Aloha, Tompkinsville

September 27, 2008 02:42 pm

— September saw the annual kickoff of “Family Night Out” at William B. Harlan Memorial Library in Tompkinsville. This year’s first event was a kid-friendly Hawaiian Luau.
Family Night Out is a monthly program at the library on the second Tuesday of each month from September until the start of summer. It begins at 6:30.
“Family night out started eight years ago with the former director, Stephanie Fuson,” said current director, Regina Holland.
“We do it so that the whole family could have something they could do together, not something just for kids or adults,” Regina added. “Hopefully the parents are home from work and are able to come out and spend time with their children and other parents.”
Each month the gathering has a different theme.
“We read books and have refreshments. We usually do a craft and hand out goody bags, ad it’s all centered around whatever our theme is,” said Regina.
Each month there are usually between 20 and 30 people in attendance, except for holidays when more attend.
“The only exception to having Family night out on the second Tuesday of the month is at Halloween time,” Regina said. “In October, we gather at the library on the Tuesday before Halloween. It’s the time that we ask people to please preregister for family night out because we usually have between 150 and 200 people who attend.”
The program usually lasts about an hour.
“With the really small children, an hour is about as long as you can keep their attention. Also, with it being during the school year, we don’t like to keep school-aged children out too late” said Regina.
One of her favorite things about the program is seeing all different ages in attendance.
“Sometimes we’ll have three generations from a family there — the children, their parents, and the grandparents.”
“Family Night Out” is a free program open to the public. Anyone who would like to bring their family out for a night of fun with others from the community are welcome to attend.

Photos

Each month a theme oriented arts and crafts activity that parents and children can do together is made available by William B. Harlan Memorial Library. Glasgow Daily Times

Children who attended the season’s first family night out enjoyed refreshments. Glasgow Daily Times

The library staff dressed for the occasion. Glasgow Daily Times

One young attendant decided to tackle the palm tree. Glasgow Daily Times