Reading and sipping in Port Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND — Every June, children who sign up for Port Townsend Library’s summer reading program get to choose a free book for every eight books they complete.

This summer, for the first time, the library will blend adults into its summer reading program, with the help of First Federal.

“When you read three books and write reviews for our Web site’s Page Turner section, you get a coupon for a free latte from The Vault upstairs at Aldrich’s,” said Theresa Percy, library director.

“We’re calling them Literary Lattes.”

The Vault is a coffee bar that First Federal operates in its satellite branch in Aldrich’s Grocery Store uptown.

But the free lattes are just part of the donation the financial institution is making as the program’s new sponsor.

New sponsor

On Thursday, Kelly Liske, manager of First Federal’s Port Townsend branch, presented a check for $3,000 to Geralynn Rackowski, president of the Friends of the Port Townsend Library.

The money will be spent on books, programs and prizes, which in addition to the latte coupons, will be used to encourage people to participate in the summer reading program.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are,” said Jean Tarascio, youth services librarian. “It’s for all ages.”

To generate interest in school-age children each year, the librarians visit Grant Street and Mountain View elementary schools in early June to perform a skit that reflects the program theme.

The theme of this summer’s program: “Discover Planet Earth — Read.”

“We’ll be dressed as aliens coming to Earth,” Tarascio said.

Adult participants will be entered in monthly drawings for gift bags, library director Theresa Percy said.

Teens also have a separate incentive program.

Books incentive enough

For the three generations of readers in Liske’s family, there is no need for prizes.

Daughter Abbie, who turns 3 in March, loves preschool story time, Liske said, which she attends on Tuesdays with her grandfather, Rick Nelson.

“When she checks out books, I have sneak them out of the house to return them to the library on time,” Liske said.

Abbie’s 6-month-old sister, Emily, is also eligible to sign up for the summer reading program, Tarascio said.

Any child can participate by listening to books read to them, she said, and will receive a free book for every eight completed.

“You can encourage children to continue reading through the summer while adding to your home library,” Tarascio said.

The First Federal marketing department will design special Literary Latte coupons, Percy said.

Expanding the summer reading program to include adults is one reason First Federal is excited about becoming a major sponsor, Liske said.

“We like being involved in community projects and supporting community organizations this way,” she said.

“Education is a real bonus. You never can get enough of it.”

First Federal made a donation to the summer reading program last year, Liske said.

With the financial institution stepping up the level of support, funds raised by the Friends of the Port Townsend Library, the former program sponsor, can be used in other ways, Rackowski said.

Details about the summer reading program will be posted on the library’s Web site, www.cityofpt.us/library.

________

Port Townsend/Jefferson County reporter/columnist Jennifer Jackson can be reached at jjackson@olypen.com.

More in Life

ISSUES OF FAITH: Finding faith that there is ‘somebody out there’

I’VE ALWAYS HAD a passion for music, especially ’80s music. Back in… Continue reading

The Rev. Larry Schellink will present the program at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Schellink is the minister of record at Unity in the Olympics, 2917 E. Myrtle Ave.
Weekend program scheduled for Unity in the Olympics

The Rev. Larry Schellink will lead a discussion regarding… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Speaker set at Unity in Port Townsend for weekend service

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “The Twelve Conditions… Continue reading

The Rev. Bruce Bode
Bode scheduled for OUUF weekend program

The Rev. Bruce Bode will present “Basic Morality and… Continue reading

Matthew Nash / Olympic Peninsula News Group
Jennifer Scott of the Hudson Valley region in New York with her niece Calliope Scott of Denver walk the lavender fields of Jardin du Soleil. Scott said she loves lavender. Last week was their first time visiting a lavender farm.
Lavender weekend to bring concerts, food and music

Festivities set across Peninsula from Friday through Sunday

John Goar speaks to a group of visitors before leading them on a moonlit hike up Hurricane Hill for a tour of the constellations. Goar is a volunteer who leads the full moon hikes and dark sky telescope tours that are part of the astronomy program at Hurricane Ridge. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Hurricane Ridge astronomy program reveals treasures

Volunteer-run tour guides visitors at Hurricane Ridge

Karen Griffiths
Rainshadow Equine Sanctuary Team’s Debi Pavlich-Boaz leads Paliday calmly over a blue tarp as part of his daily training routine. She worked with the Yakima Sheriff’s Department to capture the mini stallion when he was running alongside a freeway, deftly evading capture. Without her help, and an offer to take him home, the sheriff’s department planned on taking the then-untrained pony to a local holding pen to await transport to a slaughter house in Canada. Instead, Paliday is now happily living the rest of days out as a gelding at the sanctuary.
HORSEPLAY: Peninsula animal rescue, shelters need our help

DID YOU KNOW that most of our local horse, dog and cat… Continue reading

A GROWING CONCERN: Get your garden schooled on Nutrients 101

AS WE MOVE through July and our yard and gardens are flourishing,… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Truth and honesty important in leadership

THROUGHOUT THE TORAH, we are taught the importance of honesty and justice.… Continue reading

Doug Benecke will be joined by Sallie Harrison for special music at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Program set for weekend service

Doug Benecke will present “Play Ball!” at 10:30 a.m.… Continue reading

The Rev Craig Vocelka will present “Listening for the Whisper” at 10:00 am this Sunday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Jefferson Street.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church plans service

The Rev. Craig Vocelka will present “A Thankful, Generous… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Speaker set at Unity in Port Townsend for weekend service

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Divine Feeding of… Continue reading