Let your mind wander, even if you’re staying home

Going anywhere?

That’s the first question people ask when they’re talking about summer vacation. Are you going to the beach? Out west? Buenos Aires? How are you making the most out of these few, fleeting moments of freedom?

So what do you do if you don’t have the time or money to travel?

Well, even if you’re body’s stuck at home, you can still let your mind wander.

Mentor Public Library has a summer packed with events and programs that are designed to satisfy your curiosity and stimulate your creativity.

For example, if you want to learn more about the most influential director in the history of cinema, come to our One Night with Orson Welles program at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 4, at Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas. Want to listen to some new music? We’re hosting a free concert by folk duo Simple Gifts on Wednesday, July 29, at MPL’s Read House. Want to expand your food palate? Come to our Tasty Tuesday program and sample different balsamic vinegars and olive oils with the experts from the Olive and the Grape on June 30 at our Main Branch.

Maybe you want to know more about those superheroes who are lighting up the multiplexes. Come listen to comics scholar Valentino Zullo talk about the history of the Avengers at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at the Main Branch.

Want to keep your kids’ minds’ active too? Two words: summer reading.

Everyone who participates in the summer reading programs—either by reading books or attending library programs—has a chance to win prizes. Those prizes include gift cards from Toys ‘R’ Us and Lake County Captains tickets, as well as gift cards from other local businesses. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

On Marvelous Mondays, kids can have fun with superhero crafts, games and experiments on the Read House lawn. On Thursday evenings, community heroes like nurses, police officers and firemen will join the library for special story times. The library will also be celebrating literary heroes like Junie B. Jones,Pete the Cat, Wimpy Kid and more.

Kids who read or are read to up to 15 hours will receive a Library Champion lawn sign and window cling.

Meanwhile, teens can compete in Clashing Controllers—the library’s video-game tournament for casual and hardcore gamers alike. It will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at the library’s Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch. Teens can also enjoy special programs like the Top Chef Challenge where they will team up to create new ice cream flavors at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at the Main Branch. Then they can face off during the Hunger Games Water Wars at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the Read House. (Bring a towel.)

For more information on Mentor Library’s summer reading program, call 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library’s website.

So don’t let a lack of vacations keep your mind from traveling. Because your imagination can go wherever you want it to this summer.