March 2010
An Afternoon with Pieta Brown
Sunday, March 14, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
At Severson Dells Nature Center
Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
“Pieta Brown is a great singer/songwriter who possesses *major star power magnetism*.” - Don Was
Straight out of the heartland comes Pieta Brown. The daughter of two preacher’s kids, her early upbringing in Iowa was in a rural outpost with no furnace or running water. There, Pieta was exposed to traditional and rural folk music through her father, now a beloved Midwestern folk singer. Later, while living with her mother in Alabama during her formative years, Pieta drew on and expanded these influences and began writing poetry and composing instrumental songs on piano.
By the time she left home at 18, Pieta had lived in at least 17 different houses and apartments between Iowa and Alabama. Staying true to the disjointed lifestyle of her childhood she wandered from the West Coast to the East. Each locale left its mark on her, accounting for an artist who brings together the unvarnished humility of Loretta Lynn, the honest modern rock punch of P.J. Harvey, the hipster swagger and poetry of Cat Power, and the airy sophistication of Feist. And, coloring it all, a deep abiding saturation in folk and blues that’s beyond her years. All of this, yet she has her own distinctive style, lyrical substance, and voice.
Now, firmly planted back in Iowa, after releasing two critically acclaimed albums in the last four years–Remember the Sun (2007) and In the Cool (2005) - Pieta has now signed with Red House Records. A natural addition to the label’s award winning roster, she spent her early childhood in the very red house that gave the label its name. On her label debut “Shimmer” she delivers 7 stripped down tacks of soulful alt-country songs recorded by Don Was (Bob Dylan, Bonnie Riatt, Rolling Stones.) Steadily she has gained attention across the musical genres, the Iowa folk-based songwriter has toured with John Prine, Ani Difranco, Calexico, J.J. Cale, Iris Dement and Mason Jennings, among others. You will not want to miss her in the intimate setting of Severson Dells Nature Center.
Tickets $10.00 call 1-815-335-2915, limited seating available.
Spring Awakening Gathering
Saturday, March 20, starting at 2:00 pm, come to all or part of the day.
Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
At the “Pec Barn” located within the Pecatonica River Forest Preserve; entrance at 7260 Judd Road, Pecatonica.
Enjoy the celebration of the coming spring season and have fun with the whole family.
2:00-3:30 pm - Sugar Mapling ~ FREE! Join Winnebago County Forest Preserve District staff to learn more about the how’s and why’s of sugar mapling. Help tap some trees and follow the path of the sap from tree to syrup. Enjoy some maple syrup on frozen custard. (Thank you to the Culver’s of Winnebago owner Sue Fingland for providing the frozen custard.)
3:30-5:00 pm - Boot Scootin’ Barn Dance. Come out and enjoy this fun way to welcome the coming spring. We all will be having such a great time it will seem like the barn is dancing. The whole family is welcome to come and participate or watch. One needs not to worry about dancing abilities, only dancing attitude. This year we have something a little different! Join Linda Halley line dance teacher extraordinaire as she and some friends take us through some easy steps to become the next “dancing with the stars” contestants. (maybe???) Guaranteed to be lots of fun and a great time. Linda teaches dance at the Roscoe Methodist Church and Betty’s Western Wear.
5:15-6:45 pm - Community Supper ~ FREE! Enjoy the hard work and great recipes of the folks from the region at this pot luck dinner. Bring your own table ware and dish to pass and take in the feast. Severson Dells will provide lemonade and coffee for drinks as well as frozen custard with maple syrup (while it lasts.) Please call if you plan to attend so that we can have plenty for all. 1-815-335-2915
6:45 pm - Witness a Prairie Fire ~ FREE! The prairie fire is one of the most exciting occurrences of the spring. If conditions are right, we will burn the restored prairie east of the Pec Barn. The prairie is burned so that it remains in a quality state. As the sun is setting, view this incredible spectacle as flames reach high into the evening sky. It promises to be one of those nights that will be etched into your mind for a long time.
April 2010
Book Discussion: The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, by Michael Pollen
Thursday, April 8, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at SDNC
Led by Joe Haverly, Rock Valley College Assistant Professor of Biology, (and SDNC Board Member).
Wealth, abundance and the lack of a steadying, centuries-old food culture have conspired to make us Americans dysfunctional eaters, obsessed with getting thin while becoming ever more fat, lurching from one specious bit of dietary wisdom (margarine is better for you than butter) to another (carbs kill). Pollan diagnoses a “national eating disorder,” and he aims to shed light on both its causes and some potential solutions. To this end, he embarks on four separate eating adventures, each of which starts at the very beginning - in the soil from which the raw materials of his dinners will emerge - and ends with a cooked, finished meal. (David Kamp)
Everyone is welcome to attend and to add their thoughts. Please call if you are planning to attend. 1-815-335-2915
Earth Words Writing Workshop with Carol LaChapelle
Saturday, April 10, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Earth Words is designed for those who want to write about their experiences in nature–with particular landscapes, places, and animals. In the workshop, you’ll learn to better observe and describe the natural world; tell the stories of your encounters there; and explore the meaning these encounters have for you. NOTE: If you would like to submit a draft of a nature essay to be read and discussed in the workshop, please contact Carol at madmoon55@hotmail.com or 1-773-981-2282 for guidelines.
Carol LaChapelle is a Chicago-based writer, editor, and teacher who specializes in helping people tell their stories. She earned her BA in Psychology and MA in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she taught for several years. Carol is the author of Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Stories: 167 Ways to Tell Your Life Stories (Marin Street Press, 2008)
Fee: $45.00 per person, limited to 16 people, register before April 5. 1-815-335-2915
Connecting With Nature
Tuesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. meal; 7:30 p.m. program
Don Miller of Severson Dells Nature Center will present,” at Veggie-in-Motion’s meeting, “Connecting With Nature,” readings and stories from the past 20 years of the Notes From the Dells.
6:30 p.m. - Potluck supper: Bring a vegetarian dish to pass (no meat, poultry, fish, meat broth, or gelatin) to serve 8-10 people, plus your own plate, silverware, and cup. Label dishes if they contain eggs and/or dairy products. Non-vegetarians are always welcome!
7:30 p.m. - Don Miller - “Connecting With Nature.” Don, the Executive Director of Severson Dells Nature Center, has been writing essays in their newsletter for over twenty years. Come out and hear these “connections” to the land, people, and places.Born and raised in the four rivers region he enjoys nothing more than canoeing its rivers, hiking its natural areas, or sitting under a big dark sky filled with stars, thinking how lucky we are to have such a great place to call home. (Tomatoes will be checked in at door)
Admission: $3 for members, $5 for non-members, no charge for children.
VIM meetings are held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural Street, Rockford. Use the main entrance on Corbridge Lane, just across the street from the large parking lot.
May 2010
Critter Day: The Birds and the Bees
Saturday, May 8, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
All free thanks to the sponsorship in the name Dr. Carl Hartman.
Starting at 9:00 join Phillip Raines from Raines Honey Farms (www.raineshoneyfarm.com) in a program called, “What’s Buzzing You?” During his presentation Phillip will discuss the fascinating world of beekeeping, but will also give us the buzz about hornets, wasps and some other winged critters.
The second program is the Atwood Environmental Center Birds of Prey Program. People do not often get the chance to see a live hawk or owl up close. The A.E.C.’s Birds of Prey Program provides that unique opportunity by utilizing live birds to teach about environmental topics.
The birds used by the Birds of Prey team are all non-releasable. The programs provide people a personal experience with birds that many may have seen in nature, but never so closely. During the programs, the birds are held by a trained team member, and have a restraining system that protects the birds as well as the public. Participants will learn many interesting facts about each bird, their roles in nature, and how people can help them. This program is popular with all ages - no one should miss it.
Both programs are for people of all ages.
To guarantee a seat you must call for registration. 1-815-335-2915
Flights of Fancy
Saturday, May 15, 7:00 a.m.-noon
For beginner and intermediate. Leader: Keith Blackmore
Enjoy a birding outing during the onset of spring songbird migration and learn more about where birds have been and where they are going. Opportunities will be provided to sharpen the skills useful in field recognition of our feathered friends. What behaviors do birds exhibit which help to identify them? What calls are especially helpful? How can one quickly locate birds in a bird book? We’ll spend about 3 1/2 hours outdoors and 1 1/2 hours indoors. Bring binoculars, and bird book if you own one. Limit 16. Fee: $5. Easy trail walking. Call 1-815-335-2915.
