Carroll County Library Summer Reading Program Delights in First Week

HUNTINGDON (June 8-12) — The Carroll County Library's Summer Reading Program had a big first week of events, including two interactive programs by musician Alice Hardin and the West Tennessee Public Utility District.

Summer Reading began Monday with a kick-off event where kids could sign up for the summer reading challenge. The year's theme, "Unearth a Story" was also introduced (see previous story).

Wednesday, the library hosted "Music with Alice!," a musical storytime program presented by Alice Hardin. Hardin, who teaches music in her hometown Jackson, led kids through several songs, including a musical reading of the book, "Little White Duck."

Hardin's content can be found at musicwithalice.com and on most music streaming services.

Thursday, staff from the West Tennessee Public Utility District visited. Marketing Manager Madison Endres led the program, assisted by Antonio Abundis, Kris Hunley, Jacob Howington, Jacob Allen and Stefan Gilbert.

Endres spoke to the kids about natural gas safety and about calling 811 before digging.

They learned about the colored flag system, which indicates buried pipes and lines. A yellow flag indicates natural gas. A blue flag indicates water. Green identifies sewage lines. Cable and internet lines are marked with orange flags. Electrical lines are indicated by a red flag.

Endres explained different causes of leaks and displayed sections of pipe that had been damaged in various ways.

Scratch-and-sniff cards were passed around to show the kids the scent that is added to natural gas by gas companies to easily identify leaks, both indoors and out.

The summer readers were provided with several activities, including a miniature excavator the kids could use to transfer balls from one container to another.

The program then moved outside, where kids got to see the full-sized excavator. One at a time, they were invited to man the controls (and the horn) with help from Abundis. There were also two WTPUD trucks on hand, as well as a pipe-cutting device used by the workers.

Endres provided some goodies to the summer readers at the conclusion of the program.

On Friday, readers could stop by the library and pick up arts and crafts kits to use at home.

The Carroll County Library's Summer Reading Program continues Tuesday, June 16 with a visit from Smokey Bear at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday, June 18 with "Bee Curious!," presented by Costello Farms at 10:30 a.m.