NORTH AUGUSTA – Lizards, turtles and snakes. Oh my!
Sean Poppy, University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Library outreach coordinator, brought those animals plus frogs, alligators and salamanders to the Nancy Carson Library Friday for a special event tied to the summer reading program.
In addition to showing off the animals, Poppy gave the 222 children and adults in attendance bits of information about them.
For some, such as the tree frog and bullfrog, he even played recordings of the sounds they make.
“I’m hearing this one calling in the woods behind my house, and I live over in New Ellenton, and there’s a good chance you’re hearing this one as well,” said Poppy before he played the call of the gray tree frog. The sound is prevalent on summer evenings around the area.
The gray tree frog’s skin has a poison that can irritate people if they touch it and touch their face or eyes, he said.
Children responded with excitement to many of the animals which he brought in various containers. Some also made the ride from the Savannah River Ecology Lab in cloth bags tucked inside plastic bins.
Poppy and his menagerie visited several libraries the first week of June. He’s also scheduled for a stop at Augusta’s headquarters’ library on Telfair Street on June 17 at 9 a.m. according to the library system website.
With summer reading in full swing, there are a lot of free programs for families.
In the coming week, Aiken Community Theatre will bring its Garden Theatre’s run of Peter Pan to several locations including Nancy Carson Library at 10:30 a.m., June 13.
The show runs about 30 to 40 minutes.
While the summer reading program is already underway in Richmond County, the kickoff event is schedule from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14 at Dave and Buster’s.
“The Library will be giving away 100 children’s books penned by the inspiring author Nia Obotette, who will be attending the event! Ms. Obotette is not only a talented writer but also an accomplished triathlete, proving that anything is possible, and attendees will have the special opportunity to meet her,” according to a news release from the library.
At the Columbia County Library, Keith Karnok will present magic and ventriloquism at 6 p.m. June 10 in the Hardin Theater as part of summer programming.
Throughout June, there are multiple story times, crafts and other activities. For Columbia County Library, go here; for Richmond County, go here; and for Aiken County, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s a Georgia Press Association winner and the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
