Retreat to Lake Forest’s Ragdale for inspiration

Families can enjoy a multitude of activities during Ragdale Day June 3 at the famed Lake Forest artists’ retreat.

Updated: June 1, 2012 4:32PM

Artists have found Ragdale a place of inspiration since 1976. Your family can experience a sampling of life at the famed artists’ retreat during Ragdale Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at 1230 N. Green Bay Road, Lake Forest.

There will be activities for all ages, reported Cynthia Quick, Ragdale’s director of communications and programming. These will include traditional lawn games such as croquet, bocce ball and hula hoops. There also will be creative activities children should enjoy.

“We have a very large, hundred-year-old elm tree that we call the Imagination Tree,” Quick said, which will become the Blooming Elm that day as artist Beth Reitmeyer leads a felt flower craft project to create hanging blossoms for the tree. “By the end of the Ragdale Day, families will have contributed their blossoms,” Quick added.

There also will be live entertainment, artist demonstrations, prairie exploration and tractor rides.

Admission is free. Lunch is $5.

For details, call (847) 234-1063 or visit ragdale.org.

Here’s the catch

Parents are welcome to join their children ages 5 to 13 during the Kids’ Fishing Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 9, at Century Park’s Big Bear Lake, 1001 Lakeview Pkwy., Vernon Hills. The event will begin with instructions and demonstrations. Bait will be provided and a limited number of fishing poles will be available. Prizes will be awarded in age categories. Cost is $5 for residents, $6 for nonresidents.

For details, call (847) 996-6800 or visit vhparkdistrict.org.

Boy, oh boy

There will be plenty of laughs and amazing stunts when Bobby Hunt, known as Circus Boy, appears at the Lake Forest Children’s Library, 360 E. Deerpath from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 5. His stunts include trick bicycling and juggling ping-pong balls in his mouth. Free tickets are required.

For details, call (847) 234-0648 or visit lakeforestlibrary.org.

Crafty business

Inner artists are invited to come out and play during a family drop-in craft from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 2, at the Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. A variety of supplies will be available at craft tables. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

For details, call (847) 566-8702 or visit fremontlibrary.org.

Bat news

You and your children ages 10 and older will learn about bat acoustic monitoring from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Ethel’s Woods, south of Route 173 between Highway 45 and Crawford Road, Antioch and Newport townships. Cost is $2 per person for Lake County residents, $4 for nonresidents. Register by June 5.

For details, call (847) 968-3321 or visit lcfpd.org.

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