Spencer Library hosts International Festival to kick off reading program
Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 16, 2016
- Submitted photo Maia Smith, of Maia's Fashions in downtown Salisbury, showed attendees of Spencer Public Library's International Festival how families served wine by passing around a horn-shaped goblet, with handmade wine bottle covers displayed on the table in front of her.
By Amanda Raymond
amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com
SPENCER — The Spencer Public Library, at 300 Fourth St., hosted an International Festival last Saturday at the Spencer Library Park to start of the summer reading program.
Beverly McCraw, the new librarian, invited different members of the community to share information about their cultures.
Dr. Alfred Chea talked with the attendees about his life experiences in Liberia. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Liberia and now works for the Rowan-Salisbury School System. Maia Smith of Maia’s Fashions at 103 S. Main St. in downtown Salisbury, shared cultural aspects from her home, the Republic of Georgia. And Elizabeth Hood, a former Spanish teacher and musician, presented Spanish songs, snacks and cultural facts from her experiences in Mexico and Honduras.
McCraw invited children from local day cares, schools and churches. After the event, the children were encouraged to sign up for the four-week summer program at the library.
Cheerwine donated drinks and Donald Vick of the Candy Shoppe on Main, at 119 S. Main St. in downtown Salisbury, donated candy.
Volunteers included Walter Fyler and two teenaged siblings Gretchen and Jeremy Rodriguez.
The event matched the theme of the summer reading program at the library. Participants from 8 to 11 years old will hear stories from Asian, African, Hispanic and Russian cultures under the theme “Bookin’ it Around the World.”
They will also receive passports with stamps from each of the areas. There will be crafts, games and snacks from the different cultures.
The program for 8- to 11-year-olds will be at 4 p.m. for the next four Thursdays.
Children from 5 to 7 years old are also invited to participate. They will hear stories from the Pete the Cat and Splat the Cat book series. They will also make crafts and play games focused on the books’ characters. The program will continue for the next four Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Cheerwine, candy, bookmarks and prizes will be available for all attendees.
To register, call the Spencer Public Library at 704-636-9072 between 2 and 6 p.m.
Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.
