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Health & Fitness

STOMP @ The Library with Elec Simon, Family Programs featuring Eagles, Camping, Glow in the Dark Fun, and More This Week at Stark County District Library

STOMP @ The Library with Elec Simon, Family Programs featuring Eagles, Camping, Glow in the Dark Fun, and More This Week at Stark County District Library

It looks to be an exciting Fourth of July week at Stark County District Library, with a pre-First Friday interactive family performance by Elec Simon at STOMP @ the Library. There will be great family programs including family movie night, a visit from Amanda and live birds from Stark Parks, camping fun, and a glow-in-dark Olympics. Plus, more book groups, teen programs, a visit from New York Times Best Selling author Shelley Shepard Gray, and other ways to stay cool and have fun.

As always, each program listed here is linked to the Stark County District Library Events calendar, where you'll get more information about the program (such as the time the event is offered), and have the opportunity to register online or by phone to attend.

All ages are invited to join us at Main Library to kick off First Friday festivities with Canton’s own Elec Simon at STOMP @ the Library on Friday, July 6. Simon is a celebrated musician and tap dancer. He has performed as a cast member of the critically acclaimed Broadway production of STOMP, and with tap luminary Savion Glover in Tap Extravaganza. The event is made possible through a Stark Community Foundation SummerTime Kids Grant and is co-sponsored by Canton City Schools. We’ll have children’s activities and refreshments starting at 4:00 pm, and Elec will start the interactive performance at 5:00 pm. Don’t miss it!

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For teens, North Branch will host Steampunk a Go-Go all week during library hours. Stop in and craft some funky steampunk-inspired jewelry with an edge and get recommendations from the librarians for great steampunk summer reading. For the super-hero-minded teen, Lake Community Branch presents Own the Night on Thursday, July 5. Teens are invited to come dressed as their favorite superhero or supervillain and share fantastic food, diabolical drinks, and fun.

Summer is great time for teens to get involved at the library through Teen Advisory Board, where they can help plan teen programs, take part in community service projects, and make friends. There are three Teen Advisory Boards meeting this week: at Lake Community Branch, Jackson Township Branch, and at Main Library. Here is a link to all three.

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Families can join us all week before and after the 4th for fun and special guests. East Canton Branch will hold Family Movie Night on Tuesday, July 3. Get ready for the 4th with some movie-fireworks and enjoy How to Train Your Dragon. On Thursday, July 5 families can keep the patriotic spirit going strong at North Branch with a program called Oh Say Can You See… A Bald Eagle? Amanda from Stark Parks Wildlife Center will join us to talk about the eagle and share other live bird species. This program is offered at 2 sessions on the same afternoon. Here is the link to both. On Monday, July 9 families can participate in the Glow in the Dark Olympics at Main Library where there will be all kinds of phosphorescent fun and games. And, on Tuesday, July 10, take the family on a camping adventure at Sandy Valley Branch with stories, songs, music, crafts, and games at Let’s Go Camping.

Keep up with your Summer Reading and join one of SCDL many book groups. This week, Lake Community Branch’s Mystery Book Club meets on Tuesday, July 3 talk about Oath of Office by Michael Palmer. Perry Sippo Branch hosts its Book Discussion Group on Thursday, July 5 (The book is Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner). Jackson Township Branch’s Adult Book Discussion Group also meets on Thursday, July 5—they’re reading Blessings by Anna Quindlen.  On Monday, July 9, Sandy Valley hosts its Adult Book Club to talk about Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. And, on Tuesday July 10, East Canton Branch and DeHoff Memorial Branch host Adult Book Discussions. East Canton is reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, and DeHoff Memorial Branch will meet to discuss The Resurrection of Nat Turner by Sharon Ewell Foster.

Meet New York Times Best Selling author of inspirational fiction, Shelley Shepard Gray on Tuesday, July 10 at Lake Community Branch. She is the author of the beloved Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven, as well as the Seasons of Sugarcreek series, Heart of a Hero series, and numerous others.  A selection of her books will be a available for purchase and signing.

There are many other excellent events planned at a branch of the Stark County District Library near you, including children's story times, book groups for adults, computer classes, programs for teens, and much more. For a full listing of events and programs, check www.StarkLibrary.org/eventscalendar and find something that enriches and inspires you today.

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