Featured Courses Make Your Own Succulent Arrangement in a Pumpkin This course contains no sessions This hands-on class will teach you how to create a succulent tabletop arrangement in a pumpkin featuring a variety of succulents grown by KCC student's in their greenhouse and educational handouts provided by the University of Illinois Extension. For beginners and experienced alike, this course will cover helpful tips on plant selection, proper building techniques, picking the right container with favorite tricks for planting, maintenance and displaying within any home or office environment. You'll leave with your creation, care instructions and all the knowledge you'll need to recreate this project - this class is not to be missed! All materials will be provided for this class. Current Event Discussion Group 08/25/21 - 12/29/21 This group meets to discuss current events in an online setting between diverse individuals with the purpose of understanding current event topics. No political discussion. We welcome newcomers. The group meets every Wednesday virtually via Zoom. Before the first session begins, you will be emailed a link to join the online discussion. The California Gold Rush This course contains no sessions Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program. This class will explore the initial discovery and more about the man who started it all. We will discuss types of mining, the miners' successes and failures, camp life and mining towns, racial and ethnic tensions, and impacts to local indigenous peoples. Come learn why all that glitters is not gold. The Salem Witch Trials 10/29/21 - 10/29/21 This class will review the outbreak by discussing the afflicted and accused, and the role judges played in accelerating the affair. The trials causes and controversies will be analyzed. We will explore the community and causation, the social context of witchcraft, how gender and ethnicity played a role, the legal aspects, and the legacy of the trials. The Pumpkin: A Thanksgiving Tradition 11/12/21 - 11/12/21 From food of the poor to the essential dessert at one of America's most inclusive holidays, the pumpkin is now an American symbol and tradition. This class explores the history behind the pumpkin from the colonial era to modern times. Christmas in the White House 12/03/21 - 12/03/21 Americans have celebrated the holidays differently over the past two centuries - from the early days of the republic when it was a family affair to the twentieth century with holiday décor and the annual tree. This class will explore how the holidays were celebrated by our past presidents, how the holiday décor and frenzy has shifted over the generations, and how traditions were kept over the years. I'm Dead, Now What? This course contains no sessions Join us for a discussion about what we want for our families after we finish up here. Losing someone we love is hard enough with planning. Without a plan, chaos and hurt feelings can make life hard. Richard Bateman, a CPA, will offer insights on general financial planning that can be helpful and Ann Brezinski, an Attorney, will talk about estate planning options. Did we mention someone will win a free book? Movie Music III This course contains no sessions Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program. Film and music buffs can take a trip through 23 classic songs and dances from more than 100 years of cinematic history with Movie Music Romance. Film historian John LeGear produced and leads this 75-minute movie homage to tripping the light fantastic. You'll love the songs and surprises in Movie Music Romance III. Movie Music Elvis Presley This course contains no sessions Elvis Presley was a pioneer of the music industry, similar to what Bing Crosby was in the 1930s and what The Beatles brought to the world in the 1960s. Join us for this music tribute to the first half of his 23-year career. You'll also learn about Elvis' leading ladies. If you enjoy Elvis' music from the 1950's, you won't want to miss this presentation! Share a Book/Share an Author: Historical Fiction 11/01/21 - 11/01/21 Is there a historical fiction book (or book series) that has made an impact on you? Join us as we share historical fiction authors and books that helped us learn about our world. Enjoy a discussion and go home with a new list of authors and books to enjoy. Antebellum Abolitionists 11/05/21 - 11/05/21 11/05/21 - 11/05/21 James Paul explores the relationships among the Bourbonnais Grove French-Canadians, Quaker Thomas Durham (Perry Farm pioneer) and the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Class participation will be encouraged through role playing and the class will be videotaped to promote local history investigations in the future. There are two sections of this course. Participants may attend in person or participate via a Zoom link. To register for the in-person session, use this number 2021FA.LLLI-8242.001. To attend via a Zoom link, register for this section 2021FA.LLLI-8242.002. Those that register for a Zoom session will be sent the link 24 hours in advance of the course. Our Rich Veteran Heritage 11/10/21 - 11/10/21 Phil Angelo highlights the contributions of local veterans and their sacrifices in this special presentation. Local Veterans will be encouraged to share their stories in anticipation of the upcoming Memorial Day celebrations. Hidden History: Haunted Illinois 10/25/21 - 10/25/21 Discover the history behind some of Illinois' most haunted places. Learn the strange stories behind Chicago's Alley of Death, H.H. Holmes' Murder Castle and Colinsville's Seven Gates to Hell. And discover the truth about many other ghost stories, like the St. Omer Witch and the legend behind Chicago's own "Hitchhiking Ghost," Resurrection Mary. NOTE: this class does not focus on paranormal investigations of these haunted places and deals primary with the origins and history behind the hauntings.This is a live event. Hidden History: Midwest Gangsters of the Depression Era 11/15/21 - 11/15/21 Learn the fascinating stories behind infamous names like John Dillinger, "Baby Face" Nelson and Ma Barker during this look back at crime during the depression era. Discover how the exploits of criminals in the U.S. Midwest gripped the American people and the press. In addition, students will explore how early crime fighting efforts shaped our modern law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This is a live event. Hidden Illinois: Weird and Wonderful Illinois This course contains no sessions Celebrate the State of Illinois by exploring the many weird and wonderful people, places and things that make Illinois great. Learn about the famous Illinois Tully Monster, the Tsavo Man Eaters and a buried nuclear reactor in Lemont's Red Gate Woods. Discover the many strange stories behind places like the Dixie Square Ghost Mall, Anna's King Neptune Memorial, Peoria's Scale Model of the Solar System and more. Make Your Own Succulent Book Planter 11/08/21 - 11/08/21 This hands-on class will teach you how to create a succulent tabletop arrangement in a hard cover book featuring a variety of succulents grown by KCC student's in their greenhouse and educational handouts provided by the University of Illinois Extension. For beginners and experienced alike, this course will cover helpful tips on plant selection, proper building techniques, picking the right container with favorite tricks for planting, maintenance and displaying within any home or office environment. Playing the Ukulele This course contains no sessions Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program. Get started with the ukulele by learning basic chords and strum patterns at a pace designed for first-time players. This class is for those who have never played an instrument before. You'll learn the basics of chords, strum patterns, finger picking, music notation and songs. Group Guitar This course contains no sessions Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program. This is an introductory course to playing guitar in a group setting, intended for students without prior knowledge of the instrument. You'll learn music notation and tablature for guitar, fingering for basic open chords, interpreting basic chord symbols, right hand strumming techniques and styles, playing simple song melodies, use of chords as accompaniment, and right hand picking technique.

Upcoming Courses Current Event Discussion Group August 25, 2021 to December 29, 2021 Hidden History: Haunted Illinois Monday, October 25, 2021 The Salem Witch Trials Friday, October 29, 2021 Share a Book/Share an Author: Historical Fiction Monday, November 1, 2021 Antebellum Abolitionists Friday, November 5, 2021 Antebellum Abolitionists Friday, November 5, 2021 Make Your Own Succulent Book Planter Monday, November 8, 2021

Featured Courses

Make Your Own Succulent Arrangement in a Pumpkin This course contains no sessions This hands-on class will teach you how to create a succulent tabletop arrangement in a pumpkin featuring a variety of succulents grown by KCC student's in their greenhouse and educational handouts provided by the University of Illinois Extension. For beginners and experienced alike, this course will cover helpful tips on plant selection, proper building techniques, picking the right container with favorite tricks for planting, maintenance and displaying within any home or office environment. You'll leave with your creation, care instructions and all the knowledge you'll need to recreate this project - this class is not to be missed! All materials will be provided for this class.

Current Event Discussion Group 08/25/21 - 12/29/21 This group meets to discuss current events in an online setting between diverse individuals with the purpose of understanding current event topics. No political discussion. We welcome newcomers. The group meets every Wednesday virtually via Zoom. Before the first session begins, you will be emailed a link to join the online discussion.

The California Gold Rush This course contains no sessions Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program. This class will explore the initial discovery and more about the man who started it all. We will discuss types of mining, the miners' successes and failures, camp life and mining towns, racial and ethnic tensions, and impacts to local indigenous peoples. Come learn why all that glitters is not gold.

The Salem Witch Trials 10/29/21 - 10/29/21 This class will review the outbreak by discussing the afflicted and accused, and the role judges played in accelerating the affair. The trials causes and controversies will be analyzed. We will explore the community and causation, the social context of witchcraft, how gender and ethnicity played a role, the legal aspects, and the legacy of the trials.

The Pumpkin: A Thanksgiving Tradition 11/12/21 - 11/12/21 From food of the poor to the essential dessert at one of America's most inclusive holidays, the pumpkin is now an American symbol and tradition. This class explores the history behind the pumpkin from the colonial era to modern times.

Christmas in the White House 12/03/21 - 12/03/21 Americans have celebrated the holidays differently over the past two centuries - from the early days of the republic when it was a family affair to the twentieth century with holiday décor and the annual tree. This class will explore how the holidays were celebrated by our past presidents, how the holiday décor and frenzy has shifted over the generations, and how traditions were kept over the years.

I'm Dead, Now What? This course contains no sessions Join us for a discussion about what we want for our families after we finish up here. Losing someone we love is hard enough with planning. Without a plan, chaos and hurt feelings can make life hard. Richard Bateman, a CPA, will offer insights on general financial planning that can be helpful and Ann Brezinski, an Attorney, will talk about estate planning options. Did we mention someone will win a free book?

Movie Music III This course contains no sessions Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program. Film and music buffs can take a trip through 23 classic songs and dances from more than 100 years of cinematic history with Movie Music Romance. Film historian John LeGear produced and leads this 75-minute movie homage to tripping the light fantastic. You'll love the songs and surprises in Movie Music Romance III.

Movie Music Elvis Presley This course contains no sessions Elvis Presley was a pioneer of the music industry, similar to what Bing Crosby was in the 1930s and what The Beatles brought to the world in the 1960s. Join us for this music tribute to the first half of his 23-year career. You'll also learn about Elvis' leading ladies. If you enjoy Elvis' music from the 1950's, you won't want to miss this presentation!

Share a Book/Share an Author: Historical Fiction 11/01/21 - 11/01/21 Is there a historical fiction book (or book series) that has made an impact on you? Join us as we share historical fiction authors and books that helped us learn about our world. Enjoy a discussion and go home with a new list of authors and books to enjoy.

Antebellum Abolitionists 11/05/21 - 11/05/21 11/05/21 - 11/05/21 James Paul explores the relationships among the Bourbonnais Grove French-Canadians, Quaker Thomas Durham (Perry Farm pioneer) and the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Class participation will be encouraged through role playing and the class will be videotaped to promote local history investigations in the future. There are two sections of this course. Participants may attend in person or participate via a Zoom link. To register for the in-person session, use this number 2021FA.LLLI-8242.001. To attend via a Zoom link, register for this section 2021FA.LLLI-8242.002. Those that register for a Zoom session will be sent the link 24 hours in advance of the course.

Our Rich Veteran Heritage 11/10/21 - 11/10/21 Phil Angelo highlights the contributions of local veterans and their sacrifices in this special presentation. Local Veterans will be encouraged to share their stories in anticipation of the upcoming Memorial Day celebrations.

Hidden History: Haunted Illinois 10/25/21 - 10/25/21 Discover the history behind some of Illinois' most haunted places. Learn the strange stories behind Chicago's Alley of Death, H.H. Holmes' Murder Castle and Colinsville's Seven Gates to Hell. And discover the truth about many other ghost stories, like the St. Omer Witch and the legend behind Chicago's own "Hitchhiking Ghost," Resurrection Mary. NOTE: this class does not focus on paranormal investigations of these haunted places and deals primary with the origins and history behind the hauntings.This is a live event.

Hidden History: Midwest Gangsters of the Depression Era 11/15/21 - 11/15/21 Learn the fascinating stories behind infamous names like John Dillinger, "Baby Face" Nelson and Ma Barker during this look back at crime during the depression era. Discover how the exploits of criminals in the U.S. Midwest gripped the American people and the press. In addition, students will explore how early crime fighting efforts shaped our modern law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation.This is a live event.

Hidden Illinois: Weird and Wonderful Illinois This course contains no sessions Celebrate the State of Illinois by exploring the many weird and wonderful people, places and things that make Illinois great. Learn about the famous Illinois Tully Monster, the Tsavo Man Eaters and a buried nuclear reactor in Lemont's Red Gate Woods. Discover the many strange stories behind places like the Dixie Square Ghost Mall, Anna's King Neptune Memorial, Peoria's Scale Model of the Solar System and more.

Make Your Own Succulent Book Planter 11/08/21 - 11/08/21 This hands-on class will teach you how to create a succulent tabletop arrangement in a hard cover book featuring a variety of succulents grown by KCC student's in their greenhouse and educational handouts provided by the University of Illinois Extension. For beginners and experienced alike, this course will cover helpful tips on plant selection, proper building techniques, picking the right container with favorite tricks for planting, maintenance and displaying within any home or office environment.

Playing the Ukulele This course contains no sessions Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program. Get started with the ukulele by learning basic chords and strum patterns at a pace designed for first-time players. This class is for those who have never played an instrument before. You'll learn the basics of chords, strum patterns, finger picking, music notation and songs.

Group Guitar This course contains no sessions Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program. This is an introductory course to playing guitar in a group setting, intended for students without prior knowledge of the instrument. You'll learn music notation and tablature for guitar, fingering for basic open chords, interpreting basic chord symbols, right hand strumming techniques and styles, playing simple song melodies, use of chords as accompaniment, and right hand picking technique.