The Centre County Library and Historical Museum at 200 Allegheny St., Bellefonte, is presenting a songwriting workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 13.

The workshop is free and promises a learning, as well as entertaining, experience that is free and geared toward teens and adults. Presenter Bill Dann, who has written such locally flavored songs as “Thor the Purple Squirrel from Jersey Shore,” will teach the basics of songwriting.

Dann was raised in Milesburg and later moved to the Bellefonte area where he graduated from Bellefonte Area High School in 1978. He worked in radio at WBLF and ran a portable DJ business from 1978 to 2000. Dann contacted Altoona musician Jack Servello four years ago to ask permission to play Servello’s Christmas songs on the radio show. After sending his song lyrics to Servello, Dann was impressed with the speed at which Servello recorded “Stand Back and Marvel at the Cross.”

The two have collaborated on nearly 30 songs since, and many have become viral hits on YouTube. A song, “Heroes Close to Home,” which honors Bellefonte Marine D.J. Emery, was written after Emery was injured in 2007 in Iraq.

Other library events

The library staff is looking forward to a great turnout of attendees to add their own words and ideas to create a unique song about something local. Sally Wiener Grotta has created a celebration in both narrative and visual mediums of those people — blacksmiths, spinners, glass blowers, rug makers and others who keep the traditional trades alive in our country.

The exhibit opens Oct. 5 and runs through the rest of the month.

Grotta’s style with her photography is such that her subjects warm to her and reveal joy and the excitement of discovery as they work and create in their respective fields. A slideshow presentation for the public is at 2 p.m. Oct. 31.

Also planned at the Bellefonte Library in October is an adult book discussion of October’s book, “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake,” by Aimee Bender, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17. Books will be available at the desk.

Skype class at Bellefonte Senior Center

Join tech guru Stefanie at the Bellefonte Senior Center, 203 N. Spring St., and learn about Skype from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 22 and noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 31. Learn how to use your e-readers, smartphones and tablets and read library books for free on your device.

Also, you can check genealogy or local history with expert researchers on hand, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Historical Museum and Pennsylvania Room.

Connie Cousins writes a weekly column about the Bellefonte area. Send her news at ccous67@gmail.com.