By: Desmond Watson

As the country prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, residents of Troup County are invited to celebrate A Universe of Stories at their local library. The long-running summer reading program, hosted at both Hogansville Public Library and LaGrange Memorial Library, is star-spangled and outer space themed this year, boasting programs like robotics, black hole exploration, and science fiction writing. Both programs kicked off Wednesday, June 5.

But the fun and adventure doesn’t end there: LaGrange Memorial will also be hosting Code Camp for kids ages 6-11, which will run at 10:30 a.m. each day of the week of June 10-14.  Registration is required for this event and can be completed by calling the library or emailing technology@thrl.org.

On Saturday, July 20, LaGrange Memorial will host Apollo 11 Day to commemorate the Apollo 11 landing.  Featuring a display of now-everyday items created through the space program, a taste test of astronaut foods (and Tang!) and a broadcast of launch and landing footage of the mission, this promises to be a fun-filled day for all ages.  The library would also love to have those who remember the moon landing to come and share their stories about the space race and the very first moon landing. Email kchambers@thrl.org for more information.

Registrants in the summer reading program will enjoy weekly prizes for completing their summer reading mission logs (provided upon registration) and are entered to win one of several grand prizes, including a rocket ship playhouse, a telescope, and having a star named after you.

The drawing for grand prizes will take place July 24 at 1:30 pm at LaGrange Memorial with Doc Atom’s Science Show and July 31 at 3 p.m. at Hogansville Public Library with a Back to Earth SRP Celebration.

Participation in both summer reading programs is open to all ages and is completely free.