It was a spooky, scary and fun time at the Clearwater Library Saturday as kids, parents, grandparents and volunteered gathered for the annual Halloween party.

 

Kids wore costumes, listened to scary stories, played games and made lots of crafts.

 

The event started with Librarian Cyrene Bastien reading Room on the Broom, a story about a witch who rides her broom with her cat and other creatures she picks up on her journey.

 

The book was supplied by the Central Council of Legacy West Pioneers, a group of retired telephone industry workers who volunteer to do community service

“They came in to the library about a month ago and asked if there was something they could do as volunteers,” said Bastien.

 

Saturday, they brought in a supply of Room on the Broom story books, the accompanying workbook, and another book, Ghost Town at Sundown. Each kid received all three books in a book bag.

 

“Our mission is to improve literacy one book at a time,” said Kathy Hanson from the Central Council.

 

The group chose the Clearwater Library as its first project because it was not as big as other libraries and their resources were limited. Their next event is at the Foley Library with a different set of books.

 

About 35 kids attended the party. Parents and other volunteers helped the kids do crafts like making necklaces, bracelets, spiders, spider webs and paper chains. There was also hand-painting and a bowling game for the youngest kids.

 

Bastien said the party has been taking place for about 15 years and is one of the most popular events of the year.