Activities offered inside and out

Many might escape the Masters Week hoopla by spending spring break at the beach or at other out-of-town locations.

For families looking to stay home this Masters Week, there will be plenty for children to do in Columbia County.

All three Columbia County libraries are offering regular storytime for younger children. The Gibbs Library, at 326 N. Belair Road in Evans, will hold storytime for 2-year-olds at 10:15 a.m. today and Thursday; storytime for 3- to 5-year-olds at 11 a.m. today and Thursday; and an all-ages family storytime at 4 p.m. today.

"It varies. Some years we're busier than usual and we do get a lot of school-aged kids coming with their (younger) siblings," said Pam Link, the children's librarian at Gibbs Library. "But a lot of people do go out of town."

In honor of National Library Week, Gibbs Library offers a Bedtime Story Time, for which children can don their pajamas, at 6:30 p.m. April 15.

The Euchee Creek Library, at 5907 Euchee Creek Drive just outside Grovetown, is holding its regular storytime at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. today.

The Harlem Library, at 375 N. Louisville St., is celebrating Masters Week and spring break with an ice cream party at 2 p.m. today.

"Just any age, it's for kids of all ages," Amanda Cash, the branch manager at Harlem Library, said, adding that those interested need to call the library at 556-9795.

For a little cinema fun, children are invited to see Fat Albert at 2 p.m. Friday at the Oliver Hardy Museum at 250 N. Louisville St., for a $2 donation.

For artistic children and adults, Crafty Plaster, at 351 Furys Ferry Road, offers a chance to be creative by painting a choice of 600 poured plaster pieces ranging from $7 to $20 each.

"They can drop in any time," owner Lynn Reed said, adding that the shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. "The aprons, paints, we have everything here that they need."

For those who want more active recreation during their week off from school, Putt-Putt Golf and Games, at 3763 Martinez Blvd., is offering its annual Masters Week special from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. all week. The $8 cost includes unlimited golf, 20 game tokens, pizza and a soda, said owner Mark Ross.

"It looks pretty nice weather-wise," Ross said. "People want to recreate outside, but you have got to have the weather right."

Friday Night Madness at Funsville, 4350 Wheeler Road in Martinez, kicks off at 6 p.m. The event includes three hours of unlimited mini-golf and rides.Event locations,contacts:

- Crafty Plaster, 351 Furys Ferry Road, Martinez; 863-2224

- Funsville, 4350 Wheeler Road, Martinez; 863-3087, 650-1805, 863-1360 or 869-1220

- Euchee Creek Library, 5907 Euchee Creek Dr., Grovetown; 556-0594

- Gibbs Library, 326 North. Belair Road, Evans; 863-1946

- Harlem Library, 375 North. Louisville St., Harlem; 556-9795

- Oliver Hardy Museum, 250 North. Louisville St. Harlem; 556-0401

- Putt-Putt Golf and Games, 3763 Martinez Blvd, Martinez; 868-0083