By TARYN BROWN

Community Relations Librarian

Nationally known accordion player and children’s polka musician Mike Schneider (also known as “Uncle Mike”) from Milwaukee, Wis., will be performing “Uncle Mike’s Polka Variety Show” on Tuesday, June 14, at 10 a.m. at the Decatur County – Gilbert H. Gragg Library.

Children will enjoy learning about the alphabet, occupations, personal hygiene and other languages through polka music during the program. Uncle Mike’s Polka Variety Show is sponsored by Aaron’s Rent-to-Own.

Schneider began performing professionally in 1996. In 2008 at his wife’s suggestion, he began his Pint Size Polkas venture as Uncle Mike with the release of his groundbreaking Pint Size Polkas Volume One CD. Since that time, he has brought a little bit of culture, education and a whole lot of fun to children and their families across the United States with his Pint Size Polkas program.

Uncle Mike educates on concepts such as the alphabet, numbers, occupations, personal hygiene, relationships and foreign language through the happy sounds of polka music. The multimedia portions of his program educate on topics including geography, history, math and how to dance the polka.

Audience participation is encouraged through numerous sing-along and volunteer opportunities, including the “Chicken Dance.”

Please visit www.pintsizepolkas.com for more information about the Pint Size Polkas.

This program is a part of the 2011 Vacation Reading Program, “One World, Many Stories.” Travel the globe in books this summer and explore places from Oceania to Russia through stories, crafts, music, dance and other activities.

The 2011 Vacation Reading Program is open to children ages 0 to 11 years old with reading, programs, prizes and much more. The 2011 Vacation Reading Program is sponsored by the Decatur County-Gilbert H. Gragg Library Foundation, Hardee’s, Aaron’s Rent-to-Own, Rotary Club of Bainbridge and Georgia Power.

Craving chocolate?

Are you craving chocolate?

Join us on Wednesday, June 15, at 2 p.m. at the Decatur County-Gilbert H. Gragg Library to satisfy your chocolate cravings!

There will be tasty trivia, fun and all things chocolate to tickle your taste buds! This program is designed for ages 10 to 18.

Please visit our Web site at www.swgrl.org for more information on this program.

Wide World of Crafts

Get crafty with the Wide World of Crafts on Thursday, June 16, at 10 a.m. at the Decatur County-Gilbert H. Gragg Library!

Join us to make a Didgeridoo and a Japanese Koi this summer. Crafts are open for children ages 5 to 9 only. Space is limited to the first 40 attendees that arrive. If older children wish to participate, they may assist Ms. Debbie and Ms. Taryn and the younger children with their crafts.

Please call the Youth Services Department at (229) 248-2665 ext. 121 for more information on Wide World of Crafts.

Taryn Brown is the Youth Services and Community Relations Librarian for the Decatur County-Gilbert H. Gragg Library, located at 301 S. Monroe St. in Bainbridge. She may be reached by calling (229) 248-2665.