The end of Mendon Library’s Summer Reading program took place in Harry Allen Park. Photo provided by Mendon Library
The “Tails and Tales” Summer Reading Program brought our community out to read, create, and share new experiences. Due to COVID concerns, we held most of our Summer Reading programs outside and around town. With the help of the Town, Village, local leaders, and area businesses, we were able to share some great books, get to know our community a bit better, and had lots of fun in the process.
Children read a lot as part of Summer Reading! Of the 86 kids who turned in reading logs, over 1600 books were read by those who counted books and more than 18,000 minutes of reading was achieved by those counting minutes. Children completing the reading logs received a clip-on book light! Some children also received special prizes, including Milo Kittleson winning Genesee Country Museum passes, Annabelle Fitpatrick winning Seneca Park Zoo Passes, Chase Parkes with RMSC passes, Abby Flagg with reading t-shirt, and Emily Wells with KEVA Color Bricks.
Sixteen teens read more than 56 books! Teens submitted book reviews for books read. We had four winners for the $25 Visa Gift Card (Austin Coyle, Rachael Garvey, Grace Martin, and Wyatt Wieboldt). Teen volunteers included Kailey Annessi, Jocelyn Berthin, Robert Brown, Nate Conner, Nino D’Anna, Grace DeClerck, Abby Garvey, Rachael Garvey, Ella Heminway, Paul Iacobucci, Eva Jackson, Kathryn McRae, and Landon Somoskca.
Mary Courtney won the adult prize for the adult book review drawing, a $50 gift card to HFMP/MMMP. Lynn Albright won the Summer Fun Pack prize for book the Summer Reading Challenge. Connie Corsica, Robin Long, Mary Anne Magee, Cathy Rawlins, Judy Plum, and Nancy Yohannes were valued adult volunteers.
Amazingly, we had nearly 1000 people attend a Summer Reading Program event. It was great fun to meet around the Village both at Harry Allen Park and Rotary Park. Off Site, we visited 20 Deep Winery, EquiCenter, Lazy Acres Alpaca Farm, Wild Wings, among other fine spots. We were thrilled to have special guest readers including Deric and Amy West, Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes, State Senator Samra Brouk, Town Supervisor John Moffitt, Village Mayor Rick Milne, Friends President Nancy Holtby, HF Fire Chief David Hood, Mendon Fire Person Sierra Marchese, and Principals Jeanine Lupisella and Allison Cimmerer.
The Mendon Public Library offers the Summer Reading Program to the community thanks to generous grants from Honeoye Falls Market Place, Mendon Meadows Market Place, M&T Bank, and support from the Friends of the Mendon Public Library. In addition, the library is incredibly thankful to all our fantastic volunteers.
Next year’s program theme is “Oceans of Possibilities” focused on oceanography.
