Super-Readers
For the past four years Library Director Kristy Wallace has organized a summer reading program for independent readers in grades kindergarten completed through 12 completed called "Summer Super-Readers."
Participants are encouraged to complete all six benchmarks [S-U-P-E-R & READER] by reading for grab-bag prizes and raffle ticket chances for larger prizes. This summer reading program does not require that the participant read books at the library. Readers can check out books from the library or read books from home. The program always begins the first Monday after school lets out and continues for 6 weeks, ending in July. This year registration starts Monday, June 14, and the program ends Friday, July 23.
Article Photos
Photo by Nancy Holmberg
Super Readers
Summer Super Readers and Raffle Prize winners from 2009: Seebe Proper (left) and Scotlyn Seyler (right)
"Within last year's six-week time period, local kids from K-3rd grade read over 697 books!" stated Wallace. "Kids from 4th-8th grade read over 22,450 pages and teens from 9th-12th grade read over 21,650 pages just last year. This is an incredibly important, fun, and educationally sound program for our community to support. Each year the number of participants has increased and we're excited to be able to offer the program (albeit modified due to financial cuts) for a 5th year."
"I also can't emphasize enough how grateful we are for the support from local businesses (in the form of gift certificates and prizes). Their generosity and support of the program from its beginning has been overwhelming. Without donations from Youngsville Dairy Queen, Simple Dick's, Down Under, and Valley Bowling we couldn't offer as many gift certificates for reading prizes as our budget is too small." Wallace stated. "This year we are still trying to find a sponsor for top Readers to receive a T-shirt (like they did in years past). We welcome any donations that community members would like to make to supplement this year's Super Readers program; just $5 or $10 dollars will help us provide gift-card raffle prizes for this year's summer readers or will be used towards the purchase of Warren County Fair Tickets (for raffle-prizes)."
"Although it is disheartening to think that a Summer Reading program has to be viewed as a luxury and not a necessity, when looking at our reduced budget, we still know that it is important to offer some type of summer reading program for kids, tweens, and teens. This is why we are confident that participation in this program will continue to grow. It has each year. And, our community will meet the challenge of supporting this educationally sound program for the youth in our community."
Any person interested in donating items, certificates, or a monetary gift to Youngsville's Summer Super Reader program, please contact the library at 563-7670 during business hours: Monday and Tuesday, noon until 7:30 p.m., Wednesday. 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Friday noon until 4 p.m.
Vacation Bible School
The Irvine Christian Education in concert with others will be providing another exciting Vacation Bible School (VBS) beginning June 13 through June 17 from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Irvine Presbyterian Church.
This year's theme is "SonQuest Rainforest". Kids will enjoy an amazing journey deep into a vivid Rainforest where they will experience, in sight and sound, a variety of God's creation. On their adventure they will encounter God's word in Bible stories and parables, as well as, crafts, games, songs and snacks.
There is no fee as it is sponsored by the Irvine Presbyterian Church. Sign up, which includes filling out a registration form, is on the first night on June 13, at 6:15 p.m. Each participant must be accompanied by a parent, friend or guardian. Ages, the grade your child will be enter in the 2010-2011 school year, are as follows: Pre-school ages 3 to 5 years of age; Grades 1 and 2 ages 6 and 7; Grades 3 and 4 ages 8 and 9; and Grade 5 ages 10 and 11. Enter at the side door from the blacktop parking area leading into the "Rook Oviatt" fellowship room. Parents are asked to pick up their child/children promptly at 8:30 p.m. so that the leaders may prepare for the next day and arrive home at a reasonable time. Area children whose church is not providing a Vacation Bible School program are welcome.
Human flag
From the students who painted the lines on the grass to those who fashioned unique red, white, and blue hats out of paper, 750 participants made it a grand occasion.
Veterans, dressed in white, waited underneath a tent while school children and teachers filed out onto the field and assumed their places. Then, came out the veterans, positioned in a place of honor as the stars, two of whom were from World War II, and finally community members filled in the rest of the flag.
Then, just as if planned, a bald eagle soared overhead. A minute later, the aerial photo airplane flew into view and pictures were taken. Band Director Cindy Scheid's 8th grade band students played The Star Spangled Banner during the event. The assembly agreed, it was a moving moment at Youngsville Elementary Middle School.
Love INC
members train
More than 60 people and 14 church denominations were present at the first Love INC informational meeting on Friday night, May 21. The group, which was hosted by the Pittsfield Otterbein Church, was introduced to two representatives from the Minneapolis headquarters of Love INC, who provided the evening presentation.
An explanation of the outreach capacity of Love INC showed how being a part of a network of various churches enables people to reach out to those in need in a much greater way. After a power point presentation, a question and answer period followed. During the refreshment time, the local chapter of Love INC had tee shirts, pens, and mugs available for those who wished to buy.
On Saturday, a large group returned to the church for an intense workshop-training session, during which members learned how to establish the Love INC network to be more effective.
Love INC of the Brokenstraw Valley is excited to move ahead with plans to reach out to those in our area in a tangible way, to meet needs and show God's love to those around us. According to Shelley Holcomb, organizer, "It was an exciting turnout. We are overwhelmed with all that was brought before us and we are beginning to work immediately."
Relay for Life
Coming June 25 and 26 the Revitalization Of Youngsville Association (ROY) and the Saron Lutheran Church have formed a team to walk for Relay for Life to help raise money for Cancer Research. They are asking people to support the walkers financially by calling Barb Luce at 563-4936 and donating whatever you can, from $5 to a $100, to the help to fight cancer.
ROY to meet
The monthly general meeting of the Revitalization Of Youngsville Association will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 8 at the Youngsville Public Library. It is an open meeting. General meetings are a time when all the ROY committees report on the activities they are working on. At June's meeting the Corn Festival Committee will going over the planned events for the festival. ROY has several committees and sub-committees, who meet at various times during the days and evenings other then the ROY general meeting. Call Organization VP Helga Laibacher 563-4959 for information.
Fundraiser
Thursday, June 3, between 5 p.m.and 8 p.m. the Youngsville Free Methodist Church members will be serving at the Warren Pizza Hut, 25 Pennsylvania Avenue East, Warren for a mission fundraiser. The church gets all tips and 15% of the sales on the buffet.
R.O.Y. May
meeting minutes
ORGANIZATION:
Helga reported that the T-shirts and mugs for year round sales will say "all tracks lead to Youngsville". The membership/sponsorship drive is at 140 (combined), the garage sale that was held April 30th thru May 1 raised $700 and the Mother's Day basket that was on display at the drug store profited $300. Helga stated that the introduction of the new directory, that there were 5000 made.
Michele Holcomb, Acting Director for the LOVE, INC gave a brief overview of what they do and how the program works. LOVE, INC. stands for "Love In the Name of Christ" For the past year; representatives of ten area churches have been working to bring a chapter of LOVE, INC. to the Brokenstraw area. Finally they are now affiliated, with the national headquarters in Minneapolis and they will meet with representatives for information and training. This is a program were people can help by donating food, clothing, furniture, or just a little bit of time. The need is great in our region. There will be a meeting held May 21st and May 22nd at the Pittsfield Otterbein Church. Residents of the Youngsville Community and outlying Brokenstraw area are invited to attend. Michele began by volunteering for the needy with soup kitchens and re-sales. At this time a video was presented.
PROMOTION:
Theater Camp starts July 19th and goes through July 24th. The children will present two performances to the public on Saturday, July 24 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The budget for the Children's Theater was presented with income, expenses and total expected profit.
Relay for life will be held June 25th at Betts Park. The ROY organization and the Saran Lutheran Church will walk as a team. All money that is raised will go towards the Cancer Research.
DESIGN:
A report was given that all preliminary work is done for streetscape and now we are just waiting for the go ahead by PennDOT. At this time the Recovery Act application is in Washington. Pastor Rick came in to review the Bike/Hike trail and he informed the committees that more paper work needs to be done.
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING:
The Connect 2 Community Conference was held May 5th with Harold and Barb Luce, Ellie Dunn, Ken Quinn, Kathy Reitinger and Sonia Probst in attendance. Ellie Dunn gave a review of what went on and Barb Luce said that Kathy Reitinger was pleased that Youngsville attended.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Townie Award will be held June 15 in Lancaster, PA.
Next ROY meeting will be Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 8AM at the Library.
Golf outing
The 2nd Annual Youngsville Wrestling Boosters Golf Outing will be held on Sunday, June 13.