Holiday Happenings

A-Maze-Ing Corn Maze Sep 26-27, Oct 3-4, 11am-6pm Sat, 12-6pm Sun. Open weekends Sep. 5 through Oct 11. $5. auburn-umc. org. Auburn United Methodist Church, 14100 State Route 4, Auburn, 438- 3126. Fairs & Festivals

14th Annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival Sep 25-27, 6-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat, 11am-2pm Sun. More than 1,000 cool cars, live music and entertainment, performance marketplace, family fun area, food, more. Free admission. Register in advance for $40, or on-site beginning Sep 24 for $55. route66fest. com. 866-783-6645. Downtown Springfi eld.

47th Annual Apple ‘n Pork Festival Sep 26-27, 9am-5pm Sat-Sun. Harvest festival features 25+ food stands, 19th century craft demos/ vendors, antique tractor show, live musical entertainment, tomahawk throwing, pony rides, children’s train rides, fl ea market, more. Free. chmoorehomestead.org. C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum, 219 E. Woodlawn St., Clinton, 935- 6066.

Faith Fest Sep 27, 11am-3pm Sun. 22nd anniversary celebration with food, fun, games. Free. abundantfaith.org. Abundant Faith Christian Center, 2525 Taylor Ave., 585-4000.

Fall Festival & Quilt Raffle Sep 26, 9am-2pm Sat. Annual fall festival and Amish-made quilt raffl e. Crafts, holiday items, bake sale, lunch 11am-1pm, more. Free. 217-414-6629. Chatham Community Center, 109 W. Mulberry St., Chatham, 483-2488.

Illinois Trappers Association Annual Convention Oct 2-3, 8am-6pm Fri-Sat. Trapping and non-trapping related vendors, fi rst annual Rendezvous, annual meeting, trapping and fur-handling demos, Mari- Mann herb garden tour, kids’ activities, more. Free. illinoistrappersassociation. com. 217-522-2338. Macon County Fairgrounds, 3700 N. Westlawn Ave., Decatur, 875-0135.

Middletown Firemen’s Fall Festival Sep 25-26, 4pm Fri, 7am Sat. 60th anniversary celebration for MFPD. Car show, food and craft vendors, carnival, dinner, 5K glow run, DJ’s, bingo, raffl es, parade Saturday at 10am, Firemen’s Water Fights, bags tournament, live entertainment and more. Middletown Park, Middletown.

Old Capitol Blues and BBQ Festival Oct 2-3, 5pm-12am Fri, 12pm-12am Sat. BBQ competitors and vendors, local and national blues talent and children’s activities. Fifth and Washington. $5 adults, kids 12 and under free. downtownspringfi eld.org. 217-544-1723. Downtown Springfield.

Prairie Land Heritage Museum Steam Show Sep 25-27, 8am-5pm Fri-Sun. See horse powered equipment, antique tractors, steam and gas engines, bailing and blacksmithing demonstrations and much more. Train rides, fl ea market, food. $5 admission covers all three days. prairielandheritage.com. 217-243-5678. Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 West Michigan, South Jacksonville.

Books & Authors Book Signing with Author McGrew Sep 26, 12-2pm Sat. Food, drinks and books available, including Mcgrew’s latest, not yet in bookstores. Free. George Ranks, 1800 S. Sixth St, 670- 1507.

Poets in the Parlor: Kathleen Rooney Sep 27, 2-3pm Sun. Chicago poet and founding editor of Rose Metal Press. Author of 6 books of poetry and nonfi ction. Winner of 2007 Gatewood Prize. Free. vachellindsay.org. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 524-0901.

The Patenting of Life, Limiting Liberty and the Corporate Pursuit of Seeds Sep 28, 7am Mon. 217-206- 8507. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073. Spoken Word

Old Fashioned Tea Sep 26, 2-5pm Sat. Celebration of the churches and history. Entertainment by reenactors, poets, musicians, singalongs, food. Free. 217-801-7549. Strawbridge Shepherd House, 5251 Shepherd Road, 525- 2781.

Theater & Comedy

Edwards Place Murder Mystery Dinner Oct 2, 6-8pm Fri. The year is 1864. Benjamin and Helen Edwards are throwing an engagement party for their daughter Alice but murder is in the air. $40 per person includes dinner, mystery, table wine. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631. Music: General Events

Capital City Mens Chorus Sep 27, Oct 4, 5:30-7pm Sun. Open to any male with a musical interest that is 18 years of age or older. tccmc. org. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand Ave. W., 525-1866.

Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues with Blues Legend Sam Lay Sep 26, 8pm Sat. Dynamic show combines classical and blues music. $30+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Godsmack with Sevendust Sep 27, 7:30pm Sun. $40. springfi eldpc3.com. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Joe Arview Sep 26, 6-8pm Sat. Dinner at 5pm, followed by concert. Love offering. Clementine Memorial Church, 2075 N. 11th St., 638- 1648.

Linda McRae Sep 27, 4-6:30pm Sun. 217-741-8411. Kari Bedford Photography, 314 E. Monroe St., 836-5623.

MDSO Opening Night Concert Sep 26, 7:30pm Sat. Featuring mezzo-soprano Andrea Frakes Pope. Performances of Janek’s “On an Overgrown Path”, Bloch’s “Concerto Grosso” and more. $13-16.50. kirklandfi nearts.com. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

Venice Sep 25, 8pm Fri. California band mixes “the rock of 70’s Aerosmith with the storytelling of James Taylor and harmonies reminiscent of the Eagles.” $40. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.

Yesterday: A Tribute to the Beatles Sep 24, 7:30pm Thu. YESTERDAY the Beatles Tribute Show Band. A note-for-note reenactment of the music of the Fab Four, featuring costume changes and vintage video. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Art & Architecture

Opening Reception: Small World Near to Far Sep 25, 5-7pm Fri. Exhibit features nearly 70 items with 43 small pieces from the Trutter world heritage collection. Also features art from current LLCC faculty and professional artists Michelle Coakes, Al Shull, Leslie Stalter, Thom Whalen, more. Free. 217-786-2217. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Spectrum Exhibition Sep 24-25, 8:30am-5pm Thu- Fri. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Tranquil + Vibrant Sep 24-26, 29, Oct 1-3, 6, 12- 7pm Tue-Sat. Exhibit features artwork by Sheri Ramsey (pastel), Debra Nickelson-Smith (ceramic sculpture and jewelry) and Priscilla M. Kluge (watercolor). Free. prairieart.org. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

Film & Television

Sam Lay in Bluesland Sep 25, 7pm Fri. Never-beforeseen 8mm footage from Sam Lay’s personal 1960s blues archive plus performances and appearances by other musicians. Post-show talk with Sam Lay and John Anderson. Free, tickets at sangamonauditorium.org. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Children’s Corner

Macaroni Soup with Miss Carole and Clarence Sep 30, 6:30pm Wed. Familyoriented concert gets children singing and dancing along with a variety of music. Free. A. Lincoln Commons, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250

Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Science

Friday Night Star Parties Sep 25, 27, Oct 2, 8-10pm Fri, 7-10pm Sun. Enter observatory from southeast corner, Brookens Library. Free. Weather questions, 206-8342 at 7pm or UIS Observatory on Twitter. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206-6073.

Nature

2015 Fall Gathering and 118th Annual Members Meeting Sep 26, 12am-11:59pm Sat. Talk by Jeff Walk, Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, Bison at Nachusa. Optional Field Trips to: Lincoln Memorial Garden, Adams Wildlife Sanctuary. Trutter Center, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Fall Bird Hikes Sep 26, Oct 3, 8am Sat. Spot migrating birds during hike led by Kevin Veara. Free to birders of all skill level. lincolnmemorialgarden.org Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Lectures & Meetings Camera Club Oct 1, 7pm Thu. First and third Thursday of the month. Visitors always welcome. More info, 546- 5021 or [email protected]. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

Capital City Toastmasters Sep 30, Oct 7, 12-1pm Wed. Weekly meeting. Develop communication and leadership skills to foster greater selfconfi dence and personal growth.

Visitors welcome. 131-3356. toastmastersclubs.org. Illinois Department of Transportation, 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway.

Chatham Jaycees Meeting Oct 1, 8-9pm Thu. 217-414- 9637. VFW Post #4763, 501 W. Mulberry, Chatham, 483-4613.

Citizens Club Policy Breakfast Sep 25, 7:30am Fri. Topic: Tourism. Speakers Cory Jobe, Director, Illinois Offi ce of Tourism and Gina Gemberling, Director, Springfi eld Convention & Visitors Bureau. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

GriefShare Grief Recovery Program Sep 30, Oct 7, 6:30pm Wed. 13-week program utilizes video seminars, a support group and a workbook. Register, 414-0126 or griefshare.org. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

LGBT yOUTh Group Sep 25, Oct 2, 6-10pm Fri. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave., 528-5253.

Personal Assistant Employers Group Sep 29, 3-4:30pm Tue. Support group for those with a disability that hire personal assistants. Free. scil.org. 217-523- 2587. Springfi eld Center for Independent Living, 330 S. Grand Ave. West, 523-0427.

Post Polio Group Sep 26, 12-2pm Sat. Support group for those who have had polio. Annual potluck, please bring side dish to share. Free. Reserve your seat by calling 546- 0507. scil.org. 217-523-2587. Residence of Carol Aufmuth, 2323 Lynnhaven Road.

Springfield Breakfast Optimist Club Sep 25, Oct 2, 7am Fri. Every Friday. Visitors always welcome. [email protected]. 217- 546-5021. Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

Springfield ICON Monthly Meeting Sep 28, 6:30-8:30pm Mon. Kevin Seals from Hanson Services dicusses rail relocation and the Springfi eld Rail Improvements Project. Springfi eldICON.org. 217- 528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 523-5212.

Springfield Social Club Sep 30, 5:30-8:30pm Wed. Requested donations: toothbrushes, toothpaste, fl oss, infant size diapers for Central Counties Health Centers. Bugatti’s Bar & Grill, 3151 Horizon Dr., 679-1303.

Victim/Survivor Support Group Sep 24, 6-7pm Thu. Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD Illinois, 2070 W. Monroe St. #B, 523-6233.

Bulletin Board

2015 Cruise Night and Car Show Sep 26, 9am-10pm Sat. Car show followed by cruise 5-9pm. jacksonvilleil.org. 217-243-5678. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.

AAUW Used Book Sale Sep 25-26, 3-6pm Fri, 8:30am- 1pm Sat. Hosted by American Association of University Women. $5 admission Friday. Free admission Saturday. 217-546-5840. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 522- 4415.

Grief Support Group, Healing Grief, Finding Peace Sep 25, Oct 2, 10-12am Fri. 217-483-1224. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 522-4415.

Loss, Trauma and Resilience: The Myth of Closure with Ambiguous Loss Oct 2, 8:30am-4pm Fri. Workshop led by Pauline Boss, Ph.D., the principal theorist in ambiguous loss. Learn about two types of ambiguous loss and share six therapeutic guidelines for treatment. Preregistration, $125. uis.edu/humanservices. 217-206-7577. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Marine Bank Shredding Day Sep 26, 9am-12pm Sat. Secure, confi dential on-site shredding at no charge. Bring up to 5 boxes/ bags of paper. 217-726-0600. Marine Bank, West Branch, 3050 W. Wabash, 726-0267.

Police K-9 Public Demonstration Sep 24, 7-8:30pm Thu. Public demonstration of the nation’s most elite police dogs. Free. 217-528-3314. Robin Roberts Stadium, 1415 N. Grand Ave. E., 753-0700.

Remember Me Thursday Candlelit Pet Walk Sep 24, 5:30-7:30pm Thu. Light candles and walk to honor the millions of pets who lost their lives without the benefi t of a loving home and those pets still awaiting adoption. Pizza, pet activities, more. Leashed pets welcome. $10 for walk; $5 for extra candles. apl-shelter.org. 217-544-7387. Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753-0702.

Sangamon Valley Iris Society Meeting Sep 25, 7-9pm Fri. Free to public. 217-556-7415. Rochester Community Room, 1 Community Dr., Rochester.

SCHEELS Kids Klub - Paintball Mania Sep 28, 6-7pm Mon. Learn about paintball safety, how to shoot a marker and play a paintballthemed game. Free. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

The Art of Marriage Sep 25-26, 7-9:30pm Fri, 8am- 3pm Sat. Six-event video series features experts teaching about marriage, humorous vignettes, real-life stories to help couples. Videos interspersed with projects for couples. $40, includes all meals and two art of marriage workbooks. Childcare available. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

Food 2nd Annual Hog Roast & Duck Derby Sep 26, 1-8pm Sat. Duck race at 5pm, food, live music, more. Free admission, food for purchase. 217-529-9725. DAV Club, 25 Club Area.

LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning Chilli Supper Sep 27, 11:30am-5:30pm Sun. $7 per person, ages 8 and under free. Tickets, 786-2432. Temple B’rith Sholom, 1004 S. Fourth St., 525-1360.

Local Flavors Dinner at Maldaner’s Oct 1, 5-9pm Thu. Maldaner’s, 222 S. Sixth St., 522-4313.

Old Capitol Farmers Market Sep 26, 30, Oct 3, 7, 8am- 12:30pm Wed and Sat. Cheese, produce, meats, art and more. Third Saturdays feature entertainment, cooking demos and more. Adams between Fifth and Second. Downtown Springfi eld, Inc., 3 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-1723.

History

17th Annual Conference on Illinois History Sep 24-25, 8am-5pm Thu, 8:30am-5pm Fri. Sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. $110 for two days or $60 for a single day. Special luncheons, $30 a piece. View a detailed schedule, reserve your spot at http://bit. ly/2015HistoryConference. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Candlelight Tour Oct 2-4, 7-9pm Fri-Sun. See Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site at night. Staff and volunteers in period clothing discuss life in 19th century Illinois. lincolnsnewsalem.com. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 632-4000.

Light Up The Cemetery 2015 Sep 26, 5-9pm Sat. Skits covering the time period of 1850 to 1960, cemetery walk, weiner roast to follow. Free, donations accepted. wimmerfriends. com. 217-502-2154. Wimmer Cemetery, Dixon and Dickey-John Roads, Auburn.

Health Depression/Bipolar Disorder Support Group Sep 29, Oct 6, 6:30-8pm Tue. Support for those affected by a mood disorder, including friends and family. Free. 217-761-4710. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

FREE HIV Testing Sep 24-25, 28, Oct 1-2, 5-7, 12-3pm Mon-Fri. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave., 528-5253.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Sep 24, Oct 1, 6:30pm Thu. 12-step support program for emotional, mental health issues, coping or addictions. Thursdays. 816-1083. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand Ave. W., 525-1866.

HIV/AIDS: Get the Basics Sep 26, 1-3pm Sat. Panel from the IL Dept of Health Minority Services, free testing. Sponsored by Springfi eld NAACP. 217-572-6004. Zion Baptist Church, 1601 E. Laurel St., 528- 6113.

Sports & Fitness 17th Annual Capital City Challenge Oct 3, 8am-4:30pm Sat. PDGAsanctioned disc golf tournament.

All skill levels welcome. 18 holes at Douglas park in morning; 18 holes at Lincoln park in afternoon. Preregister pdga.com. $15-35, varies by division, plus $10 fee for non-PDGA members. 217- 972-7166. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd.

5K Run / Walk for Danielle Loftus Sep 27, 12-2:30pm Sun. 5k run/ walk, food, drink. $30 adults, $20 ages 4-17, free ages 3 and under. prayfordanielle.com. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

Full Moon Trail Run/Ride Sep 27, 7:15-8pm Sun. 2.7-mile night trail run and/ or 3.9mile night trail bike ride. Bring light source, running shoes, bike. Donations accepted. GetMeRegistered.com/ LMAFullMoonTrailRun. 217-341- 1785. Lewis Memorial Acres, 399 S. Koke Mill Road.

More events, more details in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com.

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