ALLIANCE — Rodman Public Library will host a series of events in November.

— One of the Carnation City’s most popular topics from the past will be the focus of the Alliance Historical Society’s annual meeting in 2024.

Karen Perone, president of the society, will deliver a presentation explaining the 1919 Olive Poisoning on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Rodman Auditorium.

The program will follow a brief business meeting.

The olive poisoning was one of the greatest tragedies to ever fall upon Alliance. Following a party at Lakeside Country Club in Canton given by Helen Sebring Gehris to welcome back World War I hero Col. Charles C. Weybrecht, several of the city’s most prominent citizens were ill. Seven people, including the hostess and the guest of honor, would eventually die from the mysterious malady.

Perone will talk about the people involved, the gala event, the search to find the cause of the sickness, and the toll it took on the city as she details the incident that has captivated audiences over the past 105 years.

Registration is required to attend the event at rodmanlibrary.com.

— Rodman Public Library’s monthly Kids Crafting program continues at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 when children, ages 7-12, are invited to come to the Main Library to create coffee filter turkeys.

All materials used during monthly kids crafting programs are provided for free thanks to the Friends of Rodman Public Library.

Registration is required.

For more information, call the Children’s Department at 330-821-2665, ext. 223.

— Maker Monday continues at Rodman Public Library Main Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18.

For the November project, Maker Monday crafters will create a folded book Christmas tree.

Maker Monday is an in-person craft program for adults that is held monthly on select Mondays. All materials are provided free of charge, thanks to Friends of Rodman Library, but space is limited and registration is required for each session.

To register for Maker Monday sessions, call 330-821-2665, ext. 210 or visit Rodman Public Library’s online calendar at rodmanlibrary.com.

— Rodman Public Library’s Lego Lab continues at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19 with a bridge challenge as youngsters will be tasked with building a structure that can hold all Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Lego Lab, intended for children 6-12, is held on the third Tuesday of each month and children are encouraged to create items related to the monthly theme.

The program is free, thanks to Friends of Rodman Public Library, but space is limited and participants must register at rodmanlibrary.com.

For more information, call 330-821-2665, ext. 223.

— A legendary world leader will be brought to life at Rodman Public Library at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 when Sidney Zufall presents “Winston Churchill: The British Bulldog.”

The program, being held on the 150th anniversary of world leader’s birth, will explore the life and times of Churchill, who served as the British prime minister through World War II and rallied the Allies to victory.

The program is a repeat performance of Zufall’s previous appearance in June.

Zufall, a retired management consultant, grew up hearing about Churchill from his father and six uncles, all veterans of the war. Several were wounded and another was killed.

“They all idolized Churchill and they quoted him often,” explained Zufall. “I grew up hearing about Churchill, and my father taught me how to tie a Blenheim bow tie, which was what Churchill wore and is named after the palace where he was born.”

Once Zufall was married with children and traveling all around the western hemisphere for business, he took to reading while on the road. His favorite genre was history and he started out by reading everything he could about the men he looked up to, starting with Churchill.

“Over 30 years, I read quite a bit about Winston Churchill,” said Zufall. “I became quite knowledgeable about his life and his famous speeches.”

Zufall turned that knowledge into a program that he has presented to several civic and social groups in addition to Rodman Public Library.

The event at Rodman Public Library is sponsored by Alliance Historical Society, Alliance Area Preservation Society, and Castle Crusaders.

Registration is required to attend at rodmanlibrary.com

For more information, call 330-821-2665, ext. 204.

— Holiday Storytime returns to the Branch for a four-week run to get Rodman Public Library’s littlest patrons feeling festive. At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays between Nov. 26 and Dec. 17, children are invited to 45 minutes filled with fun that will include crafts, music, activities, and stories – of course.

Each week will feature a different theme.

On Nov. 26, kids will get ready for Thanksgiving by making a story bracelet and performing a turkey science experiment.

On Dec. 3, children will kick off their countdown to Christmas by making a paper chain that they can use to mark off the days.

On Dec. 10, Christmas goodies will be the theme and kids will use waffle cones to create Christmas trees.

On Dec. 17, the branch will be the site of a Grinch party. Kids will enjoy Grinch-related activities and will make reindeer food to take home.

Registration is not required to attend storytime.

Also at the Branch, the elf Christopher Pop-in-Kins will appear on Dec. 2 to watch for good girls and boys for Santa. He will be hiding in the stacks, so kids will have to look high and low to find him.