Libraries recognize Remembrance Day

Wellington County Library invites the community to remember together, one poppy at a time. 

When you visit your library branch this November, you’ll find displays featuring items that tell stories of wartime and those who served and sacrificed. 

Among the items you might find a copy of John McCrae’s famous poem In Flanders Fields, which helped inspire the poppy’s adoption as a symbol of remembrance in Canada.

In recent years, communities all over Canada have embraced large-scale poppy projects, inviting community members to knit and crochet poppies that are brought together to create beautiful installations which you will now find in many of our Wellington County communities. 

If you look closely at displays at several Wellington County Library branches, you’ll see that every poppy was made by hand.

You can even register to learn to create your own fibre-art poppy at the Arthur Branch on Nov. 7. 

Poppy crafts and activity sheets for children will also be available at several branches.

If you’re looking for other ways to remember and learn this month, consider checking out one of these titles about Canada’s wartime history:

– Till We Meet Again: A Canadian in the First World War by Brandon Marriott;

– The Volunteers: How Halifax Women Won the Second World War by Lezlie Lowe;

– The Cinderella Campaign: First Canadian Army and the Battles for the Channel Ports by Mark Zuelke;

– Wartime: The First World War in a Canadian Town by Edward Butts;

– A Soldier’s Sketchbook: the Illustrated First World War Diary of R.H. Rabjohn by R.H Rabjohn; and

– Canada’s Wars: An Illustrated History by Johnathan Webb.

Whether you’re searching for a meaningful read or looking for more information about an upcoming program, you can visit our website at wellington.ca/Library.

ARTHUR BRANCH 

(519-848-3999)

After School Adventures – Poppies (tweens and teens)

Join us at the end of the school day for games, crafts and a wide variety of fun activities. Make a poppy that can be displayed indoors or outdoors. Please register.

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 4 to 5pm

Craft and Create – Fibre Art Poppies (adults and teens)

Learn the basics of knitting and make a knitted poppy, just in time for Remembrance Day. All materials will be provided.  Please register.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 12:30 to 1:30pm

CLIFFORD BRANCH 

(519-327-8328)

Full STEAM Ahead: Cardboard Creations (kids and tweens)

We supply the tape, tools, and a huge pile of cardboard. You bring your imagination! Will you build a castle, a robot, or a futuristic city? Work alone or with friends to turn simple boxes into amazing creations. Please register.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5 to 5:45pm

Creative Kids: Masquerade Masks (kids and tweens)

Create masquerade masks with us at the Clifford Library using bedazzling and diamond painting techniques to make a sparkly masterpiece. Please register, supplies are limited.

Wednesday, Nov. 25, 5 to 5:45pm

DRAYTON BRANCH 

(519-638-3788)

Creative Kids: Crafting Extravaganza! (ages four to 11)

Drop in for a craft-ernoon of DIY fun! Choose from a huge assortment of craft supplies and use your imagination to make a variety of cool creations. 

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 3:45 to 4:45pm

At the Movies: PA Day (all ages)

Drop in for a showing of Toy Story 5. Bring a blanket and we’ll provide the popcorn! Running time 102 minutes; rated G.  

Friday, Nov. 27, 1:30 to 3:10pm

HARRISTON BRANCH 

(519-338-2396)

Level Up Games (tweens and teens)

Grab your friends and get your game face on! Drop in for an epic video game hangout where we’ll kick back, level up and battle it out on the big screen. Bring your own portable games or enjoy some provided by the library. 

Mondays in November and December, 4 to 5pm

PA Day: Paper Ornaments (ages five to 13)

We will be making several different paper ornaments that you can customize and decorate. Please register.

Friday, Nov. 27, 10:30 to 11:30am

MOUNT FOREST BRANCH 

(519-323-4541)

Book Club: Off the Menu Cookbook Club (adults)

Pull out your love for cooking, bake up a storm and connect with others over the kitchen table! Join us every month to discuss different cookbook themes and recipes. Registration is preferred, but drop-ins are welcome.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6 – 7pm

After School Adventures: Tree Decorating Party (kids and tweens)

Drop in to help the Mount Forest Branch get ready for the holiday season with a tree decorating party. Enjoy decking the halls of our library with festive decor and create your own ornaments to hang on the tree.

Thursday, Nov. 19, 5:30 to 6:30pm

PALMERSTON BRANCH 

(519-343-2142)

Light Up the Park (all ages)

To celebrate Palmerston’s annual event, Light Up the Park, we are staying open late! Stop by the Library after the lighting and fireworks for activities and crafts.

Friday, Nov. 13, 6 to 8pm

At the Movies – PA Day (kids and tweens)

No school? No problem. Drop in for a screening of Minions and Monsters on your PA Day. Bring a blanket and we’ll provide the popcorn! Running time 90 mins; rated G.  Adult accompaniment is required for children under eight years.

Friday, Nov. 27, 2 to 3:30pm