by Andrea E. Stoner Leaman

Perhaps you got, like I did, a 4^th quarter report card with a reminder to help your child keep up with reading and writing over the summer, so they’re on task for the next grade.

A child practices recording a day.

Visions came to mind of sitting at the table, running drills while my son gazes longingly at the sunny yard. Then I remembered a friend who took her 6-year-old son on a trip during the school year. Each day she had him draw a picture of his favorite thing from the day, and then write a sentence about it underneath.

Yes, it is practicing writing, but more so, it is teaching other things … our lives have moments–remember them. How do I describe an experience in a sentence? What do I choose to visually represent that experience? If every day seems too much, choose a “scrapbook” day of the week.

When we hear the word “scrapbook” in 2013, we think of meticulous, colorful pages filled with complicated patterns, shapes and expensive embellishments. These are fun, and the 3-day retreat weekends of scrapbooking ‘round the clock while others cook the meals and no one bothers us are even more fun. However, once upon a time, scrapbooks used to be made from … wait for it … scraps. 

Public libraries will welcome Duet Productions, a touring theatre duo as they will present a production specially designed for this year’s summer reading theme, Dig into Reading! The play, entitled Finding King Tut, is a high spirited production that brings together the boy king of Egypt and a determined archaeologist, providing audiences with fascinating tale of discovery.  Presentations begin on June 25 and will run through July 10.

About “Finding King Tut”

In 1922 British archeologist Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of an Egyptian king that had lain hidden for over 3,000 years. Carter was astounded by the magnificent treasures

(Hershey, Pa.)— This June, Hershey Gardens invites the community to get caught up in its new summer wind exhibit and welcomes children to spend a magical day with flowers and fairies.

Catching the Wind Exhibit
Introducing visitors to the power of wind through pinwheels, whirligigs, wind chimes and wind sculptures, the new “Catching the Wind” special exhibit is on display June 7 through September 15. Guests can view more than 200 participant entries in the Seasonal Display Gardens. Visitors can also learn fun facts about wind as they explore the themed garden.
More than 150 pinwheels were painted by students in Derry Township School District. Other entries were crafted or donated by members of the community. The staff at Hershey Gardens crafted several wind sculptures and wind chimes, in addition to one large pinwheel made entirely out of recycled materials, for the display.

A Whimsical Day of Fairies & Flowers Event
Children are invited to come to Hershey Gardens dressed in their favorite fairy costume and participate in “A Whimsical Day of Fairies & Flowers” on Saturday, June 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Activities include dancing with the fairies, exploring the Gardens to find fairy doors, meeting the Rose Fairy and making a special fairy wand. The cost to participate in the event is $15 for juniors, which includes general admission. Pre-registration is required by calling 717-508-5970.

Yummy fabric at Joann.

What better time than summer to set your sight on a new goal? And may we suggest learning to sew? We know what you’re thinking … hunkered down over the machine – indoors – seems like such a cold weather sort of challenge.

We hear you. But use this time to practice and get prepared to make some fun fall school clothes. Like this Tootsie Pop skirt/apron shown here, which will look adorable on your little tootsie. We found this too-cute fabric (material at top of skirt) at Lancaster’s Jo-Ann Fabrics for $9.99/yd. To purchase the bottom Tootsie Pop material, visit www.hancockfabrics.com, which has it for $7.99/yd.

Btw, Jo-Ann, along with other fabric stores throughout Lancaster, has classes.

A Celebrate Lancaster attendee pushes an umbrella-covered stroller on North Queen Street early Friday, as evening showers dampen the city’s annual Fourth of July event. (Jonathan Foster Photo)

Lancaster, PA – On Friday, June 28, 2013, the City of Lancaster will be hosting its annual Celebrate Lancaster event in Downtown.  Celebrate Lancaster, presented by Fulton Bank, is the largest of the City’s events, bringing thousands of people to Downtown Lancaster to experience great entertainment, food and a tremendous fireworks display that can be seen throughout Lancaster County.

Celebrate Lancaster showcase’s the cultural and diversity of the people who live and work here with local foods, beer and wine and also professional, local and regional entertainment.

There will be two stages of entertainment – at Binns Park and Penn Square featuring great live music from a variety of sounds including bluegrass, Latino, R&B, rock n’ roll and more.  Also, two beer and wine pub areas will be part of the event, one adjacent to the Penn Square stage and one across from the main stage at Binns Park.  Over 25 food vendors will line North Queen Street throughout the day and evening – making this a true festival for the senses.

Cate Cardwell, 9, reaches up to pet “Duke,” an equine member of the Lancaster Police, outside Binns Park during Celebrate Lancaster on Friday. — ( Jonathan Foster Photo)

Event Schedule

11:30 AM – 10:00 PM  Over 20 food vendors along North Queen Street and in Lancaster Square.

5:00 PM – 10:00 PM  Live music on two stages at Penn Square & Binns Park.  Plus two pub areas featuring Samuel Adams beer and wine.

10:00 PM   Fireworks from the top of the Duke Street Parking Garage

Music Schedule

Fulton’s ‘Joseph’ has more than just biblical significance
By Laura Knowles, Correspondent

Although Joseph’s sidekick in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” only appears on stage for less than five minutes, it’s one dazzling performance for an article of clothing.

“The dreamcoat is just beautiful,” says Nathan Meyer, who portrays Joseph in the Fulton Theatre’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s vibrant musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

The show is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, favorite son of Jacob by Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel.

The colorful coat that Joseph receives from his father at the very start of the show is woven with symbolism and spurs jealous revenge on the part of Joseph’s 11 brothers, who are none too pleased with their father’s obvious preference for Joseph.

“It is very significant in so many ways,” Meyer says. “And when you put it on you feel very special.”

Just as special as Joseph feels when he first puts on the coat, setting off a chain of events that leads him to prison, slavery and then prominence as an interpreter of dreams to the Pharaoh.

The dreamcoat used in the Fulton’s performance has great local significance, too. Back in 2003, when the Fulton Theatre first put on the production, costume designer Beth Dunkelberger reached out to the Lancaster community to craft the dreamcoat.

COLUMBIA, PA:  Ever try to tell time with a Flip-Flop®?  Or a recycled CD?  With just a few creative additions both these items can be turned into clocks! “At the National Watch and Clock Museum you don’t have to just visit time. You can take time home with you!” explains Marketing and Special Events Coordinator Kim Craven.

Make-and-Take Workshops will be held at the Museum on Mondays through August 26 between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Participants can choose the clock they want to make for themselves or for a gift. There is a small fee of $6 and
large groups should make reservations by calling 717-684-8261, ext. 237.

“A workshop like this one is another opportunity to encourage families to visit and see that our Museum is not only educational, but a whole lot of fun, too – for all ages,” states Director of Education Katie Knaub.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with close to 17,000 members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.  December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From Memorial Day through Labor Day the Museum is also open on Mondays.