Portage Lake District Library to host Kivajat Dancers, family Summer Reading events, book sale this weekend

Chris Alquist, right, Portage Lake District Library community programs coordinator, helps Krissy Sundstrom register her family for the Summer Reading Program during last year's opening day of Summer Reading activities. The 2013 Summer Reading Program begins this Saturday, June 15. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

HOUGHTON -- Portage Lake District Library invites the whole family to three different events this weekend -- Music on the Menu with the Kivajat dancers on Friday, June 14, and -- on Saturday, June 15 -- opening day activities and registration for the Portage Lake District Library Summer Reading Program and the Friends of the Library Book Sale.

Music on the Menu, June 14: Kivajat Dancers

In the Finlandia Gallery at the Finnish American Heritage Center, Kay Seppälä, right, directs her Kivajat Dancers, during a Heikinpäivä celebration. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Everyone is invited to bring a lunch and enjoy traditional Finnish folk dancing and music on the dock outside the library from noon - 1 p.m. on Friday, June 14.

The Kivajat Dancers began in the fall of 2004 under the direction of Kay Seppala. Sponsored by the Finnish American Heritage Center at Finlandia University, children ages 8 - 13 learn the dances and perform in colorful peasant costumes funded by a grant from Finlandia Foundation National.

The children performed for the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen, at FinnFest 2008 in Duluth; and they have danced in festivals in Finland, Canada, Minnesota, and Michigan. Translated, Kivajat means the "Merry Makers." They will also be performing at FinnFest next week!*

In the event of bad weather, the program will be held in the community room.

This event is free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

Summer Reading Program begins June 15

Opening day activities and registration for the Portage Lake District Library Summer Reading Program will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Kids are invited to make crafts, and everyone can create an ice cream sundae in the community room.

Kids enjoy a variety of craft activities during the 2012 Summer Reading Program opening day. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

The "Dig into Reading!" Summer Reading Program will continue through Saturday, August 17, and people may register throughout the summer. Participants will receive a reading log, book bag, and bookmark when they register and prizes as they progress through their reading lists. The Summer Reading Program is open to all ages, children through adults. Reading logs may include books, magazines, audio books, reading to young children, or being read to.

The Summer Reading Program includes Storytimes and programs and events for all ages. Look for programming information in the library, the media, and at www.pldl.org.

Everyone is invited to join the fun of digging into reading!

Friends of the Library Book Sale June 15

While you're in the library this Saturday, don't miss the Friends of the Portage Lake District Library Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will take place in the Michigan and Local History room. New and gently used books will be sold to raise money for library projects and materials that the Friends provide.

Adult and children’s hardcover books will sell for $2 and paperbacks for $1. A half price sale will be held from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

* Editor's Note: Click here for a video clip of the Kivajat dancers performing at the Dec. 6, 2012, Finnish Independence Day celebration at the Finnish American Heritage Center.