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9/21/24 Autumn Adventures at the Ripon Public Library

21 September 2024 News


Ripon, WI – The Ripon Public Library is pleased to offer a fresh slate of fall programming. Keep reading to discover all that October has to offer for all ages! Thanks to the Friends of the Library, and other generous partners, programming is always free, and registration is not required unless noted.

WEDNESDAYS OCT 2 – OCT 16 | 10 AM | STORYTIME + STAY & PLAY | KIDS & CAREGIVERS

Welcome to active learning and fun, where early literacy and STEM concepts come to life through stories, music, movement, and enrichment activities. It’s a happy place for kids and caregivers to learn and engage.

Everyone is invited to Stay and Play in the Romper Room after Storytime. This active space allows kids to release excess energy and advance their physical skills while supporting social connections for adults and children. Storytime and Stay and Play do not require registration.

PAWS IN THE PARK WITH BLUEY! | SAT OCT 5 | 10 AM – NOON | BARLOW PARK PAVILION

400 Newbury St, Ripon 

It’s a morning to celebrate the love of dogs and those who care for them personally and professionally! Leashed, well behaved dogs are welcome at Barlow Park and doggie clean-up bags are provided. This free event is a collaboration of Ripon Parks and Recreation, and the Ripon Public Library brings fun plus information and resources to all ages. Enjoy:

  • Life-sized Bluey and Bingo characters will be on hand to meet and greet their fans and pose for photos! They’ll also pass out bags of the sweet treat “puppy chow” while supplies last.
  • All attendees are provided five FREE entry tickets into valuable prize drawings ranging from pet supplies, adoption fee and training cost assistance, and fun dog-lover related bling! Earn more prize entries with each donation to Green Lake Area Animal Shelter (GLAAS).
  • GLAAS Director, Janine Rubeck, shares information about the facility, its services, and the joys of pet adoption. Some of their most adoptable dogs will make appearances too!
  • Stock Bluey’s & Bingo’s house! Help fill a replica of the popular pups’ house with items from the GLAAS wish list. For each item donated, receive an extra entry into valuable prize drawings!
    • NON-CLUMPING Kitty Litter
    • Bleach
    • Laundry detergent
    • Dish Soap
    • Disinfecting Cleaner WITH BLEACH
    • Dog treats
  • Meet award-winning dog trainer, Alysha Kloeckner! Her business, A Dog’s Tale LLC, aims to support dogs and the people who love them through a belief in treating both dogs and their guardians with compassion and support. Alysha will conduct training demos with her canine students and answer training questions. Please note, she will not train attendee’s dogs at the event. Information regarding her popular group class schedules, private training, and board-to-train options will be available. A Dog’s Tale is contributing to the prize drawings with training services valued at up to $150!
  • A Storywalk offers two beloved picture books featuring shelter/stray dogs and their heartwarming journeys to finding their “furever” homes. 
  • MORE FUN! Dog-focused businesses and agencies will offer info, giveaways, sales and prizes! Participants include Animal House Feed Inc., Ripon PD’s K-9 program, 2nd Chance North Dog Rescue, and Marcie’s Pet Spa.  

PENNY PEONY PAINTS THE WAY: a Library Renovation Fundraiser! |

SUN OCT 6 at 1:30-3:30 PM | SAT NOV 16 at 10 AM – NOON | FOR AGES 5 TO ADULT (with ages 5-12 accompanied by an adult) REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Local artist Katie Lang is a lifelong library lover! Her wise mother made visiting the local library a mainstay of Katie’s childhood, and Katie is continuing the happy tradition with her children in Ripon. Seeing the potential for the library’s renovation plans to transform the entire library campus into a tourism-worthy destination, Katie is inspired to use her artistic skills to help bring the dream to fruition!

Owner and creator of Penny Peony Designs, Katie is offering a seasonally inspired guided painting class for $30 per project. Proceeds beyond the cost of materials will support the library’s renovation fund. Through Katie’s kind, humorous, and expert guidance, the experience and finished projects will be treasured for years!

The Sunday, October 6 class features a delightfully accessible “Friendly Floral Ghost” painting and collage workshop. Using an 8×10 inch canvas board, acrylic paint, floral magazine cutouts, decoupage supplies, and your intuitive flair, craft a fall-themed, slightly spooky masterpiece! This project is designed for individuals aged five to adult with adult supervision being necessary for children aged 5-12 years. Accompanying adults need not pay separately; the fee is per project.

To register and pay, please visit the Penny Peony Designs website and access the “Join a Class” section.

Stay tuned! Another class is planned for November in which participants paint three joyful holiday ornaments.

FRIENDS’ FAMOUS BOOK SALE | OCT 10-12 | ALL AGES

The Friends’ renowned sale offers huge selections across many genres, all at great prices! Payments are accepted by cash, check, or credit/debit card.

THU OCT 10 | EARLY BIRD SALE! | 4-7 PM | $3 ENTRY FEE (Fee is waived for Friends Members.)

FRI OCT 11 | 10 AM-5 PM

SAT OCT 12 | 10 AM-2 PM | $3/BAG SALE!

FRI | OCT 11 | 10 AM | SCHOOL’S OFF MOVIE EVENT | ALL AGES

A continuation of a movie about emotions, this story follows Riley as she navigates the journey of puberty, encountering new and more intricate emotions along the way. As she adjusts to her teenage life, her familiar emotions grapple with the fear of potentially being replaced.

(2024 PG 1h 36m)

SUN | OCT 13 | 1-4 PM | D&D and MORE! | AGES 11+

Join us for an afternoon of Dungeons and Dragons and other roleplaying games in which you immerse yourself in a world and character, problem-solve and collaborate with others! Beginners welcome. Recurs the second Sunday of each month.

MON | OCT 14 | 2 PM | MONDAY MATINEE | ALL AGES

This movie tells the inspiring true story of nine working-class American boys from the University of Washington who brought hope and pride to the nation by winning the gold medal in rowing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the rise of Nazi Germany, the movie beautifully captures their journey of determination, teamwork, and resilience. (2023 PG-13 2h 3m)

MON OCT 14 | DROP-IN 3:30-6:30 PM | READY TO READ! | KIDS PRESCHOOL to 5TH GRADE, THEIR ADULTS, EDUCATORS

Reading is foundational throughout our lives! We read for fun, to learn, to connect with others and ideas, to work, and more. On Monday, September 16, between 3:30 and 6:30 PM, drop into the children’s department for a fun and informational reading-focused evening.

Discover ways to support and nurture a love of reading through engaging activity stations. Learn to use the powerful database Novelist, a premier tool for finding good books for every reader! Novelist is an easy-to-use timesaver and empowers users of all ages to discover books, series and based on their reading level and interests. Enjoy this journey into a lifetime of reading!

Homemade cookies will be served courtesy of the Friends of the Ripon Public Library! Mark your calendars as this event repeats on October 14 and November 11.

MON | OCT 14 | 6:00-7:30 PM | GARAGE BAND: MOURNING DAYZE | ADULTS

Ripon Public Library is proud to present Rick Pfeifer, the brilliant author behind “Mourning Dayze: A Wisconsin Garage Band.” Rick’s book captures the essence of a bygone era, delving deep into the heart of the 1960s and 70s garage band scene in Wisconsin. Take a trip through these magical times and hear about their gigs in the oft played towns, bars, and teen events that are recounted in depth. Hear from Rick, Doug Henry and Rise Hebebrand about a bygone era of music and fun!

WED | OCT 16 | 6 PM | ADULT GAME NIGHT | AGES 16+

Calling all strategists, team players, and those who like to test their luck—enjoy an evening of tabletop board games! For September, our Featured Teach is “Flamecraft.” Artisan dragons are sought by shopkeepers so that they may delight customers with their flamecraft. You are a Flamekeeper, skilled in the art of conversing with dragons, placing them in their ideal home and using enchantments to entice them to produce wondrous things. Your reputation will grow as you aid the dragons and shopkeepers, and the Flamekeeper with the most reputation will be known as the Master of Flamecraft. Staff will be on hand to teach this game and more – no experience necessary!

Can’t make it? This recurring adult event (ages 16+) will be held in the Silver Creek Room on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

THU | OCT 17 | 6:30 PM | CRAFT CLUB: DIY Flower Tealights | AGES 10+ UP

Use your creative skills to make a lovely lighted flower, perfect for adding a warm glow to cool fall nights! Call 920.748.6160 to register by Oct. 14. For ages 10+. Youth require adult supervision.

FRI OCT 18 | 6-8 PM | SLIGHTLY SPOOKY SPECIAL! | KIDS & CAREGIVERS | PLEASE REGISTER BY OCT 15 

It’s the annual slightly spooky, afterhours Halloween event for kids and families! The whole family, including adults, is encouraged to arrive in costume and strut their stuff throughout the evening. This free event offers Roadhouse pizza, ice cream, excellent spooky reads, and a Halloween Hop with DJ Christina Frake of Total Sound Entertainment!

The schedule for the evening is as follows: 

  • 6-6:15 PM arrivals and Read with a Scout
  • 6:15-6:45 PM ROADHOUSE Pizza & Ice Cream 
  • 6:45-7:30 PM Halloween Hop with Total Sound Entertainment DJ
  • 7:30-8:00 PM Check out library books

Registration is required! Please call the library by October 15 to make a reservation and share any dietary needs. Gluten and dairy free alternatives will be available. 

SAT | OCT 19 | NOON – close | TABLETOP CHALLENGE III | AGES 10+

Join us at the Ripon Public Library for Tabletop Challenge III! Players will test their board game skills over three rounds of friendly competition in a variety of modern board games. Great prizes are up for grabs for our top finishers. Co-sponsored by Adventure Games of Oshkosh and Boardlandia of Appleton.

SUN | OCT 20 | 4:00-5:30 PM | TEEN GLOW IN THE DARK GAMES | AGES 11-17

Hey everyone! Get ready for an evening full of excitement and fun! Join us on October 20th from 4:00-5:30 PM for an epic glow in the dark game night–including ring toss, tic-tac-toe, bowling and more! We’ve got it all – thrilling games, delicious food, and awesome prizes! 🌟Don’t miss out on the chance to hang out with friends and enjoy a night full of fun and laughter. See you there!

TUES | OCT 22 | Smartphones 101 | ADULTS

1:00 PM @ Ripon Senior Center

6:30 PM @ Ripon Public Library

Discover the full potential of your smartphone with guidance from library staff for downloading apps and mastering navigation, empowering you to explore the world of technology confidently.

MON | OCT 28 | 2 PM | CLASSIC MOVIE MONDAY | ALL AGES

The USS Sea Tiger is a World War II submarine limping along with a crazy crew when they take aboard five nurses.  It’s hijinks on the high seas in this rollicking comedy!

(1959 NR 2h 4m)

MON | OCT 28 | 6:30 PM | BOOK CLUB | ADULTS

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

In his memoir, Matthew Perry shares his journey from childhood dreams to stardom, followed by battles with addiction and the road to recovery after a life-threatening health crisis. Before the frequent hospital stays and rehab sessions, there was five-year-old Matthew, who moved from Montreal to Los Angeles, navigating the separation of his parents. At fourteen, he was a nationally ranked tennis player in Canada, and by twenty-four, he landed a sought-after role as a leading cast member in the much-discussed pilot originally titled Friends Like Us… and so much more.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is a poignant memoir that is both personal and enlightening—offering a supportive hand to anyone facing the challenges of sobriety. With unwavering honesty, heartfelt moments, and a dose of humor, this is the book fans have eagerly anticipated.

Visit the library’s website or follow Ripon Public Library on Facebook and Instagram for detailed information and the latest library news on programs and resources, or call a friendly librarian, 920-748-6160.


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