June 18, 2008 Citizen News Library column

Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Library have jumped on the “Go Green” bandwagon with their latest fundraiser. They are offering reusable shopping/beach/multi-purpose bags for $2.50 in five colors: blue, aqua, purple, green and red. The bags are on display in both the Adult and Children’s departments. Please come by and take a look at the colors and size of these bags and consider purchasing one, two or more to help their cause. These bags have been a big hit with those who are conservation conscious and more than willing to help the Friends in their fundraising efforts.

Upcoming Adult Programs

Weds., June 18, Page Turners, 6:45 pm. This month’s selection is Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky.

Upcoming Children’s Programs for June/July

Friday, June 20, ‘Twas the Night Before Summer, 6:30-7:15 pm. A storytime for children age three and up to celebrate summer’s arrival.

Weds., June 25, Summer Reading Kickoff! City Winds Trio, 6:30-7:30 pm. This musical trio will perform an interactive musical program “Catch the Music Bug.” They will be using Flight of the Bumblebee and the Two Insect Pieces to introduce the children to music and the instruments of an orchestra. Children will learn about rhythm, melody, conducting an orchestra, participate in movement and get to play a violin. This program is appropriate for children ages four and up and their families. Registration will begin on June 11.

Thurs., June 26, Get Ypnotized with Molly Moon, 10:30 to 11:45 am. Set out on an intriguing journey with Molly Moon and design your own t-shirt. Participants will receive a copy of Molly Moon’s Incredible Book of Hypnotism. This program is geared for children in Grade Three and up.

Tues., July 1, Busy Bees, 10:30-11:15 am. Artist Beth Cunningham will demonstrate a paper sculpture bee and create them with children in Grades Three to Five.

Weds., July 9, ANTS (Arts and Nature Together with Science) 10:30-11:15 am. Elyse Felicione will lead children ages four to six in activities based on science and nature. Children will make a bug suncatcher garden stake.

Thurs., July 10, Bugs Don’t Bug Me, 10:30-11:30 am. Former New Fairfield science teacher, Jack Dube will present a fun and informative program about the unusual bugs around us. Children can bring in a bug for identification. All insects will be treated carefully and returned to the wild. For Grades K-Five.

Friday, July 11, The Ant with the Red Pants, Author and Illustrator Visit. Author Joe Osowski will encourage children to be storytellers and illustrator Michael Smith will demonstrate how he creates pictures and characters from basic shapes. For kindergarten and up.

Monday, July 14, Incredible Insects, 6:30-7:30 pm. For Grade One and up. Join Elyse Felicione to learn about amazing insects and create your own magnetic fuse bead insect.

Weds., July 16, ANTS, 10:30-11:15 am. Elyse Felicione will lead children ages four to six in learning about the caterpillar’s journey to becoming a butterfly. Children will decorate a hanging butterfly.

Weds., July 16, Bug Art, 6:30-7:30 pm. Katie Stevenson will assist children in creating a bug sculpture. For Grades One to Three.

Weds., July 23, The Art and Science of Beekeeping, 4-5 pm. A demonstration of beekeeping equipment, parts of a beehive, types of bees and how honey is harvested. Weather permitting, an observation hive with live honeybees will be displayed. For Grade K and up.

Weds., July 30, Pajama Storytime, 6:30-7:30 pm. Children age three and up can wear their pj’s, bring a bedtime cuddly and listen to stories.

Friday, July 31, Wigglers, Tumblers and Suckers, 10:30-11:30 am. Join Jack Dube and have fun learning about awesome creatures such as whirligig beetles and water bugs that live in our local ponds. For Grades K-5. Summer Reading

Our 2008 “Catch the Reading Bug” summer reading program begins on Wednesday, June 25 at 10:15 am and runs to Wednesday, August 6 at 7 pm. We have two programs, Birth through Grade Five, and Grades Six through Twelve. Sign up anytime during the six-week program and earn coupons and raffle tickets. The Reading Desk opens at 10:15 am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and 1:15 pm on Friday and runs until one hour prior to closing. It’s easy, painless and small children who do not read yet may participate.

We’d like to thank the following merchants for their generosity in supporting our summer reading program with coupons for goodies at their places of business: Pete’s Place, New Fairfield Mobil, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s, Shaw’s, Sarah’s Gift-N-Ship, A.Christopher’s, Sprinkles, Bruno’s Pizza, Goodie Shoppe, New Fairfield Luncheonette, and New Fairfield Subway. Please support these businesses and give them a big “thank you!” When redeeming summer reading coupons, please note that the child must be present so that the merchants can see the benefit of their goodwill to the children. We’d also like to thank the Friends of the Library for their generous financial support of all the individual programs and prizes offered during this six-week period. There would be no summer reading program without the Friends as our program budget could not include this additional expense. Thank you also to all the volunteers who have signed up to work the Reading Desk. This is a team effort and when all the pieces come together, it’s a wonderful program for the children!