News By Readers
Plano's Interurban Railway Museum offers weekly story time for children
KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
By Amy Sandling Crawford
Every Friday morning at 10:30 in the lobby of the historic Interurban Railway Museum in downtown Plano, spellbound children take a magical train ride through the tales of professional storyteller Genie Hammel and her sidekick Rags.
The 30-minute fun-filled, interactive experience is aimed at toddlers and pre-school children. However, kids of all ages are welcome and often attend.
Feb. 15: GRRRR....Tigers!
This train spies Babaji in his new clothes,
Tigers want them, goodness knows!
Feb. 22: Celebrate Black History!
This train hears Satchmo singing his song,
"It's a Wonderful World" all year long!
March 1: A Train Full of Cats!
The train engineer hears loud meows,
Cats in the boxcars are taking bows!
March 8: Dogs Jog to the Clickety Clack!
Dogs running along the track,
Jog to the sound of the Clickety Clack!
March 15: Get Your Train Ticket to the Zoo!
Children ride trains to the zoo,
To see the elephants and monkeys, too!
March 22: Trains Travel to the Farm!
As trains roll by the fields and farm,
Baby chicks run quickly to the barn!
March 29: Hop on the Train!
Bunny rabbits hopping to and fro,
Hear the train's whistle loud and low.
April 5: Trains Run on Time!
Trains run on time in sun and rain,
Keeping on schedule is the name of the game!
April 12: Colorful Trains are Blooming!
Flowers bloom along the track,
As colorful trains run up and back.
April 19: Trains at Night!
Trains run under the night sky,
The lonely whistle seems to say, "Good-Bye!"
April 26: Rub-a-Dub Dub for Trains!
Trains get a bath to look brand new,
Rags the dog needs a bath, too!
Ms. Genie is a master at providing young children age-appropriate ways to learn about trains. Her stories arouse their curiosity to explore the rest of the museum, especially its model train display and interactive exhibits based on the principals of electricity used to power the Texas Electric Railway cars. There’s even an opportunity to board Interurban Rail Car 360, manufactured in 1911, just outside the train station for an imaginary trip down the line.
A parent or guardian must accompany all children. Large groups should call 972-241-2117 to ensure a spot in this highly popular program. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome!
About the Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation
The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation Inc., a Texas corporation 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, is an organization dedicated to promote civic pride in the past, to increase preservation awareness through education and public outreach, and to provide financial assistance to protect and preserve our heritage resources for this and future generations. For more information, please visit www.planoconservancy.org or call 972-941-2117.
The 30-minute fun-filled, interactive experience is aimed at toddlers and pre-school children. However, kids of all ages are welcome and often attend.
Feb. 15: GRRRR....Tigers!
This train spies Babaji in his new clothes,
Tigers want them, goodness knows!
Feb. 22: Celebrate Black History!
This train hears Satchmo singing his song,
"It's a Wonderful World" all year long!
March 1: A Train Full of Cats!
The train engineer hears loud meows,
Cats in the boxcars are taking bows!
March 8: Dogs Jog to the Clickety Clack!
Dogs running along the track,
Jog to the sound of the Clickety Clack!
March 15: Get Your Train Ticket to the Zoo!
Children ride trains to the zoo,
To see the elephants and monkeys, too!
March 22: Trains Travel to the Farm!
As trains roll by the fields and farm,
Baby chicks run quickly to the barn!
March 29: Hop on the Train!
Bunny rabbits hopping to and fro,
Hear the train's whistle loud and low.
April 5: Trains Run on Time!
Trains run on time in sun and rain,
Keeping on schedule is the name of the game!
April 12: Colorful Trains are Blooming!
Flowers bloom along the track,
As colorful trains run up and back.
April 19: Trains at Night!
Trains run under the night sky,
The lonely whistle seems to say, "Good-Bye!"
April 26: Rub-a-Dub Dub for Trains!
Trains get a bath to look brand new,
Rags the dog needs a bath, too!
Ms. Genie is a master at providing young children age-appropriate ways to learn about trains. Her stories arouse their curiosity to explore the rest of the museum, especially its model train display and interactive exhibits based on the principals of electricity used to power the Texas Electric Railway cars. There’s even an opportunity to board Interurban Rail Car 360, manufactured in 1911, just outside the train station for an imaginary trip down the line.
A parent or guardian must accompany all children. Large groups should call 972-241-2117 to ensure a spot in this highly popular program. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome!
About the Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation
The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation Inc., a Texas corporation 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, is an organization dedicated to promote civic pride in the past, to increase preservation awareness through education and public outreach, and to provide financial assistance to protect and preserve our heritage resources for this and future generations. For more information, please visit www.planoconservancy.org or call 972-941-2117.
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