Schedule a Program

Body Beautiful – Discover the art of herbal skincare with our Body Beautiful series, where we explore three unique ways to craft natural, garden-inspired body care products. From infused scrubs and toners to powdered beauty treatments and rich, moisturizing salves, these adventures will teach you how to harness the power of herbs for radiant, nourished skin. Each of these programs is designed to complement the others while standing alone as a complete learning experience.  Each program can be a demonstration or a workshop. Demonstrations include showing how to make the items with completed items passed around with recipes provided (perfect for larger groups.) Workshops are for a smaller number of participants and include the making of items by participants to take home with recipes. (Fees vary.)

1. Infused Beauty: Harnessing Herbs for Luxurious Bath and Body Care Using infusion techniques (salt/sugar, water, vinegar and oil) to create base products for body care.

2. Powdered Perfection: Crafting Herbal Body Care with Dry Ingredients Using dried herbs, clays, and powders for natural body care.

3. From Garden to Glow: Herbal Salves and Lotions for Nourished Skin Creating rich herbal salves, balms, and lotions to soothe and heal skin.

Making Mocktails (Zoom Workshop) - Learn to craft incredible mocktails from the comfort of your home! This interactive Zoom session will guide you through:

• • • Making simple syrups, bitters, and Faux Gin
• Mixing creative mocktails using these ingredients
• Techniques for balancing flavors and aromas
• Recipes and a shopping list will be provided for those who want to follow along and mix in real-time.

Edible Flowers (Presentation or Workshop) Discover the delicious world of edible flowers! This photo-rich presentation explores over 20 edible blooms, including:

• Tasty flowers like daylilies, anise hyssop, and flowering herbs
• The culinary and medicinal properties of purslane and mustard
• Harvesting, preserving, and preparation techniques
  Participants will receive a plant list and recipes. In-person attendees will sample select recipes, while Zoom participants will learn techniques to try at home.

Decorating with Herbs (Workshop) - Celebrate Spring and Fall with herbal decor! This hands-on workshop will teach you how to:

• Create stunning herbal decorations for doors, mantels, tables, and trees
• Craft simple, elegant party favors using herbs and natural elements
  A perfect program for those who love seasonal decorating with a fragrant and sustainable twist.

Language of Flowers (Presentation & Workshop) - Step into the romantic world of Victorian floriography! Learn how flowers were used to send secret messages and:

• Decode the meanings of different blooms
• Learn the creation of a symbolic tussie-mussie bouquet
• Interpret displayed floral arrangements
  Available both in-person and on Zoom.

Curative Properties of Tea (Presentation & Demonstration) - Herbal and green teas offer more than just warmth—they bring a wealth of health benefits! This engaging session covers:

• The difference between black, green, and herbal teas
• Which herbs make great tea and their medicinal properties
• How to formulate your own teas for wellness
  In-person: Participants will create and sample their own custom tea blends (hot water required).
  Zoom: A guided discussion on blending methods with recipes provided for at-home experimentation.

Afternoon Tea (Presentation, Demonstration or Workshop) - What are the origins of Afternoon Tea, what did it replace and how can we throw a traditional tea party are all components of this program.  Recipes are included.

• When did tea become a meal
• What teas do we serve at Afternoon Tea
• Enjoying and creating recipes for an Afternoon Tea

In-person Presentation: Tea samples and discussion of customs and techniques

Workshop: creation of tea sandwiches and teas with a small tea celebration.

Historic Herbal Treasures (Presentation) - Uncover the fascinating history of herbal remedies! This show-and-tell program explores:

• Traditional methods used to determine an herb’s curative properties
• The Victorian "language of flowers" and its hidden meanings
• A fun, interactive flower-language game!
  Perfect for evening groups or historical enthusiasts.

Native American Herbs (Presentation with Hands-On) - Explore the plants that Native American tribes of the Midwest have relied on for centuries. This program combines visuals and hands-on experience to cover:

• Medicinal, culinary, and spiritual uses of native plants
• Growing habits and sustainable harvesting
• Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, and other tribal traditions
  Great for history buffs and nature lovers alike!

Herbology 101 / Fun with Herbs (Demonstration) - The Perfect Introduction to Herbs – Whether you're new to herbs or looking to expand your knowledge, this program covers everything you need to get started:

• Learn the basics of planting, maintaining, and harvesting a thriving herb garden
• Discover how to incorporate fresh herbs into cooking, teas, and DIY home products so you can Use your Harvest.
•  Get insider knowledge on which herbs to plant, how to care for them, and how to use them year-round.
  Ideal for anyone who wants to explore the world of herbs, from backyard growers to kitchen experimenters.  Available In-Person & via Zoom

Crafting Herb Blends (Demonstration)  Unlock the power of herbs in the kitchen! This demonstration workshop includes:

• Creating dips, dressings, and spreads using fresh and dried herbs
• Understanding flavor families for expert herb pairing
• Hands-on herb blending experience
  Fee: $225 for up to 35 people; $3 per person for additional attendees.

Be an Herbal Gourmet (Demonstration) Discover how to elevate everyday meals with herbs! This session covers:

• Which herbs enhance different dishes
• How to use herbs to replace salt and boost flavors
• Creating herbal vinegars, butters, and other pantry staples

Flavor Bombs & Compound Butters (Cooking Demonstration) Turn garden-fresh herbs into powerhouse flavor enhancers! This hands-on demo will teach you to:

• Create herb-infused pastes, butters, and oils
• Preserve fresh herbs for year-round use
• Incorporate these ingredients into delicious dishes
  Sampling included. (Higher fee required.)

Infusion Techniques (Demonstration) Learn how to capture the essence of herbs! This class explores:

• Creating herbal sugars, vinegars, and flavored waters
• Infusing herbs into oils and bath salts for skincare
• Packaging and presentation tips for gifts or sale
  Real-time demonstrations included.

Green Cleaning with Herbs (Demonstration or Workshop) - Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to natural cleaning! This program covers:

• Using herbal vinegars and essential oils for home cleaning
• DIY laundry, dishwashing, and surface cleaners
• Live demonstrations of herbal cleaning techniques
  Available in-person or on Zoom.

Not Just Herbs -- Fun and Game Programs

Playing by the Rules: A History of Board Games (Presentation)

From ancient strategy games to modern classics, discover the origins and evolution of board games! A great program for history and game enthusiasts alike.

Children’s Programs

Let’s Play Native American Games (Hands-On) - Explore the games of Eastern Woodland tribes through:

• Interactive play with historical accuracy
• Learning the cultural significance of each game
• Creating a take-home game to continue the fun
  Designed for ages 7-12 and adults.

Let’s Play International Games (Hands-On) - Travel the world through play! This program introduces:

• Traditional games from Africa, the Netherlands, Peru, and beyond
• Hands-on game creation and rule exploration
• Fun, interactive play for ages 10-15 and adults
  All games can be played with paper and pennies!