OXFORD – Area children and parents will have an opportunity to catch the kick-off of the Oxford Memorial Library’s Summer Reading Program at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday,at its 8 Fort Hill Park location.

“Story Laurie: Groovin’ in the Garden” is the library’s first program of the summer series and will feature a concert filled with both story and song. Families are invited to attend this event free of charge.

Story Laurie - also known as Laurie McIntosh - is a storyteller, songwriter and singer based in the Catskill Mountains, and has been a predominant name in storytelling throughout both the Catskills and Hudson Valley regions for nearly two decades. She is known for her renditions of folk tales and her socially-conscious songs for children and adults alike.

“Groovin’ in the Garden” is Story Laurie’s most recent CD and features her own interpretations of “The Hokey Pokey” and “Shoo-Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy,” in addition to her original pieces. Those works on “Groovin’ in the Garden” focus on the theme of community gardening and the majority are in a sing-along style.

Oxford Memorial Library’s Youth Services Coordinator Carolyn Thau said there will be an opportunity for attendees to download some of the tracks from “Groovin’ in the Garden” free of charge at the event.