Sarah’s Inn cleaning supply donation drive
Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., is hosting a cleaning supply donation drive in support Sarah’s Inn, a Forest Park agency providing services and support for victims of domestic violence and their families.
Through Oct. 17, the following unopened cleaning products can be delivered to the main level of the library in the Commons: all-purpose cleaning spray, toilet bowl cleaner, dishwashing liquid soap, Clorox liquid bleach, tall kitchen drawstring garbage bags, Febreze Air heavy-duty crisp clean scent air freshener.
Email Alicia at ahammond@fppl.org with any questions.
Oaktoberfest afternoons at Trailside
Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest, will host an Oaktoberfest afternoon on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. with an Illinois Extension master naturalist leading simple outdoor fun, including kids’ make-and-take crafts and games while dispensing fall gardening guidance and free native
plant seeds.
For adults and families, no registration required. All visitors over 2 years of age must wear a mask indoors at all times. Unvaccinated visitors should also wear a mask outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. For more information, contact the Trailside Museum at 708-366-6530 or visit trailside.museum@cookcountyil.gov.
Young Writers NaNoWriMo workshop
Young writers are encouraged to join the Youth Services Desk Assistant (and debut novelist) Mia Manansala at Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., on Oct. 15 from 3:30 to 4 p.m for a NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) workshop.
NaNoWriMo provides tools, structure, community and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds — on and off the page. This youth program will guide participants through the process of writing your own novel.
Participants will receive workbooks and guided instruction on the ins and outs of creative writing. If your book is finished by Nov. 30, Forest Park Public Library will print a physical copy for you. Masks are required for in-person participants and a recording of the event will be available for those who prefer remote option.
Visit fppl.org for more info.
Halloween house decorating contest
The Park District of Forest Park invites families to get into the “spirit” of the season by entering their 2021 Halloween House Decorating Contest.
Two photos will be taken of your house, one during the day and one at night to see the full Halloween effects. Judging will run from Oct. 26 through Oct. 29 with the winner announced at 5 p.m. on Oct. 29.
To register visit bit.ly/HalloweenDecor2021
Fall fun for seniors in Wisconsin
The Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd. in Forest Park, invites local senior citizens to travel to Apple Holler orchard in Wisconsin and soak in the beautiful colors and sights of fall.
Tickets include a homemade picnic-style lunch, a tractor tour of the orchards and visits to Mars Cheese Castle and Glunz Winery, where you can taste five wines and stop at the onsite chocolate shop, Uniquely Sweets.
The trip is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 27. Bus departs the community center at 8:45 a.m. and returns approximately 4:30 p.m. Cost is $90 for residents ($93 non-residents).
Pumpkin-Palooza Returns on Saturday, Oct. 16
A pumpkin patch, hayrides, ghost stories, sweet treats and pumpkin painting – it’s all back in the form of Pumpkin-Palooza at McAdam Nursery & Garden Center Saturday, October 16.
In the same family friendly fall-time tradition that has marked prior festivities this time of year, Pumpkin-Palooza is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the garden center at 2001 Des Plaines Ave. in Forest Park.
Every child who comes will receive a free pumpkin, and everyone – kids and adults alike – are encouraged to come wearing their costumes. As have done since the onset of COVID-19, McAdam is adhering to public safety standards.
During the event, they will also offer huge fall discounts on all trees, shrubs and perennials that are in stock.
For those looking to know what they can still plant, professionals will be on hand to give tips on how to winterize your garden. Particularly with plants that have been growing in the same containers all year long, this is a good time of year to landscape.
This is the point when they have gotten full-sized and are ready to plant. It’s very beneficial, before next summer’s heat comes around, to give new plantings as many as six to eight months to get established.
