Ways to Discovery Chautauqua Series
Rooted in the Chautauqua tradition, this lecture series delivers engaging and educational programming to our community. This year’s theme, Ways to Discovery, delves into the many paths through which we understand and navigate the world. From our evolving natural environment to expanding digital spaces, from local communities to global connections, this series explores how we come to know ourselves, others, and the world around us.
True to the Chautauqua tradition, following each program there will be live performances by local artists whose songwriting and storytelling document the culture and history of our region.
The series will be held downstairs in the RiverBank Lodge in Petersburg, Illinois on the first Sundays in April, June, August, and October at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. RiverBank Lodge is fully accessible, ensuring everyone can participate.
In keeping with our vision for this series to have a regional impact, we have engaged speakers and artists from Petersburg, Springfield and surrounding areas who will speak on topics and perform original music that is relevant to both the history and daily life of our region. Lectures will be followed by performances by Illinois-based musicians. Following is a breakdown of each event:
April 6 – Celebrating Earth Month in Menard County
Speaker: Dr. Jason DeBoer, Large River Scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, presenting The wonderful watery world of river ecology! Dive into the wonderful watery world of river ecology with Dr. Jason DeBoer, Large River Scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey! Jason’s presentation will explain why rivers are important ecosystems, describe some of the threats our local rivers face, and explore some of the wild, weird, and downright wacky fish and other animals that call our rivers home. There’s bound to be a few ‘fish tales’ shared too, and definitely a lot of big-fish pictures!
Music: Chris Vallilo. In songwriter and storytelling traditions, Vallilo’s songs document what he describes as the “unmetropolitan” of America. His recent project “Forgottonia” tells the story of West Central Illinois and, through song, brings to life the forgotten history of our rural region. Performing on six-string and bottleneck slide guitars, Vallillo weaves original, contemporary, and traditional songs and narratives into a compelling and entertaining portrait of the history and lifestyles of the Midwest.
June 1 – Celebrating National Trails Day
Speakers: Dr. Michael Wiant and Terri Treacy will shine a light on the hiking, biking, paddling, and driving trails in Menard County that enrich our understanding of our cultural history.
Music: Ben Bedford. Based in Springfield, Bedford’s influence is wide-reaching and has taken him around the world. His songwriting has earned him such accolades as the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Award and a spot on the list of “50 most significant Folk singer-songwriters of the past 50 years” by Rich Warren of WFMT-Chicago.
August 3 – Documenting Our Region: Our Neighbors, Our Environment, and Our Universe
Speakers: Dr. Jim Herkert; a Petersburg Public Library board director; and Dr. Robert Lowenthal. Dr. Herkert will discuss the eBird survey he’s conducting at New Salem State Historic Site as well as how people can use eBird to help find and identify birds. A Petersburg Public Library board director, will discuss the library’s project digitizing all the back issues of the Petersburg Observer. Dr. Lowenthal will explain how he photographs deep-space wonders through astrophotography.
Music: Contributing to our public mission, the series is partnering with The Studio on the Square in downtown Petersburg, to host a musical showcase featuring area youth. The Studio on the Square, a creative space for artists, is putting together a lineup of featured students to perform.
October 5 – Celebrating World Habitat Day
Speakers: Rep. from Pheasants Forever; Patty Morton, retired owner at Creative Designs; Cindy Andreasen, Master Gardener, and Alana McKean, Arboretum Curator at Starhill Forest Arboretum will discuss habitat creation at large, medium and backyard scales.
Music: Wild Columbine, a Springfield-area quartet, plays an eclectic mix of early Americana, carrying audiences through the history of our national songbook as it evolved through the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Together these performances will entertain while inspiring audiences with musical renditions of the past, present, and future of our region.