Summer activities can’t go on as usual
June in Holyoke has a rather standard lineup of events each year. Locals know they can expect swim team, baseball, reading programs, family education programs and Dandelion Daze.
This year, of course, things look a bit different because of COVID-19. State and local restrictions have led organizers to reassess their respective events, making changes to keep people safe.
NWKSL cancels season
Every summer, Holyoke has a swim team that participates in the Northwest Kansas Swim League. This year, the league has canceled its season. Holyoke Swim Club still hopes to see some action in the pool, though.
Coach Brenda Krueger said that if it’s allowed, the team intends to have practice still. Ideally they will also wrap up the season with their own meet or perhaps a dual if there’s another team practicing too. To stay up to date on if and when practices will begin, those who are interested should join the Holyoke Summer Swim Club group on Facebook.
PCFES plans ‘summer busy bags’
An in-person summer program originally scheduled for the first two weeks of June has been canceled by Phillips County Family Education Services. Instead, PCFES is assembling “summer busy bags” for kids ages 3-12.
Executive director Linda Jelden said that the bags will include activities, crafts and recipes for families to do together. Though the kids will be missed, PCFES is excited to offer a safe alternative to the usual summer program.
For more information, call 970-854-2595 or email pcfamilyed@yahoo.com. Call or email by Friday, June 5, to sign up to receive busy bags. They will go out June 22 and June 29. After registering, a time will be scheduled to pick up the bags or have them delivered at home.
Library postpones summer reading program
Typically scheduled for the beginning of the month, the Heginbotham Library summer reading program has been pushed back to the last week of June. Plans are still in the works, but librarian Kathy Bornhoft and the board of directors are working to create an in-person program that meets City approval.
The children’s summer reading program is open to kids 10 and under, while the teen summer reading program is open to those 11-17 years old. This year’s theme is “Imagine Your Story.”
For updated information on reading program plans, visit https://heginbotham.colibraries.org/ or follow the Heginbotham Library page on Facebook.
Border League baseball, softball seasons canceled
The City of Holyoke recreation department has canceled the youth baseball and softball season. Director Victoria Dunker is in the process of planning some day camps that offer activities that can be done from a safe social distance. For the most up-to-date information on the day camps, follow the City of Holyoke Recreation page on Facebook.
Dandelion Daze canceled
2020 was meant to be a huge celebration of the 20th Dandelion Daze car show in Holyoke. Holyoke Chamber of Commerce has canceled this year’s event, and the 20th Dandelion Daze will be held in 2021.
No 4-H camp planned
CSU Extension agents Jessie Stewart and Deonna Johnston will not be hosting the usual 4-H summer camps this year.
The agents will be helping with the weekly summer activities Haxtun is putting on. They will be teaching about plant root systems June 17 and June 24. They will make “outer space ice cream” July 15.