Dayton residents looking for fun activities close to home this January should mark their calendars with these upcoming events taking place at Jones Public Library.
The library is welcoming a new library assistant – Olga Carranco, a Dayton native and graduate of Dayton High School. Carranco also is bilingual, which should be a benefit to both Spanish and English-speaking library patrons.
Every Wednesday, at 10 a.m., Kidz Zone is organized for toddlers and preschool children. The children will learn their colors, numbers, ABCs and more helpful skills through the use of songs and books. Children’s librarians will model how to teach your child to read through interaction, phonetics, repetition and many other skills in the Supercharged Storytime Series.
Throughout January, children will be reading books about the New Years and animals. Amanda Wilson and Trisha Hobbs will read a book about the beloved children’s book character: The Pigeon.
The book schedule includes:
- Jan. 8 – “Shante’ Keys and the New Year’s Peas” by Gail Piernas-Davenport and “Hap-pea All Year” by Keith Baker
- Jan. 16 – “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” by Mo Williams
- Jan. 22 – “There is a Tribe of Kids” by Lane Smith
- Jan. 29 – “Mr. Tiger Goes Wild” by Peter Brown
The reading opportunities continue on Fridays, 10:30 a.m., at Parker Park. This story time will be dedicated to non-fiction. The books will be on nature, places, people, science and more, and children will end the event with a science experiment, outdoor craft, games and activities.
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
If chess is more to your liking, the Community Chess Club meets at Jones Public Library every Tuesday and Thursday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. Chess sets will be provided but people may also bring their own boards. Coffee will be available.
The New Year is a time of new beginnings, and some people opt to make drastic changes to their diet to improve their health. Jones Public Library is hosting a program called “A Fresh Start to a Healthier You,” presented by Better Living for Texans, every Tuesday night through January. The dates are Jan. 7, 13, 21 and 28, and the time is 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.
Registration is free for this meal-planning course and interested persons are encouraged to register ahead of time to save their seat. There will be free giveaways, hands-on learning and food tasting as participants discuss meal planning, food safety, saving food dollars and healthy snacking. This program is open to all ages.
For more information on the Fresh Start program, call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at 936-334-3230.
Other activities scheduled for January are:
- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m. – Ladies’ Craft Night is held once a month. This free event will gather in Ballroom A inside the Dayton Community Center, 801 S. Cleveland St., Dayton. This month, ladies will be creating a winter luminary.
- Wednesday, Jan. 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Teen Night will feature a Murder Mystery Dinner. The teens will be treated to spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and sparkling grape juice, and work together to solve a murder mystery. Due to the character creation of this event, there is only room for the first 20 teens who register and registration will close one week before the event. Contact the library for details.
- Thursday, Jan. 16, 5:30 to 7 p.m. – Open Mic Night is an opportunity to showcase your talent whether it is singing, acting, comedy or more.
- Saturday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m. – Snow is uncommon in Texas, but what if you could create your own snow? Children will learn the concept of chemistry to create two ingredients to make snow.
- Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Nimble Thimbles Crafters is a sewing and crafting club that meets in the library on the third Saturday of every month. Anyone with an interest is welcome to attend.
- Saturday, Jan. 25, 11 a.m. – A new release movie will be presented. The projector will be ready and the popcorn machine will be going to provide participants with the full movie experience.
MEET THE AUTHOR
On Saturday, Jan. 11, author Jamie Sandefer will be reading her children’s book titled “Love You From Right Here.” She will be answering questions and signing books, which will be available for purchase.
Love You From Right Here tells the story of a child entering a foster family. Through all of the emotions the child experiences, the foster parent is always there to love them from right here. The book also doubles as a keepsake journal for children in foster care.
There will be cookies and refreshments available after the reading for everyone in attendance.
Jones Public Library is located inside the Dayton Community Center, 801 S. Cleveland, Dayton. For information, call 936-258-7060.