Outside Inside Opens May 3 

Showing May 3 to 28
(The Gallery at L.E. Shore Library)

Holly Kee and Delia Eastwood have spent most of their lives in the Great Lakes region of Ontario and see the escarpment and freshwater lakes as large and generous characters, rewarding us just by being themselves. These artists strive to honour the beauty of their home’s lakes, rocks and trees through drawing and painting.

All are welcome to the show’s grand opening on May 3 between 2-4pm. This is a fun opportunity to engage with the exhibit and its artists and a chance to mingle with the local arts community. 

Medicinal Mushrooms: Foraging, Benefits & Extraction

Thursday, May 1 from 6-7:30pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

Join Barefoot Brian for an informative session on the incredible health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. Learn about their powerful compounds and how to extract their health-boosting properties.

Brian will also guide you through foraging for 5 local mushroom species—teaching you how to identify, find, and harvest them sustainably.

This hands-on, interactive presentation includes samples and dried mushrooms for identification. Free. Please register.

Felting Workshop with Kimber Valley Farms

Tuesday, May 6 from 4-5:30pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

A unique fibre workshop where you'll learn the art of wet felting! 

In this class, you'll create your own felted soap by layering fibre over a bar of soap. Not only is felted soap eco-friendly and gentle on your skin, but it also helps your soap last longer. Once your soap is used up, you can repurpose the wool as a scrubby or compost it!

Each participant will make 2 felted soaps to take home, includes soaps from Kimber Valley Farms. Cost is $65/person.

Always Imagine Wire Art Workshop with James Paterson

Thursday, May 8 from 3:30-5pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

James Paterson, a local artist from Meaford, will be giving a hands-on wire art workshop inspired by his picture book Saturday Morning and his moving wire sculpture The Storytelling Machine. The workshop starts with a reading of his book and performing the interactive Storytelling Machine. Then, participants will create their own wire art pieces, guided by James. All materials and tools are provided.

All-ages. Free event. Limited space.

Community Assists Day, featuring Grey Community Legal Clinic

Wednesday, May 14 from 2-4pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

Our next Community Assist Day brings together Beaver Valley Outreach, Grey Bruce Health Unit, VON, Grey County Social Services, YMCA Employment Services, and Grey Bruce Community Legal Clinic. 

Get job searching help. Quit smoking resources. Legal assistance. Elder care programs. And more!

Author Talk with Sheila Balls

Friday, May 16 at 2pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

Local author, Sheila Balls, will visit L.E. Shore for a cozy afternoon of music and books.

Sheila will play piano and Melinda Camplin will play her violin, giving attendees a chance to mingle. Sheila will then share insights into her published works, including her new book Walk This Way. Enjoy brief readings, the stories behind each book, and a chance to ask Sheila questions about her writing journey. All are welcome.

Creative Session with Outside Inside artists

Saturday, May 17 from 1-3pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

The artists of Outside Inside are setting up at L.E. Shore for a live painting and sketching session! On May 17, stop by to chat with Delia Eastwood and Holly Kee and enjoy a fun peek into their creative process.

Learn to Draw with Imagination Studio: Adult Workshop

Wednesday, May 21 at 2pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

Explore the art of ink drawing with Ashley Green from The Imagination Studio in this adult workshop!

Discover ink techniques that blend fluid lines and creative expression to capture the essence of your subject. Inspired by Spring flowers and Henri Matisse, these sessions welcome all skill levels. Participants will leave with unique ink drawings and new ways to approach life drawing. $20/person. Pre-registration required.

Death Café: A Group Discussion About Death.

Wednesday, May 21 at 7pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

An open and relaxed discussion about death and dying, as we shift the conversation from one of fear and avoidance to that of familiarity, comfort, and consciousness.

Led by Be McCarthy, a death doula - walking with people in the final months of their sacred dying journey. They honour the beliefs, priorities, and needs of all. This is a small non-denominational discussion group rather than a grief support group, with no intention of leading participants to any conclusion, product, or course of action. 

Book Launch with Karen James

Saturday, May 24 at 2pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, join us for the launch of One Million Times I Love You, a children's book by debut author Karen James (Atkins).

This heartfelt book is a personal tribute to Karen's daughter and their shared experience with mental illness. It’s a story of love, reassurance, and understanding, perfect for anyone wondering, "Do you love me?" The answer will always be yes.

Everyone is welcome to come and hear the story behind the story from the author herself. Don’t miss this special event!

Bedazzled Books: Turn your Book Covers into Dazzling Works of Art

Thursday, May 15 at 6pm
(L.E. Shore Library)

A dazzling evening of creativity! Bring your favorite book and get ready to bedazzle it with sparkles and style. Whether you come solo or bring your bestie, enjoy an hour of fun, conversation, and artistic expression.

Free event. Ages 13+ 

Bring your own book—we’ll provide all the bling!

Kids Can Cook: Cupcakes with Purdy Cakes 

Saturday, May 17 at 11am
(L.E. Shore Library)

This session is going to be extra sweet! Join Ashley from Purdy Cakes for a fun-filled cupcake decorating adventure!

Learn how to pipe, sprinkle, and, of course, taste your delicious creations. Don’t miss out—register now to save your spot!

Ages 8 and up. Free Program.

Discover the Majesty of the Niagara Escarpment

Get ready to explore the breathtaking beauty and ecological significance of the Niagara Escarpment, right here in our backyard! Our brand new exhibit delves into the fascinating geological history, diverse flora and fauna, and the unique cultural heritage of the Blue Mountain region's stretch of this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. From stunning photography capturing dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls to interactive displays showcasing local wildlife and the stories of those who have lived along its edge for generations, this is an experience you won't want to miss. Come and discover the natural wonder that defines our landscape!

Grow Your Knowledge With These Gardening Books

 May is the time to dig into gardening, and we've got some great gardening books to help you along the way.

Grow Without a Garden: 101 Plants for Containers by Lara Lucretia Mrosovsky
A vibrant and educational book written by a Torontonian who founded Miinikaan (‘the Seed’ in Ojibwe). This book is easy to understand and organized in a helpful way that provides a lot of information in small digestible snippets. Learn about considering elements such as soil and overwintering, types of containers and constructing your own, companion planting, and when and how to grow plants with or without a garden. The attractive illustrations make it easy to conceptualize the methods used and to identify plants.
Bonus, the inks used to print the book are plant-based! - Monica