September Events for Children at the Parkland Community Library

Head over to the Parkland Community Library for a month filled with fun!

PCL Teens

Tuesday, September 3 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Help to decide what YA books the library buys, discuss what you’ve been reading, help prepare for activities and programs, and have some snacks!
For those in grades 7 to 12.
Participants earn volunteer credit. 

Night at the Movies

Wednesday, September 11
6:30 p.m.

Join us for a showing of Adventures in Zambezia.
Held in the Youth Services Room.
No registration is required. 

Fall Story Times

September 18 to October 25; Story time registration begins August 26 at 10:00am.

 

Call 610-398-1361 x 19 to register

Family Story times

Wednesdays and Thursdays 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

For children from 18 months to 3 years, but younger and older siblings may attend. An adult must stay with each child. Stories, songs, and games are shared with the whole family. Registration is required.

Preschool Story times

Wednesdays and Thursdays 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.

For children between 3 and 5 years. Parents must stay in the library but do not have to attend storytime with the children. Stories, songs, games and crafts are all part of preschool storytimes. Registration is required.
 

Drop-In Story times

Fridays 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

For families with young children and children of all   different ages. No registration is required.

Touch a Truck

Saturday, September 28

10:00 a.m. to noon

Back for its second year!
Bring the whole family to the circle in front of the library to check out some of the coolest trucks around. We’ll have diggers, police cars, an ambulance, and more for you to explore.
No registration required.

What is the Lehigh Valley's largest lake?

Do you know what the Lehigh Valley's largest lake is? Have you ever heard of Leaser Lake? Neither had we, until we spent a fantastic afternoon there. Located in the northwest section of the Valley, Leaser Lake is a great place for a quiet canoe ride, family picnic or catching minnows with the kids.

Paddling on Leaser Lake

A couple of weeks ago, I had seen a sign near New Smithville that mentioned paddle boats and Leaser Lake. So, when we were trying to find something to do with the kids over the 4th of July holiday, we decided to Google it and find out more.

Several years ago, Leaser Lake was drained so the dam could be repaired. Earlier this year, the lake reopened for the first time in three years for trout season. This is also the first season for Leaser Lake Boats, Bikes & Bait (LLBBB), which provide rentals seven days a week to outdoor adventurers.

WHAT'S NEW AT LEASER LAKE?

LLBBB is located at 8912 Levans Road in Kempton just behind Wanamakers General Store (which if you haven't done so already, be sure to stop in. Their sandwiches are delish!). You'll want to first visit LLBBB to pick out your rental and then head to the lake.

Rental options include kayaks (single or tandem), paddle boards, canoes, row boats, fishing rods and bikes. Prices range from $5-$10 per hour for bikes and $20-25 per hour for boats. My husband and I rented a canoe and purchased lunches from Wanamakers, and spent quality time with our girls ... all for less than $50!

Coming later this summer via LLBBB ... yoga on paddle boards while on the lake! That sounds both awesome and slightly dangerous at the same time. 

WHAT TO BRING TO LEASER LAKE

I'd recommend bringing a blanket and/or chairs to sit on if you plan to picnic; there are a few picnic tables, but we find it easier for our kids to have a place to sit on the ground, too. Water shoes, hats and sunglasses, and sunblock are a definite. It can be hot out on the boat with the sun reflecting off the water.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

There is no swimming at Leaser Lake and there's not much of a beach. It's simply a quiet place, away from all the hubbub of the busy community pools and more commercial lakes, where you can enjoy nature's beauty.

Connect with Leaser Lake Boats, Bikes & Bait on Facebook or visit their website for more information. Interested in learning more about Leaser Lake's history? Check out the Heritage Foundation site.

Mom's Movie Review: Despicable Me 2

It was hotter than blue blazes today! So, instead of filling the inflatable baby pool, my gang headed to the AMC on Tilghman to watch a movie. This was the first time in YEARS that my husband had been to the movies and we brought our girls (5 years and 20 months). The heat must have definitely been getting to us ... we took a 20-month-old to the movies?!

We gave our oldest a choice: Do you want to see Despicable Me 2 or Monsters University? Secretly, I would have been happy watching either one of these, but was glad that she chose Despicable Me 2. I just love those little minions!



The movie is rated PG and seems to be well liked by the general public -- receiving four out of five stars on MSN Entertainment. I don't want to spill the beans too much, but here's the gist:

Dr. Gru is no longer evil ... he's a loving father to the three little orphans from DM1. There's another bad guy in town who wants to take over the world and uses the minions as part of his evil plan. Dr. Gru and girls save the day and the world! The end.

Oh, and there's a lot of jelly , fun new characters, guacamole and a princess party.

My crew really enjoyed this animated sequel. The baby almost lasted the entire movie and even laughed out loud a few times! Sure, the movie was probably not age appropriate for my toddler, but I do not regret taking her.

WANT MORE MINIONS?

For more details on Despicable Me 2 and to watch movie trailers, go to the official website. You can even create your own "InstaMinion" on Facebook (which I did, and it was fun and easy to do).

Have you seen Despicable Me 2? What did you think?

July Events for the Kids at Wegmans!

Just in case you didn't love Wegmans enough already ... here are six more reasons! Throughout the month of July, Wegmans, located at 3900 Tilghman Street in Allentown, will host events for the kids. Some are free, others cost
a small fee.

Photo from the Morning Call, mcall.com

 FUN EVENTS FOR THE KIDS AT WEGMANS

July 13
Story & Craft Hour
10 - 11 am
Free event

July 19
Story & Craft Hour
10 - 11 am
Free event

July 20
Breakfast with Sully from Monsters University!
9 am - 12 pm
Breakfast Bar available until 11:30 am @ $8.99 / lb

July 21
Breakfast with Sully from Monsters University!
9 am - 12 pm
Breakfast Bar available until 11:30 am @ $8.99 / lb 

July 27
Story & Craft Hour
10 - 11 am
Free event

July 28
Cooking with Kids, Make your own ice cream
3 - 4 pm
$5 / child, purchase tickets at the Service desk

Maybe we'll see you there! If you have any questions about these events you can visit or call the Customer Service desk, (610) 336-7900.