Staff photo / Bob Coupland Canfield resident Maureen Ridel works on a gingerbread house Monday at the McKinley Memorial Library in Niles. The program was for adults with another program for families set for 9:30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Saturday at the library, for those who pre-register.

NILES — Mineral Ridge resident William Ploskodniak said he didn’t mind being the only man spending time Monday creating a gingerbread house, as he and others spent two hours at the McKinley Memorial Library putting their artistic talents to work.

The participants from Trumbull and Mahoning counties had the choice to either leave their gingerbread houses at the library for public display or to take them home.

Linda Knepp, adult reference librarian, said the Monday class was for adults but another gingerbread-making class is planned for 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday for families. Those who want to attend are asked to register at 330-652-1704, Ext. 3.

“Children, parents and grandparents are all invited,” she said.

Knepp said the library is having a gingerbread house contest with entries being accepted through Dec, 7. Entries will be accepted from adults, teens, youth ages 8 to 12 and children under 7. The entries will be displayed through Jan. 2.

Ploskodniak and others were able to choose “Elf on the Shelf,” “Frosty the Snowman,” or “Peanuts” gingerbread-house kits.

Kathy Krantz of Niles signed up and selected the “Elf on the Shelf” kit but admitted she lifted it the wrong way and it fell apart so she had to select another kit with Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

“I attend a lot of the library programs and this one looked like fun,” she said.

Krantz said gingerbread houses are usually edible, but it was not the case at the library because some of the candy and decorations were affixed with hot glue.

“It was at times a messy project with all the icing, but we had a lot of fun.” Krantz said.

“This helps get you in the holiday spirit,” said Canfield resident Maureen Ridel, who was decorating her gingerbread house with Frosty the Snowman.

“It’s a great way to spend a Monday afternoon being creative,” Niles resident Nancy Snider said, decorating her gingerbread house with “Peanuts” characters.

She has also attended the wreath- and ornament-making programs held in recent weeks.

“The library wants to showcase as many of the gingerbread houses from the public,” Knepp said.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com