Lynx Take Time-Out for Reading, History

School might be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean learning has to take a break.

Minnesota Lynx players Tamika Raymond, Kathrin Ress and Noelle Quinn made sure of that at Thursday afternoon’s WNBA “Read to Achieve” Reading Time-Out at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis. Over 50 third-through-fifth graders from Camp Zanewood in Brooklyn Park were treated to a reading of “The Foot-Stomping Adventures of Clementine Sweet” as well as scavenger hunt and tour of the historic museum.

“The event was really a lot of fun,” said Quinn, a rookie participating in her first community event as a member of the Lynx. “It’s great working with kids like this, and it’s even more fun when they’re into it.”

The group definitely got “into it” when Raymond, Ress and Quinn began recounting the foot-stomping exploits of Kitty Griffin and Kathy Combs’ Clementine Sweet, the outspoken Texas cowgirl and youngest of fourteen siblings. The youngsters sat with rapt attention as Clementine stomped her way through dance halls, hot springs and even tornados, made all the more interesting by the colorful narrations of the Lynx players. The entire group joined in whenever Clementine’s catchphrase (“I’m Clementine Sweet, and I’m gonna stomp your feet!”) came along, even repeating the mantra “with some emotion!” at Quinn’s request.

After the reading and a short trivia contest, it was time for a player-led scavenger hunt through the museum’s many kid-friendly exhibits. Mill City Museum is opened in September 2003 and is located in the abandoned ruins of the Washburn A. Mill near St. Anthony Falls, recalling an industry that made Minneapolis one of the country’s most prominent cities in the late 19th century. The kids spent over a half-hour perusing hands-on activities like a mini-waterpower mill, free baking samples and working replicas of mill machines.

“It was really nice to have some activities for the kids to do after the book reading,” said Amanda Neby of the Lynx’s Community Relations Department. “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and I think it all went really well.”

Although Raymond’s “blue” and Ress’s “yellow” teams technically tied for the scavenger hunt crown, all the kids went home with some Lynx merchandise, tickets and autographs from the players.

“It’s so rewarding for us (as players) when the kids have a good time,” said Quinn, a UCLA grad and Los Angeles native. “They were a great group to hang out with, and we even got to learn a little about Minnesota’s history, which was a definite plus.”

The next WNBA “Read to Achieve” event will take place August 6.