Page-turning kids awarded

No need for any Laguna Beach parent to ever hear the complaint: “There’s nothing to do.”

The Laguna Beach Library offers year-round programs for children, but the Summer Reading Program also offers awards.

Thirty-three children were presented on Saturday with medals commemorating the completion of 20 hours of reading, by them or to them.

Another 10 children also completed the program but were unable to attend the awards BBQ at Bluebird Park, hosted by the Friends of the Library, with the assistance of Laguna Beach firefighters.

“About 350 kids participated in the program this summer and accumulated just under 2,000 hours,” said Rebecca Porter, children’s librarian.

Participants in the program also received a paperback book of their choice for every five hours they read, up to a maximum of four.

“We used to give out trinkets in the old days,” Librarian Marianna Hof said. “But we decided that our thing is books.”

Program participants also received reading incentives solicited by Karen Ziegler from generous local businesses.

The summer program has been conducted for more than 25 years.

Christopher Herkins, almost two-years-old, was the youngest award winner this year.

“His favorite book was the ‘Hungry Caterpillar,’” said mom Lisa Herkins, who did the actual reading.

Her two older children, Jeffrey, 3, and Kyle, 6, also completed the program.

Thor Fay, 10, couldn’t pick a favorite book — he said he liked them all.

“He went through his 20 hours, like that,” mom Kathleen Fay said, snapping her fingers. “Harry Potter helped.”

Ronnie [Veronica] Hinman, 11, is working on the new Harry Potter book.

Josie Goson, 11, picked the Princess Diaries series as her favorites.

Awards also were presented to Marlee Becker, Natalie and Gordon Belyea, Ethan and Malachai Cairns, Shelby and Teva Clark, Cassie Crockett, Aria and Mackenzie Fischer, Holden Geary, Kelani Gee, Cody Herman, Isabella Lyons, Annamarie McIntosh, Charlotte McManus, Annie and Sally Padayago, Isabelle Riches, Katie and Jessica Rollins, Josie Sandoval, Natalie Schutts, Ella Shanahan, Madison Sinclair, Natalia Szeibert, Hannah Vogel and Karl von Schimpf.

Medals earned, but not present to accept the award: Brook Beresford, Alex and Zack Bonin, Ashley Brown, Mila Kellam, Jeremy Leeds, Isabelle O’Leary, Dominic and Alexa Parisi, and Lauren Perales.

Before the awards presentation, firefighters Carl Klass and Matt Drever conducted tours of a parked fire engine, while Tom Burdick, Thomas Padden, Frank Buckner and Dan Stefano grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

Parents Tom Hinman and Jim Goson also did grill duty. Carmen Ricker catered the picnic.

“We were asked to participate and the Fire Department and the Laguna Beach Firefighters Assn. are glad to be helping out the library,” Stefano said. “This is just a first step. We hope to continue and maybe go out [into the community] and do some reading.

“Reading is such a valuable resource.”

Stefano’s wife, Michelle, and their two children, Siena, 1 and Sofia, 3, attended the picnic.

Friends of the Library President Martha Lydick and board member Angela Irish were among the adults who applauded as Porter announced each child’s name. Stefano and Buckner presented the medals.

Porter said Hof deserves a special thanks and Lydick received an award from library officials.

“We have a gift for Martha from the community to people who inspire others to read,” Porter said.

The Friends of the Library raise funds for the purchase of books, other materials and programs, as well as funding building projects that are beyond the county’s financial reach.

General membership is $20 a year, $10 for seniors and students, $100 for “Special Friends.” For more information, call (949) 497-7053.