I was heading through the park the other day when I spied with my moderately sized eye a strangely shaped, colorful object. On closer inspection I saw that the strange object was none other than Libby Library’s mascot, Libby Lobster, dressed as a gentleman of the Renaissance,

“Libby, that’s a strange costume to be wearing to our Willy Wonka Interactive Movie Event.”

“It’s not for the Willy Wonka Movie, I’ll tell you more about it in a little bit. First, we should remind the folks out there what the interactive movie is about.”

“Sure thing, Libby. The Willy Wonka Interactive Movie is this year’s fun Halloween activity. It’s happening Saturday, Oct. 26. We won’t just be showing the film classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Kids attending will be able to interact with the film through a variety of delightful, crafty activities. The fun starts at noon. Since space is limited in our Community Room, kids will need a Golden Ticket to attend. The tickets are available at the Children’s Circulation Desk.”

“If that costume isn’t for the Willy Wonka film, Libby, then what’s it for?”

“For the Renaissance Fair of course.”

“I’m surprised they’re letting you in after last year!”

“Just because I had a small problem with my Renaissance-themed food vending business.”

“You mean the food trebuchet. Why didn’t you just go with a food truck like everyone else?”

“I thought it would fit in better with the Renaissance theme. I admit it was a bit embarrassing when the Air Force shut me down.”

“Well, you nearly downed a B-52 with a Cornish hen.”

“You’re right. Maybe I should upgrade from the trebuchet to a food truck.”

“Libby, I’m glad you mentioned upgrading. That’s because our patron cards just got an upgrade.”

“You mean they’re finally giving away copies of my group, The Tin Pan Tomalleys, new album “Lobster Caononese-y Rider” with each new card?”

“No. What they are doing is increasing the number of books and DVDs you can check out at one time. There is no longer any limit on the number of books that can be checked out on an adult or child card. The exception being books on the New Fiction or Nonfiction Shelves. You can still take out only four of those at a time. We’ve also increased the number of DVDs that can be taken out at one time, too. You can now check out up to six DVDs at a time with an adult card, or four DVDs at a time with a child card.”

“They may not be getting that free copy of “Lobster Caononese-y Rider,” but it’s still pretty exciting!”

“Libby, you know what else is exciting? State Senator Justin Chenette and State Representative Lori Gramlich will be holding office hours here at Libby Library on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m. They’ll be updating us on what’s going on in the State Legislature, and answering your questions as well.”

“Maybe they could answer my question?”

“What’s that?”

“Should I go to Thanksgiving at Uncle Loki’s? He’s the uncle who always insists on having a séance before Thanksgiving dinner. Usually nothing happens, except for one year when the turkey was possessed by the ghost of Rudy Vallee. The turkey just picked up a newspaper, made a little megaphone, and began singing ‘I’m Just a Vagabond Lover.’”

“What did you do then?”

“We stuffed it, and ate it. After waiting through the Macy’s Parade and the seance we couldn’t wait to eat!”

“Libby, I think you better come up with another question. I also think we should wrap things up for now. We just need to remind everyone to check out our website, ooblibrary.org or our Facebook page for updates on ongoing programs like A Matter of Balance and the Portrait Sessions. You can also see book recommendations, event updates and more by Libby and his pals by following them @ooblibrary on Instagram or Twitter.

­— Bob Cochran is a volunteer at Libby Memorial Library and Jazz Director at WMPG, in Portland.

Majesty, Mystery, Music and
Miracle, a weekly service of
healing and hope, 5:30 p.m.,
Seeds of Hope Neighborhood
Center, 35 South St.,
Biddeford.
Southern Maine Gay Men’s
Social Group, 7 to 9 p.m.,
Unitarian Universalist Church,
60 School St., Saco. New
members, from 21 to 99,
are welcome. FMI, call
Tom at 602-8109 or email
maineguy_ 04043@yahoo.
com.
AA meetings, noon, Second
Congregational Church, 19
Crescent St., Biddeford; 6
a.m., Saco Transportation
Center, 130 Main St.; 6:30
p.m. women’s meeting,
Congregational Church, Saco;
noon, 63 School St., Saco; 7
p.m., 63 School St., Saco.
Crafty Readers, stories
and crafts for preschoolers,
10:30 a.m., Libby Library, Old
Orchard Beach. FMI, call 934-
4351.
You’ve Got Me in Stitches,
3 p.m., meeting room, Dyer
Library, Saco. Knit, crochet,

chat and sip tea or coffee. No
registration required.
Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m., Saco
Armory, 75 Franklin St., Saco,
sponsored by Open Door
Seniors Club.
Le Club Francais, 6:30 p.m.,
McArthur Library, Biddeford.
FMI, call 284-4181.
Seeds of Hope
Neighborhood Center,
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 35 South
St., Biddeford. Drop in for
a free cup of coffee and
snack, conversation, games,
lending library, support and

warmth. An outreach of Christ
Episcopal Church. FMI, call
283-1783.
TOPS Weight Loss Support
Group, 6 to 7 p.m., Goodwins
Mills United Methodist
Church, Goodwins Mills. FMI,
call 468-5282.

Friday, Oct. 25

Pickleball at Night, 6:30 to 9 p.m., 18 and older, $2 drop in fee, J.R. Martin Community Center, 189 Alfred St., Biddeford. FMI, call 283-0841.

50 Plus Club at Ross Center,
walking in gym available
Monday through Friday,
11:30 to 1 p.m. FMI, call
Debbie at 282-5005. Ross
Center is located at J.R. Martin
Community Center, 189 Alfred
St., Biddeford.
Bouncing Babies, 10 to 11
a.m., Deering Room, Dyer
Library, Saco. Children up to 18
months are welcome for baby
bounces, songs and stories
with time for adults to visit
together after. Program runs
concurrent with school year.