Redefine “rot” and explore themes of decay, transformation, and renewal with Deschutes Public Library this March. Send your tastebuds on a journey with artisanal cheese tastings or attend a family-friendly charcuterie class focused on fermented foods. Explore the world and plot of Hamlet, Shakespeare’s famous play, in a two-part series. Create layered gelli-plate prints using mushrooms and learn about the science of death and decomposition with the Deschutes County Medical Examiner’s Office. Teens can get hands-on with needle-felting fluffy fungi and kids can create artistic mushroom garlands using recycled materials. All programs are free and open to the public. Programs marked with an asterisk (*) require registration.
Not Your Mama’s Cheddar*
From the United Kingdom to the United States, trace cheddar’s journey from humble beginnings to the Industrial Age. Sample a curated selection of America’s most beloved cheese with cheese professional Teri Tith.
- Saturday, March 7 • 3:00 p.m. • Redmond Library | La Pine Library | 16425 1st Street, La Pine
Vinegar Vs. Wine*
Explore the basics of what creates vinegar versus wine, and taste your way through three distinct types of vinegar and wine. Light snacks paired as palate cleansers between tasting. Ages 21+. Registration required.
- Wednesday, March 11 • 5:30 p.m. • Arome | 432 SW 6th Street, Redmond
Needle Felt Fungus*
With a bit of wool and a special needle, create a beautiful three-dimensional mushroom. This introduction to needle felting is a great way to try your hand at a new hobby. Intended for teens ages 13-18. Registration required.
- Thursday, March 12 • 3:30 p.m. • Sunriver Library | 56855 Venture Lane, Sunriver
Mushroom Garlands with Two Suns Art Studio*
Learn how to craft from the recycle bin and turn landfill-bound materials into a playful piece of décor. Intended for elementary-age children; all children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration required.
- Thursday, March 12 • 6:00 p.m. • Two Suns Art Studio + Makerspace | 70 SW Century Dr, Bend
Something’s Rotten Part 1: Introduction to Hamlet
Explore the world and plot of William Shakespeare’s famous play, Hamlet. In this presentation, audience members will gain the overview of the play, the motivation of lead characters, and the key themes.
- Saturday, March 14 • 3:00 p.m. • Larkspur Community Center | 1600 SE Reed Market Road, Bend
Gelli-plate Monotype Printmaking with FREAK’N ART
Use mushrooms and other materials to experiment with texture, layering, and color to produce one-of-a-kind prints. Registration required.
- Monday, March 16 • 10:00 a.m. • Redmond Library | 827 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond
- Friday, March 20 • 3:00 p.m. • Sunriver Library | 56855 Venture Lane, Sunriver
Fit Check: Sustainable Clothing Swap for Teens*
Refresh your wardrobe in this collaboration featuring The Environmental Center, and learn how to mend and alter clothing with Librarian Betsey. Intended for teens ages 14+. Drop-ins are welcome, however, registered participants will be given free entry to the Pavilion’s open skate session.
- Tuesday, March 17 • 5:30–7:00 p.m. • The Pavilion | 1001 SW Bradbury Way, Bend
Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory: Secrets in the Soil
Enjoy mushroom dissection and microscope viewing, learn about energy flow with a simple food web activity, and discover decomposers through hands-on activities. Intended for children ages 6-12; children under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver.
- Thursday, March 19 • 1:30 p.m.• Redmond Library | 827 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond
Teen Open Mic Night at the OAC*
Share your music, poetry, comedy, dance, or any other stage-worthy talent in a welcoming, supportive space. Come perform or just cheer on your fellow teen artists. Intended for teens ages 13–18. Registration required.
- Thursday, March 19 • 5:00 p.m. • The Open Arts Center | 999 NE 2nd Street, Bend
Charcuterie Making Workshop: Fermented Foods Edition*
Unleash your creativity with fermented foods. Participants will enjoy a guided tasting of olive varieties, sample various sourdoughs, and learn more about the acidity, crunch, and balance of different pickles. Learn ways to showcase and pair each element, and combine all three into a cohesive, beautiful spread. Registration required.
- Saturday, March 21 • 10:30 a.m. • La Pine Library | 16425 1st Street, La Pine
The New American Cheeses*
Take a taste bud tour of amazing artisanal cheeses. Experience a broad range of taste and texture, from stinky pink rinds to bloomy and white, and ones that look like the cave they were aged in. Registration required.
- Saturday, March 21 • 3:00 p.m. • Redmond Library | 827 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond
Needle Felt Fungus*
With a bit of wool and a special needle, create a beautiful three-dimensional mushroom. This introduction to needle felting is a great way to try your hand at a new hobby. Intended for ages 13+. Registration required.
- Thursday, March 26 • 3:30 p.m. • Redmond Library | 827 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond
Ashes to Dust: A Medicolegal Death Investigation Talk
Gain insight into the process of human body decomposition from a medicolegal death investigation perspective. Drawing on real-world case examples, the session will illustrate how decomposition occurs over time and how these changes are interpreted during death investigations. Recommended for ages 18+.
- Thursday, March 26 • 5:30 p.m. • Redmond Library | 827 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond
Something’s Rotten Part 2: Famous Scenes from Hamlet
Hamlet has many memorable moments (“To be, or not to be, that is the question.”) and is the longest of Shakespeare’s plays. Audience members are invited to join in with the reading (no experience needed), or just sit, listen, and enjoy. Walk away with a better understanding of the language and appreciation of its poetic brilliance.
- Saturday, March 28 • 10:00 a.m. • Redmond Library | 827 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond
Taller de Papel Artesanal en español*
En este taller aprenderemos el proceso de descomponer y recomponer el papel. Los participantes crearán papel artesanal incorporando flores secas y fibras naturales, jugando con texturas, colores y composición. Esta clase está dirigida a niños a partir de 6 años y a sus familias. Se recomienda inscribirse previamente.
- Saturday, March 28 • 5:00 p.m. • The Open Arts Center | 999 NE 2nd Street, Bend
For more information about these programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats or auxiliary aids) should contact Liz Goodrich at lizg@deschuteslibrary.org or 541-312-1032.


