Purdy & Michelle are back for story hour at the Mill Pond Library in Kingston on Thursdays at 4:30pm. Purdy is part of the R.E.A.D. program, which stands for Reading Education Assistance Dogs. She is a tail-wagging tutor. The main objective of this program is to provide a relaxed and "dog-friendly" atmosphere, which allows students to practice the skill of reading. Many children chosen for this program have difficulties reading and as a result have developed self-esteem issues. They are often self-conscious when reading aloud in front of other classmates. By sitting down next to a dog and reading to the dog, all threats of being judged are put aside. The child relaxes, pats the attentive dog, and focuses on the reading. Reading improves because the child is practicing the skill of reading, building self-esteem, and associating reading with something pleasant. Any child coming to our Thursday afternoon story hour has the choice of reading to Purdy and just about every child chooses to do so. Purdy also visits children at the Markesan District School. 
The library has a new display "The Ancestor Hunt" put up by the Kingston Historical Society who could use your help. People sometimes donate photos that don't have the names of the individuals on them. So for the next month, on display at the library, are confirmation, graduation, wedding, family photos, and some class pictures from the Kingston School. Please stop in and take a look at the photos and if you recognize anyone write the names of the individuals on the sheet provided in the binder right next to the display. Thanks in advance for helping us to name the ancestors! 
