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Taste of Saturday, August 1st • 1-4 pm • FREE Admission to Pool & Mini Golf • FREE Mini Ice Cream Cones 815-369-5351
609 N. Schuyler St. • Lena, IL
VOLUME 77, NUMBER 30
212996
July 29, 2015
Lena Public Library hosts an afternoon of fun for young readers Tony Carton Editor
LENA — The conference room downstairs in the Lena Public Library was dark and totally silent, which would not be unusual except there were thirty little people scattered on blankets and pillows all across the room. They had gathered to enjoy the feature film, Big Hero 6 and escape the summer’s heat in the library’s air conditioning. You could hear a pin drop. Friday’s movie was just one in a series of library happenings planned for young readers throughout the summer. “Next week we will host a carnival to end our summer reading program,” said Lena library director Dixie Althoff. She said the carnival would be a fun filled event with games, prizes and a bingo table. “We had a very successful
summer reading program this year,” Althoff said. “We had 104 young people signed up to read and they participated fully.” A pair of heavily “bedazzled” guitars by the library’ main desk stand in testament to the children’s dedication to reading. “The guitars are almost covered with gems and each gem symbolizes ten books or two hours of reading,” Althoff said. She said the library staff is already planning their After School and Story Hour programs for the next reading season. The After School Programs are on Mondays and serve youngsters kindergarten through fifth grade and Story Hour is on Tuesdays and
Tony Carton photo
Seven- year-old Evelyn Karnatz dressed up for a gathering of the Reading to the Rhythm young readers group Saturday afternoon in the Lena Public Library. Evelyn has been reading the Barbie Superheroes collection and her clothing reflects her superhero interests.
See READERS, Page 2
Cheese and Cheers event draws favorable response in Lena By Tony Carton Editor
LENA — Dozens of folks made time Saturday afternoon for a leisurely drive through the rolling hills of Stephenson County to stop at local cheese stores, cheese plants, craft breweries and a winery. The occasion was Cheese and Cheers, an activity organized to expose folks to the growing number of craft breweries, wineries and artisan cheese makers in Stephenson County. “Today we have a great opportunity for people to get out and experience some local beer, local wine and local cheese all made right here in Stephenson County,” said Lena Brewery president Ross Vehmeier. He said the reception was
positive and very strong. “We’ve had a great group of people come out and they’re very happy about the beers and it looks like everybody’s had enough cheese, so we’re making sure they have enough snacks and beer and they’re happy,” Vehmeier said. Folks were clamoring all afternoon for Lena Brewery’s caramel pecan coffee stout. “That stout has been very popular today as well as our thirty-eight degree hefeweisen,” he said. He said a mild cheese accompanies the hefeweisen very well, but he recommended something a little more aged and smoky to pair up with the caramel pecan coffee.
Lena Community Park District 609 N. Schuyler St. • Lena
Bi-Annual
Catfish Tournament
See EVENT, Page 2 s Trophie es and Prized Award
Saturday, August 8, 2015 at 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Launch from McNeil’s Damascus Landing 4998 W. Cedarville Rd., Lena, IL
For more information call the LCPD at 815-369-5351 or 815-990-0146
Entry Fe e $20.00 per boa t 212995
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