UCPL gearing up for holidays with gingerbread house contest

We're gearing up for one of our biggest holiday traditions. Our annual Gingerbread House Contest will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, here at the Unicoi County Public Library. Registration is required, so call us at (423) 743-6533 to register. We're offering two time slots this year: 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Also, Santa Claus will also join us at the library from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., so be sure to stop by for a photo and some holiday cheer. Storytime for Friends with Special Needs Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 10:30 a.m. Join us for a joyful, inclusive storytime featuring books, music and fun designed for our adult friends with special needs. Thanksgiving Closure Wednesday, Nov. 26 The library will close early at 2 p.m. for the Thanksgiving holiday. Be sure to stock up on books and movies. The library will remain closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28. We hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday with your loved ones. Shop Small Handmade Market Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by to support local crafters and find unique gifts at our handmade craft market. It's the perfect way to kick off your holiday shopping while supporting your local library. Tiny Tales Lap-Sit Storytime Monday, Dec. 1, at 9:45 a.m. Babies ages birth to 18 months and their caregivers are invited for gentle stories, rhymes and bonding time. Preschool Cookie Storytime Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 10:30 a.m. Join Ms. Hannah for cookie-themed stories, songs and a craft preschoolers will love. Adult and Teen Christmas Baking Class Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m. Adults and teens are welcome to join us at Mountain Harvest Kitchen in Unicoi for a festive cookie-baking class. Call (423) 743-6533 to reserve your spot. Upcoming Book Club Selections Cozy Book Club: (Dec. 8 at 4:15 p.m.): "The Christmas Angel Project" by Melody Carlson. BYO Book Club (Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.): Read any book with the theme of "Merry Christmas" that makes you feel warm and cozy and come discuss it with the group. Bring a snack or just yourself. Story Seekers Kid's Book Club: (Will return in 2026). Cookbook Club (Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. "Dessert Person"by Claire Saffitz. Weekly Book Recommendation "All Together Now" by Hannah Dove offers a chance to discover 50 fun activities you can do at home or in the backyard or in your local area. Each activity encourages families to be in the present, enjoy quality time together, practice new skills and create treasured family memories. These sweetly illustrated activities are accessible and can be done with minimal resources. You'll enjoy hilariously silly 5-minute or 30-minute boredom-busting, bonding-boosting ideas, as well as family projects that can last the whole afternoon or be revisited over a year. Many will result in beautiful keepsakes, like a family recipe book, while others will simply leave you with warm memories and plenty of giggles. Time flies when you're having fun! It's important to enjoy the moment, and this book will help your family do just that, according to information from the book's publisher. ••• Morgan Olson is the director of the Unicoi County Public Library.