Calendar: Marketing Rural Tourism

OGLESBY, Ill. — The program Marketing Rural Tourism will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Illinois Valley Community College, Room CTC 124, 815 N. Orlando Smith St., Oglesby.

According to the Illinois Office of Tourism, tourism represents a significant part of the Illinois’ economy. In 2019, Illinois tourism brought in $3.3 billion of state and local tax revenues and generated over 342,000 jobs, and tourist spending totaled $41.7 billion.

Pam Schallhorn, Extension specialist in community and economic development, will be providing information and resources from a recent research project completed by the University of Illinois and Illinois Extension called I-Rural: Reimagining Illinois Rural Tourism Through Community and Extension Collaboration. Resources include an I-Rural Toolkit that communities and organizations can use to better understand and promote local tourism as well as an updated grant resource guide.

In addition, Schallhorn will discuss insights into identifying target markets, the importance of digital marketing and how to create effective tourism marketing campaigns that reach different generations.

There is no charge to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5h4uw38r.

Bird-watching ‘Mini-Sit’

CYPRESS, Ill. — The 2023 Fall Migration Mini-Sit will be 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 at the Cache River Wetlands Center, 8885 IL-37, Cypress.

Mini-Sit is a bird-watching event where participants record as many bird species by sight and sound during a three-hour period. Each team will choose a bird hotspot within the Cache River Watershed and sit in a 24-foot diameter circle tallying all birds seen.

This event is free and open to the public. Bring your own binoculars or scope, camera, and lawn chair. Pack a bagged lunch for a picnic from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Pumpkin Extravaganza

JONESBORO, Ill. — Pumpkin Extravaganza will be 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, 521 N. Main St., Jonesboro.

Families are invited to the free pumpkin-themed outdoor event to learn all about pumpkins, taste pumpkin treats, make pumpkin crafts, and play fun games.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2p4j39ze.

Gnome Painting

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — The Fall Gnome Painting Workshop will be 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 9 at the Macoupin County Extension office, 60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville.

Youths ages 8 to 18 will paint a fall-themed gnome. Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/35wyrhmn.

Fall Flowers

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The program Fall Flowers will be 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Montgomery County Extension office, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Youths ages 8 to 18 will learn about flower arranging and take home their own flower arrangement.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/p8rb5y4r.

Caramel Apples

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The Caramel Apple Workshop will be 3 to 4 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Christian County Extension office, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Youths ages 8 to 18 will make and take home caramel apples with a variety of toppings.

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

Tree ID Walk

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. — The Tree ID Walk will be 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at Riverside Park, 2610 W. Riverside Park Road, Murphysboro.

Join Master Gardeners Kevin Ahlfield and Norma Allen to learn about 14 different tree species at Riverside Park. Learn about key ID characteristics as well as how to use a dichotomous key to identify trees. Learn how to prevent urban tree damage to protect your backyard trees and some of the diseases or pests associated with these tree species.

Achievement Night

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. — Perry County 4-H Achievement Night will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Pinckneyville Community Center, 203 N. Walnut St., Pinckneyville.

Perry County 4-H members will be honored and awarded for their hard work and accomplishments during the 2022-2023 4-H year.

Grapevine Wreaths

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Learn how to make and decorate grapevine wreaths from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Jo Daviess County Extension office, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth.

Cost is $20. Register at https://tinyurl.com/32h8mufc or call 815-858-2273.

Upcycle Shirts

AUBURN, Ind. — Join the DeKalb County Extension Homemakers as they show you how to upcycle a man’s dress shirt into an apron. The program will be at 6 p.m. ET Oct. 10 at the DeKalb County Office Building, 215 E. 9th St., Auburn. This program is free but you will need to bring a button-down shirt and basic sewing supplies.

Hardwood University

EDINBURGH, Ind. — The Hardwood University workshop Marketing Hardwood Veneer, Stave and Sawlogs will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Oct. 11 at Danzer Veneer Americas, 206 S. Holland St., Edinburgh.

Topics will include tree quality, log merchandising and veneer markets. The event will include a tour of the Danzer facility and showroom as well as a field trip to a logging site.

Cos is $79. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4wavzacb.

Spending Plans

URBANA, Ill. — The program Spooked by Spending Plans? will be the topic of the online Get Savvy — Grow Your Green Stuff Series, noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 11.

Creating a budget can feel like you’re constricting your funds so you can’t have fun; however, creating a spending plan will ensure you’re determining where your hard-earned money goes. Learn what drives our spending desires and find tools that work best for you to gain complete control over your financial fears.

A Changing Climate

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — Landscaping for a Changing Climate will be the topic of the Lake County 2023 Garden Learning Series, 6 to 7 :30 p.m. Oct. 11.

What we plant and how we plant it can make a difference. Discover nature-based solutions for the home gardener that lessen the impacts of our changing climate.

The online Garden Learning Series is presented by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, University of Illinois Extension, and the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

Monstrous Mussels

URBANA, Ill. — The program Monstrous Mussels, Creepy Carp: Explore Aquatic Invasives in Lake Michigan will be 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 12.

Aquatic invasive species may seem like sea creatures from the movies, but the impact of these introduced plants and animals on Lake Michigan is no fiction. From blood-sucking sea lamprey to jumping silver carp, many AIS look and act like something out of a horror movie. Explore highlights of some of the lake’s most infamous AIS and hear about the ongoing efforts to prevent new introductions and manage established species.

Sewing/Quilting Seminar

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The Sewing/Quilting Seminar will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET Oct. 14 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.

The event will include presentations and demonstrations on quilting and sewing techniques, and creative ideas.

Cost is $20 and includes lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ycypusnm.