Unearthing Highway 41: An American Journey
Discover the stories that shaped America at “Unearthing Highway 41: An American Journey” on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the History Center Lake Forest–Lake Bluff, 509 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest. Join us as we welcome author Christopher Clott for an engaging presentation based on his new book, which traces a 2,000-mile journey along Highway 41 from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Miami, Florida. Traveling through cities, small towns, farmland, swamps, and forests, the story introduces scoundrels, saints, and everyday people whose lives reflect America’s past and present. Through art, photos, maps, music playlists, and vivid vignettes, Clott explores how roads and automobiles transformed communities and ways of life across the nation.
Ladies Night Dance Party
Get ready to dance, laugh, and be home by bedtime at Ladies Night Dance Party—the ultimate women-only night out. Join us Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, from 7–10 p.m. at the Gorton Center – Grotto, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest for an evening packed with great music, high energy, and zero pressure. Step into the Groovy Grotto as the DJ spins favorite hits and the dance floor fills with women ready to move, groove, and have fun. Whether you’re a dance-floor legend or a casual toe-tapper, you’ll feel right at home. No judgment, no guys, no late night—just pure fun, cocktails, and unforgettable vibes. Ages 21+. Tickets are $30. Grab your girlfriends and dance like you mean it.
Monday, Feb. 16
School’s Out Days – Presidents Day
WHEN: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE: RC – Community Room – ARC, LB Recreation Center, 355 W. Washington Ave., Lake Bluff
PRICE: $77
Nature Babies
WHEN: 11-11:45 a.m.
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 350 N. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest
Volunteer with Bernie’s Book Bank and Noote Partners x Compass Real Estate
WHEN: 1-3 p.m.
WHERE: Bernie’s Book Bank, 917 N. Shore Drive, Lake Bluff
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Summer/Camp Reg 2026 Opens for Residents
WHEN: 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: Lake Forest Parks and Recreation, 400 Hastings, Lake Forest
Tuesday on the Trail
WHEN: Noon-1 p.m.
WHERE: Derwen Mawr, 221 W. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest
Demo Cooking Class: Southern Comfort with Chef Mickey Knutson
WHEN: 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest
PRICE: $121
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Ash Wednesday Services
WHEN: 10 a.m.
WHERE: Faith Lutheran Church, 680 W. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest
Coffee & Conversation with Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115
WHEN: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Bluff Public Safety Building, 45 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff
Thursday, Feb. 19
Tween Crafts: Bracelets and Buttons
WHEN: 4-5 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Bluff Public Library, 123 E. Scranton Ave., Lake Bluff
Friday, Feb. 20
COC B4Work Networking Breakfast
WHEN: 7:30-9 a.m.
WHERE: Hilton Garden Inn Lake Forest/Mettawa, 26225 N. Riverwoods Blvd., Lake Forest
PRICE: $15-20
Storytime @ LFOLA
WHEN: 10-10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 350 N. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest
Family Campfires
WHEN: 5:30-7 p.m.
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 350 N. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest
PRICE: $45-55
Saturday, Feb. 21
Eco-Crew: Baa and Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna
WHEN: 9 a.m.-Noon
WHERE: Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna, Old Mill and Route 22, Lake Forest
Perspective of Wonder: The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
WHEN: 1-2 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Forest Library, 360 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest
Monday, Feb. 23
K9 Reading Buddies
WHEN: 4-5 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Bluff Public Library, 123 E. Scranton Ave., Lake Bluff
Naturally Gluten-Free: A Farm Baking Workshop with Micah Siva
WHEN: 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest
PRICE: $132
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Tuesday on the Trail
WHEN: Noon-1 p.m.
WHERE: Skokie River Nature Preserve, W. Laurel Ave., Lake Forest
Demo Cooking Class: French Market in Midwinter with Chef Mickey Knutson
WHEN: 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest
PRICE: $121
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Emsella & Emsculpt Neo Demo Day
WHEN: Noon-6 p.m.
WHERE: 1025 W. Everett Road, Ste 2, Lake Forest
COC Business After Hours: Fifth Third Bank
WHEN: 5-6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Fifth Third Bank, 990 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest
“Preservation After Disaster”: Re-Establishing Historic Neighborhoods
WHEN: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest
How to Declutter Decades’ Worth of Stuff
WHEN: 7-8 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Forest Library, 360 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest
Thursday, Feb. 26
Executive Functioning Skills Group for Teens Ages 13–17
WHEN: 4-5 p.m.
WHERE: Mindfully Well PLLC, 1025 W. Everett Road, Lake Forest
PRICE: $34
John V. Farwell’s Western Legacy: The Farwell Ditch in Colorado
WHEN: 5-6:30 p.m.
WHERE: History Center Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, 509 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest
Friday, Feb. 27
Cozy Cocoa & Cookies for kids
WHEN: 3:30-5 p.m.
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 350 N. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest
PRICE: $35-45
Saturday, Feb. 28
Seed Starting at Home
WHEN: 10-11 a.m.
WHERE: Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest
PRICE: $42
Preschool Family Fun Fair
WHEN: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Bluff Park District, 355 W. Washington Ave., Lake Bluff
Japanese Stab Binding Workshop
WHEN: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHERE: Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest
PRICE: $48
Daddy Daughter Dance: Enchanted Evening
WHEN: 6 p.m.
WHERE: Dickinson Hall, 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest
Frontiers: The World’s Number One Tribute to Journey
WHEN: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest
PRICE: $35-52
