DuPage Forest Preserves name photo contest winners
A photo contest run by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County to get area residents 18 and older to reconnect with nature and step away from screens led to some stunning entries, and the winners have been named.
A panel of district employees chose Mitchell Lebovic for the Landscapes & Places category for a photo of a sunset happening at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Lombard, and Tim Hiltgren in Wildlife & Plants for his photo of a mallard duck at Lincoln Marsh Forest Preserve in Wheaton. The People & Recreation category was won by Jacqueline Mondragon for a photo of a young child exploring a rocky creek bed in East Branch Riverway in Glen Ellyn.
Winners could choose a prize worth about $150 featuring camera equipment, technology or a framed print.
The Voters’ Choice winner, chosen by people voting online, was Mike Nielsen’s photo of a doe and her fawn at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook. He won a Kodak Printomatic camera, carrying case and 20-pack of paper.
All photos had to be taken in a DuPage County forest preserve, and there was no limit on the number of photos someone could submit. The winning photos and others are posted at woobox.com/7jk5kj.
Community musical planned in Western Springs
Big Sky Ensemble performs from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4370 Woodland Ave. in Western Springs.
Doors open at 1:30, and light refreshments will be available. A freewill collection of cash will be given to the Westchester Food Pantry, which is open all year for those with food insecurity.
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The band, featuring dobro, guitar and mandolin, combines American roots music with bluegrass. Details are at allsaintsws.org/event or 708-246-0030.
Folktober Fest features music of John Prine, The Weavers
Folktober Fest presented by Music & Potlucks celebrates its 10th anniversary this year by celebrating the music of The Weavers and John Prine Oct. 22-24 at the Friendly Community, 6733 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn.
At 7 p.m. Oct. 22, folk singer-songwriter Mark Dvorak hosts Acoustic Neighbors Folk Jam. Acoustic instrument players and singers are invited to join, although beginners and listeners also are welcome. Admission is free.
A screening of Jim Brown’s award-winning 1982 documentary “Wasn’t That a Time” will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 23, followed by a workshop and discussion about The Weavers’ harmonizing. Pizza will be served at 6:30 p.m. Fees apply. RSVP at musicandpotlucks.org.
A concert celebrating Prine’s songs at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 rounds out the event. It will feature local folk ensemble Cooler by the Lake, singer Marianne Mohrhusen, song collector Joseph Kostal, Dvorak, who is Music & Potlucks resident artist, and others. A fee applies. Register at musicandpotlucks.org.
Trick-or-treat in park in Franklin Park
Area residents are invited to join Trick-or-Treat at the Park from 10 a,.m. to noon Oct. 24 along the walking path at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave. in Franklin Park.
Organizations or families should register their table and decorate it. Candy given out must be in a sealed bag. The event is offered by the Park District of Franklin Park. Information is at 847-928-8478.
MLB announcer leads lecture at Elmhurst U.
Major League Baseball announcer Jason Benetti will have a conversation with Chicago Sports Network anchor and reporter Chuck Garfien for the Roland Quest Lecture “Swinging for the Fences: An Evening With Jason Benetti” at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel at Elmhurst University, 190 Prospect Ave.
Benetti, the TV voice of the Chicago White Sox for eight years, is the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC’s “Sunday Night Baseball” and the TV voice for the Detroit Tigers. He also is the only major network play-by-play announcer who has cerebral palsy, per a news release.
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation ambassador joined NBC Sports full time in March. He also announced football, baseball and basketball at ESPN and has worked at Fox Sports.
Garfien has won six Chicago/Midwest Emmy awards for feature stories on Chicago sports, as well as hosting pre-game and post-game White Sox shows.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free for Elmhurst University students, staff, alumni and faculty but $15 for all others. To reserve tickets, visit elmhurst.edu/Cultural.
Bank swallows on display at Cernan Center
A new program on birds has premiered at the Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave. in River Grove.
“Beyond Our Senses: Bank Swallows” features a colony of birds who burrow into the bluffs of Lake Michigan after returning from South America. Filmmaker David Andrew Busse aims to capture their extraordinary senses, from perceiving ultraviolet light to the Earth’s magnetic field and nearly 360-degree vision. The planetarium’s dome offers a setting to see the world through their eyes.
The program is available at 7 p.m. Saturdays in October (except Oct. 24) and at 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays in November. Tickets vary depending on the program from $8 to $10 for adults and $4 or $5 for those 55 and older and children 2 to 17 years old. Buy tickets at the center’s Star Store on the day of the show starting 30 minutes before the first show of the day. None are sold in advance or online. Schedule is at www.triton.edu/campus/cernan-center.
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