Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—October 1, 2014. Mark your calendar for the Thorn Creek Garlic Fest, Saturday, October 4 from noon to 3 p.m. at Thorn Creek Nature Center for an afternoon of family fun celebrating organically grown garlic with recipes, cooking, crafts, hikes, planting & growing demonstrations, garlic refreshments, music and garlic galore. Doors will open at noon, no early birds please.
Allow the many fragrances and tastes of a wide variety of garlic to fill up your senses as you explore the organic garlic grown on Thorn Creek’s historic farm, delicious baked goods and wonderful treats with garlic baked right into them.
The Garlic Market Place will feature over 25 different varieties of garlic for sale to eat now through winter or to plant in October.
Garlic and organic gardening books, garlic roasters and keepers will also be available for purchase. On hand in the market place will be Garlic Gurus to answer all your garlic questions especially tips on planting garlic this October.
Mama’s Magic Manure, compost from animal waste, produced on local Poopy-Doo Farm will be on sale. Proprietor Emily Theil will share information on composting- the basis of all organic gardening.
Back by popular demand are cooking demonstrations with our chef Tim Chappell a two time winner of the Kankakee amateur chef contest. Sample items such as roasted garlic, pear chutney, garlic soup and much more and let your taste buds be the judge. Demonstrations will occur throughout the day.
An original graphite drawing by artist Marikay Peter Whitlock titled “Prairie Chapel” is available for a donation of $75 or more to the Friends of Thorn Creek Woods. All proceeds will benefit the preserve, which was the inspiration for the drawing.
Bake sale will feature many items with garlic – garlic chocolate chip cookies and the like- plus water, coffee & tea. Visitors can create a garlic braid to take home and learn how to clean garlic.
Peruse the handmade soaps, healing salves, bath salts and more of The Herb Basket with Maureen Chappell. Also for sale will be Thorn Creek T-shirts with an original garlic scape design and walking sticks. Purchase raffle tickets and take your chances on winning a specialty basket or item.
A great family afternoon adventure, Garlic Fest is for all ages. Parking is located across the street and admission is $5 per car or $1 per bike with $5 maximum bike charge per family. For more information, please call Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest, IL at 708-747-6320 or email [email protected].
Wednesday Morning Walkers can enjoy the early autumn delights on these leisurely (or brisk – take your choice) trail walks. The group walks on Wednesdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Trails can be wet or muddy, so please wear sturdy shoes. Age 13 through adult are invited. Registration is required two days before your first walk.
Thorn Creek’s Junior Ecologists Club offering monthly fun-filled nature activities for young people age 9 to 12 has its next meeting Saturday, October 18 from noon to 3 p.m. They will explore the woods, track seasonal changes and discover woodland plants and animals.
Young people should be prepared to get a muddy, wear boots and long pants, and bring a water bottle and insect repellent. Junior Ecologists Club is a free program and registration is required two days before the program.
Come walk the boundary between the natural and magical night time worlds of Thorn Creek Woods at the Magical Moon Night Hike, Friday, October 10 from 7:30-9 p.m. The music and magic of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts will help you use your senses to unlock the woodland’s magical messages–rustlings, hootings, whispering water, scent of loamy soil and flittering shadows in the forest. Join us for a spell. Participants should be prepared to walk over 1 mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven terrain. Magical Moon Night Hike is free and for those age 16 years and younger.
Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Register early for this program; limited space is available. Registration is required by Wednesday, October 8.
For adults and children over 16 years old, come experience the smells, sounds and sights of the changing season hiking Thorn Creek Woods night time trails on our Autumn Night Hike, Saturday, October 11 from 8 to 10 p.m. the hike is free and registration is required by Thursday, October 9. No flashlights, please.
On Sunday, October 19 come walk the trails of Thorn Creek Woods amidst trees of all types transitioning from their summer green leaves to shades of red, yellow, orange, gold, russet and even purple – the colors of autumn. The Fall Colors Hike at Thorn Creek Woods is from 1 to 3 p.m. and is free for all ages. Discover not only why leaves change colors in the fall, but why different trees turn different colors. Participants should be prepared to walk over 2 miles outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven terrain. Registration is required by Friday, October 17.
Kids of all ages can bone up on their artistic skills and anatomical knowledge at Thorn Creek Nature Center. Join us at Thorn Creek Nature Center Sunday, October 26, for “Skulls and Bones”. There are two session available 1-2 p.m. or 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Internationally-known artist Patricia Moore will guide them in a Halloween art experience using bones as subject and medium. Skulls, antlers, and the macabre remains of the animals of Thorn Creek Woods — deer, raccoons, voles and other wildlife — will be on display for aspiring artists to examine. Participants can draw them in the vibrant colored surrealistic style of Georgia O’Keefe or in the somber tones of an 18th century naturalist. Each participant will leave the session with an artwork suitable for framing or display.
“Skulls and Bones” is open to all ages; children under age 6 should be accompanied by an adult. All art materials will be supplied and refreshments will be served. There is a $5 fee per person per session to participate. Participants must register by Friday, October 24.
For more information or to register for programs, contact Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Rd, Park Forest, 708-747-6320, email [email protected], www.tcwoods.org orstop in the nature center between noon and 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. Three and a half miles of Thorn Creek trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Trail walkers should be aware that our south bridge across Thorn Creek was badly damaged by last year spring storms and was removed. The new north bridge across Thorn Creek is open and all the trails are open. Walkers should plan their hikes to allow for coming back around the trails to cross at the north bridge only. There are signs and maps at the trail head and in the nature center.
Source: www.tcwoods.org
