Begalka: Classic art draws attention to classic local architecture
After a slow start, five barns have joined the McHenry County Historical Society’s Quilted Barn program – and three others are in the works, said Nancy Fike, McHenry County Historical Society Executive Director.
To sample what they look like, drive by the Beestra farm at 10011 Route 14 in Harvard or the Chaney-Owens farm at 2719 Franklinville Road in Woodstock.
The program selects a classic quilt pattern, which is painted on two 4-by-8-foot plywood sheets.
The resulting 8-foot-square piece of art then is attached to one of the county’s dwindling historic barns ... provided it is visible from two directions and near a road that is well-maintained throughout the year.
While the farm need not be active, the barn on which the quilt art is mounted must be sound. No labeling or advertising is permitted on the structure.
Fike said patterns and applications are available on the Historical Society Web site, www.mchsonline.org.
It costs about $100 for materials, she said, for which the property owner is responsible.
If you are unable to paint it yourself, don’t worry. Call the society at 815-923-2267 and they’ll hook you up with some volunteers.
Why participate? Not only does it highlight an important part of our history, it focuses attention on preservation efforts and could lead to an economic infusion of tourist dollars.
Kankakee County, with 17 quilted barns, will host Illinois’ first county barn quilt tour starting at 9 a.m. Oct. 10.
The three-hour tour costs $10 a person. For information, visit the Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.visitkankakeecounty.com.
Vote on nature photos
Visit Moraine Hills State Park’s Nature Center through 3 p.m. Oct. 1 to cast your vote for your favorite nature photographs in six categories: Color – plant, landscape, vertebrate and invertebrate; black and white; or people and pets in the park.
Seventeen photographers from the greater Chicago area entered 116 photographs in the 12th annual Nature Photo Contest.
The Nature Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, as staff and volunteers are available.
The Friends of Moraine Hills State Park will announce winners 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in a ceremony featuring the Best of Show awards, plus refreshments and cake.
Autumn Drive
Autumn Drive celebrates its 22nd year 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16-18 on Garden Valley Road and a portion of River Road – a mile north of Route 176 and 4 miles east of Route 23 in rural Woodstock.
A dozen farms will be open to the public this year, featuring antiques, arts and crafts, paintings, produce and pumpkins. New this year is Cody’s Farm at 19502 River Road in Marengo, featuring a corn maze, antique tractor pedal pushers, a pumpkin launcher, corn box, corn tunnel and hayrides. For information, visit www.codysfarm.com.
Exhibitor space remains available at Autumn Drive locations. Price varies depending on location, availability of power and other amenities. For information, visit http://autumndrive.net/or call 815-923-2415.
Bog photo contest
Amateur nature photographers have until 3 p.m. Oct. 22 to submit entries in the 23rd Annual Nature Photo Contest at Volo Bog State Natural Area, sponsored by Friends of the Volo Bog. The contest is open to all entries in seven different categories.
For information, visit www.friendsofvolobog.org or call 815-344-1294. Prizes are chosen by the popular vote of Volo Bog Visitors from Oct. 25 through Jan. 8 – by a panel of judges.
The winners will be announced Jan. 10 at WinterFest.
• Kurt Begalka can be reached at 815-526-4432 or by e-mail at kbegalka@nwherald.com
