Puppet Show at Newport Library

Dragon Theater Puppets perform at Newport Public Library's Literacy Park 1:00 pm Wednesday, August 7th. This is the last Dig Into Reading show for the summer but young readers have until August 31st to finish their reading contracts and receive their T-shirt. All children and families are invited to attend this free program. 

“Jason Ropp and his company of puppets are a staple of our summer reading shows,” says Rebecca Cohen of Newport Library. “This summer they are once again performing an original show written specifically for libraries, I Dig Dinosaurs. Jason is a very talented performer who writes the scripts, makes all his puppets and performs all the roles. Something all the librarians appreciate about him is that he takes time after his shows to talk with the children and show them how things work behind the scenes. If folks have young visitors in town, this is a great show to bring them to.” 

To see more about the puppets, check out their website, http://www.dragontheaterpuppets.com/ .  This is a Youtube promo for one of their previous shows:

  

Wednesday, August 7th, the puppets will also be visiting Waldport Public Library (10 a.m.) and Driftwood Public Library in Lincoln City (6:30 p.m.). On Thursday, August 8th, they will be at Toledo Public Library (11 a.m.) and Siletz Public Library (1:00 p.m.).

For more information about the puppet performances or other library programs, please call (541) 265-2153.

Storyteller comes to Literacy Park

Storyteller Ken Iverson is coming to Literacy Park at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, July 31. He is part of Newport Public Library's wildly popular summer reading program, Dig Into Reading.

Ken has been telling stories most of his life. An early fascination with Jonathan Winters led him to write and perform stories for friends when he was 17 and he hasn’t stopped yet! He loves the connection that sharing stories creates and how the telling of a story can bring people together. Ken believes the old adage "Laughter is the Best Medicine" is close to true. It’s not the only medicine, it's the most fun to take.

Sometimes using a drum, he tells traditional and contemporary folktales and myths from around the world for audiences of all ages. A third prize winner at the Seattle Folklife Festival's Liar's Contest, Ken's energetic telling of Jack tales, Arthurian tales and world folktales has been enthusiastically received.

Summer Reading at Newport Public Library happens every year thanks to the generous support of Newport businesses and private supporters. If it weren't for Umpqua Bank, La Quinta Inn and Suites, The Sylvia Beach Hotel, Jeannette Hofer, Janis & Ross Neigebauer and the Lincoln County Library District, summers at the library would be much quieter...too quiet for this children's librarian!

Wildlife at Newport Library

As a young mom one of the best places to take my children was Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. Many wonderful memories come from those visits. Because my mother was a docent at the park, we always got to go in the "Keep Out - Staff Only" areas.  My sons still talk about giving a bottle to a baby cheetah.

This Wednesday's Summer Reading program will be a special treat because Wildlife Safari is coming to Newport!  Right here in the library's Literacy Park at 1:00, there will be snakes and lizards and turtles and other wonderful creatures.  No, no lions or cheetahs or elephants but fascinating creatures nonetheless.  Fortunately for us, the animals come with very informative people who work at the park and love to share all the amazing things they know about the animals they bring to Newport.

Like all Newport Public Library programs, the Wildlife Safari show is free and people of all ages are welcome.  Please remember your sunblock and water, Literacy Park is out of the wind and can get pretty toasty.