Summer means different things to different people. I tend to idealize summer like a Country Time lemonade commercial.
You know what I mean: bike rides down dirt roads, rocking in chairs on the front porch, and swinging out over a body of water on an old rope. Other people think about going on vacation or sleeping late or eating outdoors. I’m not sure when or why these associations and fantasies begin, but they do and they stick with us for a lifetime.
Movies are released the whole year round, but the industry saves the biggest, splashiest movies for the summer.
Without fail, there’s always a super-hero film released. This year we’ve already seen the release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and, later this summer, “Ant Man” and “Fantastic Four” will premiere. People can’t get enough of super-hero stories and usually when we can’t get enough of a certain type of character or protagonist it means that we want to play that protagonist in our own lives.
In short, we all want to be super-heroes. This year, the Hays Public Library gives you that opportunity.
The summer reading theme for 2015 is “Every Hero has a Story.” Movies are great fun, but reading can open up whole new worlds beyond the silver screen. You’ll discover heroes you never knew existed. Children from birth to fifth grade can participate in this summer reading program that has lots of incentives and prizes including a pool party at the Hays Aquatic Center! Children can register any time until July 31st by visiting hayspublib.org or by visiting the library.
The super-hero theme is not restricted to kids, however, the whole library has adopted the theme for the summer. In each department you’ll find events to go along with the theme. In the adult department, for instance, you can attend a workshop on June 6th at 11 AM about “Super Hero Foods.” This workshop, hosted by Marleah Augustine will go over some facts and myths of popular super foods and participants will also learn to make some tasty recipes from nutrient-dense ingredients.
This part of Kansas was pioneered by some pretty heroic people. Who but a bunch of heroes could figure out how to use and mine post-rock limestone to construct fences, churches, homes and bridges? If you’re interested in the heroic history of limestone, you might want to consider signing up for a staycation to LaCrosse on June 6th. We’ll visit historical museums in LaCrosse including the Post Rock Museum and the Barbed Wire museum. We’ll head further south to Rush Center for lunch then pass through Liebenthal on our way back to Hays. Transportation and admission are included, but lunch is your own responsibility. Space is limited so call or email today: 625-9014 or [email protected]!
The Kansas Room’s summer movie nights will focus on heroes of Kansas and the old west. On June 23rd at 6 PM I’ll be screening Red River, a movie starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift in roles that helped make them famous. If you like John Wayne or classic westerns, you won’t want to miss this one which features a cattle-drive to Kansas. Movies are free and open to all ages. Free refreshments are provided.
Finally, a great way to be a super-hero in real life is to donate blood. The library will be hosting a blood drive on June 29th from 1 PM to 4:30 PM. If you really want to help save someone’s life, consider donating blood! To make an appointment call 625-9014, stop by the library, or email [email protected].
The Kansas Room is located in the basement of the Hays Public Library and is open from 9 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and by request.
Lucia Bain is Kansas Room Librarian at the Hays Public Library.