Ancient Greeks and U.F.O. Encounters (not necessarily at the same time) this week at Stark County District Library

The Ancient Greeks are coming--in the form of staged readings from Homer, Euripides, Sophocles, and others--to Stark County District Library this week. What else? Oh, only something as mundane and commonplace as... U.F.O.s. I can't guarantee you'll see an actual U.F.O. at the Main Library program, but you'll learn about Ohio's history of sightings. Plus, you can learn how to cook without fire, research your family's history with Ohio's court records, and celebrate the Bicentennial of the year of Charles Dickens' birth at Masterpiece Book and Film Discussion, to mention just a few of the others events planned at a branch near you.

As always, each program below is linked to the Stark County District Library Events calendar, where you'll get more information about the program (such as the time the event is offered) and have the opportunity to register online or by phone to attend.

There are still a few days left during National Poetry Month. In addition to the 13th Annual Poetry Contest (which runs until April 30), the library has a whole host of poetry programs going on right now.

On Wednesday, April 25 at Madge Youtz Branch you can experience a new way to prepare nutritious meals at Cooking Without Fire. Chef Candace Brown will lead a hands-on cooking demonstration, and you can stay for a delicious lunch.

Later that evening, on Wednesday, April 25, the Ancient Greeks will visit Main Library for Ancient Greeks, Modern Lives. The Aquila Theater will present dramatic readings from Homer's Odyssey, Sophocles' Ajax, Euripides Herakles, and Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, among others. The reading will be followed by a town hall discussion. It's a unique poetry-drama-dialogue sponsored by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Are you facing tough choices regarding home ownership? The library has been hosting Homeowner Information Classes on a weekly basis. The classes are free, sponsored by Community Legal Aid and the Stark County Bar Association, and are taught by attorneys. The classes address a whole host of issues that homeowners face, such as

1. How to be considered for loan modification programs to keep your home.
2. How foreclosure works, how long the process takes, and your rights while a foreclosure is pending.
3. Is bankruptcy an option to keep your home?

This week's Homeowner Information Class meets on Thursday, April 26 at Perry Sippo Branch. Here's a list of times, dates, and locations of upcoming classes.

If you are researching your family tree, you can learn about the treasure trove of information contained in Ohio Court Records at Genealogy: Ohio's Court Records on Saturday, April 28 at North Branch.

Also on Saturday, April 28, at Main Library you can get Out of This World. Thomas Wertman, Chief Field Investigator for the Mutual UFO Network of Ohio will present a survey of Ohio U.F.O. sightings, including the incident that the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind was based on. Do you have a favorite U.F.O. movie?

Authors George Davis and Christopher Rudy return to Plain Community Branch on Monday, April 30 to present their book The Last Victim. Retired, police, fire, and court reporter/editor Davis and decorated criminal investigator Rudy wrote The Last Victim about the investigation and arrest of one of the most dangerous criminals in Northeast Ohio history.

It's the bicentennial of Charles Dickens' birth. What better way to celebrate one of history's greatest writers than to consider his novel Great Expectations alongside the PBS Masterpiece film of the same name? The PBS Masterpiece film stars a great ensemble cast (Gillian Anderson, Ray Winstone, David Suchet, and many others). Masterpiece Book and Film Discussion meets on Monday, April 30 at Jackson Township Branch.

There are many other excellent events planned at a branch of the Stark County District Library near you, including children's story times, book groups for adults, computer classes, programs for teens, and much more. For a full listing of events and programs, check www.StarkLibrary.org/eventscalendar and find something that enriches and inspires you today.