18 June 2014 The Brown Bag Book Club is taking a break during the summer but we will be back in September. We will be reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck. With the Summer Reading Program going on it is too busy to prepare for the book club and there would be scheduling conflicts while the Summer Reading Program is going on. Speaking of the Summer Reading Program, the kick-off day was Monday, June 16, and was it busy. Everything went smoothly with everyone who came in to sign up for the program getting to the proper workstation, getting library cards renewed and getting books checked out to everyone. You can register your child anytime during the Summer Reading Program however, the later you sign-up the more likely the program you want to attend may be filled. Among the programs still open are the Marble runs and straw competition where you construct a track for your marble and race your friends. Then you get to use straws to construct something you would like to see. On July 7 the pre-schoolers will be making rainbows then on July 10 from 6-7 the popular VMS Robotics team returns to fascinate people with their robots. Magician Jeff Wawrzaszek will perform at the library on July 17 starting at 4P.M.and let's face it, magic is always cool. The Teen Program also has some great events. On June 24 the Science Fair demonstrates the fun things you can do with science. On July 1, it is Doctor Who Day with snacks, a trivia contest and movie. CSI Vicksburg on July 15 will test the teens skills in forensic science to catch a killer. On July 22, the Kalamazoo Air Zoo comes to the Library to show amazing ways you can generate electic energy. The End of Summer Reading Party for the Teens in on July 29 and for the Children it will be on July 30. The Library is offering some help for parents as they make vacation plans or just plans to get away for the weekend. For the second year the Library is giving the Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) free. There can be used for places from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti, Empire to Marquette. The MAP will get you into Yankee Air Museum in Belleville or the Toonerville Trolley, at Soo Junction. Maybe you would rather tour the U.S.S. Mackinaw, the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker at Mackinaw City or the Gilmore Car Museum at Hickory Corners. To help you find all of these towns, the Library is giving the first 50 parents the newest road map of Michigan printed by the Michigan Department of Transportation. There's a lot to see in Michigan and with a free pass and a map, it makes it easier to go. Did you know that Michigan has the third most diverse agriculture following California and Florida. It is the largest producer of tart cherries, hazel nuts and mint in the United States. While Minnesota may the the Land of 10,000 lakes, Michigan has over 11,000 lakes of 10 acres or more. The only county in Michigan that does not border one of the Great Lakes or have a natural lake is Saginaw County. That is all for this week, come in for a book or a movie, the Library is always glad for your coompany. John