You know what?

THE HATRACK STORYTELLERS ARE CELEBRATING THEIR

45TH ANNIVERSARY!

Hard to believe, isn't it?

SOOOOOOO......

Put on a happy face!

Put on a silly hat.

It's party time!

We are kicking off the year with a Celebration Banquet on Thursday, October 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc.

All Storytellers, past and present, their families, and all former Hatrack Kids are invited.

Mark your calendars and tell your friends.

You bring a dish to pass; beverages and utensils will be provided.

After our feast (let's face it...pot lucks are the best), you will be entertained by a special group of storytellers presenting ADULT stories (now, don't go there...this is a family event, you know!)

Make reservations by contacting Diane Hansen at 920-682-3194 or dwick@charter.net.

Hope to see YOU there!

March 19th, 2011 Program...Dr. Seuss

Join the Hatrack Storytellers in wishing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of our favorite writers...

Dr. Seuss

Saturday, March 19

11:00

Lester Public Library, Two Rivers

Dr. Seuss fans of all ages are welcome (no charge!) to hear:

Gertrude McFuzz

How Gerald McGrew Caught the Filla-Ma-Zok

What Was I Scared Of?

Horton Hatched the Egg

• Readers: Lisa Heili, Rena Lippert, Howard McMahon, Dean Wiegert

• Director: Mary Drohman

• Hats designed by Mary Mellberg.

See you soon!

November 13 Program

Hats On for Christmas

Saturday, November 13, 4:00

Best Western, Manitowoc

Readers

Damon Cattani

Chuck Allger

Chris Kouba

Karen Gustafson

Rena Lippert

Director: Mary Cattani

Stories include "The Perfect Christmas", "The Thank-You Tree", and "Presents".

Come celebrate Lakeshore CAP's Tannenbaum Festival with festive holiday readings.

Be sure to bookmark this site and stop back often for the latest Hatrack Storytellers news.

Join us for stories and fun...

Tuesday, Oct 6

Kiel Public Library...6:00

Readers : Chuck Allger, Bev Denor, Diane Hanson, and Rick Oswald.

GERTRUDE MCFUZZ by Dr. Suess,

PIERRE by Maurice Sendak,

A GIRAFFE AND A HALF by Shel Silverstein

GOODNIGHT ANDREW, GOODNIGHT CRAIG by Marjorie Sharmat

Plus.....a rollicking audience participation story!

Well, never let it be said that Hatrack doesn't respond to a challenge! A week ago today (Thursday), I received a call from the Navy/Marine Corps Center in Green Bay; they are planning a deployment on Saturday, July 17. Could Hatrack come to entertaine about 53 youngsters, ages 1-19, so the parents can concentratate on instructions? Well, 9 days notice for that age range seemed impossible at first thought. But then I realized how many talented people read, at no charge, and often with short notice, for Hatrack, so I said sure; we'd be there.

After one marathon rehearsal of two programs.......one for the younger kids and one for the older.........these 6 talented readers will be going to Green Bay this Saturday: Chuck Allger, Damon Ryan Cattani, Mary Cattani, Bob Franke, Pam Ford, and Susie Miller, with me tagging along to keep things running. This program is sponsored by the Red Cross, and we are so pleased to be able to do something for our troops.

Sally Semmes

P.S. I hadn't remembered that I'd already talked about the Riverview School program the last time I blogged. Please pardon the superfluidity!

WOW! Do I have a lot of catching up to do! My computer and I haven't gotten along very well these past few weeks, but now we've arrived at a temporary truce (how long depends on the user).

Much has happened since last we spoke. On April 28, 4 of our women presented a pre-school program for kids and their parents at Riverview School in Manitowoc (WI). Our mouths kept opening wider as we watched this huge stream of people wandering into the gymnasium and sitting on the floor! Our guesstimate is about 250 bodies filled the gym. The program went exceedingly well, even though one of our readers had bronchitis. Some of the stories presented were LILY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE by Kevin Henkes and MORTIMER! by Robert Munsch. What was amazing was watching the audience! The kids reactions and expressions were mirrored exactly by the parents they were sitting with! I guess storytelling isn't just for kids any more!

On May 15, Jim Miller directed a program using 5 different readers at the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers (WI). Our volunteer readers list is certainly growing. As usual, the program went very well. We'll look forward to both Jim and his wife Suzie directing again next year.

The next day, Sunday, April 16, our group entertained for a mother-daughter banquet at Grace Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. 4 different readers, plus 1 from yesterday, read for this group.
It is constantly exhilarating to sit on the sidelines and watch the audiences' faces and reactions. This is what makes our dedication to this activity so worthwhile. When we did NOSES ARE FOR ROSES by Phoebe Wilson Hoss, it was fascinating to watch various parts of the kids' bodies move in conjunction with the words. I guess that's why we have so many volunteers; everybody has so much fun doing this, they want to do it again.........or want to sign up.

Well, our programs at the Two Rivers Library are on hiatus for June and July, but we'll be back on August 21 at 11:00 a.m. for a CIRCUS DAYS! program. Then our regular 3rd Saturday morning at the library will continue until next June.

I may check in with additional news during that time, but just in case, have a wonderful summer!

Happy Reading! Sally Semmes

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It is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible