STAFFORD — Trunk or Treat at the Stafford County Hospital was a wonderful evening!

Sandy and I enjoyed seeing all the kids that we knew from working at the school. Many were kids I had in school that were bringing their kids for treats. I try not to let it make me feel old – just connected to the community.

Our treats were McDonald Happy Meal toys that I collected during the 40-some years of having a family and eating out. I have given these out for several years (my kids didn’t mind me giving away their inheritance, which if you did the math, with the number of toys through the years, it would have been substantial). Actually, the parents connected with and enjoyed the toys as much as the kids. The toys were a good representation of stories made into movies throughout the years.

This year the Hospital, Calvary Baptist Church, Emergency Services and many other groups and individuals combined and made a great community event for families. I tried to keep a count and there were well over 300 people enjoying the fun and safe Halloween.

Thanks to a grant from South Central Community Foundation, boxes and boxes have been arriving at the library. So far, we have unpacked and Sandy has put together, all for Friends and Families of Larabee Library to enjoy: A little kitchen with accessories, a storage cabinet for the new toys and crafts (with the help of Steve Hartnett) and a refrigerator. A stack of boxes was delivered late Friday that we are excited to unpack this week.

Tuesday we are looking forward to Parents as Teachers’ families coming to enjoy our space with toys, stories and a Bear Hunt! This event is in conjunction with Kansas State Library’s “Kansas Reads to Preschoolers.” This is an annual event, since 2005, that promotes reading to all Kansas children from birth through age 5 in the month of November. Through the statewide program, parents, librarians, teachers and caregivers are encouraged to read and develop the habit of sharing stories with preschoolers. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m.

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Coming events

• Monday Mornings, Preschool Story Hour, 10-11 a.m.

• Every Wednesday (except 2nd Wednesday), - ESOL with Rachel Sandoval 6 p.m.

• Nov. 4, Parents as Teachers night at the library, celebrating Kansas Reads to Preschoolers.

• Nov. 13, 9 a.m. Bear Hunt for Mrs. Mink’s Preschool class.

• Nov. 18, K-State Extension workshop on smart technology and you. More details to follow

• Nov. 19, Medicare Plan D sign-up. Must call for an appointment.

• Nov. 25, Recently Read, 5:30 p.m. Come join the conversation.

• November - December - We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at the library! Bring your children and join us.

• Early Bird Giving - Nov. 2  to Dec. 2. Match Day is Dec. 2, Giving Tuesday.

• Next Board meeting: Nov. 12.

Gerry Hildebrand is the head librarian for the Nora Larabee Memorial Library, 108 N. Union St. in Stafford. Phone 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library.