The Orange County Library System will celebrate the one year anniversary of Cuisine Corner in May with the return of local chef Ha Roda. In addition, there’s a celebration of the 10th annual Southwest Author Series with author Joanie Schirm on Friday, May 8.
See the full May calendar of the Orange County Library System below:
Read with Curious George
West Oaks Branch Friday, May 1, 11 a.m.
Have fun learning about everyone’s favorite monkey! Join us for stories, games and a curious craft.
Babies and Mommies
Winter Garden Branch Friday, May 1, 10:30 a.m.
Let’s celebrate our favorite people. Read some stories and make a Mother’s Day gift. Ages 3-5.
Be Bear Aware
Winter Garden Branch Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.
Oakland Nature Preserve will be presenting an interactive program on the Florida Black Bear. See an actual Florida Black Bear skull and pelt. You might even find some bear tracks or scat. Not sure what scat is? Come find out! See what makes a bear a bear. Join us to become bear aware.
One Book, One Community: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Windermere Branch Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.
Everyone’s a winner! You’ve won the golden ticket to fun-filled activities and crafts inspired by Charlie and his dazzling tour of the Wonka factory. Ages 6-12.
Urban Sketching with Thomas Thorspecken
Southwest Branch Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m.
Learn about urban sketching. This workshop will introduce simple and straightforward techniques in pen, pencil and watercolor for all levels. Instructor Thomas Thorspecken is a prolific artist and journalist. To learn more, visit his website analogartistdigitalworld.com.
Introduction to Essential Oils
Windermere Branch Tuesday, May 5, 6:15 p.m.
In this hands-on class, experience a variety of essential oils with Stephanie Jorian, vegan lifestyle coach and natural solutions consultant. She will share the basics of essential oils and touch on the choosing the right essential oils, frequently used oils and the uses and benefits of essential oils beyond aromatherapy.
Mother’s Day Tea
Windermere Branch Thursday, May 7, 3:30 p.m.
Join us for a fun afternoon celebrating mothers and children as well as tea and snacks. We will create a small craft together and take pictures with our portable photo booth! Ages 3-12. Registration required.
Rainy Day Fun
Windermere Branch Friday, May 8, 11 a.m.
West Oaks Branch Friday, May 29, 11 a.m.
Are you ready for some rainy day fun? Enjoy stories, songs and crafts all about the rain. Ages 3-5.
Teen Art Adventures: Paint Chip Art
Winter Garden Branch Friday, May 8, 2:30 p.m.
Paint chips can be found in every color imaginable. Combine interesting colors and shapes to create unique art. Ages 11-18.
10th Annual Southwest Author Series
Southwest Branch Friday, May 8, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for the 10th Annual Southwest Author Series—presented in partnership with the Dr. Phillips Rotary. Florida native Joanie Schirm will speak about her book Adventurers Against Their Will and host a book sale and signing. Doors will open at 6 p.m. This event is free and light refreshments will be served.
Celebrate Mothers
Winter Garden Branch Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m.
Make a take-home gift for your special someone, mom. Ages 6-12.
Fostering Family Togetherness Through Creativity
Hiawassee Branch Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.
Authors Frank Hajcak and Tricia Garwood explore ways to use our inherent creativity and connection to the natural world to reenergize our family bonds.
Mother/Daughter Beauty Day
Winter Garden Branch Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing beauty event and learn about proper skincare and the application of makeup. Registration required.
Remembering Mom: Family History Crafts for Adults & Kids
West Oaks Branch Saturday, May 9, 2:30 p.m.
Join us for a fun time creating family history crafts and gifts to honor mom for Mother’s Day. Children can create a special craft to give to mom. Adults can create a craft using photos or other images. Attendees that would like to create a personalized craft should bring a photo no bigger than 4”x 6”, or an email or flash drive with an image. Additional images will be available for those who do not bring photos to the program. All other supplies will be provided.
The Lego Movie & Craft
Hiawassee Branch Monday, May 11, 6 p.m.
You’re invited to a screening of The Lego Movie! Join the quest to stop an evil Lego tyrant from gluing the universe. We will also make a craft. Ages 6-12.
Counsel for Caregivers
West Oaks Branch Tuesday, May 12, 10:30 a.m.
Let us lend you a helping hand of healing with your caregiving responsibilities at the Counsel for Caregivers Seminar. This series is presented by OCLS and Orange County’s Commission on Aging. Registration required. Call 407.836.7446 to register or e-mail[email protected]. Refreshments will be provided to the first 50 attendees.
Painting with Scissors
West Oaks Branch Tuesday, May 12, 3:30 p.m.
Windermere Branch Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m.
Winter Garden Branch Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m.
Learn about famous artist Henri Matisse and create your own bold and colorful work of art inspired by his cut paper technique. Ages 6-12.
Tertulia Cuatro Gatos (Spanish Book Club)
Windermere Branch Tuesday, May 12, 6:30 pm
Join this Spanish-language book club to discuss literature, art, music and more related to Latin America. All are welcome.
Branching Out to Find Your Roots: Using Vital Records
West Oaks Branch Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 p.m.
Births, marriages and deaths are important pieces of information for your family history. Become familiar with the key sources for locating your ancestors’ vital records and discover workarounds when the records you need are not available.
Identity Theft Targeted to Seniors
Winter Garden Branch Thursday, May 14, 11a.m.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes against our senior population. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Senior Crime Prevention Unit will be sharing red flags, ways your identity is used, the number one identity theft in the U.S. and what steps you need to take to regain your personal identity.
May Flowers
Winter Garden Branch Friday, May 15, 10:30 a.m.
Let’s study how flowers grow. Mix seeds, water and sunshine to make beautiful flowers for your garden. Also read some stories, of course! Ages 3-5.
Barn Dance
Hiawassee Branch Friday, May 15, 11 a.m.
Join chick and his barnyard friends for a fun-filled time with stories, activities and more! Ages 3-5.
Celebration in Enchancia
West Oaks Branch Friday, May 15, 11 a.m.
Windermere Branch Tuesday, May 19, 11 a.m.
Sparkle and shine your way to the library as we celebrate the world of Disney Junior’s Sofia the First. Ages 3-5.
Genealogy for Night Owls
West Oaks Branch Friday, May 15, 5 – 9 p.m.
Join us for an after-hours genealogy event to research your family history! You are invited to take a brief tour of the facility. Beginning genealogy lectures and technology classes will be offered. Library staff and volunteers will be available for research assistance. Registration required. If you do not have an Orange County Library System library card, please call 407.835.7651 for more information about attending.
Savvy Savers
West Oaks Branch Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m.
Join in the savings! Become a savvy saver by sharing coupons and savings tips.
Healthy Eating for Kids and Families
Winter Garden Branch Saturday, May 16, 2:30 p.m.
Windermere Branch Saturday, May 30, 2:30 p.m.
Learn how to read food labels and make healthier food choices for your family. Discussion will include tips for incorporating more whole foods into your diet, getting kids to eat their veggies and meal ideas for busy families. Recipes and healthy substitutions for your favorite foods will be shared. For more information, visit awholenewlife.net.
Hiawassee Book Club
Hiawassee Branch Monday, May 18, 6:30 pm.
Come for chatter on Boston Girl by Anita Diamant. Addie Baum is The Boston Girl, born in 1900 to immigrant parents who were unprepared for and suspicious of America and its effect on their three daughters. At 85-years-old, Addie tells the story of her life to her 22-year-old.
Fraud and Scams Targeted to Seniors
West Oaks Branch Tuesday, May 19, 11 a.m.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Senior Crime Prevention Unit will share what are the most prevalent frauds and scams, and what you can do to prevent victimization.
Ooey, Gooey, Grimy and Slimy
Southwest Branch Tuesday, May 19, 4 p.m.
Kids, enjoy a fun filled program of silly science. Make the ooiest and the gooiest of the goos and get grimy and slimy with us. Stories, activities and crafts with a science twist! Ages 8-12.
Southwest Book Club
Southwest Branch Tuesday, May 19, 7 p.m.
This month we discuss Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. Close to aging out of the foster care system, Molly Ayer takes a position helping an elderly woman named Vivian and discovers that they are more alike than different.
Asian Spring Rolls
West Oaks Branch Wednesday, May 20, 6 p.m.
Local chef and author Ha Roda shares tips on making the perfect spring roll. Take part in this interactive program and make your own healthy, fresh spring roll! Presented in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Space is limited. Register online at ocls.info or call407.835.7323.
A History of Winter Garden
Winter Garden Branch Thursday, May 21, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a presentation about the history of Winter Garden—from the late 1870s to present day. Presented by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation.
DIY Vacation Planning: Budget Edition
Hiawassee Branch Friday, May 22, 2:30 p.m.
Looking forward to vacation but don’t want to spend a fortune? Learn tips and tools to find affordable food and flight options, accommodations and transportation.
African Cats Movie & Craft
Winter Garden Branch Saturday, May 23, 2 p.m.
Get set for an incredible adventure to one of the wildest places on Earth, the African savanna. Ages 6-12.
Extraordinaire Fashion Seminar
Hiawassee Branch Saturday, May 23, 2:30 p.m.
Join us for part two of our fashion seminar. We explore repurposing your old wardrobe with new fashion trends. Attendees should bring one piece of clothing or footwear for alteration and decoration.
Sunshine State Book Club
West Oaks Branch Tuesday, May 26, 3:30 p.m.
It’s our End-of-Year celebration! We will highlight all of the books we’ve read from the Sunshine State Readers List for 3rd-5th grade. Join the book club for crafts, prizes and fun!
Eat My Treat
Windermere Branch Tuesday, May 26, 6 p.m.
Learn the art of cupcake decorating with Jackie Wilson of Eat My Treat Cupcakes & Bundt Cakes. Test your skills by decorating your own cupcake. Registration required. Call 407.835.7323 to register. Ages 16 and up.
Fancy Nancy Tea Party
Hiawassee Branch Wednesday, May 27, 3:30 p.m.
It’s time to get fancy with our favorite girl, Nancy! Wear your fanciest clothes and join us for stories, activities, and crafts that will bemagnifique. Don’t forget to accessorize! Ages 6-8.
Branching Out to Find Your Roots: Digging Up Land Records
West Oaks Branch Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m.
Uncover how land records can jumpstart your research. Learn about deeds, mortgages, platting and surveys. Discover the difference between metes and bounds states as well as public land record states.
Forget Me Not
West Oaks Branch Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.
Preserve the memories of your loved ones with EPOCH. Attend one of these sessions where library staff provide assistance and answer questions. Computers and scanning equipment will be available for use. Bring photos and any information you want to include in a tribute. For more information, visit epochlegacies.org.
Bats in the Library
Winter Garden Branch Friday, May 29, 10:30 a.m.
Bats in the library? Oh no! Join us for stories and crafts as we go batty. Ages 3-5.
