After reading books and doing a craft to commemorate Father’s Day in the Children’s section of the Schuylkill Valley Community Library, Children’s Librarian, Kelly Jacoby, led the group outside for a presentation by Eyes of the Wild of Stockton, N.J.
The busy day at the library on June 19 was attended by more than 80 children and 40 adults who lined up at the front of the library doors, awaiting a day that was both educational and fun for everyone.
On site for the program was a local celebrity from Channel 69 News, Karin Mallet, and her son, Max, age 4, of Berne Township. Volunteer, Noah Lassandero, a junior at Schuylkill Valley High School, had his first day on the job at the library where he is scheduled to earn his Citizenship Badge out of Boy Scout Troup 154, Belleman’s Church. Joining Lassandero was Kayla Himmelrich, a summer volunteer of three years and a seventh grader at Fleetwood Middle School.
Josh Bickta, age 6, of Mohrsville, confirmed that he was interested to see sharks or snakes at the program by Eyes of the Wild. He attended the program with his mother, Crystal Bickta, and his sister, Emily, age 3.
Animal presenter, Kimberly Gruning, entertained the large crowd with stories and facts about a broad spectrum of animals that she brought to Leesport. She explained how Eyes of the Wild receives animals from people who realized that they were unable to handle wild or exotic animals at home, as well as animals who were abused or neglected.
Gruning introduced the group to a domestic ferret named Sheba, and told an entertaining story of how ferrets hunt, which included a description of ferrets’ ability to collapse their bones to fit into small places to hunt rodents.
The crowd’s attention was held by Gruning’s presentation of the coatimundi, Monster, which she described as “a crazy, crazy animal” with “a giant nose and a giant appetite”. She explained how the coatimundi hails from the rainforests of South America and is a cousin of our raccoon.
An African Pygmy Hedgehog named Paris Quillton stole the show outdoors at the library with Gruning’s description of the tiny animal’s defense techniques. Children and adults were both intrigued by the idea of a hedgehog’s ability to roll into a ball with only quills apparent to predators.
Gruning also brought an American alligator, a short-tailed opossum, and an Arctic fox to the library presentation, rounding out a quality educational and entertainment experience for everyone involved.
For more information about Eyes of the Wild, visit their website at www.eyeswild.com. To learn more about upcoming programs at the Schuylkill Valley Community Library, contact them at 610-926-1555, or visit the library at 1310 Washington Road in Leesport.
