Stories in Your PJs and More: The Week Ahead

Loads are happening this week in Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest. Here's just a smidgen.

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Legacy of an Environmental Pioneer

Learn about the successes, spiritual ground and courage of Rachel Carson during a program at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Assn., 178 Forest Ave., in Oak Park. Local resident Peggy McGrath will discuss Carson and her book "Silent Spring," the seminal book on the environment. Carson's masterpiece, which was published 50 years ago, was the impetus for the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air and Water acts and other efforts. The program starts at 1 pm; tea follows the program. Suggested donation is $10. For more information, call 708-386-2729.

Colbert, Fonda and Ford

A trio of greats - Claudette Colbert, Henry Fonda and John Ford - will be on the ticket Monday in "Drums Along the Mohawk," at 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

In the Ford-directed frontier adventure set during the American Revolution, Colbert and Fonda are newlywed homsteaders fighting marauding Indians and the British.Oak Park film historian Oak Park film historian Doug Deuchler will introduce each film and conduct a discussion following each screening.

The movie is part of an on-going series in October that celebrates Colbert's career. The film is free and open to the public.

Start Halloween Early

Have a bit of Halloween fun by making  fun string of paper jack o' lanterns, from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday at the Maze Branch Library of the Oak Park Public Library, 845 Gunderson Ave. Best for ages 4 and up. It's free; no registration is
required.

Is The Cocoa Ready?

Wear your pajamas and bring a stuffed friend to a special evening story time program at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15 at the River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave. This is for kids ages 2 to 7 years; you have to bring a parent or caregiver. The evening is free. Call 708-366-5205 for more information.

Is Mr. Darcy Coming?

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association will host a session of English Country Dances, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15. No partner needed; all dances are taught and called. Renowned English caller and dance writer Colin Hume will be here. Live music by the Cosmic Otters, with Martha Edwards of Ragged Robin. Suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 for those under 18 and over 65. Proceeds benefit the Association's Scholarship Trust, which annually provides scholarships to graduating OPRF seniors.

For more information, call 708-386-2729.

A Story of Heroism

The true story of a hat designer and her harrowing story of escape from 1930s Vienna will be discussed at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 at deedee and edee's, 7415 Madison St. in Forest Park. Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler, a memoir by Trudi Kanter, is free and open to the public. Call 708-209-1448 for more information.

Hang Out with Friends

The Youth Rec Center is open from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday at the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. Play board games, ping pong, and video games and listen to music and more. Registration is not required. $1 or a can of food for the food pantry to enter.