Reading during the summer months has a sweet payoff for kids in the Manchester area, thanks to Mother Myrick's Confectionery. Twenty-eight years ago, the makers of Lemon LuLu cake, buttercrunch and specialty chocolates started their Fun Summer Reading Program as a way to instill a joy of reading in kids. "As an employer, both my husband and I believe we have a responsibility to give back to the community," said the shop's co-owner Jacki Baker. In 1989, the Bakers came up with the idea of a game board where elementary-school kids could record what they'd read during the summer, and come in to the shop for special goodies after they'd completed a certain number of books. Through the years, she's enlisted art students from the local high school to submit illustrations for the game board, giving a $50 gift certificate to the winning design. In addition to keeping a log of titles they've read, kids who participate in the program have the option of doing book-related projects like dioramas and posters, which Baker displays around the shop through the summer months. "Having a candy store, we're all about celebration," said Baker, who hopes other Vermont businesses will be encouraged to create similar programs. "This is a natural outgrowth of that."
Greensboro, VT
An incredible summer of circus awaits at Circus Smirkus Camp! Step inside one of our spectacular Big Top Tents and join professional coaches to live and train the circus life in Greensboro, Vermont. At Smirkus Camp, kids challenge themselves, learn teamwork and problem solving, get terrific physical conditioning, AND enjoy…(more)