Severson Dells

July 2009 ……

Biology of Streams

Saturday, July 11, 8:00 am-12:00 noon
Leader: Keith Blackmore. Ages: junior high to adult. Participants will spend about an hour learning about the geology of streams and then sample, observe, and study stream life. We will examine molusks, insects, fish, and any other critter that is found. Those who have hip boots or old sneakers and shorts can help with the sampling. Others can sort materials on shore. Fee: $5. Call 1-815-335-2915 to register.

Dr. Pond Scum

Sunday, July 12, 1:30 pm
Program is directed for kids ages 6-11, but others may attend. Foolishness, fun and of course, education is what the Doctor has on order, so you won’t want to miss it. Local area science teacher Gary Pasch mucks and yucks it up as his lovable and laughable character, Dr. Pond Scum. Meet at the Nature Center. Free to all, kids must be accompanied by adults. Please call to reserve a spot for your family. 1-815-335-2915

Adventure Quest

Monday-Wednesday, July 20-22, 9:00 am-3:00 pm (Monday);
8:00 am-4:30 pm (Tuesday & Wednesday)
Grade Level 6th-9th grade (2009-10 school year)
It’s fun! You won’t want to miss it! These three days are for students going into the 6th-9th grade who want to experience some exciting places and learn hands-on about rivers, wetlands, woodlands, and caves. Day 1 will be spent at Severson Dells walking in and exploring our creek. Day 2 we will travel by van to a mystery destination. Day 3, also by van, will take us to Maquoketa Cave State Park in Iowa to investigate the wonderful world of caves. Cost: $125 per member of “Friends of Severson Dells.” $140 per non-member. (Early drop-offs and late pick-ups can be arranged.) 1-815-335-2915

The Extraordinary Ordinary:
A Night of Amazing Words and Thoughts

Thursday, July 23, starting at 6:30 pm

Pattiann Rogers                      Brian Doyle

There will be nothing ordinary about this evening. It will be talked about on a variety of levels for weeks, if not months, quite possibly years. Come hear one of the “nation’s most persnickety” poets, Pattiann Rogers of Colorado, and one of the nation’s “oddest essayists,” Brian Doyle of Oregon. “The thesis for the evening: there are no small things, only moments crammed with story and song and revelation and epiphany, if only we could see — we are swimming in a sea of the most particular and amazing miracles. We search for them and embrace them with our senses and our stories, our music and our joys, our visions and our intellect.”

The evening will begin with accomplished local poets, Mary Caskey and Chris Swanberg sharing some of their words and thoughts. Then Rogers and Doyle will share the podium as they sway back and forth from poems to “proems” in a crescendo of words and feelings.

Brian Doyle is the editor of Portland Magazine at the University of Portland — the best university magazine in America, according to Newsweek. He is the author of numerous books and his essays appear in a wide variety of periodicals and anthologies.

Pattiann Rogers, born and raised in Missouri, has spent most of her adult life in Texas and Colorado. She is the author of 13 books of poetry and has been awarded five Pushcart Prizes, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Lannan Literary Award. Rogers has taught as a visiting writer at several universities. Her papers are archived at Texas Tech University.

Free to all, but please call for registrations at 1-815-335-2915. This program is in honor of the memory of Dr. Alan Hutchcroft.

Hall Creek Scamper Green Run and Walk

Saturday, July 25
Green, serene, and lean. The Hall Creek Scamper will combine these three elements on July 25 in a morning full of fitness and education in nature. The event includes a 5k Open Race, a 5k Youth (high school and under) Race, and a 1 Mile Walk Scavenger Hunt. The Open 5k will begin at 8:00 am. The youth event will begin at 8:45 and the walk at 9:30 am.

The event will take place on the scenic trails and roads of Severson Dells Forest Preserve. Participants will traverse through woods, meadows, and an optional creek crossing. Participants in the walk will have the opportunity to lean about Northern Illinois wildlife by participating in a scavenger hunt highlighting the unique scenery on the course.

Proceeds from the run will benefit education programs at the Severson Dells Nature Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. If you don’t want to participate in the Hall Creek Scamper, but would still like to get involved, we are in need of race day volunteers. Please e-mail don@seversondells.org if you would like to volunteer. Click here for more information and to register for the event. To save money register before July 19!