I can't remember a time when stories haven't been an important part of my life. My mother or grandparents would read to me at night. I listened intently to tales of their own history, sharing the "remember how it used to be" tales until I was familiar with a time when ice came from frozen lakes and a horse and carriage were the only transportation.

Each book we read would be reenacted the next day during my daily play, as I became my favorite character. How would these characters lives turn out in their story? I would grip my pillow in anticipation, hoping that all would turn out well. The story ending was not mine to choose, but it did give me the ability to imagine.

For those with infants to elementary-aged children, The Bookstore Plus at 2491 Main Street in Lake Placid will be holding their monthly Second Saturday Story Time at 10:00 a.m. March 12 with a St. Patrick's Day theme. Each story time reading ends with a craft or activity. Future activities will be an April 9th Easter egg hunt, May 14th Mother Day craft and June 11 Father's Day celebration. All events, first and foremost, begin with a story. During July and August there is an additional story time every Monday at 10:00 a.m.

The Bookstore Plus is owned and operated by Sarah and Marc Galvin. Started in 1973 as an art and music store, The Bookstore Plus was enlarged in 1978 to include books, stationary and small business products. 

Though my children are past the age of a preschool story time, it doesn't mean they don't like being read to. I read to them on car trips or as they wait for the school bus. I share stories of my own "good ol'days" when the TV was turned off without a remote and "books on tape" did not come on CD. I now pass the familial histories along to my children while I tuck them in at night. We graduate to poetry readings and author visits, all in the attempt to continue to foster the same love of reading in my children.

So those older children don't feel left out there are author visits at special times throughout the year. Coming on Thursday, April 28th,Tom Angleberger will be on hand for an entertaining afternoon straight from the pages of his book, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. Oh, yes. Origami meets Star Wars with a bonus intro to Tom's latest book, Horton Halfpott. I may not buy my children a lot of toys but I can't say no to a good book. 

Diane Chase's Adirondack Family Time Tip:  There is also an infant to preschool-aged story time each Thursday at 10:15 a.m., during the academic year, at the Lake Placid Public Library, 2471 Main Street, Lake Placid

all photos are used with permission from The Bookstore Plus. Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Time™ guidebook series and co-owner of the the young adult wilderness adventure program, Adirondack Outdoor Expeditions.