By GUY WINDHOLZ
When Samantha Gill of the Hays Public Library approached the Board of the Hays Senior Center about putting on a “Story Time” reading program to include the patrons of the center, it was met with praise and approval. From this go-ahead the library made contact with Misty Lohmeyer, a teacher at the Hays Roosevelt School, who arranged for transportation of 18 young students to come to the center.
A USD 489 bus unloaded these well-mannered and excited youngsters who single-filed through the door with exciting looks on their faces. Field trips like these were always welcomed by those of us with memories from our own early school years.
This was a first of a kind event for the senior center and a perfect tie in with the center’s future goal of becoming a more multi-generational community center for the seniors that would include activities such as this.
In visiting with Mrs. Gill after the program she said, “I think it went very well as both seniors and kindergartners had a very good time.”
Center President Diane Waldschmidt summed it up with, “The seniors that participated in the readings thoroughly enjoyed doing it.”
The following day, the Jingle Bells were playing when a second return appearance to the center by the Learning Lane preschoolers presented the only musical program scheduled for the Christmas season at the center.
Seven musical numbers were presented with no shortage of hand motions and body language to give flare for those songs delivered by 11 children. They were lead by Learning Lane director, Sandra Henningsen and accompanied on piano by Marilyn Davidson.
You could, “Go tell it on the mountain … and dashing through the snow," these kids hit with style and scored a home run at the Senior Center with applause throughout from parents of the kids and patrons of the center.
