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Health & Fitness

EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: FEB. 18 – 24

DuPage Forest Preserves Calendar of Events

Monday, Feb. 18
Tapping Into Fun — Learn the history of maple sap collection, and hike to the sugarbush to tap a sugar maple tree. Sessions take place 10 – 11:30 a.m. and 1 – 2:30 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. Ages 6 and up; under 14 with an adult. $5 per person. To register, call 630-850-8110.


Wednesday, Feb. 20
Restoration-in-Progress Tours — Take a docent-guided tour through Mayslake Peabody Estate to learn about the past — and future — of this historic 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion. Tours begin at
11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. All ages. $5 per person. Registration required for group tours. Call 630-206-9566.


Saturday, Feb. 23
Blacksmithing Demonstrations — Stop by the wagon shed to see the blacksmith repair equipment and demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

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Ice Fishing for Beginners — Learn the basics of ice fishing, including safety, equipment, techniques and tips for forest preserve lakes. Fishing will follow if conditions permit. Equipment and bait provided.
1 – 3 p.m. at Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne on Stearns Road one-half mile west of Munger Road. Ages 6 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Registration begins Feb. 11. Call
630-933-7248.

Restoration-in-Progress Tours — Take a docent-guided tour through Mayslake Peabody Estate to learn about the past — and future — of this historic 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion. Tours begin at
9:30, 10, 11 and 11:30 a.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. All ages.
$5 per person. Registration required for group tours. Call 630-206-9566.

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Taffy-Pulling Party — Tour an 1890s farmhouse, and learn how kids lived more than a century ago. Then, make taffy from molasses to take home during this one-hour program. Sessions at 9:30 and
10:45 a.m. and 1:15 and 2:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. Ages 6 and up; under 18 with an adult. $6 per person. To register, call 630-876-5900.


Sunday, Feb. 24
Cast-Iron Cooking — Help prepare a hearty meal over an open campfire, and learn tips for cooking with cast iron. 1 – 3:30 p.m. at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton on Butterfield Road two miles west of Naperville Road. Ages 5 and up; under 18 with an adult. $10 per person ages 13 and up; $5 ages
5 – 12. Registration begins Feb. 11. Call 630-933-7248.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides — Enjoy a 15-minute ride through the prairies and woodlands of Danada Forest Preserve as you learn about its history. Wagons are used if there is less than 4 inches of packed snow on the trail. Noon – 3 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton.
$5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private rides. Call 630-668-6012.

Meet the Beekeepers — Learn about beekeeping equipment and the important role that bees play in our food supply. Then, ask the beekeepers your questions about honey and bees. Demonstrations ongoing. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Scouts, Get Sticky! — Scouts, fulfill badge requirements while learning about the importance of trees and how to make maple syrup from beginning to end. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. Ages 5 – 17. $10 per Scout. Prepayment required. To register, call 630-850-8112.

Volunteer Restoration Workday — Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or planting seed. 9 a.m. – noon at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville on Plainfield-Naperville Road one-half mile south of 75th Street. All ages; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7681 at least five business days in advance. Groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

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