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InsideSpring Valley General Information ...................10Volunteer News ContentsVolunteern Want Ads ..........................................7Volunteer Calendar .......................................... 8-9

The Amazing, Irrepressible Apple ......................2Let It Bee ..............................................................3What’s Happenin’ ............................................. 4-5Where in the World is Schaumburg? Pt. 3 ........6

In this issue... In autumn, those of us who take time to get out and experience our beautiful Midwestern landscape are reminded of the harvest we reap from the land. Whether we take a walk in the woods, visit an apple orchard, bike ride on local trails, or volunteer to collect native wildflower seeds at local nature preserves, we can’t help but notice the bounty around us. This issue of the Natural Enquirer shines the spotlight on a couple of the ways we derive our sustenance from the land. Apples are certainly an icon of autumn, and few tastes can rival that of a tart and juicy red beauty plucked right from the tree. Honeybees are surely one of the most economically important insects on the planet, although few who reap their bounty fully understand the impact they have. Both apples and honeybees put the fruits of their labors on full display during autumn (one literally). Spring Valley too puts the fruits of the past year’s labors on display. Plan to visit one of our popular autumn special events, where apples and honey are only two of the items available for consideration on the menu.

Natural EnquirerNewsle t te r fo r Spr ing Va l l ey Suppor te rs and Vo lun tee rs vo l . 2 no .5 • Se p t . /Oc t . ‘ 11

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Apples are such an important part of the American cultural landscape that most Americans may be unaware that their original heritage stretches halfway around the world and back thousands of years. Apples were brought here from Europe by the early colonists after being carried into northern Europe and Great Britain by the Romans, after being brought to the Medi-terranean re-gion by early wandering people from Central Asia—the original birthplace of the apple.Domes-tic apples, whether grow-ing sweet red or golden fruit in a tended orchard or tart green fruit along a coun-try road, are one species, Malus pumila. Thousands of years of selective breeding have developed the large-fruited varieties that have endeared the apple to people for centuries. It is mostly within the past hundred years that many of our modern apple varieties have been developed. While the McIntosh has been around since the early 1800s, varieties such as Gala, Braeburn, and Red Delicious are quite recent developments. In fact, the apples grown by America’s early colo-nists, and even here in the Midwest by settlers in the 19th century, would seem small and unimpressive by current stan-dards. Today, there are more than two thousand varieties of apples worldwide, and each apple-growing region has local varieties and favorites.Once the first orchards were planted in America, it did not take long for animals and humans to spread seeds into the

wild countryside. Native Americans used the fruit as well (one of many European plants ad-opted by them for their own use). A variety of wildlife, including deer, wild hogs, squirrels, fox,

and many birds also seek them out. The fleshy fruit is intended by nature to be an enticement to hungry creatures, thus providing the seeds with a means of transportation. Many wild plants, including the apple’s close cousins, cherries, plums, and wild roses, employ this same strategy. While John Chapman, a.k.a. Johnny Appleseed, certainly planted apple trees here in the Midwest, wildlife have planted many more and covered a lot more territory.

The prevalence of the wild apple across our landscape is a testament to their unintentional efforts.The cultivation of apples involves more than simply planting apple trees. Growers usually must graft the varieties they want onto apple tree seedlings. This involves transplanting one or more shoots (called scions) from the desired varieties onto the roots of a differ-ent variety. Most trees started from seed will not result in the desired type of fruit due to the cross pollina-tion that produced the parent fruit. It is even possible to graft more than one variety onto a single rootstock, so that the mature tree will produce several different types of apples. The rootstock is usually selected for vigor and/or the size tree it will produce. Many backyard growers use a dwarf variety for root-

stock, since the resulting tree will remain fairly small. Apples do best when they have plenty of space and light, and so inside branches are often pruned to promote flowering on more than just the outermost twigs as well as to promote air movement in and around the trees and even ripening of all of the fruit.Throughout America, along roadsides, in brushy meadows, and in cut-over woodlands, the wild brethren of our esteemed

apple still thrives and provides an autumn bounty for many creatures. Any apple, after a couple generations of re-seeding in the wild, will revert to its wild form, with small tart fruits. Wild apples, while not commercially valuable, are still edible, their tartness making them ideal for recipes that call for cooked apples; pie, jam, apple butter, etc. They may require more effort to gather and more sweeteners to make them palatable, but they have a character all their own. Often growing alongside these wild Old World apples are the native wild apples of our region, the wild sweet crab, Malus coronaria, and the Iowa crab, Malus ioensis. These small trees, true to their botanical heritage, produce a bountiful bouquet of fragrant flowers in

spring. Their small fruit, though tart and hard, make excellent jams and jellies.This fall, when you sink your teeth into a sweet red apple, sip a cup of fresh-

squeezed cider, or enjoy the heaven that is apple pie, savor the fact that what you are tasting is the accumulated efforts of generations of apple growers (and tasters) combined with at least some of the apple’s wild heritage. Hidden within this domesticated fruit is an irrepressible nature ready at any opportunity to return to its wild ways.

Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits. Let the most beautiful or the swiftest have it. That should be the “going” price of apples. Wild Apples, by Henry David Thoreau

The Amazing, Irrepressible Apple by Dave Brooks

Domestic Apples

Deer Enjoying Apples

Crabapples

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Planet-crunching asteroids, mega-volcanoes, mountain-swamping tsuna-mis, and nuclear Armageddon are but a few of the causes that have been put forth in recent years for the destruction of civilization as we know it. Thank-fully, the time frames for some of these scenarios to occur can run into the 1,000 to 1,000,000 year range. There is, however, a silent catastrophe happening at this minute which involves a small but important organism to which we owe, at least in part, our survival—the honey bee.Introduced into the Americas by European colo-nists for both their honey and their wax, the honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most important crop pollinator in the country today. Growers of everything from almonds, apples, and berries to squash, toma-toes, and melons need them to ensure a marketable crop. Oil and biofuel crops such as canola and sunflower require bee pollination. Even meat and dairy industries are dependent on bee pol-lination for the production of forage such as alfalfa and clover. However, because of a phenomena occurring during the past five years called “colony collapse disorder” (CCD) where bees leave their colonies and simply disappear, the number of hives has declined by 50%. Combined with other challenges such as pollution, parasitic mites, pesticides, and viruses, the honey bee faces “a perfect storm.” The domestica-tion of the honey bee began over 7,000 years ago when someone decided to take a hive down from a honey tree and resituate it to a more convenient spot. Centuries later Egypt be-came the center

for beekeeping in the ancient world. Bees and honey became so important that the honey bee hieroglyph became the symbol of the entire region of Lower Egypt. Honey wasn’t the only reason to raise bees. Egyptians used beeswax in mummification, shipbuilding, the lost-wax casting of sacred objects, and as a kind of a gel used to slick down their wigs. Beekeeping thrived until the Dark Ages when it experienced its first set-back and nearly ceased in many parts of

Europe.Beekeeping experienced a rebirth with the growth of monasticism which peaked in the Middle Ages around 1250. During this period, a fermented honey called mead was produced in great quantity to supply both the church and the monks themselves. In one mon-

astery, two quarts of mead, which has the al-coholic kick of a strong table wine, were allotted to each monk at every dinner. As the Catholic Church grew, so did the demand for beeswax, as only candles made of pure beeswax could be used for ceremonial purposes. Beeswax burned cleanly, without producing a smoky flame. It also emitted a pleasant sweet smell rather than the foul, acrid odor of tallow, from which most other candles were made. With the coming of the

Reformation, bee-keeping in Europe experienced another setback. Hundreds of monasteries were abolished, with their lands seized by increasingly acquisi-tive monarchies such as England, Sweden, and the German states. The great ab-beys were torn down or left to deteriorate,

while their beekeeping monks were dispersed. Honey is 40% fructose, a simple sugar, as well as antioxidants, amino acids, vi-tamins, and minerals; including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, selenium, copper, and manganese. Honey’s reign as the premier sweetener and fermented drink was diminished with the advent of crystal sugar, which is pure refined crystallized sucrose. Full of calories and blandly sweet, it offers ab-solutely nothing else. Brought to Europe by the Greeks (originally from the Indus valley); sugar was referred to as “In-dian salt, which comes from a reed that gives honey without the aid of bees.” Though both sweeteners existed side by side for hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the price of sugar fell that honey and beekeeping experienced another setback. With a seemingly limitless sup-

ply of suitable land, wood fuel, and cheap labor in the American continents, sugar production took off. By the end of the 19th cen-tury, sugar became much cheaper than honey. Also during this period, paraffin wax was introduced after chemists learned how to efficiently separate and refine the naturally occur-ring waxy substance from petroleum. Paraffin wax was a boon to candle mak-

ers because it burned cleanly and was cheaper than any other candle fuel. And so we come to the bee’s present predicament. It seems that everything from cellphone towers to exotic disease has been linked to CCD. Research has shown that a new class of pesticides called neonicotinoids have produced symptoms in bees that are strikingly similar to CCD (memory loss, naviga-tion disruption, paralysis, and death), but there may not be a single cause. Concerned individuals can help bees by planting a pollinator garden, by cutting back on pesticide use, or by supporting beekeeping. As John Lennon almost once said, “All we are saying is give bees a chance!”

Let It Bee by Walter Plinske

Honey Bee

Bee’s Wax Alter Candles

Pollinator Garden

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Click on program/icon for information and to register online.**To register online you must have a current SPD account with assigned PIN number. To create a new account, visit the

registration desk at the CRC and verify residency. Non-residents may call Spring Valley to set up an account.

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ADULTAwakening the DreamerSaturday, Sept. 17 • 9:00A-12:00PThis workshop will inspire you to play a role in creating an environmentally sustainable future.

Canning for BeginnersSunday, Sept. 11 • 1:00-4:00PLearn about canning from its early development to the system used today.

Everything’s Better with KetchupSunday, Oct. 16 • 12:00-4:00PTry your hand at making tasty condiments and take home samples of your handiwork.

Nature’s Night Life - ADULTS ONLY!Friday, Oct. 7 • 7:00-9:00PStart your weekend with a relaxing and enlightening evening walk at Spring Valley.

October FestessenSaturday, Oct. 8 • 5:30-8:30PEnjoy a German dinner in the farmhouse with Riesling, dessert and good conversation.

Vermicomposting WorkshopSaturday, Sept. 17 • 9:00-11:00ALearn about vermicomposting, the art of using worms to process food scraps into compost,

ALL AgESFree - Heaven’s WatchSept. 17 • 8:30-10:30P .......PegasusOct. 15 • 8-10P ..................Queen CassiopiaJoin Chicago Astronomical Society as they set their telescopes for a peek at the night skies.

Horse PowerSunday, Sept. 25 • 1:00-3:00PLearn about and meet the Percheron draft horses.

Spring Valley Walking ClubMonday, Sept. 12-Nov. 14 • 3:30-4:00PWednesday, Sept. 14-Nov. 16 • 12:15-12:45PFriday, Sept. 16-Nov. 18 • 7:00-7:30PSaturday, Sept. 17-Nov. 19 • 7:30-8:00AEnjoy animal sightings and beautiful flowers as you walk our extensive network of trails.

Up and At’em Animal ChoresSaturday, Sept. 24 • 7:30-9:00ASunday, Oct. 9 • 7:30-9:00AMilk cows, feed the livestock and enjoy a light breakfast.

National Public Lands DaySaturday, Sept. 24 • 9AM-1PMLearn how people work with nature to heal the land and help restore rare plants and animals.

Teacher’s Workshop: Insect Lights in the Night, Songs in the PrairieFriday, Sept. 9, 4:30-10:00P and Saturday, Sept. 10, 8:30A-4:30PExplore the biodiversity in Chicago Wilderness through hands-on labs and field trips.$140 (National-Louis or Aurora University graduate credit available. CPS Lane credit or 15 CPDUs available)

Early Childhood Teacher’s Workshop: Growing Up WildSaturday, Oct. 8 • 9:00A-12:00PThis hands-on workshop, designed for early childhood educators, builds on a child’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them.

Additional workshops are being developed. For up-to-date information, visit www.parkfun.com/Spring-Valley/programs.

Before Oct. 28: $5 per person • Walk-in: $6 per personFri. & Sat., Oct. 28 & 29 • 6:15-9:30PMA Haunting in the Valley

Enjoy a covered wagon ride to a trail of fun and adventure! Games, refreshments, a live owl and bonfire at the Nature Center. Click here for more information.

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TEENSForestry Merit Badge WorkshopSaturday, Oct. 8 • 12:00-5:00PBoy Scouts will join certified merit badge coun-selors and spend the afternoon in the woods.

Science & Nature ExplorersWed., Sept. 14, Oct. 12 & Nov. 16 • 2:15-4:15PExplore our planet through this new program.

YOUTHCooking at the CabinSaturday, Nov. 5 • 12:00-2:00PTry your hand at cooking over an open wood fire, then eat your results.

Creepers and CrawlersSunday, Sept. 11 • 9:30-11:00ADiscover what a bug’s life is really all about as you look for what’s hanging around Spring Valley.

Fall ColorsSunday, Oct. 23 • 1:30-2:30PThere’s no time like fall to indulge in the wonders of nature.

Wild & Wacky WoolSaturday, Nov. 5 • 9:30-11:00ADiscover incredible wool facts while you card, spin and weave this amazing fiber.

Drop by Merkle Cabin to explore the beauty of fall plants through activities designed for all ages. Learn to recognize some of nature’s abundant fall beauty. If you’re going to help with National Public Lands Day, this is a great springboard. If not, it’s still a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Pathway to Plants Sunday, Sept. 11 12-4PM

Home School Naturalist Group ProgramsSpring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm is the perfect place for hands-on, exploration based science programs. Offerings change seasonally, so check our brochure regularly.

Fall 2011 topics:• Orienteering - Calculate your pace and learn how to

navigate with a map and compass.• Habitat Study - Compare and contrast Spring Valley’s

different habitats using scientific techniques.• Super Soil - Develop your own recipe for soil, search for

decomposers and analyze soil samples.Available every fall: Conservation in Action, Woodlands, Owls: Predators of the Night, Cycling, Farms and Food, Gardening, Wetlands and Nighttime Nature

For more information or to schedule a program, call 847-985-2100.

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.

All About ApplesSunday, Oct. 23 • 3:00-4:30PEnjoy this amazing fall fruit in an adventure that’s all about apples.

Family GeocachingSaturday, Sept. 17 • 1:00-2:30PJoin the worldwide treasure hunt that will get the whole family outdoors and moving all year long!

Mondays for Moms and KidsMonday, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 & Nov. 21 • 3:15-4:15PMoms, spend some Monday time walking and enjoying nature with your child.

Night HikeFriday, Nov. 4 • 6:30-8:00PCome to Spring Valley after the sun has set and use your five senses to explore the dark.

Spring Valley Super StarsFriday, Oct. 14 • 7:00-8:00PStar gazing is for all ages! Learn Greek mythol-ogy, play some games and become experts on at least three constellations.

Twilight HikeFriday, Sept. 23 • 6:30-8:00PVisit Spring Valley to hike, explore and look for animals that are active at dusk.

Step back in time and see history come to life at a 1790s frontier encampment and an 1880s working farm!Food, beverages and children’s activities are available throughout the day. Click here for more information.

$4 per person • $16 per family • 3 yrs & under Free

Sunday, Oct. 2 • Noon-5PM

Sponsored by

Autumn Harvest Festival

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a brightly dressed stranger who visited the town of Hamlin, Ger-many. While this stranger never drove the rats out of the town, it is reported that he did take the “children.” I put “chil-dren” in quotations because as I learned on a tour of the city (con-ducted by a Pied Piper portrayer) the age of

the children is debatable. Most histo-rians believe that the children who fol-lowed the Pied Piper were second born siblings, possibly in their teenage years. According to the tour, these second born siblings, faced with the knowledge that they would not inherit anything because they weren’t first born, decided to go off with the colorful man and try to make a new life somewhere else. The odd part to this story, however, is that the children who left were never heard from again. The only things that remain of the lost children of Hamlin are the folktale and an engraving on the side of the last building they passed as they left the town.

Once again, I have run out of space as I recount the memorable and interesting adventures from my trip to Germany. It will be a while before I get to write more, but if you will hang in there, more adven-tures are waiting to be written and read!

In this article about my travels through the District of Schaumburg, Germany, I would like to relay a different kind of theme. The Weser River Valley (where parts of the District of Schaumburg are situated) is not only rich in cultural history, but also in folklore. Two prime examples of this are the tales of Baron Von Munchhausen and the Pied Piper of Hamlin. The town of Bodenweder, Germany, is situated along the Weser River and has an interesting claim to fame. Boden-weder is the birth place of Karl Friedich Hieronymus Freiherr von Munchhau-sen, otherwise known as Baron Von Munchausen. Some of you may be familiar with Munchausen due to the psychological condition which bears his name. Others of you may know of him from the 1988 movie, “Adventures of Baron Munchausen.” The actual Baron Von Munchausen was born May 11, 1720, and died February 22, 1797. He served in the Russian Army until 1750, first as a page, and finally as a lieuten-ant. He fought in two crusades against the Turkish Empire. Toward the end of his life, he enjoyed hunting and telling tall tales to anyone who would listen. His tales were al-ways farfetched, with silly things happening: like riding a can-non ball across a battlefield, or getting stuck in a swamp and hav-ing to pull both himself and his horse out using his own ponytail. Later in the 19th century, there were a few books written about his tall tales which were widely popular around Europe.Bodenweder still strongly claims their eccentric native son. Scattered throughout the town there are statues, water foun-tains, and a mural depicting the Baron’s famous tall tales. There is also a museum devoted to the Baron and his life.

Where in the World Is Schaumburg? Part 3 by Patricia Kennedy Green

Something interesting regard-ing the Munchhausen family is that they have estates all over the district of Schaumburg. One is located in the town of Apelern, from which some of the settlers to Schaumburg, IL, hail. The town name means “at the apple trees,” and there are apple trees in the park of the Munchhausen estate to this day.Another well-known place in Weser River Valley is Hamlin. The Brothers Grimm immortal-ized this town in their fairytale the “Pied Piper of Hamlin.” Most of you are prob-ably familiar with the story of the Pied Piper coming to Hamlin to rid residents of their mouse and rat infesta-tion. As the story goes, after he drowned

all the rodents in the river he came back to town to get paid. When the town’s people would not pay him, he played a song on his pipe and took all the children out of the town never to be heard from again. Only three children remained to tell the adults what happened. One was lame and could not fol-low the other children, one was blind and could not see where the children went, and

one was deaf and could not hear the music.

As with many good sto-ries, there is an element of truth to the Pied Piper tale. In 1284, there was indeed

Baron Von Munchausen pulling himself and his horse out of the water

Munchausen Museum

The Year the Children Left, 1284 Engraving

Pied Piper

Pied Piper with Water Fountain

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Dates to Remember• Wed., Sept. 7 ..................6:30pm-8:30pm

Volunteer Meeting• Mon., Sept. 12 ................1-4pm

Handy Crafter Meeting• Sat., Sept. 24 ..................9am-1pm

Conservation Workday• Thurs., Sept. 29 ..............10am-3pm

Autumn Harvest Set-up• Fri., Sept. 30 ...................10am-3pm

Autumn Harvest Set-up• Sun., Oct. 2 .....................Noon-5pm

Autumn Harvest Fest• Mon., Oct. 10 ..................1-4pm

Handy Crafter Meeting• Fri., Oct. 28 .....................5:30-9:30pm

A Haunting in the Valley• Sat., Oct. 29 ....................8-10am

Animal Care Meeting• Sat., Oct. 29 ....................5:30-9:30pm

A Haunting in the Valley

Volunteer News

Pats on the back to the following volunteers...• Penny Perles for maintaining the Native American Garden.• Lynn Eikenbary and Angela Waidanz for assisting with

summer camps. • Chris Curin and Jeanette Klodzen for their efforts as

butterfly monitors.• Gail Ameer, Eve Carter, Lynn Eikenbary, and Carolyn

White for representing Spring Valley at Schaumburg’s Farmers Market.

• Sandy Meo and Donna Turner for their assistance with research and background preparation for the Farm Interpreter’s seasonal training.

Welcome New Volunteers…• Kaitlyn Ball • Katrina Miley • Alex Yu

October 2 Rick Jeske 4 Rosemary Colbert Amanda Vanderzee 8 Susan LaDore Julie Tucknott 9 Marilou Vandrush 12 Sue Ringfelt

14 Ken Ogorzalek 15 Pat Heiberger 16 Eve Carter 18 Susanne Cannella Gene Niewiadomski 21 Tony Meo 27 Kiyomi Mino

Happy Birthday to…September 1 Nancy Lyons 3 Kelly Schultz 8 Peggy Kulis 11 Nancy Ruffolo 17 Karen Verran Irene Joll 18 Dick Ruffolo

20 Lynn Eikenbary Barb Lam 22 Joan Pangallo 23 Bob Wodka 26 Phil Skultety 28 Barb Mitchell Gail Ameer

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 juvito@parkfun.com.

National Public Lands DaySaturday, Sept. 24 • 9AM-1PMJoin us for our conservation workday and assist with this demonstration of local environmental stewardship. Help spread the message on how people can work with nature to heal and restore it. Any donation of paper grocery bags for use in seed collecting would be greatly appreciated. Drop the bags off at the Visitor Center.

Autumn Harvest FestivalSunday, Oct. 2 • Noon-5PM

We’re looking for volunteers to help at Spring Valley’s largest event – Autumn Harvest Festival. Activities are held at both the cabin and the

farm and include children’s activities and crafts, pumpkin decorating, refreshment sales, farm interpretation, and more! Volunteer shifts times are 11am to 2:30pm or 2:15 to 5:45pm. Also, additional help is needed for set-up on Thursday and Friday, September 29 and 30. Call if you can lend a hand!

A Haunting in the ValleyFriday, Oct. 28 & Saturday, Oct. 296:15-9:30PMWe need your help with our Halloween event which will feature a wagon ride to the Cabin for a guided walk along the night trails. Volunteers are needed for check-in, concessions, family activities, characters, and props. If you’d like to be part of the adventure, give us a call!

Volunteer Meeting and ProgramWednesday, Sept. 7 • 6:30-8:30pmCome find out what projects and special events are in store for fall and learn how you can help!

Then stay and join us as Sharon Peterson helps separate fact from fiction concerning bats, an often misunderstood and feared animal. Learn about bats of the world and local Illinois bat species. A special guest will illustrate a bat’s prominent features.

National Public Lands Day

WednesdaySunday Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Biodiversity in the Classroom 4:30pm

•Biodiversity in the Classroom 8:30am

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

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•SV Walking Club 7pm

•SV Walking Club 7:30am•Vermicomposting 9am•Awakening the Dreamer 9am•Family Geocaching 1pm

•Heaven’s Watch 8:30pm

•Creepers and Crawlers 9:30am•Pathway to Plants Noon•Canning for Beginners 1pm

Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm•SV Walking Club 3:30pm

•SV Walking Club 12:15pm•Science and Nature Explorers 2:15pm

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

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

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Twilight Hike 6:30pm•SV Walking Club 7pm

•SV Walking Club 7:30am•Up and At’Em 7:30amNational public Lands Day 9am

•Mondays for Moms and Kids 3:15pm•SV Walking Club 3:30pm

•SV Walking Club 12:15pm

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

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Horse Power 1pm

•SV Walking Club 3:30pm •SV Walking Club 12:15pm

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

Labor Day

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•SV Walking Club 7:30am

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•SV Walking Club 7pm•Nature’s Night Life 7pm

•SV Walking Club 7:30amTeamster Training 8am•Growing Up Wild 9am•Forestry Merit Badge Noon

•October Festessen 5:30pm

Autumn Harvest Festival Noon

•SV Walking Club 12:15pm

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

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•SV Walking Club 7pm•Spring Valley Super Stars 7pm

•SV Walking Club 7:30am

•Heaven’s Watch 8pm

•Up and At’Em 7:30am Handy crafters Meeting 1pm•SV Walking Club 3:30pm

•SV Walking Club 12:15pm•Science and Nature Explorers 2:15pm

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

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

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•SV Walking Club 7pm

•SV Walking Club 7:30am•Everything’s Better with Ketchup Noon

•Mondays for Moms and Kids 3:15pm•SV Walking Club 3:30pm

•SV Walking Club 12:15pm

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

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

A Haunting in the Valley 6:15pm

Animal care Meeting 8am

A Haunting in the Valley 6:15pm

•Fall Colors 1:30pm•All About Apples 3pm

•SV Walking Club 3:30pm

•SV Walking Club 12:15pm

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

Halloween

Volunteer Meeting 6:30pm

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SCHAUMBURG PARK DISTRICT WEBSITE: www.parkfun.com

E-MAIL: springvalley@parkfun.com

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 Valley is open to the general public. Admission is free.

Vera Meineke Nature Center

Volkening Heritage Farm

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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 correlated with Illinois State Standards.

Programs at Spring ValleySchool, Scout and adult groups are encouraged to take ad-vantage of Spring Valley’s Environmental Education Program. Programs change seasonally and are geared for specific age groups. Correlations to the state standards 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:Jean Schlinkmann

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 • 847/985-2100

NATURAL ENqUIRER STAFF:Mary RiceEditorJudy VitoVolunteer CoordinatorDavid Brooks“In this Issue...”Scott StomporGraphic 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.