The Cape May County Library offers something new this summer: a “Creative Reading Club” for kids going into Kindergarten through 8th Grade, beginning June 22.
Students must pre-register to participate. Registration can be done until June 12 at the Main Branch of the Library, 30 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, or by calling 609-463-6350.
Early registration is necessary, allowing the time needed to make individual packets for each participant. A Cape May County library card is required to register.
On June 22, kids can pick up their individual packet of reading activities at the library of their choice. A new packet will be issued weekly until August 3.
After the kids complete the packet they can bring it back to collect stickers and add their work to the library’s collection. Each branch will have a binder showcasing members’ projects completed during the summer.
Members will be invited to an exclusive event celebrating their summer reads.
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You can learn “How to Create a Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden” at 10 a.m. on June 20 at the Main Branch.
Following the presentation, participants are invited to visit a local butterfly and hummingbird garden for a hands on experience.
The basics for creating a butterfly and hummingbird-friendly garden and yard will be covered by instructor Pat Sutton.
You’ll be amazed by all the Black Swallowtails your garden will attract as well as meet the needs of hummingbirds and you’ll be dazzled by them in your garden from late April through early October.
Learn where hummingbirds go in winter, why they leave when gardens are in bloom, when they return, hummingbird feeder maintenance, and lots of other natural history fun facts.
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The public is invited as the Cape May County Library welcomes author Laura Jacobs as she reads from her recently released novel, “The Bird Catcher.”
The reading takes place at 6 p.m. on June 18tat the Cape May City Public Library, Ocean and Hughes sts.
Jacob’s first novel, “Women About Town,” is a Literary Guild selection that was also published in France and Poland.
A limited number of books will be available for purchase, and light refreshments will be served.
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Teresa Knipper will lecture on “Native Plants for Butterfly Gardens” at 7 p.m. on June 23 at the Main Library.
Knipper, an amateur photographer, will delight and inform you with beautiful slides of her own of butterflies and the native plants that can sustain them right in your own backyard.
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Kathy Clark, principal zoologist of the New Jersey’s Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species Program will give a lecture on “The Peregrine Falcons in New Jersey,” at 7 p.m. June 22 at the Upper Cape Branch of the Library, 2050 Route 631, Petersburg.
The Peregrine Falcon, commonly referred to as the “Duck Hawk,” has the ability to reach speeds of 200 mph, making it the fastest animal in the world.
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A special workshop by Little Productions —Finger Spelling with Signing Hands—reinforces the basics of sign language and introduces new signs through songs and games for children in grades Pre-K to six at the following locations:
• June 29, 10 a.m. – Cape May City Public Library, Ocean and Hughes sts. 609-884-9568, and at 2 p.m. in the Stone Harbor Recreation Center, 82nd and 97th sts. 609-368-6809.
• June 30, 10 a.m. – Sea Isle City Public Library, 125 John F. Kennedy Blvd. 609-263-8485, and at 2 p.m. in the Woodbine Public Library, 800 Monroe St. 609-861-2501.
Children will fingerspell their names and words, learning through the use of colorful posters and masks as visual aids.
Additionally, a viewing of deaf actors as they present their version of Little Red Riding Hood is shown, with children pre-taught new signs allowing them to sign along with the actors.
The method of “See It, Hear It and Sign It” is used so children can incorporate words into sentences.
At the close of the workshop, children sing and sign to “Hands Up” and “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” from the Lion King movie.
For additional information, call 609-463-6350 or visit cmclibrary.org.
