War exhibit
CHESTERTON | Through Thanksgiving weekend, the Westchester Township History Museum will have its first Westchester at War exhibit, a series of annual exhibits that highlight Westchester Township residents at home and abroad during times of war and uncertain times of peace.
This year’s exhibit focuses on World War II servicemen and women and activities on the home front, such as those of the Forget Me Not Club.
The museum needs help creating an exhibit that will accurately portray life at home and at war. It has some artifacts from the war period — including numerous ration books, newspapers and one diary — but there are probably many WWII artifacts in local homes from Westchester servicemen and women.
Museum officials would like to borrow letters, uniforms, papers, signs, photographs and more from this period that are specifically tied to Westchester Township. Anyone interested in loaning or donating items or being interviewed for the oral history project should come by the museum, 700 W. Porter Ave., or call (219) 983-9715, or email museum@wpl.lib.in.us.
It's a Kid's World
PORTER | Westchester Public Library invites boys and girls in fourth- to sixth grades to participate in It’s a Kid’s World: Science for Tweens monthly program at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hageman Library, 100 Francis St. Registration for each program is necessary.
Attendees will explore basic science concepts — kitchen science — demonstrated in easy experiments. The program, Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles, will include an experiment using dry ice to make “boo bubbles.” Different ingredients will be used to explore how the ingredients alter the outcome of basic soap bubbles. Call (219) 926-9080.
GlowLights
CHESTERTON | Westchester Public Library has added 10 Nook Simple Touch eReaders with GlowLights to the Nook pilot program. The 10 Simple Touch eReaders already in the program will continue circulating. Checkout of eReaders is limited to Westchester Township adult patrons whose library cards are in good standing. One Nook at a time may be checked out per card at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave. Each new Nook eReader will be preloaded with 20 to 25 titles and will be updated every month. Four of the GlowLight Nooks will contain bestsellers, two will have mysteries, and there are one each of romance, horror and science fiction, action and adventure, and general new nonfiction. The loan period for the new Nooks is two weeks, just as it is for the regular Simple Touch Nooks. There are no renewals, and no hold requests permitted. The daily overdue fine is $1, with a maximum fine of $5. A $160 charge will be assessed if the GlowLight eReader is lost or damaged. call (219) 926-7696.
Toys and gifts exhibit
CHESTERTON | This winter, beginning in December and running through February 2013, the Westchester Township History Museum will have an exhibit highlighting the toys and gifts of the 1950s and 1960s. The museum needs help in creating the exhibit. Residents who would like to have a part by displaying their toys or trinkets from that era are invited to contact the museum. Items may be loaned or, upon approval by the curator, donated to the museum collection. Call the museum at (219) 983-9715 for more information.
I Can Do That
CHESTERTON | I Can Do That! Art will continue at Westchester Public Library each Saturday in October. All ages are welcome, but parents are asked to accompany little ones. The program will take place in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave., and is free of charge. Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call (219) 926-7696.
Photo contest
CHESTERTON | Westchester Public Library will sponsor a photo contest for October. Entries will be accepted now through Oct. 27, The contest is open to participants who are 18 and older. Photographs should have a Duneland-area theme.
Contest entry requirements are detailed on the online submission form at www.wpl.lib.in.us. All entries need to be digitally uploaded to the link provided on the library’s homepage by Oct. 27. Patrons who need help with digitization may see Mike at the library’s Tech Help Desk 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays or Wednesdays and 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays in the Serials/Automation Department.
Submitted photographs will be displayed in the Bertha Wood meeting room at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave. The public is invited to peruse the display and vote for their favorite during the library’s open house – Come and Discover WPL (Where Possibilities are Limitless) – from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 3. Refreshments will be served. The winning photograph will be framed and permanently displayed at Thomas Library. The winner will receive a framed copy of the photograph. The photograph will become the property of Westchester Public Library; the library reserves the right to use the photograph in the future. Call (219) 926-7696.
New book club
CHESTERTON | Children in kindergarten and first grade are invited to register for a new book club at Westchester Public Library. Five Weeks with Martha Speaks will take place in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave. The club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 2, 16 and 30, and Dec. 7 and 14; or at 11 a.m. Saturdays, Nov. 3 and 17 and Dec. 1, 8 and 15.
Sign up for either Friday evenings or Saturday mornings and come ready to talk about books, learn some new words, do fun activities, find out about dogs, and more. Everyone who attends all five sessions will win a prize. There will be a party at the end of the five weeks. Call (219) 926-7696.
Origami Club
CHESTERTON | The Origami Club meets at 11 a.m. Oct. 27 in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave. Registration is necessary.
Join Leslie Cefali for Origami Club. Origami is the Japanese folk art of paper folding. The goal of this art form is to transform a flat sheet of material into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques. There is no need for glue, and there is no cutting. The number of basic folds is small, but they can be combined to make intricate patterns. The most well-known origami fold is the Japanese paper crane. Materials will be provided by the library. Call (219) 926-7696.
Timmy and Tessa
CHESTERTON | Timmy and Tessa are coming to the Westchester Public Library at 4 p.m. Friday. Join them for Puppy Tales in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave. The program is free of charge.
Timmy and Tessa visit the children at the library once a month. These affectionate dachshunds enjoy people and enjoy listening to children read. They have heard a lot of dog stories. Tessa especially likes the picture books that young readers choose. They aren’t picky about reading skill levels, and they are very happy when readers pet them while reading. Call (219) 926-7696.
Book sale
The Friends of Westchester Public Library will begin their 3-day book sale from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday with the Friends Only Preview Sale. Only current members of the Friends will be admitted, but patrons can purchase their 2012 membership to the Friends at the door for $5.
The public sale will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, all items will be sold for $3 a bag. No electronic scanners will be allowed.
Prices for newer and special books will be individually marked. A large number of hardcover books will be sold for $1.00 each and paperbacks for $.50.
Proceeds from the sale are donated to the library and help fund many supplemental and special programming efforts such as film series, children’s programs, book discussions, and staff recognition events. Call (219) 926-7696.
Drug plans
CHESTERTON | Join Thomas Murphy from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 3 at the Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Ave., for Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Plans. Registration is required. Murphy will focus on the prescription drug plan that is part of Medicare. Open enrollment for Part D runs from October 15-December 7. People can change their plans during the open enrollment period. Attendees will learn how to choose or switch plans that work best for them. A question and answer period will follow. Call (219) 926-7696.
Tricks and treats
CHESTERTON | Children ages 7-12 are invited to Tricks and Treats at the Museum from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Westchester Township History Museum, 700 W. Porter Ave. There is no charge, but registration by Wednesday is necessary. At the beginning of the program, attendees will learn a little about the history of Halloween, followed by a Halloween party full of traditional treats, games, and crafts. Children who attend will receive a pumpkin to paint and then take home after the program is over. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
Register at one of three locations: the Westchester Township History Museum, 700 Porter Avenue, Chesterton; Thomas Library Children’s Department, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton; or Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter. Registration is to ensure that everyone receives a pumpkin. Call (219) 983-9715.
Bookmarks at the Museum
CHESTERTON | Join Susan Nichols for Bookmarks at the Museum at 2 p.m. today for Anne Tyler's "The Beginner's Goodbye" at 700 W. Porter Ave. Call (219) 983-9715.
Bits and Bytes
CHESTERTON | Bits and Bytes will continue from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 at Westchester Public Library with Online Security. Attendees will meet in the Bertha Wood meeting room on the second floor of Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave. The class is free, but registration is required. The Online Security class will cover tips for online shopping and banking, protecting your computer from viruses, creating secure passwords, and how to avoid scams and spoofs. Attendees will learn about keeping children safe when using the Internet, how to conduct secure transactions, and what to do if you think your computer or information has been compromised. Call (219) 926-7696.
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