[Michlib-l] Summer Reading Program ideas

[Donna Alward]

SUMMER SALSA CHALLENGE! - Last year, instead of flowers, our volunteer gardeners planted tomatoes, cilantro, parlsey, onions, and red and green peppers in the library's front planter.  Bobby Flay was not able to participate but we planned a salsa throwdown, which actually had to be delayed to September (because of cold weather had to plant late and the veggies weren't ripe). 

Dave Christian, Manager at R & J's Best Choice Marketplace Deli, who is known for his own personal recipe, Dave's Sweet Creeper Heat, went tomato-to-tomato with the library's “Old-Fashioned Summer Reading Salsa.”  Youth Services Librarian, Sarah Maddox, a salsa newbie who is not afraid of anything, did the library proud with her version of a fresh, milder sauce made with veggies right out of the library's garden. The library smelled divine!

Got lots of attention and favorable comments during the summer and people were good about watching (not picking) as the garden grew.

Patrons were then invited to treat their taste buds to the fruits (botanically speaking, a tomato is definitely a fruit) of our labor and score each of the salsas.  We had loads of chips and people really enjoyed it.  Dave won but it was tasty, unexpected way to engage all ages!

Tied it into the science theme, didn't cost much, was for all ages, and who doesn't enjoy good free food!

Donna J. Alward, Library Director
Houghton Lake Public Library
4431 W. Houghton Lake Dr.
Houghton Lake, MI  48629
Phone:  989.366.9230
URL:  www.hlpl.org

----- Original Message -----
From: Adrianne Schinkai <amschinkai at gmail.com>
To: Julie Censke <julie.censke at monroe.lib.mi.us>
Cc: michlib-l at mcls.org
Sent: Wed, 06 May 2015 13:07:18 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Summer Reading Program ideas

​Check out geocaching, which is great fun for exploring with kids and
teaching them about nature and technology during the summer. You can find
info at www.geocaching.com!​

On Wed, May 6, 2015 at 11:03 AM, Julie Censke <julie.censke at monroe.lib.mi.us
> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I’m currently in the thick of planning our Summer Reading Program. My
> question is, what are some of your best upcoming Summer Reading Programs?
> I’m especially interested in programs outside of the normal puppet shows
> and local zoo visits.  Thank you in advance to any who are willing to
> share. J
>
>
>
> Julie Censke
>
> Colon Township Library
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
*Adrianne M. Schinkai*
amschinkai at gmail.com

"Information is not knowledge."
-Albert Einstein

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