Zombies Are Invading Mentor Public Library

Zombies are invading Mentor Public Library next Friday and the fun is going to be infectious.

Too corny? I can try again.

Teens will lose their minds at our Zombie Apocalypse party.

Still too much? How about I cut out the puns and just tell you what's going to happen?

We're celebrating our second annual Zombie Day from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at our Main Branch.

Teens can come to the library that afternoon and “zombify” themselves. (Most of them will have the day off from school for NEOEA Day.)

After getting made up as undead, the teens will skulk the stacks of the library during the our zombie walk.

Teens who come to Zombie Day should dress for undeath. Being a zombie is never a cleanly enterprise.

They'll also be zombie games and snacks. (Not brains--at least, I think not brains.)

Zombie Day is open to all teens. However, the library asks that they register beforehand. They can sign up by calling Mentor Public Library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 215 or by visiting the library’s website.

Zombie romps: The only sort of party that's supposed to bite.

Learn the Right Way to Deep Fry a Turkey

Want to know what happens when you deep fry a frozen turkey?

It explodes.

And, yes, that may look cool in slow motion on YouTube; but it's significantly less cool when it's your garage burning.

But here's the rub: fried turkey is tasty. It's not tasty enough to justify burning down your house, but it is delicious.

The solution: Learn the right way to fry a turkey.

Then you can enjoy a perfectly fried bird and not turn your house into kindling.

Fortunately, the professionals from Gander Mountain are giving a demonstration on the safe (and delicious) way to fry a turkey on Thursday, Oct. 17, in the parking lot of Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch. The demonstration will begin at 6:30 p.m.

And, yes, there will be free samples when they're finished.

The outdoor chefs will even suggest special marinades and spice rubs that can you can use.

This program is part of a partnered seminar series by Mentor Public Library and the Mentor Gander for hunting and fishing enthusiasts.

During the last year, the professionals from Gander Mountain have talked about everything from kayak fishing to urban deer hunting at the library.

The outdoor cooking program is free and open to the public. However, the library asks that people register beforehand. People can sign up by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 215 or by visiting the library's website.

Never Stop Learning with Learn4Life

At Mentor Public Library, we never want people to stop learning.

We're not subtle about it either. We named our blog Lifelong Learning at Mentor Public Library. Sure, it's a tad verbose but it gets to the heart of what we're about.

And we don't care what you learn about. Or, to phrase it better, we don't want to tell you what you should be learning. It can be anything -- how to build a deck, how to fry a turkey, how to be a ninja.

We just want to help you find something that fascinates you, and then help you learn everything you can about it.

One of the ways we encourage people to learn is by subscribing to a digital service called Learn4Life. (It used to be called Ed2Go, if that sounds familiar.)

Learn4Life gives you access to free online courses, most of which are taught by college professors, on a variety of subjects.

Accounting, digital photography, college readiness, computer fundamentals, creative writing, alternative medicine, paralegal -- take a look at all of your options. Learn4Life is bound to have something that interests you.

And I can't stress this enough. It's free! All you need is a Mentor Public Library card.

So take a course on Learn4Life. Take three, if you life.

The universe is an interesting place, and there's all sorts of stuff out there that you didn't even know that you wanted to know.

Vote for your Favorite Scarecrow at the Library

Last week, we invited families to come to Mentor Public Library to make scarecrows.

Now, the scarecrows have been made (and some of them are pretty adorable.) They are guarding the walkway between our Main Branch and our Read House.

So the next time you're at our Main Branch, check out the scarecrows. You can visit them anytime the library is open between now and October 28.

We even have a ballot box by the doors of our foyer so you can vote for your favorite.

Voting will end on Wednesday, Oct. 23, and the most popular will be announced that Friday. The family that makes the winning scarecrow will win a surprise.

After the voting, families can take the scarecrow they made home and use it as a Halloween decoration.

So who is your favorite?

For more programs and events for children and families, visit the Mentor Public Library's website.

The 6 Worst Reasons to Pick a College

Patricia Saddle, the president of the College Planning Center, visited the Mentor Public Library to help us kick off our College Prep Series.

She offered teens and parents advice on how to make their college applications stand out, find financial aid, and do almost anything else involved in the college search.

She also gave the six worst reasons to choose a college or university.

Patricia Saddle talks about selecting colleges at the Mentor Public Library.

1. Your friends are going there.

This is also true for "your boyfriend/girlfriend is going there."

Listen, the college that's right for your friend/significant other/twin sibling isn't necessarily right for you. Your college of choice should be compatible with you socially, financially and academically.

Of course, you might have a friend or two going to your first choice; but a college shouldn't be your first choice just because you have a friend or two going there.

You'll make other friends at college. Besides, you can always keep in touch with your old ones via Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/texting/actually seeing each other on break.

2. You can go home when you want to.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to go home on occasion, but part of the point of college is leaving the nest, Saddle said.

3. It's got a great football team.

Your college's football team probably won't make your resume look any better. This rule applies to a college's baseball, volleyball, floor hockey and curling teams, as well.

And you can probably catch your team of choice's game on ESPN∞ anyhow.

Exception to this rule: If you will be playing on said team, it's reasonable to consider how good it is.

4. The admissions counselor was really helpful.

The admissions counselor is supposed to be helpful. It is their job.

5. The campus is beautiful.

OK, not all campuses are equal; but if you catch any campus on the right day in the right light at the right angle, it will look lovely.

That is not a reason to spend $80,000 and the next four years of your life there.

6. It's a great party school.

Yes, you do need to be socially compatible with your prospective college.

Yes, you should go somewhere you feel like you will make friends.

No, that doesn't mean you should go to a college just because it hosts an awesome streetfest or is very accommodating to binge drinkers.

Our college prep series continues at 6:30 p.m. today at our Main Branch. A representative for LEAF will talk about financial aid and how to get scholarships, grants and loans.

You can register for the program on the library's website or by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 215.

Make a Scarecrow with your Family at Mentor Public Library

When was the last time your family did something together?

I'm talking about all of you.

Not just you and the youngest kids, who are always looking for something to do anyhow. I'm talking about spouses, grandparents, emotionally detached teens and maybe a cousin or two.

Wouldn't it be nice if you all got together again? Maybe you could do something fun and make something that you can keep as a memento.

How about a scarecrow?

What sweeter remembrance of family togetherness can there be than something that scares birds and tiny trick-or-treaters?

Rally your relatives and make best scarecrow ever during the Scarecrow Lane program from 2 to 3:30 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Mentor Public Library’s Read House.

We will provide clothes, straw and the other raw materials needed to make a scarecrow.

Then your family will make and dress them. If you want, you can also bring your own clothes to dress the straw man. (What else were you going to do with that canary yellow suit?)

Afterward, all the scarecrows will guard the walkway between the library’s Main Branch and the Read House from now until Monday, Oct. 28.

Then, beginning on Oct. 7, people can visit the scarecrows and vote on which is their favorite. Voting will end on Wednesday, Oct. 23, and the most popular will be announced Friday, Oct. 25. The family that makes the winning scarecrow will win a surprise.

After the voting, your family can take the scarecrow you made home and use it as a Halloween decoration.

The Scarecrow Lane program is open to any family. However, the library requires them to register beforehand. Also, space is limited so families should sign up as soon as possible.

People can register by calling Mentor Public Library (440) 255-8811 ext. 221.

You should do it. It will be fun for the family -- all of them.

It's Hip to Be a Square at our Minecraft Club

Do your kids love Minecraft?

Do they spend hours building masterpieces from blocks?

Are they always trading strategies with friends or watching Machinima videos for new ideas?

If they do, then they would probably love our new Minecraft Club.

Starting Oct. 3, we will be holding club meetings from 4 to 5 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month at our Main Branch.

Each session will feature a new challenge. Kids will mine, explore and share strategies in the wide world of Minecraft on the library's server.

The club is for children from eight to 12 years old. Each kids must bring their own charged laptop, tablet or mobile device and have an active Minecraft account.

You will also need to sign up your child (or children) for our Minecraft Club. You can do that on our library's website or by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 221.