Orrville Public Library heats up winter with Cookbook Club chili night

Orrville Public Library's Cookbook Club will bring warmth to the winter months. Brian Baumgartner’s "Seriously Good Chili Cookbook" is written in a humorous and friendly tone, and it features 177 recipes to spice up chili for all occasions. Each section showcases specific styles of chili and includes fun chili facts. Copies of the cookbook are available, and the club will meet Monday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. at Orrville Public Library.

Attendees are invited to bring either a family-favorite chili or a recipe prepared from the cookbook to share with others, potluck style. A Best Chili Competition will be held, with small prizes awarded. No registration is necessary.

Winter Brain Freeze Challenge for students in fifth grade through eighth grade will run through Feb. 28. Participants who read for 20 minutes a day until reaching a total of 300 minutes earn a treat coupon or small prize. Log sheets are available at the information desk to track minutes read. After completing the reading minutes, participants return the log sheet and draw for a prize. All winter entries are eligible for a grand prize.

Books read for this challenge also may be used for the January A Good Book Is Like a Sweet Treat Winter Reading Challenge. For more information on either challenge, visit the information desk or call the library at 330-683-1065.

Winter Story Time sign-up will begin Monday, Dec. 29. Offered for children from birth to age 5, the programs introduce books, finger plays, songs, games and age-appropriate crafts while providing early language-related activities and social interaction with peers. Story Times will begin the week of Jan. 12 and end the week of Feb. 9. If Orrville City Schools is canceled or delayed due to weather conditions, Story Time also is canceled. Registration is available on the library’s website calendar at www.orrville.lib.oh.us or by calling the children’s department at 330-683-1065.

The following sessions will be offered, and families may choose one: lapsit for babies not yet walking and their caregiver Wednesdays from 10-10:30 a.m., baby for walkers up to 24 months and their caregiver Wednesdays from 10:45-11:15 a.m., 2-year-olds with a caregiver Monday or Tuesday from 10-10:30 a.m., 3-year-olds Mondays from 11-11:30 a.m., 3- and 4-year-olds Tuesdays from 2-2:30 p.m., 4- and 5-year-olds Tuesdays from 11-11:30 a.m., pre-K for 4- and 5-year-olds who haven’t attended kindergarten Mondays from 2-2:45 p.m., and family story time for all ages with a caregiver Monday or Tuesday from 6-6:30 p.m., with no registration needed.