Ready for some fun!
The Kember family receive information from community librarian Susan Wallwork on the StoryWalk® at Summerstown Forest Trails event on Sat., March 20. For the full story, turn to page 3. Thompson Goddard Photo

SUMMERTOWN – Putting a new twist on outdoor reading, the StoryWalk® at the Summerstown Forest Trails was held on Sat., March 20, and Sun., March 21. The warm weather and spring sunshine provided an excellent opportunity for people to enjoy a walk in the forest and safely read a children’s book at the same time.

StoryWalk® at Summerstown Forest Trails was a collaborative event between the Friends of the Summerstown Trails (FOTST) and the SDG Library with the aim of encouraging “people to enjoy reading and the outdoors together,” according to a March 12 press release from the United Counties of Stormont Dundas and Glengarry (SDG).

SDG director of library services, Karen Franklin, commented in the press release how StoryWalk® events combine “two stress relievers – nature and reading,” with FOTST president Vic Leroux mentioning how pleased the organization was to have this activity at the Summerstown Forest Trails and hopes “this event can be repeated in the future.”

Susan Wallwork, SDG community librarian, was kept busy at the entrance to the Summerstown Forest Trails providing information on StoryWalk®. She took a few minutes to explain to participants how laminated oversized pages from the book Be You! were displayed along a trail marked by yellow paper. In a post event email, Wallwork noted there were 16 story boards for the 32-page long book, before commenting there were over 100 participants in the very successful event with many participants asking “when and where the next one will be – we’re excited to bring other stories to other areas of SDG!”

Lorraine Clarke, a volunteer with the Summerstown Forest Trails, greeted people as they entered the trails’ area. She explained there were several kilometres of trails which are great for walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or bike riding. Clarke mentioned the event had been delayed due to COVID-19 but was pleased with the turnout and expects there will be another StoryWalk® next year.

Simon and Natalie Kember of Cornwall brought their two young girls, Florence and Marigold, to the Summerstown Forest Trails to enjoy some fresh air, exercise and the opportunity to read a children’s book as a family during the StoryWalk® event on March 20.  Natalie commented as they received information from Wallwork how they were excited to participate in the StoryWalk® while enjoying the sunshine outdoors.