Nearly 100 Children's Books Vanish From Library

Librarians at the Southampton Free Library ask the community's help in finding the cookbooks.

Someone has stolen a large amount of children’s cookbooks from the Southampton Free Library. Head Children’s Librarian Lora Terifay said they have been jokingly referring to the problem as “The Case of the Cookbook Culprit,” but that it really isn’t a laughing matter. Terifay said she began to notice that the books were missing back in January, when someone from another library requested one of the titles. “When I went over to the shelf to get it, I just saw this huge gap,” she said. Terifay said the problem became obvious just a few weeks later, when the library received a shipment of new titles. “I took four new cookbooks and put them on display on top of the shelf on Friday,” she said. “By Monday morning, every last one was gone.” …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

DJ

11:02 am on Friday, April 26, 2013

There was an old woman on second street pike handing out dinosaur shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and "dirt" cakes with gummy worms.........   more ›

Scholasticity

Writing Your Own Obituary

Help your kids consider their future.

I offer a few extra credit assignments in my undergraduate Introduction to Psychology class, including one that prompts the student to write his or her own obituary. Students react in a variety of ways to this one – horrified, amused, bemused – but it’s a great way to think about your life before it’s too late. (Think Scrooge). I urge the students to be creative and fabricate their tale as well, including their future accomplishments - a bucket list of sorts but without the pressure of imminent death - and to think about those left behind. I want them to get perspective and think about how others will remember them. One of our pastors recently related the story of Alfred Nobel: Alfred Nobel became famous and successful as a chemist. He …

• Photos (1)

Scholasticity

Planning Adventures on a Budget

A little research and planning can save you money on your next family adventure, but be sure to read the fine print.

We finally made it to the Franklin Institute to see the Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs and it was awesome. I just love museums and I love to attend them with my kids and their friends. I still like to learn new stuff.  Parents need to stay engaged and open to new experiences. Lots of places like aquariums have cool things to do like wading in and feeding stingrays, or actually touching jellyfish and sea cucumbers. At the Franklin, we went to the roof to check out a sunspot through a giant telescope and learned that sunspots are actually storms on the surface of the sun. Just amazing! Times being what they are, everyone is crunched for money and a family membership to the Franklin costs $120. This includes two parents and up to four children. …

• Photos (1)

Swim Club Dives into New Season

Maplewood Swim Club has gone through a series of upgrades during the off season, including a welcome change to the snack bar.

After the long winter months, Maplewood Swim Club’s two outdoor pools, as well as the basketball and volleyball courts, needed a little TLC. The baby pool was resurfaced and the volleyball court got fresh sand and general maintenance from the winter wear and tear that took place this year," said Bernadette Clune, Vice President of the Maplewood Board. “The changes are unnoticeable,” she said. “Members get to come back to a place that looks the same (because of the maintenance.)" However, Clune said the biggest change is that the Maplewood’s snack bar is now run by the club, as opposed to years past when a local pizza shop rented the space in order to sell their goods. “Kids are using the snack bar more,” Clune said. “It’s geared more …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)
• Videos (1)

Celebrating 40 Years of Fun, Fair & Family

Santa Rides in Style for 'Christmas in July' Toy Drive

Aries Transportion Company is holding a toy drive at Southampton Days so they can spread Christmas cheer to patients at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

Philip and Linda Jagiela arrive to Southampton Days Family Nights in a limo. But they’re not VIP; they get to cruise into—and park inside—the fairgrounds in style so that hospitalized children have plenty of toys for Christmas. The Jagielas own Aries Transportation Group, a company that provides limo, bus, van and SUV services. They’ve served everyone from newlyweds, high school prom goers and corporations—but one of the best days at work for them is when Philip dons a Santa costume and the company participates in the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association’s (PRLA) Limos for Santa Charity Event. For eight years, the Jagielas have joined other PRLA members in December to drive down to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in …

• Photos (2)

Kids Parade Through the Park

Kids were moving and grooving to a performance of Meg’s Melodies at the Tamanend Park pavilion Monday evening.

Just as the day cooled off, parents brought their children — ranging from infant to elementary school age — to Tamanend Park to get their grooves on. Meg Russell performed  songs from her demo CD "Hat Parade" and led children through the interactive songs, including the classic “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” Russell also performed songs about eating healthy, brains soaking up knowledge like sponges and growing up strong. The children were encouraged to get up, participate in a parade celebrating their favorite things and, of course, dance.

• Photos (11)

Summer Boredom Busters

While today marks the official start of summer, how many times have already heard your child tell you they are bored? Combat summer boredom with these simple but effective ideas for timeless fun.

School may be out for summer, but contrary to what Alice Cooper says, it won’t be out forever.  Days on end of free time can lead to chronic boredom, and in my experience, scrounging up ideas of things to do led to some interesting hobbies and unforgettable memories.  Indoor Activities A lot of the things we did in my family to stave off summer doldrums were simple – things we just did with the family around the house. My mom’s favorite game was one she called "Sink or Float." She would pick random household object and have my brother and I guess whether it would sink or float. Then – you guessed it – we’d drop them into water and watch it all unfold. “I was even surprised by some of the things that sank or floated,” my mom recalled …

• Videos (1)

Stackpole Kindergarten Celebrates End of Year

A Stackpole Kindergarten tradition lives on, at least for one more year.

As school winds down, Stackpole Elementary’s kindergarten students got wound up at the traditional end of the year celebration. Kindergarten teachers Rob Rothman, Jennifer Higgins and Rose McKevitt each gave their A.M. class awards like “Best Storyteller” and “Most Athletic” to each student, showcasing their talents. Parents showed up in overwhelming numbers to watch their little tykes get their awards and sing a version of “New York, New York” -- with Stackpole realted lyrics, of course. Reminding us of how small children run to absolutely every destination and say the most adorable things, Stackpole says goodbye to its kindergarteners and hello to its new first graders...after a whole summer of play.

•  1 Comment
• Videos (1)

Viewfinder

Puppets Pizzazz Performs in the Park

The show was held at the Tamanend Park Pavilion Monday evening as part of a weekly series of free events for children that runs through the month of June.

There are only two more shows to enjoy at the park. For more information on events at the park, contact the Upper Southampton Parks and Recreation Department at 215-355-9781.

• Photos (40)

From the Stacks

Folk Songs, Fairies and a Writing Contest

Youth Services Librarian Lora Terifay details all the fun events for children happening this week at the Southampton Free Library.

This week children can enjoy Irish songs and folk stories as Nancy Schill presents a lively program for children ages 4 – 9 on Wednesday, March 9 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Limber jack puppets will be available as well for each of the children in attendance to use during this program. On Saturday, March 12 children ages 4 and up can enjoy a visit with the “Storybook Fairy” from Barnes and Noble. The Storybook Fairy will be wearing her fairy costume with purple wings, colorful layers of skirts and vests, jewels, and a delightful Mad Hatter-ish headpiece and of course, a magic wand. She will be telling stories of “fairy” lore from Ireland based on her recent trip abroad. Now in its 9th year children can participate in the Southampton Free Library…

• Photos (1)