By: Jennifer Britt
The Parsons Advocate
The Five Rivers Public Library, in Parsons, began its summer reading program for 2022 on June 8. The
theme for this year’s program is Oceans of Possibilities. The program is designed to encourage children
to read books during the summer. The more books the children read the more gift certificates they will
earn from local businesses.
For every level reached a child will receive a gift certificate. Sponsors for the gift certificates include
Subway (five books), The Dugout (10 books), Grandma’s Custard (15 books), McDonald’s (30 books) and
Mr. Pizza (50 books). A child that reads all 50 books receives all five gift certificates and the top reader
will receive a $10 coupon to Depot Diner.
This week’s event was geared towards pirates and called Discover Treasure, Pirates! The children were
read a book by a local pirate named “Captain Joe” (Joe Meloy) titled “Pete the Cat and the Treasure
Map.” Captain Joe engaged the children in the book as he read along aloud to them. Captain Joe asked
the kids what they considered treasure. The children responded with gold, diamonds, crowns, silver, and
like such items.
The children also had fun pirate themed activities to do as well. That started with coloring a picture with
water color paint. Next, they constructed a popsicle ship. The children then taken outside to “walk
the plank” and dig for treasure! The program ended with a sweet popsicle treat to beat the heat.
The kids were encouraged to try walking the plank with their eyes closed or with arms behind their
backs. The treasure trough was a sand box filled with gold and silver coins that were traded for a prize
out of the pirate’s treasure box.
There were two groups that took part in the program. The morning group had the youngest children,
and the afternoon group were the “older” five- and six-year-old children. There will be one more
program on June 22 called An Ocean of Wonder.
Although the registration is closed for this program the library hosts other programs throughout the
summer and year. A calendar of events and information can be found online at fiverivers.wvlibrary.info.
The summer hours for the library are Monday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The library is closed on all legal holidays.
The library is located at 301 Walnut Street and can be reached by phone at
304-478-3880.