Wally, the Green Monster, Gets
Involved
The Boston Red Sox have ties to two "green monsters." The better
known
is the 37-foot 6-inch wall in left field at Fenway Park. For kids,
though, Wally the Green Monster is the "real" green monster, the very
lovable (and official) mascot of the Boston Red Sox.
So who else but Wally would show up for the Read Your Way to Fenway
kick-off event for the Boston Public Library's Summer Reading Program
held at the Grove Hall?
Well, who else but the dozens of kids who wanted to meet Wally, get
their picture taken and find out how they can win Red Sox
tickets.
Talking his own particular sign language but a very articulate one at
that, Wally's friends helped translate his wise words for everyone to
hear,
especially all the kids hovering about.
There's something magical when his friends make the announcement:
"Wait! Quiet everybody. Wally's trying to tell us
something." That's when everyone gets listens
intently, almost as if we could hear Wally speak. "Hey, kids,
Wally
wants you to know that reading is not only fun but will get you a trip
to Fenway!"
"What did you say?" Wally was talking again - with his hands, his
whole body, counting. He was telling us: "Just three
books." "That's
right, Wally. You only have to read three books and write an
essay on
your favorite."
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The June 15 event at Grove Hall
Branch was a great success. It
started
quietly with author David A Kelly, (Ballpark Mysteries) gathering a
group of kids into his reading corner and sharing passages from his
book, "The Fenway Foul-up."
After the dignitaries arrived, the program moved to the other side of
the Children's Library and half a dozen speakers greeted the kids, all
of them using language and mannerisms comfortable for everyone (kids
and adults).
Amy Ryan, Pres.
Boston Public Library asked: "How many of you
have
library cards? Those of you who still need a card, be sure to
stop by
your branch library very soon. Remember: read three books, write
an
essay and enter the contest to go see the Red Sox. As others
before me
have said, this event would not be possible without the help the Red
Sox Foundation and the Bank of America. So thank you."
David McKay, the
new Exececutive Director of the BPL Foundation,
said:
"We need a thank you to the Bank of America today for making it
possible for you to go to Fenway. Can I hear one loud cheer for
Bank
of America?" This is the only time, he said, that you are allowed
to
be really noisy in a library. And that was enough to bring on the
bleacher cheers.
"How many of you have started reading
already?" he asked. "All
the rest of you who don't have your hands up, you need to start reading
because that's how you're going to get to Fenway. I want to thank
the
Red Sox Foundation and Bank of America for making this contest
possible. And I want to thank you all for reading this summer. "
Maija Meadows,
Children's Librarian, came forward looking like a "bat
girl" fresh from the afternoon's game. She knew the kids
well.
"Hello, everyone. We have a lot of fun activities planned for you
over
the summer. The summer reading program lasts through August but
Reading Your Way to Fenway has a deadline of July 22, so start your
reading now."
Additional speakers included Kevin
McDonnell from the Bank of America, Meg Vaillancourt, Red Sox Foundation
Executive Director and Justin
Prettyman, Red Sox Foundation. The event concluded with
healthy
treats
for everyone - apple slices, water and chocolate chip cookies.
Amy Ryan (far left) and Area B2 Police Officers
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David A. Kelly, author
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David McKay
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Kevin McDonnell
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Maija Meadows
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Meg Vaillancourt
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Justin Prettyman
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Christine Schonhart
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According to Christine Schonhart,
Director, Branch Libraries,
Read Your Way to Fenway
wraps up on July 22. The game is on
August
28. There are approximately 750 tickets and each winner gets two
tickets for a child and a Guardian."
At the game, each winner will get a hotdog, a drink, a T-shirt and a
hat. Furthermore, seven winners out of all the essayists will be
chosen to go out onto the field for a special pre-game ceremony.
Read Your Way is for ages 5-17 and has long been a part of the BPL
summer reading program, started in 1996. An essay is always
required.
Read three books (at least), write an essay about one of the books and
submit it.
Our children's librarians are in charge of picking all the winners for
their branches. They know their kids very well and this is a
check on
the writing style used in the essays. A lot of the kids come to
the
library every day. We have even the littlest kids submitting
essays
and the librarians know that they will be writing appropriate to their
age and judge accordingly.
Happy Reading!!
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 Enter to
win a chance for two tickets to the Boston Red
Sox game on Sunday, August 28 against the Oakland A's. All you have to
do is read three books, write an essay about your favorite, and return
your completed entry
form to your branch library no later than Friday, July 22,
at 5:00 p.m.
Contest begins:
Wednesday, June 1
Essays due: Friday, July 22, 5:00 p.m.
Game day: Sunday, August 28, 1:35 p.m.
Thank you to
our Read Your Way to Fenway
sponsors for their generosity and support.
Source: http://www.bpl.org/summer/
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A great big thank you to the Grove
Hall Branch staff who "made the library look so nice for the
event.
Allen Knight, Acting Branch Manager
Paul Edwards, Generalist Librarian
Maija Meadows, Children's Librarian
Erica Yearwood, Library Assistant
James Lewis, Library Assistant
Juanita Sykes, Library Assistant
Devan Campbell, Custodian
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