The Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St., has announced the following programs and services for  October 2023. Book groups, chess, dulcimers, Medicare, a mobile health clinic, a “field trip” to Greenhorn, scary Bluffton stories, Appalachian Trail tales, song-circles, children’s storytime, an art display by Wendy Chappell-Dick, and banned books week are all on the library calendar. Read on for details:

Noon Book Group (R) meets Wed., Oct. 4 to discuss The Other Dr. Gilmer by Benjamin Gilmer.  On Wed., Nov. 1 the group will discuss How to Find Your Way Home with author Katy Regan via Zoom. Stop by the library front desk to register and pick up the book! 

Chess Tuesdays! Starting in October, the library will have an area designated on the Main Floor for open chess from 5:30-7:30 p.m every Tuesday the library is open.  Make new contacts - and perhaps be a part of the potential new Chess Club in the works in Bluffton! Bring your own board or use one of the library’s! 

Dulcimers @ the Library: The Bluffton Dulcimer Group will be practicing for upcoming performances the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. The public is welcome to come to the library and listen! 

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Medicare 101: Allen County Council on Aging will present Medicare 101 on Tues., October 10 at 6:00 p.m. There will be time for questions after the presentation, and participants can find out about other services offered by the Allen County Council on Aging. Please register in advance by calling 419-358-5016.

Mobile Health Clinic: This service has been moved to the second Wednesday of each month. The next Mobile Health Clinic will be on Wed., Oct. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All services are provided by individuals with the Ohio Northern University Healthwise program. This clinic includes free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol (please fast for 12 hours to participate in cholesterol or blood sugar screening) and osteoporosis. Participants may speak with ONU Healthwise students and staff about their results or concerns, and even receive referrals to area doctors.

Words & Wine Book Discussion (R) will meet Thurs., Oct. 12 @ 6:30 p.m. at Greenhorn to discuss The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry while enjoying a glass of wine.  Please Register and pick up the book at the Library.  There is limited seating and the book discussion is open to Adults 21+.  Refreshments are available for purchase at the Greenhorn.  Join us for an evening to relax, socialize and discuss. 

Fred Steiner presents “Scary Stories of Bluffton“ on Tues., Oct. 17 at 6:00 p.m. in the lower level of the library. Please register in advance to hear all about the many interesting (scary?) things that have been noted in the Bluffton area, accompanied with documentation and photos from local sources. This is a family-friendly program. 

Galley Book Group (R) meets Wed. Oct. 18 at 12:00 p.m. This month’s discussion will be of an assortment of eleven Galley books. Register for the discussion, pick a book from the Galley Box, read, return, and pick another and repeat. Always bring the book back and return it to the box so that someone else may read it. At the discussion, the group will briefly talk about each book read and rate the titles. The book to be read for the Nov. 15 Galley Book Discussion will be When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart. Limited copies available starting Oct. 18. 

Dennis Sheidler presents Appalachian Trail Hike on Tues., October 24 @ 6:00 pm. in the lower level of the library. Dennis Sheidler, at the age of 75, completed the Appalachian Trail through a series of section hikes and will be sharing his experiences along with photos and answering questions. Come to learn more about the Appalachian Trail and how you might complete a section (or the entire trail) yourself! Please register in advance.

Watercolor Workshop: Pumpkin Truck (R)($) will be held Thurs., Oct. 19 and 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Local artist Jeanne Beutler will teach on the lower level of the library. Walk away with your own watercolor piece of art, complete with mat! There is a $10 supply fee at the door (cash only please), and advance registration is required as space is limited. Open to adults and teens/children (with a participating adult).

Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle will meet at 5:30 p.m. each Monday the library is open. (Check library calendar or website.) This is a relaxed, song-circle style music session and anyone is welcome to join or listen in. Bring your instrument, voice, or listening ears!

Fall Storytime registration is open! (Sept. 11-Nov. 15) Register at the front desk, library webpage or by scanning the QR code provided on the calendar, flyers, and Fall Storytime brochure. Your children will get to talk, sing, read, write, and play with fellow Storytime Friends.

Family Storytime: Monday evenings @ 6:00 p.m.  (Birth-5 year olds)
Baby Storytime: Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. (Birth-under 3 year olds)
Pre-K Storytime: Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. (3-5 year olds)

Fall Storytime themes include:  Hats, Cats, Pirates, Aussie Blue Dog, Vikings, Pasta, Bats and Owls, Teddy Bears, Musical Instruments, and Cookies.

Display Case: Beauty on the face of the beholder by Wendy Chappell-Dick. In her artist statement, Wendy shares, “Humans search for beauty, decorating ourselves with clothes, make-up, and fancy hair styles. Yet what if beauty was in the face of the beholder? The people in this quilt chose a John Templin pattern which they found most beautiful, and they are wearing what is “beautiful” on their face. 

Banned Books Week: Let Freedom Read! - Celebrate your right to read during Banned Books Week, October 1-7, by learning more about intellectual freedom for all.

Services Update 

COVID-19 Test Kits
At-Home COVID Tests are available at the Library.  If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please call to schedule curbside pickup.