Chilly times during Kline Creek Ice Harvest

Just in case you haven’t seen enough ice and snow this week, the DuPage Forest Preserve District will play host to an old-fashioned Ice Harvest from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 23, 25, 26 and 30 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago.

If weather allows, visitors can join farm employees and volunteers on Timber Lake to see how farmers scored and cut ice into blocks. They can even lend a hand by using the farm’s large 1890s saws and icebreaker bars. Visitors can then see how properly stacking and insulating the ice in the icehouse allows the blocks to stay frozen for months — without electricity.

“Kline Creek Farm is one of the few places in Chicagoland that cuts and stores ice the old-fashioned way,” said Keith McClow, Kline Creek Farm manager. “For many visitors, seeing the labor that was required during the coldest time of year to make sure foods remained chilled through the hottest is a real eye-opener.”

The programs are free, but McClow encourages visitors to call the farm the morning of each at (630) 876-5900 to ensure conditions will allow cutting that day.

In addition to Ice Harvest, the district will offer smaller ice-cutting demonstrations, weather permitting, at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 1 at its free “Wonders of Winter” event at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook.