NEW BERLIN - The Utica Zoomobile gave a presentation as part of the Perkins Memorial Performance Series on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
The performance was held at Hyde Park in the village of New Berlin. It was the final performance of the 2025 season, which takes place on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in August.

Despite the threat of rain earlier in the day, the performance was well attended, with more than 80 people. The Utica Zoomobile introduced the audience to four “zoo ambassadors”: hissing cockroaches, a box turtle, a blue tongue skink and an albino corn snake named Creamsicle.

The two zoo handlers introduced the animals to the audience and gave an informational presentation on each. The presentation lasted about an hour, with each animal brought into the audience for closer inspection and petting.

In addition to the Utica Zoomobile, the library hosted Silly Face! by Sandra Face Painting. Children were invited to choose designs that included dinosaurs, unicorns, cats, whales, sunsets and ice cream cones. The face painting was paid for through Perkins Memorial Performance sponsorship.

The Perkins Memorial Performance Series is organized by the New Berlin Library, held at Hyde Park in the village of New Berlin, and sponsored by Andrea Miller and Donald Perkins in honor of their parents, Jean and Ruso Perkins.

There are several scheduled fall events at the New Berlin Library. The library is hosting the Boy Scouts for their “Hug-A-Tree and Survive” program on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 11 a.m. in the library’s Community Room. This program will teach children how not to get lost in the woods and what to do if they are lost. The library is also planning Halloween children’s and adult craft programs, as well as a fall adult painting class. Details and dates will be announced soon.

Some new additions to the library include: “Dinosaur Encyclopedia for Kids: The Big Book of Prehistoric Creatures,” by George Blasing and Cary Woodruff; “Knowledge Encyclopedia Dinosaur!: Over 60 Prehistoric Creatures as You’ve Never Seen Them Before,” by DK Knowledge Encyclopedias; “Paleontology Lab: Explore Prehistoric Life With Art & Activities (Steam Lab),” by Elsie Olsen; “Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist,” by Andy Diehn; “STEM Starters for Kids Paleontology Activity Book: Fun Activities and Facts About Dinosaurs and Fossils!” by Jenny Jacoby; and “Fossils for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Dinosaur Bones, Ancient Animals, and Prehistoric Life on Earth,” by Ashley Hall.

The New Berlin Library is at 15 S. Main St., New Berlin. The library is open Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. Visit libraries.4cls.org/newberlin/. Call 607-847-8564 or message the Facebook page, New Berlin Library and Museum (facebook.com/newberlinlibrary.newberlinny), with any questions.

- From the New Berlin Library