Guest reader delivers a good time and a Gruffalo

Ask any entertainer about how to capture an audience and they’ll tell you it’s all in the delivery. But having good material doesn’t hurt, either.

Ron Elniff, of Concordia, had both this morning as he took on the challenge of entertaining a room full of active preschoolers as the latest guest reader in the monthly Reading with Friends story time series at Neighbor to Neighbor in downtown Concordia.

Before the longtime school psychologist started in on the featured book, “The Gruffalo,” he gave the young readers tips on how to let books help them travel to distant and imaginary places.

“How would a mouse talk? High or low?” he asked the children. After a chorus of answers, Elniff advised the group, “You can make your story come alive if you use a different tone of voice for the different characters.”

“Like in animation?” one of the kids asked. Elniff agreed.

And he proceeded to do just that as he used  his voice to make the plucky mouse and the burly Gruffalo jump to life from the pages of the book. The story, by author Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, is an international best-seller with more than 13.5 million copies in print worldwide. It was voted England’s favorite bedtime story. The children received a free copy of “The Gruffalo” to take home.

The “Reading with Friends” story times are for children ages 3, 4 and 5. Each session includes playtime and a snack, as well as a book. Parents, grandparents and other caregivers may stay downstairs at the day center for women to enjoy coffee and snacks – but many choose to join their small charges upstairs to listen to the story.

The monthly program has been part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. This was the final session for the 2016-17 school year. This year’s Reading with Friends series was funded in part by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Fund, through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

Sister Pat McLennon, a co-director of Neighbor to Neighbor, said that the group hopes to secure another grant to allow them to continue the popular program next year.

“We don’t have a grant yet,” she said. “But if we do get one we will start the program again in September.”

For more information on Reading with Friends, contact Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or email neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

 

Kids, grownups and the reader all have a magnificent time!

 

It takes a magnificent retired teacher to capture the attention of a room full of preschoolers and their parents AND their grandparents and caregivers.

Margo Hosie was that person this morning at Neighborhood to Neighbor when she was the latest guest reader in the monthly “Reading with Friends” storytime series.

The book was “The Most Magnificent Thing,” which Hosie began by talking about “this big word ‘magnificent’” that she had printed on something of a flash card.

By the end of the story, however, Hosie said the first card made the word “magnificent” seem plain and small, and the story by Canadian author and illustrator Ashley Spires showed it as a big and exciting — so then she unveiled a much larger placard adorned with sparkles and stars.

Hosie, of Concordia, said even as a child she played as a teacher to her siblings and appreciated the chance to be a guest reader. “It’s just fun to be a part of it, and reading is so important,” she said.

The “Reading with Friends” storytimes are for children ages 3, 4 and 5. Each session includes playtime and a snack, plus children receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home. Parents, grandparents and other caregivers may stay downstairs at the day center for women to enjoy coffee and snacks – but many choose to join their small charges upstairs to listen to the story.

The monthly program has been part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The final session for the 2016-17 school year will be April 7, beginning at 10 a.m.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents need to register in advance by calling Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or emailing neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

“Reading with Friends” is funded in part by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Fund, through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

 

 

 

March 10 preschool storytime will be ‘Magnificent’

Concordia preschoolers are invited to a magnificent storytime at the next “Reading with Friends” at Neighbor to Neighbor.

The book to be read is “The Most Magnificent Thing” and the guest reader will be Margo Hosie of Concordia.

The storytime begins at 10 a.m. Friday, March 10, at the downtown center, 103 E. Sixth St.

In the story by award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Spires, a girl recruits her best friend — a dog — to help make the most magnificent thing. But the project turns out not to be as easy as she thought, and she tries and fails, repeatedly. Finally, she gets so mad she quits. Then it takes her best friend to convince her to try again.

The “Reading with Friends” storytimes are for children ages 3, 4 and 5. Each session includes playtime and a snack, plus children receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home. Parents, grandparents and other caregivers are invited to enjoy coffee and snacks downstairs at the day center for women while the story is being read upstairs.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents need to register for each session in advance by calling Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or emailing neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The final session for the 2016-17 school year is April 7.

“Reading with Friends” is funded in part by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Fund, through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

 

Reader Susie Haver will share ‘The Rainbow Fish’

Concordia preschoolers will learn a lesson in sharing at the next “Reading with Friends” at Neighbor to Neighbor.

The storytime begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the downtown center, 103 E. Sixth St.

The guest reader for “The Rainbow Fish” will be Susie Haver.

In the award-winning book, Swiss author and illustrator Marcus Pfister tells the story of the Rainbow Fish, who learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions. The book was published in German in 1992, with the title “Der Regenbogenfisch,” and translated into English in 1999.

In explaining the message of the book, Pfister said, “I want to show our children the positive aspect of sharing,. To share does not only mean to give away something — which is quote hard for a child to do — but to make someone else happy.”

The “Reading with Friends” storytimes for children ages 3, 4 and 5. Each session includes playtime and a snack, plus children receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home. Parents, grandparents and other caregivers are invited to enjoy coffee and snacks downstairs at the day center for women while the story is being read upstairs.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents need to register for each session in advance by calling Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or emailing neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The remaining sessions for the 2016-17 school year are March 10 and April 7.

“Reading with Friends” is funded in part by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Fund, through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

Register now for free family music program

A music program for very young children and their parents will be offered at Neighbor to Neighbor beginning Jan. 23.

The free eight-week “Music Together” classes will meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Mondays at the downtown center, 101 E. Sixth St., Concordia.

Music Together is a music and movement program for children from birth through age 7 and the grownups who love them. The children and adults take part in weekly 45-minute group sessions and receive take-home materials including a book and CD. Music Together, first introduced in 1987, gives parents an opportunity to learn about child development through the lens of music, as well as tools and strategies to manage behavioral challenges.

Musician Amber Rogers of Concordia is certified as a center director for Music Together and will lead the class.

Neighbor to Neighbor is able to offer the class without cost to the participants, thanks to a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Fund, through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

Class size is limited, so registration is required. Call Neighbor to Neighbor at 785-262-4215.

‘Stuck’ & Sister Christina Brodie delight preschoolers

SCROLL DOWN FOR A SHORT SLIDESHOW FROM THIS MORNING

It took Sister Christina Brodie’s boisterous personality to bring a silly little story to life Friday morning at Neighbor to Neighbor.

The monthly installment of “Reading With Friends” storytime for preschoolers featured the book “Stuck” by Oliver Jeffers. For the program, the 30 or so preschoolers crowded into the impromptu theater upstairs at the downtown day center as Sister Christina projected the pages of the book on a blank wall.

In the story, a boy named Floyd is determined to get his kite out of the tree. But how? First he tries knocking it down with his shoe. But strangely enough, that gets stuck, too. So he throws his other shoe, and, yes, it gets stuck. His only logical course of action is to find other things to throw, of course.

Sister Christina led the children in wondering what Floyd would throw next, and all the other silliness of the people, creatures and items caught in the tree.

The “Reading with Friends” storytimes for children ages 3, 4 and 5. Each session begins at 10 a.m. Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth St., and includes playtime and a snack, plus children receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home. Parents, grandparents and other caregivers are invited to enjoy coffee and snacks downstairs at the day center for women while the story is being read upstairs.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents need to register for each session in advance by calling Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or emailing neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The remaining sessions for the 2016-17 school year are Jan. 13 (2017), Feb. 10, March 10 and April 7.

“Reading with Friends” is funded in part by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Fund, through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

Absurdly funny ‘Stuck’ comes to preschool storytime

Concordia preschoolers can help Floyd figure out how to get his kite out of a tree at the next “Reading with Friends” at Neighbor to Neighbor.

The storytime begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the downtown center, 103 E. Sixth St.

The guest reader for “Stuck” will be Sister Christina Brodie.

In the story, Floyd is determined to get his kite out of the tree. But how? First he tries knocking it down with his shoe. But strangely enough, that gets stuck, too. So he throws his other shoe, and, yes, it gets stuck. His only logical course of action is to find other things to throw, of course.

“Stuck,” published in 2011, is described as Oliver Jeffers’ most absurdly funny book since “The Incredible Book-Eating Boy.”

The “Reading with Friends” storytimes for children ages 3, 4 and 5. Each session includes playtime and a snack, plus children receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home. Parents, grandparents and other caregivers are invited to enjoy coffee and snacks downstairs at the day center for women while the story is being read upstairs.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents need to register for each session in advance by calling Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or emailing neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The remaining sessions for the 2016-17 school year are Jan. 13 (2017), Feb. 10, March 10 and April 7.

“Reading with Friends” is funded in part by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Fund, through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED! Eager shoppers turn out for Holiday Boutique

SCROLL DOWN FOR A SLIDESHOW OF PHOTOS FROM THIS MORNING

The annual Holiday Boutique was scheduled to open at 9 this morning (Saturday, Nov. 12), but eager shoppers and the brisk outdoor temperature encouraged the Neighbor to Neighbor staff to open the doors a few minutes early. And the place was packed by 9 a.m.

One of the biggest draws was the collection of nativity sets donated by Maria Jindra and available for a freewill donation that will go to the Cloud County Resource Center. Over the course of the day, shoppers took home dozens of the pieces and donated more than $500.

Another big draw was the bake sale, featuring all homemade cookies, candies, breads and other treats. Then shoppers and supporters could turn their attention to the array of tables and stands loaded down with hand-crafted children’s toys and clothes, decorations, quilts, kitchen items and jewelry.

All the items are made by the women who come to the center, along with friends and supporters of the Sisters of St. Joseph who operate Neighbor to Neighbor.

The event ended with a drawing for five prizes:

• JULIE McGINNIS won the  “Heart to Heart” quilt, hand-appliqued and hand-quilted blocks created by master quilter Sandra Detrixhe and friends.
• CINDY DUNLAP won the two sets of hand-carved football and baseball miniatures, one in mahogany and one in mesquite. Hand-carved and donated by Duane Blake of Apache Junction, Ariz.
• LUCAS DEAL AND HIS DAUGHTER AVALIN won the Barbie-sized fashion doll with her own lace-covered wicker closet filled with outfits handmade by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• THE DEALS also won the lovely doll, hand dressed as a Native American by Jean Wilcox and Fran Shaw. She comes with a stand to display for years to come.
• SISTER CARM THIBAULT won the collectible doll, with display stand, with her own wardrobe hand-crafted by Sister Susan Stoeber.

All proceeds from the annual event support the programs, artists and craftswomen at Neighbor to Neighbor.

Holiday Boutique returns with bake sale & great prizes

The artisans at Neighbor to Neighbor create with all kinds of materials — acrylics and oils, embroidery floss and ribbon, threads and beads, yarn, fabric, wood, and (of course) sugar, flour, eggs, butter and chocolate.

And all that “art” will be for sale at the sixth annual Holiday Boutique & Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the downtown center, 103 E. Sixth St., Concordia.

Items featured in the boutique include one-of-a-kind jewelry, handcrafted holiday décor, artwork, knit scarves and hats, quilted items, children’s clothes and toys, women’s apparel and bobbin lace designs. The always popular bake sale will feature cookies, candies, breads and other goodies.

All the items are made by the women who come to the center, along with friends and supporters of the Sisters of St. Joseph who operate Neighbor to Neighbor.

There will also be a drawing for six prizes:

• “Heart to Heart” quilt, hand-appliqued and hand-quilted blocks created by master quilter Sandra Detrixhe and friends.
• Two sets of hand-carved football and baseball miniatures, one in mahogany and one in mesquite. Hand-carved and donated by Duane Blake of Apache Junction, Ariz.
• A Barbie-sized fashion doll with her own lace-covered wicker closet filled with outfits handmade by Sister Susan Stoeber.
• A lovely doll, hand dressed as a Native American by Jean Wilcox and Fran Shaw. She comes with a stand to display for years to come.
• A collectible doll, with display stand, with her own wardrobe hand-crafted by Sister Susan Stoeber.

Tickets for the drawings are available at Neighbor to Neighbor; the Nazareth Motherhouse, 1300 Washington St.; and Manna House of Prayer, 323 E. Fifth St., Concordia.

The prize drawings will be at 2 p.m. during the Holiday Boutique, and ticket-holders need not be present to win.

All proceeds from the annual event support the programs, artists and craftswomen at Neighbor to Neighbor.

 

Want to host a dragon taco party? Check this out!

 

When “Dragons Love Tacos” was published in 2012, it became an instant New York Times bestseller. Author Adam Rubin and illustrator Daniel Salmieri were described by one reviewer as “two of the weirdest, funniest guys working in kids’ lit today” — and their preschool audience responded to their silliness with giggles and delight.

Now preschoolers in Concordia will be introduced to Rubin and Salmieri’s how-to guide for would-be dragon taco party hosts.

Megan Nulf will read “Dragons Love Tacos” at the next “Reading with Friends,” set for Friday, Oct. 14, at Neighbor to Neighbor, 103 E. Sixth St., Concordia.

The “Reading with Friends” storytimes for children ages 3, 4 and 5 all begin at 10 a.m. Each session includes playtime and a snack, plus children receive a free copy of that day’s book to take home. Parents, grandparents and other caregivers are invited to enjoy coffee and snacks downstairs at the day center for women while the story is being read upstairs.

There is a limit of 30 children per session so parents need to register for each session in advance by calling Neighbor to Neighbor at 785/262-4215 or emailing neighbortoneighbor@csjkansas.org.

The monthly program has been part of Neighbor to Neighbor’s regular offerings since September 2012. The remaining sessions for the 2016-17 school year are Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 13 (2017), Feb. 10, March 10 and April 7.

“Reading with Friends” is funded in part by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Fund, through the Community Foundation for Cloud County.

 

 

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