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Regional Readers Club 2004
For my first article of 2004, I want to discuss New Year’s Resolutions–and what they say about our values.
Perhaps I’m wrong, but I believe that the vast majority of New Year’s Resolutions concern improvement to our physical bodies. Most people resolve to lose weight and/or start an exercise program.
I submit that self improvement needs to be more comprehensive, and I challenge my readers to expand their resolutions to include spiritual and mental improvement.
Spiritual improvement . . . well, you know what you need to do and where to get help.
But mental improvement may require some coaching. I am willing to "walk my talk" by offering my assistance in helping you develop a reading program for 2004.
Here’s my suggestion. Let’s start a regional reader’s club and we’ll meet every two weeks and discuss a book that everyone in the group reads.
I suggest that we meet for an hour after work on Tuesday evening. We’ll meet from 5:45-6:45, and you’ll be home for dinner by seven o’clock. As an alternative, we could meet at 10:00 on Saturday mornings.
I don’t want to "over structure" our Tuesday Night Reader’s Club, but all things require some organization. So here’s my plan:
- Call the JSF @ (606) 326-1667 and give Becky your name and telephone number.
- Stop by the Jesse Stuart Foundation at 1645 Winchester Avenue and purchase your first reading assignment, Billy C. Clark’s autobiographical masterpiece, "A Long Row To Hoe."
- Becky will give you a "Regional Reader" card that will allow you to purchase all "reading assignments" at a discount.
- Our first meeting will be Tuesday evening, January 27th at 6:45. Every two weeks we will discuss a regional book. We’re not going to do best sellers. We’re going to concentrate on books by Kentucky and Appalachian authors like Jesse Stuart, Billy C. Clark, Thomas D. Clark, Allan W. Eckert, David Dick, Janice Holt Giles, Wilma Dykeman, and others.
So let’s start 2004 with a New Year’s Resolution to improve our minds as well as our bodies.
Some benefits of a reading program are obvious, but others may be more far reaching than you realize. Every person is a teacher, because we all teach by example.
Your friends, children, and grandchildren will be inspired by your commitment to reading and learning. Hopefully, they will follow your example. So, you would be starting the new year by helping yourself, your family, and your friends. That sounds like a worthy resolution to me.
To participate in the Jesse Stuart Foundation’s Regional Reader’s Club, call (606) 326-1667.
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