Day-by-Day Lineup of Every Super Event in June

is the first big week of SUPERHERO SUMMER at McAlester Public Library. Candy Larkins promotes the two biggest programs of the week.

 

By KATHY McGILBERRY

June is here and the Summer Reading Program is officially underway. That means free lunches, free reading programs, free movies, and much more during our “Superhero Summer” at McAlester Public Library.

Teens are already eager to earn prizes by becoming “Reading Buddies” with younger children, in a new read-aloud program hosted by Teen Librarian Sarah Standish. Adults can volunteer to read to children too, in Friday afternoon sessions in the Whiteacre Room. Ask at the front desk how you can be a part of this valuable and rewarding program.

You can win prizes by participating in all our programs, with big prize giveaways like Kindle Fires and Kindle Paperwhites at the end of the summer. So let’s don our tights, unfurl our capes, straighten our masks and leap right into the schedule:

Tuesday, June 2—Lap Sit story time for the little ones, 10 a.m. on this and every Tuesday morning; Lunch Bunch (free lunches for anyone 18 and under), Noon-12:45 p.m. today and every Monday-Thursday through July 9; and Children’s Movie Time (call ahead for titles), on this and every Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 3—Extreme Animals children’s show, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Graphic Art Lesson for teens, with artist and International Superhero Festival originator Kevin Stark, 2 p.m.; and Steampunk Character Creation Workshop for all ages, with Kevin Stark (perhaps in character as his alter ego “The Curator”). A special Steampunk-themed door prize will be given away.

Thursday, June 4—Children’s Program on the Toy and Action Figure Museum, with examples of toys on exhibit, and stories about the design of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys, with Kevin Stark, 10 a.m.; The Bookies Book Club, 1 p.m., discussing The All Girls Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg; Children’s Game Time, 2 p.m., downstairs; Teen Game Time, 2 p.m., upstairs; and a final program for all ages on the Toy and Action Figure Museum, with emphasis on famous Oklahoma cartoonists (one of the many exhibits at the Pauls Valley museum), with Stark. There will be special Superhero-themed door prize given away at the evening program.

Friday, June 5—The first gathering of adult volunteers who will read to children on every Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room. Come one, come all, for an afternoon of reading aloud and helping children learn to love books even more!

Monday, June 8—Teen Cooking Class, 2 p.m., making Fresh Fruit Smoothies and Paleo Pancakes; Arthouse Theater Superhero Special, featuring a PG-13 film starring Mr. Furious, The Shoveller and The Bowler. We’ll have free popcorn.

Tuesday, June 9—Our regular children’s Tuesday lineup: Lap Sit, Lunch Bunch, Movie.

Wednesday, June 10—Children’s shows with wildlife expert Benny Farrar, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Adult Crafts, making Garden Spinners (that could very well double as Superhero Shields), 1:30 p.m.; Teen Costume Creation Workshop, with T-Shirts and Tutus, 2 p.m.; The Sci-Fi with Clout Book Group, discussing John Wyndham’s Day of the Triffids, 6 p.m.

Thursday, June 11—Story and Activity Time Children age six and older, on this and every Thursday, 10 a.m.; our regular children’s and teen game times; and at 6 p.m., a Steampunk/Character Costume presentation by Steampunk costume creator Heather Para. A special Steampunk-themed door prize will be given away.

Friday, June 12—Read-Aloud time, 2 p.m., for children, with adult readers, on this and every Friday afternoon.

Saturday, June 13—Second Saturday Cinema, our regular family movie, turns interactive as we host the first of three Audience Participation Family Movies. Get ready to shout, stomp, blow bubbles and shake noisemakers as we have some Incredibles fun. It all starts at 2 p.m., with free popcorn, instruction sheets that tell you what to watch for, and bags of toys and favors for everyone. This summer, all our Adult/Family movies will be presented with Spanish subtitles, so our Spanish-speaking patrons get a little extra help learning English as a second language.

Monday, June 15—Teen Reading Buddies, 2 p.m.; Special Spanish-Language Program, a Loteria game, with great prizes, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, June 16—Our regular children’s lineup: Lap Sit, Lunch Bunch, Movie.

Wednesday, June 17—Children’s musical show with Monty Harper, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Creative Writing Lessons for teens with author Julius Bailey, 2 p.m.; Special Movie for Steampunk Fans, 6 p.m., a sequel to the film shown in May, with free popcorn.

Thursday, June 18—Our regular Thursday children’s and teen lineup: Lap Sit, Lunch Bunch, Movie; “Super YOU! Open Mic Night,” with prizes for all who participate, with a special cash prize for audience favorite, 6:30 p.m., open to anyone of any age who wants to perform.

Friday, June 19—Read Aloud to Children Time, 2 p.m.

Monday, June 22—Great Escape Children’s Book Club, 2 p.m., discussing As Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson; Teen Cooking Class, Chocolate Tahini Oat Bites and Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas, 2 p.m.; Light Readers Book Club, discussing The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, June 23—Our regular children’s lineup: Lap Sit, Lunch Bunch, Movie; Night Readers Book Club, discussing Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 24—Children’s Storytelling with Michael Corley, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Teen Costume Creation Workshop, Capes and Masks, 2 p.m.; SteamPunk book group, discussing Airman by Eoin Colfer, 2 p.m.

Thursday, June 25—Our regular Thursday children’s and teen lineup; Special Comic Book-themed movie, 6 p.m. with free popcorn. The film lambastes the relationship between Hollywood and comic book cultures in a mockumentary that puts a beloved heroic character through the studio system wringer. It’s rated PG-13.

Friday, June 26—Read Aloud to Children Time, 2 p.m.

Saturday, June 27—Documentary Matinee, 2 p.m., follows a special niche of Hollywood history. It’s rated R, and features free popcorn as always.

Monday, June 29—The TAG/Teen Book Club will be discussing Rick Yancey’s The 5^th Wave, at 2 p.m.; The Media Moguls Digital Photography group is planning a special night of free Superhero portraits for all ages—but hold up! That’s in July. For their June meeting at 6 p.m., the group will work with new software and equipment, in preparation for the free Superhero portraits on the last Tuesday in July. It will work a little like our free Santa photos in December, but you’ll pick up your photos at the “Big Finish! Costume Contest” on Thursday, July 30. The June meeting will also be the deadline to turn in photos for a special McAlester Landmarks bookmark project the group has undertaken. Interested in photography and graphic arts? You should attend!

Tuesday, June 30—Socrates Café returns! The philosophical discussion group will enjoy brunch and conversation at 10 a.m. in the Conference Room. We’ll also see our regular Tuesday children’s lineup: Lap Sit, Lunch Bunch, Movie. The Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m., too. We understand a whole new group showed up for the last meeting, so don’t worry if you registered and didn’t get to attend the first two meetings. Show up, and instructor Lana Bowen will find a spot for you!

There are some super prizes to be won this summer, so attend as many Superhero Summer programs as you can. July will start off with an up-close look at The Batmobile, and a conversation with its creators, plus all the great programs you’ve come to know and love. We’ll end the summer with a fantastic costume contest for all ages. Hope to see you at the library!