Dear Youth Services Providers and Flower Lovers,

April showers bring May flowers, so Watchung Library offered a Surprise Storytime, which came with something extra - two special visitors from an area business.  Dana Pike is a floral designer with the Martinsville Florist in Somerset County, and her therapy dog, Vegas, is at the florist whenever Dana is.   They "surprised" us after the story, FRAN'S FLOWER by Lisa Bruce was read, and gave everyone a chance to smell the roses, lavender, lilacs, marigolds, scented geraniums and other flowers that Dana brought with her.   Dana taught us the proper way to plant and grow a flower, from seeds to seedlings to full grown flowers.  Don't feed them pizza or cheeseburgers like Fran did!  Dana's joy, Vegas' peace, and the array of colorful flowers created a magical atmosphere.   Dana works full-time at the florist, but she has some hours in her schedule for sharing her love of plants and animals.  To reach Dana, you can email her at ...@gmail.com">pike...@gmail.com.  To see Vegas and some beautiful flowers, visit The Martinsville Florist on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Martinsville-Florist-Inc-265092870284917/?ref=hl.

Surprise Storytimes are one way that Watchung Library is connecting the community to the library.   No doubt, your community has many businesses who are willing to make a surprise visit,  including florists, bakers - and pizza makers.  Watchung Library is a branch of the Somerset County Library System (www.sclsnj.org).  

All the Best,