Rhinelander District Library kicks off summer with ‘Unearth a Story’ program

The Rhinelander District Library has launched its 2026 Summer Reading Program, “Unearth a Story,” offering a packed schedule of free events for community members of all ages through the end of July — and into August for teens. From antique appraisals and folk music concerts to sewing classes and smartphone tutorials, this summer’s offerings reflect the library’s ongoing commitment to serving the broad interests of Rhinelander residents.
Something for Every Adult
Adults 18 and older can pick up a summer challenge card at the library. The card invites participants to complete a series of challenges at the library and at local businesses, earning sets of “ancient coins” along the way. Completed cards submitted by 5 p.m. on July 31 will be entered into a grand prize drawing featuring gift certificates from local businesses.
A Highlight of the Season: Antiques Roadshow Veteran Comes to Rhinelander
One of the summer’s marquee events arrives on Saturday, June 20, when the library hosts an antiques and collectibles appraisal event featuring Mark F. Moran of Iola, Wis. Moran spent nine seasons as a guest expert on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow, has authored or co-authored more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles, and has been active as an appraiser for more than two decades.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the library’s meeting room, with appraisal slots available each hour. Accepted categories include Americana, fine art, ceramics, glassware, vintage photographs, folk art, toys, costume jewelry, musical instruments, books, and sports memorabilia, among others. Pre-registration is required for appraisals and opens June 5 at www.rhinelanderlibrary.org or by calling 715-365-1070 ext. 2.
Also on June 20, the library will host a Puzzle Swap from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Adult Department, where patrons can bring up to five puzzles and exchange them in structured selection rounds.
Crafts, Games, and Live Music
Throughout June and July, the library will host a rotating lineup of hands-on craft events. Participants can learn basic sewing while creating a microwavable heating pad (June 18), wire-wrap their own crystal pendant necklace (July 7 or 8), make terracotta clay flower frogs (July 28), or craft dandelion rock art using Lake Superior pebbles (July 30). All craft supplies are provided, and registration is required for each.
On the competitive side, teams of two to four can enter the Jigsaw Puzzle Race on Friday, June 26, racing to complete a 300-piece puzzle within two hours. Six team spaces are available, and registration opens June 12.
Monthly Chess Club sessions return on the second and fourth Saturdays of June and July (June 13, June 27, July 11, and July 25), running from 10 a.m. to noon. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
The summer’s musical centerpiece arrives July 15, when folk musician Mark Dvorak takes the stage from 5 to 6 p.m. Named “Chicago’s official troubadour” by WFMT 98.7 in 2012 and called “masterful” by the Chicago Tribune, Dvorak performs folk classics, standards from the American Songbook, and original songs, accompanying himself on guitar and five-string banjo. The concert is free and open to the public.
Community Learning and Local Conservation
The library is also programming around practical skills and community awareness. Two smartphone literacy classes will be offered: Android 101 on June 19 and iPhone 101 on July 24, both led by Deb from Help Desk Next Door and running from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Each class is capped at 10 participants and is designed for beginners. Registration is required.
On July 16, the library welcomes John Heusinkveld, Conservation Outreach Specialist for the Northwoods Land Trust, for a presentation on land preservation and lakeshore protections in northern Wisconsin’s seven-county region. The same evening is paired with a Lego brick dinosaur building class with Michael Miller at 10 a.m.
A word puzzle afternoon — featuring Scrabble, Bananagrams, Scattergories, and Boggle — is set for July 22 and is open to teens and adults alike.
Rounding out the adult calendar, naturalist Jenna from the North Lakeland Discovery Center will lead a Foraging 101 session on July 29, guiding attendees through a year’s phenological calendar of edible plants and fungi in the Northwoods region. No registration is required.
Teens Get Their Own Summer
Teens ages 12 to 18 have a dedicated Summer Reading Challenge, with a grand prize package that includes a geode science kit, a fossil and gemstone dig kit, an inflatable dinosaur float, and a tote bag. Completed challenges must be turned in by August 1 at 1 p.m., with the winner announced August 3.
Teen-specific programming includes a recipe box craft with an adult on June 11, a patriotic lantern-making session on June 24, and a fantasy world map-building class using rice and watercolors on July 9.
A standout creative competition runs July 13 through 19, inviting teens to build a dinosaur model or diorama from recycled materials and submit a photo online. Community voting will take place July 21 through 26 both in-person and on the library’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. The prize includes a dino nugget pillow, dinosaur egg excavation kit, and a 3D wooden museum puzzle.
The Indiana Jones movie marathon launches July 31 and continues every Friday through August 28, with free popcorn served at each screening from 1 to 3 p.m. The series wraps up teen programming with a Lego dinosaur build event on August 18 in the Teen Zone, where volunteers will be on hand to assist.
Recipe Collection: A Living Legacy
Woven throughout the summer is a community recipe collection project. From June 1 through July 31, patrons are invited to submit a favorite family recipe to the “Mastering the Art of Library Cooking” box in the Adult Department. All submissions will be compiled into a print or digital format for the community after the collection period ends.
For the full schedule, registration, and more information, visit www.rhinelanderlibrary.org or call 715-365-1070.