By Carol Phares

Guest Columnist 

Would you like to learn how to make scrumpdillyicious meals? Would you like to learn how to grow your own food? Then this program is for you.

Pearl River County Library System is partnering with the Mississippi Extension Service and area blueberry producers to present programs at both the Crosby Memorial Library and the Poplarville Public Library for elementary school children. Parents, if you are concerned about your kids coming home from school and eating junk food because they don’t like healthier food, then you might want to let your kids participate. Sadly, obesity in children is one of the areas in which Mississippi is near the top of the list. These programs are designed to teach healthy alternatives for our children, giving them knowledge and tools to make healthier decisions about their lifestyle.

This series of events at the libraries will teach smart, fun, easy ways to get all the food groups into the diet each day. It will teach how to plant a garden for dinner. And at the last event, blueberry plants will be given out to plant in the yard for a yummy snack while playing outside. Or pick them to make a blueberry smoothie, a blueberry pie, some blueberry muffins, or a blueberry cobbler. Sound like fun? Read on . . .

Sign-up is a must so we know how many blueberry plants to have on hand at the final event. You can sign up at Crosby Memorial Library in Picayune for the programs there, or you can sign up at the Poplarville Public Library for their programs. Each library will have programs identical to one another. This gives all the children in the county an opportunity to participate and get their own plants.

Scrumpdillyicious!

Crosby Memorial Library — Tuesday, March 4, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Poplarville Public Library — Monday, March 3, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Green Thumb Gardening! (Blueberry plant give-away)

Crosby Memorial Library — Tuesday, April 15, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Poplarville Public Library — Monday, April 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

So, be sure to come by the library closest to you to sign up for these great programs. Need more information? Call Crosby Memorial Library at 601-798-5081 or Poplarville Public Library at 601-795-8411.

These programs are a partnership between Pearl River County Library System, the Mississippi Extension Service and area blueberry growers. This project is made partly possible by the Mississippi Library Leadership Institute conducted by the Mississippi Library Commission and funded in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Carol is the head librarian at Margaret Reed Library and Pearl River County Library System Director.