Ella's Friends to host pumpkin decorating contest

Ella's Friends will soon be having its annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest.

Ella's Friends is a 501(c)3 organization made up of dedicated local volunteers who help raise funds to support library services for the Ella Johnson Memorial Library in Hampshire.

Beginning Oct. 1, pumpkins will be available at the library, 109 S. State St. in Hampshire, for a suggested donation of $8 per pumpkin.

The pumpkins, which are being supplied by Goebbert's on Reinking Road in Hampshire, must be decorated (not carved) as the character from a book. Completed pumpkins must be returned to the library by Thursday, Oct. 25, to be judged for prizes.

The decorated pumpkins will be on display at the library through Halloween.

Funds raised form this contest and from other Ella's Friends activities will be used to purchase items or to support programs not in the library's regular budget.

In the past, funds raised by Ella's Friends have been used to support the Summer Reading Program and to purchase such items as a sound system a scanner, a bike rack and new furniture for the community room.

The Friends hold their regular meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. If you are interested in joining the Friends or volunteering for an event, email ellasfriends@ellajohnsonlibrary.org. Visit www.ellajohnsonlibrary.org.