Yo-Yo Master Britton Pankratz officially opens 2016 Summer Reading Program at MLPL
This is to all the world changers.
You know you are history makers.
The above lyrics are from the song, “World Changers,” by Matthew West. While Britton Pankratz has been focusing his attention of late on yo-yos with “no strings attached,” his performance does come with a message. The ideas behind it are made crystal clear while he demonstrates his yo-yo passion to crowds -with the selection playing as background music. That lesson is one Pankratz has emulated himself while yearning and working to improve his yo-yo skills over the course of eight years – “Keep striving to get better. Keep pushing yourself. There were many times when I was trying something new, and, at first, I thought it was impossible; but I kept working on it. And I got it.” The moral of his story is that anyone has it within themselves to change the world and make history.
Mountain Lake native Yo-Yo Master Britton Pankratz officially opened the 2016 Summer Reading Program at Mountain Lake Public Library (MLPL). He sported his stuff at a show for all ages on Wednesday afternoon, June 15. Later in the day, he returned to present a performance exclusively for teens and tweens. This event also included a pizza, pop and prizes party with Pankratz, courtesy of a SAMMIE Teen Grant. (The Southwest Area Multicounty Multitype Interlibrary Exchange – SAMMIE – is one of seven regions in Minnesota established by state law to promote cooperation between all types of libraries. SAMMIE is located in Marshall, in the southwestern corner of Minnesota. This region covers the 18 counties of southwest Minnesota.)
During each of his shows, Pankratz took his audiences through his evolution work with yo-yos. That timeline ran from his first traditional yo-yo, to the off-string type (in which the yo-yo is not attached to the string; currently his main style of yo-yoing), to the counterweight (in which the string is not attached to the individual’s hand; kind of like, “Patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time,” explains Pankratz), to the giant Chinese two-stick yo-yo (the most dangerous to teeth and face), to the miniature quarter-size Mighty Flea and on to what he is now working – two-handed looping with a yo-yo in each hand.
(A photo gallery of Pankratz in performance can be found when at the end of this article)
MLPL Summer Reading Program special events
This year’s Summer Reading Program theme is “Read For The Win!”
Aside from summertime reading – and special events like this – the program will also feature “Make & Take” crafts and activities at the library every Tuesday afternoon, beginning June 14 and continuing through July 19. Children may stop by any time during the hours of 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. All ages are welcome but preschoolers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The summer reading program is for young readers from preschool age-to-sixth grade.
Story Times for preschool and school-age children will be on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Following is the continuing calendar for the library’s summertime events – in addition to reading for fun, learning and prizes – and remember, all ages are invited, but preschool-aged children must be accompanied by a parent of guardian:
+ Thursday, June 16 – Story Time for preschool and school-age children, 10:30 a.m.
+ Monday, June 20 and Tuesday, June 21 – Pow Wow; Library will be closed.
+ Wednesday, June 22 – The Zoo Man, 2 p.m.
+ Thursday, June 23 – Story time for preschool and school-age children, 10:30 a.m.
+ Tuesday, June 28 – Make & Take Craft, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
+ Thursday, June 30 – Story Time for preschool and school-age children, 10:30 a.m.
+ Saturday, July 2 and Monday, July 4 – Fourth of July; Library will be closed.
+ Tuesday, July 5 – Make & Take Craft, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
+ Wednesday, July 6 – Brodini, Minnesota’s favorite magician presents his award-winning Comedy Magic Show, 1 p.m.
+ Thursday, July 7 – Story Time for preschool and school-age children, 10:30 a.m.
+ Tuesday, July 12 – Make & Take Craft, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
+ Thursday, July 14 – Story Time for preschool and school-age children, 10:30 a.m.
+ Tuesday, July 19 – “Read For the Win” Finale to include Make & Take Craft, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.; snacks, fun and drawing for prizes, 3:30 p.m. and Climb Theatre production of “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The appearance of Climb Theatre is funded by Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
These summer reading program activities are funded by Mountain Lake Public Library and Friends of the Mountain Lake Public Library.
Benefits of participation in Summer Reading Programs
Summer Reading Programs are designed to encourage elementary-aged children to keep reading during summer vacation. Preventing the “summer slide” continues to be the main objective of these programs. For many families with elementary-aged children, the public library is the only community space available during the summer months where they can access free educational and cultural enrichment activities and programs.
The benefits of summer reading programming for children include:
+ Children are motivated to read.
+ Children develop positive attitudes about reading, books and the library.
+ Children maintain their reading skills during summer vacation.
+ Children have access to experiences that further their sense of discovery.
+ Children have access to experiences through which they can learn to work cooperatively.
Following is a photo gallery the Yo-Yo Master, the summer reading program’s opening event:
