Anytime Fitness Fits the Bill

Okay, I figured if anyone could help me get in shape it would be Ginny Murphy.  She has triplets that used to come to the library for storytime but now they come and check out the thick books, giving Ginny some time to squeeze in owning her own business, Anytime Fitness of Amherst. 

There it is right under the yellow arrow, 7090 Oakpoint Road.  Ginny showed me all the different machines and I didn't fall off the treadmill...yet. 

Believe me, going to a gym can be intimidating, especially when you realize that you have yellow cake batter drips on your lycra zip up jacket.   But Ginny and her staff were friendly and believe it or not, there were people there just like me!  Just trying to fit in some time at the gym so they could fit in their pants again.  Hey, I'm committed.

Now if I can just get past the Girl Scout cookie season and the bags of jellybeans at Target I'll stay on track.  This is going to work.  I have to be ready for the big Beach Party theme for our Summer Reading Program.  If you want more information on Anytime Fitness of Amherst give them a call at 440-984-4961 or find them on Facebook.

Could be a tight fit

Okay, maybe this tropical shirt has shrunk on the hanger.  Getting ready for a beach party is going to take more than a flowered lei to make it work.  Working here at a desk for hours at a time has done nothing to help get me ready for a beach party.  Like many people, working at a desk, sititng at a computer has turned us into desk jockeys, multi-tasking but not ready for basking. 

Perhaps those lycra sweat pants are meant to be worn for more than just late night grocery shopping.  Maybe it's time to head the doctor's warnings, along with the many books that fill the library shelves written by good natured and thin nutritionists, and get in better shape so I can pull off this whole summer of intense beach partying.  I mean it's a tough job so the tough should get going.

But time is going to be a factor.  I don't take time for lunch, how I am going to find time for molding this winter form into sunshine shape? I don't have any time to read.  I don't have any time to plan.  Any time.....might just be my answer.  I need the help of someone who understands my lifestyle, who understands kids, and most important...understands fitting life into a schedule and making it work. 

Anytime Fitness of Amherst might just be my ticket.  Will call....tomorrow.

Is it that time all ready?

It seems like we were just lamenting the harshness of an Ohio winter and before you know it we have to spring our clocks ahead, setting our watches one hour closer to summer. We've just added another 19 sessions to our so-called winter storytime schedule that has now run into spring and according to the calendar, and vendor deadlines, I'm way behind planning for our popular summer reading program. 

With more than 1000 people to plan for this requires serious study.  The state of Ohio has come up with a theme, "Make a Splash - READ", and even offers a teen theme, "Make Waves @ Your Library".  But we need something that will work with all ages from kids to adults and the whole splish splash theme just seems a little watered down.

I search the storage closet for ideas.  Neon sunglasses, a tropical print shirt, a flowered lei...it seems the mood could be right for a tropical beach party!  Stay tuned.  This could be good.

Candyrama!

It's finally here. I know you've been putting your tickets in the raffle not knowing what the candyrama even looks like but the wait is over. While Mrs. Ashton was putting in more chocolate Mrs. Stanley was trying to sneek in some healthy things. I think it turned out okay though. Teens keep reading and putting in those orange tickets. Who will win.....maybe we should include a toothbrush.

Creative Happenings at the library

Wow, with just one week into our Summer Reading program we've already signed up over 700 kids and teens. That's awesome and just goes to show you what great families we have that come to the Amherst Public Library and get involved in all the fun summer activities we have to offer.

We've had two magic shows that everyone came out to see. Professor Zap was here to help us Create and Imaginate and escape artist Ron Price also entertained us with some great illusions. How he got that signed $20 bill into that bag on the ceiling I have no idea. If you're looking to learn some magic come out for our Create Your Own Magic Workshop on Monday, June 22, when Ron Price will return to give us all the inside scoop on magic tricks you can learn using simple items you probably already have.

Check the calendar for upcoming events like our Crochet Workshop, Cake Decorating Demo, Puppet Show, Craft Days......there's too many to list. Call us for more info at 440-988-4230. See you at the library!

If you have crafts - they will come.

All's it takes is some paper, glue, and plain paper bags to draw 199 people to the Amherst Public Library for the first craft day of the summer. Each Wednesday during summer reading, the library provides a fun make-it take-it type craft where everyone is welcome to get creative.

There's not too many rules, few directions, and no wrong answers as kids create some of the coolest crafts ever. Last Wednesday was crazy hat day. Next Wednesday look for something new.

Summer Reading is Here

If yesterday is any indication of the number of people who will be signing up for summer reading I'd say it looks like another record year. Even with school still in session we signed up 94 people yesterday and that doesn't include all the adult reading logs that were picked up or the people who registered online.

We've added some new programs and have a few yet to be announced so stop back often to see what's on the calendar. Remember you can register online and even submit book reviews, and log your reading.

Watch out for Mona Madness. More info on that later!

Teen Summer Reading - Express Yourself

We've got a great teen program for those students who have completed grades 5 through 8.
Sure we still have prizes and lots of things on the calendar just for you.

This age group reads for points. There are lots of ways to earn points, like attending a special event or bringing in items for the Amherst Food Pantry. But the main goal is to read a book and earn one point per page. No, "Cat in the Hat" doesn't count. We give prizes for 250, 500, and 750 points. It's easy and adds up fast. Here's what you win:

• 250 points gets you a "READ" dogtag. One year we ran out of these but we think we've got plenty for this year....if you hurry.


• 500 points nets you a cool Media Pouch. It's perfect for carrying around a cell phone or iPod. We have a variety of colors to choose from.


• 750 points earns you our "Green" messenger bag. It invites you to "Renew, Reread, Recycle" when you head out to the library.

Kids Summer Reading - Get Creative a@ the Amherst Public Library

It's time to "Get Creative" and "Get to the Library". Summer reading is upon us with just a few days till registration opens at the library. Registration is available online with options for tracking your time and submitting book reviews.

Our Kids Program is for those age 4 through those kids just completing grade 4.
Once you register you'll get a reading log to keep track of the time you spend reading, or being read to. Fill in your reading log. For every 15 minutes you read, color in a portion of the clock. Each clock represents one hour of reading.

Keep reading! We give prizes for completing 5, 10 and 15 hours of reading.

• For 5 hours we have the paint set so you can get creative right away.
• After 10 hours of reading you'll earn the green zip pouch for keeping your library card close at hand.
• Keep reading and for 15 hours you get a great "Green" bag that invites you to "Save a Tree and Borrow a Book". It's great for all those items you'll be checking out of the library this summer!

Create your best summer ever.

Sure we're going to get creative this summer but we can also think "Green" at the same time. Remember when you check out a book from the library you're saving money and saving trees.

Look for our earth-friendly slogans on most of our prizes this year. This logo appears on our prize for 15 hours of reading. It's a great bag for carrying your books, your groceries, your creative collection with you where ever you go. What color is the bag? Well, green of course.