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Putnam Valley Sunset Series' Storytelling and Family Movie a Success
The theme for the evening was making books come alive. The Sunset Series joined forces with the PTA ELA - Putnam Valley Reads Committee to present this fun evening for all ages. Putnam Valley Reads is a committee that was formed to promote reading in Putnam Valley. Parks & Recreation Department and the Sunset Series were invited to be one of the partners in the community to support reading. It was agreed that the Sunset Series would tie in this theme to promote reading in the summer. The Storytelling/Family Movies was just that Event. Roberta Velichlco, Chair of the Putnam Valley Reads Committee and Shannon Millicker, Chair of the PTA P.A.R.P Committee were very instrumental in helping plan this event.
Families started to arrive as early as 5:30. Some enjoyed their own picnic dinner, while others visited the concession stand. The fragrant smell of fresh popcorn enticed all.
An old rocker and a stool set the stage. The evening was started off with Theodora Moeller, Sunset Series Director, inviting the children to come forward and to sit on one of the "magic" area carpets. She went on to tell how stories can come alive through reading. She asked the children what they needed to have to accomplish this. One boy shouted out "Imagination". This set the premise for the evening. Children used their imagination while listening to stories. Nicole Diominicco, a visiting Poet and Board Member representing the Putnam Valley Library, started the evening's storytelling. Then Theodora Moeller, representing the Sunset Series, had the children using their imagination to act out The Three Bears. Children were pretending to be the characters while speaking in the characters voices.
In keeping with the theme of the movie, the children took a short break to make craft spiders. While this was going on, it was then time for the adults to use their imagination. Author Carolyn Smith read a chapter from her book The House Of The Faun.
Next Kathy Colonna, representing the Putnam Valley Arts, read a selection from a book that was made into one of her favorite movies. She encouraged everyone enjoy stories coming alive and to visit the Library.
Barbara Parmly, a popular Putnam Valley Elementary School Teacher, also representing the PTA ELA - Putnam Valley Reads Committee, set the atmosphere for the rest of the evening. She read a selection from the book that inspired the evening's movie, Barbara went on to explain how fun reading can be and encourage the participants to read for their enjoyment.
The pavilion quickly faded to the gentle music announcing the movie, while everyone settled in. Carefully decorating the interior, were well positioned lawn chairs and colorful blankets that displayed the many families that participated in this event.
The Sunset Series hopes to continue to partner with the PTA to promote reading. Ideas have already been discussed for adding additional activities to this event next year.
For information about future Sunset Series Free Events please call the Recreation Department 526-3292 or visit www.PVSunset.com.
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