Six-year-old Warren Kosack and four-year-old Christa Kosack show off the snowflake ornaments they made at the “Holi-Daze at the Library” on Saturday morning. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — A new generation was introduced to the classic Christmas story about the money-obsessed Ebenezer Scrooge, during a screening of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” in the Shepherdstown Public Library Commons Room on Saturday morning.

The screening was part of a new, day-long event, “Holi-Daze at the Library,” which was created by Youth Services Librarian Jessie Ward.

“Two years ago, I had a program earlier in December, where kids could make something to give their parents for the holidays. That was a big success,” Ward said, mentioning timing issues prevented that event from being repeated in 2024. “This year, this was the only Saturday that would work for me to do something. I didn’t know what the turnout would be like. Instead of doing just one ornament-making craft, I turned it into an entire day of fun.”

Along with the movie screening and ornament-making station, “Holi-Daze at the Library” also featured a scavenger hunt throughout the children’s department for images of gingerbread men, with a fun prize for all those to complete it; hot cocoa and cookies; and holiday-themed coloring pages and puzzles.

“Some parents need to just get out of the house with the kids, and not have to think about what they’re doing,” Ward said about the free event.

Shepherdstown resident Melissa Dunning, right, helps her six-year-old granddaughter, Penelope Won, work through a puzzle sheet, during “Holi-Daze at the Library” on Saturday morning. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

This was certainly the case for Martinsburg resident Christina Kosack, a former teacher who now homeschools her six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter full-time.

“I’m always looking for unique, fun things that we can do,” Kosack said, as her children eagerly showed off their finished snowflake ornaments. “It’s nice to be able to go someplace like this and do a craft that I don’t have to plan or clean up from.”

Six-year-old Penelope Won’s mother was also, tangentially, benefitting from the event. Her grandmother, Shepherdstown resident Melissa Dunning, had volunteered to look after Won for the weekend, so her mother could get caught up on Christmas preparations and have some fun for her birthday.

“Her mom’s birthday is this week, so her mom gets to do some birthday fun with grownups today. And we get to hang out and do Christmas things together,” Dunning said. “I thought Penelope would really enjoy this — she is the perfect age for the activities they were doing here today.”

As the first screening of the movie ended, Ward said she was pleased with the event turnout.

“It’s fun for the whole family,” Ward said. “Parents are often left in a daze during the holidays. Kids have no idea that it is so hard for them, because their parents are working so hard to keep the magic alive for them. It’s been wonderful to see parents come in here and have fun with their kids.”