Take advantage of summer programs at the McGregor Public Library
Summer reading programs at the McGregor Public Library are centered around the theme “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” and “Camp iRead.” On June 13, children’s librarian Luana Stiemke helped attendees create camp nametags and led them through the interactive story “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” shown here. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Monday’s campfire cooking program also focused on a camping staple: s’mores. Stiemke read a book about marshmallows, then attendees got to create “walking s’mores,” baggies filled with marshmallows, chocolate chips and graham cracker cereal.
Kids were even challenged to use marshmallows and pretzel sticks to create shapes and towers.
The McGregor Public Library’s summer reading program, under the theme “Read Beyond the Beaten Path,” is underway. Families are invited to join special Monday and Wednesday programs.
Mondays
June 20: Cooking program for PK-second grade from 1 to 2 p.m. and “Cooking on a Can” (campfire cooking) for third grade up from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
June 27: Cooking program for PK-second grade from 1 to 2 p.m. and “Solar Ovens” program for third grade and up from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
July 11: Nature crafts for all ages from 2 to 3 p.m.
Wednesdays
June 15: “Making Paper Hats,” 1 to 2 p.m., followed by a family program for all ages from 3 to 4 p.m. Hatter David Gibson will tell attendees how and why he makes hats (and why he’s not a Mad Hatter).
June 22: Make yarn birds using wrapping methods or pom poms from 1 to 2 p.m. Meet bird researcher Jon Stravers, who has tracked red-shouldered hawks for over 30 years and whose data on cerulean warblers helped certify Iowa’s first globally important bird area. Stravers also will share his music from Big Blue Sky from 3 to 4 p.m.
June 29: Mud Day! Enjoy worm races and mud painting from 1 to 2 p.m. At 3 to 4 p.m., there will be a family program for all ages, featuring Dave Troester of the Wisconsin DNR
July 6: Rock painting with the Clayton County librarians. Attendees will play games and everyone will get to paint rocks from 3 to 4 p.m. Rocks and paints provided.
July 13: Play pioneer games from 1 to 2 p.m. Then, come with the group to the McGregor Historical Museum, where Brandon Wild will have a history detective activity set up from 3 to 4 p.m.
July 20: Stop by for summer carnival games from 3 to 4 p.m., with prize drawings at 4 p.m.
A reminder that preschool storytime is also held every Tuesday, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The library also has supplies for kids to use any time they stop in, including yarn for nature weaving and material for sit-upons. Check back for a possible drama camp in August.
