101st Summer Reading Program begins

VW independent/submitted information

Brumback Library has spent more than a century providing summer reading and lots of fun for Van Wert County children, and this year is no exception. The library will be holding its 101st annual Summer Reading Program, starting today and running through Saturday, July 23.

This year’s theme, “On Your Mark, Get Set … Read,” will focus upon reading, sports, exercise, nutrition, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In addition, a myriad of events at the Main Library and the five branches will accentuate history, science, mathematics, and technology, along with games, crafts, music, numerous story time sessions, and much, much more.

To jumpstart the program at Main Library, Linda and Maria Bagley will present a “wubbulous” Dr. Seuss program featuring the “Cat in the Hat and Thing One” on Thursday, June 2. Sports and fitness magic with magician Jim Kleefeld will be held Monday, June 6, while musician Tom Sieling will present “Take a Tromp through the Swamp” via music, exercise, and dance on Wednesday, June 8.

In addition, participants of all ages will want to attend “Fun with Mr. Puppet” and Paul Adams’ “Poof Daddy Magic”, as well as special presentations by the Fort Wayne Ballet, “Magic Fun with Tom Phoolery”, a “Meet and Greet Day” with Fort Wayne TinCap players, the Indiana Soarin’ Raptor Rehab Group, a “Go for the Gold” Olympic program with Jeff Wawrzaszek, and two Neil Armstrong Museum presentations — “Mission Nutrition” and “Astronaut Fitness.”

Magic Whiz Larry Wirtz’s program will emphasize the scientific components of sports and nutrition this year, and Tyler Nygren will capture everyone’s imagination and attention with his legendary magic show. Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks will offer a command performance in early June, and then, several weeks later, storyteller extraordinaire Ellen Ford will lead a participatory story program entitled “Dance from our Seats.”

“Good Food with the Good Earth” will emphasize fitness, exercise, nutrition, and healthy living, while Van Wert Smiles Dental Clinic will present a story time that will make everyone smile. The Hammons family will offer several special outdoor activities for all ages and Deb Sealscott will be offering a yoga session for Listening and Reading Club members

Children who have read at least 10 books by June 16 will want to attend the Columbus Children’s Theatre’s presentation of Rumpelstiltskin at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium. On June 21 and 22, the library will sponsor a total of three showings of Finding Dory at Van Wert Cinemas. Then, on June 27, the MadCap Puppet Theatre will present three of Aesop’s Fables at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium. Preregistration for these special events is required, however, and families will need a free ticket to see each of the aforementioned programs.

Young children will want to mark their calendars to attend story time sessions with Bob Evan’s dogs, Biscuit and Gravy, and Ronald McDonald, along with numerous other story time sessions with guest readers, as well as a play written and directed by Ryleigh Hanicq.

Children entering kindergarten through third grade will want to preregister to attend a special craft session with Rehab Fab’s Dawn Cooper. Meanwhile, children of all ages will want to stop by every week for coloring contests, scavenger hunts, walk-in crafts, tickets for free YMCA swims, and Fitness Fridays.

This year’s program will include activities for the following age/grade levels:

The Read-To-Me Club — Infants through toddlers age 2½. Parents are encouraged to read 20 or more titles to their child. Special story times, activities, and drawings will be held.

The Listening Club — Participants age 2½ through children entering first grade in the fall will take part in a variety of stories, games, and activities. Adults and older children are asked to share 20 or more titles with the child and then record these titles on their sheet.

The Reading Club – This group is comprised of students who will be entering grades 2-8 in the fall. All children will be encouraged to read 30 or more titles, in addition to participating in a wide array of programs and events. As always, drawings, prizes, and awards will be offered. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to stop by the library at least once a week to record their child’s titles and check out a few more books.

A children’s carnival has been scheduled near the conclusion of the program to reward the participants for their reading accomplishments. This year, however, children must be registered in the Summer Reading Program by July 1 and read at least 15 books in order to obtain a free ticket for this special event.

Beginning June 1, children can get excited about reading! The library has stories about baseball, basketball, football, soccer, track, golf, etc. It has even more stories about food and nutrition. With so many books wanting to be read, as well as a comprehensive series of programs and activities each week, children and their family members will want to walk, run, bicycle, or roller blade to Brumback Library to take part in this free program.

Funding for each of the aforementioned programs is provided through a series of grants, gifts, and donations. To date, nearly 40 area business and individuals have made and/or pledged their support for this noteworthy program.

Registration begins June 1 and continues throughout June and July. For further details and information, contact the Brumback Library at 419.238.2168 or any of the five branch library sites in Convoy, Middle Point, Ohio City, Willshire, or Wren.