Show your love for the children in your life by reading to them. Children love to spend time with adults who love them and reading aloud is a wonderful way to share time together. Whether young or old, reading aloud is wonderful even if they can read by themselves.
Read a favorite book from your childhood to your children or check out one of these new books to share.
These books can be shared in one or two sessions. “Plant a Pocket of Prairie” by Phyllis Root looks at one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world by showing how changes in one part of a system change the others.
Two stories of bravery from Pakistan, one about a boy, the other about a girl, are found in “Malala” and “Iqbal” by Jeanette Winter. Both children were unafraid to speak out and their stories are told simply yet eloquently.
Two new animal books include “Chasing Cheetahs” by Sy Montgomery, about the race to save Africa’s fastest cats, and “Sea Turtle Scientist” by Stephen R. Swinburne, about Dr. Kimberly Stewart, better known as the turtle lady on St. Kitts island.
Historical novels can be really fun to read aloud, every one learns a bit about history while enjoying a good story. “A Horse Called Hero” by Sam Angus is set in England the days leading up to World War II. Two children and their family are forced out of their London home and into the country leaving behind everything they’ve ever known.
Another story set in the same time frame is “The War that Saved My Life” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, about a young girl with a clubfoot and her younger brother sent to the country to escape the bombings in London.
Travel back to just after World War I on the West Coast of America and the Friendship Doll exchange of 1926 when more than 12,000 dolls were sent to Japan by American children in the hopes of avoiding a future war. “Ship of Dolls” by Shirley Parenteau grew out of the authors exploration of Girls Day in Japan in which her granddaughter participated.
Viewing history through the eyes of a young girl in the past is fun in “Searching for Silverheels” by Jeannie Mobley. Pearl lives in a small town in the mountains of Colorado on the cusp of World War I, but is trying to figure out the real history of the dancer, whose has a peak named after her, who supposedly nursed miners through an epidemic in 1861 then disappeared.
Thursday, Feb. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Friends of the Library will hold their monthly book sale. Stop by and find a book to read. Then Friday, Feb. 13, beginning at 7 p.m., the second monthly Open Mic Night will be held in the reading area of the library. Join us for a great evening of song, poetry and other readings.
The library will be closed Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
International Falls Lions Club members John Michalsen and Sally Schaak are pictured with Chris Jonson, Rainy Lake Clinic nurse clinician. Diabetes education books were purchased with funds from the Lions Club.
The International Falls Lion’s Club recently made a donation of $2,000 to the Rainy Lake Clinic in support of its diabetes program. Funds donated will be used to purchase educational displays and posters, patient education tools and practice tools, and other materials for patients that visit the clinic for diabetes education.
Funds will also go toward the purchase of diabetes educational books and materials patients take with them and keep for long-term self reference.
The club generated the donation from a Super One Foods grocery raffle. The purpose being to raise funds for diabetes that would stay local.
For nearly 100 years, Lion’s Club International members have worked on projects designed to prevent blindness, restore eyesight, and improve eye health and eye care for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
The local Lions’ decided that donating to a diabetes cause would be a wise option as people with diabetes have a higher risk of blindness than people without diabetes.
Dan Odegaard, Rainy Lake Medical Center CEO, stated, “We are very grateful to the Lions Club for their openhanded donation to our diabetes program. This will help us expand access to diabetes services in Koochiching County.”
25 YEARS AGO
Seventh-grader Kristin Grill won the championship Friday in the second annual International Falls School District Spelling Bee.
Former Bronco track participant Willy Schmidtbauer is a member of Bemidji State University’s track team.
40 YEARS AGO
Delano (Del) and Lorraine (Laurie) Siewert on Feb. 1 took over as owners and operators of Thunderbird Lodge, 10 miles east of town on Highway 11.
The International Falls City Council recently granted a new restaurant license to William Porter for a delicatessen in the old Iltis building, Third Street and Fourth Avenue
50 YEARS AGO
Reigning champs of International Falls men’s bowling are Don and Doug Frick, doubles; Duane Rostie, singles; Milt Reeve, all events; and Iver Cassibo, Roy Linsten, Larry Braaten, Paul Rundell and Bob Oliver of the championship MD&W team.
Captain Larry Weum leads the Bronco cage team in scoring with 217 points in 15 games for a 14.4 average, and his 150 rebounds are second to Tim Watson’s 171.
Robert Kyryluk, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kyryluk, Jameson Addition, was the pleasantly surprised winner of the Rainy River Junior College variety show Thursday evening in Backus Auditorium. Playing the accordion solo, “Granada,” Bob’s performance was interrupted with applause by an appreciative audience.
Miss Mary Custer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Custer, 2022 Fourth Ave. E., was the guest of honor at a prenuptial shower recently at the Ukrainian Hall.
60 YEARS AGO
A daughter was born today at Falls Memorial Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ruport; weight, 5 pounds.
Mrs. Vernon Holmestad, Jameson Addition, celebrated her 18th birthday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bzdok, Jameson Addition, last evening.
Mrs. Leonard Nord was feted at a stork shower in her home, 813 Eighth St. Hostesses for the event were Mrs. John Sweney, Mrs. Norman Lundquist, Mrs. Harry Poster and Mrs. George Johnson.
Mrs. Elmer Henrickson was guest of honor at a stork shower in the Happy Hollow Community Hall Saturday evening.
70 YEARS AGO
Pfc. John G. (Jack) Prettyman, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Prettyman of International Falls, has died of battle wounds suffered on Luzon, his parents were informed.
Two International Falls men who recently received their pilot’s wings at Blytheville Army Air Field, Blytheville, Ark., are 2nd Lt. James C. Berquist and Flight Officer Leonard G. Milette.
Having been called for induction Feb. 23, Francis Robbie will conclude his duties as assistant manager of the J.C. Penney store here today.
Local youths Leo Toninato, George Morff, James Dardis, Sever Turenne and Leo Hennager became members of Knights of Columbus Troop No. 150 in an investiture ceremony which climaxed observation of Boy Scout Sunday at St. Thomas Church.
Pet of the Week
Hi, my name is “Brantley.” I love to snuggle, give hugs and be the center of attention. One of my favorite things to do is to be carried around on my people friends’ shoulders. Neutered and up-to-date on shots, I am very playful and so happy that I was rescued from living on the streets. Life is much easier here. I can’t wait to find my forever home where I can have my very own person. Until the time comes when Mr. or Mrs. Right walks through those doors, I will be patiently waiting and playing and loving life.
For more information, visit the website at www.borderlandhumanesociety.org or call the Holding Facility, 218-283-9276.
