Former St. Charles Mayor Fred Norris shares memories of a small island in the Fox River, once used by workers at a nearby piano factory for picnics and by local kids for play and fort-building.

Mark your calendar for the Lake, DuPage and McHenry County Fairs, Long Grove Vintage Days, Northbrook Days, Lollapalooza and more happening this week.

Mark your calendar for the Kane, Lake and DuPage County Fairs, Vernon Hills Days, Naper Nights, Lake Zurich Alpine Fest, Sugar Grove Corn Boil and more happening this week.

Adam Dagley, facilities manager at Peck Farm Park in Geneva, is passionate about prairies. In a recent presentation, he discussed the importance of prairies in Illinois and the efforts being made to preserve them.

Mark your calendar for Glendale Heights Fest, Libertyville Dog Days of Summer, Itasca Fest, McHenry Fiesta Days, Kane County Fair, Vernon Hills Days and more happening this week.

Tuesday, July 1 Naper Settlement Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays, July 1 through Sept. 23, on the museum grounds, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Offering an assortment of goods from mission-based, fair-trade or local vendors, from coffee ...

Mark your calendar for Fourth of July events, Mount Prospect Lions Club Fourth of July Festival, Frontier Days Festival, Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest, Mundelein Community Days, McHenry Fiesta Days, fireworks, parades and more happening this week.

Monday, June 16 Hinsdale Farmers Market: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, June 16 through Oct. 13, along Chicago Avenue, between Garfield and Washington, Hinsdale. Fresh produce and unique finds from farms and stores. hinsdalechamber.com/farmers-ma...

Mark your calendar for Naper Nights, Swedish Days, Wauconda Fest, Wood Dale Prairie Fest, Lake Fest, concerts and movies in the park and more happening this week.

Geneva's Swedish Days on June 18-22 celebrates its diamond jubilee this year with a theme of "A Stroll Through History."