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SUMMARY:Creative Writing for Adults
DESCRIPTION:Unleash Your Creative Voice \nHave you always wanted to try creative writing but stopped yourself before you began? Or maybe you’ve written before and want to reignite your passion for storytelling? If so\, this class is designed just for you. \nIn a supportive and encouraging environment\, you’ll be gently guided into the world of your own words and ideas. Through fun and engaging exercises\, you’ll learn to silence self-doubt and give your creativity room to grow. You’ll discover the joy of writing from your unique perspective—free of judgment and full of possibility. \nAs you explore different writing styles\, you’ll unlock your authentic voice and learn how to bring your stories to life. Whether you’re crafting fiction\, journaling\, or experimenting with poetry\, you’ll find inspiration and confidence along the way. \nWhat to Expect \nCome ready to have fun\, take creative risks\, and surprise yourself with what you create. Creative writing is a powerful form of self-expression. Regardless of your age or writing experience\, it’s never too soon—or too late—to explore where your words can take you. \nThis course welcomes everyone\, from complete beginners to seasoned writers seeking a fresh start. Together\, we’ll build a space where ideas can flourish. \nAbout Your Instructor – Melissa MacTaggart \nMelissa MacTaggart brings a multi-layered background in writing and the performing arts. She has worked as an actor\, producer\, director\, playwright\, theatre company creative director\, and drama teacher. With over 25 years as a freelance writer\, Melissa has experience in a wide range of genres. \nHer work includes: \n\nTwo original plays produced in Los Angeles during the Beverly Hills Livesummer season\nA bi-monthly column\, Urban Suburban\, for The Chicago Tribune Suburban Network\nNine years as a ghostwriter for an online magazine\, covering topics from gardening\, environmental awareness to sustainable living.\nArticles for the Daily Herald Chicagoand content creation for various websites\nSongwriting and lyric composition\nHer youth novel ‘The Wren and the Dream Maker’ was published in October 2025\n\nMelissa’s deep love for language and storytelling continues to shape her creative journey\, and she is excited to help you begin—or deepen—yours.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/creative-writing-for-adults/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Specialty,Wellness
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260609T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260609T193000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094359
CREATED:20260305T204638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260311T175737Z
UID:20007080-1781028000-1781033400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Art Impact: Healing Mandala Rocks
DESCRIPTION:Most people experience stress\, difficulty focusing\, or anxiety at one time or another. Healing Mandalas are an excellent way to take care of ourselves. Creating a Mandala can help silence our inner critic and induce a calm and meditative state to aid in reducing anxiety\, stress\, and depression. \nAll supplies provided.  Ages 11+ \n \nThis class is free\, but spaces are limited and participants must pre-register.  \nCelebrating their tenth anniversary\, Art Impact Project is a local 501c(3) with a mission of enhancing emotional wellness through creative expression.  They partner with organizations such as schools\, treatment facilities\, libraries\, and other community spaces throughout Lake County\, to facilitate art programming with a focus on better mental health.  Providing a supportive\, small group setting\, Art Impact Project guides participant step-by-step through the creative process so everyone can experience the benefits of art. \nWant to take this class but can’t make this date? Check out our other Art Impact Classes on Tuesday\, April 14 or Tuesday\, May 12!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/art-impact-healing-rocks/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Art,Classes
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260611T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260611T200000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094359
CREATED:20260410T173657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260410T173657Z
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SUMMARY:Introduction to Reiki
DESCRIPTION:Discover the Healing Power of Reiki \nReiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that supports physical\, emotional\, and mental balance. In this introductory class\, you will learn foundational techniques for self-care\, stress reduction\, and deep relaxation. The word Rei means “Universal life” and Ki means “energy”—so Reiki literally translates to Universal Life Force Energy. \nA Path to Self-Discovery and Healing \nFor many\, Reiki becomes more than just a wellness practice. It can be a spiritual journey\, helping individuals connect more deeply with universal energy and themselves. Taking this class can expand your spiritual practice and offer valuable insights into your emotional and energetic well-being. \nDuring this workshop\, you’ll explore the basics of energy work and consider whether you’d like to pursue further training. This session is perfect for those curious about energy healing and interested in supporting their own health. \nIf you’re looking for one-on-one guidance\, Melissa is also available for private lessons. You can contact her directly at melissamactaggart@nullsbcglobal.net. \nMeet Your Instructor: Melissa MacTaggart \nMelissa MacTaggart is a certified Reiki practitioner and master teacher. She studied the traditional Usui methodology\, the oldest form of Reiki practice. Her training took place at Zaanti Reiki and Sat Nam Yoga in Chicago. \nIn 2018\, she founded Blossom and Bee Reiki. Since then\, she has led workshops in both Los Angeles and Chicago. Melissa’s passion for the mind-body connection began in her teenage years\, and she has explored many forms of energy healing. Reiki quickly became her favorite modality. She describes it as a radiant\, peaceful practice that flows through you and radiates outward. \nMelissa’s joy lies in helping others find balance and healing through energy work. Her mantra says it all: “Let’s move energy together.”
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/introduction-to-reiki-june-11/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Specialty,Wellness
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260611T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260611T213000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094359
CREATED:20260401T183614Z
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SUMMARY:Take Your Painting to the Next Level
DESCRIPTION:Ready to take your painting to the next level?\nThis class is ideal for artists who already have some experience painting in Oil\, Acrylic\, Gouache\, or Pastel and are ready to grow their skills further. If you’ve been wanting to turn a photo into a painting or have started a piece but feel unsure about how to move forward\, this is the perfect opportunity to get expert guidance and renewed inspiration. \nEach student brings in either a reference photo or an unfinished painting to work on during class. From there\, artist and instructor Michael Latala provides hands-on\, individualized instruction to help you make confident artistic decisions. First\, he’ll show you how to evaluate your photo reference—guiding you in choosing what elements to include and what to leave out. Then\, through clear demonstrations\, he’ll help you resolve common issues like washed-out highlights or areas that have gone too dark to read. \nThroughout the class\, Michael gives each student personal attention. If you’d prefer to keep your canvas untouched\, he’s happy to demonstrate his suggestions digitally using Procreate on his iPad Pro. This digital approach allows you to visualize changes before applying them\, which can be especially helpful when exploring different color choices or compositional edits. \nImportantly\, this class is all about progress at your own pace. There’s no pressure to finish quickly. Instead\, you’re encouraged to slow down\, focus on what you’re learning\, and enjoy the process. With consistent support and practice\, you’ll discover how to turn your ideas into beautiful\, well-executed paintings—just the way you imagined them. \nThis series runs on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month: \n\nJune 11 & 25\nJuly 9 & 23\nAugust 13 & 27
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/take-your-painting-to-the-next-level-june-11/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Art,Classes
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260612T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260612T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094359
CREATED:20260409T193628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T193628Z
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SUMMARY:Open Play Mahjong
DESCRIPTION:Please plan to arrive early\, play starts promptly at 10am!\nCalling all Mahjong enthusiasts. Join us for Open Play Mahjong\, a relaxed and social way to enjoy the game you love. These sessions are for intermediate to advanced players who already know the rules. No instruction is offered. \nBring your strategy and a little friendly competition. Connect with other experienced players. Open Play is a great way to practice\, stay sharp\, and enjoy the challenge of Mahjong. \nWe provide all Mahjong sets. Please bring your own Mahjong card. \nPre-registration is required. Drop-ins can’t be accommodated\, so be sure to register early to save your spot. \nWe look forward to seeing you at the table.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/open-play-mahjong-june-12/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Games
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260613T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260613T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T094359
CREATED:20260504T164325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260504T164325Z
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SUMMARY:Tai Chi
DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is an inclusive form of exercise that anyone can do\, whether you are in peak shape\, or have limited mobility. Despite its slow pace\, it is a valuable exercise for all ages\, read about the health benefits below. Dress comfortably and be prepared to have fun in Ken’s class. \nHealth Benefits \nTai Chi has numerous health benefits. It is good for balance\, flexibility\, and stress – regular Tai Chi practice can improve overall physical health and well-being. In fact\, Harvard Health suggests Tai Chi might be “…the perfect activity for the rest of your life.” \nAs a form of exercise\, researchers in Toronto found it is equivalent to brisk walking. So\, instead of worrying about your steps (how boring)\, join Ken’s class and have some more fun while you exercise. \nUnlike other forms of exercise\, Tai Chi movements are performed with relaxed muscles and a focus on deep breathing. Slow and gentle\, Tai Chi can improve blood flow\, balance\, and relaxation. Each Tai Chi pose flows into the next with circular\, continuous movements. This helps improve your balance and flexibility without putting strain on muscles and joints. \nTai Chi is also a very social activity\, commonly practiced in groups that rhythmically synchronize slow movements with deep breathing. Like meditation\, Tai Chi creates a calm and focused mind and can create a state of mindfulness. \nTai Chi also benefits emotional well-being and mental health. Regular Tai Chi practice can improve concentration\, physical self-awareness\, and create a sense of inner peace. Tai chi is a great exercise for relieving stress and has been shown to benefit hypertension and high blood pressure. \nWhat is Tai Chi? \nIt is a Chinese traditional exercise that blends martial arts’ movement with meditation. Dating back a thousand years\, Tai Chi remains a popular activity in China and around the world. \nTai Chi is a series of slow\, choreographed martial arts movements and poses. Tai Chi poses are circular and continuous\, with an emphasis on smooth transitions and maintaining a centered and grounded posture. Tai Chi poses mimic the movements of animals or nature\, such as flowing water or a bird in flight.  \nKen has been practicing martial arts for 27 years\, and started Tai Chi training in 1996 with Sifu Dale Washington\, Sifu Ban Toy in 2000 and Grand Master Yang Jun in 2006. He has been practicing Tai Chi for 21 years and teaching Tai Chi for 12 years. In 2016\, he received a Gold Eagle certificate from Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. certificate. Ken is also one of Grand Master Yang Jun’s Disciples for the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. He teaches Kickboxing and Full-contact Martial Arts teacher and is certified by Ng Family Martial Arts Association.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/tai-chi-june-13/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness
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