The Reading Post from Victoria Public Library

Scott Simon at the Texas book Festival

Ruth Dahlström — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:15:00 GMT

My favorite "Adult Author Moment" at the Texas Book Festival: Meeting Scott Simon, host of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday.

Scott Simon is the author of several books, the latest of which is the recently-published Windy City; A Novel of Politics. He was a featured author at the Texas Book Festival this year, and his program and book signing was a very popular element of the Festival.

Probably the best part of meeting Scott Simon was to watch his interaction with his two small daughters as they tried to wrap their young minds around seein

Armistice Day

Ruth Dahlstrom — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:10:13 GMT

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918.

Now known as Veterans' Day, Armistice Day began as the celebration of "the war to end all wars" in 1918.

One of the most famous of all poems, and one written during The World War is titled, "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D.

It is well worth another read.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm

End of LIVESTRONG Summit

JoAnn Oliphant — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:18:00 GMT

Final day of LIVESTRONG Summit

As I pack to take my luggage to the OSU campus, I reflect on the Summit. I must say that the participants are among the most friendly I have ever met. The organizational aspects were way up on the list, Texas Library Associaition still rates number one but LIVESTRONG comes in a close second. Their branding of the event and delegates was by far the best and I really loved the memory stick with the Advocacy handouts. This is an idea I plan to let TxLA know about. The final celebration was a major plus and the panel discussion ended the event on a stong educational note. Then it was off to box lunch, pick up luggage, bus to the airport and going through security yet again. You still knew you were with your LIVESTRONG friends. We were all still wearing yellow, smiling and talking to all of our new and renewed friends. Maybe the planes should have been painted yellow on the outside because the certainly were on the inside. I am back in Victoria uplifted, educated, motivated, and ready to act.

LIVESTRONG Summit -- Saturday July 26th

JoAnn Oliphant — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:02:40 GMT

LIVESTRONG Summit

Today we started out with a keynote address from Stephanie Spielmann. It was very inspirational to hear how her husband took a year off from his pro football career to stay home with her while she went through treatment. Then it was another very full day of training, ending with a simulation of going door to door to register voters. Then we were off to the Columbus Zoo for dinner and touring the exhibits. It was a great zoo and definately a great way to end a educational and fun day. I hope when I get home I can get some rest.

LIVESTRONG Summit -- 1st full day

JoAnn Oliphant — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:08:52 GMT

Even after a late night and full day yesterday I am up and going by 7:15 a.m. Dressed and accessorized for the Summit. I make to the bus to go to breakfast and who should I find but one of my new buddies Kelly for New Jersey. So we go over our schedules and the fun of the evening before even comparing notes on Senator McCain’s speech and his answers to the questions asked. Then on to the 1^st General Session – Richard Carmona the 17^th Surgeon General of the United States. Did you know it was Surgeons General NOT Surgeon Generals? One of the items mentioned at this session was workplaces that support exercise as part of their wellness routine. I was surprised to find out that in my track (Elections) the City of Victoria was one of the few places that subsidize their employees health with support for the number of times an employee uses the health centers each month. (Way to go City of Victoria!!!) This was listed as one of the ways the LIVESTRONG Summit goers could increase the wellness of their community. In the training track the emphasis was once again on how to stay non-partisan. The goal was the get citizens to register to vote, to educate them on the cancer issues, and to get them to vote. The 2^nd General Session was Dr. Harold Freeman of the Ralph Lauren Cancer Center in Harlem. He spoke on patient navigation and getting early detection tests for poverty level adults. Then back to the busses and a quick dinner. I was in bed and ready to crash by 9 p.m. (The only night from Wednesday, July 23^rd to Sunday, July 27^th, I got to bed before midnight and wasn’t partying it was all work, work, work).

Becoming Marian the Librarian -- LIVESTRONG Summit -- Late Thursday night

JoAnn Oliphant — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:02:22 GMT

After the Presidential Town Hall, it was back to the Hotel. If I had realized how packed the next three days were going to be I would have gone to bed. But hind sight is always twenty-twenty and I would have missed a great opportunity to meet the group I consider my core group of buddies from the Summit. As we sat in Latitude 41, we introduced ourselves. When I said I was a Librarian, Marian from the “Music Man” popped into someone’s head and I became Marian. I now have buddies in New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas (via Nigeria) and through out the Summit any time I heard Marian I knew who was calling me. Their stories were great and it was definitely a group of fun and committed people.

Vote Yellow – LIVESTRONG Summit – Thursday, July 24th – night

JoAnn Oliphant — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:53:17 GMT

I’ve made it to Columbus. The organizational skills of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) are fabulous. Welcome desk in the baggage area was well marked and the directions to the buses were great. Getting off the bus at the hotel was a little problematic but that was not LAF’s fault. The police cars were parked where it was difficult to unload buses from the back. I must say we all knew where Sen. McCain was with the number of police and secret service. Registration was easy and reception nice. The buses were ready and we were off to the Presidential Town Hall in our brand new “Vote Yellow” t-shirts. The non-partisan stance of the LAF is great it puts the emphasis where is should be on the policies NOT on the politics.

LIVESTRONG Summit -- ready, set, go

JoAnn Oliphant — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:57:00 GMT

My bags are packed with plenty of yellow clothes, my nails are done, and I've printed off all the information I've been sent. So except for this blog entry and the book review I guess I am ready to go. Finished my reading for the summit -- Light within by Lois M. Romondetta and Deborah Rose Sill and Hair for Mama by Kelly Tinkham. So I have cried and celebrated. The next installment will come from Columbus.

jao