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Antique Appraisal Fair and Luncheon | Westville

What Is It Worth? An Antique Appraisal Fair and Luncheon, sponsored by the Purdue North Central Women's Association, will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at Purdue University North Central, U.S. Highway 421 (at the Indiana Toll Road), Westville. Martin Papke, a certified appraiser and owner of Kathy's Antiques in Chesterton, will be on hand. Each item will be discussed by the owner and by the appraiser and a value will be given. Tickets are $28, which includes the luncheon and one appraisal item. Reservations due by September 29.

FYI: (219) 548-3674

TALTREE EVENTS | Valparaiso

* Developing Nature and Gardening Talks n Part 1 of 3 -- 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 2 -- Session One: Join retired Public Speaking Professor Zann Wilson for a three-part series on presentational speaking. In session one, learn the key to mastering apprehension and finding the perfect "hook" to capture audience attention. We'll use fun practice activities to develop skills. Sessions Two and Three will be offered 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 9 and Oct. 16. Cost is $40 for non-members, $30 for Taltree members.

* Fall Wreath Workshop -- 9 a.m. - noon Oct. 4 -- Welcome autumn into your home by creating a fall wreath. Bring gathered items from your garden/yard or we will provide them. Silk accents will be available. Cost is $15 for non-members, $12 for Taltree members. Additional $10 supply fee.

* Knitting for Newbies -- 1 - 3 p.m. Oct. 4 -- Learn the basic stitches that will enable you to immediately knit a scarf or hat. Instructor Patty Stimmel is confident that after this class you can expand on the basics and be able to knit a variety of things. This class teaches you that knitting is easy and fun to do. No crying involved! Cost is $15 for non-members, $12 for Taltree members. Participants need to bring the following:

If you want to make a scarf:

* A pair any length, size 8 -- Straight knitting needles

* Two (2) skeins of worsted or bulky-weight yarn.

If you want to make a winter hat:

* A pair of 16" long, size 8 -- Circular knitting needles

* One (1) skein of worsted or bulky-weight yarn.

* Tree Identification -- 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 11 -- Todd Hutson, former ANR Purdue Extension Educator, shows key features of bark, leaf shape, tree form and fruit to identify trees in Taltree's woodland. Rain or shine, come prepared to tour the woodland and see firsthand the differences and similarities among the giants of Indiana. Cost is $15 for non-members, $12 for Taltree members.

* Autumn Floral Arranging -- 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 14 -- Arrange your own fresh flower masterpiece to dazzle those trick-or-treaters. Create one pumpkin arrangement and a second combo of grasses, sunflowers and roses to improve as it dries over time. Learn simple design techniques from Ethel Bennett of Lemster's Florist in Valparaiso to apply to all of your holiday decorations. This class is subject to a small surcharge to cover last minute transportation increases on flowers. Cost is $15 for non-members, $12 for Taltree members. Additional $47 supply fee.

* Bulbs, bulbs, bulbs! Tulips and Lilies and Squill, Oh my! Providing color from spring through fall -- 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 18 -- If you think daffodils and tulips are the only bulbs to plant in the fall, think again. Garden Writer Jean Starr will offer up a variety of bulbs that prefer to be planted just about now. Grape hyacinths, flowering onions and foxtail lilies are just a few of the beauties that can be planted now and ignored until they cry out for attention next year. A slide presentation, handouts and resources will be included in the presentation that will also cover the types of tulips that are most likely to return year after year, bulbs that deer don't like, summer-blooming bulbs and minor bulbs that provide a perfect backdrop for the major players. Cost is $15 for non-members, $12 for Taltree members.

FYI: (219) 462-0025 or www.taltree.org

Gardening Club | Hobart

Looking to meet with others to learn about gardening? Attend monthly meetings 10 a.m. Tuesdays Oct. 14, Nov. 11 at the Deep River County Park visitor center meeting room, 9410 Old Lincoln Highway, to learn about trees, shrubs, flowers, herbs, and turf. Led by Lake County Parks Horticulturist, Bryan McKay, members learn and share information. They also have the opportunity to work in the Park Department's greenhouses. They also enjoy volunteering in the gardens at Deep River Park, Deep River Waterpark, Stoney Run Veteran's Memorial, Turkey Creek Golf Course and other Lake County Parks. There are no dues.

FYI: (219) 947-1958

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | Chicago

* Green Youth Farm Farmstand -- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 4 (weather permitting) -- The Chicago Botanic Garden's Green Youth Farm sells locally grown produce in front of the Visitor Center. The Green Youth Farm is a summer work-training program for teens.

FYI: (847) 835-8254 or chicagobotanic.org/greenyouthfarm.

* Great Perennial Divide Collection n- Sept. 25 -- The Great Perennial Divide is held annually to add new life and sustain more than 250 community gardens across Chicago. Donations are collected at the Chicago Botanic Garden on Sept. 25. Field-dug plants, labeled and potted in plastic pots (preferred) or bagged, and garden tools are accepted at the Garden's Parking Lot three between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Materials are distributed throughout Chicago on Sept. 27.

FYI: (847) 835-8352 or www.chicagobotanic.org.

* Perennial Plant Symposium -- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today -- This 18th annual symposium offers international experts who share their insights on successful perennial gardens. Professionals and avid gardeners will gain inspiration from alluring design ideas and exceptional plant choices that complement the climate.

FYI: (847) 835-8261 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/symposia.

* Free Public Lecture: Victor Cassidy "Henry Chandler Cowles, Pioneer Ecologist," -- 1 p.m. Saturday -- The intrepid botanist and conservationist Henry Chandler Cowles studied the sand dunes of Lake Michigan and made some surprising discoveries. You will too in this informative presentation by author Victor Cassidy. A book signing will follow. Lecture will be held in the Alsdorf Auditorium of the Regenstein Center. Pre-registration is suggested.

FYI: (847) 835-8261 or www.chicagobotanic.org/school

* Garden Chef Series n- Saturday and Sunday -- More than 40 of the Chicago area's best chefs n including several new to the series n demonstrate creative ways to use garden-fresh produce. Visitors are educated and inspired to grow, cook with and eat a variety of seasonal, fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits. Demonstrations are at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Barilla is the presenting sponsor of the Garden Chef Series. Sanford Winery is the supporting sponsor. Saturday features Chef Pete Trusiak of The Westye Group from Glendale Heights and Sunday features Chef Steve Nakon of Whole Journey/Northwest Yoga from Mt. Prospect.

FYI: (847) 835-5440 or www.chicagobotanic.org/chef

* Central States Dahlia Society Show n- Saturday and Sunday -- The Central States Dahlia Society's plant show offers an outstanding selection of dahlia blooms. Dahlias are known for their bright, vibrant colors and perfect petal arrangement. Society members are on hand to provide written information and to answer questions regarding the culture of dahlias. Blooms are for sale at the close of the show on Sunday. Hours are from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

FYI: www.chicagobotanic.org/plantshows

FARMSTAND | Chicago

Chicago's Downtown Farmstand, located at 66 East Randolph Street, will open Oct. 1. The farmstand will offer edible local products, all produced within 250 miles of Chicago, including fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs in season; a full range of condiments, preserves, seasonings and other dry goods items; baked goods and other seasonal items as available. The farmstand will be open through mid-December. The hours will be from 11 a.m. to 7p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

INDIANA PRESERVES | Nation

"The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves" is an invaluable resource to natural areas in the state. Big Walnut, Cedar Bluffs, the Kankakee Sands Project and Pennywort Cliffs are just a few of the places The Nature Conservancy has been working to protect since 1959. Full color photography. The book is available from Indiana University Press.

FYI: (317) 951-8818 or nature.org/indiana

‘TREES OF INDIANA' | Nation

"Trees of Indiana" by Stan Tekiela is a clearly organized field guide to 124 of Indiana's trees. Full-page photos with corresponding text make identification quick and confident, even for beginners. Indiana has an abundance of trees in a variety of habitats, making it an ideal place for outdoors enthusiasts. The book is available at local bookstores or directly through the publisher (Adventure Publications, 2006, $13.95).

FYI: (800) 678-7006 or adventurepublications.net