“Know Macabre” this October with Deschutes Public Library
Posted By: Liz Goodrich
Date Posted: 9/18/2025
Test the waters of the macabre this October with Deschutes Public Library. Hear spooky cemetery stories and folklore from New Orleans to Edinburgh. Get to know some of nature’s creepy critters with Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Step into the eerie corridors of a mansion for a preview night of The Haunting of Hill House. Felt, stab, and sculpt to create skulls for Día de los Muertos. Write your own obituary in four easy steps. Take a haunting walk through the library during the Literary Ghost Walk. All programs are free and open to the public. Programs marked with an asterisk (*) require registration.
Creepy Creatures with Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory
Get to know some of nature's most haunted creatures. Hear urban legends surrounding these critters and learn about them with the help of biofacts and animal visitors. This program is intended for youth ages 5 and up; children under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver.
Write Your Own Obituary in Four Easy Steps*
Join a presentation and workshop to prepare a thoughtful, well-written obit that focuses on your personal legacy, with Jamie Passaro, a Eugene writer and editor who runs Dear Person Obituaries. Registration required.
Grom Tests and Skate Demo*
Board House hosts a skate demonstration with some of Central Oregon's best and most creative skaters. Show off your skills during two grom-focused mini competitions: one on the mini ramp and the other street style. Intended for youth ages 7–15; children under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration required.
Charspookerie-Making Workshop*
Learn how to combine an array of cheeses, meats, fruits, and scary treats to create a masterpiece that's both visually stunning and deliciously eerie. Registration required. This program is full.
Whistling Past the Graveyard*
Hear spooky cemetery stories and folklore from New Orleans to Edinburgh. Author Loren Rhoads shares some of the wildest cemetery stories—how they’ve grown and changed over the years and whether they have any basis in truth. Registration required.
Gargoyle Relief Sculpture*
Learn to sculpt eerie, grotesque reliefs from air-dry clay with Anastasia of FREAK'N ART. No prior experience needed—just bring your imagination and a love for the weird and wonderful. Registration required.
Oddities, Curiosities and Macabre Show & Tell*
Do you have a strange, spooky, macabre, or odd collectible that fascinates you? You’re invited to share your items and their unique stories with the community at the Macabre Show & Tell. Registration required.
Black Magic Drawings*
Celebrate the colors of fall—from fiery leaves to frightful faces. Join artist Lee Kellogg for a creative session of coloring seasonal designs on black paper using bold colored pencils. Registration required.
The Haunting of Hill House Preview Night
Step into the eerie corridors of a mansion in this thrilling play based on Shirley Jackson's novel, The Haunting of Hill House. First-come, first-served. No tickets are required. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Crea y Pinta tu Propia Máscara*
En este taller aprenderemos a crear máscaras desde cartulina, diseñando la estructura con pliegues, cortes y pegado. Una vez construida la base, cada participante podrá decorarla con pinturas fluorescentes y neón que brillan en la oscuridad. Esta clase está dirigida a niños a partir de 6 años y a sus familias. Requiere registro previo.
Halloween Art Play*
Think pumpkin stamping, potion-making, sticky spiderweb walls, and plenty of orange and black creations to discover. Intended for children ages 0-5; all children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration required.
Grieving and Healing in Nature
Hear about the redemptive and healing powers of nature. Adam Sawyer shares a series of photos and essays that detail how time spent in the outdoors has aided in his recovery from not just addiction, but the sudden and devastating loss of his life partner and home in early 2022.
Yes, No, Goodbye: The History of the Ouija Board*
The Ouija Board has inspired fear, sparked creativity, and provided relief for the bereaved for over 125 years. Learn more about the history of this mysterious board game and its connection to the Spiritualism movement that swept through America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Registration required.
Spooky Treats for Kids*
Enjoy a spooky drink while watching a demonstration on how to make Monster Whoopie Pies and Mummified English Muffin Pizzas. Put together a plate to take home. Intended for youth ages 10 and up and their caregiver. Registration required.
The Dead and Rituals of Death
Dealing with death—both in terms of the bodies of the dead and the grief of those left behind—are issues that all societies have to address. Explore some of the diverse ways in which communities deal with bodies, and make sense of death and think about what lies beyond.
Literary Ghost Walk
Join the ghosts of authors past as they haunt the Downtown Bend Library for an evening of fun. Meet the spirits of writers like Edward Gorey, Dorothy Parker, Shel Silverstein, and more—they’re dying to tell you about their works.
Discover Owls: Denizens of the Dark?
What makes owls so mysterious? Learn about their nocturnal habitats and the roles these birds play in traditional mythologies, while learning about owls of Central Oregon.
Needle-Felted Sugar Skull Ornament*
Decorate a felt sugar skull in celebration of Día de los Muertos using wool and a special needle. This is a great project for beginners who want to try out needle felting, and you can take home a unique ornament. Intended for teens ages 13 and up. Registration required.
For more information about these programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz Goodrich at lizg@deschuteslibrary.org or 541-312-1032.