Western Story Time

This week's Story Time went west. Mr. Jason & Miss Angela read Skippyjon Jones by Judith Schachner, Farmer Brown Sheers his Sheep by Teri Sloat, and The Golly Sisters go West by Betsy Byars. We also sang "My Home's in Montana" and listened to the Roy Roger's classic "Happy Trails." Join us on July 24 for our favorite stories.

Perusha peruses the Library

Perusha the cat came to visit us for Wednesday's Fun at 1:00 summer program. She brought her friend, Angela Sandoval, to talk about her home, the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter. Perusha was very patient as all the kids petted her, and she listened eagerly to the story that Angela read. Then the kids made cat and dog puppets, to entertain Perusha and themselves.

Buddies at Story Time

On July 10, our story time was all about buddies. We read A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom, Hondo and Fabian by Peter McCarty, George and Martha by James Marshall, and Annie Bananie by Leah Komaiko. We also sang "The More We Get Together" in both English and Sign Language. Please join us for Western Day on July 17.

Summer Reading Program Takes Flight

Wednesday's Fun at 1:00 program welcomed the Montana Raptor Conservation Center (MRCC). Becky and Shaun, our visitors from MRCC taught the participants about the types of raptors that are found in Montana. The highlights of the afternoon were the two live raptors that are ambassadors of the program. Bu (pronounced Boo), a great horned owl, and Pilgrim, a turkey vulture, made guest appearances. Both birds are unable to survive on their own in the wild; instead, they travel around to help spread the word about how to identify and help raptors. To learn more about the MRCC visit their website http://montanaraptor.org

Math Wiz Club

Belgrade students have had an opportunity to stretch their math skills at the library during the past few weeks. The Math Wiz Club has been meeting in the library community room on Tuesday afternoons to play the Math Wiz card game. The club encourages students to use their math savvy, learn new skills, make friends, and have fun. The club is open to students in grades k-12 and meets at 3:00 on Tuesdays through the end of July. If you (or your child) would like to join, please come a few minutes early to register. Check out the Math Wiz website at http://www.rayzorsharpent.com/

Mardella Brock Displays Pottery @ the Library

Stop by the Belgrade Community Library to see the fanciful ceramics by Bozeman artist, Mardella Brock, whose wares are in the display case during July and August. She has been working in ceramics for more than thirty years, a hobby turned occupation. Although her work is mostly functional items such as bowls and dinnerware, most of the items she has chosen for the summer display at the library are more whimsical.

Red, White, and Blue Story Time

Our most recent Story Time was a celebration of the Fourth of July. To start the celebration we read festive books including Meet our Flag, Old Glory by April Jones Prince and Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer. We also read Yankee Doodle by Patti Goodnow and sang the tune.

Of course, no Independence Day celebration is complete without a parade and fireworks. We made red, white, and blue streamers and marched around the library to the music of John Philip Sousa before settling down for a "virtual" fireworks show.

There will not be a Story Time this week (sorry!) because of the holiday, but please join us again on Friday, July 10 for more books and more fun.

Our Chamber of Commerce Director Reads

Debe Youngberg, Director of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, read a story at the family story time called Our Community Reads at the library on Thursday. Besides reading, she told children about her childhood experiences at the library. Some of her favorite books were ones that are still popular today: Curious George, Little House On the Prairie, and The Boxcar Children.

The next event in the Our Community Reads series will be on Thursday, July 9, at 6:00, featuring the guest reader, the editor of the Belgrade News, Andy Malby .

Fun at 1:00 Music Rocks

We had lots of rockin' fun at today's summer program with retired teacher JoAnne Ellison, who led us in reading and singing old favorites. Using recycled materials, the kids created their own maracas to add rhythm to "B-I-N-G-O," and "This Land is Your Land." Watch a brief glimpse of the excitement in the clip below.

We will not meet next Wednesday in celebration of the July 4th holiday. On July 8th, our guest presenter is the Montana Raptor Conservation Center with their live animals and fascinating stories.

Belgrade Adult Book Club

The Belgrade Adult Book club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month. This month book club is on, Thursday, June 25th, at 6:30 p.m. The selection of the month is, The Surrounded, by D'Arcy McNickle. Please join our growing group!