Local libraries stress joy of reading
Not one, but two Warren County libraries had successful Summer Reading Programs this year. Both Magness library and Morrison library introduced area children to the wonders of reading and the joy of learning.
Both facilities offered a variety of activities designed to entertain and educate participants.
Some of the activities at Magness included a Thomas the Tank Engine Party, a Scooby Doo Party, a picnic and water games at the Civic Center, Bruce Amato’s World of Magic, Popcorn and Movie program with “Dora the Explorer: It’s a Party!” Evening programs were held for the first time at Magness during the Summer Reading Program including, “Vasalisa! the Russian Cinderella,” a delightful Russian folktale told with puppets, and “Jeff Robbins: Entertainer,” a program featuring the music of the Appalachians with handmade instruments.
According to library manager Mary Robbins 220 children registered for the Magness program with an estimated 4,500 books being read.
Donna Anderson, librarian for Morrison Library said the theme for its program was, “Be Major League…READ” which emphasized many different sports. The group met on Tuesday mornings for seven weeks this summer. Themes and speakers for the program included: Soccer with Phillip Smith, Baseball with Jimmy Walker, former WCHS baseball coach and brother of Jaime “Cat” Walker, Swimming with Paige Northcutt, who won a bronze medal in the Olympics and former Warren County swim team coach, Golf and Football with Keith Maxwell, former WCHS girl’s golf coach, and Chris Madewell, WCHS football coach, Gymnastics, with the children demonstrating their gymnastic skill and enjoying a visit from the Looney Balooney Guy, Lonnie Laxton, Dance and Hula with Lindsey and Lauren Prater, Lindsey is a Pioneerette and both girls are Paula’s Dance students, and Karlee Holcomb who is a wonder with kids and a hula hoop, and this activity included a limbo dance among other dance styles, and the final sport covered, Basketball with Monica Moore, the WCMS 7th and 8th grade boy’s basketball coach.
According to Anderson 55 children participated, and listeners listened to 770 books, younger readers read 889 books and older readers read 6,331 pages. First place listener went to Ashley Vandagriff with 142 books, first place Younger Reader was Allison Mingle, and first place Older Reader went to Jonathan Anderson with 2,062 pages.
Both programs were very successful and the two facilities invite local children to participate next year in another summer of great reading.
 Award winners in the Magness Library Summer Reading Program included, front row, from left, Denis Salkie, Samantha Salkie, Daniel Salkie, Gaby Scott, Hannah Lee and Hunter Brock. Back row, Sanel Salkie, Carla Contreras, Adora Scott and Allison Brock. |