🌱 Patch AM: How Rockford’s Out of the Darkness Walk is turning grief into action

What's up Rockford! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Rockford's Out of the Darkness Walk is turning grief into action
• Where Rockford residents can turn right now in a mental health crisis

Also on today's calendar: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do some birds fly south for the winter? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Very warm, with a high of 86 and low of 64 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Tuesday: Warm with clouds and sun, temps: high: 79, low: 58.
• Wednesday: Clouds and sun; not as warm, with a high of 68 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Rockford Out of the Darkness Walk brings hundreds together for suicide prevention (mystateline.com) — Rockford residents just came together at Rock Valley College for the Out of the Darkness Walk, raising funds and awareness after a heartbreaking string of recent youth suicides in the community. Organizers and volunteers shared how open conversations, counseling, and resources like the 988 Lifeline can reduce stigma and help families find support across Rockford and Illinois.
   

• Mental health resources for those in crisis (mystateline.com) — Rockford residents facing a mental health crisis—or worried about a loved one—have several confidential, round-the-clock options to reach trained counselors. From the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to the Veterans Crisis Line and Crisis Text Line, you can call, text, or chat anytime to get immediate, judgment-free support and guidance toward longer-term help.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday October 17
• The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet →
  1521 S. Linn White Dr., Northerly Island, Chicago, IL 60605,
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday October 13
• Drop-In Recreation →
  UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison Street, Rockford
  9:00 am
• The Healing Cup Grief Group →
  Starbucks, 2570 Charles St, Rockford
  10:00 am
• LUDY and his LADY at Hoffman House at Holiday Inn Rockford →
  Hoffman House at Holiday Inn Rockford, 7550 East State Street, Rockford
  11:00 am
Wednesday October 14
• Midwest Aerospace Conference – MAC2026 →
  Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront, 416 S. Main Street, Rockford
• Drop-In Recreation →
  UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison Street, Rockford
  9:00 am
• WSM Insurance/NM →
  North Main Manor, 505 North Main Street, Rockford
  12:00 pm
• Career Launch Series →
  Rockford Housing Authority, 223 South Winnebago Street, Rockford
  1:00 pm
Thursday October 15
• Drop-In Recreation →
  UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison Street, Rockford
  9:00 am
• WEI Healthcare Career Fair Job Seeker Registration →
  Rock Valley College, 3301 North Mulford Road, Rockford
  2:00 pm
• Eerie Autumn Lights 2026 →
  Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S Main St, Rockford
  5:00 pm
Thursday October 22
• Eerie Autumn Lights 2026 →
  Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S Main St, Rockford
  5:00 pm

📣 Rockford Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Rockford PatchAM possible:

• Mike's Mowing & More Inc — (815) 721-4464
• Beegoshop — 8154468485

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Is there anybody here who's willing to just...
  listen to me vent? There's a lot on my plate right now and I could use just... a listening ear. (Nextdoor Rolling Green)
• While at a local eatery that has a ATM I noticed a $20 still in the machine.
  The store was empty except for me. I'm not on to pass by anything free, so I grabbed it. What would you do? Take the money and run? (Nextdoor Sierra Heights)

• UW Health posted a job opening for Cook in Rockford. Apply here.
• LongHorn Steakhouse posted a job opening for Server in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.

🗞 Nearby News

Loves Park

• What to do around the Stateline this Sunday, Oct. 11 (mystateline.com)
• Nik's Wish marks 15 years of granting wishes to young adults with cancer (mystateline.com)

Machesney Park

• Kidcast: Isaiah (mystateline.com)

Winnebago

• Both Oregon Junior High cross-country teams headed to state; 4 Hawks earn medals (wifr.com)
• Police: Rockford man arrested after fleeing traffic stop, crack cocaine recovered (meigsindypress.com)

Ok Rockford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why do some birds fly south for the winter?" — Because it's too far to walk..! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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