Summer Art Contest Kicks Off Reading Program

The grass was green; the sky was blue and the sun shown down with its beautiful rays of yellow sunlight. All this colorful inspiration coupled with the central theme of “One World, Many Stories” got the creative juices flowing in fourteen Ledyard youngsters, ages six through ten, who spent the morning creating sidewalk chalk masterpieces last Thursday as part of the 16th annual Sidewalk Chalk Contest at Bill Library. 

“I look forward every year to how the participants interpret the summer theme in their drawings,” said children’s librarian Nancy Brewer who has been in charge of the contest since its inception 16 “crazy” years ago. “The kids’ creativity is always amazing.” 

This year, participants showed up, chalk in hand, imaginations running wild and creativity streaming through their youthful hands as they sat beneath the shade of the libraries 100-year-old trees perfecting every chalk line with detail to finish their own personal creations. Some drew mermaids and fish, others drew flowers and rainbows and still others drew globes and worlds with people holding hands. Each finished with a proud smile, delighted by their creations. 

Local resident Lorraine Healy, who looks forward to the annual contest each summer is saddened that this year was the last year her daughter Erin, will be eligible to compete in the contest. 

“I’m sad this is Erin’s last year, my three children have been doing this contest for the past nine years, they always enjoyed getting to choose a prize book," said Heaaly. "It’s been fun to come back later and see the artwork on the sidewalk, there are very few sidewalks in Ledyard, so it is nice to have a place for kids to express their creativity." 

Everyone was a winner at this sidewalk chalk contest and all fourteen children walked away with a new book of their choice; to read, enjoy and share over summer vacation as part of the libraries summer reading program.

This year, with the theme of, “One World, Many Stories,” the library plans to help needy families around the world by purchasing animals through Heifer International, a global non-profit started in 1944. Heifer International works to provide food and income to over 125 countries by providing animals, training and education. 

Ledyard student readers can help Heifer International by reading. For each hour spent reading, students will earn a plastic coin to put in a jar representing the animal they would like the library to purchase. Each student is asked to record his or her time on the pamphlet handed out in school.

If students do not attend Ledyard Public Schools they can pick up a pamphlet at the library. Students are asked to return the pamphlet to get their “Passport” booklet which is filled with weekly activities to do over the summer. Record all reading time in the passport and return it to the library to collect the coins. The more a student reads, the more chances he or she will have to choose an animal, (goat, heifer, sheep, water buffalo, chicks, ducks, pigs, honeybees and camels) for the library to purchase. The program will end August 13.

Brewer encourages local kids to get reading and start earning your coins, summer won’t last forever!