A Magical Day at Hogwarts (at Mentor Library)

Paige sports the Luna Lovegood look during her day at Hogwarts.

Some kids who had Friday off from muggle school because of NEOEA Day decided to try their hand at wizarding school, instead.

For one day only, Mentor Public Library transformed its Main Branch into Hogwarts on Oct. 16.

The young wizards made and decorated their own hats and wands. Then they attended magic and potions classes. They even had lunch in a room that had been redecorated to look like Hogwarts’ Great Hall.

Jaden makes sand art, mixing the various colors during the potions class.

During potions class, the children mixed different colored sands to make colorful art. Each of the sands had a fun label on their bottle, claiming they contained octopus tentacles, spider hair, sea horse tails and more.

Finally, the kids took magic class with magician Mr. Zap, also known as Bob Durante. First, they watched his magic show; then, he taught them a few sleight-of-hand tricks of their own.

Professor Zap shows Anna how a poacher's pouch works.

Mentor Public Library has more Halloween programs coming up in the next few weeks including:

• a special Goosebumps-themed party on Monday, Oct. 26,at our Lake Branch.
• Mr. Dennis’s annual Halloween puppet show on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at our Headlands Branch.

Finally, kids can trick or treat at Mentor Library’s Main Branch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Main Branch on Friday, Oct. 30.

All programs are free but some require registration. For more information, call Mentor Public Library at 440-255-8811 or visit Mentor Library's website.

Spend a Day at Hogwarts (by way of Mentor Library)

Make your own wand and take a magic class this Friday, Oct. 16, at Mentor Public Library.

School's out this Friday, Oct. 16, for NEOEA Day, so why not spend the day at Hogwarts?

For one day only, Mentor Public Library's turning its Main Branch into Harry Potter's wizarding school.

Kids (from ages eight to 13) can take a magic class with Mr. Zap or a potions course with Ms. Kim. They'll also be able to make their own wand and enjoy a snack in the Main Hall.

The program is free and open to the public, but parents need to register their kids for it beforehand. They can do so online at Mentor Library's website or by calling the library at 440-255-8811 ext. 221.

Other Halloween events the library has upcoming include:

• a Zombie Party for teens on Monday, Oct. 12, at its Lake Branch. Teens can just bring themselves. The library will provide the zombie makeup, “brains,” fog machine and laser show.
• a Ghost Hunting talk on Monday, Oct. 12, at its Main Branch. Join members of the Banded Spirits group as they talk about their adventures ghost hunting.
• a special Goosebumps-themed party on Monday, Oct. 26, at its Lake Branch.
• Mr. Dennis’s annual Halloween puppet show on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at its Headlands Branch.

Finally, kids can trick or treat from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MPL's Main Branch on Friday, Oct. 30.

House points to everyone who attends.

Four fun facts about magic, folklore and herbs

The Herb Society of America talked about where folklore, magic and herbalism meet.

Karen Kennedy of the Herb Society of America visited our Main Branch on Wednesday to talk about where folklore, magic and herbalism intersect.

Here are four fun facts from her talk:

1. Basil is said to be a protective herb. Hence the saying, "Where basil grows no evil goes."

Other protection herbs: chive, lavender (especially for children and homes) and garlic.

2. Chive has the longest recorded herb history, dating back 5,000 years. Etchings of it have been found on ancient Egyptian monuments.

3. It was said that when the devil walked out of the Garden of Eden after the fall of man, garlic bloomed wherever his left foot landed. (And I thought it was a protective herb...)

4. The yarrow plant's Latin name, Achillea Millefolium, comes from the Greek hero (or villain, if you're a Trojan,) Achilles.

The plant was said to grow from his rusty spear shavings. It has a history of being used on the battlefield to stop bleeding.

The Herb Society has spoken at the library before. Last year, Karen talked about the best practices for preserving herbs.

The society has chapters all across the country, and it's based in Kirtland. It's a great resource for both seasoned and neophyte green thumbs.

Karen Kennedy talks about botanical folklore.