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DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260401T184729Z
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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\nJuly 9 & 23\nAugust 13 & 27
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/take-your-painting-to-the-next-level-august-13/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Art,Classes
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260408T193357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T183453Z
UID:20007177-1787166000-1787171400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Midsummer Nights: Golden Hour Wine Tasting
DESCRIPTION:Wines for golden hour into midsummer night\nCelebrate the height of summer with a warm\, glowing tasting inspired by sun-kissed days and lingering midsummer evenings. This guided experience features a curated selection of clean\, pure\, and sustainably crafted wines\, refreshing and expressive\, designed to be enjoyed as the sun sets and the evening unfolds. \nFrom sparkling pours and crisp whites to vibrant rosé and perfectly chillable reds\, each wine reflects the brightness\, balance\, and effortless elegance of the season. Set in a relaxed golden hour atmosphere\, guests will enjoy a tasting meant to be savored slowly as the sun sets and the evening unfolds into soft moonlight\, where light\, warmth\, and beautifully crafted wines come together. \nThe tasting will include tasting materials and light bites to enjoy alongside the wines. Wines presented and provided by Oakwood Vines\, Lake Forest\, IL.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/midsummer-nights-golden-hour-wine-tasting/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Cooking
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T120000
DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260206T182651Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T194644Z
UID:20007021-1787738400-1787745600@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Mahjong
DESCRIPTION:Ready for fun\, strategy\, and a little friendly competition? Come learn Mahjong with friends and neighbors! In just five weeks\, you’ll master the basics of National Mahjong rules. The game is fast\, social\, and exciting. Even better\, it’s the perfect way to connect with people – whether you bring a friend or meet new ones at the table. \nYour instructor\, Debbie\, makes learning easy. She’ll group players by skill level and give clear\, personalized guidance. New to Mahjong? You’ll learn step by step. Played before? You’ll discover fresh strategies and sharpen your skills. There’s always more to explore! \nExperienced players are welcome too! \nAbout Mahjong\nSo\, what is Mahjong? It’s a tile-based tabletop game that began in 19th-century China. Since then\, it has spread worldwide. While rules vary by region\, most versions focus on building sets of matching tiles. The American style\, created in the 1920s\, is now the most popular in the U.S. – and it’s the one you’ll learn here. \nAnd here’s the best part: Mahjong isn’t just fun. It’s also a mental workout. Research shows games like this can boost memory\, sharpen focus\, and even help protect long-term brain health. \nSo\, why wait? Sign up today. Bring your curiosity\, a sense of play\, and maybe a friend. This class will challenge your mind\, lift your spirits\, and add a burst of excitement to your week. \nMahjong cards can be purchased through the American Mahjong League  \nDebbie Meyer has been playing Mahjong for over 20 years. She loves the game and how each hand is different. Debbie’s passion is to teach the game of Mahjong to others!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/mahjong-august/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Games
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T150000
DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260206T185812Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T173604Z
UID:20007024-1787749200-1787756400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Canasta
DESCRIPTION:Learn to Play Canasta with Debbie Meyer \nLooking for a fun and social way to challenge your mind? Canasta is the perfect game! This exciting and strategic card game\, played with partners\, has quickly become a favorite among card enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills\, this class is the ideal way to learn and enjoy Canasta in a relaxed and engaging environment. \nLed by experienced instructor Debbie Meyer\, you’ll be guided through the fundamentals of the game—including rules\, scoring\, and key strategies—all while enjoying the lively\, cooperative nature of team play. Debbie will tailor her instruction to match your level of experience\, grouping participants accordingly and offering personalized tips to help you gain confidence and improve your gameplay. \nCanasta is a great way to exercise your brain\, boost your memory\, and connect with others in a fun\, interactive setting. It’s stimulating\, competitive\, and\, most of all\, incredibly fun! \nSo grab a friend—or come ready to meet new ones—and join us for a class filled with laughter\, learning\, and a little friendly competition. Even if you’ve taken Canasta classes before\, there’s always more strategy to discover and new ways to improve your game. \nDebbie will group participants and provide personalized instruction for advanced players and players just learning the game. So\, even if you’ve taken sessions previously\, there is always more strategy to learn! \nDebbie Meyer loves canasta and has been playing for over 15 years!  Canasta is a stimulating card game played with partners. Strategy\, luck and excitement are all a part of playing canasta. Come see why Debbie is so passionate about it and plays often.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/canasta-august/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Games
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260827T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260827T213000
DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260401T184809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T184809Z
UID:20007157-1787857200-1787866200@gortoncenter.org
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.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/take-your-painting-to-the-next-level-august-27/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Art,Classes
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260828T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260828T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260403T160343Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T194918Z
UID:20007163-1787943600-1787949000@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Line It Up Line Dancing
DESCRIPTION:Grab Your Boots and Get Ready to Line Dance!\nKick the dust off those boots. Pop on that cowboy hat. Slide into your favorite jeans. It’s time for line dancing! \nNever tried it before? Perfect. Want to brush up on your moves? Even better. This class is built for beginners – and for anyone who just wants to have fun. \nWe’ll start slow. Easy steps. Clear breakdowns. No pressure\, no partner\, no problem. Just laughs\, music\, and movement. \nThen\, the real fun begins. We’ll groove through country classics. We’ll jam to high-energy pop hits. These are the dances you’ll see at weddings\, parties\, and dance halls all over. And now\, you’ll know them too. \nCome solo. Come with friends. Either way\, you’ll walk out smiling\, sweaty\, and ready to show off your new moves. \nSo grab your boots\, grab your crew\, and let’s do some line dancing! \nLesley has been dancing her whole life. She’s been classically trained in Ballet and Jazz. She’s been teaching dance for 40 years. She currently works at Lake Forest Health and Fitness and Life Time Fitness in Vernon Hills. Her super power is making everyone feel successful. 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/line-it-up-line-dancing-august-28/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Music,Wellness
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260917T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260917T180000
DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260422T162157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T131850Z
UID:20007217-1789664400-1789668000@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Learn To Make Cannoli
DESCRIPTION:Learn to Make Cannoli from Scratch\nStep into the kitchen and learn how to make delicious\, homemade cannoli! \nIn this fun and interactive class\, you’ll discover the secrets behind creating perfectly crisp shells and luscious\, creamy ricotta filling. Guided by Tony Volpentesta\, you’ll roll dough\, fry shells to golden perfection\, and master classic and creative flavor variations. \nTony “Cannoli” Volpentesta learned the art of dessert-making in the heart of his Italian grandmother’s kitchen\, where flour dusted the air and tradition was the secret ingredient in every bite. Driven by a lifelong passion and a relentless pursuit of perfection\, Tony has dedicated himself to crafting the perfect cannoli shell – each one a golden\, crispy vessel for his luscious\, creamy fillings. \nAt Tony Cannoli\, he combines old-world techniques with modern creativity. The result? A fun variety of cannoli-inspired treats that go beyond the classic. Try the bite-sized Cannoli Bites. Scoop into his signature Cannoli Chips ‘n Dip. Or celebrate with a rich\, decadent Cannoli Cake. Each one is a playful twist on the timeless Italian dessert. \nLocated in the heart of downtown Mundelein\, Tony’s dessert shop is a must-visit for anyone craving a sweet escape. Whether you’re a lifelong cannoli lover or just discovering them for the first time\, there’s something for everyone. \nCome hungry and ready to roll – sweet satisfaction guaranteed! \nAges: 7 and up – because it’s never too early (or too late) to fall in love with cannoli!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/learn-to-make-cannoli-september/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Cooking
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260918T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260918T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260415T155759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T155822Z
UID:20007213-1789758000-1789763400@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Line it Up Line Dancing
DESCRIPTION:Grab Your Boots and Get Ready to Line Dance!\nKick the dust off those boots. Pop on that cowboy hat. Slide into your favorite jeans. It’s time for line dancing! \nNever tried it before? Perfect. Want to brush up on your moves? Even better. This class is built for beginners – and for anyone who just wants to have fun. \nWe’ll start slow. Easy steps. Clear breakdowns. No pressure\, no partner\, no problem. Just laughs\, music\, and movement. \nThen\, the real fun begins. We’ll groove through country classics. We’ll jam to high-energy pop hits. These are the dances you’ll see at weddings\, parties\, and dance halls all over. And now\, you’ll know them too. \nCome solo. Come with friends. Either way\, you’ll walk out smiling\, sweaty\, and ready to show off your new moves. \nSo grab your boots\, grab your crew\, and let’s do some line dancing! \nLesley has been dancing her whole life. She’s been classically trained in Ballet and Jazz. She’s been teaching dance for 40 years. She currently works at Lake Forest Health and Fitness and Life Time Fitness in Vernon Hills. Her super power is making everyone feel successful. 
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/line-it-up-line-dancing-september-18/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Music
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260923T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260923T104500
DTSTAMP:20260504T071209
CREATED:20260310T163208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T171417Z
UID:20007088-1790155800-1790160300@gortoncenter.org
SUMMARY:Parenting Book Discussion Series
DESCRIPTION:Today’s high school students face intense academic\, social\, and college admissions pressure. Many feel they must excel at everything to be “enough\,” and parents often find it difficult to support their child through the high school years. This four-session parent discussion series uses Never Enough as a framework to explore how achievement culture impacts our children’s mental health\, motivation\, and identity – and how we\, as parents\, can respond in healthier\, more intentional ways. The discussions will create a supportive space for reflection\, conversation\, and practical strategies to help families redefine success during the high school years. \n*This will be a small group\, limited to 12 participants \n \nGail Gamrath is a warm\, experienced education professional and life coach with over 30 years in local public schools and a strong background in student services. Skilled in partnering with families\, supporting the transition to high school\, and strengthening agency in both students and their parents. A mom to three\, she brings empathy\, real-life perspective\, and a student-centered approach that helps families feel confident and supported.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/parenting-book-discussion-series/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Specialty,Wellness
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