Free Ice Skate Session with SSC Library

When there is no school for teens in the Corning region, I often plan a fun program.  This free ice skating session was the best ever for statistics:  48 lovely skaters took to the ice for 2 hours of exercise.  

Frozen February

This was an extra exciting event, since our Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink was closed for several LONG WEEKS, in need of a repair to make the ice stay frozen.  Happily, we got to enjoy the day off of school skating away the afternoon.

Keep Movin'!

With 48 participants taking advantage of a free skating session, courtesy of the Southeast Steuben County Library, the rink was PACKED!  Luckily, the guards are always ready to lend a helping hand.

Guards are always ready to help.

I took the opportunity to get some time release video on the sidelines...

These videos are so fun, but you must remain VERY STILL, 

despite freezing off your fingers!

Luckily I had a cheerleader to keep me company as we watched the kids go 'round and 'round...

Chili Dog...no that's REALLY his name!

This program was so easy to establish.  It is a joy having a resourceful Civic Center in Corning, NY.  We have our public library, Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink, City Hall, Steelworkers Union Hall and a lovely courtyard all on one city block!  

Be sure to make this city block your next stop in your travels.

Check back soon for more exciting teen programs, we'll be around!

Spirited Away--Happy Birthday Hayao Miyazaki!

Today was our first installment of the "Studio Ghibli Afternoons" program series and it is serendipitous that today is also the director's 75th birthday.  

Happy Birthday Hayao Miyazaki!!!

In this series, we will show a Studio Ghibli film and serve an authentic food from the movie on the first Tuesday of each month through 2016.

Spirited Away is the debut for this series.

Spirited Away on the BIG SCREEN

It seems we have soothsayer foresight in planning this series.  How lucky to start the movie/ food series on the three-quarter-century birthday of the director?

  

I mean--Holy Kasutera!

What's that you ask?  What is Kasutera??  According to Japanese Cooking 101 it "is an old-fashioned Japanese sponge cake that is loved by everyone from the young to the old."  Our Teen Tech guru, Kayla, followed the linked recipe and had it piping hot to serve just in time for me to hit "Play" on the DVD player.

Steaming hot Kasutera!

We sourced some sponge cake from the local grocer, just in case the recipe was not a success, but it being mid-afternoon and our audience is late-teens/ early 20-something adults, barely any food remains with an hour left to the film!-->>>SUCCESS!!!

Along with the yummies, we have 2 door prizes to be won--

A 3-D printed "No Face" character token

or

A felt "No-Face" bean bag

The winners were pleased to have a special treat to take home, but all claimed it was totally not necessary!  Studio Ghibli has it's own following, no treats or tricks needed to bring a captivated audience. 

So I wonder if they would appreciate some "Dried Worm Salts- It's supposed to be good for you."<< a memorable line from the movie, but I am curious who wants to try some Dry Worm Salts???!!!

If Studio Ghibli is your jam, stop over here at SSC Library next month on February 2 at 3:30 for the next film, Kiki's Delivery Service.

Stop in again on March 1 for Howl's Moving Castle.

We'll save a seat for you!

Nerf Party

As summer winds down in the Southern Tier, some very enthusiastic young adults are battling to the finish in our first ever "Nerf Party" hosted by the Southeast Steuben County Library in conjunction with Corning Parks and Recreation Department.

Preparing for the mission

I am apparently too old to appreciate these brightly colored guns and supposedly painless ammunition.  The kids gathered their equipment and selected teams before I even understood how they were going to play.

Grab your gear!

choose wisely

A Parks and Recreation representative set up the Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink (it's ice-free in the summer) and offered the supplies to my group.  Play to "Capture the Flag" immediately commenced. 

The playing field is set.

Players are in position.

The "flag" in set in place.

I remember "Capture the Flag" from middle school, when we learned to play football with the coach.  This is NOT THE GAME I LEARNED.  "Stay in the green lines or else you're out!," I hear them screaming to each other.  There is a determination that slightly frightens my old bones and has me sitting on the sidelines composing this blog.

This means serious business.

Yikes!

How much ammunition DO you need??

My curiosity was tickled by the kids' giggles and slips all over this dusty ice-rink floor.  Unfortunately, curiosity killed the cat....or gets you shot in the neck by a hyper teen.

One of these gun wielders are my assailant!

After a short sting and shock>>>I mean, I'm the lady who set up this program and my teens have shot me>>>I decide it's safest for the 30+ year olds to stick to the side lines.

Luckily, I found some company to keep while I watch from a safe vantage point.

Wisdom to know when to step aside.

Happy August Everyone!  I hope you have a few more fun filled days planned before the yellow school bus' wheels go 'round and 'round!