Events

Story Time: Ages 0-8+ and their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, crafts, and more on Monday mornings at 10:15. Please contact the library to register.

Make a Mess: A new sensory art program for ages 1-5 with a caregiver. No registration is needed. Clothes may get messy. Tuesdays, 10:15-10:45am.

Chess Club: All ages and skill levels are welcome at the weekly chess club meetings on Wednesdays 6-7:30pm above the library.

Lego Club: Meet up with your friends after school for fun challenges and free building. No registration. Fridays 4:30-5:30pm. All ages welcome, but anyone under 8 must bring an adult.

Kid Book Club: Grades K-5+ are invited to pick up a copy of this month's book at the library then join in a discussion while eating free snacks. Monday, November 17th at 4pm. Books available now.

Adult Book Club: This fun group meets at 7pm on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Pick up a copy of this month's book selection at the library and join in the discussion.

Dave DiNaso's Traveling World of Reptiles: All ages are invited to a wild and funny show featuring reptiles and amphibians from around the world. This hands-on presentation will change your view on these misunderstood creatures. No registration needed. Saturday, November 15th at 2pm.

Movies at the Library: Wednesday, November 26th. Get your Thanksgiving prep done while the kids enjoy free snacks and PG movies 10am-5pm. Ages 8+ are welcome to attend on their own. Anyone under 8 needs a teen or adult caregiver. Attendees will vote on what to watch from a selection of movies.

Virtual Program Tuesday, November 18, 7-8pm

Join award-winning cookbook author, New York Times food columnist, and Serious
Eats director J. Kenji López-Alt for an evening of cooking insights, techniques, and
foodie exploration.
As the Culinary Director for Serious Eats, Kenji is known and loved for his thoroughly-
tested and explained recipes and food features. His James Beard Award-winning
cookbook, The Food Lab, uses evidence-based testing to show you the best ways to
cook things. A former chef and restaurant worker, Kenji is also the author of The Wok, a
best-selling children's book, Every Night is Pizza Night, and co-hosts ‘The Recipe with
Kenji and Deb,’ a podcast that helps you discover your own perfect recipes with his
friend Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen. On YouTube, Kenji’s Cooking Show celebrates
that food’s main goal is pleasure and inspires home cooks to take their food where they
want it to go! When he’s not cooking or writing, Kenji enjoys spending time with his
family, playing music, and exploring Seattle.
Chicago’s Billy Zureikat joins Kenji in conversation. Billy Z is a home cook and baker
with a story as unique as the flavors he whips up in his kitchen. After being diagnosed
with Muscular Dystrophy, sandwiches and pizza became his canvas, including the
infamous "Tripping Billy" pizza. Billy has collaborated with more than 90 restaurants to
raise $73,000 for Muscular Dystrophy, and he’s just getting started.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration
among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded
by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of the Secretary of State, using
funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the
provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. American Sign Language (ASL)
interpretation and Closed Captioning are provided for all events by default—no special
request needed.

Hinckley Hub Event Calendar for All Things Hinckley

Try out these upcoming programs at the DeKalb Public Library, generously shared with the Hinckley community:

A Sound Healing Experience with the Poetry of Walt Whitman

November 15, 2025, 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Experience a session of restorative Sound Healing interspersed with the transformative words of Walt Whitman.

You will experience many tones and frequencies that pull us to a peaceful place within. The poetry inspires and deepens the experience.

Sven is a certified sound healer who incorporates a variety of instruments and poetry. He has performed this program of words and sound throughout the United States and in Europe.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

November 22, 2025, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Award-winning singer/songwriter Barry Cloyd portrays Joseph Henry Monroe, one of the only drummer boys who actually survived the Civil War. Monroe was the first one to enlist in the war from his small town in Iowa (he was 12 years old) and went on to fight in more than 27 major battles including Shiloh, Corinth, Sherman's “March to the Sea” and others. As there were more than 2,000 songs written about the war during that period, the arc of the war is presented through the music, most of it penned by the soldiers themselves.

Barry has performed this piece many times at a variety of venues including many libraries, several Chatauquas, and The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. Also included are two original songs that tell the story of The Drummer Boy as a set up to the rest of the story.

This event is free and open to all. No registration is required.

For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Carol of the (Berim) Baus with Arcomusical

December 12, 2025, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Arcomusical is thrilled to return to the library for another year to present their ever-growing collection of holiday arrangements for berimbau chamber ensemble!

Arcomusical’s music is fresh, playful, rhythmic, colorful, and soulful. The ensemble's level of concentration, communication, and joy of chamber music performance is palpable.

Playing exclusively on the Afro-Brazilian instrument called the berimbau, Arcomusical's performances provide a unique and family-friendly experience. After the performance, children of all ages (from 2 to 92!) are invited to hold and perform on the group’s unique instruments. Arcomusical delights in spending time with audience members to give anyone who wishes a chance to play our unique instruments for themselves.

This concert is free and open to all. No registration is required.

For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Christmas Breads with Chef Cherise

December 13, 2025, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Chef Cherise Slattery will teach you how to make two delicious Christmas yeast breads with the same basic dough! Learn to make a Christmas Star Bread studded with pistachios and a strawberry jam swirl and Pull Apart Christmas Tree Buns with roasted red pepper and parmesan cheese.

Enjoy samples of these beautiful breads and leave with the recipes and knowledge to make them at home for your own holiday celebration!

This program is first come, first served, and is limited to 40 participants. It is intended for adults. No registration is required.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

The Essential Great Chicago Fire

December 17, 2025, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

It started in a barn and, two nightmarish days later, nearly destroyed a city. William Pack will weave together technical details of the Chicago Fire with vivid firsthand accounts from those who lived through the inferno of 1871, bringing alive all the excitement and terror in a multimedia storytelling event that will not soon be forgotten.

This program is intended for adults, but teens are welcome. No registration is required.

For more information, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150.

Events

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