Co-organizer: Betty Williams

Registration deadline: June 10

Tour 2 mansions of historical significance with a deluxe lunch at Uptown Grille. Reddick Mansion is an 1858 pre-Civil War home of Wm. Reddick designed by Olmstead and Nicholson. Reddick was a state senator and LaSalle County sheriff. The 22 rooms in 4 stories overlooked the Lincoln Douglas debates of 1858 at the park across the street. It was the town library until 1975 and is now on the register of historic sites. Industrial baron, Edward Hegeler, was once the largest zinc manufacturer in the U. S. His 1876 home was designed by W. W. Boyington with 57 rooms on 7 levels. Their enterprise is known for science, Asian philosophy and also Cricket magazine for children. You'll view the country's 1st private residence gymnasium along with 80% of the home's period furnishings original to the Hegeler-Carus family. Architects (AIA) rate this as one of Illinois' 200 Great Places.

Activity Level: On Your Feet, or you may opt out of upper level tour. 

Motor Coach pick up location: WCC- Sugar Grove campus, North entrance, Outside Fieldhouse - red door 8:45AM

Do you look in the mirror every morning and say, "Wow! You look great?" We spend our lives and our money making serious efforts to look better. Walt Whitman (who cared little about his public appearance} had the right idea. It's not what's on the "outside;" it's what's on the inside. "The Body Electric" is an opportunity for us to practice discovering the "inside job" that deserves celebration. This program is for people who already look good on the inside. That's what a lifelong learner is: Learning energizes, encourages smiles and helps with all-around good feelings. Using the first two verses of this poem (found on-line or in the library) together, we will discover and uncover what Whitman has to teach us 125 years later.

Leaves of Grass, verses 1 & 2. By Walt Whitman (REQUIRED)

For many decades Norman Rockwell's work was widely dismissed as "Kitch" in the fine arts community. The controversy still reigns. Was he a serious artist or just a very good illustrator? After examining his background, history, and works we will come to our own conclusions.