Library giving away free popcorn, pizza, treats

National Popcorn Day and National Cheese Lovers Day is being celebrated at the Canyon Lake Library with a free pickup lunch for children beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The library and Mentoring Tiny Humans are partnering with Reading Cinemas Cal Oaks 17 in Murrieta and New York’s Upper Crust Pizza, to celebrate the national days of recognition by giving free popcorn, pizza, fruit and beverages to children at the library.

Children are being encouraged to stop by the library anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to pick up a free bag of popcorn, donated by Reading Cinemas and a voucher for a free slice of pizza courtesy of New York’s Upper Crust Pizza, available at the Menifee location. A fruit and beverage will also be provided in part by Hippy Cat Designs.

“I thought it would be exciting to welcome back the community in a fun way,” said head librarian Kimberly Pike. “We have some fun events planned for the new year, including Play Days and a variety of new clubs starting up.”

Typhanie Sharfner, owner of Mentoring Tiny Humans and a library partner agrees.

“I love creating unique experiences that create memories and bring families and community partners together,” she said. “It’s fun to see what we can accomplish.”

Also, unique to the branch is the Book of the Month series handpicked by Mentoring Tiny Humans and available to read all month long and then available for check out after that.

“While you are there, don’t forget to enter the raffle for the monthly giveaway sponsored by Mentoring Tiny Humans,” Kimberly said. “The giveaway includes a free movie ticket, a copy of the Book of the Month ‘Zetta the Poinsettia’ by Alma Hammond, and hair barrettes from Hippy Cat Designs.”

National Popcorn Day is an annual celebration that recognizes the versatile snack that satisfies the crunchy munchies, she said. Whether it is plain, buttered, caramelized, mixed with nuts or fruit, or with a little cheese on top, it’s a popular snack.

According to nationaldaycalendar.com, “popcorn started becoming popular in the United States in the middle 1800s. It wasn’t until Charles Cretors, a candy-store owner, developed a machine for popping corn with steam that the tasty treat became more abundantly poppable.”

National Cheese Day is celebrated on Thursday and according to the same website, “the earliest record of cheese making dates back to 5,500 BCE in what is now Poland.” There are over 1,400 varieties available.

Supplies are limited and available on a first-come first-serve basis and children must be present for pickup, Kimberly said. The Canyon Lake Library is located in the Canyon Lake Town Center.