There’s never a shortage of activities, programs, learning and fun going on at the Escalon Library on Second Street.
This past Saturday, the local branch library played host to Science Saturday, where families turned out to learn about how popcorn is grown, how you can pop it yourself and how to make homemade butter to enjoy with it.
Library assistant Amanda Clifford presented the program, utilizing festive ears of Indian corn to demonstrate how it can be popped in the microwave in a matter of seconds, then served up with the freshly made butter. Attendees each got an ear of corn to take home and used the heavy whipping cream and salt to ‘churn’ their own butter.
Tom and Molly Craig and their four children, ranging in age from 11 to 3, were among those at the Saturday gathering.
“It’s so fun, we love this kind of stuff,” said Molly.
Hosted the first Saturday of every month, the Science Saturday programs are a popular one with kids, but librarian Brianna Anderson said there are also plenty of activities for adults as well.
“We’ve had a lot of interest in our Cookbook Club and would love some more attendance,” she said.
Meeting the first Tuesday of the month at 11:30 a.m., future programs are coming up on Dec. 4, Jan. 8 and Feb. 5 on topics including teas, new recipes and favorite desserts.
“We are also a National Novel Writing Month hub all November where people can come in every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. and get their writing done as well as get cool rewards for meeting their writing goals,” Anderson said, with a word count challenge for specific ages.
“They write both at the library and on their own. The meeting on Tuesday every month in November is a time for them to check in and upload what they have written onto a computer to check their progress, as well as a time for them to write and work on their manuscript with other writers,” Anderson explained.
She said the goal for National Novel Writing Month, for adults, is to write 50,000 words and, for kids and teens, to write between 1,000 and 10,000 words.
“As they write and upload onto the NaNoWriMo website they will get badges for completing goals. We also have prizes for those people who, at the end of the month, have reached their word goal,” Anderson said.
Coming up on Friday, Nov. 16 at 3:30 p.m., the library will host the Young Eagle Spirit Drum and Dance Group, a Native American heritage group who share traditional songs and dances.
“We also have a new teen program called DIY Studio and on Tuesday, November 27 at 4 p.m. we will be making stress balls for finals week,” Anderson said.
The library is at 1540 Second St.
