Gravette library celebrates children’s summer reading

GRAVETTE — Participants in the children’s summer reading program at the Gravette Public Library gathered Tuesday, July 9, for a “Mission Accomplished” celebration and magic show. The event was the culmination of a fourweek program in which the children kept track of their reading and were rewarded with beads for time spent reading and special beads for completing weekly challenges.

Seventy-five children were enrolled in the summer reading program this year, according to library director Karen Benson. Children in the program recorded 653 hours of reading time during the four weeks, 77 more hours than last year, although this year’s program covered a shorter time span. Most of the children attending the Tuesday celebration wore necklaces created with the beads they earned and were noticeably proud of their achievements.

The children met at 10:30 each Tuesday morning for a series of programs known as an Astronaut Boot Camp and attended sessions of Story Time from Space. The four sessions covered The Universe, The Race to the Moon, Mars Exploration and Future of Space Exploration. Craft activities related to the space exploration theme were enjoyed.

Magician Alan Burdick, from Lowell, kicked off the show with several fascinating magic tricks. During his show, he taught the children some facts about black holes, wellknown astronauts and the U.S. space program and pointed out books in the library that told about space exploration.

Each summer reading program participant received a certificate and a T-shirt designed by library clerk Artemis Edmondson. Shirts were provided by the Bank of Gravett. Bank president Brian Glenn, marketing director Debbie Strickland and senior vice-president/loan officer Sundee Hendren were on hand to help distribute shirts to each child. Drawings were held for a number of books and prizes donated by area businesses.

Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Magician Alan Burdick, from Lowell, points out books about space exploration during his presentation Tuesday, July 9, at the Gravette Public Library. Burdick’s magic show was a popular feature of the library’s “Mission Accomplished” celebration ending the children’s summer reading program. Assisting with the program are library volunteers Audrey Ratledge and Katie Trimble.

Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Alan Burdick, a magician from Lowell, tells the children at Gravette Public Library’s “Mission Accomplished” program about black holes. The presentation was one of several mystifying tricks Burdick performed during his show at the summer reading program’s annual finale Tuesday, July 9, at the library.