Photo by Charity Maness/Fall River County Herald Star

Edgemont Public Library coloring enthusiasts say that coloring keeps them young. Left to right: Don Rose, Terry Rose, Carol Webb, Judy Perrigo, Shery Bauer, and Barbara Hauseman. 

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By Charity Maness

EDGEMONT – Edgemont Library adds yet another free and fun community program to their growing list of activities; coloring for all ages.

“It is so much fun,” exclaimed Edgemont Public Library’s head librarian Gail Bethel, “just listen,” she said pointing to the back corner of the library where the sound of laugher and hushed conversation wafted on the air.

“It’s a coloring group,” explained Bethel, “everyone of any age is welcome every Tuesday from 1 to 3 pm.”

Currently the group is about 7 strong with the average age being 75, yet they all claim this program keeps them young at heart.

“My wife Terry (an octogenarian) is the poster child for art keeping you young,” said Don Matt.

“It’s not only fun putting all the colors together it’s also just a lot of fun,” said Terry Matt as she showed off her detailed owl art in progress.

Art is a personal choice with each artist creating art that calls to them.

Each artist brings their own coloring books and supplies, yet the library also has books to choose from.

The art varies from Zetangle to Mandalas, Native American influenced to flora and fauna and seemingly everything in between.

“We enjoy it all,” said Judy Kay Perrigo, “it’s so relaxing.”

“It’s also a really good stress releaser,” said Barbara Hauseman as she worked on her detailed Native American themed horse.

“I really enjoy having fun activities for the whole community,” said Bethel of her goal to bring the community to the library.

With only three months under her belt she not only resurrected the summer reading program and created a coloring club but will also be implementing a community movie night.

“We now have a big screen tv and what better way to share it with the community than with a free movie night,” she said.

The first movie night will be held August 25 and will feature 80 for Brady.

Bethel will be serving free hot dogs and popcorn at the movies and only asks that people sign up in the library “so that I know how many hot dogs to cook,” she laughed. “I want everyone to have fun and be full.”

The Edgemont Public Library offers books, audio books, dvds, computer use and more.

For more information on library events visit the Edgemont Public Library located 412 2nd Avenue, Edgemont Monday through Friday 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm or call 605-662-7712.