Upcoming Programs:
Sugar Cookie Contest
Do you have a favorite sugar cookie recipe? Maybe you have a recipe handed down over generations? Or a recipe that your family begs you to make every Christmas? Enter our Sugar Cookie Contest!
Make your cookies and bring 2 dozen to the library between 10:00 and Noon on Wednesday, December 18. Then everyone is invited to stop in and taste-test and vote for your favorites from Noon - 5:00.
There will be 2 categories: Best Decorated and Best Tasting. You may enter your cookies in one or both categories!
The winners will each receive a $25 Chamber Gift Certificate that can be used at any Traer Chamber business!
Iowa State Extension:
Words on Wellness- LIVE on January 8 at 2pm
Down and Dirty
Our Down and Dirty group will meet Jan 9, Jan 16 and Jan 23.
FREE Seed Giveaway!!
We received a donation of 2024 seed packets from Home Depot, and we are giving them away! Seed give-a-way will start January 9 from 12 -1. Spread the word – we have A LOT to give away!
Around The World in 8 Months:
Join Laurie in exploring a new country each month! We'll sample cuisine and learn about the countries from people who have lived or visited each country. We will meet the third Wednesday of the month from September to May (skipping December) at 2:00 in the Talen Community Room. Stop in for these interesting and informative sessions.
Our next destination is South Africa, with Dane'. Join us on Wednesday, January 15 to learn more.
Coffee Talk with Tama County Public Health
The next Coffee Talk with Tama County Public Health will be Jan 22 at 2pm
IOPONICS with Bec:
Please join Dr Michael Bechtel from the Biology department at Wartburg.Come learn about Ioponics from Bec and make your own ioponic system. Ioponics combines aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil) to create a controlled micro-ecosystem.
Past Programs:
2024
January - February - Art Display by Jenny Bledsoe
Wed. Jan 10 - 2:00 Good Nutrition on a Budget: Spend Smart. Eat Smart w/ Cheryl Bruene ISU Extension
Wed. Jan 17 - 2:00 Winter Bird Watching with Raina Genaw - Tama County Naturalist
Wed. Jan 24 - 2:00 Coffee Talk w/ Tama Co Public Health nurse Beth Eberle
Wed. Jan 31 - 2:00 Maintain Your Brain Health w/ Cheryl Bruene ISU Extension
Wed. Feb 7 - 2:00 Tapping Trees & Making Syrup w/Bill Calderwood & Kevin Pecenka
Mon. Feb 12 - 5:00-7:00 Open House Meet & Greet w/ artist Jenny Bledsoe
Wed. Feb 14 - 2:00 What's on Your Plate w/ Cheryl Bruene ISU Extension
Wed. Feb 28 - 2:00 The Healing Process of Art w/ Jenny Bledsoe
Wed. Mar 13 - 2:00 Advance Care Planning and Palliative care w/ Dr. Rhiannon Talbot
Wed. Mar 20 - 2:00 Down & Dirty w/Laurie & Stephenie: Let's Talk About Perennial Vegetables
Fri. Mar 22 - 2:00 Crafternoons w/ Jenny - Bunny Craft (ongoing on 3rd Wednesday of the month)
Mon. Mar 25 - 3:00-4:30 and 5:30-7:00 Pinterest Night: Mixed Media Art with Jenny Bledsoe
Wed. Mar 27 - 2:00 Rosie the Riveters of Iowa with Iowa Author Linda Betsinger McCann
Wed. April 10 - 2:00 Down & Dirty w/ Laurie & Stephenie: Companion Planting and Planning Your Garden
Fri April 19 - 2:00 Coffee Talk with Tama County Public Health
Wed April 24 - 2:00 The Science of Sourdough w/ Cheryl Bruene ISU Extension
Wed May 1&2 - Spring Plant Swap - Bring Plants 10-5 May 1, Pick out plants Thurs May 2 5-6:45
Wed May 8 - 2:00 Self Watering Planters w/Laurie
Wed. May 29 - 12:00 Cicadapocalypse! w/ Raina Genaw
Wed. June 19 - 7:00 Mike Bechtel (Bec) and his Exotic Animals
May - June - Art Display by Mike Rickard
Wed. July 10 - 2:00 & 7:00 Barb Hanus- Local Author Talk & Book Signing
Wed. July 24 - 2:00 Coffee Talk with Tama County Public Health
Wednesdays in June & July: Garden Walks/She-Shed Tours
Aug. 8-22: StoryWalk in downtown business windows
Sat. August 10 - 10am - 2:00pm Open House Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Library Renovation and Expansion
Thurs. Aug 22 - 7:00pm Tama County's First Civil War Regiment: The Tama County Rifles, with Jason Staker, sponsored by the Traer Historical Museum
Fri. Sept. 11 - 2:00pm The Cedar Valley Honor Flight Story with Michael Whittlesey
Wed. Sept 18 - 2:00pm Around the World in 8 Months - Wales with Leesa Talbot
Thurs. Sept 19 - 5:00 - Pinterest Night - 4 ft. tall wooden scarecrow/snowman craft
Wed. Oct 9 - 2:00 Senior Behavioral Health Services w/ Grundy Co. Hospital
Wed. Oct 16 - 2:00 pm Around the World in 8 Month - Italy with Rosanne Foster
Wed. Oct 24 - 10:00am - 7:00pm Open House for Traer's Fall Fest
Nov 20 - 2pm Around the World in 8 Month - Czech Republic with Jean Kruse and Marilyn Chizek
Nov 27 at 2PM Safety Talk with Tama County Deputy Dvorak
Fri. Dec 6 - 1:00-5:00 Holiday Happenings- sign up to win Christmas basket
Fri. Dec 6 - 5:30 Union Carolers and Denny Berger with 12 Days of Christmas
Sat Dec 7 - 10:00 Santa & Mrs Claus read Twas the Night Before Christmas, photos & Cookies to go
2023
Wed. Jan 11 - 2:00 Health Benefits of Massage Therapy with Kortlyn Frush, LMT
Fri. Jan 13, 20, 27 - 2:00 Watercolor Painting w/ Stephenie Bellwood
Wed. Jan 18 - 2:00 Coffee Klatch
Wed. Jan 25 - 2:00 Rock Painting with Connie Draper
Wed. Feb 1 - 12:00 Lunch & Learn w/ Laurie: Planning Your Garden
Wed. Feb 15 - 2:00 Coffee Klatch
Wed. Mar 1 - 12:00 Lunch & Learn w/ Laurie: Gardening Tips & Tools
Wed. Mar 8 - 2:00 Chiropractic & Acupuncture Care for Animals w/ Dr. Abbey Smith from NT Vet Clinic
Wed. Mar 15 - 12:00 Free Seed Giveaway
Wed. Mar 15 - 2:00 Coffee Klatch
Fri. Mar 17 - 2:00 Watercolors with Stephenie
Wed. Mar 22 - 2:00 Birdhouse Painting with Connie Draper
Wed. April 5 - 12:00 Container Gardening with Emily Doyle
Wed April 12 -2:00 Building a Raised Bed with Laurie & Stephenie
Sun. April 16 - 2:00 Traer's Apparel Through the Ages Fashion Show
Wed. April 19 - 2:00 Filling a Raised Bed with Laurie & Stephenie
Wed. May 10 - 2:00 Creative Crocheting w/ Sandra Hyde & Julie Creeden
Wed. May 17 - 2:00 Planting our Raised Bed Gardens w/ Laurie & Stephenie
Fri May 19 - 2:00 Watercolors with Stephenie
Wed. May 24 - 2:00 Sesquicentennial Highlights with Judy Morrison
Thurs. June 1 - 6:00 Lifespan Book Discussion with Rex McKee
Wed June 7 - 3:30 Garden Walks Laurie Schafer and Diane Wagner
Wed June 14 - 3:30 Garden Walk Emily Doyle
Thurs. June 15 - 6:00 Lifespan Book Discussion with Rex McKee
Wed June 21 - 3:30 Garden Walk @ Wilson Nature Preserve with Ned Vaughn
Fri June 23 - 2:00 Dr. Robert Keefer: The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Alzheimer's
Wed June 28 - 3:30 Garden Walk Linda Gowdy & Suzie Reichmann
Wed July 5 - 3:30 Garden Walk Paul Wendt
Thurs. July 6 - 6:00 Lifespan Book Discussion with Rex McKee
Wed July 12 - 2:00 Felted Wool Fiber Art with Megan Hammer
Wed July 12 - 3:30 Garden Walk Donna Kersten
Tues July 18 - 7:00 at Taylor Park: Absolute Science Bubble Stations
Wed July 19 at 2:00 Coffee Talk w/ Tama County Public Health nurse Beth Eberle
Wed July 19 - 3:30 Garden Walk Stephenie Bellwood & Barb Kopriva
Thurs. July 20 - 6:00 Lifespan Book Discussion with Rex McKee
Thurs. July 27 - 8:30am Garden Walk Elsa & Tony Weida and Donna DeBoef
Wed. Aug 30 - 2:00 Prisoners of War in Iowa with Linda McCann
Fri. Sept 1 - 2:00 - Watercolors with Stephenie
Wed. Sept 13 - 2:00 propagating African Violets with Cindy Weida
Fri. Sept 15 - 2:00 Homeschooling Support Group
Tues. Sept 19 - 2:00 English Paper Piecing with Cathy McFarland
Wed. Sept 20 - 12:00 - 5:00 Homemade Salsa Contest
Mon. Sept 25 - 3:30 & 5:30 Pinterest Night
Wed. Sept. 27 - 2:00 Coffee Talk w/ Tama Co Public Health nurse Beth Eberle
Wed. Oct. 11 - 2:00 Echoes in the Hallways with author James Kenyon
Wed. Oct 18 - 2:00 African Violets Hands-On Workshop with Cindy Weida
Wed. Oct 25 - 2:00 What Your Body Needs in your 50's, 60's and Beyond with Crystal Petersen, Dietician @ Grundy Co Hospital
Wed. Nov 8 - 2:00 Cooking with Fresh Herbs - Holly VanHeel w/ ISU Extension
Wed. Nov 29 - 2:00 Do You Hear What I Hear? Hearling Health with Deb Kloster
Fri. Dec 1 - 1:00-5:00 Holiday Happenings- sign up to win free book
Fri. Dec 1 - 5:30 Union Carolers
Sat Dec 2 - 10:00 Santa & Mrs Claus read Twas the Night Before Christmas, photos & Cookies to go
Wed. Dec 6 12:00-5:00 Oh Fudge! Christmas Fudge Contest
Thurs. Dec 7 - 7:00 Remember Pearl Harbor: Screening of "From the Battlefront to the Homefront: Iowa Broadcasters Go to War" with Jeff Stein, sponsored by Humanities Iowa and the American Legion Auxilliary #142
2022
Thurs. Jan 27 - 2:00p Down & Dirty Gardening Group: Cheryl Bruene - starting seeds & container gardening
Thurs. Feb 3, 10, 17 2:00p Watercolor Classes w/ Stephenie Bellwood
Mon, Feb 14 - 2:00p You Decide: Keto and a Healthy Diet with Deb and Craig Gingrich
Thurs. Feb 24 - 5:30p Library Presents NT Speech Students **cancelled due to bad weather
Wed. Mar 2 - 12:00p Lunch & Learn Webinar w/ ISU Extension - Beekeeping
Wed. Mar 2, 9, 16 - 3:00p 5:00 Kids in the Kitchen Session 3
Mon. March 7 - 2:00p Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention - Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
Wed. March 9 - 5:30p-7:00 Sewing 101 with Heather Breja
Mon. Mar 14 - 2:00p Sign Language with Kathleen Keefer
Wed. Mar 16 - 12:00p Lunch & Learn Webinar W/ISU Extension - Monarch Habitat
Thurs. Mar 17 - 2:00p IowaWORKS program on Changes to Unemployment Benefits
Thurs. Mar 24 - 2:00p Rain Barrel Making with Naturalist Brendan Kelly
Thurs. Mar 24 - 5:30p Watercolors 101 - Evening Edition
Tues. Mar 29 - 2:00p Living with Dementia - Featuring Kevin Dill, and Becoming a Dementia Friend with the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
Wed. Mar 30p Lunch & Learn Webinar w/ISA Extension - Planning a Cutting Garden
Thurs. Mar 31 - 6:00p My Publishing Journey with Sue Ewoldt, sharing her book Huxley and Howard
Mon. April 4 - 6:00p Genetic Genealogy: DNA & Family Trees with Judy Mitchell
Wed. Apr 6 - 12:00p Lunch & Learn Webinar W/ISU Extension - Landscaping: Planting Design Tips
Mon. April 11 - 2:00p Booking a VRBO w/ Cheryl Wauters
Wed. April 13 - 2:00p NEI3A - What Can our Agency Do for You?
Wed. Apr 20 - 12:00p Lunch & Learn Webinar W/ISU Extension - Landscaping: Planting Design Models
Wed. Apr 27 - 12:00p Lunch & Learn Webinar W/ISU Extension - Landscaping: Planting Design Graphics
Thurs. Apr 28 - 5:30 Watercolor Painting with Stephenie Bellwood
Wed. May 11 -2:00 Funeral Information for Today with Todd Kruse
Thurs. May 25 - 2:00 Making a Butterfly House w/ Brendan Kelly
Thurs. May 25 - 5:30 Watercolor Painting with Stephenie Bellwood
Wed June 8 - Garden Walk 3:30 Laurie Schafer
Thurs. June 9 - 7:00 Prepping and Preserving Produce with Laurie Schafer and Sharon Kern
Tues June 14 - 2:00 Summer Teen Bok Club
Wed June 15 - 4:30 Garden Walk Dennis & Kelly Deke
Tues. June 22 - 6:30 How Iowa Met Baseball with John Liepa
Thurs. June 23 - 3:30 Garden Walk Linda Gowdy & Suzie Reichmann
Thurs. June 23 - 5:30 Watercolor Painting with Stephenie Bellwood
Tues. June 28 - 2:00 Summer Teen Book Club
Wed. June 29 - 3;30 Garden Walk Adam & Elyse Clapp
Wed. July 13 - 2:00 Graphology, the study of Handwriting with Leesa Talbot
Wed. July 13 - 3:30 Garden Walk David Draper, Linda Peters, Connie Draper
Tues. Aug 19 - 7:00 Hillbilly Bob and Ol' Ruthie
Wed. Aug 20 - 3:30 Garden Walk Paul Price, Gayle Kucera, Vicki Pecenka
Wed. Aug 27 - 3:30 Garden Walk Emily Doyle
Wed. Aug 3 - 3:30 Garden Walk Cindy & Josh Youel
Sat. Aug 6 - 10:30 "Honey Heist" Tabletop Roleplaying Game w/Lily Jampoler
Mon. Aug 8 - 2:00 All Things Tomatoes w/ Laurie Schafer & Sharon Kern
Wed. Aug 10 - 3:30 Garden Walk David & Sandy Ingle
Thurs. Aug 11 - 7:00 Kevin Wood in Concert "Home, Sweet Home!"
Sat. Aug 13 - 10:30 "Crash Pandas" Tabletop Roleplaying Game w/Lily Jampoler
Sat. Aug 20 - 10:30 "Goblin Punks" Tabletop Roleplaying Game w/Lily Jampoler
Wed. Sept 14 - 2:00 Donna Kersten: Lakota Heirlooms and Artifacts
Mon. Sept 26 - 5:00 Pinterest Night! Rectangle Fall Barnwood Wreath
Wed. Sept 28 - 2:00 Linda McCann: Memories of the Civilian Conservation Corps
Mon. Oct 10 - 2:00 Rex & Phyllis McKee's Moose Hunt Experience
Wed. Oct 26 - 12:00 Ghoulish Goulash
Mon. Nov 14 - 2:00 Iowa Author Joseph LeValley - "Lessons Learned on my Journey to Becoming a Novelist"
Fri Dec 2 1:00-5:00 Holiday Happenings Open House
Fri Dec 2 5:30 Union Carolers in the Kupka Cultural Center
Sat Dec 3 10:00 Story Time, Cookies and Juice with Santa
Mon. Dec 12 2:00 Holiday Coffee & Cookies
2021
Thurs., Jan 28 - 1:00p Down and Dirty Gardening Group: Buying seeds, which catalogs, stores or brands are your favorites
Thurs., Feb 25 - 1:00p Down and Dirty Gardening Group: Garden Layout and Companion Planting
Thurs., March 25 - 1:00p Down and Dirty Gardening Group: Planting seeds from last year's crops; marking your garden
Mon., April 19 - 6:00pm Virtual COVID-19 Vaccine Informational Session via YouTube
Thurs., May 6 - 5:30p Pinterest Night "Wipe COVID From Your Shoes" welcome mat
June: Art Display - Linda Powell: Watercolor and acrylic painting; barn junk sculptures
Tues. June 15 – 4:00p Vicki Pecenka Garden Walk
Tues. June 22 – 4:00p Donna Kersten Garden Walk
Tues. June 29 – 4:00p Paul Wendt Garden Walk
Wed June 30 – 2:00p Yoga presentation by Ellen Stoakes
July: Art Display - David Draper: Santas
Tues. July 13 – 4:00p Lyla Whannel Garden Walk
Tues. July 20 – 4:00p Kathie Manfull Garden Walk
Tues. July 27 – 4:00p Ernie & Julie Cufr and Jared & Marilyn Bauch Garden Walk
Wed. July 28 – 11:00a Chiropractic Care and Common Ailments in the Older Population w/ Dr. Ashley Reid
August: Art Display- Patrons displayed what they've been busy creating at home during COVID
Mon. Aug 23 - 2:00 You Decide! Drinking Water options
Mon. Sept 13 - 2:00p Salsa Party! Salsa making demonstrations and tasting
Wed. Sept 29, Oct 13 & 27 - 3:00-5:00 Kids in the Kitchen Session 1
Wed. Oct 6 - 10:15 Coffee with a Cop - special Story Time program
Wed. Oct 20 - All Day Volunteer Appreciation Open House
Mon. Nov 1 - 5:30-7:00 Pinterest Night: Christmas or Winter painting on wood
Wed. Nov 3,10,17 - 3:00-5:00 Kids in the Kitchen Session 2
Mon. Nov 8 - 2:00 You Decide! "Milking it! - comparing different types of milk
Fri. Dec 3 - 5:00-6:00 Santa & Mrs. Claus greeting kids in Library
Fri. Dec 3 - 6:00 Santa reads Twas the Night Before Christmas from the outside balcony
Wed. Dec 22 - 3:00-4:30 Kids Gift Making
2020
Thurs., Jan. 16 – 2:00p Debunking Diets with Crystal Petersen
Thurs., Jan. 23 – 5:30p Budgeting and Getting Control of your Finances Chris Schafer
Wed., Jan. 29 – 2:00p Dr. Ashley Reid Alternative Health
Wed., Feb. 5 – 2:00p You Decide ‘Milk vs Dark Chocolate’
Mon., Feb. 10 – 5:30p Boredom Buster Pork & Canvas
Thur., Feb. 13 – 2:00p How to Convince My Kids not to Put Me in the Nursing Home Nancy Martin
Fri., Feb. 21 – 10:00a-4:00p Pillow Party – Making Pillow cases for hospital Cynthia Drajna
Tuesday March 17 – Locked Doors because of Covid – unlocked May 18 but no programming
2019
Saturday, January 12 – 10:00a Levi LaRue The Ins & Outs of Instagram
Thurs., Feb. 14 - 2.00 Laurie Jackson Prairie Reconstruction
Thursday, Feb. 27 - 2:00p Ashley Reid CBD Oil – does it work, is it legal
Thurs., Feb. 28 - 2:00p – Instant Pot Roundtable
Mon, March 4 - 5:30p– Blackhawk Co. Master Gardener – 10 Most Common Gardening Mistakes
Wed., March 6 – Carolyn Adophs Farmers Markets
Thursday, March 7- 5:30p Hello Spring Pinterest Night
Mon., March 11 5:30p Blackhawk County Master Gardener
Tues, March 13 - 5:30p Brian Mahoney Tree Grafting
Thurs., March 14 – 2:00p AirFryer with Rosanne & Laurie
Tues., March 26 – 6:00p Trent Reedy NT Visiting Author
Mon., April 1 – 2:30p Diabetes with Tama County Health
Wed., April 3 – 2:00p Everything you Ever Wanted to Ask a Realtor with Julie Elliot
Sat., April 6 – 9:00a Fancy Nancy Tea Party & Fashion Show
Mon., April 8 - 2:30p Diabetes with Tama County Health
Mon., April 15 – 2:30p Diabetes with Tama County Health
Mon., April 22 - 2:30p Diabetes with Tama County Health
Wed., April 24 – 2:00p Paul Wendt Greenhouse Tour
Thurs., April 25 – 2:00p Wild Edibles with Logan Roberts
Mon., April 29 - 2:30p Diabetes with Tama County Health