Librarians want company on patriotic bike ride

The librarians at the Oscar Grady Library in Saukville are inviting the public to decorate their bicycles and ride with them in the village’s Fourth of July parade.

Participants who sign up on the events calendar at www.oscargradylibrary.org through Friday, July 3, will receive a library shirt and goody bag.

A drop-in bike decorating event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at the library. Decorations will also be available at 12:15 p.m. on July 4. The parade begins at 1 p.m.

The library is also accepting registrations from vendors ages 7 to 17 who want to participate in the second annual Maker Fair, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

Eighteen local vendors will be chosen for the fair. Registration is open and can be done on the events calendar page of the library’s website.

In addition to planning for the Fourth of July and the Maker Fair, the library has a calendar full of July events, which for adults and teenagers include weekly walks at 9 a.m. every Monday.

A library staff member will meet participants on the library patio and lead them on a one-mile, two-hour walk through the neighborhood. The walks, which offer opportunities not just for exercise but also socialization, will be held rain or shine.

Cedarburg Bog: A Living Landscape in Our Backyard will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 6.

The program will explore how the ecosystem of the Cedarburg Bog in the Town of Saukville supports a variety of wildlife and plant life, why it is vital to the environment and how it enriches and influences the surrounding community.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, the library will host Holly Lewis of Cold Nose Canine for Decoding Fido: Learn to Communicate with Your Dog.

Lewis will share the basics of how dogs communicate through behavior and body language and introduce simple brain-training techniques and interactive games.

The Fiber Arts Group will meet at 2 p.m.  Thursday, July 9, and Friday, July 17, to work on individual projects in a group environment. Participants should bring their own projects to work on. There is no instructor, but the group offers an opportunity to share ideas, tips and inspiration.

Hollander Chocolate Co. and Tulip Cafe of Port Washington will host a chocolate school at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 13.

The presentation will cover the rich history of chocolate, from the Aztecs to its spread through Europe and popularity in the United States. Participants will learn how cocoa is grown, what gives chocolate its flavor and the differences between dark, milk and white chocolate. The program will conclude with samples from the company.

Pressed floral arrangements will be made during a crafting event at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 14.

Participants will select from a variety of real pressed flowers, then arrange their pieces and place them in frames.

Inspired by America’s 250th anniversary, the library will host The Birthplace of Flag Day program at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 20.

The presentation will focus on the local history of Flag Day in Waubeka.

Participants can also pick up the library’s America’s 250th Reading Log to take a journey through the country’s history.

Rooted in Creativity: Clay Propagation Stations will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 27, and Thursday, July 30.

The two-part workshop will guide participants through the process of making plant propagation stations using air-dry clay and canning jars

During the July 27 session, participants will make the propagation stations, then on July 30 they will paint them to create functional works of art. All materials are provided.

Book clubs for adults include the Morning Fiction Book Club, which will meet at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 2, to discuss “The Quiet Librarian” by Allen Eskens.

The Love and Lore Book Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16, to discuss “Sorcery of Thorns” by Margaret Rogerson.

This patron-hosted group is for book lovers in their 20s looking for conversation, connections and captivating reads.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, the Evening Nonfiction Book Club will meet to discuss “Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty” by Valerie Bauerlein. Events for teenagers include a meeting of the Plant a Seed, Read Teen Book Club at 2 p.m. Friday, July 10.

‘Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynee Jones will be discussed.

Copies of the books discussed by all books clubs are available for checkout at the library.

Rocket Science for Teens: Design, Build and Launch will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 23.

Jim Lenz the Magic and Science Guy will help participants create a paper rocket by experimenting with design, aerodynamics and basic physics, then launch them using an air compressor.

Library events for children include the Summer LEGO Club, which will meet at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, July 8 and 22 and Aug. 5.

The club gives children in kindergarten through fifth grade the opportunity to use the library’s blocks to make creations that may be displayed at the library for all to see.

Summer Outdoor Storytimes will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 4.

There will be stories, rhymes, songs and dancing on the library lawn, and after storytime, children can get creative with sidewalk chalk. The event will be moved inside if it rains. On July 28, a special stuffed animal sleepover will take the place of the usual storytime.

A comedy yo-yo show will be presented by Mark Hayward, a world champion yo-yoer, juggler and comedian, at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9.

Aunt Edna’s Birthday Party: An Etiquette Class for Children ages 7 to 11 will be held on Thursday, July 26.

The 45-minute sessions, which will be offered at 2 or 3:15 p.m., will be led by Maggie Joos of This is the Real Good Life. Participants will learn proper manners with a hands-on etiquette experience featuring snacks and cake.

Registration is required and can be done at www.oscargradylibrary.org.

Family bingo will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 20.

Family members from children to grandparents are invited to play. Winners receive books.

Registration is required and can be done at www.oscargradylibrary.org.

The Oscar Grady Library is at 151 S. Main St.