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Sign up for 'Honey Brunch 'N Learn' and more at Morton Arboretum

Buzz on over for brunch with the bees at Morton Arboretum in Lisle! “Honey Brunch 'N Learn” lets you indulge on a honey-themed brunch with master beekeeper, Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture magazine and author of The Backyard Beekeeper. Learn about beekeeping; explore the different flavors of honey, and hear about the future of our pollinators. Cost $36 ($29 for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Hawthorn and Chestnut Room, Visitor Center.

September 9: 9:30 – 11 a.m.

It's a sweet time at “The Honey Bee Weekend!” At this honey expo, local vendors display honey-related products including beeswax candles, honey soaps, and lotions. Some may even have delicious samples too. Meet honey and bee experts to answer questions about bees and pollinator-friendly gardening. Beginning beekeeper kits will also be available for purchase. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Cost per items. Visitor Center.

September 8 and 9: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Check out “un-bee-lievably” awesome photos at the “Honey Bee Photo Contest.” Winners of the Arboretum's social media honey bee photo contest will be on display along with several honorable mentions. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Visitor Center.

September 6 – 9: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bike the “bee-autiful” terrain of the Arboretum! “Bike to the Hives” let's you explore the grounds and tour honeybee hives. Meet our honeybee experts to ask your questions about beekeeping or harvesting honey. Adults. Cost $18 ($15 for Arboretum members). Visitor Center parking lot.

September 8 and 9: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Sweet as can bee! “Honey and Mead Dinner” will host the Wild Blossom Meadery and Winery, producer of the finest honey wines in the Midwest. Guests will enjoy a honey-based dinner while hearing about the art of producing mead. Each course paired with a different variety of mead. Adults. Cost $55 ($50 for Arboretum members). Ginkgo Restaurant.

September 6: 6 – 8 p.m.

Have a “Happy Bee-Day!” Celebrate the Children's Garden's seventh birthday with a buzzing good time. Make a bee mask, do a bee dance, and meet a real beekeeper. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Children's Garden.

September 8 and 9: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bee adventurous! “Family Honeybee Hikes” are exciting family-friendly hikes to discover the honeybees' favorite flowers and how honey is made. Then get an exclusive tour of the Arboretum's beehives. Hikes last 45 minutes. Ages 2 and older. Cost is $6 ($5 for Arboretum members) plus general Arboretum admission. Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Arbor Court.

September 8 and 9: 11 a.m.; 11:30; 1p.m; 1:30 p.m.; 2 p.m.; 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

OTHER SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Play in the Empress Tree Castle or the Bur Oak Clubhouse Hideaway at “Tree House Tales at The Morton Arboretum!” This imaginative and entertaining exhibition comprises six kid-friendly, fun-filled and educational tree houses. Each house celebrates the story and significance of a species of tree. Play-to-learn is the underlying design concept that runs through the exhibition, and it's why every tree house is a house full of activity, adventure, and excitement. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. South China collection along Loop 1; approximately a four block walk from the Visitor Center.

Now- November 2013: 7 a.m. to sunset

Challenge your legs and excite your eyes at the “Fall Color 5K Run and Walk.” Race up Frost Hill, glide along Crabapple Lake, and relish in the final stretch along the Appalachia and Asian Collections on this USATF-certified course. Kids even get their own race, the “Kids Dash.” All ages. Advanced registration: 5K Run & Walk cost $30 ($25 for Arboretum members). Kids Dash ages 2 – 10 cost $12 ($10 for Arboretum members). Race-day registration: 5K Run & Walk cost $35. Kids Dash cost $15. East Side Main Route.

September 30: 8 – 11 a.m.

Ship-wrecked on an island at the Arboretum? William Shakespeare's, “The Tempest,” is September's “Theatre-Hike™.” Prospero and his daughter are stranded on an island, when another mysterious ship crashes upon the shore. Follow the spirits and magical challenges they must face to be free. Each theatrehike presents a different scene at a new location on the Arboretum grounds. Audience members hike to each location to enjoy the unfolding story. Low-impact hikes (suitable for strollers, walkers and wheelchairs) are on the first Sunday performance of the month. All ages. Costs for adults $19 ($12 for Arboretum members) and for children $13 ($8 for Arboretum members). Thornhill Shelter.

Weekends starting September 8: 1 – 4 pm.

Beer on the prairie! “Sunset at the Schulenberg” lets you explore the flora and fauna of the 50-year-old Schulenberg Prairie planting during the beautiful sunset. Then over beer and some tasty snacks, you discuss the prairie ecosystem and restoration. Adults. Cost $34 ($29 for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Prairie Visitor Station.

September 5: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Garden art adds the cherry on top to your home landscape! “Nature Under Glass” features artist Susan Harthill, IS THIS THE CORRECT SPELLING an environmentalist and nature lover, as she creates stunning garden art through mosaic patterns. Free with Arboretum admission. All ages. The Arboretum Store.

September 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Be your kids' nature hero! “Family Explorer's Backpack” enhances your child's experience in the Children's Garden. You'll become your kid's science partner in your adventure using the science tools, guides and fun props from the backpack to bring to life some of nature's mysteries. Suggested for families with children age 2 - 6. Costs $5 ($4 for Arboretum members). Visitor Center.

Now - October 31: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Round, oval, or heart shaped! “Lovely Leaves” lets kids discover the leaves growing in the Children's Garden. From red-buds to the mighty oak, each tree leave has its own unique personality. Then your child creates a leaf of their own to take home. This is a self-guided, hands-on discovery activity. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Children's Garden.

Weekends in September: 11 a.m. – 4p.m. (weather permitting).

Is a tomato a fruit or a veggie? “You Say Tomato, I Say Fruit” tells the difference between a fruit and vegetable. Your kids play guessing games and paint with vegetables in this is a self-guided, hands-on discovery activity. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Children's Garden.

Weekdays in September: 1 – 4 p.m. (weather permitting).

Terrific tales in nature! Gather in the Children's Garden for “Garden Story Time,” a fun, nature-inspired story time. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Children's Garden.

Fridays: 11:00 am – 11:20 am.

Explore the Arboretum's nine miles of scenic roads by bicycle! Bring your own or rent one of ours. We have regular bicycles, tandems, electric bikes, burley strollers, wagons and much more. All ages. Visitor Center.

Saturday – Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Capture the beauty of hawks soaring! “Morton Arboretum Photographic Society: Hawks in Flight” highlights techniques and equipment needed to capture images of raptors in flight. Discussions include places, best time of the year, perched raptors, and creative techniques will be led by Vic Berardi, founder of Illinois Beach State Park Hawk Watch. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Thornhill Education Center.

September 10: 7 – 9 p.m.

Books and nature, what a great combination! “Leafing Through the Pages - Members' Book Discussion Group” is a free perk for showing your support of the Arboretum through membership. This week's discussion covers Roger Deakin's “Wildwood.” Free to Arboretum members. Sterling Morton Library.

September 13: 10 a.m. – noon.

A playful adventure after hours at the Arboretum! “Family Twilight Adventures Spectacular Spiders” offers an enchanting family night to search for spiders around Lake Marmo, take a moonlit tram, and cozy up around the campfire and roast marshmallows. Experience an unforgettable night at the Arboretum under the twilight sky. Suggested for families with children 10 and under, one adult per five children please. Cost $23 per person ($16 for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. P21- West Side.

September 14: 7 – 9 p.m.

September 22:6 – 8 p.m.

Create family memories searching the woods, fields and edges of the Arb for birds with “Fall Bird Walks!” This special family-friendly walk teaches about the fall resident birds, their favorite stomping grounds, foraging needs and nesting behaviors with an Arboretum expert. Costs $10 plus gate fee ($8 for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Shelter.

September 15: 8 – 10:30 a.m.

Get your home garden ready for spring! “Woodland Bulbs for Every Yard” is the perfect way to spruce up your yard with bright colors next spring. Discover woodland bulbs, their growth requirements, and how to care for these bulbs. A few bulb highlights include fritillaries, summer snowflakes, snowdrops, Scylla, wild hyacinth, and more. Plus, take home a mixed container of bulbs to plant. Adults. Cost $42 including gate fee ($35 for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.

September 15: 9:30 a.m. – noon.

No room to compost? In “Composting in Any Space” organic gardening experts Vicki Nowicki of Let's Grow Vegetables and LaManda Joy Minikel of The Peterson Garden Project, show you how to compost almost anywhere! Adults. Cost $42 (includes gate fee; $35 for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.

September 22; 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Interested in drawing? “Begin to Draw: Nature” is geared to beginners and teaches you the basics in drawing. This weekly class will build your drawing confidence and teach you all you need to know from how to hold your pencil to types of paper. Adults. Cost $188 including gate fee ($160 for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.

September 18 – October 16: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Nature is beautiful, even in the form of jewelry. The “Tessoro Jewelry Trunk Show” features unique jewelry created from salvaged birch bark and recycled copper accented with pearls, sea glass, turquoise, lichen, and a variety of other stones to make the perfect accessory. Meet jewelry designer Deborah Bushinski and shop her beautiful jewelry collection. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. The Arboretum Store.

September 22: Noon – 4 p.m.

Those creative scarecrows are back! Take a stroll around Meadow Lake to see the “Scarecrow Trail!” Local Girl Scout Troops have accented the path around the lake with cleverly decorated scarecrows. Once you take the trip, be sure to vote for your favorite at the Visitor Center. Free with Arboretum admission. All ages. Meadow Lake

Daily, September 29 – November 4: 7 a.m. – sunset.

Discover the world of bonsai! “The Art of Bonsai” hosts members of the Prairie State Bonsai Society where you can explore different techniques for creating bonsai. This artistic style of dwarfing plants through growing and pruning will add character to your home gardens. Bonsai and bonsai supplies will be available for purchase. Bonsai workshops for adults and children (ages 8-14) are offered. Event free with Arboretum admission, bonsai workshops additional cost. Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Visitor Center, Sycamore Room

September 29 – 30: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Celebrate this colorful season at the “Autumn Equinox Walk!” Embrace the fall colors by taking a walk to a variety of hands-on stations that engage all your five senses focusing on the natural and cultural heritage of this season. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Meadow Lake.

September 19: 1 – 2 p.m.

September 22: 4 – 5 p.m.

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges generous support from: Navistar, Presenting Sponsor of the Children's Garden; Sara Lee Foundation, Contributing Sponsor of Tree House Tales; Wente Family Estates, Featured Wine of the Arboretum; Target, Sponsor of “Reading Adventure Programs;” Edy's Ice Cream, Youth and Family Sponsor; M&M Orthapedics and

Dick Pond Athletics, Contributing Sponsors of the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk; AthletiCo, Supporting Sponsor of the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk; and Illinois Arts Council, Supporter of

Arts Programs.

Unless otherwise specified, all Arboretum events and destinations including the Children's Garden are free with Arboretum admission.

The 2012 rates are:

$12/adult, ($8 on Wednesday), ages 18-64

$11/senior, ($7 on Wednesday), ages 65 and over

$9/child ($6 on Wednesday), ages 2-17

Under age 2 is free. Parking is free.

About The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized outdoor tree museum on 1,700 acres. Plant collections, scientific research, and education programs support the mission to plant and conserve trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Throughout natural landscapes are specialty gardens, 16 miles of trails, and nine miles of roads. Other offerings include tree-focused events, activities, and services for adults, children, professionals, and communities. The Arboretum welcomes 800,000 visitors annually and serves 34,000 member households. Located 25 miles west of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open daily 7 a.m. until sunset. More information is available at www.mortonarb.org or 630-968-0074.

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