Winter 2007
Inside
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Ruth Colvin is a literacy pioneer and one of our Nation's most effective ambassadors to the world on the importance of education. The founder of Literacy Volunteers of America, she has dedicated her life to helping the less fortunate gain the reading and language skills they need to succeed. Her work has inspired others to lead lives of service and devote their time and talents to combating illiteracy. The United States honors Ruth Johnson Colvin for her extraordinary efforts to provide hope and opportunity to people everywhere. Ruth's children, Terry and Linda, know what I know -- that you better listen to your mother. Ruth has said, "I am, and always have been, a volunteer. II More than that, Ruth Colvin is a person of intelligence and vision and heart. And she has earned the gratitude of many, and the admiration of us all.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is our nation's highest civil honor. The medal recognizes high achievement in public service, science, the arts, education, athletics and other fields. Ruth was among ten exceptional individuals who were honored .
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Augusta is very pleased to announce that we have three new members who have joined the Board of Directors.
Marsha Cottrell is a Maine native and recently retired educator. For thirty years Marsha worked in public education as a teacher. principaL and most recently as a Distinguished Educator for the Maine Department of Education. She is presently overseeing a Title IIA Grant for the University of Southern Maine's Regional Teacher Development Center in Content Literacy with schools throughout the state of Maine.
Marsha enjoys gardening, golfing, traveling and of course, reading. She lives in Manchester with her husband Stephen. They raised two children.
John R. (Jack) Nicholas is the former Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services in the administration of Governor John E. Baldacci. Prior to that assignment he was the Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Charities Maine. He has also served as the State Budget Officer for Governor John R. McKernan Jr. and Governor Angus S. King Jr. Jack is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and has earned a Master of Business Administration from Thomas College. He is a graduate of Leadership Maine, Zeta class.
Raymond Moinester moved from Long Island NY to Hallowell in 1988 after receiving a BS in Criminal Justice from St. John's University. He was hired by Augusta P.D. as a patrolman and went on to graduate from Maine Criminal Justice Academy in March of 1989. He spent 12 1/2 years in the Criminal Investigation Division (Detectives) as a juvenile officer and as a detective. He currently works in the communications/patrol dept as a court and records officer.
Raymond also volunteers as a coach for several area youth sports groups. Raymond and his wife Mary have a daughter, Anne Allen, and three grandchildren.
Our fall basic reading tutor training was held at Hall Dale High School in Farmingdale. The sessions were led by Bob McIntire and I'm very pleased to announce we have eight more wonderful tutors who have joined the Literacy Volunteers family.
Congratulations to all our new tutors for doing an outstanding job in the workshop - we wish them well as they begin their adventure in tutoring with Literacy Volunteers.
On Wednesday, April 11, Bob Mcintire and Eileen Lynch will lead a mini-vvorkshop on "Measuring Readability." Eileen is a special education teacher at Readfield Elementary School and took the tutor training workshop with Bob last fall. We are excited that she is able to share her knowledge of book reading levels as pertains to choosing appropriate reading material for our LVA students.
The workshop will be at the LVA office in Augusta and will begin at 6 pm and expect to finish by 8pm. As always, there will be food, and Bob promises other fun stuff too!
This is a great opportunity to re-connect with other tutors, share stories, successes, struggles, and also learn something new! Please call Gail at 626-3440 if you are able to join us!
Another great resource for continuing education on adult literacy can be found in the free on-line courses offered through the Verizon Literacy Campus. Topics currently offered include Culture and English Language Learners, Graphic Organizers, Making Math Manageable, Writing without Fear. Principals of Adult Learning and Preparing for Citizenship - What Volunteers Need to Know. These short courses - most only 45 minutes - can be taken anytime at your convenience. Call the LVA office (626-3440) for more information on how to get credit for these wonderful courses!
Do you know anyone looking for a way to make a difference!
Spring is just around the comer, and that means it is time once again for a basic tutor training workshop! Join us for the introduction and orientation on Tuesday, February 27 at the LVA office from 5:30 - 8pm. Jenny Small will continue the workshop on Saturday, March 3 and March 10 from 9am - 3pm at the "new" Cony High School in Augusta. You will receive lots of hands-on material, get great tips from some of our tutors and meet some wonderful people. No teaching experience is necessary. The workshop is $30 for materials; food is provided. Please call Gail Dyer at 626-3440 for more information or to sign up!
Looking ahead - plans are already underway for the fall tutor training workshop. Stay tuned for more information.
The wind blows hard where the Sandpipers peep.
Waves rush by as if fighting defeat,
Making sharp grooves in the ledges so deep.
Rocks can slip away
under unsteady feet.
At the end of the Hand Blazed Trails
My Grampie had reaped,
Quoddy Head Land meets the ocean flow.
At night, the moonbeams beautifully glow.
Just before dawn, we watched this show,
With the moons colorful rays on the waves below.
Grampie and me at this place he loved so.
When the moon dropped down behind
The ledges and tallest of Pines.
Grampie would stand, just look and sigh
Announcing Proudly "It's now work time!"
Oh, how much this now means to me,
The place Grampie called Sandpipers Peep.
Love you Gramps.
