Last Saturday saw the Portage Regional Library's summer reading program kick-off with cake and ice cream, and some reading for children who gathered for the morning.

"This is the kick-off launch party for our summer reading program which runs from June 17th to August 19th," says Lori Mackedenski, program coordinator. "Kids can bring their parents in and parents sign them up for their reading program."

She says children receive a log-book that they keep track of themselves, a pencil, and bookmark. Mackedenski adds there are also some challenges to do at the library, itself. Parents receive a package to keep track of the five challenges the kids fulfill there. A prize and ticket are then achieved for the challenge, and the ticket goes into some draws for more great prizes at the end of the program. The more books kids read, the more tickets they get, too.

Children and parents at the reading program kick-off party last Saturday