Summer has officially arrived, bringing with it warmer temperatures, fun outdoor activities, and some of the tastiest fruit of any season (think: watermelon, peaches, nectarines!). Cities across the country celebrate the return of such delicious and healthy treats. Strawberries, high in Vitamin C and flavanoids, serve as the inspiration for the Long Grove Strawberry Festival on June 25-27. The three-day event showcases these little fruits in almost all of the culinary offerings. What better way to usher in the official beginning of summer than by snacking on chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry ice cream, strawberry doughnuts?

If this doesn’t excite you, perhaps the celebrity appearance of Paul Young, a finalist in Food Network’s Next Food Network Star, will entice you. He is scheduled to have a live cooking demonstration early Saturday afternoon at the Mill Pond Strawberry Theme Stage. This venue will also house additional demonstrations, tasting, and pageants. Although strawberries are the main focus, there will also be a farmer’s market and ice cream cone eating contests (sign-up in advance!).

But don’t be fooled: food is not the only attraction! Live music will play throughout the weekend, including NuBlu Band with Carlise Guy, the daughter of Blues legend Buddy Guy, as well as Keith Semple and 7^th Heaven. With five stages and many acts scheduled, there is sure to be a musical act for everyone. Like to shop? Long Grove’s boutiques and stores will be open, many offering discounted merchandise throughout the festival.

Have kids? Have no fear! Children’s activities are plentiful including face painting, pony rides, and kid-friendly booths that promise activities to keep them engaged in this strawberry celebration. The Little Rascals will be showing on Saturday night on the lawn outside of Timmy’s Sandwiches & Ice Cream (the same location as the ice cream cone eating contest!).

Long Grove is located near Routes 53 and 83 in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The city provides directions for how to get to the festival but if you need additional assistance, or have any questions about the weekend’s festivities, visit their website or call (847) 634-0888 for more information.

Photo courtesy of Mr. T in DC

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Enjoy a round of golf at Vernon Hills Golf Course, one of the top ten best 9 hole courses in Chicagoland. And if you do a one time registration with the Village of Vernon Hills, you'll find a web special that gives you a coupon for $20 round of 9 holes including cart, that is valid on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Vernon Hills Golf Course is a very walkable 9 hole layout, that measures at 2,836 yards for men, par 34 with a course rating of 34.2 and slope of 120. Vernon Hills Golf Course has a full service clubhouse restaurant and bar which serves a lunch menu all day.

Don't worry about the rain! Vernon Hills Golf Course has a rain check policy. There are also leagues, outings and other specials for juniors, seniors and families. Contact the course for details.

A round of golf at Vernon Hills Golf Course would make a great way to spend Father's Day, but don't forget about Vernon Hills Park District's Father's Day Family Camp Out on Saturday night.

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Like most 5 year old boys my son loves dinosaurs. However we don't always have the time in our busy schedule to drive into the city to visit the Field Museum. The good news is, you don't have to! There is a gem of a museum right in our back yard, the Lake County Discovery Museum at Lakewood.

This unassuming old farm building has been developed into a top notch family friendly destination and a must see in lake county. The museum has four main galleries; Mall of History, Children's Learning Gallery, Vortex Roller Coaster theater, and Bring the World Home. They currently have two special Exhibits ruining Charles Warner Cathedrals (1/16-8/15) and Golden Legacy (3/20-8/22).

  

I was really looking forward to seeing the Golden Legacy exhibit. I of course grew up on Golden Books and my children read them I thought it would be great. However anyone that has children knows that the best laid plans are, well , plans. Tuesday's are half price admission day, so there was a large school group there. That made spending time looking at all the beautiful artwork and talking about it with my kids near impossible. While looking at the art we stumbled on to the cathedrals exhibit. I hadn't read about this prior and had no idea what to expect from the signs and we were blown away.

Five meticulously designed and constructed folk art cathedrals, recalling the artist’s childhood memories of Europe. Each spire is illuminated and elaborately painted. The cathedrals are complemented by historic postcards of Old World and New World cathedrals.

The Golden Legacy Exhibit has original artwork from 65 years of Golden Books. 

The exhibit however, is so much more than artwork.  After you pass through the gallery there is a interactive kids gallery set up all themed to different books. You can:

• Draw on walls like The Color Kittens.
• Crawl through a plush version of Farmer McPhee's lemon orchard to find The Red Lemon and play a "Toss the Red Lemon" game.
• Slide down the Happy Man's dump truck.
• Make a snake slither and a cricket hop away from The Poky Little Puppy.
• Recreate scenes from Tootle and Scuffy the Tugboat on a large play table.
• Play I Can Fly inspired mad libs or sit down to enjoy a story in a themed reading area.
• Create your own Golden Book on our storyboard wall.

There is enough to do to entertain children of all ages, readers and non-readers alike. My children are 3 and 5 and were just as entertained as the 9 and 10 year olds that were visiting with their school. 


We had a little time left and my son really wanted to see the dinosaur bones. While we were exploring Prehistoric Lake County one of the museum volunteers (who did not know I was writing this) came up and offered to set  up a station and pull out some skulls and animals things to talk about with the kids.

We were so caught up in the activity and there was so much more to see it was hard to leave!

While not exclusive a children's museum it really is a great place for kids. Outside of the kid specific exhibits there are little signs:

that indicate interactive games and toys for the kids. It's also located in the Lakewood forest preserve so there are picnic areas, grass to run in and a mammoth outside that my kids love to run around. 


HOURS: Regular gallery hours are Monday - Saturday, 10a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

COST: 

• Admission is $6 for adults and $2.50 for youth ages four to 17, and free for children three years and under. Admission is $2.50 for seniors after 2 p.m.
• Discount Tuesdays: adults $3, ages 4-17 (up to five children per adult) FREE, $1.25 per child for groups with 5-10 children per adult.
• Download a $1off coupon at the Museum website. 

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:
Civil War Days
Small Discoveries- Summertime Fun






All photos included are property of Melissa H. and cannot re reused with out permission. 

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