Calendar: Big and Small Gardening

FRANKLIN GROVE, Ill. — Big and Small Gardening with Lee County Master Gardeners will be on the first Tuesday of the month starting Sept. 5 at the Winfred Knox Memorial Library, 112 S. Elm St., Franklin Grove.

Youth lessons and adult lessons will be offered on alternating months:

• Youth lessons, 4 p.m.: Sept. 5, Potpourri 101; Nov. 7, Homemade Ice Cream; Jan. 2, Sundial for Kids; and March 5, Seed Starting.

• Adult Lessons, 6 p.m.: Oct. 3, Potpourri 101; Dec. 5, Homemade Ice Cream; Feb. 6, African Violets; and April 2, Milk Jug Salsa Garden.

Brain Health

CISSNA PARK, Ill. — Illinois Extension Educator Emily Harmon will present Brain Health — It’s A No Brainer!, a research-informed series that educates adults about normal memory change and aging, highlights healthy brain contributors, and offers tips and strategies to lessen everyday forgetfulness. Illinois Extension partners with the Alzheimer’s Association on a session to increase awareness of common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Sessions are offered 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 5-26 at the Cissna Park Community Library, 511 N. 2nd St., Cissna Park.

• Sept. 5 — Hold That Thought. This workshop will look at the memory process, what researchers say contributes to brain health and strategies for helping with everyday forgetfulness.

• Sept. 12 — Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters. Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, this program includes a basic overview of Alzheimer’s disease and covers risk factors, diagnosis, and the benefits of early detection

• Sept. 19 — Fit Wits. This session focuses on learning about how the brain works and lifestyle factors that may increase the chance of cognitive decline.

• Sept. 26 — Head Strong. By attending the Head Strong program, you can learn more about what you can do to keep your brain healthy and engaged.

ServSafe Training

CROWN POINT, Ind. — ServSafe Food Protection Manager Training will be 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT Sept. 6 at the Lake County Extension office, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point, Ind.

ServSafe is a food and beverage safety training and certificate program accredited by the National Restaurant Association and the Conference for Food Protection. The program was developed to educate foodservice workers about food safety. The certificate is earned by passing the ServSafe Manager exam and is valid for five years.

Master Gardener Basic Training

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — Master Gardener Basic Training will be 6 to 9 p.m. ET Mondays, Sept. 6-Dec. 11, at the Whitley County Extension office, 524 Branch Court, Columbia City.

Topics to be covered will include Plant Science, Soil and Plant Nutrition, Vegetable Gardening and Composting, Insect ID and Control, Weed ID and Control, Pesticide Safety and Alternatives, Plant Disease Diagnosis, Lawn Care and Animal Pests, Herbaceous Ornamentals, Woody Ornamentals, Fruit Gardening, Herbs, and Garden Math

For more information, contact John Woodmansee, Extension educator and master gardener coordinator, at 260-244-7615 or jwoodman@purdue.edu.

Air Frying

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — The program Heart Healthy Air Frying will be 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 6 at the JCH Wellness Center, 412 Maple Summit Road, Jerseyville.

Participants will get hands-on experience using air fryers, taste test, and receive recipes.

Illinois Bees

KANKAKEE, Ill. — The online Wilderness Wednesday program Native Illinois Bees will be 6 p.m. Sept. 6. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2cfuc76f.

Other topics in the Wilderness Wednesday series will be:

• Sept. 13 — Reptiles and amphibians of Illinois. Register at https://tinyurl.com/54htw6js.

• Sept. 20 — Dragonflies. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yck5d2y3.

• Sept. 27 — Building a Habitat for Birds. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3ej257rt.

Renting and Leasing

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Read Before You Sign: Renting and Leasing will be noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 6.

Learn about rental agreements and how they work so you know your responsibilities and rights when renting a place to call home.

Other topics in the Get Savvy — Grow Your Green Stuff series include:

• Oct. 11 — Spending Plans.

• Nov. 8 — Don’t Get Phished: Avoid Scams and Fraud.

• Dec. 6 — Your Financial Tool Chest.

• Jan. 24 — Money in Your Entrepreneurial Pursuit.

• Feb. 7 — Steps to Investing: What to Know Now.

ª March 6 — Save Money on Food.

• April 3 — Student Loan Management.

• May 1 — Money, Stress and Bad Habits.

Community Service

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The 4-H community service project Hands to Larger Service will be 5 to 6 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Participants will help fill birthday bags to donate to local food pantries. When you register, you will select from a list of what items you would like to donate. Bring the items with you on the day of the meeting.

Pollinator Plants

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — Pollinator Plants to Span the Season will be 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Macoupin County Extension office, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

Pollinators thrive in the summer, but learn how to provide food sources in the other months to help pollinators survive. Join Andrew Holsinger, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, to learn about pollinator plants for season-long pollen and nectar sources. Create a strategy to provide beauty and function to your landscape.

The program also will be offered online. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ykr497bh.

Impactful Images

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — The photography course Creating Impactful Images will be 5:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Perry Park Farm, 459 N. Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais.

Youth age 12-18 (or younger with guardian attendance and assistance) can participate in a fun and engaging photography program.

Social Connections

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The program Don’t Go It Alone: Improving Your Social Connections will be 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Champaign Extension Auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign.

Research shows that social isolation and loneliness can deeply impact the quality of life, especially for older adults. And some studies show that more than a fifth of adults in the United States identify themselves as lonely, isolated or both. This Lessons for Living program will help participants to define the difference between social isolation and loneliness and identify the risk factors for both. The various consequences of isolation and loneliness will also be discussed, as well as strategies for staying connected with others.

Master Gardener Conference

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The State Master Gardener Conference will be Sept. 7-8 at Embassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria Riverfront Hotel & Conference Center, 100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria.

A tour from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Sept. 7 will include the Mason State Tree Nursery, Dickson Mounds State Museum, Black Sheep Flower Farm, and Orchard Hill Farm. The evening social will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at Embassy Suites.

Sept. 8 events will include the keynote address by award-winning author Kelly D. Norris at 9 a.m., awards ceremony at 12:30 p.m., and silent auction at 4 p.m.

ServSafe Training

NEW ALBANY, Ind. — Floyd County ServSafe Food Protection Manager Training will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Sept. 8 at the Purdue Technology Center , 3000 Technology Ave., New Albany.

Topics to be covered will include Foodborne Microorganisms and Allergens; Personal Hygiene; Purchasing, Receiving and Storage; Preparing, Cooking and Serving; Facilities Cleaning and sanitation; and Managing Pests.

Cost is $165 for training, manual and exam. Register at https://tinyurl.com/55dy483a.

For more information, call 812-948-5470 or email jsteffens@purdue.edu.

Invasive Plant Control

DUBOIS, Ind. — Invasive Plant Control Training for Landowners will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Sept. 9 at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, 11371 E. Purdue Farm Road, Dubois.

This practical, hands-on training by foresters and natural resource professionals will include topics such as Assessing Your Invasive Plant Program, The Three Pillars of Invasive Plant Management, Selecting Control Options, Herbicide Use and Considerations, Control Funding and Technical Assistance, and Setting Invasive Management Goals and Objectives. It will consist of classroom portions, as well as in-field demonstration of equipment and invasive control methods, and will include lunch.

Cost is $25. Register by contacting Veronica Helming at 812-482-1171, ext. 3, or email duboisswcd@gmail.com. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ytbnfxty.