Turn a "blah" Friday into an extra-ordinary Friday.  Join us on any First Friday of the month for a one hour treat that absolutely sizzles!  Think you know everything there is to know about the Literacy Council?  OK, what are three Facts about the Literacy Council most people do not know... we're waiting... you better highlight these dates and join us for a FREE, FEEL Good Open House Treat that will leave you bragging to others that we are one of the best kept secrets around... only we do not want to be.

 

Get the word out!  Come to one of our Open House Events and see for yourself that ANYONE can learn how to read.  All it takes is a little time and a lot of heart.

 

First Friday of the month (except for July) July 11, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5.  From 11:00 am - Noon.

 

The Literacy Council received a donation of just over $1,000 from an audience of approximately 85 people who attended a benefit concert for the agency. The June 22 concert at St. John Fisher Church in Newtown featured Literacy Council tutor and board member Suzanne Bona, pianist Marjorie Fryxell, retired CSO violinist Larrie Howard, and flutists Margaret Fecker, Hannah Chapman and Patricia Mills.

 

Plans are already underway for the "Second Annual Concert to Benefit Literacy" in June 2009. 

 

Pictured: pianist Marjorie Fryxell, flutist Suzanne Bona, violinist Larrie Howard

 

Thirteen teams representing communities from Clermont and Brown convened on Friday, June 20 at Milford Firefighters Hall for the 16th Annual Spelling Bee to benefit our Literacy Council.

 

Congratulations to first place winners The Spell Casters from Clermont Senior Services, whose winning word was "consentaneous" which means agreeing; suited to; consistent with; unanimous.

 

Congratulations also go to second place winners Clermont County Educational Service Center (CCESC) and third place winners Locust Corner Community Church.  Best costume prize went to Clermont Senior Services, and best spirit award was enthusiastically earned by Western Brown Local Schools.  

 

Returning teams from:  Clermont County Educational Services Center, U.S. Grant Career Center, Western Brown Local Schools, Donovan Donohoo, Jr. & Associates, Inc., Child Focus, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, U.C. Clermont College, Work Force One of Clermont County, and The Literacy Council of Clermont and Brown Counties competed side by side with first time contestants, Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church in Newtown, Locust Corner Community Church and Great Oaks Career Campuses.

 

Duke Energy, bronze-level corporate sponsor of the 2008 Spelling Bee, along with many other businesses and agencies and individuals in both Clermont and Brown counties, contributed financial support to aid the Literacy Council in carrying out our mission to help adults improve their reading and writing skills. This FUN FUNdraiser each year includes lunch provided by local businesses, and a raffle and a silent auction. This year's items were donated by more than 85 local businesses, agencies and individuals.

 

The event is one of the Literacy Council's biggest fundraising events. Would your business, church, club or family like to enter a team in the 2009 Spelling Bee? Would you like to volunteer to help with next year's spelling bee? Just contact Kathy Gillespie at 513.943.3740 and we'll put you on the list!

 

In April the Literacy Council hosted a free Literacy Lunch Bee for members of the community.  Table Captains were encouraged to invite family, friends, and acquaintances to be their guests on April 8, 2008 for a one hour light luncheon and brief program.  Those in attendance were treated to a catered lunch provided by Brian Kutcher and Texas Roadhouse with dessert from Doug Ackermann and Lehr's Meats.  Additional Sponsors who made it possible to hold the event with zero cost to our agency were:  Chief Cooper and Milford Community Fire Department, Jeannee Saunders and National City Bank & NatCity Investment Co.  To these kind and generous individuals we give thunderous applause.

 

The Lunch Bee was a wonderful success.  Huge Bee salutes to our honored guests who spoke such special words to us during the one hour event:  Johnny Vilardo, Frank Eberle, Reverend Roger S. Greene, Ron Fugate, Linda Schmits, and Mary Lee Eberle.  Thank you for the words that each of you shared and especially for the tiny pieces of yourselves that you left in each of our hearts.

 

Nearly one hundred guests attended the April afternoon luncheon.  During that one hour many of you left financial contributions to a small little agency that tries to do very big jobs... help teach adults how to read.  The Literacy Council Family was stymied with your generosity at the end of that beautiful April day.  That day also brought us an outpouring of response from individuals indicating a desire to become volunteers, eagerness to tutor, and a willingness to assist students who do not speak English.

 

A Literacy Lunch Bee in April.  Table Captains inviting family and friends.  It was a very good day indeed.

 

If you would like to learn more about helping to tutor an adult in how to read, write or spell or if you know someone who could benefit from learning those skills -  just call Joy Brown at 513.943.3742.

 

The March 27 edition of the Enquirer's obituary for Catherine "Kay" (nee Henderson) Horne, deceased at age 98, read - "in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Literacy Council of Clermont and Brown Counties...".

 

Kay Horne was a stranger to us. We never had the pleasure of meeting her.  We learned that she had originally been from Canada; at the time of her death she had been living in Clermont County. Kay had several friends who were familiar with the work of the Literacy Council. It was from the inspiring stories those friends wove that gave Kay Horne an idea. That idea sparked a stranger's kindness and provided a powerful gift for our agency. Because of that one gesture more adult non-readers will learn new letters, form new sentences and put paragraphs together becoming accomplished readers.

 

We extend our deepest gratitude to a grand woman, Catherine "Kay" Horne, who we can not thank personally. We will remember her though through the gift of words her request has left behind.

 

Congratulations to Literacy Council student Ron Fugate for a feature story in the Enquirer about his journey toward literacy.

The April 4, 2008 article focused on Ron's decision to learn to read and write as an adult, his enthusiasm for his work with one-on-one tutor Linda Schmits, and his new passion for writing poetry and prose. Ron and Linda also recorded his story for the national oral history project, StoryCorps (www.storycorps.net). We're very proud of Ron and all our courageous, hardworking students!

[Editor's Note: The article is no longer available for free viewing, but it can be purchased for $2.95 through the Enquirer by accessing news.cincinnati.com. Type in April 4, 2008, then type in the first few lines of the article "Poor Readers Invited to Event..."  An excerpt of the article and accessing information will appear.]

 

Big ol' Texas THANKS to our friends at TEXAS ROADHOUSE! We really do get by with a little help from our friends -- make that a lot! Brian Kutcher, manager of the Texas Roadhouse in Milford, generously donated the tasty meals enjoyed by nearly 100 guests who attended the Literacy Council's first ever "Lunch Bee" on April 8, 2008 at Milford Firefighters Hall. We are sincerely grateful to Brian Kutcher and his staff for their expert catering and professionalism, in addition to the delicious food!   A big "Yeee Haw" of Thanks.

 

What is the reason behind these two symbols?.

 

The books represent the foundation of our mission statement - the reason the literacy council exists - to bring free reading, writing, spelling and comprehension services to adults who cannot read.  Our commitment is to "bee" there to keep these services constant for those who need them.

 

The bee insect has become our mascot over these past several years.  It all started with the spelling bee that takes place each year.  Three person adult teams gather and compete in a very serious yet light-hearted and fun atmosphere.  Now, the staff of the Literacy Council office have become attached to "anything bee" including office décor.

 

Would Like to Help?  Can't Afford it Now?  Would Like to Lower Estate Taxes? Then Leave a Legacy to the Literacy Council.

 

The simplest way to leave a legacy to the Literacy Council is through a bequest in your will. The transfer of funds for something you value highly is deferred until after your death, so a bequest does not decrease your current assets or income.  Here are several ways you can establish a bequest: 

 

Words of gratitude to the helping hands who contributed to our first Literacy Council Newsletter:  Suzanne Bona Hatem, Kathleen A. Gillespie, Jerome H. Eichert, and Tom Rocklin.  Thank for this group effort.  Bee Fantastic!