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Art in Nature Painting Class
2022-12-17 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Argyle Lake State Park, 640 Argyle Park Rd. , Colchester, IL, 62326, United States

Build a Board Game: An eight-week Workshop
2023-01-29 13:30 - 15:00 | Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St. , Macomb, IL, 61455, United States
Join us for a step-by-step workshop to turn your creative ideas into a board game. This eight-session workshop starts Sunday, January 29th, and meets twice a month. The workshop is recommended for ages 9 and up, and both individuals or teams of 2 to 3 people are welcome to participate. To cover the cost of materials the suggested donation is $10 for an individual or $15 for teams. Space is limited and advanced registration is recommended. Visit the Museum’s website at www.wimuseum.org or call 309.837.2750 to sign up.
In this workshop, board game designer Rok Locksley will walk you through the steps necessary to create your own game, learning about traditional game mechanics and innovative spins. Each session will cover topics ranging from the history and cultural impact of board games to learning what makes a game enjoyable. The workshop is great for families who want to engage in an activity together, friends who want to create an interesting two-player game or solo folks who want to build their own game. There will be an opportunity to playtest your homemade board games in April and a final celebratory reveal that coincides with Lizzie Maggie’s birthday on May 7th.
The workshops will be held twice a month on Sundays from 1:30-3:00 pm at the Western Illinois Museum. Following are the dates and topics for each session.
Jan 29th – Intro and History: Explore the history and evolution of board games and learn about game themes and types.
Feb 12th – Good Game: Learn what makes a good game and learn traditional game mechanics such as drafting, resource management, pushing your luck, and so on.
Feb 26th – Game Changer: Develop your game and push it to the next level. Start designing cards/pieces and start building a working prototype game.
March 12th – Game Time: Proto-type handmade games are presented, and themes are developed.
March 26th – Balance: In this session, we will talk about how to keep your game from being broken or unbalanced. Look for loopholes, inconsistencies, and design/rule conflicts.
April 3rd – Game Demos: We will visit the local game store and test-run our games with the public.
April 23rd – Final Match: We will talk about how to finalize your game with finishing touches, and how to eventually publish, Kickstarter, or otherwise develop your game.
May 7th- Celebration: An interactive event where we celebrate the birthday of the inventor of The Landlords Game, Lizzie Maggie, and reveal our finalized games. One game will win a funding award that can help put the game into production.
This workshop is co-organized by the Western Illinois Museum and the Macomb Park District.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. Additional funding was provided by a grant from the Illinois Humanities, with funds from the State of Illinois American Rescue Plan Act.
The Western Illinois Museum is located at 201 South Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. The building is handicap accessible and there is free parking available. For more information contact the Museum by phone at 309.837.2750, text at 309.837.2613, or email at info@wimuseum.org.
About Sir Rok Locksley:
Rok Locksley is a Peace Corps Fellow and recent graduate from Western Illinois University where he received a Master’s Degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration. He currently works for the Macomb Park District as the Superintendent of Support Services. Locksley has worked with the Macomb Park District since 2020 and has created The Macomb School of Magic board game, a cooperative game that focuses on park issues such as litter and vandalism. He has created board games for the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps professionally. As an artist and designer, Locksley has created board games for clients for life events such as weddings, graduations, and corporate training. He is currently working on a 2-player dueling board game called “RagnaRok!”
Locksley served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Moldova from 2005 to 2008 where he was knighted for his community development work. Locksley then worked as the Illinois recruiter for the Peace Corps from 2009 to 2016. From 2018 to 2020, he served a second tour in the Peace Corps with his partner, Genevieve, in the Philippines. He began his graduate studies at WIU in the Fall of 2020. In 2022 he won the RPTA Outstanding Graduate Student Award at WIU. Prior to his service with the Peace Corps, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from James Madison University and worked as a professional artist.

Winter Farmers Market
2023-02-04 08:30 - 12:00 | Macomb American Legion, 221 E. Washington, Macomb, IL, 61455, United States
Come out to the Macomb Winter Farmers Market Sat., Feb. 4th from 8:30am-12pm at the American Legion (221 E Washington St.)!
Baked goods, farm fresh eggs, jewelry, woodwork, crafts, alpaca products, and more! Grab some goodies and last minute holiday gifts.

Birds, Brunch, and Beverages
2023-02-04 09:00 - 17:00 | Prairie Hills Resource Conservation and Development, 321 W University Dr, Macomb, IL, 61455, United States
https://allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php?event_id=200023815897729

Please join us Saturday, February 2nd, 2023 for a day with the staff of Prairie Hills RCD and the members of the Western Prairie Audubon Society of Illinois as we take a bus tour of the Mississippi river to bird watch, eat brunch, and have some beverages.
February is a great time for eagle watching as they winter around the lock and dams.
In partnership with the Western Prairie Society Audubon of Illinois, their experienced birders will be talking with us on the bus and help identify and share valuable information about bald eagles and other bird species we will see. Grab your binoculars, spotting scopes, water bottles, dress accordingly, and join us to see these magnificent birds.
Tickets are $65, include lunch and are tax deductible.
Please register here: https://www.aplos.com/aws/events/birds_brunch_and_beverages
Schedule:
9:00: Bus departs from the Credit Union One parking lot. Located across the street from the Prairie Hills RCD headquarters (321 W. University Drive, Macomb, IL 61455). Please arrive early to snag your spot on the bus so we can leave on time. You may park your vehicle in the Credit Union parking lot.
10:00-10:30: Mississippi River lock and dam 18. Burlington, IA. View bald eagles and other bird species.
11:00-1:00: Bent River Brewery Company, Burlington, IA. Buffet-style lunch (appetizers and sandwiches) is included in the ticket price. Vegetarian options will be available.
2:00-2:30: Mississippi River lock and dam 19. Keokuk, IA. View bald eagles and other bird species.
3:00-4:00: Green Frog Distillery tour and talk from the owner. Drinks are not included in the ticket price.
5:00: Arrive back in Macomb, IL
If you have any questions please call or email Fletcher (309) 833-4747, cGMgfCBwcmFpcmllaGlsbHNyY2QgISBvcmc=
*Picture by: Dan Moorehouse

Adult Coloring Club
2023-02-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Macomb Public Library, 235 S Lafayette St , Macomb

Midwest Avenue Live at The Elks Lodge
2023-02-10 19:00 | Macomb Elks Lodge, 401 Deer Rd, Macomb, IL
Nashville Recording Artist Midwest Avenue are coming back in Macomb to deliver a Fiddle Blazin’ Banjo String Raisin’ Country show!

Free Food Pantry
2023-02-16 17:30 - 18:30 | The Crossing, Macomb, IL, 61455, United States
Visit The Crossing on the third Thursday of each month. Free and open to the public. All are welcome. No church membership required.

Studio Ceramics Course: Wheel Throwing & Beyond
2023-02-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Macomb Park District Ceramic Studio, 1406 N Randolph St. , Macomb, IL, United States

Nature Makers Workshop
2023-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Lakeview Nature Center, 10050 N 1500th Rd, Macomb, IL, United States

Noticing Nature
2023-02-24 15:30 - 16:00 | Lakeview Nature Center, 10050 N 1500th Rd, Macomb, IL, United States

Wednesday Wine Run/Walk
2023-03-01 18:00 | The Wine Sellers
Meet at The Wine Sellers at 6:00 pm and go for a group run. You can run any distance at any pace – walkers are welcome too. End your run/walk at TWS and enjoy a beverage with your running friends.
This will be a weekly event – weather permitting.
Let’s get outside and run!

WIU Ag Mech Farm Expo
2023-03-04 | Western Hall
Join us for the 51st WIU Ag Mech Farm Expo!

ADFPF Powerlifting Single Event Nationals 2023
2023-03-04 09:00 - 12:00 | WIU Brophy Hall, 1 University Circle , Macomb, IL, United States
First BIG ADFPF meet of the year🏆 the ADFPF Single Event Nationals which will be held at Western Illinois University’s Brophy Hall in Macomb IL. More information can be found under the adfpf.net event calendar. Must sign up before the February 27th deadline. You can find the even registration under events at adfpf.net or https://form.jotform.com/230047390698058

Day in Clay Workshop
2023-03-04 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-03-04 13:30 - 14:30 | Macomb Park District Ceramic Studio, 1406 N Randolph St. , Macomb, IL, United States

Casino Night Fundraiser: New Animal Shelter Building Campaign
2023-03-04 19:00 - 23:00 | The Macomb Dining Company, 127 E Carroll St., Macomb, IL, 61455, United States
Fundraiser for the new animal shelter building campaign. Tickets are $50 and includes all of your gambling chips, a fabulous charcuterie spread, live music and more! Registration opens February 1, 2023.

Chris Madsen to Perform on Our Front Porch
2023-03-10 16:30 - 19:30 | Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St. , Macomb, IL, 61455, United States
The Western Illinois Museum, in partnership with the Western Illinois University School of Music, is pleased to welcome musician Chris Madsen on Friday, March 10th, as part of the monthly Jazz series being offered at the Museum. The doors and cash bar open at 4:30 with music at 5:15 and 6:15 pm. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.
Saxophone player, Chris Madsen is the third visiting musician in the series designed by WIU Music Professor, Whitney Ashe, to connect WIU music majors with professional musicians. Madsen will join the ranks of other world-class musicians to perform at the Museum with the HAT Trio, a group made up of WIU jazz faculty members Matt Hughes on bass, George Turner on guitar, and Whitney Ashe on piano. A review by Carlo Wolfe, for Downbeat Magazine, writes “Chris Madsen’s compositions delve into balladry, the blues, and a modernism that edges on the abstract—but remains accessible.”
This year’s series concludes with Wayne Coniglio on April 14th. The series will return with a new roster of visiting musicians in September 2023. Check the Museum’s website for dates for the 2023-24 season of LIVE Jazz performances.
Local support for the series is provided by the Performing Arts Society. Additional support is provided by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Western Illinois Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. For more information, call the Museum at 309.837.2750, text 309.837.2613, or email info@wimuseum.org. More details can be found on our website and social media channels.

42nd Annual Gem, Mineral, Jewelry, & Fossil Show
2023-03-11 10:00 - 18:00 | WIU Union Ballroom
Brought to you by the Geodeland Earth Science Clubs, Inc. Dealers. Displays. Demonstrations. Hourly Programs. Silent Auction. Kids Activities & Spin-N-Win. Hourly Door Prizes. Quartz, Amethyst, Agates

Western IL Fiber Fest
2023-03-11 12:00 - 17:00 | McDonough County 4-H Center
Join us Sat., March 11th from 12pm-5pm at the McDonough County 4-H Center for the 1st ever Western IL Fiber Fest! Fiber demonstrations, sales, and activities will be going on throughout the day. Meet fiber farmers and fiber artists, learn about the different animals that produce fiber, and all the different things you can create with it. Raw fiber, carded fiber, batt blends, roving, hand-spun yarns, hand-dyed yarns, felting supplies, felted items & art, crocheted items, knit items, woven items, and much more!
Free admission. Phoenix Food Shack will be serving lunch so come hungry! Stay tuned for list of vendors. We’re hoping Lake Hill Winery can join us for wine tasting too.
Fiber Demonstrations (so far, might be more):
Spinning with an E-Spinner (electric spinning wheel)
Spinning with a traditional spinning wheel
Spinning with a drop spindle
Needle Felting
Fiber Activities (so far, might be more):
Bird Nesting Balls – all ages – $8 – fill an iron orb with alpaca fiber and tie a piece of bale twine to the top. When you get home, hang it from your favorite tree and watch the birds stop by to pick up nesting material for their nests!
Make a Felted Picture – ages 10 & up – $10 – use natural fibers to create your own felted masterpiece! You’ll learn the basics of needle felting and use a barbed felting needle to “poke” fiber into a 6×6 piece of alpaca felt to design your own picture. It’s like painting, but with fiber and a needle instead of paint and a paintbrush!

If interested in being a vendor, please email: zeesbox@hotmail.com

Music Trivia Fundraiser: Dropping Beats for BBBS & VFW
2023-03-11 19:00 - 23:30 | Macomb VFW Post 1921, 1200 E. Jefferson St, Macomb
It’s been a few years, but Music Trivia is back! Dan’s DJ & Karaoke will be dropping beats for BBBS and the Macomb VFW Post 1921 on Saturday, March 11th! Tickets are $20/ per person or $150 for a team of 8. With purchase of a ticket, you can redeem one drink from bar, enjoy snacks and beverages throughout the night. Cash bar and signature drinks will be available for purchase during the event. Space is limited so don’t wait on it. Awesome prizes for the winning team, including over $300 worth of gift certificates and items from local restaurants and businesses. Call office at 309-837-5437 or email sbaca@bbbs-mv.org to reserve your table. You can also pick up tickets at the VFW -1200 E Jefferson right here in Macomb! You cannot have a better night out in Macomb for $20, all while supporting local youth and our veterans!

Liz Bentley @ Macomb Elks Lodge
2023-03-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Macomb Elks Lodge, 401 Deer Rd, Macomb, IL

13th Annual Power of the Purse
2023-03-24 17:00 - 19:00 | McDonough County United Way
We can’t wait to see you at the 13th Annual Power of the Purse!! Join us for the Silent Auction on Friday, March 24 from 5-7pm- we will feature a Silent Auction of great packages, our famous Punch Board, the Petite Power of the Purse (for the little purse lover in your life), and a preview of the Live Auction Bags!
Then, get your gals together for the VIP Live Auction and Online Event on Saturday, March 25 from 6-9pm! This event has sold out the last two years, so be sure to get your table reserved early!! Tickets will go on sale February 15th!

Spring Sip & Shop
2023-03-25 11:00 - 16:00 | Lake Hill Winery
Come out to Lake Hill Winery in Carthage, IL on Sat., March 25th from 12pm-4pm for the Spring Sip & Shop. Enjoy shopping with several small businesses in one location while you sip local wine and listen to live music. Have a pizza or partake in a delicious Charcuterie board with the works while you’re here. Find unique, one of a kind gifts, and have loads of fun! Mark your calendars and don’t miss out!

Macomb Assembly Weekend Bible School - Pets Unleashed
2023-03-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Macomb
Macomb Assembly Church welcomes all children ages 4 through going into 6th grade to VBS Pets Unleashed – Macomb Assembly Weekend! We will launch on a mission to grow closer to God through music, Bible stories, games, crafts, and the relationships we create throughout the week. Come join us in this faith filled and fun week!
Please pre-register your child and RSVP to this free event at https://www.macombassembly.org/

25th Annual Gardener's Day
2023-04-01 08:30 - 14:30 | Spoon River Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St. , Macomb, IL, 61455, United States
The 25th Annual Gardener’s Day, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension and McDonough County Master Gardeners, will be Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Spoon River College Outreach Center in Macomb, Illinois. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. with our first speakers beginning at 9:00 a.m. We are proud to offer this one day program for all levels of gardening interest and experience. COST: $35 – Early-bird Registration – register by March 6th – lunch included $40 – Registration Fee- register after March 6th – lunch included $25 – Half-day Registration – attend 2 sessions in AM or 2 sessions in PM – lunch NOT included Registration Includes: Attendance at educational sessions, lunch, access to vendor displays, and a chance to win a door prize. Seating is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration deadline is March 24. To see a full description of educational sessions and to register visit: go.illinois.edu/GardenersDay2023 Questions? Call the McDonough County Extension Office at (309) 837-3939.

Prairie Egg Hunt
2023-04-01 09:00 - 18:00 | Lakeview Nature Center, 10050 N 1500th Rd, Macomb, IL, United States

Foos For Families
2023-04-02 14:00 - 19:00 | WIU Rec Center

Western Horn Festival
2023-04-08 09:00 - 16:00 | COFAC Recital Hall
The Western Illinois University Horn Studio is made up of a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Music Performance, Music Education, Music Therapy, Music Business, and more! Under the direction of Dr. Jena Gardner each student takes individual lessons, participates in a weekly seminar class, and performs in the WIU large ensembles. School of music concert dates can be found here.
In addition to lessons and ensembles, the horn studio hosts the highest calibre guest artists throughout the year and at the annual Horn Festival. All students have the opportunity to work with world-renowned guest artists.

An Evening With America's Premiere Ornithologist Robert Ridgway
2023-04-11 18:30 | WIU University Union Sandburg Theater, WIU Campus, Macomb, IL, 61455, United States

Studio Ceramics Course: Speckled Clay Nesting Sets
2023-04-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Macomb Park District Ceramic Studio, 1406 N Randolph St. , Macomb, IL, United States
