This month we’ll be exploring urban legends, local lore, and things that are just plain weird! Everyone is invited to attend any of these free special programs.

The Walking Dead and Other Mysteries

   — Wednesday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m., Coolspring Branch

   — Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m., Main Library

   Join Bob Cutler of Cutler Funeral Home for a free evening of questions and answers about the curious lives of human cadavers. Enjoy hearing about incidents when a person is pronounced dead and spontaneously comes back to life. Sound like a scene from a science fiction movie? Bob Cutler is here to set the record straight. He will also talk about New York Times bestseller, “Stiff; The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers” by Mary Roach.

Pirate Lore

   — Monday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m., Kingsford Heights Branch

   Ahoy, mateys! Explore pirate legends and tales at this program for landlubbers of all ages. From whence did Blackbeard hail? Who was the infamous Anne Bonny? Hear o’ famous battles and pirate hangouts! Get yer answers, ask yer questions, and make a smashin’ pirate craft. Thar’ll be plenty o’ fun and a treasure o’ treats for all. Come dressed as a pirate – IF YE DARE!

Tales of the Rails – All Aboard!

   — Thursday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m., Hanna Branch

   Enjoy Daniel Le Monnier as he entertains us on his banjo with history, legends and songs reflecting America’s fascination with trains. Le Monnier has been caught telling stories all his life and has taken his combination of music, wit and animation around the world from the Shanghai Children’s Palace to the Smithsonian Institute. He performed at the 53rd Presidential Inaugural and was the Chicago Bulls mascot, Benny the Bull, for 18 years. For a sneak peek, visit his website at www.banjotales.com.

Rhythm Kitchen: Hobos and Folk Music

   — Saturday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m., Main Library

   Enjoy our second annual coffee house with featured guest, former Hobo Queen Sunrise, who is an authentic hobo! Sunrise will delight you with tales of a hobo’s life – past and present, fact and fiction. Discover how she became a hobo and be entertained with folk songs that are a part of the fabric of hobo history. Free samples of delicious coffee from LaPorte’s own Maple City Roasters, too!

The Legend and Lore of Johnny Appleseed

   — Thursday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m., Main Library

   Meet Scott Mertz, a multi-talented entertainer who, for over 20 years, has performed first-person interpretations of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) for the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Fort Wayne, IN. His portrayal has sparked interest from Disney Studios as well as newspapers, authors, radio, and television across the country. In 1995, Educational Management Group in Arizona produced and beamed Scott’s portrayal via satellite to schools across the nation as an interactive program on Johnny Appleseed. Dressed in historically accurate clothing, and with props, Scott will weave tales involving the legend and lore of Johnny Appleseed.

Monsters of LaPorte County Lakes

   — Thursday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m., Rolling Prairie Branch

   Does a seething serpent bask on the sandy shores of Fish Trap Lake, located between McClung and Severs roads? Find out whether it is fact or fiction when it comes to monsters in LaPorte County lakes. Presented by LaPorte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz.

Eerie Indiana

   — Tuesday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m., Union Mills Branch

   Does the “supernatural” really exist? Storyteller Alice Mathew will raise goosebumps on your arms and hair on your head as she brings the truly odd and eerie from Indiana to you. Hear stories about a LaPorte doctor who made a house call on a ghost, the historic “Diana of the Dunes” apparition, the Hoosier “werewolf” and “wampus cat,” and a library’s see-through “lady in grey.”

An Indiana Juggler in King Arthur’s Court

   — Tuesday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m., Fish Lake Branch

   Stories about King Arthur, his knights, Guinevere, and brave Sir Lancelot have circulated for nearly 1,500 years. Sooner or later, anyone who encounters Arthur asks the question, “But, was he real?” There are many different opinions in answer to that question! For now? If King Arthur was a real person … and he lived in Fish Lake, Indiana … and he asked to be entertained … what would he ask for? JUGGLING! Pretend you’re in King Arthur’s Court. Come and enjoy juggler Kevin Winslow as he wows us with amazing juggling tricks!

Sunflower Fair Fun at the Library

   — Saturday, Sept. 18, Main Library

   The library is part of the community Sunflower Fair with fun for all ages! Kids can enter the coloring contest anytime from now until Monday, Sept. 14. Just pick up an entry in the Children’s Department. Prizes are awarded by the community Sunflower Fair Committee in three age brackets. On the day of the fair, the Friends of the Library will hold the final used book sale of the season on the sidewalk in front of the Main Library from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fall Film Fest Begins!

   — Tuesday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m., Main Library

   The Fall Film Fest will begin in September with the movie “Greenberg.” Ben Stiller plays Roger Greenberg, who is single, fortyish, and in search of a place to restart his life. Rated R /108 minutes. Admission is free and so are refreshments furnished by the Friends of the Library. The Film Fest is a collaboration of LaPorte County Public Library, Michigan City Public Library, and the Purdue North Central Odyssey Fine Arts Program. “Greenberg” will be shown at Michigan City Public Library on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m., and at PNC on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. Upcoming films: Oct. 19: “Babies”; Nov. 16: “Winter’s Bone.”

   Thank you to the Friends of the Library for providing all the prizes for this year’s BACK to SCHOOL BINGO program! Everyone had fun and appreciated winning the great school supplies.

LISA NIELSEN is marketing coordinator at the LaPorte County Public Library. For more information on library programs and materials, call 362-6156 or visit www.lapcat.org.