JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Whitwell’s Orena Humphreys Public Library recently held its annual Winterfest event, where children and families were invited to a variety of winter-themed games and activities.
Originally scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, but postponed due to Winter Storm Fern, this year’s Winterfest took place on Feb. 9 and provided an assortment of activities for children to participate in, ranging from scavenger hunts and painting sketched snowflakes, to gathering for a showing of the 2013 Disney animated film, “Frozen.” Library Director Cathy Black explained the Winterfest is part of a list of seasonal events the library hosts every month, whether for Saint Patrick’s Day in March or Easter in April.
“We had Christmas with Santa in December, we had Turkey Tuesday in November, and we had Halloween activities in October,” Black said. “I try to have something every month.”
Black explained the purpose of Winterfest, similarly to other events hosted at the library, is to help attract families, both new and familiar, to the facility and show all the services and books it provides. August is the only month absent of public activities, as the library staff makes way each August for every new school year that begins during the month.
Black stated one of the library’s current goals is looking to attract more young adults into the library by establishing additional activities for teenagers to participate in. She explained the library hosts a Magic: The Gathering, a popular table top role-playing card game, night on the last Friday of every month for young adults to play. However, she is looking to expand the list of events and activities the library can provide to the Whitwell community, especially for young adults who call the town home.
“I have a lot of ideas, but we’re trying out one thing at a time,” Black said.