Allerton Park & Retreat Center

Mystic Mondays: Intro to Astrology
2026-10-19 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Carriage House
Entry Level: Beginner (ages 18+)
Learn what stars and constellations can tell you at Mystic Mondays: Intro to Astrology on Monday, Oct. 19 from 6-8 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House.
In this introductory class, instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf will share the background of astrology, the different types of astrology and astrological signs and planetary correlations. Students will look at how the planets and signs fall into their own chart — and what this could mean for them on a personal level.
$55/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 16 or when the capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring a smart phone or tablet to connect to the internet and view their own charts, a notebook, and writing utensil.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Charlie is an old hippie who’s been studying the weird ways of the world for nearly 50 years. She’s happiest when she’s got her hands in mud, either making pottery in the ‘Artbox’ or tending to things in the yarden (yard + garden = yarden). Astrology, tarot, and herbs are her greatest interests, but she’s dabbled in most metaphysical topics in the last five decades, because life always has something new to offer. She is a contributing author for Llewellyn Worldwide, a ghostwriter for renowned psychic celebrities, and makes a wicked batch of fudge. She lives in central Illinois with her very patient husband and her special needs Great Danes.

Thread Bowls
2026-11-04 12:00 - 16:00
Experience Level: Beginner
Are you looking for a unique and experimental experience? Join us for Thread Bowls on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 12-4 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House.
Instructor Billie Theide will explore color theory and design as students create a beautiful decorative thread bowl that can resemble glass. Using a special fabric base, sewing thread, yarn, fabric scraps, and dimensional embellishments, everyday materials will be transformed into a richly textured, functional work of art. Students should bring their imagination, plus the supplies listed below.*
$100/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 28 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring the following:
– one 12” ruler
– two blue or black ink pens
– one pair of scissors
– one roll of paper towels
– sewing machine (optional)
– a few sewing needles
– blow dryer (optional)
and a monochromatic collection of:
– spools of left over sewing thread
– bits of left over yarn in any fiber
– partial skeins of left over embroidery floss
– left over crochet thread
– left over fabric scraps

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Billie Theide is Professor Emerita and a former Chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler, textile artist, and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, and the Racine Art Museum, among others. She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

Supper Club — Nov. 6
2026-11-06 18:30 - 21:00
Join us as Chef Benny DelValley serves up an elegant Japanese-inspired meal* at Supper Club on Friday, Nov. 6 in the Mansion Carriage House.
This intimate, fine-dining experience was created to build a community through a shared love of food, arts and education. Enjoy a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m. (Supper Club members will have access at 6 p.m.) followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Find the menu* here.

$100/person. Register here. Registration will close Oct. 19 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Because of the unique nature of this custom meal, we are not able to accommodate any dietary requests (e.g., vegetarian, gluten sensitivity, dairy allergy, etc.).
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Kirstin at mindiola@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Chef
Chef Benny DelValley opened the Pond Street concept — built by obsession, respect for culture and food — in 2022. Located inside the VFW Post #630 at 1303 E. Main St. in Urbana, Pond Street is a tiny spot with big personality, the place to come to when you want something different. From katsu-style catfish to house-made sauces and spice blends, everything is crafted by hand in its Urbana kitchen. Even the buns get blessed with a little extra love.
“We’re not a chain. We’re not fancy. We’re just here to make the best damn fish sando you’ve ever eaten,” DelValley said.

Everlasting Wreath Workshop
2026-11-10 18:00 - 19:30
Experience Level: Beginner (ages 16+)
Assemble your own unique wreath adorned with dried flowers at an Everlasting Wreath Workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House.
Instructor Maggie Taylor will demonstrate how to create a wreath using a base of grapevine or willow and everlasting flowers harvested and dried at Delight Flower Farm. These dried wreaths are great to hang or use as a table centerpiece for upcoming holiday gatherings.
$65/person*. Register here. Registration closes Nov. 3 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring gardening gloves.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Maggie Taylor is a farm owner who has been growing flowers and leading workshops since 2011. Trained as an artist, she loves turning natural materials into objects of joy and empowering others to as well. Depending on the time of year she may be teaching about fresh flowers or winter evergreen wreaths. Maggie’s teaching style is accessible, informative, encouraging and often humorous! Other capable farm crew members assist in teaching large groups.

Traditional Christmas Fruitcakes
2026-11-12 18:00 - 20:00
Experience Level: Beginner (ages 18+)
Join us for a hands-on baking experience and leave with everything you need to bake a homemade fruitcake to share with family and friends this holiday season at Traditional Christmas Fruitcakes on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6-8 p.m. in the Carriage House.
In this class, participants will learn about the history of the fruitcakes, and make their own richly fruited batter to take home and bake.
There is no fancy equipment needed. All other equipment, including the ingredients and the instructions, will be provided. By the end of the class, participants will have made a traditional fruitcake according to a time honored English recipe to take home and bake in their own oven—a wonderfully indulgent addition to their holiday feast!
$80/person. Register here. Registration closes Nov. 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students will need to bring their own mixing bowl (preferably glass, ceramic, or stainless steel, not plastic), a wooden spoon (a thick heavy spoon works best), and an 8″ round cake pan.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Charlie is an old hippie who’s been studying the weird ways of the world for nearly 50 years. She’s happiest when she’s got her hands in mud, either making pottery in the ‘Artbox’ or tending to things in the yarden (yard + garden = yarden). Astrology, tarot, and herbs are her greatest interests, but she’s dabbled in most metaphysical topics in the last five decades, because life always has something new to offer. She is a contributing author for Llewellyn Worldwide, a ghostwriter for renowned psychic celebrities, and makes a wicked batch of fudge. She lives in central Illinois with her very patient husband and her special needs Great Danes.

Soap Making Workshop
2026-11-15 09:00 - 16:00
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn to make your own soap at a Soap Making Workshop on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House.
Instructor Sally Walsh will walk students through the process of making soap including the science of making soap, safety, ingredients used, and the herbal benefits. Students will then learn how to make their own bar of soap with their preferred scents.
All students will take home four pounds of soap, plus a booklet of instructions and recipes.
$110/person*. Register here. Registration closes Nov. 8 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should wear old clothes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
