Port library to host storytimes, art activities and book clubs

A variety of activities will be held at the Niederkorn Library in Port Washington during July, including art-related programs, book clubs and storytimes.

Through June 30, people can vote on their favorite pieces in the Veteran Creative Art Festivall exhibit, with awards presented durihng a 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, program. The winning pieces will go on display at the Zablocki Veterans Hospital in Milwaukee on July 7.

Library patrons are invited to create a personal version of their favorite book cover using any media and submit it to the library, where the public will vote for their favorites from July 5 to 25.

The creators of the two winning covers in each age category — ages 3 to 7, 8 to 12, 13 to 17 and 18 and older — will receive awards and have their pieces included in an exhibit at the library from Aug. 1 to 14. 

A pop-up art workshop will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12.

The program, created in partnership with Gallery 224, will have those attending making cards or a book together by developing a theme and learning pop-up techniques. 

Groups of two to five people will beaccepted, but each group must have one adult. Advance registration is required.

A “Messy Paint Day” for children 12 and younger will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 23.

Activities include marble painting, rubber band painting and using bouncy balls to paint inside of shoeboxes .

Cattail Critters will present a program at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 17.

Those attending can pet or feed animals including  Banjo, a Bennetts wallaby; Peaches, a Continental giant rabbit; and Floria, a Sulcata tortoise.

A program on Medicare will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 7.

Licensed Medicare sales agent Brian Vranek will discuss all aspects of Medicare. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Those attending are asked to reserve a spot by calling Vranek at (414) 248-0685.

A Monarch Memory Cafe will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 21, for people living with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and their family members, friends and professional caregivers. 

To register, contact Sarah Prohuska of the Ozaukee County Aging and Disabilities Resource Center at (262) 284-8124 or sprohuska@co.ozaukee.wi.us

Youth activities

Summer storytimes will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 8 to 31 and Aug. 5 to 21, with different themes each week.

Sessions are most suitable for preschoolers, but are open to all children. 

“Paws for Reading,” in which children read to Gracie , a certified therapy dog, will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

The program allows children to practice reading skills and build confidence in a low-stress and positive environment. 

A sensory playtime will be held from 10 a.m. to noon July 25. A variety of tactile, sensory activity stations will be set up for children younger than 13 who can explore them with their caregivers. Stations may include shaving cream, sand, water, and/or food items, and each month there will be a different theme

Adult programs

A grief support group will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 2 and 16.  The group is facilitated by Compassus Hospice and meets in the community room.  

The D&D PW Bookwyrms group of game enthusiasts will meet from 5 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays in the community room.

Players of all experience levels are welcome. 

The Friday Morning Book Talk group will meet at 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 11, at the Port Washington Senior Center.

Copies of the featured book will be available for check out at the library.   

The Novel Ideas Book Club for fiction lovers will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 21, in the quiet room.

Copies of the featured book will be available for check out

The Bring Your Own Book Club will meet at Inventors Brewpub at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24. Those attending are asked to share the book they are currently reading or just finished, no matter the genre.  

A short story hour will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at the Port Senior Center.

The library is at 316 W. Grand Ave.

For registration or more information, call (262) 284-5031.