a different aspect of building healthier habits:

• Understanding the Mediterranean-style eating pattern — its benefits and how to adopt it.

• Making healthy food choices and increasing the frequency of nutritious meals.

• Cooking with healthy fats and enhancing flavor with herbs and spices.

• Reducing added sugars and limiting highly processed foods.

• Practicing mindful eating to support long-term success.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/p6ak6kbp.