Library kicks off summer with wide variety of programming –

By Carolina Saenz

If you’re looking to stay active this summer, the County of Brant Public Library has you covered. With a wide variety of summer events and free programs for all ages, there are choices for the whole family to enjoy. Make this summer memorable by participating and connecting with your community Registration for summer programs begins Saturday June 10th at 10 am online at www.brantlibrary.ca/calendar in person, or by phone at 519-442-2433 Kids, tweens, and teens programs include the popular TD Summer Reading Club, where participants can improve their reading skills and get rewards and prizes It is Canada’s biggest bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, interests, and abilities. Registration starts on Thursday June 29th Visit wwwbrantlibraryca/tdsrc for more details.

Little ones can participate in Storytime and early literacy programs with their parent or caregiver from July to August These include the ‘Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten!’ program geared for ages 3 to 5 years and offered at the Paris Branch on Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 am from July 6th to August 25th. The ‘Family Storytime’ provides fun an interactive stories, songs, rhymes, and early literacy activities for children of all ages at the Paris Branch on Wednesdays at 11 am from July 5th to August 23rd. Get outdoorsy at the ‘Outdoor Family Storytime’ program offered at the Scotland-Oakland Branch on Wednesdays at 11 am from July 5th to August 23rd. The ‘Read! Sing ! Play!’ all-ages program is drop-in at the Paris Branch on Tuesdays at 10:30 am from July 4th to August 22nd The ‘Summer Afternoon Drop-In’ will be held at the Burford Branch on Thursdays and at the ScotlandOakland Branch on Wednesdays at 2 pm on various dates throughout July and August. ‘Sensory Storytime’ promotes literacy skills for children of all ages through interactive stories, songs, rhymes, and sensory activities, and will be held at the Burford Branch on Fridays at 10:30am from August 4th to 25th. The EarlyON Drop-In program will continue to provide babies and children from birth to 6 years old with an opportunity to explore art, music, movement, and sensory play with an Early Childhood Educator. It is held every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, July and August, at the Paris Branch School-age programs for children aged seven and up will include weekly interactive activities, stories, and creative art projects, held at the Burford, St George, and Paris Branches. For full program descriptions and to register, visit www.brantlibrary.ca/calendar Have a sweet tooth? Register for the ‘Sweet Treats

From Around the World’ program geared towards school-aged children and their parent/caregiver. This virtual program is offered via Zoom on Thursdays at 2pm from July 13th to August 24th, and offers participants an opportunity to learn how to make sweet treats from around the world in their own kitchen For each cooking lesson, recipe cards and an invite to Zoom will be provided.

Tweens and teens have a ton of programs to choose from. The ‘Take and Make @ Home’ program runs in July and August and provides supplies for participants to create amazing crafts using simple materials. Featured workshops include Bubble Art and Finger Knitted Scarf for tweens ages 10 and up, and a NoSew-T-Shirt Tote and Mini Acrylic Pour for teens ages 13 and up Register online, and be notified when craft kits are available for pick up. The Dungeons and Dragons Miniature Painting program and the ‘Magic: the Gathering Club’will also be meeting this summer “We’re so excited to kick off summer events and connect with everyone at our library branches and out in the community. We have an incredible line-up of summer programs and reading clubs for all age groups. Expect a great mix of outdoor, in-person, and virtual events designed to help people connect with others, enjoy new experiences, and inspire a love of reading”, shares Katherine Bell, Marketing and

In addition to their summer programs, the Seed Library is once again offering a wide variety of seeds for all those interested in starting gardening projects Borrow seeds, plant them, and harvest seeds to return back to the library in the fall. Visit wwwbrantlibraryca/seedlibrary for more information Also check out gardening tools and children’s hand tools available at brantlibrary.ca/gear

A special thanks goes out to the Paris Friends of the Library for successfully organizing and running the Trail of Toonies event this past weekend. “Lots of people out and about enjoying the weather last weekend helped the Paris Friends of the Library raise over $1,000 for their Trail of Toonies event. We truly appreciate the efforts of the Friends group in their support of our endeavours at the Library”, writes Gary Jermy, Community Outreach Coordinator at the County of Brant Public Library.

With a great summer ahead, make sure you enjoy the great variety of programs the library has to offer. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to take photos and participate in their photo contests throughout June! Visit wwwengagebrant ca/CelebrateJune

Applications for WIW $500 Scholarships are now open!

Women Inspiring Women WI Paris announced this week that their annual scholarship award applications are now open. Each year the local chapter funds two $500 scholarships to high school or mature students who are attending post secondary institutes (in 2023). Applications are due by 11:59 pm Friday, July 14 and must be emailed to wiwwischolarships@gmail.com

Learn more online, or get a copy of the application form and requirements at www.womeninspiring womenwi.ca

GRCA awarding best management practices on rural properties

The Grand River Conservation Authority has announced funding is available for Cover Crop projects. Eligible applicants could take home a $1,500 incentive for best management practices

The Rural Water Quality Program available to qualified landowners in the County of Brant to share the cost of selected best management practices that improve and protect ground and surface water quality Please note an Environmental Farm Plan is required.

Grant rates under the Rural Water Quality Program may be adjusted if combined with other funding programs, for a total grant of 80% up to 100%.

The program is funded by the County of Brant. To learn more contact the Rural Water Quality Program staff at 519-621-2763 ext 2278 or by email at ruralwater@grandriver.ca

Learn more about the program and eligible funding online.