Organizers with the 2017 One Story program are encouraging families to spring on down to the Dowagiac District Library Saturday for its penultimate event of the season.

The downtown library will host its annual “Spring Into Your Local Library” event in conjunction with the communitywide reading program from 10 a.m. to noon. Visitors will have a chance to get outside and enjoy the weather during the event, as organizers have lined up a pair of presentations focused on nature that will take place outdoors.

Like other One Story events, “Spring Into Your Local Library” is free and open to visitors of all ages.

To start things off, Jefferson Ballew, a traditionalist with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, will demonstrate traditional fire making methods, using entirely natural materials. During his presentation, Ballew will explain the Potawatomi’s connection to fire and how it played a role in ancient tradition and medicine.

“I’ve seen his demonstration countless times before, but I still feel like I’ve experienced a little miracle every time,” said Kristie Bussler, educational resource specialist with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and lead organizer of the One Story program. “I learn something new every time. It’s really cool.”

Following Ballew’s presentation, Justin Lake, a naturalist hailing from Washington, will share stories and activities with visitors. His presentation will focus on connecting families — primarily children — with nature, explaining why it is important to get outside and appreciate the great outdoors surrounding them.

The event is the second-to-last event scheduled for this year’s One Story program, a collaboration effort by the Pokagon Band, library, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Southwestern Michigan College and the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival. One Story encourages people across the greater Dowagiac region to all read the same book and participate in a slate of events based loosely around themes from the chosen work.

For this year’s rendition, the One Story committee selected two works: “Images of America: Dowagiac” by Steve Arseneau and Ann Thompson, and “I Found No Peace” by Webb Miller. 

This year’s events are based around the theme of “A Sense of Place,” something Saturday’s event will convey as well, through its focus on the outdoors and nature, Bussler said.

With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, the event is also a perfect way for families to enjoy a morning outside, especially these days when it so easy to simply spend the day watching Netflix or browsing Facebook on the couch, Bussler said.

“By experiencing the outdoors and taking in nature, it will open up a whole new aspect for yourself,” she said.

The final One Story event of the year, the annual “Epilogue Feast,” will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Pokagon Band Community Center. The event will feature a traditional Native American banquet, as well as a presentation by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and author who will talk about the region’s wildlife and its importance to Native American culture.

People can pick up free copies of “Images of America: Dowagiac” and “I Found No Peace” at any of the participating One Story partner locations, including the library Saturday. For more information people may visit onestoryread.com.