October Mark your calendar Things to do this month in Naperville, Lisle and Aurora. (2024)

Wednesday 1

Preschoolers can see and touch a school bus, dump truck, street sweeper and more during Naperville Park Districts Wonderful World of Wheels program from 10 a.m. to noon at the Knoch Park garden plots, 811 S. West St. Info: (630) 848-5000 or napervilleparks.org.

* The J.P. Morgan Chase Art Collection, one of the worlds oldest and largest corporate art collections, brings "Of People and Places: Contemporary Art" for an exhibit Oct. 1-29 at the new Schoenherr Art Gallery in Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. The 46 pieces include the work of 19 artists, including Andy Warhol. Free. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Thursday 2

Andrea Donovan, a former retirement community executive who now runs an independent service to match seniors with retirement housing, presents "Senior Living Myths Unmasked: Separating Fact from Fiction" at 7 p.m. at Spring Meadows senior living community, 504 N. River Road, Naperville. Free. Info: (708) 442-7174 or adsla.biz.

* Naper School Fall Clothing Resale offers gently used brand-name mens and womens fall and winter clothing from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and 8 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at the school, 39 S. Eagle St., Naperville. Info: (630) 848-3990.

* Todays the deadline to order tickets for the HOPE Fair Housing Centers 40th anniversary benefit dinner Nov. 6 at the Hyatt Lisle. Tickets: $60. Info: (630) 690-6500, ext. 3.

Friday 3

Ghost Stories in the Park ... In the Dark features Halloween tales ranging from silly to spooky to scary Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 12 at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, west of Centennial Beach. Shows at 7 p.m. Fridays and Sundays are rated PG. Shows at 6 p.m. Saturdays are rated G for ages 5 and up. Shows at 8 p.m. Saturdays are rated PG-13. Cost: $7. Info: (630) 848-5000 or napervilleparks.org.

Saturday 4

Russian pianist Yakov Kasman takes the stage at 8 p.m. at North Central Colleges new Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets: $35. Info: (630) 637-SHOW.

* The Fall Color Festival features seasonal walks, talks and childrens activities weekends through Oct. 26, as well as Columbus Day, Oct. 13, at Lisles Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53. Tickets: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children. Info: mortonarb.org.

*The second annual Naperville Central Marching Classic begins at 5 p.m. at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle. Eighteen high school marching bands from Illinois and Wisconsin are scheduled to perform. Tickets: $12 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, free for children younger than 5; $30 maximum for families. Info: www.nchsbands.info/specialEvents/marchingClassic08.html.

* Retirement planning expert Jim Flanagan presents a seminar titled "Six Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Finances and How to Avoid Them" at 9:30 a.m. at White Eagle Golf Club, 3400 Club Drive, Naperville. A continental breakfast will be served. Register: (630) 505-8373.

Sunday 5

The Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the walk at 9:30 a.m. at Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle. Info: (312) 423-7197 or jdrfillinois.org.

* Late Naperville newspaper columnist Genevieve Towsley is remembered by her daughter, Caryl Towsley Moy, in her book "Napervilles Genevieve: A Daughters Memoir." Moy signs copies from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Museum Store at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Proceeds from the book will be donated to the Naperville Heritage Society. Info: (630) 420-6010.

Tuesday 7

Naperville Park District has an open house regarding the proposed acquisition and development of the Ponds of Hobson West from 6 to 7 p.m. at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Info: (630) 848-5000.

Wednesday 8

Naperville Park District is seeking public input on suggested restorations to the historic bathhouse at Centennial Beach. Residents can review the plans and comment during an open house from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in meeting rooms A and B at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Renovations would begin after the swim season closes next year. Info: (630) 848-5000.

* Its International Walk to School Day. Students throughout the area will join those around the world who choose to walk rather than get a ride to school. Parents and teachers will participate, and community leaders are expected to join in at some schools.

Thursday 9

The Weed Ladies popular Fall Show and Sale features seasonal silk and dry arrangements from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9-11 and 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Daniels House at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Admission: free. Info: (630) 420-6010.

Friday 10

The Oompa Loompas invade Neuqua Valley High School when "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" takes stage at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 and 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at the school auditorium, 2360 95th St., Aurora. Info: [emailprotected].

Saturday 11

Storyteller and educator Susan OHalloran leads a diversity workshop titled "Naperville LiveIt! ChangeIt!" on the subtle ways we isolate other groups from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Community, 2003 Hassert Blvd., Naperville. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Free; reservations required by Oct. 6. Info: (630) 922-0081.

Sunday 12

Political archrivals Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas square off in a re-creation of one of their famous debates with veteran actors Michael Krebs as Lincoln and Terry Lynch as Douglas at 7 p.m. in Century Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Tickets: $6 for adults, $5 for students, youth and Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining members in advance; $7 for adults and $6 for students and youth at the door. Info: (630) 420-6010.

Monday 13

Wildcats on the Course, a golf outing fundraiser sponsored by the Neuqua Valley High School Athletic Booster Club, begins with an 8 a.m. scramble and shotgun start at Tamarack Golf Club, Route 59 and Royal Worlington Drive, Naperville. Registration is at 7 a.m. Cost: $125 per golfer includes breakfast, lunch and silent auction; $25 for lunch only. Info: golfinvite.com/nvhs.

Friday 17

"Prime Suspect," an interactive murder mystery, is presented from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Eola Road branch of the Aurora Public Library, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. Register: (630) 264-3420 or aurora.lib.il.us.

* Citizens Appreciate Public Safety celebrates its seventh annual Naperville Fire Department recognition dinner at 6 p.m. at The Pavilion at Meson Sebika, 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville. Info: (630) 355-1174 or naperville.il.us/caps.

Saturday 18

The DuPage Symphony Orchestra opens a new season with a concert at 8 p.m. at North Central Colleges new Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $8 for students. Info: (630) 637-SHOW.

* The Advent Chamber Orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Road, to open its 2008-09 Masterworks Concert Series: The Music of Brahms and Vivaldi. Tickets: $10-$22. Info: (630) 355-1748 or peopleofgrace.org.

Sunday 19

Napervilles fourth annual A Walk to Remember, "Because of You," starts with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Sindt Court, Naperville. The walk is a fundraiser for the Wings of Hope angel garden at Edward Hospital and the Edward Foundation SHARE program. Registration: $25 for adults, $15 for children until Oct. 1; $30 for adults and $17 for children on the day of the walk. Info: napervillewalktoremember.org.

* Rotary Club of Naperville has a new fundraiser Soups On from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Tellabs Atrium, 1415 W. Diehl Road, Naperville. Twenty area restaurants will serve soup, chili, stew and barbecue. Proceeds benefit three area charities. Tickets: $40 for adults, $10 for children. Info: (630) 357-6584 or soupsonrotary.com.

* The 26th annual CROP Hunger Walk steps off at 1 p.m. on Center Street, between Benton Avenue and Franklin Street, in Naperville. Sponsored by 25 area churches and other groups to raise money for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry and Northern Illinois Food Bank. Info: (630) 428-3942 or www.napervillecropwalk.com.

Tuesday 21

The 15th annual Naperville Riverwalk Quilters Guilds Small Quilt Auction starts with a preview at 6:45 p.m. and auction at 7 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Road, Naperville. Info: (630) 369-2067.

Thursday 23

The 13th annual Suburban Signature Chefs Auction to support the March of Dimes takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Bobaks Signature Events at Seven Bridges, 6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge. The event features samples of signature dishes from 20 chefs. Tickets: $75. Info: (312) 596-4722 or marchofdimes.com/illinois/suburbanchefs.

Friday 24

Guitarist Peter Jankovic performs at 8 p.m. at North Central Colleges Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets: $25. Info: (630) 637-SHOW.

* The most sinister characters of the 1800s come to life in "All Hallows Eve: A 19th Century Halloween" from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Not recommended for children younger than 8. Tickets: $9, $1 less in advance. Info: (630) 305-5555 or napersettlement.museum.

Saturday 25

Children ages 2 to 10 can get in a little practice trick-or-treating from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the buildings in Safety Town, 1320 Aurora Ave., Naperville. Cost: $1 and a nonperishable food item. Info: (630) 575-9567 or napervillejuniors.org/Safety.htm.

Sunday 26

There will be all sorts of activities for ghosts and goblins 10 and younger when Naperville Park District and Comcast sponsor Halloween Happening from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Riverwalks Grand Pavilion, just west of Centennial Beach. Info: (630) 848-5000 or napervilleparks.org.

* Trick or treat at the businesses in downtown Naperville from noon to 3 p.m. Participating shops and restaurants will have orange balloons outside. Free. Info: downtownnaperville.net.

Friday 31

Naperville encourages little goblins to trick or treat before dusk and older ones to finish by 8 p.m. Lisle recommends ghosts do their haunting between 3 and 8 p.m. Aurora sets the witching hours as 4 to 7:30 p.m.