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Looking for that unique, practical and fun gift for Mother's or Father's Day?  Consider a low-cost 1-year membership to the Academy - what better gift than "experiences" for the people who have it all?

This class will provide you with: a concise review of the 3000-year history of the development of genus Hemerocallis; a review of the culture of daylilies; a physical demonstration of the hybridization process for daylilies; a physical description of the ideal ways to plant, dig, divide and maintain daylilies; an opportunity to review, first-hand, more than 400 daylily cultivars in full blossom.

Meet honeybees up close in the observation hive at Douglas Hart Nature Center; observe a beekeeper opening the hive and working the bees; taste and explore bee products. Learn why pollinators are so important and how you can help support them. Take home a sample of local honey.

As a follow up to last year's educational dulcimer session, Sweet Songs on the Prairie Dulcimer Group will be playing a selection of their favorite songs.  Please join us for an enjoyable afternoon.  This event is offered in conjunction with the Mattoon Arts Council.

This educational trip is offered in conjunction with Road Scholar.  Gain a new perspective on thoroughbred horse breeding and the racing industry in the heart of “The Horse Capital of the World”- Lexington, Kentucky. Meet with thoroughbred racing insiders to learn about the prominent bloodlines of the winning horses, training techniques and the history of this illustrious sport. Enjoy an extended visit to a major breeding farm, explore Kentucky Horse Park, and spend a full day of racing at the world-renowned Keeneland Race Course.

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You've been asking what's coming for fall - here are a few teasers:

• Photo Editing Workshop      
• Five Feline Bee Farm
• USPS facility tour
• Quilting
• Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Truth about the Titanic
• Illinois Politics
• Native plant gardening

See YOU soon for educational, entertaining and fun learning events.