SHARON — It was hard to tell whether the grown-up took the child to the library or if it was the other way round.
Enthusiasm was in high gear as the staff at the Hotchkiss Library welcomed all for “Take Your Child to the Library Day,” observed Saturday, Feb. 3.
Now in its 13th year and celebrated worldwide, the event is held annually on the first Saturday in February.
At The Hotchkiss Library, the day coincided with the regularly scheduled Saturday morning story hour, drawing a capacity audience of parents and children, first to sing some cheery, settling-down songs and then to hear stories read aloud.
“I love reading to kids,” said Eloise Kivitz, 10, who kicked off the story hour with “No Pirates Allowed” by Rhonda Greene, her strong reading performance done with expression and clarity.
Mid-morning story time was organized by Renee DeSimone, head of circulation and children’s services, who also read aloud and had arranged for special features to add to the celebration. There was a basket of bookmarks that could be crayon-colored on the spot or taken home, a game where children could identify silhouettes of possibly familiar book characters, and even a cardboard cutout opportunity for a photo with a fun book character.
“I’m excited when parents come in with their kids,” said DeSimone as the families filed in. She acknowledged that sometimes it is difficult for families to find the time.
At the end of it all, children who checked books out received a gift bag to take home.
In the foreground, Eloise Kivitz, 10, is reading aloud.Leila Hawken
The weather was muggy at Ed Kirby Field in Falls Village – about 79 degrees and sunny when the umpire yelled “play ball.”
Carson Riva got the start for HVRHS. The junior pitched four innings with five strikeouts and five walks. He gave up four hits and four runs.
O’Brien went ahead early, courtesy of a solo home run by first baseman Bruno Lombardo in the first inning. HVRHS responded in the bottom of the second with a groundout by Abram Kirshner that brought in Wyatt Bayer.
O’Brien got back on top with a big third inning in which the Condors scored three runs: Bruno Lombardo hit an RBI double, Brody Lombardo brought him home with a sacrifice fly and then O’Brien scored on an error, bringing the game to 4-1.
During the bottom of the third, Foley hit a two-run home run. Then Riva got on base and was sent home by Bayer to tie it up at 4-4.
Foley put the Mountaineers ahead in the fourth inning with another two-run home run -- a deep shot to left field. The O’Brien dugout remarked, “this field is too small for him.”
Housy celebrates Foley's HR. Riley Klein
Owen Riemer took over for Riva on the mound and pitched the final three innings. He threw three strikeouts and gave up no runs to end the game 6-4.
O’Brien’s Emil Smith pitched the full game for the Condors. He struck out two batters and walked one while surrendering 11 hits. On offense, Bruno Lombardo had a big game hitting 4-for-4 with a home run and three doubles.
HVRHS collected 11 hits as a team. In addition to Foley’s home runs, Riemer hit 3-for-4. Chris Race hit 3-for-4 and Bayer, Riva and Wes Allyn each got one hit for the Mountaineers.
The result improved HVRHS’s season record to 2-2 and O’Brien fell to 0-4.
Owen Riemer pitching. Riley Klein
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