Up their alley: Torresdale Branch Library and Thunderbird staff include Linda Colwell-Smith, Ida Olitsky, Peggy Finkbiner, Gail Wehmeyer, Jean Farley, Terry Ciaverelli, Ann Hornbach, Raman Chiem, Kevin Lin and David Zeitz. MARIA YOUNG / TIMES PHOTO
The Torresdale Branch Free Library kicked off — or perhaps bowled off — its summer reading program last Friday with free bowling for dozens of local children and teens.
The 10th annual Read, Eat and Bowl was a partnership between the Friends of Torresdale Library and Thunderbird Lanes. The library is at 3079 Holme Ave. and the bowling alley is next door. Youths ages 3 to 18 each received a free game, shoe rental, hot dogs and beverages. They had to register for the library’s Summer of Wonder reading program to take part in the bowling.
The Summer of Wonder is a citywide reading initiative through the Free Library celebrating the many things of wonder in Philadelphia. It will feature special programs focusing on different brain-bending topics each week through Aug. 5.
In addition, the Free Library is offering an online summer reading program for children, teens and adults through Aug. 31. Readers may submit book reviews at freelibrary.org/summerreading to enter online prize drawings. In addition, the site will recommend weekly hands-on activities that children can complete at home.
To contact the Torresdale Branch, call 215–685–0494. For summer reading information about other branches, call 215–686–5372. ••
Page gets high-fives from her friends and family. MARIA YOUNG / TIMES PHOTO
Page gets high-fives from her friends and family. MARIA YOUNG / TIMES PHOTO
