Safety, Service, and Lessons for a Lifetime

By Margaret Jevic

This past August, two important events took place that help teach kids (and kids at heart) all about safety and service. Safety Village, a camp put on by the Mariemont Preschool Parents Group (MPPG) at the Mariemont Elementary School, is for rising Kindergarteners who learn over the course of a week important lessons for life.

The M.E. gym is transformed into a tiny town with a taped-out road where kids learn about the importance of wearing a helmet while riding their bike, how to safely cross the street, what different traffic signs mean, and how to make good decisions when out alone - like knowing their parents name and who to find for help if they are lost.

They also get special visits by the Fire Department, the Police Department, and a 911 dispatcher. Participants learn when and how to call 911, bus-riding safety, and how to follow a fire safety plan. At the end of their week, they are presented with a special “Driver’s License” at their graduation ceremony where they officially become “Safety Experts” on the road to learning to take care of themselves and others while out in the world.

Down at Dogwood Park, the Village celebrated its annual Safety Services

Night where departments from all around Cincinnati graciously gave their time to bring their vehicles to the lawn to be explored, and every question under the sun asked and answered. When else do you have the opportunity to board the police boat or get into the back of the Hamilton County S.W.A.T van? The fan favorite K9 demonstration drew its usual crowd as everyone learned about the training and abilities of our skilled K9 officers and their partners, culminating in the highly anticipated “bad guy takedown”. At the end of the night, after all faces have been painted, hotdogs and popsicles eaten, and the fire engine thoroughly explored, the finale U.C. Air-Care medical helicopter landing is a cont'd on next page

Safety Services Night (from previous page) special treat. Kids are then invited aboard to see inside this important piece of the safety puzzle.

Safety Services Night provides us all the awe and appreciation of those who give their lives to the service of others, while simultaneously making those in uniform

Community

more human. Safety Village helps kids feel knowledgeable and confident in their ability to navigate their town and make good choices. After all, we are raising the next generation of fire fighters, policemen, and medical personnel. And it all starts with a trip around the gymnasium on a tricycle.

Photos courtesy of Steve Spooner. me@mariemontstuff.com

Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

1 – Sloan Semberg sits in a firetruck.

2 – UC Air Care Helicopter lands in Dogwood Park.

3 – L-R: Mayor Bill Brown, Police Chief Rick Hines, and Judge Josh Berkowitz

4 – Paige and Charlie Kranack

5 – Annabelle, Addie, and Riley Stock

6 – Chief Hines with Amol Deepsingh and his family, as one daughter has her face painted by Mariemont cheerleader Kaylee Buswell.

What’s Happening at the Mariemont Branch Library — October 2024

Youth — Please note, our storytimes have changed!

Movers & Shakers — Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.

You and your child will shake it together! Sing, dance, and enjoy music, movement, and fun. Ages 1-4.

Library Babies — Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

Fun for you and your baby with songs, rhymes, stories, and movement. Ages birth to 18 months.

Toddler Storytime — Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Encourage emerging language skills with books, rhymes, music and fun. Ages 18–36 months.

NEW! KinderBridge Storytime — Thursdays from 2-3 p.m.

Get ready for kindergarten with stories, songs, and hands-on activities. Recommended for ages 4-6 years.

Stem Discovery Day — Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Oct. 23 from 4-5:30 p.m.

We offer a variety of hands-on STEM activities designed to inspire and educate. Drop in any time between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Recommended for grades 2-8.

Legos @ the Library — Saturday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Show us what you can build and connect with other LEGO enthusiasts.

Crafternoons: Spooky Slime — Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 3:30-5 p.m.

Create eerie, oozy slime that’s perfect for the Halloween season. For all ages! Registration recommended.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Club — Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Learn to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game, challenge other trainers, trade cards, and make new friends. Bring your own cards or play with one of our decks. Ages 7-15.

Spooky Ooky Time with May Festival MiNiS — Thursday, Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m.

Wear your costume and get ready to learn some fun sing-along songs for the season!

R2-D2 Library Visit — Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Zoom over to the Mariemont Library to meet a life-size, working R2-D2 astromech! Chat with its creator, Steve Mays, and embark on a Star Wars scavenger hunt. Costumes are welcome!

Mariemont Monster Mash — Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Wear your favorite costume and dance the night away. Venture into our spooky tunnel (if you dare!) and enjoy a thrilling scavenger hunt. Plus, there will be plenty of library goodies for everyone. For grades K-6.

Adults

Which Craft: Knitting and Crocheting Group — Saturday, Oct. 5 and Oct. 19 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Bring the knitting or crocheting project you're working on to the library and work with others.

Mariemont Mystery Book Club — Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Join us to discuss Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet. Copies available at the branch.

Your Library is Your Free Kindle Resource — Friday, Oct. 11 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bring your mobile device, along with any questions that you have about searching, borrowing, and managing Kindle titles through Libby, and join us as we learn all about accessing your library’s Kindle collection.

Book Club — Monday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Join us to discuss Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez. Copies available at the branch.

Library hours are 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mariemont Branch Library, 3810 Pocahontas Ave. 513-369-4467