Have you ever planted garden plants in a straw bale? Or wanted to learn about watercolor painting? Have you thought about trying an escape room or wanted to learn more about mindfulness? University of Illinois Extension is offering these programs and more at the Learning in Lawn Chairs series this fall! Join us as we learn about using fresh produce, create an autumn display in a straw bale, create abstract watercolor paintings, experience an escape room in a bag, and create a kit of tools for mindfulness.

University of Illinois Extension offers programs create learning partnerships that put knowledge to work and aim to make life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities.  Bring your lawn chair and enjoy learning in the outdoors. Weather permitting, all programs will be held outdoors with social distancing procedures in place. Ample indoor space is available for social distance learning if needed.

Learning in Lawn Chairs will be offered weekly in September and October at the Whiteside County University of Illinois Extension office, 12923 Lawrence Road in Sterling.

• Using Fresh Produce on September 22 at 5:30 p.m.

You have grown fresh produce all summer long, now what do you do with the excess produce like onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and more? Join us to learn some simple ways of storing produce for longer shelf life, and some easy recipes like refrigerator pickles to make your produce go further.

• A Little Abstract watercolor painting class on September 29 at 5:30 p.m.
• Escape Room in a Bag, limited 6 groups of no more than 5 on October 6 at 6:30 p.m.
• Make Your Own Mindfulness kit on October 22 at 5:30 p.m.

Sessions are open to all individuals ages 8 and up. Participants make pick and choose which sessions to attend. Social distancing and safety guidelines will be followed. Pre-registration is required for participation. For more information or to pre-register, visit go.illinois.edu/learninginlawnchairs or call 815-632-3611.