In brief: Vacation Bible school, farmers market, young writers institute and more in Hampton

Vacation Bible school

Ascension Lutheran Church at 8225 Peebles Road in McCandless is hosting a vacation Bible school July 12-15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Children entering PreK to sixth grade are invited to enjoy making crafts, playing games, making music and learning what the Bible says about the one true God. Register at ascensionpgh.myanswers.com/mystery-island.

Farmers market

The Hampton Township Farmers Market operates from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays through Oct. 13. It features local produce, honey, baked goods, spices and a variety of other items.

Food trucks will be on-site several times during the season, with notices posted on the township website.

The farmers market is located in Hampton Community Park, 3101 McCully Road.

Ninth annual young writers institute

The Fellow of the Western PA Writing Project is holding its ninth Young Writers Institute this summer for rising fifth through seventh graders.

The Institute will be the week of July 26-30 from 9 a.m. to noon in Wexford at the Atlas Art Studio, 75 Shenot Road.

It will feature guest writer Cameron Barrett from Pittsburgh, who has won numerous awards as a poet.

The Westmoreland Museum also will visit, and participants will write about some art.

To register, visit AtlasArtPress.com/shop/ywi. For more information, email Kathy at kathyanngiegel@gmail.com.

Hampton Community Library events

• The Tales & Tails summer reading program registration is open for children and youth 18 and younger. Register in person for the in-person program. Take home your swag bag and a challenge card to participate. Return each week for a new challenge card and use the prior week’s card as a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize. The adult program registration is also underway. Register for the virtual program with Beanstack. Participate in activity challenges, update your reading log, earn badges and tickets for the grand-prize raffle. The program is for all ages.

• Check Mate!, a summer chess club for children ages 5-10, is Wednesdays through July 21 from 11 a.m. to noon. There will be no class July 7. Join for fun, instructive, interactive play. All skill levels are welcome. Registration is appreciated but not necessary.

• Wag Your Tails is an interactive storytime for preschoolers on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and runs through Aug. 3. It is filled with stories, songs, music and parachutes. The program is held at the Rotary Pavilion in Hampton Community Park regardless of weather. The program is designed for ages 3-5, but all ages welcome. The program will run about 30-45 minutes. Be prepared to wear a mask or remain 6 feet apart. Registration is not necessary.

• Early Bird Storytime is held from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 5 for children preschool age or younger. Wake up your body with gentle stretches, stories, songs and rhymes. Rain or shine, the event will take place at the Rotary Pavailion in Hampton Community Park. Be prepared to wear a mask or remain 6 feet apart. Registration is not necessary.

• Hoot & Holler Storytime is 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays through Aug. 5. It will feature nature-themed stories and songs, puppets and games. Rain or shine, the event will take place at the Rotary Pavailion in Hampton Community Park. Be prepared to wear a mask or remain 6 feet apart. Registration is not necessary.

• Murder by the Book, a mystery book discussion, takes place Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion in Hampton Community Park. Call the library to request a copy of the book. Books are no longer available at the circulation desk. Be prepared to wear a mask or remain 6 feet apart. Upcoming books to be discussed are “Long Bright River” by Liz Moore (July 21) and “Pines” (Wayward Pines No. 1) by Black Crouch (Aug. 18).

• Betty’s Book Buzz Discussion Group meets Fridays at 1 p.m. in the library after it closes. Call the library to request a copy of the book. Books are no longer available at the circulation desk. Anyone who is interested in great conversations and good reads is invited to join. Books to be discussed are “A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende (June 18) and “The Middle Place” by Kelley Corrigan (July 16).