Nicholas Conservatory

Bring your mask and watch these predatory plants in action. Nicholas Conservatory reopens July 9th with a brand new display.

Don't misunderstand me, I think the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies that we do here in Rockford at Stroll on State, Nicholas Conservatory, and several other places are really well done. It's just that a countdown, followed by the tree lighting, has trouble competing with a giant Rube Goldberg machine.

As a kid, I looked forward to the holiday season for many of the usual kid reasons: Christmas vacation from school, holiday presents and decorations, and coming up to Rockford to have breakfast with Santa Claus at Chas V. Weise's in Colonial Village Mall.

I've got to admit, I've been waiting for this announcement to be made for weeks, and it finally has been! The All Aglow Express is returning for the 3rd year to the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens beginning Nov. 26.

This morning, it was proven to me once again that you're never too old to learn something new. Take the luna moth, for example. I had never even heard of these magnificent creatures until Laura Gibbs-Green of the Rockford Park District clued me in about a cool opportunity to see them tonight and tomorrow at Nicholas Conservatory.