Been Busy!

Well, I've finally gotten past the 50 post mark! And it's June! We've been so busy with the library programs. I had no idea how hard it was to get the kids (and myself) up and fed and cleaned up and ready to go by 10(well, we're supposed to BE there by 10, he he). That's earlier than anything else we normally do (church is at 11; we don't go to Sunday school because the kids are too young to have a class). Doing it three times a week is nothing but challenging. And then we go to the park afterward, so we need hats and sunscreen and drinks too. Whew! But to give you an idea of exactly what's been going on, I'll give you a sneak peek at what will be in the papers here in Westville.

The Reading Bug is Going Around
By Mandi Goforth

It’s officially summertime! The John F. Henderson Library has kicked off its official summer reading program, “Catch the Reading Bug!” Get ready for some fun and excitement in Westville as many of our favorite entertainers return, as well as some new faces. If you’ve just learned about the program, you’ll be disappointed to know that you missed the first day of registration on May 28, where the first 100 kids received a free bug catcher. On May 29, the famously hilarious Teresa T the magicianess came to astound us with her program “Grubs, Slugs, Magical Bugs.” The audience gasped as she used various volunteers to produce boxes of flowers out of an empty paper bag, turned cards into bugs (don’t worry, they were plastic) and the really amazing trick: putting a popped balloon animal into a paper bag, blowing it up and popping it, then pulling the restored balloon animal out of the bag! How did she do that? Well, you might not find out exactly how it was done, but she did have DVDs and magic kits to try for yourself. They’re still on sale, even if you missed the show, at http://www.castlewoodshows.com/. You missed a great show, but don’t worry, there are plenty more to catch before the month is out. For a preview of this week’s special performances, don’t miss Toddler Tuesdays at 10, when a very special volunteer reads books for that energetic little doodlebug in your life. On Wednesday, June 4 the Science Museum of Oklahoma will present Bug Grossology! Maybe we’ll find out that bugs aren’t so gross after all (though some of us may doubt it). On June 5, everyone is invited to Act, Sing and Dance with Kirsten, Queen of Theatre! This sounds perfect for all the little drama kings and queens that are so bored now that school is out. Don’t let them sit at home when they could be learning and growing at the library. Better yet, come along with them, you just might learn to like bugs.

That was last week. To be printed in the near future is:
Let’s All Go Eat Worms
By Mandi Goforth

Where in Westville can you pet a cockroach, see a scorpion with a black light, eat a mealworm and get to be an ant or a grasshopper in spur-of-the-moment theatre? Nowhere else but the John F. Henderson library! This past week’s festivities have been nothing less than life altering. At least for those who were brave enough to eat a baked, buttered, and barbequed meal worm. Samuel, age 8, said it tasted like peanuts. Vivian, 6, wasn’t so sure exactly what it tasted like, but her mother did get a very nifty photo on her camera phone to serve as proof that she tasted it. Most of the adults, however, were more than happy to sit in the back as the Science Museum of Oklahoma presented their “Bug Grossology!” on Wednesday. College aged presenter, Drew, did the talking and holding of bugs while his buddy Blake mixed up a batch of hemolymph, green slimy bug blood for the kids to take home. Everyone got a chance to inspect all of the guest bugs after the presentation, as well as an invitation to the Omniplex in Oklahoma City for Summer Day Camps. If you’re interested in sending your little scientist to the Omniplex for a week of overnight, scientific fun, call 405.602.6664 for more information. Thursday’s entertainment came in the form of Kirsten, Queen of Theatre, complete with crown and scepter. Volunteers were chosen to act out the story of the Grasshopper and the Ants. After the play, Ditzy Daisy came out to read a story, but not without the enthusiastic sound effects of the children. Then it was Sassy’s turn as she got six brave audience members to do a song and dance routine to the old favorite “Let’s All Go Eat Worms.” They also got to eat worms, but to everyone’s relief, they were gummy worms.
Next week’s fun starts with a special program on Monday as Oklahoma Ag in the Clssroom shows us how to ‘Be A Bug Scout.’ Tuesday is Toddler Tuesdays, just for the little ones. Wednesday is not to be missed as puppeteer Joann McMillan brings her Flying Heart Theatre for a showing of “Don’t Bug My Garden!” Thursday, be sure to bring the whole family, even Dad, for a rip-roaring presentation from Gary Owen the ventriloquist. Guaranteed to make the biggest humbug bust a gut laughing, this is family fun at its finest. Come ‘Catch the Reading Bug’ at the library!