Storybook Gardens to open Memorial Day weekend

Once upon a time, Beth Jacobson and Mari Lynn Garbowicz, retired teachers and friends, went on a girls’ trip to Sheboygan. After visiting Bookworm Gardens, they knew they wanted to bring something similar to Three Lakes, and Storybook Gardens was born.

Now, six summers in, the community project is flourishing. The project places small gardens throughout the town, with books and activities for children and families, aiming to promote literacy, bring the community together, and highlight the attractions and history of Three Lakes.

“It was a way to prevent the summer slide, keep kids reading, and pull different groups in the community together,” said Garbowicz. “We wanted it to be fun, accessible, and showcase what Three Lakes offers.”

The initiative began at the Demmer Library, Three Lakes Historical Museum, and Reiter Center, and has grown to 11 locations thanks to support from local businesses and foundations, as well as the Three Lakes Area Visitors Bureau.

Each garden has a decorative book house with fiction and nonfiction titles and themed activities. The Lions Club initially helped build the houses, and local art students painted them.

“It was beyond what we expected it to be,” Garbowicz said of the imaginative book houses. “We did have businesses come to us and say, ‘We want one of those,’” helping the project grow organically.

Every location is unique because sites have creative control and maintain the gardens.

“They choose their theme, books, and activities,” Jacobson said. “But if they want assistance from us, we absolutely will provide that kind of support.”

What’s new

This year’s updates include revamping the apple and Peter Rabbit gardens at the Reiter Center.

The Peter Rabbit Garden will now feature the book “Tops and Bottoms” about eating the tops and bottoms of plants. The activity will encourage children to invent vegetables using Velcro play pieces.

The apple garden will host a make-your-own-apple-pie station with toy apples, rolling pins, and play dough.

Demmer Library’s garden will have books with a color theme and activities centered on dancing with colored ribbons and lessons in color mixing.

Lastly, the garden at The Gathering Place will be bug-themed with a scavenger hunt, inspired by kids’ spontaneous playing last season.

“We had some kids who were taking some of the items we used for another book, and they were hiding them and going to find them,” Garbowicz said. “They were having a ball, so we were like, ‘let’s make it an activity.’”

Pioneer Day

The most significant addition this year is Pioneer Day, set for Tuesday, July 22, from noon to 4 p.m. at Three Lakes Historical Museum, a first-time event that Garbowicz and Jacobson are very excited about.

“From the get-go, we’ve always dreamed about hosting events,” Jacobson said. “And I used to do Pioneer Day in my classroom once a year. I taught fourth-grade history in Wisconsin. So that was part of where we pulled from regarding what to do.”

Pioneer Day will offer interactive stations on blacksmithing, weaving, fur trapping, logging, butter-making, and more.

Children will earn tickets for participating in pioneer-themed games, which can be spent on old-fashioned candy at the museum’s general store.

The event will also feature historical storytelling, dress-up opportunities, and a sensory bin with oats and corn.

Labor of love

It’s a big undertaking but a labor of love for Garbowicz and Jacobson.

“I grew up with a family that was community-minded. You served your community, you gave back,” Jacobson said. “But also, being a teacher, I love kids. I love books. And I love Three Lakes. Three Lakes has a lot to offer.”

Although the books and activities appeal to all ages and ability levels, from youngsters to teens to grandparents, Garbowicz said, for her, it’s all about the kids. “I was a first-grade teacher. I miss the kids. It’s a way to still interact and connect with them.”

They also expressed a passion for hands-on learning. “Learning is so technology-driven now, and that’s not how kids learn best necessarily,” Jacobson said.

“Let’s let them interact and play and feel and explore,” Garbowicz added.

Story season

Storybook Gardens opens the Friday before Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day, though it will sometimes continue until Pumpkin Fest in October, weather permitting.

Locations throughout Three Lakes include Lick-A-Dee Splitz, Mind Chimes, Three Lakes Pharmacy, Little Dipper, The Gathering Place, Demmer Library, Three Lakes Historical Museum, Reiter Center, Evangelical Free Church, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, and Boehm’s.

Families can pick up a brochure at any location’s book house and get it punched after visiting different gardens. Those who visit nine out of the 11 will be eligible to collect a reward at Demmer Library.

For more information, contact Demmer Library at 715-546-3391 or the Three Lakes Area Visitors Bureau at 715-546-3344.

To sponsor a site or volunteer at Pioneer Day, contact Jacobson at ejacobson43@gmail.com or Garbowicz at garbowicz12@gmail.com.