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A Day for Dad
Adriana Puckett, All Fun, Fathers
05/15/2012 - 6:54pm

Do you think that Father's Day is another Hallmark holiday, created just to sell greeting cards? Not so! In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd, in Spokane, Washington, was listening to a lecture on Mother's Day, and thinking about her father's incredible accomplishment in raising his six children alone after the death of her mother. Sonora wanted to honor her father in the same way that mothers were already honored, and she worked with local clergy and the YMCA to host its Father's Day celebration on June 19, 1909.

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Shells: Treasures from under the Sea
All Fun, Beaches, FYI Articles, Oceans, Seashells, Vacation
05/15/2012 - 4:07pm

"Look, Mom, a shell! A beautiful shell!"

If you go to the beach this summer, you may find dozens of seashells, each uniquely wonderful. Plan on filling a whole jar with your favorites: scallops and angel wings, whelks and sand dollars.

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Going to the Zoo!
All Fun, Animals, Day trips, Virginia Johnson, Zoos, Crafts and Hobbies, Families, Regional, Teacher Resources, Travel
05/01/2012 - 6:26pm
Going to the Zoo

May is the perfect time to visit a zoo. It's not too hot or crowded, and the animals are at their springtime best. If your kids are begging for pandas, then the National Zoo in Washington is the place to go, but there are some places about an hour's drive from our area where kids can get a different kind of beastly experience.

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MonkeyShines
Africa, All Fun, Animals, Phillipines, Virginia Johnson, Kids Blog, Crafts and Hobbies, Folktales, Natural World
04/17/2012 - 6:31pm

Whether leaping through the vines of a rainforest or the pages of a book at the library, monkeys have lots to teach us about the ways animals live, our responsibilities in caring for the last wild places, and just how to have fun.

I'll bet you know that monkeys are furry, cute, and swing in the trees, but there's so much more to learn about them:

A Monkey is NOT an Ape

Monkeys have tails, but apes do not. Chimpanzees, gibbons, orangutans, and gorillas are all apes. They use their powerful arms and legs to swing through the trees. Many New World monkeys from South America can use their tails like another hand to swing. Monkeys from Asia and India can't do that! Monkeys, apes, and humans are all part of a family group called primates.

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Help the Earth Every Day
All Fun, Earth Day, Environmentalism, LibraryPoint Blog, Mary Buck, Kids Blog, Teen Blog
04/02/2012 - 12:43pm

How can you help the Earth?  There are lots of ways to get involved in conservation if you're a kid, teen, or adult. Check out the local activities, Web sites and library materials listed below for some great ideas. 

Join a Club

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Agency offers 4-H clubs. If you are between the ages of 5 and 18, you can learn about plant and soil sciences, environmental education and natural resources as well as animal sciences from great teachers. There are 4-H clubs in Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland counties. These are hands-on activities that strongly encourage leadership development. 4-H projects are fun and can be competitive.

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Stage a Puppet Show
All Fun, Theatre, Toys, Virginia Johnson, Kids Blog, Arts and Artists, Crafts and Hobbies, History, Multicultural, Teacher Resources
03/29/2012 - 6:30pm
Puppets

There are all kinds of puppets: marionettes on strings, hand puppets that fit like a glove, and tiny finger puppets. They can be made with so many things: paper plates, index cards, straws and yarn, and even old socks! Puppets have been around for ages throughout the world. Read on to learn more about the world of puppets and how to make your own.

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Have an Easter Parade!
All Fun, Easter, Virginia Johnson
03/07/2012 - 4:25pm

Make an Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it. You can wear it yourself or give it to your mom or sister. Then dress up in your best for an Easter parade. Whether you stroll through your neighborhood with every bike you have festooned with ribbons or take a proud walk all around your own house, an Easter parade is a fun way to chase away gray rainy days.

Don't Forget the Eggs

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Bread to Bake
All Fun, bread, Recipes, Virginia Johnson, Kids Blog, Cooking, Picture Book, Teacher Resources
03/05/2012 - 3:26pm

March yourself into the kitchen, and start making some delicious bread! We have recipes for kid favorites teamed with fun books for a smart, sweet weekend treat.

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