By LAURIE ERICKSON | Ontario Public Library director
The Vernon County Reads program will offer a bus tour to Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa, on Monday, Aug. 7.
Decorah is the setting for Kathleen Ernst’s novel “Heritage of Darkness.” The bus tour will pick people up in Viroqua and De Soto. The cost is $45 and includes coach bus fair and the museum tour, though lunch or shopping downtown are on your own.
The deadline for reservations is Friday, July 28, and they must be paid in advance. Call or stop in the library to register.
Vernon County Reads is once again sponsoring an adult reading program this summer. The Vernon County libraries are highlighting the books of Kathleen Ernst, who has written children’s books in the “American Girl” series and adult mysteries with the Chloe Ellefson character. The author will present a program in Viroqua on Thursday, Aug. 17.
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An Ontario Community Conversation will be offered at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, at the library. Anyone interested in discussing the future of Ontario is encouraged to come. Let’s have a conversation about the strengths and challenges of Ontario and how we can address those concerns. This is a project of the Ontario Economic Development Committee.
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The first winner in our “Build a Better World” adult summer reading program is Susan Case, who received a summer glass with a mix for a cool drink and some candy, all necessary accessories for a beach read.
Here’s how the program works: Read or listen to a book, and then fill out and return a review form. There will be six weekly drawings of review forms beginning July 17. The more you read, the greater your chance of winning.
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Community garden workdays are every Monday at 8:30 a.m., weather permitting. The garden is looking great and starting to produce vegetables and flowers. Bring your gloves and help us keep the garden looking great.
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The book group will discuss “The Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9. Stop by the library if you would like to join the discussion of this entertaining novel.