West Chicago City Museum to host program on essential oils

Katie Minkalis believes essential oils help to treat sleep issues, manage moods and pain, and even treat chronic illnesses.

Minkalis will present "Historic Essential Oils and Modern Health" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main St., West Chicago.

Minkalis became interested in natural solutions for health care when trying to treat several chronic illnesses. After experiencing positive results from essential oils, she began using them on her children and family for a variety of other day-to-day reasons including sleep, mood management, pain management, seasonal relief, cleaning, injuries, and more.

As a teacher, the science and history behind the oils have been particularly interesting to her. Why have these oils stood the test of time? Why are they having a resurgence? Minkalis explores these topics as part of her ongoing essential oil practice.

The program starts at 7 p.m. Following the presentation, guests have the opportunity to ask questions and sample some of the essential oils.

Afterward, guests can mingle and stroll through the City Museum's current exhibits until 8:30 p.m. The exhibits are:

• "Be Well: Dialogues of Health and Wellness Through History." In conjunction with the citywide Healthy West Chicago initiative, the museum presents a historical overview of concepts of health and wellness throughout West Chicago's 166-year past. Many can debate over what makes a person healthy, but history can help us to think critically about what it means to be well.

• "Sense of Place." International artist Diana Velasco's photography project involves the memories of the community of West Chicago in relation to local landmarks. Velasco was born and raised in Denmark by a Spanish father and a Danish mother. Her photographic work touches on the subjects of identity and relationships. She has studied both anthropology and communication. The traveling portions of this exhibit and artist-in-residency project are in collaboration with the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa, and the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, Washington.

• Building Community. The exhibit explores the founding and evolution of the town of Turner. Originally referred to as "Junction," Tuner was the location of the first railroad junction in Illinois. Turner changed its name to West Chicago in 1896 in an effort to draw more industry to the area. This semi-permanent exhibit also chronicles the experiences of the early settlers. How did they get to the area? What did they bring? What did they build? What did they do for fun? The exhibit on the second floor of the museum is presented in English and in Spanish.

For information, contact (630) 231-3376 or westchicago.org.