Latest reporting from the Community desk.
Community
Naper Settlement's annual Oktoberfest runs Friday and Friday, Oct. 2–3, featuring a third-generation brass band, nine beer options, a stein-holding contest and family activities on the museum's 13-acre campus.
Community
Naperville Public Library has scheduled dozens of Halloween and fall programs across its three branches in October, including a "Great Graves of Illinois" lecture, Salem Witch Trials talk, outdoor costume storytimes at the Riverwalk Amphitheater and Wagner Family Pavilion, and a multi-organization "Naperville Plays" event.
Community
We Grow Dreams, a West Chicago nonprofit that trains and employs adults with disabilities, holds a fall plant sale Saturday, Oct. 3, at Foyo Plaza on Water Street in downtown Naperville.
Community
Neuqua Valley High School student Navya Shah built Bridge2Meal, an app that uses student volunteers to rescue surplus restaurant meals and deliver them to shelters, reaching roughly 15,000 meals across DuPage, Kane and Will counties.
Community
Naper Settlement's "Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian" lecture series takes on the World Wars on Thursday, Oct. 8, as part of the museum's year-long USA 250 programming led by Curator of History Dr. Andrea Field.
Community
Naperville Central and Naperville North boys golf teams competed Tuesday, Sept. 22, at White Eagle Golf Club in the annual District 203 Match Play Cup, a tradition since 2014 that raises money for the Swifty Foundation and Connor Hunt Memorial Foundation in memory of two teammates lost to pediatric cancer.
Community
The Naperville Park District announced three free family Halloween events: Creepy Critters Month at Knoch Knolls Nature Center throughout October, Halloween Happening at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion on Oct. 25, and the Pumpkin Smash composting event on Nov. 7.
Community
Magical Starlight Theatre, a Naperville Park District program, is casting its January 2027 production of "Anastasia" with open auditions Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center for actors ages 9 and up.
Community
Naper Settlement's annual Oktoberfest returns to its 13-acre campus at 523 S. Webster St. on Oct. 2-3 with German food, imported and local beers, live music under a heated tent, and family activities.
Community
DuPage Children's Museum runs daily dino digs, story time, sticker making and train rides for toddlers weekdays from Sept. 21 through Oct. 2, with Duly Health and Care pediatricians leading four story-time sessions on healthy habits.
Community
The Veteran Business Project hosts its third annual Valor to Venture gala Oct. 29 at Hotel Arista in Naperville's CityGate Centre, honoring Calamos Investments founder John Calamos Sr. and raising funds for programs including a new PTSD mental health initiative.
Community
More than 120 local and Midwest artisans will set up at CityGate Centre on Saturday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, offering food, fashion, home goods and art with free admission and free covered parking.
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