By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
The sun may have been approaching the mid-point in its daily journey across the sky, but when the children entered the Community Room at Keller Public Library on Wednesday, it was another – twilight – world.
The premiere of this summer’s children’s reading program at the library was held Wednesday, and the Community Room at the library was transformed into a nighttime world – complete with fluffy clouds, stars in the sky, some nocturnal creatures lurking around, and a big crescent moon keeping watch.
The summer program's theme this year is "Dream Big - Read!"
With songs, stories and fun times from a host of young people and adult guides, the children at the Story Hour was filled with songs and stories read by a team of special readers. The children sat on the “Story Hour” rug and on laps offered by mothers and grandmothers – and soaked up the activities and stories.
Led by Library Assistant Rita LeBeau, the young people and adults led the younger ones one a nighttime journey - complete with songs, stories, rhymes and fun. LeBeau led the fun time with guitar in hand, and learned about the stars and the nighttime world and nodding off into dreamland.
The darkened room, combined with bedtime stories and songs, almost had the young crowd nodding off for a moment or two - almost!
Readers this week included Mary Ann Taylor, Marianne Bruce, Betsy Taylor, Delisa Stize and Lindsey J. Schlief.
And as the young ones and adults left after their hour-long time at the library, they received - what else - but child-size Moon Pies!
Library Director Pam Trammell reported that 189 children and adults found their way into the nighttime story time on Wednesday.
"That's the largest ever recorded at Summer Reading," Trammell said.
The traditional Story Hour program is free, and held at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays for six weeks during the summer.
Next Wednesday, June 20, is “We’re Going on a Campout” day at Story Hour. The celebration will begin at 11 a.m.
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By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
When you dream – you might as well “dream big”. And what better place to dream big than at the Keller Public Library in Dexter.
Children of all ages will enjoy the Dream Big READ! theme this summer at the Keller Library System’s children’s summer reading program. A variety of programs are planned sure to enthuse and capture the imagination of children. According the Library Director Pam Trammell, the programs offer something for everyone, from “reaching for the stars” to learning more about the creatures of the night.
The programs for the six-week program include:
- Wednesday, June 13: Reach for the Stars
- Wednesday, June 20: We’re Going on a Campout!
- Wednesday, June 27: Pajamarama!
- Wednesday, July 3: Where Dreams Come True!
- Wednesday, July 11: Creatures of the Night
- Wednesday, July 18: Nifty Night Crafts
Naturalist Jared Baker will present the program on July 11, with live nocturnal animals from around the world. Other programs will be led by Rita LeBeau of the library staff and music educator Jean Rahm.
All summer story hour programs are free and begin at 11 a.m. The Friends of the Library provide special funding for the programs.
Link of Interest
Keller Public Library in Dexter
Photo Above: Young people help lead the summer Story Hour programs with presenter Jean Rahm. (ShowMe Times archive photo by Annabeth Miller)
WAPPAPELLO LAKE – Wappapello Lake will be a hub of activities next month for families wanting to celebrate Independence Day.
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers will welcome visitors Saturday, June 30, for the Annual Ranger Willie B. Safe’s Wet ‘n Wild Waterfest. This free event is co-sponsored with the SEMO Regional Water Safety Council and will be held at the Redman Creek Beach from 10 a.m.until 4 p.m. Day use fees will be waived at the Redman Creek Beach for the event and concessions will be provided by the Wappapello Volunteer Fire Department.
“Waterfest makes learning about water safety a blast for the whole family,” said Danna Adams, MVS with the Corps at Wappapello. “Take the Waterfest Challenge and build your own cardboard boat and race it. We supply all the materials. Kid’s games will be conducted near the registration booth.”
Activities during the day will include:
- 10 a.m. - Registration/Begin Boat Construction
- 10:15 a.m. - Life Jacket Fashion Show
- 10:30 a.m. - OHIO (Optical Hydro Illusion Obstacle) Challenge
- 11 a.m. - Canoe Races
- 12 noon - Sand Sculpture Contest Begins
- 12:45 p.m. -Inner Tube Races
- 1:30 p.m. - Hypothermia Game/OHIO Challenge
- 2 p.m. - Tug-O-War/Sand Sculpture Judging
- 2:30 p.m. - Water Balloon Toss
- 3 p.m.- Cardboard Boat Races
- Dusk - Fireworks (Visitor Center and Redman Creek Recreation Areas)
For more information, contact the Wappapello Lake Management Office at (573) 222-8562.
Photo Above: Sunset at Lake Wappapello, site of family fun for the Independence Day holiday. (SMT archive photo by Annabeth Miller)
Motorists beware! It’s 100 Mile Yard Sale time
Visitors and residents will be out in full force along Route 25 Memorial Day weekend in search of bargains at the 100-Mile Yard Sale, but Missouri’s Department of Transportation wants motorists and yard sale travelers to remember the greatest savings of the event could be a life.
"It's a fun weekend that people look forward to each year," says MoDOT Traffic Engineer Craig Compas, "but we want people to remember that there's more traffic and more congestion along Route 25 this weekend than any other and drivers need to keep that in mind."
MoDOT has done its part to bring the safety message to the forefront. Message boards will be in place along the route to alert drivers of the unusual traffic patterns and promote safe driving. One such board, for example, has been positioned south of the intersection of Highway 25 and Business Highway 25 South.
"We really want drivers to be alert-to be aware of their surroundings, to be aware of sudden stops and to look for pedestrian traffic," Compas says. "It's a big event locally, and we want everyone to enjoy themselves and be as safe as possible."
Begun 14 years ago, the event stretches from Jackson down Highway 25 all the way to Kennett. And along the way are yard sales featuring mustache cups, dogged-earred books, and treasures waiting to be discovered.
