2023 - 2024 Program Information
All Programs to be held at Ela Public Library unless otherwise noted

August 1st - Alyse Cohen Burman - Topic: "Soaring with the Birds"
Alyse will introduce you to the birds that you will see in your backyard all year round, plus some that stop at your feeder during migration. We will talk about why birds are so important to our environment, their behaviors, and why taking care of our bird population is so important.
August 1st - Alyse Cohen Burman - Topic: "Soaring with the Birds"
Alyse will introduce you to the birds that you will see in your backyard all year round, plus some that stop at your feeder during migration. We will talk about why birds are so important to our environment, their behaviors, and why taking care of our bird population is so important.

September 5th - Harvest Dinner Potluck – Members Only!
No program this month.
September 5th - Harvest Dinner Potluck – Members Only!
No program this month.

October 3rd - Patricia Armstrong - Topic: “The What and Wherefore of Fall Color"
This lecture will focus on what causes fall color and which trees, shrubs and wildflowers have the best fall color. Pat has a master’s degree in botany-ecology from the University of Chicago and has been a teacher at the College of DuPage and the Morton Arboretum’s education and prairie programs.

November 7th - David Brooks - Topic: "Backyard Birds and Bird Feeding"
Learn the “how to” of attracting a variety of birds to your yard with feeding stations and food plantings. The program will include a who’s who of common local birds and some of the migrants to be observed in spring and fall. David Brooks is a professional naturalist who has given presentations on Illinois natural history and green landscaping throughout the Chicago area.
The public is invited to attend this free event - registration is required through ELA Library website.
November 7th - David Brooks - Topic: "Backyard Birds and Bird Feeding"
Learn the “how to” of attracting a variety of birds to your yard with feeding stations and food plantings. The program will include a who’s who of common local birds and some of the migrants to be observed in spring and fall. David Brooks is a professional naturalist who has given presentations on Illinois natural history and green landscaping throughout the Chicago area.
The public is invited to attend this free event - registration is required through ELA Library website.

December 5th - Anissa Zjadhry – Topic: “Coyotes and Other Canines"
Learn about the special adaptations of coyotes and other canines in Lake County through experiences with natural artifacts. The Lake County Forest Preserve District also presents guided walks to listen for the noises of native coyotes.
December 5th - Anissa Zjadhry – Topic: “Coyotes and Other Canines"
Learn about the special adaptations of coyotes and other canines in Lake County through experiences with natural artifacts. The Lake County Forest Preserve District also presents guided walks to listen for the noises of native coyotes.

January 2nd - No Speaker – Topic: “Surprise in a Bag - Floral Design"
The Lake Zurich Garden Club members will be divided into groups to make floral pieces as gifts to an assisted living community. Floral designer and Flower Show judge member will lead the membership in the creation of floral designs.
January 2nd - No Speaker – Topic: “Surprise in a Bag - Floral Design"
The Lake Zurich Garden Club members will be divided into groups to make floral pieces as gifts to an assisted living community. Floral designer and Flower Show judge member will lead the membership in the creation of floral designs.

February 6th - Leslie Goddard – Topic: "Rachel Carson - Silent Spring - Living History"
Set in 1963, this living-history program comes to life as our actress and historian Leslie Goddard portrays Rachel Carson, a biologist and author famous for warning the world of the potentially dire environmental impact of chemical pesticides in her best-selling 1962 book Silent Spring. Leslie Goddard has a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and has been portraying famous women in history for more than 10 years.
February 6th - Leslie Goddard – Topic: "Rachel Carson - Silent Spring - Living History"
Set in 1963, this living-history program comes to life as our actress and historian Leslie Goddard portrays Rachel Carson, a biologist and author famous for warning the world of the potentially dire environmental impact of chemical pesticides in her best-selling 1962 book Silent Spring. Leslie Goddard has a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and has been portraying famous women in history for more than 10 years.

March 5th - Krina Koenen – Topic: “Floral Design Demonstration”
Krina Koenen will provide a floral design program showcasing her artistic experience and the ease of creating floral arrangements. She has participated in numerous presentations and has won the Award of Design Excellence for multiple arrangements. Designs will be raffled off to Club members.
The public is invited to attend this free event - registration is required through ELA Library website.
March 5th - Krina Koenen – Topic: “Floral Design Demonstration”
Krina Koenen will provide a floral design program showcasing her artistic experience and the ease of creating floral arrangements. She has participated in numerous presentations and has won the Award of Design Excellence for multiple arrangements. Designs will be raffled off to Club members.
The public is invited to attend this free event - registration is required through ELA Library website.

April 2nd Stacy Iwanicki - Topic: "Volo Bog: One of Illinois' Most Unique Wetlands"
This presentation will cover the unique aspects of the Volo Bog - the only quaking bog in
Illinois and significant in that it exhibits all stages of bog succession. The Bog is a floating
mat of sphagnum moss, cattails and sedges surrounding an open pool of water in the center. Stacy Iwanicki is the Natural Resources Coordinator with IDNR at Volo Bog State Natural Area, Moraine Hills State Park and McHenry Dam.
April 2nd Stacy Iwanicki - Topic: "Volo Bog: One of Illinois' Most Unique Wetlands"
This presentation will cover the unique aspects of the Volo Bog - the only quaking bog in
Illinois and significant in that it exhibits all stages of bog succession. The Bog is a floating
mat of sphagnum moss, cattails and sedges surrounding an open pool of water in the center. Stacy Iwanicki is the Natural Resources Coordinator with IDNR at Volo Bog State Natural Area, Moraine Hills State Park and McHenry Dam.

May 7th - Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh - Topic: "Be an Herbal Gourmet"
Learn how to create herb mixtures to replace salt in food, techniques for infusing vinegar, sugar, compound butter and herb paste. Adding even the most basic herbs to your culinary palette can make your cooking more interesting, delicious and enjoyable. Techniques will be demonstrated, herbs will be discussed, and samples included. Marcy is the creator and owner of Backyards Patch Herbs.

May 18th - Plant Sale - Ela Area Public Library - Lake Zurich - 8:30 - Noon
The Club will offer hundreds of member- grown perennials and annuals, woodland plants, saplings, vegetable seedlings, natives, groundcovers, houseplants, herbs, and garden decor. Plant sale is Saturday, May 18th, 8:30 am - noon at the Ela Area Public Library (275 Mohawk Trail (Corner of Rt. 22 and Old Rand Rd)) in Lake Zurich. Come early as plants go quickly. Get expert advise from our master gardeners and other members of the Garden Club. RAIN OR SHINE! Cash/check/credit card.
May 18th - Plant Sale - Ela Area Public Library - Lake Zurich - 8:30 - Noon
The Club will offer hundreds of member- grown perennials and annuals, woodland plants, saplings, vegetable seedlings, natives, groundcovers, houseplants, herbs, and garden decor. Plant sale is Saturday, May 18th, 8:30 am - noon at the Ela Area Public Library (275 Mohawk Trail (Corner of Rt. 22 and Old Rand Rd)) in Lake Zurich. Come early as plants go quickly. Get expert advise from our master gardeners and other members of the Garden Club. RAIN OR SHINE! Cash/check/credit card.

June 4th - Andy Plasz - Topic: “Rose Garden"
Andy will be talking about the Lynn Arthur Public Rose Garden in Libertyville’s Cook Park, where approximately 700 plants of nearly 60 varieties are bursting with bold and subtle hues. The Gardeners Club of Central Lake County spends 500 hours a year tending “the only garden like it in Lake County.”
The public is invited to attend this free event - registration is required through ELA Library website.