Portage Library to host three family events Aug. 3

Gromit the Trail Dog gets special attention from Anna Gawboy of Trio Tumpelot during last week's "Music on the Menu" at Portage Library. Gromit liked it so much she will return to the library this Friday, Aug. 3, to help her owner Arlyn Aronson teach a dog training class for kids. Also pictured are Trio Tumpelot's Pasi Lautala (second from left) and Meghan Pachmayer. (Photos © and courtesy Arlyn and Sandy Aronson)

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library will host three events on Friday, Aug.3 -- "Music on the Menu" with Trio Bibliothèque; "Dog Gone," a dog training class with Arlyn Aronson and Gromit the Trail Dog; and Cirque da UP, unicycling acrobatic jugglers.

Trio Bibliothèque returns to "Music on the Menu"

The Portage Lake District Library invites everyone to bring a lunch and enjoy "Music on the Menu," an outdoor series of events held on the dock outside the library.

"Trio Bibliotheque" returns for another wonderful performance from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3. Libby Meyer on fiddle, Anna Gawboy on concertina, and Oren Tikkanen on guitar will play a lively and eclectic mix of folk music and other genres.

Everyone is invited to eat, relax, and enjoy the lunch hour while listening to some great music. In the event of bad weather, the program will be held in the community room.

This event is part of the library’s Summer Reading Program and is free and open to all. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

"Dog Gone" dog training course for kids with Gromit the Trail Dog

Gromit the Trail Dog cools off in Swedetown Creek during a bike trip to Churning Rapids in Hancock. See more photos of Gromit on her blog.

The Portage Lake District Library will host a dog training class for kids from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3.

Arlyn Aronson will present "Dog Gone!" and show kids why it’s important for puppies and dogs to listen to their owners. Kids will learn basic but important dog training tips that apply to all pet owners and all dog breeds. Aronson’s dog Gromit, who loves to do as she is told, will be on hand to demonstrate why she listens and why it’s good for her and all dogs to be trained. Gromit likes big people, too, so it’s okay if they come to the program and learn as well.

You can see Gromit on her blog: http://trailmuttreports.blogspot.com. For questions about the class, you may email Aronson at arlyn@superiortandems.com or call 370-2911.

Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

Unicycling acrobatic jugglers return to Portage Library

The Portage Lake District Library will host the area’s increasingly more famous and dearly loved unicycling acrobatic jugglers for a performance at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3. The show will be held outside the library.

Cirque da UP features athlete-artists who give people a unique style of entertainment featuring a combination of world-class juggling, unicycling, and acrobatics in a family-friendly, interactive show.

MTU alumni Bob and Trish Evans will perform their new acrobalance routine with some surprise new stunts. They will also demonstrate joggling, which is running while juggling and is a sport in which they have earned several Guinness world records for their speedy times.

The Evans will also talk about their upcoming attempt to raise $20,000 for Special Olympics by completing a triathlon while juggling the entire time.

Everyone is invited to watch as they perform their amazing and gravity defying feats. After the show, the performers will help people learn how to juggle, spin a plate on a stick, and other fun circus skills.

This event is free and open to all. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.