THE CALENDAR
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Abe’s Corn Maze Oct 16-17, 23-24, 10am-dusk, First four weekends in October walk the ten-acre corn maze, over three miles of twists and turns. Special days such as balloon day, pumpkin day and fireworks on last night. $5-$3. 522-5632. abescornmaze.org. iWorship Center, 3200 Shaler Road.
Germanfest Oct 16, 11am-3pm, Traditional German meal and four hours of polka music. St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St, Lincoln, 217-732-6957.
Old Settlers Day Oct 23, 10am-4pm, Tour the Strawbridge- Shepherd House, talk to restoration specialists, tour native tall-grass prairie, period music, impersonators, demonstrators, craftsmen, exhibits, games and crafts for all ages. Meals and snacks, fall baked goods and produce. Free. 652-7302. Strawbridge Shepherd House,(between entrance to LLCC and UIS south entrance.), University of Illinois at Springfield, 206-6665.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book Signing Oct 23, 11:30am-1:30pm, Local author Cindy Ladage’s new book, Fairy Tales are Fragile, 2009 winner of the Timeless Romance contest by Oak Tree Press. The Sly Fox Bookstore, 123 N. Springfield St (Route 4), Virden, 217-965-3641.
Classics Book Discussion Group Oct 19, 12-1pm, Meets October through May in the Bicentennial Room. Fall of the House of Usher, Masque of the Red Death, and The Pit and Pendulum discussed.753-4900 ext 206. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.
David Sedaris Oct 22, 8pm, NPR Humorist and Bestselling Author, Sedaris has a new book coming out in October 2010, a collection of fables entitled Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary (with illustrations by Ian Falconer). Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.
Doris Kearns Goodwin Book Signing Oct 14, 10am-12pm, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author and Presidential Historian signs books in the Museum Gift Shop. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, na.
Manga Book Club Oct 16, 2:30pm, Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-243-5435.
Poetry Open Mic Oct 20, 6-8pm, Hosted by Springfield Poets and Writers. Robbie’s on the Old State Capitol Plaza. 725-9058.
Quiddity Reading Series Oct 21, 7pm, Poets David Bertaina and Tracy Zeman read, along with exhibited work of Croatian painter Magda Osterhuber. Brinkerhoff Home, Benedictine campus.
Sherlock Holmes Society Oct 18, 9am, Public invited to meeting and discussion of The Adventure of the Red Circle. 546- 8387. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.
THEATER & COMEDY
Comedian Jason Dixon Oct 15-16, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm & 9:30pm Sat, Writer for Rodney Carrington, Dixon opened for Jerry Seinfeld, Drew Carey and Ellen Degeneres. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.
Comedian John Morgan (the Rajin Cajun) Oct 15-16, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, Two shows each night both Friday and Saturday. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391 joke.
