natural enquirer: july/august 2015

InsideVolunteer News ContentsVolunteer Information .........................................7Volunteer Calendar .......................................... 8-9

Home Aquifers .....................................................2High Chair ............................................................3What’s Happenin’ ............................................. 4-5It’s a Bird! It’s a Bee! No, It’s a Moth? ..............6Spring Valley General Information ...................10

In this issue... We all have treasures that we value highly and seek to preserve and protect. Like beauty, what we treasure can be a very subjective and individual thing. Spring Valley itself is considered a treasure by many area residents. In this issue, we examine a few hidden treasures—things that most people would not immediately think of when asked what they treasure. Water is a common resource here in the Midwest, and few people place a high value on something so abundant and commonplace; although we all know that without water, life could not exist. The extreme drought being experienced in the western states has certainly made water a more highly prized and treasured resource to those residents. An article on home cisterns shows how water has often been treasured and protected throughout much of history. Historical treasures, especially family heirlooms have always been treasured by those who possess such things. Even common household items like highchairs can have value when they are unique and historically significant. Lastly, some of nature’s winged treasures—hummingbird moths, are examined.

Visit www.parkfun.com and take our Spring Valley Program Survey.

Schaumburg Park District

Natural EnquirerNewsle t te r fo r Spr ing Va l l ey Suppor te rs and Vo lun tee rs vo l .6 no .4 • Ju ly -Aug. ‘15

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Home Aquifers by Walter Plinske

It is not a new idea. It is not an uncom-mon insight. In fact the thought process has probably been around ever since people have called a settled place home; be it a cave, a hut, or a house. The “aha” moment usually occurs when water, a normally scarce commodity in many areas where people exist, sud-denly becomes an overabundant bane-ful bounty, a flood. Rainfall or snowmelt is usually the source and may occur in the most arbitrary manner. Be the location the desert southwest, drought prone prairie, or freshwater-poor islands, the question is always the same: How can this abundance be saved? The answer was found thousands of years ago and it pre-dates the concept of large govern-ment sponsored reservoirs. It is the idea of building an artificial water holding body, a “home aquifer”, now referred to as a cistern.A natural aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, such as sandstone, or unconsolidated material, such as gravel or sand, from which groundwater can be extracted. A famous example is the Ogallala Aquifer of the central U.S. Aquifers are re-charged by the percolation of rainwater through the layers that cover them. To harness rainfall in an artificial manner and to store it over time has been done in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East for millennia. There is a 4,000 year old tradition of rainwater-collection systems for domestic supply and agriculture in India. In China, water harvesting extends back 6,000 years. The tradition of harvesting rainwater at isolated homesteads and farms contin-ues today in the U.S. and Canada.The word cistern comes from the Latin cistera, from cista “box”. Cisterns are distinguished from wells by their wa-terproof lining. This lining is crucial in order to keep the captured water in, while keeping potentially contaminat-ing external water out. Waterproof lime plaster cisterns in the floors of houses are features of Neolithic sites in the near East. It was the ancient Romans who perfected the science of water trans-portation and storage. Without a critical discovery made in Pozzuoli, Italy, a town

supplement the inconsistent water sup-ply available from wells, four eight foot square cube cisterns would be needed. His system for gathering water never ful-ly worked. Despite using Roman cement imported from Europe to line his tanks, they were never completely watertight. Only two of the cisterns reliably held water over the years, showing that even a polymath such as Jefferson could be stymied by the inherent drawbacks of the system at that time.

Today, cisterns are made of materials such as reinforced concrete, galvanized steel, or plastic. They must be water-tight, have smooth interior surfaces, enclosed lids, and be large enough for adequate storage. Rainwater is col-lected in a catchment area, usually a roof. Galvanized steel and aluminum roofs are common for the job. Asphalt shingled roofs are adequate, but tend to contribute debris over time as they weather. Gutters and downspouts carry the water to the cistern. Cisterns can be outfitted with filters or other water purification methods when the water is meant for consumption. Mainly, though, they are often used only for irrigation due to concerns over water quality. However it is used, rainwater is supe-rior to most well or spring water. Rain is

fundamentally distilled water. It is naturally “soft”, containing none of the lime, iron, and magnesium found in most well waters!

neighboring Naples and Mount Vesuvius however, their aqueducts and giant cis-terns would have been hopelessly leaky. They found that by mixing a little amount of finely powdered volcanic ash obtained nearby with moist lime produced a du-rable coating that could be submerged in water. Today this product would be called “hydraulic cement”.In the Middle Ages, cisterns were often constructed in hill castles in Europe, especially where wells could not be dug deeply enough. One was built in

Riegersburg, Austria where it was hewn out of solid lava rock. Rain water passed through a sand filter and was collected in the cistern. The filter cleaned the

water and enriched it with minerals. By the 1600s, cisterns were being con-structed not just because of a paucity of water. Epidemics such as yellow fever and typhoid fever were wiping out large numbers of people. Not coincidentally, cisterns turned up when people began to empirically connect disease with pol-luted water. In time, cisterns were being built adjacent to the house in every backyard with such regularity to suggest that formally or informally, someone was saying that this was the direc-tion to go.These pre-modern cisterns were generally circular struc-tures made of brick or wood. Ranging from 6 to 10 feet in diameter and 7 to 12 feet deep, some were built and then lowered into the ground, while others were con-structed in the ground itself. At Thomas Jef-ferson’s Monticello, he concluded that in order to

Ancient Cistern

Pre-modern Cistern

Monticello

Modern Home Cistern System


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High Chair by Patty Kennedy Green

I was talking with long time Schaumburg resident, LaVonne Thies Presley recently, and she mentioned that she had some family items she wished to donate to Spring Valley’s Heritage Farm. One of the items was a high-chair that her uncle and other family members used in the late 19th and early 20th centu-ries. Highchairs from this time period are uncommon objects in collections due to the toll they take from heavy use—not to mention, what does one do with a highchair after children have outgrown it? Often, highchairs were discarded or burned once they were no longer needed. To have one in a collection is not only a treasure, but also com-pletes the story of a living history farm; so, of course, I said yes to her donation!After receiving the highchair, I had a chance to really look it over. As one would expect with a piece of this age intended for use by children, a few of the original components are missing. The decorations which once adorned the chair’s back and side are pretty much gone, as is the tray. Broken caning on the seat is common for an object from the period and in the case of this highchair, a solid board was nailed over where the cane seat had once been, preserv-ing the highchair’s functionality. For me, these signs of wear only contribute to the educational and informational value of the piece. Upon further inspection, I found other noteworthy and interesting things. For example, it has large wheels. This high chair actually had the capability of converting into a stroller for on-the- go ease. This feature was not uncommon for the late 19th century according to author Karin Calvert. In Calvert’s article “Cradle to Crib: The Revolution in Nineteenth-Century Children’s Furniture,” she states, “Mothers found high chairs, like jumpers, a convenient place for the baby to play in safely. Manufacturers catered to this secondary function of the chair by mak-ing it convertible into a stroller or rocker, to better amuse the child.” (A Century of Childhood 1820-1920 p.49)The highchair’s provenance is also of interest. Looking it over, I noticed the

no longer thought of as little versions of their parents or other adults. Karin Calvert explains this change well when she writes, “By the last quarter of the eighteenth century, most adults no longer insisted that their young children conform to an adult model of behavior. They did not push their infants upright, but gener-ally accepted their physical limitations.” (A Century of Childhood 1820-1920 p.42) These general acceptances lead to new and different creations of material culture. This material culture in turn aided in the new practices trending in child rearing. Again, Ms. Calvert explains:The traditional forms of children’s furni-ture were unable to meet the changing needs of nineteenth-century families, and gradually disappeared to be replaced by totally new forms. The cradle gave way to the crib; the walking and standing stool to the swing and jumper; the highchair, which had gained some popularity in the late eighteenth century, acquired a tray; and the baby carriage evolved into the most prominent piece of children’s furni-ture. In each case, the new form guarded small children from danger and isolated them from adult activity, simultaneously protecting childhood innocence and sup-pressing undesirable traits. (A Century of Childhood 1820-1920 p.42)LaVonne is a very lucky person to have a family with the foresight to keep such an item. Of course, when it came to her younger self LaVonne was content to simply play with the old highchair. She shared with me the joy it brought her to play with the highchair/stroller when visiting her Aunt Alvina and Uncle Henry. Needless to say, we are as happy, if not more so, to have this wonderful piece of history in the farm’s collection. It is the perfect addition to include in our educational programs and daily site interpretation.

patent stamped on the back still clearly legible. It says, “PAT’D JUNE 23, 85; M. F. D. BY JOHN-SON CHAIR CO. CHICAGO.” It

is fascinating that not only is the high-chair an old Schaumburg piece but it was manu-factured in the Chi-cagoland area as well. Johnson Chair Company was one

of many mail order compa-nies based in Chicago. In fact, through-out the late 19th century and into the 20th, Chicago was considered the hub of mail order businesses. The Chicago Public Library maintains a collection of catalogs from many of the mail order companies based in Chicago at the turn of the 20th century and their website has this to say on the matter, “Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Montgomery Ward’s were two of the largest commercial operations thriving in Chicago, but hundreds of other Chicago businesses, large and small, advertised merchandise such as bicycles, roller skates, prefabricated houses and furni-ture, suits, furs and veterinary supplies.” (www.chipublib.org/fa-trade-catalog-collection)Perhaps the most significant information I gleaned from researching the highchair prior to adding it to our collection con-cerned the history of children’s furniture as a whole. It seems that children’s fur-niture (as well as adult attitudes toward children) changed dramatically over the course of the 19th century. Things like the highchair and crib came into being in the 19th century as new and innova-tive pieces of furniture which allowed children to experience a new kind of childhood where they were safe and

High Chair

High Chair Patent Detail

High Chair Advertisement

Click on program/icon for information and to register online.**To create a new account, visit the registration desk at the CRC or download an internet registration form from

www.parkfun.com. The form can be found under the registration tab. Programs will be cancelled three days in advance if minimum is not reached, so register early!

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ADULT or TEENDutch Oven DinnerSaturday, July 11 • 6:00-8:00 p.m.Learn the ins and outs of cooking over an open fire using a cast iron Dutch oven.

Nature’s Studio: Paper MakingSaturday, July 25 • 1:00-3:00 p.m.Learn the history and science behind paper, and create cards, decorative paper and more.

Weekly Yoga at the CabinTuesday, June 9 - Aug. 4 • 7:30-8:30 p.m.Thursday, June 11 - Aug. 6 • 7:30-8:30 p.m.Enjoy a weekly yoga class in the woods at the Merkle Cabin.

Yoga, Berries and Wine Aplenty!Friday, July 17 • 7:00-8:30 p.m.Enjoy a refreshing evening of yoga at the cabin followed by a berry surprise and a fruit wine.

EARLY CHILDHOODNature StoriesSaturday, July 18 • 10:00 a.m.-NoonEnjoy listening and reading stories about the plants and animals that live in Spring Valley.

FAMILYThe following programs have a special family rate. By registering ONE child, it is assumed that a minimum of two people (one adult and child) or a maximum of four people are attending. Do NOT register additional people, they may pay on the day of the program.

Campfire at the CabinSaturday, July 25 • 7:30-9:00 p.m.Hike down to the cabin for a campfire with stories, songs and toasted marshmallows.

Weekend Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides at the Farm Saturdays & Sundays • 11 a.m.-3 p.m.Relax and enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride through Heritage Farm as staff relates information about the farm, animals and the history of Schaumburg’s farm families. Dress for the weather.• Tickets sold on a first-come, first-served basis the day of

the ride, no earlier than 15 minutes before start time.• Tickets are $3/person; children 3 and under are free.• Wagon holds a maximum of 15 people.• Rides begin and end next to the Farm Visitor Center.Note: Wagon rides may be cancelled due to extreme weather (storms or heat) and/or animal health issues. Wagon ride will not be offered on Special Event days. Please call 847/985-2102 or check www.parkfun.com for updated information. Heritage Farm is closed July 4 for Independence Day.Groups of 15 and larger are encouraged to schedule their own group wagon rental. For more information, call Heritage Farm at 847/985-2102.

Special Thursday Afternoon Summer Wagon RidesJuly 9, July 30 & Aug. 6Rides will occur at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Old Settler’s Picnic

Saturday, July 11 • Noon-3 p.m.Volkening Heritage Farm at Spring Valley

201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg

Travel back in time and experience the rural community of Schaumburg’s youth. First generation German immigrants brought their culture and traditions to Schaumburg, including a strong sense of community and fellowship.

Bring a family picnic* and partake in the merriment as historical interpretive staff re-enact a summer day in the 1880s.

FREE ADMISSION*Adult beverages, soft drinks and food will be available for purchase.

For more information, call the Heritage Farm at 847/985-2102 or visit www.parkfun.com.

German-American Heritage Picnic


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Family Campout at Spring ValleySat., Aug. 29, 4 p.m. - Sun., Aug. 30, 10 a.m.Sleep over at Spring Valley, take nature walks, enjoy campfire cooking, and other activities.

Farm, Family, FoodFriday, July 10 • 6:00-7:30 p.m.Friday, Aug. 14 • 6:00-7:30 p.m.Let the whole family get down and dirty while experiencing farm life firsthand!

Wake Up and Work on the FarmSaturday, July 25 • 6:30-9:300 a.m.Rise with the sun, hitch a ride with the farm wagon and take care of morning chores.

Summer Camps at Spring ValleySpring Valley offers a variety of summer camps (full and half-day) for children 5-15 years old.For more information, call 847/985-2100 or click here.

HERITAGE FARM DROP-IN DAYS$2 per person • Appropriate for 3yrs and older

“Better with Butter”Thursday, July 16 • Anytime between 10 a.m. - NoonAfter helping the house frau churn butter, grab a jar and make some of your very own! Bread and crackers will be on hand for butter tasting too.

“Sundae School”Thursday, Aug. 20 • Anytime between 10 a.m. - NoonHelp make ice cream from scratch! After you have churned, make your own sundae and enjoy this cool summer treat.

Buzzing About InsectsSunday, July 12 • Noon-4 p.m. • Nature CenterWhat’s the buzz about? Insects, of course! There are more insects than any other type of animal in the world. Dive into the wonderful life of insects through games, pictures, and activities; focus on the details that make each unique. Drop by the Merkle Cabin, and then take your own hike to explore the buzzing around Spring Valley.

Star-Gazing PartySaturday, Aug. 8 • 8:30-11 p.m. • Nature CenterIt’s time for the Perseid Meteor shower. Several telescopes will be set up around the Nature Center to view the summer constellations. Lots of additional star-related activities will take place inside. You’re guaran-teed to have a great time!This program is sponsored by the Spring Valley Nature Club.

FREE NATURE PROGRAMS

For information, call 847/985-2100 or visit www.parkfun.com.Park at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg.

Wagons will shuttle guests to the Heritage Farm.

Farm to Fork Festival

Schaumburg Park District invites you to its first annual

Saturday, Aug. 22 • 5-8 p.m.Volkening Heritage Farm at Spring Valley

A Celebration of Fresh, Seasonal, Regeional Foods!


{ {Featuring some of the area’s top chefs, preparing and serving dishes derived from locally sourced fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Local wines and beers also will be available. Spring Valley’s authentically restored 1880s farm will provide the perfect setting to enjoy this unique summer evening dining experience.

Space is limited for this special adults-only evening! Registration deadline is Aug. 19! Cost is $30/person.

We are proud to feature the following restaurants:

YOUTHBat BasicsSaturday, Aug. 1 • 7:00-8:30 p.m.Learn bat basics and take a hike to watch them dance through the air.

Cabin Cooking Pioneer StyleSaturday, Aug. 1 • 1:30-3:30 p.m.Step back in time, and cook like a pioneer in Spring Valley’s own log cabin.

Garden PartySaturday, Aug. 15 • 2:00-4:00 p.m.Enjoy the bounty of summer’s crop and lend a hand in Spring Valley’s Kids’ Garden.

Just DessertsSaturday, July 18 • 1:00-4:00 p.m.Pick black raspberries to make a cobbler over an open fire and enjoy the delicious results.

Plant PioneersSaturday, Aug. 1 • Noon-1:30 p.m.Get in touch with Mother Nature and discover all of the useful plants growing right around us.

Pollination ExplorersSaturday, Aug. 1 • 10:00-11:00 a.m.See the world through the eyes of pollinators as we hike through Spring Valley.


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“It’s a Bird!, It’s a Bee! No, It’s a Moth?” by Dave Brooks

Many observers of one of our common hummingbird moths assume they are looking at a bee or a small hummingbird. These unique insects look an awful lot like hummingbirds with stout bodies, narrow wings, and the ability to hover and dart quickly. Also called hawk moths, sphinx moths, or bee moths, several varieties are common visitors at backyard gardens during summer. The snowberry clearwing is the most common in our area as it is a daytime flyer, unlike most moths. It is especially attracted to the flowers of bee balm and other species of monarda, honeysuckles, milkweeds, and verbena. Its rapidly moving clear wings are almost invisible as it darts from flower to flower sipping nectar with a long straw-like tongue. Bands of pale yellow alternate with dark brown on the body to give it a bumblebee-like appearance. In combination with the low-pitched buzzing of the wings, one can be excused for mistaking it for a bumblebee. This resemblance is by design, of course, as many potential predators will avoid the clearwing assuming a painful sting is coming. The similar hummingbird clearwing, more common in the eastern U.S., is identified by its reddish brown thorax (upper body) and dark brown abdomen (lower body). The closely related sphinx or hawk moths are among the fastest

to feed. Eventually, the wasp larvae create cocoons which extend from the caterpillar’s body like white grains of rice. The caterpillar begins to die just as the adult wasps emerge from their cocoons.Hummingbird moths provide a perfect example of what is called convergent evolution. Convergent evolution is the independent development of similar features in species of different lineages. Birds and insects are clearly very different creatures, yet certain birds have adapted to sip nectar from flowers

(hummingbirds), and certain insects have adapted to an identical lifestyle with a similar body shape, wings, etc. (hummingbird moths). There is no other obvious advantage in ‘looking’ like a hummingbird. It just so happens that if you want to be effective at feeding on

nectar from certain tube-shaped flowers, a certain body type, with narrow wings designed for rapid hovering flight is what works best. The flowers, of course, are not purely in the business of providing nectar to hummingbirds and moths.

This is the strategy that works for them as a way to lure in pollinators—and the plot thickens! The fascinating co-evolution of flowering plants and their pollinators is a topic with its own deep layers of complexity and wonder.

fliers in the insect world, some able to reach speeds of 30 mph. Unlike the

clearwings, the hawk moths are mostly nocturnal, although some can be seen at dawn and dusk. The white-lined sphinx is often seen feeding from hosta flowers in early morning or at dusk. These moths are even more

hummingbird-like in their appearance due to their larger size, with a wingspan that can top 3 inches. Many gardeners may be familiar with the larvae of a related species. The infamous tomato hornworm, a large green caterpillar adorned with a spiky horn on its back end, matures into the five-spotted hawk moth. The caterpillars of several hawk/sphinx moths can be pests on crops and food plants but most feed on the leaves of various trees and shrubs.

These large caterpillars are often parasitized by small wasps. The wasps lay eggs on the caterpillar, and the wasp larvae burrow into the caterpillar

As a young boy, I remember seeing a medium-sized insect hovering and flitting about in a patch of garden phlox on a summer evening. Being fascinated by insects of all types at that age, I carefully stalked and then captured what I assumed was a moth in my cupped hands. The loud buzzing of the insect’s wings as it fluttered in my hands caused me to suddenly

doubt my identification, figuring I had mistakenly captured a large bumblebee, and I quickly released it before I was stung. I should have trusted my initial guess, as it was indeed a harmless moth.

Snowberry Clearwing Moth

White-lined Sphinx Moth

Five-spotted Hawk Moth Caterpillar

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth


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Dates to Remember• Sat., July 11 ..................Noon-3pm

Old Settler’s Picnic• Sun., July 12 .................Noon-4pm

Buzzing About Insects• Mon., July 13 .................1-4pm

Handy Crafters Meeting• Fri., Aug. 7 .....................5:30pm-9pm

Volunteer Picnic• Sat., Aug 8 ....................8:30-11pm

Star-Gazing Party• Mon., Aug. 10 ................1-4pm

Handy Crafters Meeting

Volunteer News

Pats on the back to the following volunteers...• Lynn Eikenbary, Jen Harkin, Marilyn Mottley, Angela Waid-

anz, Norina Waugh, and Carolyn White for helping with the spring Green Thumbs school programs.

• Gail Ameer, Lynn Eikenbary, Nancy Fallen, Dan Gryzik, Carol Thomas, and Angela Waidanz for assisting with various bird counts.

• Dennis and Rosemary Colbert, Lynn Eikenbary, and Carolyn White for representing Spring Valley at various environmental fairs.

• Jeff Hueber, Jay Laski, Bob Pautsch, Tom Perles, and Roy Svenson for filling bags with compost for the Backyards for Nature Fair.

• Dean Bruckner for his attention to the peony beds in preparation for Peonies A’Plenty.

Welcome New Volunteers…• Angelo Catalano • Jamie Gawlik • Gary Glatzhofer • John Lawrence • Simona Stalev • Emily Steele • Denise Sueder

August 4 Pat Campbell 5 Dan Gryzik 6 Dave Kives 8 Janet Bedsole Marilyn Motley 9 Shirley Turpin Babs Eddington 12 Judy Wood 14 Hedy Otte Diane Shore Carolyn White

18 Janet Kraus 19 Natalie Liverant Nara Sethuraman 20 Donna Johnson 22 Kristi Overgaard Amanda Kraus 26 Carol Anagnostopoulos 28 Pete Justen 30 Nancy Filo 31 Nancy Schaefer

Happy Birthday to…July 1 Ron Haskell 4 Janeen Ross Elsie Sears 13 Andy Caccavari Katrina Miley 17 Barb Royce 18 Laurie Tatom 19 Mary Matz

21 Donna Turner Tina Rokoszewski 25 Joe Vito 26 Tom Poklen 27 Nancy Fallen 28 Kathy DeGeus Rich Wysocki Rachela Ranaldi

Star-Gazing PartySaturday, Aug. 8 • 8:30-11pmIt’s time for the Perseid Meteor shower and a new moon so we’ll be star gazing through telescopes and enjoying star related activities. Volunteers are needed to assist with the chil-dren’s activities.

Volunteer Want AdsIf you are interested in helping with any of the following activities, please call Judy at 847/985-2100 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Buzzing About InsectsSunday, July 12 • Noon-4pmJoin us as we explore the world of

insects through games and activities. Volunteers are needed to assist with the children’s activities.

It’s Picnic Time!Mark your calendars for Friday, Aug. 7 and plan to join us at this year’s Volunteer Family Picnic. Bring a family member or friend to join in the fun. We’ll provide all the fixins’, just bring your appetite! The picnic is co-sponsored by the Spring Valley Nature Club which will present its Ellsworth Meineke Award to a deserving club member and/or volunteer. Invitations will go in the mail in July.

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Farm Hour: Tues-Fri 9:00am-2:00 pm • Sat/Sun 10:00am-4:00pmCabin Closed

Bold indicates volunteer activitiesItalics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteersSee “What’s Happening” for program descriptions

•Green Thumbs 9am•Nature Quest 9:30amM-F •Animal Crackers – Mini 9:30am

•Victorian Finishing School 9:45am•The Valley Games 10am•Lil’ Doodlers 1pm

•Lil’ Rock Hounds 9:30am•Cookin’ Up History 9:30amM-F •Explore More Camp 9:30am

•Bug Hunters 1pm•Farmer Boot Camp 2pm

•Wee Sprouts 9:15am•Skills for Outdoor Survival 9:15amM-F •Nature Buddies 9:30am

•Cookin’ Up History 9:30am•Digging’ Into Mystery 1pm

•Puddle Paddlers 9am•Sweet Potatoes 9:15amM-F •Lil’ Bugs for Lil’ Tykes 9:30am

•Chores and Chortles 9:30am•Safari Adventures 10am•Paint by Nature 10am

•Farmer Boot Camp 2pm

•Lil’ Creek Stompers 9:30am•Spring Valley Squatchers 9:30amM-F •Historian’s Apprentice 9:45am

•Chores and Chortles - Mini 10am•Science Sleuths 10am•Lil’ Gardeners 1pm

•Night at the Museum 7pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

Spring Valley Nature Club 6:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pmSierra Club 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Farm, Family, Food 6pm

Old Settler’s Picnic Noon

•Dutch Oven Dinner 6pm•Firefly Fandango 8:45pm

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm


•Farm Drop-in – Better with Butter 10am


•Yoga, Berries and Wine Aplenty 7pm

•Nature Stories 10am•Just Desserts 1pm

Buzzing About Insects Noon Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm



•Wake Up and Work on the Farm 6:30am•Nature’s Studio: Paper Making 1pm•Campfire at the Cabin 7:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm



Independence Day

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FarmHours: Tues-Fri 9:00am-2:00 pm • Sat/Sun 10:00am-4:00pmCabin Closed

Bold indicates volunteer activitiesItalics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteersSee “What’s Happening” for program descriptions

•Storytime Explorers 9:30am•Animal Crackers 9:30amM-F •Cookin’ Up History – Mini 10am

•The Big Dig 10am•Lil’ Bugs for Lil’ Tykes 1pm•All About Frogs and Toads 1pm

•Farmer Boot Camp 2pm

•Wee Sprouts 9:15am•Amazing Mammals 9:30amM-F •Chores and Chortles 9:30am

•Campfire Cooking 9:30am•Rock Hounds 10am•Habitat Hikers 1pm

•Amateur Astronomers 7:15pm

•Pollination Explorers 10am•Plant Pioneers Noon•Cabin Cooking Pioneer Style 1:30pm

•Bat Basics 7pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm Volunteer Picnic 5:30pm

Star-Gazing Party 8:30pmSpring Valley Nature Club 6:30pm


Sierra Club 6:30pm •Farm, Family, Food 6pm

•Garden Party 2pm

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

•Farm Drop-in – Sundae School 10am

•Farm to Fork Festival 5pm

•Family Campout at Spring Valley 4pm


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SCHAUMBURG PARK DISTRICT WEBSITE: www.parkfun.com

E-MAIL: [email protected]

MEMBER:

Vera Meineke Nature CenterThe earth-sheltered visitor center provides an introduction to Spring Val-ley’s 135 acres of restored prairies, woodlands and wetlands and three miles of trails. The center contains natural history exhibits that change seasonally, a demonstration Backyard for Wildlife, an observation tower, classrooms, an extensive library, gift sales area and restrooms.

Volkening Heritage FarmStep back into the past for a look at Schaumburg as it was in the 1880s – a rural German farm community. Help with seasonal farm chores, participate in family activities and games of the 1880s, or simply visit the livestock and soak in the quiet. Authentically dressed interpreters will welcome and share activities with visitors throughout the site.

Spring Valley is a refuge of 135 acres of fields, forests, marshes and streams with over three miles of handicapped-accessible trails, a museum featuring natural history displays and information, and an 1880s living-history farm. Spring Val-ley is open to the general public. Admission is free.

Environmental Outreach ProgramWe’ll bring our outreach program to your site. Topics include forests, worms, spiders, mammals, owls, food chains, food webs, wetlands, and the water cycle. Students will participate in hands-on activities, songs, and games. Topics may be adapted to students in grades one through six, and are aligned with Illinois State Standards and NGSS.

Programs at Spring ValleySchool, Scout and adult groups are encouraged to take advantage of Spring Valley’s Environmental Education Program. Programs change seasonally and are geared for specific age groups. Corre-lations to the state standards, connections with NGSS, and activity sheets are available on the SPD website, www.parkfun.com.Learn local history with a visit to the Heritage Farm. Elementary and high school students recreate farm life in the 1880s with Hands on History; second graders experience it through Heritage Quest. Children from the age of four through second grade will learn about food, farmers, and farm animals in Farms and Foods.

Scout BadgesWe offer many opportunities for scouts. Our programs will help with your badge, pin or patch requirements. Call for more information or stop in for a brochure.

SCHAUMBURG PARK DISTRICTBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:Mike DanielsSharon DiMariaDavid JohnsonGeorge LongmeyerBob Schmidt

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:Tony LaFrenere

SPRING VALLEY MISSION STATEMENT:Spring Valley’s mission is to educate area residents regarding the natural and cultural history of the Schaumburg area and how people have and continue to interact with and upon the landscape.

Spring Valley • Schaumburg Park District • 1111 East Schaumburg Road • Schaumburg, Illinois 60194

Vera Meineke Nature Center

Volkening Heritage Farm

Schaumburg Rd.

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135 acres

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NATURAL ENQUIRER STAFF:Mary Rice ......... EditorJudy Vito ........... Volunteer CoordinatorDave Brooks ..... “In this Issue...”Scott Stompor ... Graphic Artist

Spring Valley Birthday PartiesLooking for a unique, fun, and educational venue for your child’s birthday? Spring Valley is the answer! Two party themes are avail-able. A hayride can be added for an extra fee. Call Spring Valley for more information.

Spring Valley Firepit and Shelter RentalsMake your next scout group, business or family gathering something special! Spring Valley offers the use of a picnic shelter and fire pit in a wooded setting near the Merkle Log Cabin. Use of the site includes firewood, trash/recycling receptacles and

benches, as well as picnic tables. No alcohol or amplified music permitted. Restrooms are available at the Heritage Farm or Nature Center, a 5–10 minute walk. The adjacent Merkle Log Cabin contains a restroom and may be rented for additional fees.

Hourly use fees:Residents: .............$25 Civic groups: ..............................$25Non-residents: ......$40 Corporate/business groups: ......$55

HOURSNature Center Grounds & Trails ..............Open Daily ..............8AM-5PMVolkening Heritage Farm Grounds .........Closed .....................Dec.1-March 1

NATURE CENTER/MUSEUM HOURS:Year Round ............Daily* ......... 9AM-5PM

FARM INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM HOURS:Nov. - March ...........Open for Special EventsApril 1 - Oct. 31 ......Sat/Sun ...... 10AM-4PM Tue-Fri ....... 9AM-2PM Mon ...........Buildings Closed

*All facilities closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Unless otherwise noted, all programs are held rain or shine.

Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions.

PHONEVERA MEINEKE NATURE CENTER ..............................................847/985-2100VOLKENING HERITAGE FARM .....................................................847-985-2102

natural enquirer: july/august 2015

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