Pumpkins and Pages draws crowd

Community By Alexandra Herrera, Reporter Thursday, November 9, 2023

Councilman Tony Fernandez's first Pumpkins and Pages storytelling event invited kids to Miami Lakes Town Hall on Oct. 13 to hear two Halloween stories. 

The event featured plenty of Halloween-themed fun, including free children's books; pumpkins filled with candies; coloring books with crayons and cookies and juice. 

There was also a themed backdrop for family pictures and cut outs of Linus and Sally from "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown." 

Education Advisory Board student representative Maurits Acosta was the master of ceremonies. 

Families were treated to "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" [by Charles Schulz] read by Fernandez; his wife Pilar Fernandez-Rives read "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything" [by Linda Williams]. Fernandez-Rives is principal at Mater Gardens Elementary

"The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything" included a performance by the students of the BBHarts Conservatory

The event brought 30 students and their families to Town Hall for the book reading and served to celebrate National Book Month, a release said. 

From left Volunteer Rey Garcia; Giving Gators officer Emily Garcia; Nilba Linares, volunteer and Miami-Dade County Public School teacher; Education Advisory Board Chair Hector Abad; Maurits Acosta; Pilar Fernandez-Rives; Megan Garcia, volunteer; Tony Fernandez; Giving Gators Founder Daylin Garcia; Anthony Cancela, student volunteer; Education Advisory Board Vice Chair Mario Pinera; Giving Gators President Denis Brenes and Miami-Dade Police Community Services Officer Robin Amador.