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NIAGARA, Wis. -- Niagara Public Library's Summer Library Program is family-friendly and welcomes kids and adults of all ages.
This year's theme of kindness, friendship, and unity is titled "All Together Now," said Rebecca Livick, Niagara librarian.
"We will have intergenerational programming, which allows different generations to come together, learn from one another, and form new friendships," she said.
The library also plans to grow its own pizza garden, nurturing it throughout the summer and enjoying pizzas with some fresh home-grown ingredients at the end of summer.
The program will be at 1 p.m. Tuesdays at the pavilion in Heights Park from June 6 through Aug. 8.
The schedule of events includes --
-- June 6: Trains. Would-be train engineers of all ages will have an opportunity to operate toy trains as they learn first-hand about trains of all sizes. Pat Thrasher of Niagara, an amateur railroad historian and model railroader, will present this program. They will have a couple of train stories to read and enjoy.
-- June 13: Worm Composting. This program will explain how worm composting works, then build a worm composting bin. Worm composting recycles food scraps into a valuable fertilizer, known as vermicompost. "Once we have the worm bin, we'll have a weekly worm feeding on Tuesday afternoons," Livick said.
-- June 20: Nature's Art. Special guest Anne Bartels will present a T.O.A.D. -- Teaching Outdoor Awareness and Discovery -- program on nature art. She will talk about how people use natural resources for art, and there will be a short hike to collect natural materials for use in a take-home art project. Materials will be provided.
-- June 27: Dog Tales. Author Lilia Boehmfeldt will share her book "K-9 Rambo Comes To Florence," about the Florence Sheriff Department's K-9 officer. Attendees will learn about service dogs, animals in the military and rescue pets, then work together on a project to donate to Almost Home Animal Shelter. One of Marinette County's K-9s will pay a visit, along with his handler.
-- No programming will take place on July 4.
-- July 11: Rock Painting. After reading a few rock-painting stories, attendees will try creating their own painted rocks to either hide for others to find or to keep as their own treasures,
-- July 18: Butterflies. Once again, guest speaker Anne Bartels will present another T.O.A.D. program, this one on "Flying Colors." She will discuss the butterfly life cycle, types of butterflies, the differences between butterflies and moths, and other related topics. A story is included and several hands-on materials are brought for students. An outdoor "butterfly hunt" may be included if time and weather allow.
-- July 25: Ice Cream. Attendees will learn how ice cream is made, read a couple of ice cream-related stories, then make ice cream to enjoy. They'll have a few toppings available as well.
-- Aug. 1: Chalk the Park with Kindness. Ever created art on the sidewalk? That's what those who attend will do, create their own artwork for the community to see. "We'll 'Chalk the Park with Kindness' on the sidewalk leading to the pavilion," Livick said.
-- Aug. 8: Pizza Party. The Summer Library Program will wrap up with pizzas made with ingredients from the library's pizza garden, along with games, competitions, prizes and treats
Niagara Public Library will, of course, participate in the Summer Reading Challenge, in which kids, teens and adults track their reading time on paper or online at Beanstack. Prizes will be based on number of days read and the age of the participant.
For more information, stop by the Niagara Public Library, 1029 Roosevelt Road, or call 715-251-3236 .