Helicopter visit to Blaine library boosts summer program | Bellingham Herald

A federal border agency helicopter will land in the parking lot of the Blaine Public Library this week, as part of countywide summer reading programs aimed at children ages 3-11.

“Every Tuesday, we have something big show up; last week it was an SSC garbage truck,” said Debby Farmer, branch manager.

After the helicopter lands, its crew will explain how a helicopter works, read a story and allow children to climb inside the cockpit for a close-up look at the controls. The program is set for 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, at the Blaine Public Library, 610 Third St.

Farmer said the helicopter visit is part of a full summer of events organized by Cindy Leffel, the library’s children-focused public services assistant. The Whatcom County Library System’s summer reading theme is Every Hero Has a Story.

Highlights include a June 30 visit by Birch Equipment; a July 7 drumming workshop; a July 14 pet fair; a July 21 Whatcom Transportation Authority bus; Aug. 4 firefighters with North Whatcom Fire & Rescue; and Aug. 18 is the Blaine Police Department with a squad car.

“They read a story and they also read them their Miranda rights,” Farmer said.

Children are encouraged to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the helicopter propeller wash, and free safety glasses will be given to the first 100 participants.

More information is available at the events calendar online at wcls.org or by calling 360-305-3600.