Library summer reading program starts next week
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 9 months AGO
File photo Moses Lake Public Library patrons take advantage of a special program in April. The summer reading program kicks off next week with special programs throughout the system, including Grant County libraries.
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | June 15, 2017 4:00 AM
MOSES LAKE — Robots and making musical instruments, poetry, a visit from the Pacific Science Center, puppets, live theater, science experiments – wow. There’s a lot going on during the summer reading program sponsored by the North Central Regional Library.
The library system includes branches from Oroville to Mattawa, including all libraries in Grant County.
“Build a Better World” is the theme for 2017, and many of the activities are focused around science and engineering. Children can sign up for the program at all 30 NCRL libraries.
Special events start June 20 and 21 at most local libraries. Home Depot will sponsor a children’s workshop at 10:30 a.m. June 20 at the Moses Lake Public Library.
The NCRL Puppeteers will perform at 3 p.m. June 21 at the Ephrata Public Library. The Puppeteers have been part of the summer reading program for at least a decade.
Sarah Knox, NCRL’s science-engineering librarian, will present “STEM with Sarah” at 11 a.m. June 21 at the Soap Lake library. Knox’s program features hands-on science demonstrations and experiments. With the focus is on science and engineering, science projects are scheduled at all libraries throughout the summer.
Musician Ian Dobson will bring his show to the Quincy Public Library at 10:30 a.m. June 22. Dobson teaches kids how to use recycled materials to make and play their own musical instruments.
The Puppeteers will perform at the Warden Public Library at 4 p.m. June 22. The troupe will perform at the Royal City library at 11 a.m. June 21.
Special events are scheduled at libraries throughout the summer, including a visit from the Book-It Theater. The Seattle-based troupe presents plays based on children’s books, and its summer presentation is “El Deafo,” an adaptation of a 2015 book about a girl’s struggles with hearing impairment. Book-It Theater appears at 10 a.m. June 29 in Ephrata and at 3 p.m. June 30 in Moses Lake.
The Pacific Science Center will visit the region with its “Volts and Jolts” exhibit, teaching kids about electricity. The Grant County PUD also has a science program for kids, focusing on electricity and hydropower. Children’s book authors and illustrators Erik Brooks and Elisa Kleven will talk about writing books and illustrating at presentations throughout the summer. Singer-songwriter Deb McVay will also be performing at libraries over the summer.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.