OLNEY, Ill. — Exploring Wool Fiber: Spinning and Natural Dyes will be 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Richland County Extension, 306 S. Fair St., Olney.

Learn about fiber arts, the wool spinning process, local natural dyes and their place in history. Participants ages 8-18 are welcome to join and do not need to be 4-H members to participate.

Register by calling 618-395-2191. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mrxb26p9.

Senior Snippets

BLUFFTON, Ind. — Two fall Senior Snippets programs will be held at Washington Park Indoor Pavilion, 710 S. Mulberry St., Bluffton.

Staying Scam Safe will be 2 p.m. Oct. 5. Learn about common types of scams, steps you can take to protect yourself and your information, and how to report scams and fraud.

Better Together for Healthy Aging will be 2 p.m. Oct. 12. The power of everyday connection with family, friends, and community support healthy aging, longevity and quality of life. Take a step toward better health and well-being by connecting with others, making new friends and strengthening your sense of community.

To register, call 260-824-6069, or email events@blufftonindiana.gov. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5ef3yejj.

Bridge Goes Green

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Go Green: Light Up Murray Baker Bridge will be 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at East Peoria Riverfront Park, 1201 Riverside Drive, East Peoria.

4-H members, volunteers, families, alumni, and supporters are invited to meet at Riverfront Park for the lighting of Murray Baker Bridge in 4-H green.

This is one way local 4-H is celebrating National 4-H Week. The event includes gifts and a group photo at 6:45 p.m.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mwrpb6a8.

Where the Flavor’s At

MAROA, Ill. — Where the Flavor’s At will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Maroa Library, 305 E. Garfield St., Maroa.

Learn how using herbs and spices can amp up the flavor and help home cooks us less fat, sugar and salt.

Register for this free program at https://tinyurl.com/yreahz48.

Halloween Carnival

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The Community Halloween Carnival will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET Oct. 6 in the Exhibition Center on the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.

This fun family activity will include games, treats, a haunted house and hayrides, which begin at 6 p.m. The evening is organized and sponsored by the Hamilton County 4-H Junior Leaders.

For more information, call 317-776-0854 or visit https://tinyurl.com/3bs3jp6y.

4-H Kick-Off

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — The Kane County 4-H Kick-Off will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Kane County Fairgrounds, Prairie Events Center, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

Learn about 4-H programs for ages 5-18 in DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties. Participants will do hands-on activities, meet 4-H club leaders and staff, and explore projects.

For questions, call Erin Morse at 630-584-6166, or email emorse@illinois.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n96nr7n.

Indoor Edible Gardens

LACON, Ill. — Indoor Edible Gardens will be noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 7 at Lacon Public Library, 205 6th St., Lacon.

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.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/mr3tpak6.

Too Much Sitting

URBANA, Ill. — Active Moments, Healthier Days: Reducing the Risks of Too Much Sitting will be online noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 7.

Even if you meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, spending long periods sitting can still affect your health. This session explores how excessive sitting affects metabolism, energy levels and long-term well-being. Learn practical, research-based strategies to incorporate more movement into your daily routine, reduce the effects of sedentary time and support overall health through simple changes.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/59dn7z83.

4-H Kick-Off

YORKVILLE, Ill. — The Kendall County 4-H Kick-Off will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Kendall County Fairgrounds, 10826 IL Route 71, Yorkville.

Learn about 4-H programs for ages 5-18 in DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties. Participants will do hands-on activities, meet 4-H club leaders and staff, and explore projects.

4-H Youth Development programs provide ways for young people to belong to a group, give back to their community, learn things they’re interested in and develop independence.

For questions, contact Tina Anderson at athenaa@illinois.edu or 630.553.5823. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ycjbd7ua.

Heart Healthy Living

GALENA, Ill. — Our hearts beat nearly 100,000 times each day, supplying oxygen and nutrients throughout the body to sustain life. Yet many people rarely think about their heart health until problems arise. Nor do they realize that everyday lifestyle habits, such as an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, poor sleep habits and chronic stress, significantly increase their risk of developing heart disease.

University of Illinois Extension is teaming up with the Senior Resource Center and Midwest Medical Center to offer Heart Healthy Living, a three-part educational series focused on preventing and managing heart disease. Participants may attend one or all three sessions.

Topics will include understanding heart disease, heart-healthy eating, physical activity, managing stress, quality sleep, setting realistic goals for long-term heart health, and understanding cholesterol and dietary fat. Participants will receive practical wellness strategies and heart-healthy recipes to try at home.

Sessions will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at Midwest Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Galena: Eating to Lower Blood Pressure, Oct. 8; Setting Goals to Build a Heart-Healthy Life, Oct. 29; and Understanding Cholesterol and Dietary Fat, Nov. 12.

There is a $5 fee for each session. Register by calling 815-858-2273 or visit https://tinyurl.com/yeyudnwf.

Your Land, Your Legacy

SALEM, Ind. — Your Land, Your Legacy will be 9 am. to 3:30 p.m. ET Oct. 9 at the Washington County Community Foundation Building, 1707 N. Shelby St., Salem.

For more than 10 years, the Washington County Community Foundation and the Washington County Conservation Partnership has offered this peer-to-peer, informal discussion format to allow women landowners and land users to discuss their individual farm management goals.

The afternoon will include a field trip to Blue River BEEF. The program will end at the Washington County Community Foundation Building with refreshments at 3:30 pm.

Your Land, Your Legacy is sponsored by the generous donors to the Washington County Community Foundation, Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District, Purdue Extension, USDA-Farm Service Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Staff from these organizations will be represented at the program and available assist participants.

RSVP to the Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District at 812-883-3006, ext. 3. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/52n8xkrh.

Local Food Systems

MURPHYSORO, Ill. — Local Food Systems and Small Farms will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 9 at Jackson County Extension, 402 Ava Road, Murphysboro.

During this Extension Council and Community Conversations session, participants will learn about the Local Food Systems and Small Farms program and how the team uses research‑based information and hands‑on demonstrations to strengthen our communities.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/3jz7j7ts.

Nights in Nature

GENOA, Ill. — Nights in Nature will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Natural Resource Education Center in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, 11750 State Route 72, Genoa.

The free family event will include guided hikes, songs by the fire and campfire snacks.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/4hrzfynv.

Tree Care

CARLYLE, Ill. — Basic Tree Care will be 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 10 at Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, 795 Lake Road, Carlyle.

Trees require care to ensure they stay healthy and thrive. Mary Grapperhaus, a retired Natural Resources Coordinator for Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will be showing participants how to prune trees and which practices will help your trees maintain their health.

Register for this free workshop at https://tinyurl.com/94eczy5h.

Farm Stroll

MT. MORRIS, Ill. — The Ogle County Farm Stroll will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at 10 Ogle County farms.

Featured on the self-guided tour will be:

• BerryView Orchard, 7504 W. Midtown Road, Mt. Morris

• Hough’s Maple Lane Farm, 3788 N. Mt. Morris Road, Mt. Morris

• Dietrich Ranch, 4575 N. Leaf River Road, Mt. Morris

• Barnhart’s Stone Corner, 2169 E. Honey Creek Road, Oregon

• Jen’s Sunshine Farm, 1774 S. Columbian Road, Oregon

• Hinrichs Farm, 1675 S. Columbian Road, Oregon

• Happily Homegrown, 4938 S. Scout Road, Oregon

• Triple Creek Bison, 1188 N. Blind Road, Chana

• Ponto Ranch, 1188 N. Blind Road, Chana

• Orion Organics 885 W. Stone Barn Road, Franklin Grove

The farm stroll is free. Pick up a “passport” at your first farm visit. Fill it out per the instructions, and drop it at your last farm visit for a chance to win a prize from one of the farms. You do not need to visit all the farms to enter the prize drawing.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/48mvebpm.

Fall Fest

DIXON, Ill. — Fall Fest will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 10 and Oct. 11 the John Deere Historic Site, 8334 S. Clinton St., Dixon.

Enjoy blacksmith demonstrations, carriage rides, pumpkin decorating, crafts, games, face painting and more at this free family event.

Featured will be the John Deere Vintage Tractor Show, the Tractor Parade at 5 p.m. Oct. 10, and live music from Rick Lindy & the Wild Ones from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 11.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/34u97e9h call 815-652-4551.

Pumpkin Extravaganza

JONESBORO, Ill. — Pumpkin Extravaganza will be 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, 521 N. Main St., Jonesboro.

This free, family-friendly event celebrates all things pumpkin. Hosted by the University of Illinois Extension, this outdoor gathering invites families to enjoy an afternoon filled with pumpkin-themed fun. Participants will learn all about pumpkins through hands-on activities, enjoy delicious pumpkin treats, get creative with pumpkin crafts, and play a variety of fun fall games. Activities are designed for youth ages 5 to 17, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Celebrate the season and discover just how much fun pumpkins can be.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc8a3zhc.

Fishing Clinic

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Let’s Get Hooked fishing clinic will be 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 12 at Miller Park Lake, 1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington.

Join Illinois Department of Natural Resources and McLean 4-H for an afternoon of catch-and-release fishing. IDNR professionals will kick things off with a brief training session, making this activity perfect for beginners and experienced anglers alike. IDNR will provide all necessary equipment. Families are welcome to fish alongside their children.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/4znk9mvf.

Pumpkin Build

SALEM, Ill. — The Great Pumpkin Build will be 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 12 at Marion County Extension, 1404 E. Main St., Salem.

The Great Pumpkin Build is a creative, hands-on woodworking workshop designed for kids and teens ages 8–18. This engaging program introduces participants to basic woodworking skills in a safe, supportive and fun environment while encouraging creativity and craftsmanship.

During the workshop, participants will learn how to carefully measure, mark and cut pre-selected wood pieces under guided instruction. They will then assemble their project by stacking and securely gluing the pieces together to form a 3D wooden pumpkin structure. Instructors provide step-by-step support throughout the building process to ensure confidence and safety at every stage.

Once the structure is complete, participants will attach a wooden stem and move on to the decorating phase. Each pumpkin will be individually painted, allowing participants to choose colors and designs that reflect their personal style. The experience concludes with the addition of raffia or ribbon, providing a festive and personalized finishing touch.

All materials and tools are provided. No prior woodworking experience is necessary. Participants will leave with a completed handmade wooden pumpkin and a new set of creative building skills.

This workshop emphasizes creativity, fine motor development, tool safety, and hands-on learning in a fun seasonal project setting.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/2baf64rx.

Garden Update

DECATUR, Ill. — How Did Your Garden Grow? will be 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 13 at Crossing Healthcare Garden, 320 Central Ave., Decatur.

Participants will reflect on successes and challenges they faced during the growing season.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/55juutbe.

Invasive Species

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Invasive Species, Native Landscaping and You will be 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

What are the top 13 invasive plant species found in Lake County? Learn identifying characteristics, practical tips, and the best times of year to manage them. Plus, discover key steps to introduce native flowers, shrubs, and trees into your home landscape.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdd8865z.