Thomaston Public Library's 40 Days of Summer program plans are now well underway. We are so grateful to all the organizations who have already committed to support this year's "food, fresh air, and fun" program for children: the Agnes Lindsay Trust, the Rockland Kiwanis, Patrisha McLean, the Elks Emblem Club, Home Depot, the Federated Church in Thomaston, the Owls Head Transportation Museum, the Farmer Jones Organic Farm, E.L. Spear, Camden National Bank, and Karen Clarke.

Our fundraising efforts will continue full bore for the next several months. Many thanks to Diane Giese, who along with Karen Clarke, was an original 40 Days of Summer mastermind. We couldn't have offered this program without her fundraising efforts.

Our mission is to provide area children with a fun, wholesome summer break and to feed them a daily nutritious meal. The program is open to everyone between the ages of four and 18. We are currently working with RSU 13's Federal Summer Food program, which last summer provided daily balanced lunches that we supplemented with fresh fruits, veggies, and other healthy snacks. We were thrilled last year to serve more than 700 meals to more than 70 area children.

We can't wait to reprise the great food, crafts, games, and storybooks from last year's 40 Days of Summer program. This year's program will once again feature formal events and casual activities galore — everything from squirt-gun battles and face-paint facials to Northern Stars' giant inflated planetarium, visiting alpacas, and Chewonki's "Hero Adaptations" presentation — but the very best parts are sure to be the hours of free play in the fresh air and sunshine and the harmonious, high-energy interactions of the kids.

We would love additional community support this year, through donations and volunteer time. All donors receive a tax deduction through our fiscal agent, The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library. To support 40 Days of Summer, please contact Alex or Joanna at the Thomaston Public Library: 354-2453 or 40daysofsummer@thomaston.lib.me.us.

All the best,

Thomaston Public Library