Holmes County Library

One of the benefits of being part of an organization like Great Lakes Base is that you often get to travel to places both familiar and sometimes brand new.  In the case of our recent visit to the Holmes County Public Library, for Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison, Rancor Clan and The Dark Empire  -- this was uncharted territory.  Holmes County, Ohio is known as “Amish Country” -- because it hosts the largest Amish population in the world.  Because of the Amish’s reputation for good food and craftsmanship, the area has a thriving tourism industry on the weekends.  What it also has is a first-rate library, with a staff that learned about us from the Star Wars Reads program.

May the Force be Wii you!

Having trooped many a library “Star Wars” program over the years, the first thing every kid needs is… LIGHTSABERS!  Well, colored balloons – with a cardboard tube (they can decorate) to make each lightsaber their own.  As you can imagine, being a Jedi character for an event like these means that you WILL get a Jedi workout.  Personally, I prefer to “challenge” any/all kids to a round of Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Lightsaber Duels!!!

Next comes the “Blaster Range” – for those would be Clonetroopers or Mandalorians.  NERF guns are good for shooting (harmlessly) at paper targets, or a few of our Mando Mercs – who want to put their Beskar’gam to the test!  Even us elder Jedi Knights stepped in front of the NERF blasters, with only our lightsaber and the Force to protect us. (padawans are strongly advised against this practice, see your Master if you feel you are ready)

Deflecting NERF blasters and training Younglings can work up quite a thirst, what better then to visit the Holmes County “Cantina” for a “Yoda Soda” – a recipe you can find in the Star Wars Cookbook, available at your local library.

GLB "Mission Photos" -- Holmes County Public Library

photo courtesy Holmes County Public Library

These and other games designed by the ingenious library staff earned kids extra tickets in the Star Wars raffle at the end of the program, where kids could win various Star Wars books -- bountyhunterQ and padawan Foogy One helped call the winners.  Thanks to everyone from Holmes County Public Library for inviting us to be part of their fun “Star Wars” program.  Talking with the head Jedi Librarian, she reported that attendance went well beyond the 35 kids pre-registered; and that the Star Wars program was a huge success.