Addie May Hirschen, Willard Library and Altrusa International of Evansville Support Literacy

Addie May Hirschen, a storyteller from Indianapolis, entertained young and old under a tent on the lawn of Willard library on July 28^th, the final day of “Beyond the Beanstalk”.   Wearing a long blue- green dress along with a golden crown, she told interesting stories with expression, and used riddles as well as puppets to captivate her audience. 

With temperatures over 100 degrees this summer, reading a good book in air conditioning has been a great alternative to playing outside.  Aidan Huffman, a participant in Willard Library’s “Beyond the Beanstalk” summer reading program said, “I read a lot and reading’s good for you.  Me and my sister had a competition and we both got tied.”

Rhonda Mort, Willard Children’s Librarian, said that there was good participation in their summer reading program.  Children participating in the “Beyond the Beanstalk” reading program were given a chance for a prize for every ten hours of reading.  On July 28 at the Grand Fabled Costume Ball, the  end of the summer reading program celebration, names were drawn from a jar.  The age appropriate prizes included T-Shirt, E- Monopoly, Horse ride, and Rock climbing.

Fancy Nancy came to the Grand Fabled Costume Ball

 Kids were encouraged to attend dressed as their favorite character.  There were well-known characters such as the adventurous Indiana Jones and a career-oriented yet dainty tooth fairy, as well as Fancy Nancy, who wore a multi-colored tutu and sparkly pink shoes.  For those of you not familiar, Fancy Nancy is a little girl character created by author Jane O’Connor who loves everything fancy:  clothes, accessories, decorations, furniture, and even fancy words.

Indiana Jones and the Tooth Fairy

When the storytelling finished, Mother Goose (Sara Murray) made an appearance.  She came with her Altrusa friends, who sponsored an essay and art contest, and later cooled everyone down by serving ice cream. 

 

Sue Huck explained that Altrusa of Evansville is part of an international organization that supports literacy.   “Altrusa historically has been, and still is, a community service organization with a focus on literacy and other local needs”.

The subject of the essay contest was “Who Made a Difference in Evansville’s History?” in honor of Evansville’s 200^th anniversary.   The contestants chose a wide variety of historical figures including Samuel McCutchan, Albert Wesselman, Christian Decker, Hugh McGary, and John Reitz. 

Altrusans Sara Murray and Nafeeza (Birdie) Harrison with the fist place essay contest winner.

In their essays, some contestants proudly stated their relationship to these historic Evansville figures.  The first place entry was by Jim McMurray who was awarded a Kindle, followed by Jack Buschkill, Chris Zimmerman, Melissa Bubb, and Tyler Zimmerman who won gift cards to Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Essay Contest Winners!

The art contest theme was “Draw your favorite place in Evansville”.  Aubrie Madigan won first prize in the drawing contest and a basket of art supplies, and Nicole Hamilton placed second receiving a gift card from Dick Blicks.

Birdie Harrison mentioned a future Altrusa activity at Caze Elementary’s new multicultural library.  “Fifty multicultural books were donated to help bring awareness to the different cultures in our community.”   Members will be actively involved in the new Pre-K class this school year by establishing a book reading schedule and giving each pre- school child a free book.

                                           Sue Huck, Rhonda Mort, and Sara Murray