Douglas public library ends summer reading program with two magnificent events.

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On Thursday Leif Dyrsten of Mad Science performed for approximately 70 people at Castro Park. Dyrsten performed varies magic tricks with household items such a blow dry and ping pong balls. He entertained the audience and incorporated physics at the same time.

One of the audience’s favorite tricks was when he launched ping pong balls out of a tube, he suctioned the air out of the then pierced the seal rapidly reintroducing air causing a forceful pressure that launched the ball over 100 feet.

On Saturday the library wrapped-up the program with a milk carton boat race and party at the Veteran’s Memorial Pool at the Eighth Street Park.

Participant made boats out of milk gallon bottles, water bottles and soda bottles tying them together with rope and duct tape.

Awards were presented in several categories. The teen group, ages 14-18, won the best design as well as the fastest boat; the most creative went to the 5-9 year old group and fastest sinker went to the 10-13 year old group.

Reader’s awards were also given to first place winner Jaileen Luna, 5-9 age group, for reading 53 books; second place winner Mateo Rivera for reading 37 books. In the 10-13 age group Jesalen Luna won first place and Cipriana Gasson won second place. First place in the teen group went to Alexandra Manasco.

Many prizes were raffled off to those in attendance including toys, Wal-Mart gift cards, The Box Twin Cinema passes and passed to the Aquatic Center.

The Summer Reading Program had 150 children ages 1-18 registered. The SRP is funded through the Friends of the Douglas Public Library. A donation of $500 from a Wal-Mart grant was awarded to the library’s children’s section for arts and craft materials.

A grant provided by the Cochise County Library district was used to purchase new books for the Children’s section. They also received a grant from Arts and Humanities.

“Dream Big Arizona,” was this year’s theme.

“We focused on celebrating the Arizona Centennial with emphasis on following dreams and goals,” organizer, Tanya Duarte said. “We had a lot of fun and I think we all come out with a little more knowledge and we spent a great summer together.”

Guest Presenters for the program included Douglas Fire Department, Douglas Police Department, US Forest Service with Smokey Bear, APS, Youth Animators, Colleen Crowlie, Authors Jeff Mariotte and Janni Lee Simner, and James Reid Juggler Extraordinaire, Richard Steele Magician and Leif Dyrsten with Mad Science.

Duarte said she had the library staff would like to thank volunteers Tristen Luna, Kain Luna, Alexandra Manasco, Susan Lowe, Joan Reichel, plus teen group helpers Rodrigo Martinez, Savannah Anderson and also Jesalen Luna and Makenzie Duarte who read books to the youngest participants throughout the summer.