While many people read for fun, everyone needs to read to be successful in today’s economy, said Ron Wolfe, co-chair of Madison County Project Read’s Read-a-Thon conducted held Saturday at Richmond City Hall.
Even with the emphasis on education in Madison County, home to two institutions of higher learning, “We still have hundreds of people who read very poorly if at all,” Wolfe said.
Project Read offers tutoring in math, reading and English as a second language for individuals 16 and older, he said. “The annual Read-a-Thon is held to make people aware of the services we offer and to recruit tutors.”
The goal of Project Read’s tutoring is to help students qualify for the General Education Diploma (GED), Wolfe said.
In recent years, the Read-a-Thon was conducted in the Richmond Mall, but this year the event was moved to Richmond City Hall to facilitate video taping, Wolfe said.
The Read-a-Thon tape will be shown on Adelphia Cable Channel 12 for the first time March 3. “We hope to have it shown several other times as well,” he said.
Readers came from all parts of Madison County and included Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson, Berea Mayor Steve Connelly and Eastern Kentucky University President Joanne Glasser.
A group of third-graders from Model Laboratory School read compositions they wrote as if they had been passengers of the ill-fated Titanic, the supposedly “unsinkable” ship that went down in the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg in April 1912.
The children imagined themselves as passengers in various classes aboard the ship, from rich to poor.
While describing the terror and tragedy that occurred all around them, the students wrote scripts with happy endings for their families.
All described how Titanic crewmen “shoved” or “forced” their fathers onto lifeboats with their wives and children despite the captain’s orders that only women and children be allowed on the lifeboats.
With TDS Restaurants, owner of the Richmond McDonald’s franchise as its sponsor, the Read-a-Thon’s list of more than 70 readers included Ronald McDonald.
While the young school children were still present, Ronald read “Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car.”
“This is a story that I enjoyed when I was just a little clown,” he said.
Some seventh-graders from Madison Middle School read papers they had written for a statewide soil conservation essay contest.
“We must conserve the rich soil that makes the grass in Kentucky so green,” one student wrote. “It’s so green it’s called bluegrass.”
During the Read-a-Thon, Project Read recognized its longest-serving board member, retired EKU English professor Dr. Martha Conaway. She also took her turn reading.
For details about Project Read’s tutoring services or becoming a tutor, call 623-4905.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.
Local News
Read-a-thon focuses on local literacy needs
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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