Mini Reading Camp

During the past 18 months I've been able to share my experiences with you about my program, my business, called Story Time Adventures. What started out as a small experiment to see if anyone would be interested in listening to me read children's books, has grown into a wonderful and exhilarating part time career.

I am still visiting schools, libraries, and other venues to present my story time program. This past November and December, 2011, I appeared as Mrs. Claus in a number of places, including the Northern Nevada Children's Museum in Carson City, Nevada; with the Watsonville Community Band in Northern California, reading 'The Night Before Christmas,' and at the California Welcome Center in Salinas, California.

It is now February 2012 and I have new plans on the horizon. I am working on putting together a Mini Reading Camp for April 9-11 while my son and I are on Spring Break. It's called 'Rescue Me From Boredom--Read a Good Book!' This will focus on police officers, fire fighters, and paramedics. I will be reading stories about these different people, and we will be visitng a fire station, and have visits from a police officer and an ambulance driver. The cost is $20 per child with a $7 materials fee. It's designed for children in grades K-2, but if those who are a little older, or a little younger, want to participate, then that's okay with me! Moms/dads or a responsible adult must stay with the child at all times.

If you want more information, email me at Jengelha@aol.com. This is in Hollister, California. I will also be offering Skype story times for schools throughout the country. I hope to hear from you! Julie Engelhardt, Story Time Adventures

Mrs. Claus is keeping busy!

More reading fun with the Girl Scouts this week. They were a delightful group of girls, and they even invited me to be a part of their cookie exchange. Yum, yum! This has been such a fun season, and I hope I'll be able to do more next year!

The Season is Coming to a Close...

Story Time Adventures during the holiday season has been a great deal of fun. I really can't put it any other way. It does sound simplistic, but that's the way I feel about my venture. It's been a great creative outlet for me, allowing me to tap into my inner child, but to also share the importance of reading to children.

I'm also thrilled (ego check, here!) with the interest from certain people about my business. Articles have appeared on AOL, in the Pinnacle Newspaper (Hollister, Ca), on OCFamily.com, and I was interviewed for an article for Bay Area Parent that will run in February, and I'll be interviewed by CMAP, a local cable access channel for Gavilan College in Gilroy, California.

My blog may not be fancy, but at least it gives me a chance to talk about what I'm doing and what I love. If it brings in more business, that's an added bonus. If not, then that's okay, too!

I'm still available for calls from Mrs. Claus and visits, too! Jengelha@aol.com.

Ah.. it's difficult to believe that Christmas is just a little over a month away! Are you ready for the big day? I wish I could say, "Yes, yes, I am!" I have some friends who have already purchased their gifts and wrapped them. They're the lucky ones, and the smart ones, too!

As for Mrs. Claus, requests for appearances are trickling in. The one I'm very excited about is appearing on December 18 at Book Smart book store in Morgan Hill, Ca., at 1 pm. I hope you will come see me that day as I read Christmas stories to my little friends!

This is to remind all of you that I'm available for personal vists in my neck of the woods, or I will send Santa letters anywhere in the USA, and make phone calls as Mrs. Claus. This will be so fun! Lots of holiday boutiques happening this time of year, too.

Merry Christmas!

If you want to contact me, call 831 635 9674. Can't wait to hear from you!

Mrs. Claus in Hollister

Hello, my friends. Yes, it's me, Mrs. Claus! Again, I'm ready, ready, ready to visit your home this holiday season. I'm located in Hollister, CA, but I will travel to Gilroy, Morgan Hill, south San Jose, Monterey, Prunedale, Watsonville, Aromas.. you name it! I can't wait to visit all of my friends.

Christmas time is such a wonderful season. So many people concentrate on the presents, but the most important thing is to concentrate on the goodwill that we can spread. In fact, we need to spread that all year long. Try to instill in your children the act of kindness, and doing a good turn daily. That's what the young man in this picture has been learning in Cub Scouts.

Remember, if you'd like to book a visit to your home, school, or party, or would like a letter for your children from Santa, email my friend Julie at Jengelha@aol.com.

Love,

Mrs. Claus!

Mrs. Claus in Holliter, California 2010

Ah.. still gearing up for the holiday season. I've been contacting the good folks of Hollister, California, to let them know I'm available to visit their homes, schools, parties, businesses.. you name it. I even have a lead that may take me over to Los Banos! Now why in the world would someone who is an hour away bring me over there, but local folks won't budge a finger to call me!

I think I'll have a Mrs. Claus open house to let people see what I look like, and what I can do!

I miss Santa, but he's doing quite well.

Remember to contact me at 831 635 9674 for more details!

Mrs. Claus is in town!

Mrs. Claus is in town.. in Hollister, California, ready for you to call her! If you're interested in Mrs. Claus being a part of your school party, special event, or home visit, let her know right away!

Call 831 635 9674.

Mrs. Claus is Comin' to Town!

Why.. my first visitor of the season.. and it isn't even Halloween yet. This sweet boy and his dog, Oscar, want to let you know that Mrs. Claus is in Hollister and is ready to meet with you this holiday season. They brought their stocking with them, hoping I'd fill it with some treats, but I told them they'd have to wait until December 25, like everyone else!

I just spoke with Santa a few minutes ago, and he said that he and the elves are already busy, busy, busy doing preparation for next month when the real toy making begins! Oh..I'll be flying back and forth as much as possible to make sure that Santa and the elves are OK, but I'm sure they will be just fine!

Remember, if you would like to have me visit you at your school or event, or even your home, email Mrs. Engelhardt at Jengelha@aol.com.

Love,

Mrs. Claus!

Once Upon a Christmas

Hi again!

My newest creation for this winter is the program "Once Upon a Christmas with Mrs. Claus." Now that I have a brand new Mrs. Claus outfit, I'm ready to share it, and my story telling, with the central coast.

Parents, school groups, assembly coordinators, Scout groups--anyone--are welcome to contact me to have me read and interact with their children. I'm so excited about this holiday season. There are so many opportunities available. Santa definitely gets the spotlight, but Mrs. Claus needs a chance to escape the cold of the North Pole and head south for the winter, too!

But seriously, I am spreading my wings and heading to different locales to do my reading.

This weekend I'm appearing at Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park as 'Sadie the Scarecrow.' I spent two hours there on October 16, and it was great fun. I felt like a minor celebrity after having so many pictures taken with the little folks. The one thing that kind of surprised me is when a family asked me to take a picture of them!

In the works is a holiday tea, possibly, at San Juan Oaks Country Club in Hollister, Ca, with Mrs. Claus. I have a meeting with the banquet coordinator on Monday to discuss this possibility. It would be so much fun if we can do this. Hollister is crying out for more family-oriented events, and it's my goal to try to bring this to the community!

In closing.. Mrs. Claus will come to your home to surprise your children, but I also make calls from Mrs. Claus ($5) and letters from Santa again, $10 per child. I send these to North Pole, AK, for a special post mark.

If you want more information, email me at Jengelha@aol.com.

Thank you!

Story Time Adventures Continues

I am ashamed to say it's been too long since I've posted! I need to rectify that asap.

I did my first paid assembly yesterday at Ladd Lane Elementary School in Hollister, California. I did three different programs, one for Kindergarten, one for 1st grade, and one for 2nd grade. It was interesting, because I learned that I need to find books that are a bit more advanced for the 2nd graders. As I was reading what I have, which are all adorable books, I started to lose my 2nd grade audience. Back to the drawing board, as they say.

I had a great time interacting with the children, and I'm looking forward to doing more story time presentations.

This weekend, October 16 and 17, and next weekend, October 23 and 24, I will be appearing as Sadie the Scarecrow at Uesgui Farms Pumpkin Patch in Morgan Hill, CA. Sadie appeared at the San Benito County Fair a couple of weeks ago, and it was a great experience.

I finally received my Mrs. Claus outfit (so cute!) so I'm gearing up to have her do story time at Mars Hill Coffeehouse, and at local schools and events. If you, or somone you know, is interested in hiring Mrs. Claus, call me at 831 245 8462!

Julie