Storytimes near Portland Public Library

Mary Flood Room

Summer Smoothie Party! (for students going into grades 6-up) Thursday, July 9 at 3:00 p.m. Enjoy some exercise and a delicious treat all in one program. Choose your fruits, yogurts and other ingredients, then hop on the bike (graciously loaned to us from Middletown’s Perk on Main coffee shop), and soon you’ll be sipping on a smooth and delicious beverage. Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m.

Van Beynum

When General George Washington beat a hasty retreat from New York City in August 1776, many thought the American Revolution might soon be over. Instead, Washington rallied thanks in large part to a little-known, top-secret group called the Culper Spy Ring. Washington realized that he could not beat the British with military might, so he recruited a sophisticated and deeply secretive intelligence network to infiltrate New York. So carefully guarded were the members identities that one spy's name was not uncovered until the twentieth century, and one remains unknown today. But by now, historians have discovered enough information about the ring's activities to piece together evidence that these six individuals turned the tide of the war. Drawing on extensive research, Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger have painted compelling portraits of George Washington's secret six.

Van Beynum

The Knitters (and Crocheters) of Portland are open to new, adult members of all experience levels. Drop in at this weekly knitting circle where people share ideas, get helpful knitting tips and enjoy chatting with others who enjoy these creative hobbies. Beginning fiber artists welcome! For the most up to date information about our hours please check out the library’s website portlandlibraryct.org or call us at 860-342-6770

Mary Flood Room

Tasty Tales Mondays at 10:30 a.m. June 22, July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3 Join us in our Mary Flood Room to enjoy stories, rhymes and songs about some of our favorite tasty treats! A craft project will be offered at the end of each program. Registration is required and begins on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Mary Flood Room

Colonial Cooking Monday, July 13 @ 3:30 p.m. Ages 9-up (or over age 5 with adult) Watch a demonstration on how to cook some popular recipes from the Revolutionary War times. Try succotash, johnny cakes, and apple fritters while learning about some of the heroes and key moments from the war such as Sybil Ludington’s ride, the kidnapping of Chauncey Judd, and of course Connecticut’s favorite son Nathan Hale. Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m. This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by Connecticut State Library.

This meeting (7/13/26) has been Cancelled. Monthly Board Meeting of the Friends of the Portland Library (friendsofportlandlibraryct.org)

Wagner

Cooking Academy Going into grades 3-5 Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. June 23, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4 We’ll go on a new food-themed adventure each week focused on science experiments, art projects and of course, cooking! Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Mary Flood Room

For more information about this meeting please go to Economic Development Commission | Town of Portland (portlandct.org)

Wagner

Cooking Around the World Going into grades K-2 Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m June 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5 Travel around the world with us as we learn about different cultures through cooking and crafts. Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Van Beynum

For more information about this meeting please go to Brownfield Area Steering Committee | Town of Portland

Wagner

Stuffed Animal Sleepover Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. Leave your (second) favorite stuffed animal at the library after a special storytime and then pick them up the next day to hear about their adventures! Registration opens on Monday, June 29 @ 10:00 a.m.

Mary Flood Room

For more information about this meeting please go to Board of Selectman | Town of Portland

Wagner

Four Fold Quesadillas For students going into grades 6-up Thursday, July 16 at 3pm Our popular four-fold quesadilla program is back! We’ll have a variety of ingredients available for you to pick and choose to make a tasty snack the way you like it best. Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m.

Van Beynum

Monthly Meetings: Library Board of Directors | Town of Portland (portlandct.org)

Mary Flood Room

For more information about this meeting please go to Planning & Zoning Commission | Town of Portland

Van Beynum

The Knitters (and Crocheters) of Portland are open to new, adult members of all experience levels. Drop in at this weekly knitting circle where people share ideas, get helpful knitting tips and enjoy chatting with others who enjoy these creative hobbies. Beginning fiber artists welcome! For the most up to date information about our hours please check out the library’s website portlandlibraryct.org or call us at 860-342-6770

Mary Flood Room

Tasty Tales Mondays at 10:30 a.m. June 22, July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3 Join us in our Mary Flood Room to enjoy stories, rhymes and songs about some of our favorite tasty treats! A craft project will be offered at the end of each program. Registration is required and begins on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Wagner

Cooking Academy Going into grades 3-5 Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. June 23, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4 We’ll go on a new food-themed adventure each week focused on science experiments, art projects and of course, cooking! Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Mary Flood Room

Britt from Britt’s Baking Company will be on hand to teach us about decorating styles and designs. Each participant will then be given two cupcakes to practice decorating using the red, white & blue America 250 theme. Registration is required and space is limited.

Van Beynum

For more information about this meeting please go to Clean Energy Task Force | Town of Portland (portlandct.org)

Wagner

Cooking Around the World Going into grades K-2 Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m June 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5 Travel around the world with us as we learn about different cultures through cooking and crafts. Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Flying High Disc Dogs Wednesday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m. You don’t want to miss these high-flying border collies! Witness spectacular backflips, tricks, and extreme distance catches in this family-friendly show. Rain Date: Thursday, August 6 Registration opens on Monday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m.

Van Beynum

For more information about this meeting please go to Ethics Commission | Town of Portland (portlandct.org)

Mary Flood Room

Murder Mystery: Homicide at the Tacky Sweater Shindig Thursday, July 23 at 3pm Going into grades 6-up Mark your calendars– the annual Tacky Sweater Shindig is here! A night to remember, you will make “to die for” holiday memories for years to come! Dress to impress in your tacky sweater best! Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m.

Van Beynum

The Knitters (and Crocheters) of Portland are open to new, adult members of all experience levels. Drop in at this weekly knitting circle where people share ideas, get helpful knitting tips and enjoy chatting with others who enjoy these creative hobbies. Beginning fiber artists welcome! For the most up to date information about our hours please check out the library’s website portlandlibraryct.org or call us at 860-342-6770

Mary Flood Room

John Bula has been creating “American Flag Collages” for twenty-eight years. The average flag takes three months to complete. Bula calls them “free-form puzzles.” “American Flag Collages” assembles cutouts from magazines, newspapers, and advertisements. Bula has been labeled an “outsider artist”. This is someone who is self-taught and utilizes his environment and raw imagination to present an immediate vision. Enjoy and celebrate the ample exhibition. It is a tribute and an illustration of American history. (This exhibit runs July 2nd - August 8) Reception sponsored by the Friends of the Portland Library. Learn more about how to support by joining the FPL or renewing your membership on their website: http://www.friendsofportlandlibraryct.org/

Mary Flood Room

Tasty Tales Mondays at 10:30 a.m. June 22, July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3 Join us in our Mary Flood Room to enjoy stories, rhymes and songs about some of our favorite tasty treats! A craft project will be offered at the end of each program. Registration is required and begins on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Mary Flood Room

Join Matt Yanarella for an event that celebrates classic New England cooking from the Revolutionary Era featuring demonstrations of breakfast staples like Johnny Cakes, sweet treats like apple fritters, as well as Native American dishes like Succotash that are all still popular today. Matt will also discuss popular revolutionary history such as Sybil Luddington’s ride, the kidnapping of Chauncey Judd, and of course Connecticut’s favorite son Nathan Hale. This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by Connecticut State Library.

Wagner

Cooking Academy Going into grades 3-5 Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. June 23, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4 We’ll go on a new food-themed adventure each week focused on science experiments, art projects and of course, cooking! Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Wagner

Cooking Around the World Going into grades K-2 Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m June 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5 Travel around the world with us as we learn about different cultures through cooking and crafts. Registration is required and opens on Monday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m.