At the end of th 18 holes of mini golf, the children were treated to food, beverages and dancing. Dancing the Hokey Pokey are, from left, Medwin Kamden, 6, Hannah Joyce, 7, Hannah Mohn, 6, Kylie Zavislak, 7.
Young putters have fun at Pittston library
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Adriana Reeder, 9, has an eye on the ball after teeing off at No. 7 hole.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Four-year-old Nicholas Tokash races to the green after hitting his tee shot at the 6th hold during Pittston Memorial Library’s annual mini golf event on Saturday.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
John Ankenbrand, 4, tries his best to get the ball to the flag.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Elijah Murray, 12, eyes up the shot at the 14th hole at the Pittston Memorial Library.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
PITTSTON — For a third year, the Pittston Memorial Library was transformed into an 18-hole miniature golf course Saturday, complete with greens, fairways, obstacles and opportunities to win prizes for a hole in one.
To Carrie Gunderling, a mother of three who also works at the library, the event was a great chance for her children to come out for an afternoon of activity, entertainment and socialization.
“During the winter months the kids spend a lot of time in front of a screen,” Gunderling said. “They had a great time playing golf.”
Gunderling said her children enjoyed the course’s intricate setup, as it wove its way through the library.
“They loved the colors and the stuffed animals placed around the course,” she said.
As was the case for many of the young participants — keeping score was optional for Gunderling’s three children — Wednesday, 7; Jet, 5 and Hazel, 3.
“The older two were really into it,” she said. “My littlest one enjoyed following along.”
Gunderling said her children spend a lot of time at the library, but enjoyed seeing it in a new way during the event.
Shellie Russell, West Pittston, brought her daughter Madeleine and a friend out, to support the library and an enjoy an afternoon of fun.
“They both were really excited about coming,” Russell said.
The group was also looking forward to hot dogs and music provided in the community room to complete their afternoon.
Fun for all
Carol Coolbaugh, an employee of the library who also came out to a similar “adult only” event Friday night, said it was a great weekend of fun for all ages.
Friday’s mini-golf event, attended by about 50 people, included adult beverages and refreshments, she said.
Coolbaugh was back at the library early the next morning to welcome families eager to make their way through the course, after choosing from an array of brightly colored golf clubs, laid out according to length.
Lois Ostrowski, president of the library’s board of directors, said many of those attending don’t get a chance to play mini-golf at any other time throughout the year.
“When I was growing up, there were a lot of places to play,” she said. “But, some of the kids haven’t played before.”
Ostrowski said one family even traveled from New York state for the event.
“It’s a perfect example of a family day, for parents, grandparents and extended family,” she said.
Ellen Mondlak, a member of the library’s Friends group for over 20 years, was enjoying serving up food to children, hungry after 18 holes.
“They’re having a blast,” she said.
Some youngsters attending were doing their best to sink the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible.
As his ball made its way into the 18th hole, Michael Gubitoso, 9, of Pittston, couldn’t have been happier.
“I got a hole-in-two,” he said.