Sandy Jagger serves Sadie Small a hotdog while Anita Denney and Bella Umazor wait their turn at the North Webster Library’s Grand Finale Picnic. The picnic culminated the Summer Reading Program in which 392 youth completed 5,305 hours of reading.

By TERRI RITTER
Public Relations Coordinator, North Webster Library

North Webster Public Library news and events this week:

Keep your mind and body fit by learning T’ai Chi. Leah Gamble will be teaching an eight-week course in this ancient Chinese tradition that uses slow, flowing movements and precise breathing to strengthen the body and mind. The classes will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Aug. 12 and running through Sept. 30. Described as relaxation in motion, T’ai Chi is an effective form of exercise that can be performed by all ages and fitness levels. The course is open to adults age 18 and older and costs $50 with advance registration and pre-payment required. There are still openings available, so be sure to sign up and pay the class fee at the library’s Circulation Desk.

There are also openings still available for the Plarning Workshop at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Joyce O’Brien will teach how to turn old plastic bags into yarn, called “plarn” that can be knitted, crocheted, and knotted into all kinds of useful items such as floor mats, purses, hats, whatever your imagination creates. It’s fun and easy to learn and is a great way to recycle all those old plastic bags. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is needed. Bring along shears and plenty of plastic bags.

The North Webster Hiking Club will hike the River Preserve Park in Benton Saturday, Aug. 15. The group will meet in the library parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and travel by carpool to Benton where they will hike along the Elkhart River. The River Preserve Park provides an excellent habitat for a variety of plant and animal species and is listed among the top 80 wildlife viewing areas in the state by the Indiana Wildlife Viewing Guide. So join us for a morning of enjoying nature and the fellowship of other hikers.

Later that evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, the Friends of the Library will host a family Barn Dance in the North Webster Community Center Banquet Hall. It will be a fun, family-friendly evening of learning to square dance and enjoying free refreshments. Well-known caller Jerry Davidson will start the evening by teaching a few basic square dance steps and calls, and the rest of the time will be having hoe-down fun. The cost of event is $5 per individual or $12 for an entire family. Tickets will be available at the door or from any Friends of the Library member. Proceeds will go to help support the work of the North Webster Library.