Library is the fun place to be this summer

Hello again, Pea Ridge family.

I hope you are all staying cool so far in this heat we've had, and if not, come to the library!

This summer seems to be racing passed as our events are starting to wind down in preparation for the start of school on Aug. 14.

Speaking of events, the saying "time flies when you're having fun" couldn't be truer regarding last Thursday's Autumn Place visit. Librarian, Alex Wright, took some of the summer reading youth as well as other children who volunteered to tag along to Autumn Place where they shared their love of reading while practicing literacy skills by reading aloud to the many of the residents who joyously joined them. Afterwards everyone participated in some healthy competitive Bingo rounds of which were thoroughly enjoyed by all in the group. The festivities ended with some delightful cookies and Kool-Aid graciously provided by Autumn Place for the children and talks of a similar event were already starting to bud as parents and kids alike all departed with nothing but smiles on their faces and new friendships with the residents of our lovely retirement community!

The remaining events for the July calendar are:

• July 26 -- 10: 30 a.m. "Be Active" Storytime & Craft

• July 28 -- 3 p.m. Teen Origami Class for ages 13-18

• July 29 -- Last day for Summer Reading children to turn in submission for the bookmark competition

• July 31 -- 4 p.m. Teen T-shirt book tote craft for ages 13-18

We are now taking gently used book donations for kindergarten through 12th grade to be given away to students at the upcoming Back to School Bash on Aug. 5. Please bring any and all donations to the library and let the one of us know the books are for this exceptional event that Bright Futures hosts for our town.

Parents of Summer Reading children, please be sure that you're bringing your child's reading logs to the library each week for Mrs. Wright to total their reading times. Everyone is doing a fantastic job this year and we are very excited to see who wins the grand prize in each grade. Regardless of who wins, each of these students will have improved their reading skills from all their hard work over this summer vacation and they are ALL winners in our little librarian hearts.

The program will end Aug. 4, so be on the lookout for our next calendar to see what we have planned for their prize day.

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Editor's note: Megan Bryant is the director of the Pea Ridge Community Library. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. She can be reached at the library at 451-8442.