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Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Brumback plans summer reading program

Brumback Library information

The Brumback Library is pleased to announce that its 100th annual Summer Reading Program will be held from Monday, June 1 through Friday, July 31.

This year’s theme, entitled “Every Hero Has a Story,” will focus upon reading, library resources, and services as a pathway to fun, adventure, exploration, and discovery. A myriad of events at the main library and five village branches will accentuate reading, history, science, mathematics, and technology activities, along with games, crafts, music, etc.

A ballerina from the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Ballet dances with a young local boy as part of the Brumback Library's Summer Reading Program in 2012. (VW independent file photo)
A ballerina from the Fort Wayne Ballet dances with a young local boy as part of the Brumback Library’s Summer Reading Program in 2012. (VW independent file photo)

To jumpstart the program at Main Library, storyteller extraordinaire Ellen Ford will be sharing stories about Ohio’s legendary Annie Oakley, Johnny Appleseed, and Mike Fink on June 8, while a Traveling Superhero Show and Mini Museum will take center stage on June 9, and a 100th Summer Reading Program Anniversary Party and Celebration featuring guest readers, games and refreshments has been scheduled for June 10.

In addition, participants of all ages will want to investigate the world of science and magic with Larry Wirtz. Magical entertainers Tom Phoolery and Jim Kleefeld will perform hero magic, while Van Wert’s own Tyler Nygren will be popping in to amaze and delight children once again this summer. Paul Adams, also known as Mr. Molecule, will be hosting a Super Hero Math Show, while Science Central will be offering two programs — “Good Vibrations” and “Math is Right”.

Wapakoneta’s Neil Armstrong Museum will feature Super Astronauts, as well as two superhero programs — “Batman Defying Gravity” and “Superman, Look Up in the Sky!” The Indiana Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehab Group will be visiting the library with a number of their rescued winged friends and the Johnny Appleseed Park District will be conducting a program about bats. In addition, musician Tom Sieling will present a memorable program entitled “Howl at the Moon with a Hero Tune.”

Children who have read X number of books by June 22 will want to register to see The MadCap Puppet Theatre’s presentation of Aladdin at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium and The Columbus Children’s Theatre’s presentation of Sleeping Beauty at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium on July 8. Participants in all three reading groups will also want to register to see Minions on July 13-14 at the Van Wert Cinemas.

A host of area heroes and community helpers will be involved in this year’s Summer Reading Program. A program honoring military heroes of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as Desert Storm, Persian Gulf, and the Iraq War and a current soldier serving in the military will be held on July 2.

Doctors Matthew Miller and Jessica Jeffrey-Mohr will highlight the importance of good health and the roles they play in helping patients of all ages in Van Wert County. Nurse Reesa Rohrs will conduct a workshop on the role of nurses and an explanation of the work they do to help one and all, while George Brake, manager of the Van Wert County Recycling Center, and Officer Stemen and the K-9 unit from the Van Wert Police Department will share their knowledge and expertise with the program’s participants. Retired service dog Maigee and Amber Wiseman will also be visiting the library to talk about that program.

Young children will want to attend story time sessions featuring Ronald McDonald, Bob Evan’s dogs Biscuit and Gravy, and “The Cat in the Hat”, accompanied by Thing One (also known as Linda and Maria Bagley). School-age children and their parents are invited to join Lady Cassandra of Wyndhaven the day she shares her stories of the Renaissance and the Black Horse.

Children of all ages are encouraged to attend story time with Diana DeCamp, who will be sharing her expertise in transforming one’s voice to portray a variety of characters in a story. Children and parents alike will also want to attend a play written and directed by Ryleigh Hanicq.

Numerous story time sessions, combined story and craft times, walk-in crafts, and a number of other activities will be featured throughout the course of the program. Special craft time sessions have been scheduled with Dawn Cooper and Belinda Miller too.

The library is excited that Bobby Spath will once again be offering a Lego challenge for Lego enthusiasts in July. Later in the month, Alison and Brett Hammons and their three children are planning outdoor fun for one and all. Two days later, Angie Hatfield will be offering Zumba lessons for interested participants. Other new activities include Field Trip Fridays. These field trips will include tours of Brumback Library, the Children’s Garden at Smiley Park, Van Wert County Historical Society, the Van Wert Fire Department, and the Fire Museum at Central Insurance Company, as well as other activities.

This summer, the library encourages all of its young readers to bring in canned goods or nonperishable food items, which will be donated to one of three county food banks at the conclusion of the program. In addition, Summer Reading Program organizers are hoping many children will want to write letters to local soldiers to thank them for their service.

This year’s reading 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 games, stories, and activities. Adults or older children are asked to share 20 or more titles with participants and then record these titles on their sheet.

The Reading Club is comprised of students who will be entering grades 2-9 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 participants for their reading accomplishments. Special prizes will be awarded to children who read 100 or more books over the course of the program.

Beginning June 1, children can get excited about reading. There will be stories about real heroes and mythical heroes. From Superman, Wonder Woman, and a wide array of other fabled characters, to presidents, world leaders, doctors, nurses, ministers, authors, artists, parents, and siblings who inspire us, there is something for everyone.

With so many books waiting to be read, a comprehensive series of programs and activities each week, children and their parents and family members will want to flock to the Brumback Library to take part in this free program. Registration begins June 1 and continues throughout June and July.

For further details and information, contact the library at 419.238.2168 or any of the five branch library sites in Convoy, Middle Point, Ohio City, Willshire, or Wren. Funding for each of the Brumback Library’s aforementioned programs is provided through a series of grants, gifts, and donations. To date, nearly 40 area businesses have made and/or pledged their support for this noteworthy program.

POSTED: 05/30/15 at 7:16 am. FILED UNDER: News