For many of us, the toys of our childhood leave indelible marks on our consciousness, affecting our long-term perceptions and attitudes about certain things. Hot Wheels may inspire a lifelong fascination with fast, flashy automobiles, while Barbies might shape ideas about beauty and self-­image. For the generation who grew up during the Atomic Age—the post–World War II era from roughly the mid-1940s to the early 1960s—the toys, games, and entertainment of their childhoods might have included things like atomic pistols, atomic trains, rings with tiny amounts of radioactive elements, and comic books, puzzles, and music about nuclear weapons.

The Saxton Library will accept the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Nuclear Historic Landmark Award in appreciation and recognition of the community's participation during the decommissioning process of the region's notable research reactor.

Commissioner Jeffery S. Merrifeld of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Gary R. Leidich, President of First Energy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC), will join the ANS Executive Director, Harry Bradley, to present the award in a ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on November 8, 2005. The Library plans to display the award plaque in a permanent exhibit.