BLUE HILL ­­- The Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI) announces the 2004 schedule for Ocean Story Hour at the MERI Center for Marine Studies on Main Street in Blue Hill.   The first Ocean Story Hour of 2004 will take place on Friday, January 9 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and will continue each Friday morning thereafter throughout the year.   It will not be held on December 26, 2003 and January 2, 2004.  

Ocean Story Hour is a great way for parents and their children to spend time together in an educational environment.   The 2004 season will feature a whole new collection of children's stories focusing on a wide range of themes, such as deep ocean life, shapes in the sea and individual marine animals.   The stories will be read by MERI Education Department staff in the Center's warm and comfortable lending library.   The weekly event will also include theme-related arts and crafts and a guided tour of the Ocean Room's aquariums and touch tank.   There you can find a two-toned lobster, sea cucumber, sea sponge, a variety of crabs and many other marine animals.   For more information about Ocean Story Hour , call the MERI Education Department at 374-2135.