Post by: Ken Palosi
Find Ken teaching How-to Twist Balloons at 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. at the How-to Festival.
See a video about Ken’s work with the library here.
One day some years ago as I was wandering around the Border’s bookstore looking for something to entertain my grandchildren I noticed a balloon twisting kit. The kit had a book with directions for eight or so balloon animals, a handful of balloons, and a cheap air pump. I bought the kit and little did I know that I was about to embark on a great adventure.
A couple of years before this I agreed to be the daycare provider for a granddaughter that was to arrive shortly. In sixteen months she was joined by a brother and the best years of my life began.
I was always looking for ways to entertain the kids and I thought they might like to see grandpa make balloon animals for them. This went on for several years and the kids even learned to make a few balloon animals of their own. In the meantime I got carried away with learning how to make balloon animals and had gotten quite a repertoire.
A few years ago I took my grandchildren to the inaugural Family Film Friday hosted by the North Canton library. While I was there I ran into Amy Weisbrod the director of the Stark County Hunger Task Force where I volunteered and had done balloon animals for one of her fund raising events. She was acquainted with Christina Weyrick of the North Canton library. Amy suggested that I talk to Christina and offer to do balloon animals for the Family Film Fridays. I did so, and as they say the rest is history. I have been doing balloon animals for Family Film Fridays as well as for local schools for many years now and I can’t imagine my doing anything else.
If you want to have fun be sure to stop and see me on March 5th. Who knows, you may soon find yourself having as much fun as I do.
If you would like to know more about my daycare experiences read my blog Grandpa Daycare at https://wordpress.com/post/ohioken.com/123 or browse my other blog posts about a wide range of topics at www.ohioken.com.
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