The Latest News
Dairy Goats Storytime
Posted on April 19, 2012 – 2:32 pm
The Portage Lake District Library will have a real Toggenburg Alpine mix mother goat and her three week old baby kids at Storytime on Saturday, April 21, at 1:00 p.m..
Katie Searl and her children, Anna, Fisher, Myrica, and Lain Rajdl, will talk about how to take care of goats. They will also explain the truth about what goats eat, describe what goats do all day, and give examples of how kid goats like to play. Children will be able to pet the goats.
There will be samples of certified goat milk, yogurt, and cheese to eat. Children will also read stories about goats and make a project to take home.
Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in Events
Community Poetry Read
Posted on April 19, 2012 – 2:28 pm
The Portage Lake District Library invites everyone to gather around the library’s fireplace for a Community Poetry Reading on Friday, April 20, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Lovers of poetry can read their own poems or poems written by others, or simply enjoy listening to others read.
Library programs are free and open to all. For more information please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in EventsDive Into Isle Royale
Posted on April 16, 2012 – 9:28 am
The Portage Lake District Library continues to host “Explore Your National Park,” a series of family programs presented by Isle Royale National Park Rangers Valerie Martin and Justin Olson.
These programs offer adventures and activities that are suitable for families and kids age five to twelve. Programs include a 30 minute show followed by hands-on activities.
The next program in this series will be held on Tuesday, April 17, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. During “Dive into Isle Royale,” kids will become an underwater archaeologist-in-training as they submerge into Lake Superior to explore shipwrecks. They will travel to the waters of Isle Royale National Park with Rangers Valerie Martin and Justin Olson to investigate sunken ships. They will also discover the tools that archaeologists use to explore and understand shipwreck sites and take an imaginary voyage beneath the Lake Superior waves. Activities include making a Cartesian diver, searching for shipwrecks, and examining artifacts.
Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information you may call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in Events
Sooper Yooper: Environmental Defender
Posted on April 13, 2012 – 10:13 am
The “Sooper Tour” is coming to the Portage Lake District Library with Michigan children’s author Mark Newman on Wednesday, April 18, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Newman collaborated with artist Mark Heckman to write and illustrate Sooper Yooper: Environmental Defender. The book tells the story of Billy Cooper, an everyday superhero living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula who does everything in his power to protect the Great Lakes from sea lampreys, zebra mussels and other invasive species.
Newman’s “Sooper Tour” is an engaging and interactive program presented in a show-and-tell format that details the story of the Great Lakes, the arrival of exotic species and the ongoing efforts to control aquatic pests. The author will explain the creative process of making the book before focusing on fun facts about the Great Lakes and the Top 10 invaders. This program is very interactive with hands-on exhibits and lots of questions to keep everyone engaged.
The book and tour is designed to educate and entertain kids and adults about the importance of protecting our natural resources. The message is simple: when it comes to the environment, everyone can be a superhero.
This program will appeal to students of all ages from kindergarten through high school as well as adults. The “Sooper Tour” is made possible through the support of the Wege Foundation.
Newman also works as an editor and photo journalist with the Grand Rapids Griffins and West Michigan Whitecaps, the minor league affiliates of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. He also serves as a communications specialist for corporations in a wide variety of industries.
Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in Events
Gluten-Free Recipe Exchange
Posted on April 7, 2012 – 11:19 am
Regular meetings of the Gluten-Free Recipe Exchange are held on the 3rd Monday of each month, September through May, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Portage Lake District Library. The next meeting will be on April 16, and everyone is invited to participate.
Each month features a different type of food, and April’s meeting will focus on casseroles. Participants are welcome to bring their favorite casserole for sampling and are encouraged to share their recipes. Copies of the recipes will be made at the library. Please list all ingredients used in making foods that are shared at these meetings and identify the brand names of the gluten-free ingredients. Bringing food is not a requirement for attendance.
Participants are also encouraged to bring their former favorite recipes that they want help converting to gluten-free. Help will be available.
The Gluten-Free Recipe Exchange is organized by and for those who are interested in or required to follow a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free eating requires the avoidance of all wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Most people find it challenging at first, but are excited to find recipes and foods that are fun and easy to make and tasty to eat. The Gluten-Free Recipe Exchange is an opportunity to share those great recipes and learn from others. Everyone who is interested in learning more about gluten-free eating is encouraged to attend.
This program is free and open to all. For more information, please call a member of the group at 281-5216. You may also call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in Events
The Use of Copper in Ancient Times
Posted on April 5, 2012 – 3:17 pm
The Portage Lake District Library will host programs sponsored by the Copper Country Ancient Sites Conservancy on Friday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday,
April 14, at 1:00 p.m.
Don Spohn, a long time collector of ancient copper artifacts, will present “The Use of Copper in Ancient Times” at both programs. Spohn will discuss ancient copper miners of the Keweenaw as well as old copper cultures of North America. He will include details about who the ancient copper miners were, describe what they did with copper, and explain where they found it and in what time period. Spohn will also discuss what makes Lake Superior copper different from copper found in other areas. Participants are invited to bring copper artifacts that they have for inspection and discussion.
Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in Events
Listening with the Brain in Mind
Posted on March 27, 2012 – 3:15 pm
The Portage Lake District Library will host its monthly program in the Natural Health and Wellness series on Thursday, April 12, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Karyn Ruohonen-Rudak will present “Listening with the Brain in Mind.” Participants will learn about listening (sound) therapy and the role it plays in integrating our brain. Ruohonen-Rudak will explain how people who have difficulties with attention and concentration, auditory and sensory processing, and with learning can benefit from listening therapy. She will also discuss how she uses music and movement to work with individuals to integrate their brain and exercise different functions of the auditory system.
Ruohonen-Rudak will also include a discussion about essential oils and the role they can play in health and wellness.
Ruohonen-Rudak has a Masters degree in Education, has been researching and studying listening therapy for five years, and is certified in two listening systems.
The Natural Health and Wellness series is held on the second Thursday of each month. All library programs are free, and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in Events
Roses: Purchasing, Planting and Pruning Pointers
Posted on March 26, 2012 – 8:04 pm
The Portage Lake District Library will host Advanced Master Gardener Lynn Watson on Thursday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. for her presentation on “Roses: Purchasing, Planting and Pruning Pointers.”
Watson will explain the history of garden roses and discuss how they were revered in Ancient Rome and China. When East met West, the strengths of these distinct rose cultures combined into what are seven varieties of modern roses. Participants will learn about these types, their growth, and their positioning in the garden. Purchase alerts, planting cautions, and winterizing will be generally covered. Pruning and pests will also be addressed as well as a review of what are called roses native to North America.
Watson is the head gardener at Michigan Technological University. She is also the owner of Interiorscapes, a company devoted to professionally helping homes and offices welcome healthy green plants into their living and work environments.
Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, Please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in Events
Explore Your National Park
Posted on March 26, 2012 – 7:57 pm
The Portage Lake District Library will host “Explore Your National Park,” a series of family programs presented by Isle Royale National Park Rangers Valerie Martin and Justin Olson.
These programs offer adventures and activities that are suitable for families and kids age five to twelve. Programs include a 30 minute show followed by hands-on activities.
The programs are as follows:
Tuesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m.
Go Wild for Isle Royale
Kids will become a wildlife biologist-in-training as they study wolves and moose. Participants will join Ranger Valerie Martin on an imaginary journey to Isle Royale where they will follow in the scientists’ footsteps to look for moose, count wolves, and discover why islands are such great places to study the relationships between species.
Activities include looking for clues in moose bones, listening for wolves, and testing your antler strength.
Tuesday, April 17, 6:30 p.m.
Dive Into Isle Royale
Kids will become an underwater archaeologist-in-training as they submerge into Lake Superior to explore shipwrecks. They will travel to the waters of Isle Royale National Park with Rangers Valerie Martin and Justin Olson to investigate sunken ships. They will also discover the tools that archaeologists use to explore and understand shipwreck sites and take an imaginary voyage beneath the Lake Superior waves. Activities include making a Cartesian diver, searching for shipwrecks, and examining artifacts.
Tuesday, May 1. 6:30 p.m.
Dig Into Isle Royale
Kids become a geologist-in-training as they uncover stories that are written in rocks. Participants will time travel into the past with Ranger Justin Olson to discover how molten lava and icy glaciers helped form the landscape we see today. Activities include trying your skills at identifying rocks and minerals and testing your glacier strength.
Tuesday, May 15, 6:30 p.m.
Wade Into Isle Royale
Kids will become an aquatic ecologist-in-training as they search for invasive species. Families will dive into the waters of Lake Superior with Ranger Valerie Martin and take an imaginary expedition to explore this freshwater home. There they will meet some of the plants and animals that live in the lake including a few troublemakers that don’t belong. Activities include building a food web, testing a remotely operated vehicle, and checking out some aliens.
Valerie Martin has been a National Park Service ranger and educator for over twenty years. She has spent thirteen summers sharing the wonders of Isle Royale with others.
Justin Olson has studied geology around the country for the last five years and is eager to spend his second summer working at Isle Royale National Park.
Library presentations are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.
Posted in Events
The 100th Anniversary of the Titanic’s Maiden Voyage
Posted on March 20, 2012 – 3:11 pm
The Portage Lake District Library and the Maritime Committee of the Keweenaw County Historical Society will host a multi-media presentation to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s maiden voyage. The event will be held on Monday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the library.
Genealogist Carol Schwab will use family photos, slides, and Daily Mining Gazette articles to tell the story of Maude Sincock Roberts, 2nd class survivor of the Titanic and former Hancock resident. Voice recordings will be played of Maude and fellow survivors as they describe that fateful night of April 15, 1912. Schwab will also conduct a special remembrance for those who perished and who had listed towns in the Upper Peninsula as their destination.
Maritime Committee member Barb Koski will discuss local shipwrecks in 1912 and share stories of how the Portage Ship Canal Life Saving Station assisted in those events.
There will be a reception with refreshments after the presentations for local descendants of passengers of the Titanic. Everyone is invited.
The library and historical society are still searching for more descendants. Anyone with information about descendants of the Titanic’s passengers who have connections to the Upper Peninsula is asked to contact Chris Alquist at the library at 482-4570.
All library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information please phone the library or visit its website at www.pldl.org.
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