Manassas Journal Messenger | Centray Community LIbrary plans variety of programs

Starting this week, a new book club, “Central Reads,” will meet at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month to discuss contemporary fiction.

The title under discussion on Wednesday will be “St. Dale” by Sharyn McCrumb.

A busload of unlikely traveling companions begins a modern-day pilgrimage to honor the memory of NACSCAR champion Dale Earnhardt.

In this novel, modeled after the “Canterbury Tales” McCrumb offers a look into the world of small tour America, trailer parks and stock car racing, as well insights into the human need for heroes.

St. Dale is the winner of the 2006 Book of the Year Award from the Appalachian Writers Association and is a finalist for the 2006 Virginia People’s Choice Award for Fiction.

Those interested can read the book and discuss it with other readers at the Central Community Library, 8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas. No registration is required and light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, or to check on the availability of St. Dale, contact the library at (703) 361-8211.

Other programs include:

? “Dreamtime Wednesdays,” a special evening storytime designed for children ages 2-6 accompanied by an adult. It is held every two weeks on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. PJs and bedtime animals are welcome. There is no registration required for this free program. The theme this week is “Goodnight, Moon.”

? “Howdy, Pardner!” may be the children’s new greeting if they attend the Muncha Buncha Books where this fall’s theme is the Old West. The program is a book oriented sharing time for a child every Wednesday and Thursday morning at 10:45 a.m. for children ages 2-6, accompanied by an adult. The theme this week is “Good Grub” and Oct. 25-26 “Cowboy Gear.”

? Do you like stories? Want to discover some new authors? If so, then come to the library on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. In recognition of Read-Aloud Week, Oct. 15-21, stories will be read all day in the children’s area every 30 minutes by staff and guest readers. No registration or tickets are required, just drop-in, stay an hour, or as long as you can and hear some great stories.

? Pat-a-Cake is a new program a the library. Using stories, rhymes and music to introduce babies to the joys of words and reading, this interactive lapsit program is for babies 12-24 month old accompanied by mom or dad. It takes place on the first and third Thursdays of every month at 10:15 a.m. October’s program is this week. Registration, in person, is required.

? Shenanigans, the popular craft program for students in kindergarten and up, is held every two weeks on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Registration is required and begins one week prior to the program date. The program starts at 4 p.m. but registered participants may arrive late. All the programs are free and all materials are supplied. The remaining October program is “Masks’ and will be conducted on Oct. 25.

? A Halloween Preschool Coloring Contest is currently being conducted at the library. Preschoolers ages 2-5 may pick up a coloring sheet at the Information Desk. One winner will be chosen by random drawing from all entries submitted by Oct. 31. A Mind Benders Contest for grades K-5 is also being sponsored by the library. Those interested may pick up a contest form at the Information Desk al the first entry drawn with the most correct answers will win a new book.