Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, 360-704-4508, or outside Thurston County calling area: (877) 284-6237, ext. 2508; e-mail: lingle@trlib.org.

Make the winter holiday season festive and memorable for your family while giving yourself and your budget a break. Public library staff and guest presenters are delivering seasonal story time programs and special presentations at most Timberland library locations. All programs are free of charge. Some libraries will have special presentations during the last two weeks of December, when students are on holiday. People from all areas of the five-county library district (Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties) are welcome to join in the programs at any Timberland library.

Timberland libraries also offer quiet places to browse, read and relax or to do research for homework, term papers and other projects. Both recreational reading and information resources for various age levels are within easy reach—books, videos, CDs, print and online magazines, newspapers, research materials and databases. For more information about programs and resources, stop by or call your local Timberland library or visit the Timberland Regional Library website at www.trlib.org.

The following programs are listed by date within each county. All Timberland libraries will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, December 24 and 25.

Amanda Park Timberland Library presents Wreaths from 6-8 p.m., Dec. 10 for adults. Join with others around the table and create a glorious holiday wreath with artist Janne King. All materials will be provided. Christmas craft books and cookbooks will be available for checkout. Call 288-2725 to register. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

McCleary Timberland Library presents 100th Anniversary of the First Airplane Flight from 10:30 a.m.-noon, Dec. 13 for children in grades 3-6. Join in activities celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first airplane flight.

Aberdeen Timberland Library presents It’s a Grinch Holiday from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 16 for all ages. Make holiday creations and make the Grinch smile.

Montesano Timberland Library (W.H. Abel Memorial Library) presents Holiday After School Program from 3-4 p.m., Dec. 19 for children ages 6-11. Hear holiday stories, make some crafts and enjoy a snack.

Aberdeen Timberland Library presents Candy-kiss Bingo from 2-3 p.m., Dec. 29 for grades 1-6. Spend some school break time playing bingo with candy kisses for counters and prizes.

In addition, the Aberdeen, (360-533-2360), Hoquiam, (360-532-1710), and Montesano (360-249-4211) Timberland libraries have children’s story time programs in December. Telephone for dates and times.

Centralia Timberland Library presents a Holiday Prize Drawing beginning Dec. 1 for children ages 2-10. Enter from December 1 to 20 for a chance to win a giant stocking filled with books, toys, puzzles and more. One entry per person. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Centralia Timberland Library presents Gingerbread Man Story Time at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 9 for children ages 3-8. Join library staff for stories, songs, snacks and a craft and you will catch the Gingerbread Man. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Chehalis Timberland Library presents Gingerbread Man Story Time at 10 a.m., Dec. 12 for children ages 3-8. Join library staff for stories, songs, snacks and a craft and you will catch the Gingerbread Man. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Mountain View Timberland Library (Randle) presents Holiday Open House from 3-8 p.m., Dec. 17 for all ages. Drop in for light refreshments to celebrate the holidays. Staff will be available to answer questions about library services and resources. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Packwood Timberland Library presents Holiday Open House from 1-8 p.m., Dec. 23 for all ages. Drop in for light refreshments to celebrate the holidays. Staff will be available to answer questions about library services and resources. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Centralia Timberland Library presents Holiday Variety Show from 2-3 p.m., Dec. 30 for children of all ages. In this interactive show, "Soar to New Heights," Greg Bennick will include juggling, comedy, and balancing on a unicycle, while inspiring everyone to read. The show will be followed by a 15-minute question and answer session. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Centralia Timberland Library presents Feed the Birds and Birdfeeder Workshop from 2-3 p.m., Jan. 2 for ages 5-105. Learn about wild birds that you may see around the Northwest in winter and what they like to eat to stay warm. Turn pinecones and milk cartons into gourmet restaurants when you make a birdfeeder or two to take home for the birds in your neighborhood. If you like, bring some cereal, fruit, or seeds to add to the mix. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

In addition, the Mountain View (360-497-2665, in Randle), Salkum (360-985-2148), and Winlock (360-785-3461) Timberland libraries have children’s story time programs in December. The Packwood Timberland Library (360-494-5111) has weekly after-school programs. Telephone for dates and times.

Shelton Timberland Library (William G. Reed) presents A Holiday Concert from 6:30–8 p.m., Dec. 3 for all ages. Laura Farr and Steven Allen will present a holiday concert in the library featuring violin, classical guitar and handbells.

North Mason Timberland Library (Belfair) presents Celebrate! Winter Crafts from 2-4 p.m., Dec. 6 for all ages, especially ages 4-12. Library staff will provide materials for several creative craft projects of various levels of difficulty. Sponsored by the Friends of the North Mason Timberland Library.

Hoodsport Timberland Library presents Sweet Adelines from 2 p.m., Dec. 9 for adults. Enjoy seasonal music with the Sweet Adelines vocal group. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hoodsport Timberland Library.

North Mason Timberland Library (Belfair) presents A Holiday Concert with the Rainier Ringers from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 13 for all ages. The Rainier Ringers, a handbell choir, returns to the library by popular demand to present a festive winter holiday concert. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Shelton Timberland Library (William G. Reed) presents Movies for Families from 2-5 p.m., Dec. 26 and Dec. 30 for all ages. Enjoy free movies with the family during the holiday break. Call the library at 426-1362 for the titles of the films.

Naselle Timberland Library presents Tuesdays with Friends: Winter Holidays Centerpiece Workshop with Shirley Herrold from 2-4 p.m., Dec. 2 for adults. Create a holiday arrangement. Bring your favorite bowl or shallow dish to use as a base, as well as any special ornaments. All other materials will be provided. Class size is limited. Call the library at 484-3877 to register. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Naselle Timberland Library presents Cookie Decorating from 3:30-4 p.m., Dec. 3 for families. Decorate cookies for your whole family to share. Create a cookie so beautiful that you won’t want to eat it! All materials provided. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Ocean Park Timberland Library presents Soar to New Heights! from 11-11:45 a.m., Dec. 29 for ages 3 to adult. Join Greg Bennick for a fast paced performance of juggling, comedy, and unicycling, while he motivates you to read, think and create. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Raymond Timberland Library presents Soar to New Heights! from 3-3:45 p.m., Dec. 29 for age 3 to adults. Join Greg Bennick for his interactive tour-de-force, a show filled with juggling, unicycling and comedy suitable for all ages. Sponsored by the Bertha Hager Memorial Fund.

Raymond Timberland Library presents Creative Dramatics at the Library! from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 31 for ages 11 to 14. This acting workshop for young adults will consist of theater games, improvisational techniques and rehearsal of some fractured fairy tales. Registration required. Call 942-2408 for a reservation.

The Lacey and Tumwater Timberland Libraries present New Year’s Guessing Jar beginning Dec. 1 for age 18 and under. During December, guess the number of party favors in the jar at either library and win a year full of surprises. One guess per person. Sponsored by the libraries’ Friends of the Library.

Lacey Timberland Library presents Make a Merry Mouse from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Dec. 2 for children ages 3-6. Drop by the library’s meeting room and find all the supplies needed to make a merry mouse for the holidays.

The Tumwater and Lacey Timberland Libraries present The Mousecracker from 4-5 p.m., Dec. 4 for children of all ages. LOCATION: Tumwater High School Performing Arts Center, 700 Israel Rd SW, across the street from the Tumwater Timberland Library. Snapdragon Puppet Productions presents "The Mousecracker", a puppet presentation of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic. Following the program, children are invited to the Tumwater Timberland Library from 5 to 8 p.m. to make some merry mice of their own. Sponsored by the libraries’ local Friends of the Library.

Tenino Timberland Library presents Holiday Open House and Book Sale from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 6 for all ages. In the tradition of Winterfest, join the library’s annual open house and book sale. There will be refreshments, crafts for the kids, and holiday music. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Tumwater Timberland Library presents Hot Reads for Cold Days from 3-4 p.m., Dec. 9 for middle and high school teens. Head to the TeenZone at the library for a mug of hot chocolate and some hot reads. Teen Services Librarian Kristine Mahood will be talking about great reads and asking what books you’d recommend, too. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Tumwater Timberland Library.

Tumwater Timberland Library presents Christmas Story Time from 10:30-11 a.m., Dec. 10 for children ages 3-6. Ho Ho! Ho! Deck the halls with stories of Santa and his reindeer. Jingle on down to the library for holiday stories, action rhymes, and a craft. Registration is required. Call 943-7790.

Lacey Timberland Library presents Winter Craft from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Dec. 17 for children ages 3-6. Create a wreath from colorful papers. Dating back to the Persian Empire, the wreath has been a symbol of honor and festivity whether worn on the heads of emperors and athletes or hung on the doorway of a loved one.

Lacey Timberland Library presents Hark the Herald Carolers Sing! from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 18 for families. Join musician Gloria Burton as she leads participants in an evening of classic caroling. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lacey Timberland Library.

Tenino Timberland Library presents Decorate a Holiday Cookie from 1-3 p.m., Dec. 23 for all ages. Ring in the holidays with Christmas music and decorations, a special collection of holiday books on display, and all the fixings to decorate a holiday cookie. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Lacey Timberland Library presents Soar to New Heights! from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Dec. 30 for families. Greg Bennick will entertain with juggling, unicycling and comedy to show how reading is connected with thinking, creativity and individuality. Free tickets will be given out 30 minutes prior to the performance. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lacey Timberland Library.

Tumwater Timberland Library presents Magic with Jeff Evans: Mission Possible! from 11-11:45 a.m., Dec. 30 for children ages 5-12. Join in Jeff Evans’ interactive magic show and discover how you can be a success at whatever you choose. Free tickets will be available at the information desk approximately 20 minutes before the program. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Olympia Timberland Library presents Magic with Jeff Evans: Mission Possible! from 2-3 p.m., Dec. 30 For ages 5-12. Join in Jeff Evans’ interactive magic show and discover how you can be a success at whatever you choose. Free tickets will be available at the information desk approximately 20 minutes before the program. Sponsored by the local Friends of the Library.

Tenino Timberland Library presents It’s Magic! from 5-6 p.m., Dec. 30 for all ages. Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a magic show by Jeff Evans. The library is extending its hours for this special program. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tenino Timberland Library.

Timberland Regional Library serves Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties at 27 community libraries and 6 school-based cooperative library centers. For information on any subject, the public can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians at 704-INFO (704-4636) from Thurston County, Shelton and Oakville or 1-800-562-6022, toll-free, from all other areas in the district.