Thursday, October 22, 2026
Fall object lessons have been bountiful at the Dunham Children’s Learning Center, with visits from animals from Smith Farm & Fields in Trout Run and lessons on kindness courtesy of a 25-year-old pumpkin.
Courtney Smith, who earlier this fall read her book, “Miss Charlotte’s Adventure to Our Farm,” to children at the center returned with some of her farm friends to provide a day of animal petting and pumpkin painting.
This week, as part of National Bullying Prevention Month, the Children’s Learning Center’s toddler team taught the 13-month-to-3-year-olds about kindness with the help of “Spookley the Square Pumpkin,” a beloved children’s book character that turned 25 on Oct. 21.
“We are all different and special in our own ways,” said Stacie L. Smith, childcare teacher. “As some of the first influencers in their lives, we want to start them out on the right track. Always be caring and kind!”
photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor
Dunham Children's Learning Center teachers and children pose for a photo with Courtney Smith (left), of Smith Farm & Fields in Trout Run, and her animal friends.
Children listen intently to a reading of "The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin."
The Children's Learning Center toddlers read Spookley's book on his 25th birthday – Oct. 21.
A Spookley art activity ...
... is followed by digging in to real pumpkins.
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