On the cheap: Lake County and the Civil War
Free
Love your Library
The Ela Area Public Library hosts its Love Your Library Celebration. The event features a magician, a juggler and a comedian. The canine character of Martha from the children's book series “Martha Speaks” will be on hand to visit with guests. Frozen custard sundaes will be served while supplies last. 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Free. No registration required. (847) 438-3433 or eapl.org.
‘Little Patch of Heaven'
STARS Family Services hosts the “Little Patch of Heaven Radio Show,” a musical revue featuring an old-time radio theme with a live “broadcast.” 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton. Tickets are free, but required. Guests can also make a contribution to the work of STARS Family Services, which helps adults with intellectual disabilities. For information and tickets, visit starsfamilyservices.org.
School's open!
Tour the inside of an 1872 one-room schoolhouse at the The Pioneer Sholes School's Winter Open House. Junior docents will present a skit focusing on what it was like for children who attended the school in the late 1800s. Other activities include crafts and refreshments. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Pioneer Sholes School, in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, off Dean Street, north of 64, west of Randall Road, St. Charles. Admission is free. (630) 762-9746.
Fine chocolate
The Round Lake Area Public Library hosts a Fine Chocolates program. Guests can sample a variety of chocolates and learn about the differences. The program is designed for adults and mature teens. 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. Free. (847) 546-7060.
Lake County in the Civil War
The Lake Forest Lake Bluff Historical Society and Lake Forest College will sponsor the historical lecture “Lake County in the Civil War: Front Line to Home Front.” Diana Dretske of the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda presents the program. As part of the evening, arriving guests will be serenaded by students from the Music Institute of Chicago performing music from the time of the Civil War. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, in the Lily Reid Holt Memorial Chapel on the Lake Forest College campus, 555 North Sheridan Road, Lake Forest. Doors open at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. (847) 234-5253 or lflbhistory.org and at lf150.com.
$10 and under
‘Old House New House'
Learn about ways to enhance, expand and maintain your home at “The Old House New House Home Show.” Contractors, designers and craftsmen will be on hand to discuss industry trends and home improvement issues. Runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $4-$7. Visit kennedyproductions.com.
Greetings from ...
The Geneva History Center hosts a Taking Postcards Seriously program. Christine Pyle of the Lake County Discovery Museum's Curt Teich Postcard Archives presents a lecture on the postcard business in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Community Room of the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. $5-$7. (630) 232-4951.
Fireside Fun
Learn about the prairie lifestyle while exploring an 1843 homestead at the Durant House Museum's Fireside Fun family event. Visitors of all ages can play popular 19th century games including checkers, skittles and Nine Man Morris. Guests can warm themselves by the hearth as authentically costumed docents offer guided tours. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. Admission is $1-$2. For information, call (630) 377-6424 or e-mail duranthouse1843@yahoo.com.
Like father, like son
Father-and-son musicians Jim and Alex Strobel will perform classical, Christian, contemporary and light jazz tunes on guitar and keyboard. 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Donations accepted. (847) 253-4839 or fatherandsonperformances.com.
Stepping out
The public is invited to take part in an evening of American contra (traditional New England dances in opposing lines) dancing and square dancing with live music at the Kuhn Village Barn's Barn Dance. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Kuhn Village Barn at Fermilab, Kirk Road and Pine Street, Batavia. $6 adults; $3 seniors and teens. (630) 840-2061 or fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub.