December 2008
Silent Lights
Luminary Walk, Refreshments and Song
Saturday, December 13, 6:00-9:00 pm
Stroll the 2/3 of one mile hard-surfaced trail at Severson Dells Forest Preserve as it is lit up with hundreds of luminaries. Inside the Nature Center enjoy a cup of hot chocolate (be kind to the earth and bring your own mug) by the fireplace and music by Severson Dells’ own “house band” Casey’s Fancy, and returning from Colorado, Rockford’s own Emily Hurd.
Emily Hurd: 6:30-9:00 pm in the museum room
Casey’s Fancy: 6:30-9:00 pm in the classroom
No fee to stroll the path. Musical entertainment is FREE to members of “Friends of Severson Dells” (if you’re not a current member, you may join that night!); $3/person non-members, $9/family max. Call 1-815-335-2915 for directions or more information.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Sunday, December 21, 7:00 pm
Four Winds Center for Spiritual Ecology, co-sponsored by Severson Dells, will lead a celebration of the winter solstice. We have been journeying into the dark for the past 6 months, culminating in this the longest night of year. It is here we gather the fierce wisdom to move once again into the light, igniting our passion for this world. No Fee. For information: 1-815-335-2915.
Our House is Your House
Monday and Tuesday, December 29 and 30
Not necessarily an open house, but a house that is open. From 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, each day we invite you (people of all ages) to come out to Severson Dells and just hang out! We will have hot chocolate for the kids and coffee available for the adults, plus snacks as well. Inside enjoy the fire or have some fun putting together one of our large nature floor puzzles. Or maybe take a good book and curl up by the window and keep one eye on the birds at the feeders. We will have the puppets out for play and several nature crafts to idle away the time. Oh yeah … the woods and prairie will be waiting for you to frolic in them. Two days that you can go OFF trail, ski if you wish, or build some snow caves. We bet you can even talk one of the staff to have some snow fun with you. No fee only lots of unstructured fun. Call 1-815-335-2915 for details.
January 2009
A Walk in the Woods
Saturday, January 10, 6:00-7:30 pm
Celebrate Aldo Leopold’s birthday (Jan. 11) with a walk at the Dells. Leopold was a tremendous naturalist/teacher/environmentalist and during the 1930s spent some time here at Severson Dells conducting deer research. We will take a short hike around the hard-surfaced loop, and then enjoy a fireside chat with hot chocolate. Bring a Leopold quote or reading to share by the fire. Free. 1-815-335-2915
More program details to come…
