WHO READS? EVERYONE READS!
Do you know what a homonym is? Sure you do! Read this sentence – “Can you believe that red bird up there has read all of those books?” The color “red” is pronounced the same way as the past tense of the verb, “read“ – those two words are homonyms!
That’s the kind of word play that makes lovers of literacy smile, and it’s a big part of the Black White & Read Initiative.
In late 2011, a group of individuals from the Lawrenceburg Public Library District, the Aurora Public Library District, Ivy Tech Community College and the Dearborn Highlands Arts Council joined forces to raise literacy awareness in the community and to promote the Hoosier Hills Literacy League. In 2012 we “colored Dearborn County Black White & Read” by providing lots of literacy programs from digital and financial literacy to a good old fashioned community read.
2013’s Campaign takes the word play to the next level – it’s the “Black White & Read READ Campaign.” Perhaps you’ve seen the posters of celebrities holding their favorite book and the one word command – READ.
We’ve replicated that on a local level. Fifty community leaders have posed for their own personal READ poster, each of them holding their favorite picture book. We chose picture books to demonstrate the importance of early literacy.
Why early literacy? Well, it has to do with an idea of Dolly Parton’s, namely her Imagination Library. Google it to find out more, and keep an eye on this column, because in the next several weeks, you’ll read and hear what several community leaders have to say about the importance of literacy, and how reading was their first step on the path to leadership.
Gary Puckett with The Flypod digital media network has developed several audio productions that you can access on the internet. Each week you can listen to a new audio spot, and hear our community leaders’ thoughts on literacy.
You’ll also learn how you can help today’s children get started on that path before they even enter school.
Who reads? Someone you know!
This week’s featured community leader is Jeff Lane of Aurora. Simply click the link below to hear his thoughts!
Word Play for Literacy!Are you ready for some WORD PLAY?! Are you tempted to cheat but have a GUILTY CONSCIENCE? Are you a fan of WORDS WITH FRIENDS? The Hoosier Hills Literacy League is planning their 3rd Annual Scrabble Without Scruples Event, and this year there are lots of options to participate. Saturday, March 2 is the day for the in-person event, and players will form groups of 2-3 to play either Speed Scrabble or Traditional Scrabble. The fun part is this - there will be experts roaming around the room -- some with amazing word-building skills, some with "cheating apps" on their smartphones, and some with specially marked tiles -- and they will lend their aid to you for a small donation to the Literacy League. Also this year, there will be discounts on your registration fee if you want to challenge a friend to a traditional game - no cheating allowed on that one! If you're ready to register, grab a friend or two and download the registration form here! Black, White and Read ALL OVERLet's play a game - which one of these things is not like the other? Dancing Flapper girls, jazz music and your local library...Dolly Parton, a beautiful black horse, and a quilt...mocktails, books, and red velvet cupcakes... Which one of these things just doesn't belong? Yes, they are unlikely groupings, but the thing that all of these items have in common is their part in Black White and Read, the literacy initiative that concluded Saturday night at the Lawrenceburg Public Library. Black, White and Read was a collaboration of the Aurora and Lawrenceburg Public Libraries, the Hoosier Hills Literacy League, the Dearborn Highlands Arts Council and Ivy Tech Community College. Each of the organizations had programs throughout the year, including classes on using the computer, managing money, and quilting, as well as events related to the featured books, Black Beauty and The Great Gatsby. But what does all of this have to do with Dolly Parton? If you've visited this site often, you know that Dolly is a big supporter of literacy. Through her Dollywood Foundation, she has established the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which partners with local communities to bring age-appropriate books to children each month from the time they are born until their fifth birthday. The Dearborn County Imagination Library has been sponsored for several years by the Foundations of the Aurora and the Lawrenceburg Public Libraries. Now, for the first time, individuals can get involved. A donation of only $36 enables the Hoosier Hills Literacy League to enroll one child in the Imagination Library. That donation will cover the cost of purchasing and shipping a new, age-appropriate book to that child for an entire year. If you want to be a part of this wonderful program, download the IL Sponsorship Form for Dearborn County. The Hoosier Hills Literacy League administers the program for Ripley County. To support the Ripley County Imagination Library, click here (coming soon). Completed forms and donations can be mailed to Hoosier Hills Literacy League, PO Box 3556, Lawrenceburg, IN, 47025. Donations can also be made by using the Paypal button above. The events of the Black White and Read Literacy Initiative are all over, but the fight to improve literacy rates in our community isn't all over yet. There's still time to make a difference. Explore this site, and click the Contact Us tab if you have any questions. Gatsby Gala!
Call 812-539-4251 to reserve your tickets!WIN THIS BEAUTIFUL QUILT AND SUPPORT LITERACY!This beautiful quilt was inspired by the Anna Sewell’s classic novel Black Beauty & Dearborn County’s own historic house, Veraestau. Pay a non-refundable $5 fee to place a bid of your choice ($75 and up). The winning bid will be chosen randomly at 8pm on October 13 during the Black, White & Read Gala at the Lawrenceburg Public Library. Purchase several bids and increase your chance of winning! This community project was funded by the Dearborn County Council Youth Grant, Lawrenceburg—AEP Grant and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Proceeds from the auction will be used to promote literacy efforts throughout the county. View the quilt & place your bids at various events and locations around the county. Click Here to see the schedule.
Dimensions—82” x 95” - perfect for a full, queen or king size bed! Notice the incredible detail in the inner border (below left) and the outer border (below right)!
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