 | This year's Top Readers were recognized at a special reception before the SRP finale.
|
This year, our Summer Reading Program participants have outdone themselves! A total of 338 registrants read a whopping 5,093 books! Both numbers are record breakers for Wallkill, and an awesome feat for our readers! Last year, a total of 321 registrants read 3,045 books. We couldn't be prouder of all who took part in this year's SRP. Though everyone who signed up did a great job, there were a select few who went above and beyond to earn themselves the title of Top Reader. They included:  Pre-K: Victoria Perry and Jacob Snyder, who read 120 books each Kindergarten: Kendra DeGroat, with 53 books First Grade: Ayodya Rajapaksha, with 52 books Second Grade: Laura Thorenz, with 84 books Third Grade: Julian Vasquez, with 110 books Fourth Grade: Kailee Ferguson, with 55 books Fifth Grade: Laci Riglioni, with 55 books Sixth Grade: Kaitlin Sprankle, with 106 books Seventh Grade: Madigan Murphy, with 142 books Eighth Grade: Lucas Craner, with 3 books Ninth Grade: Jessica Pullar, with 52 books Tenth Grade: Emily Landsman, with 7 books You can see the complete list of winners here. Every year we try to improve on our SRP, so if there's something you'd like to see done differently (prize giveaways, programming, etc.), please don't hesitate to let us know!! Email children's coordinator Carolyn Thorenz at cthorenz@rcls.org. |
|
|
Animal Embassy closes SRP 2013
 | | Miss Marla snuggles up with a hedgehog during the SRP finale. |
What better way to end this year's Dig Into Reading SRP than with a visit from animals who call the subterranean world home? Animal Embassy brought a variety of burrowing animals to this year's finale, capping off six weeks of exciting programs and events.  Much thanks to this summer's fabulous volunteers:
- Elizabeth and Victoria Bongiovanni
- Lucas and Tobias Craner
- Ada, Chidalu, Ifeatu, and Zimmie Ezedum
- Katie Galt
- Matthew Joyce
- Nicholas Piaquadio
- Liam Oakes
- Ashley Piermarini
- Jessica Pullar
- Ariana Reid
- Hanna Rose
- Cailey Ryther
- Andrew Strobach
- John Winters
- Liam Butler
Thanks also to those who helped with and contributed to this year's SRP, including the Friends of the Wallkill Public Library, the Shawangunk Woman's Club, Perfect Combination Paints, Federal Library Services Technology Act Funds, and Lisa Duhamel and Chris Pray, founders of the Muddy Boots Club.  There wouldn't be a children's program without the long hours and hard work put in by Carolyn Thorenz, children's coordinator, and Christine Adams, children's programming assistant. These ladies work around the clock (and off of it) to pull off SRPs that outdo themselves every year. Thanks, guys! You rock!
|
|
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
The final session of Computers for Adults will be offered this coming Wednesday. A new class will start Sept. 11. Those interested in participating should call the library at 895-3707 or stop at the circulation desk.
Saturday: The Muddy Boots Club will be going on their third and final nature trek - this one along River Road in the hamlet to learn about plant identification, tree families, and more. The Community Farm Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday: Textile Tuesdays take place in the community room of Town Hall between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Wednesday: Computer Class for Adults meets at 7 p.m.
Thursday: The Knit and Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m.
Coming this fall: Two Wallkill Public Library Board of Trustee seats are up for grabs at this year's Sept. 17 election.
Stay tuned at the library and in next week's newsletter for more details on how to run for the positions.
|
|
Percy Jackson display coincides with film
 If the release of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters has put you in the mood for mythology, you can get your fill at the library. Aside from selections from the popular Percy Jackson series itself (including The Lightning Thief, The Titan's Curse, and the book upon which the latest film is based, The Sea of Monsters), the library offers a variety of material for every age. Young readers can check out the graphic novels featured in The Olympians Series by George O'Connor (such as Zeus: King of the Gods and Poseidon: Earth Shaker). Teens and adults can set their sights on The Odyssey (also available in graphic novel form) and nonfiction selections such as Gods, Heroes and Men of Ancient Greece. Remember these call numbers when you're looking to learn more about all things ancient: 183s - Greek philosophy 292s - Greek and Roman mythology 882-882 - Greek writing 930s - History of the ancient world 938s - Ancient Greece And don't forget to browse through our display in the main fiction room the next time you visit the library! |
|
H. G. Wells' Little Wars game still has fans
 You may best know H. G. Wells from his sci-fi classics, such as War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, but did you also know that he devised hobby war games that are being played to this day?
According to BBC News Magazine, the writer came up with the game Little Wars in 1913, when war was brewing in Europe and Wells was looking for an outlet for both his fascination with toy soldiers and his fears about the real-life bloodshed to come.
You can still play the game today - and unlike modern games of gore and slaughter, Wells' has a pacifist moral: "You only have to play at Little Wars three or four times to realize just what a blundering thing Great War must be," he wrote.
|
|
Take a walk on the trail & read a story, too
 Brenda Griffin's Girl Scout Troop 60226 recently put up their latest StoryWalk™ display along the Wallkill Rail Trail. You and your kids can enjoy Whispering in the Park, by Fred Burstein, next time you're walking, skating, or biking down the trail. StoryWalk™ is a way to combine physical activity with literacy as the pages of a book are transformed into signs that are posted for all to peruse as they get their exercise. Because the Girl Scouts are strong believers in fitness as well as literacy, StoryWalk™ was the perfect project for their community. |
|
Kennedy book's claims controversial
 These Few Precious Days: The Final Year of Jack with Jackie, by Christopher Andersen
Those who thought there was nothing else to find out about American royals Jack and Jackie Kennedy will want to take a look at this week's release by the bestselling author of The Day Diana Died.
Andersen's behind-the-scenes look at juicy tidbits that include the Kennedys' rumored affairs and the couple's alleged drug dependence is said to be drawn from interviews conducted with those closest to America's first power couple.
Kennedy's relationship with Marilyn Monroe is dredged up once more for this latest scrutiny of his private life: Andersen asserts that though Jackie was willing to turn a blind eye to her husband's affairs as long as he didn't publicly embarrass her, Monroe troubled her because she was a "loose cannon."
Andersen claims that Monroe even called the first lady and told her Jack had promised to marry her, to which an unfazed Jackie replied, "Marilyn, you'll marry Jack, that's great ... and you'll move into the White House and you'll assume the responsibilities of first lady, and I'll move out and you'll have all the problems."
Decades after JFK's assassination and his wife's 1994 death, people are still fascinated with the glamorous pair, and Andersen's book (People-ish, though it may be) serves as a reminder as to why. It's available now at the Wallkill Public Library.
|
|
Office for the Aging to hold Senior Day
The Ulster County Office for the Aging has scheduled its 16th annual Live, Laugh, and Learn Senior Day of workshops for Friday, Aug. 16. Several new workshops will focus on education and fitness, while other old favorites will be back, as well. Just a few of the programs offered will include:
- Understanding digital cameras
- Tai Chi-like exercises for seniors
- Maintain independence with vision loss
- So you want to be a writer
- Let's Zumba
- Make your garden a retreat
Live, Laugh, and Learn will be held at the Business Resource Center,1 Development Court, Kingston. Registration is $5, and an eat-in lunch is available for $3. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., with workshops starting at 9 a.m. Applications can be picked up at the Office for the Aging at 1003 Development Court, or by calling 340-3456.
|
|
Faire applications available now
Vendor applications are available now for this year's Harvest Faire. The Faire will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21. Spaces are $35 each and are offered this year on a first-come/first-served basis. To be guaranteed a space, vendors must either mail or drop off their payment (made to Friends of the Wallkill Public Library) and application to the library by Sept.16. Those with questions should contact Donna at 742-8461 or jdrich612003@yahoo.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
