Calendar: Families connect at dinner table

PONTIAC, Ill. — Recipe for Connection will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at Livingston County Extension, 1412 S. Locust St., Pontiac.

Discover how a simple meal can bring families closer together.

Participants will:

• Cook and enjoy a delicious meal together.

• Explore why family meals matter — and learn that it’s about much more than food.

• Take home a family conversation kit filled with easy activities and discussion starters.

• Leave with practical ideas to make mealtime a fun and meaningful part of your family’s routine.

Cost is $10 for the whole family. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yhhkxduc.

Mental Health First Aid

INDIANAPOLIS — Adult Mental Health First Aid training will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Sept. 8 at Indiana Corn and Soy, 8425 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based course that teaches participants:

• How to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

• Signs and symptoms for a variety of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, and deliberate self-injury.

• Awareness and understanding of the impact mental health and substance use stigma can have.

• How to assist those in need to get help from a health professional.

The course includes two hours of online, self-paced learning, and live instruction led by Purdue Extension staff.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3edevppw.

Covered Up

DECATUR, Ill. — Some Things Just Need Covered Up will be the topic of the Crossing Garden Education Series program, 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 8 at Crossing Healthcare Garden, 320 Central Ave., Decatur.

Learn how to prepare your garden for winter as well as how to properly store your tools.

The Oct. 13 topic will be How Did Your Garden Grow?

For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2mntsnyx.

MIND Diet

MILAN, Ill. — MIND Diet will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 8 at University of Illinois Extension, 321 2nd Ave. West, Milan.

Discover how the MIND diet — a blend of the Mediterranean and DASH diets — supports cognitive health and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Learn which foods support brain health, how to structure balanced meals, and strategies for incorporating brain-healthy foods into everyday life.

Resistant Bulbs

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The online program Pest Resistant Bulbs will be noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 8.

Bulbs can be a dessert buffet to a variety of pests. Learn about:

• The types of flower bulbs that naturally resist the attacks of critters such as deer, rabbits, squirrels, voles and insects.

• How to make edible bulbs such as lilies, tulips and crocus more pest-resistant with an assortment of remedies, which make the bulbs or leaves taste or smell bad to foraging critters.

• How to create physical barriers to thwart the bulb monsters and keep them at bay.

Aging and Nutrition

GALENA, Ill. — Understanding the Aging Process: How Aging Affects Your Nutritional Status will be 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at Midwest Medical Center, 1 Medical Drive, Galena.

The program will explore common challenges faced by older adults, how aging influences nutritional needs, and why good nutrition is crucial to healthy aging. Participants also will receive practical tips and strategies to help navigate the nutritional changes associated with aging.

Cost is $5. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yfshatyj or call 815-858-2273.

Farm Tours

STERLING, Ill. — Sauk Valley Grown Farm Tours and Dinner will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at area farms and Whiteside Area Career Center, 1608 5th Ave., Sterling.

Farm tours will be available throughout the day. After registering, participants will receive a link to sign up for tours at the following farms:

• 9 to 10 a.m., Roots Market, 21205 Lincoln Road, Sterling.

• 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., JL Acres, 17505 Polo Road, Sterling.

• 1 to 1:45 p.m., S & J Hobby Farms, 1628 Lee Center Road, Amboy.

• 2 to 3 p.m., All Good Things Lavender, 1489 E. Amboy Road, Amboy.

• 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Hohlen Homestead, 536 Palmyra Road, Dixon.

Tours of the Whiteside Area Career Center will be 4 to 5 p.m. followed by dinner at WACC.

Kitchen Checkup

PANA, Ill. — A program about kitchen food safety will be 10:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 10 at Pana Community Hospital, 101 E. 9th St., Pana.

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Learn how to do your own kitchen checkup and keep you and your family safe from food poisoning. Learn about common foodborne illnesses, symptoms, and how to prevent them from making you sick.

Cooking in an Instant

WELDON, Ill. — Cooking in an Instant will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at Weldon Public Library, 505 Maple St., Weldon.

Electric pressure cookers help tenderize meat, cook grains, beans and vegetables quickly, and can even make desserts. Learn the basics of using this popular appliance, including safety steps. Along with the lesson, enjoy a recipe demonstration and tasting.

Monarch Festival

GALESBURG, Ill. — Monarch Migration Festival will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at Lakeside Nature Center, 1033 S. Lake Storey Road, Galesburg.

This free, family‑friendly event brings the wonder of live monarch butterflies up close, along with hands‑on educational activities for kids of all ages and engaging booths that highlight the incredible journey of these iconic pollinators.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/4jv86csu.

Overwintering Perennials

JOLIET, Ill. — The online program Bringing the Outside In: Overwintering Tender Perennial Plants will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 15.

Zonal geraniums, black and blue salvia, coleus and lemon grass are just a few of the dozens of plant varieties northern gardeners often treat as annuals. But these plants have a secret. They are tender perennials that can be overwintered indoors to enjoy again next year. Attendees will walk away from the discussion with options and strategies for overwintering and propagating tender perennial plants.

Beekeeping 101

GREENVILLE, Ill. — Beekeeping 101 will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 at Big T’s Honey Bee Farm, 1222 Airport Ave., Greenville.

Participants are invited to Big T’s Honey Bee Farm to see a working bee farm and learn more about starting bee hives, the equipment needed for beekeeping, and honeybee care.

Cost is $10. Register at. https://tinyurl.com/mstk5a76.

Bouquets & Bows

BREESE, Ill. — The Clinton County 4-H Bouquets & Bows Workshop will be 5 to 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at Clinton County Extension, 1163 N. 4th St., Breese.

Learn how to design and assemble your very own dance bouquet with guidance from an experienced wedding venue decorator. Whether you’re making a bouquet for homecoming, prom or another special occasion, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to create something uniquely yours.

Bring your own flowers and bouquet-making materials to customize your creation to match a dress or personal style.

Harvest Prairie Tour

ALEDO, Ill. — Fall Harvest Prairie Tour will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Prairie Hills Farm, 1121 160th St., Aledo.

Participants will ride on an open hayrack and tour Prairie Hills Farm as homeowner Bill Joseph talks about the plants and history.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5cakxjd7.

Green Connections

CANTON, Ill. — Green Connections: Cover Crops for the Home Garden will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Parlin-Ingersoll Public Library, 205 W. Chestnut St., Canton.

Learn how cover crops improve soil health, with practical takeaways you can use in your own garden.

Venison Processing

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Venison Processing Workshop will be 6 to 9 p.m. ET Sept. 15 at John S. Wright Forestry Center, 1007 W 100 N, West Lafayette.

Purdue Extension educators will butcher and prepare a deer. Participants will receive quick and easy venison recipes.

Cost is $10. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/zb3uvn7c. For questions, contact Jarred Brooke at 765-494-8459 or jmbrooke@purdue.edu.

Name That Tree

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The program Name That Tree and ID That Wood will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Sept. 16 at Purdue University Martell Forest, County Rd 100 N, West Lafayette.

Learn about identifying local hardwood species of trees when looking at bark, leaves and twigs.

Forest walks will include practice of local hardwood tree identification, and identifying common invasive plant species.

Register for this Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association event by visiting https://tinyurl.com/3hdc58wb. For questions, contact Rado Gazo at 765-494-3634 or gazo@purdue.edu.

Renewables and Residential

INDIANAPOLIS — The online program Indiana Renewables and the Residential Real Estate Market webinar will be noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 16.

This webinar presents the findings of two technical reports that analyzed the impact of large wind projects and utility-scale solar projects on nearby residential property values in Indiana. This analysis used data on the Indiana locations of utility-scale wind or solar projects and homes sold before and after these projects became operational to estimate the impact of these projects on the sale price of homes.

Nutrition Made Easy

AUSTIN, Ind. — Nutrition Made Easy will be noon to 2 p.m. ET Wednesdays, Sept. 16-Oct. 21, at Grace Covenant Church, 75 W Main St., Austin.

The six-part program focused on nutrition and preparing foods will include a session on cooking with an air fryer and using an instant pot. At each session, participants will receive a meal kit with ingredients and a recipe.

Register for this free program at https://tinyurl.com/4u3htn3b. For more information, call 812-752-8450 or email mcbrough@purdue.edu.

Indoor Edible Gardens

GRANVILLE, Ill. — Indoor Edible Gardens will be 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at Putnam County Library, 214 S. McCoy St., Granville.

Gardening is not limited to outside in the summer. Learn how to grow your own fresh herbs, salad greens and more anytime of the year.

Hydrangea Highway

MENDOTA, Ill. — Hydrangea Highway will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sep. 16 at Graves-Hume Public Library, 1401 W. Main St., Mendota.

Learn which hydrangea varieties perform best in our region, along with essential care and maintenance practices to keep plants healthy and blooming. The program also will cover proper pruning techniques and discuss common hydrangea pests, diseases and other problems gardeners may encounter.

Gardening for Pollinators

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Fall Gardening for Pollinators will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at McLean County Extension, 1615 Commerce Pkwy., Bloomington.

Learn what to clean up and what to keep in the garden this fall for a successful pollinator habitat. Enjoy a hands-on experience exploring fall cleanup practices aimed at protecting pollinators.

Also, learn how small structures can make a big impact on local ecosystems. Participants will design and build their own insect hotel using natural materials, with guidance on placement and care for long-term success. The $10 registration fee will include all the materials to build and take home your very own insect hotel.

Preserve at Home

WARRENSBURG, Ill. — Preserve at Home will be 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Barclay Public Library, 220 S. Main St., Warrensburg.

Learn to safely water-bath and pressure can, freeze, dry, and ferment your garden harvest and farmers market purchases. From jams and pickles to fruit leather and sauerkraut, it’s easy to eat summer produce all year long. This lesson will support beginners and provide up-to-date guidance for seasoned preservers. Bring dial-gauge pressure canner lids and gauges for a free accuracy test.

Gardening Tips

HEBRON, Ind. — Gardening Tips & Tech will be 11 a.m. to noon CT Sept. 18 at Hebron Public Library, 201 W. Sigler St., Hebron.

The workshop focused on home gardening tips and technology is tailored for older adults. This event is in partnership with Purdue Extension.