Literacy Coalition Celebrates ‘One World – Many Stories’

September 25, 2011 Steve Yablonski

OSWEGO, NY – Hundreds of readers, young and old, descended on the Oswego YMCA Armory over the weekend to celebrate “One World – Many Stories.”

Elizabeth Barlow enjoys meeting Charlie, a Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) member. The program improves children’s reading and communications skills by employing a power method of reading to dogs that are registered therapy animals who volunteer with the owner or handler as a team going to schools, librarians and many other settings as reading companions for children.
Elizabeth Barlow enjoys meeting Charlie, a Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) member. The program improves children’s reading and communications skills by employing a power method of reading to dogs that are registered therapy animals who volunteer with the owner or handler as a team going to schools, librarians and many other settings as reading companions for children.

The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County hosted the free event.

“It’s a wonderful turnout. I’m so glad that so many people have come to help us celebrate the joy of reading,” said Jeanne Cieszeski, event planning team chairperson. “Everything is going well, considering this is the first time we’ve done this.”

Several education providers had stations around the Armory to reinforce the One World – Many Stories theme.

Staff members from organization such as Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County, Oswego County Opportunities Headstart, Oswego County Library Council, ARISE, Cayuga Community College, Assemblyman Will Barclay and others represented different countries.

When youngsters entered the Armory, they received ‘passports’ that they got stamped at each booth; that made them eligible to win some of the many door prizes.

There were 14 booths where people could learn about countries such as Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Switzerland, Italy, Morocco, Colombia and others.

Kara Hsu gets some help from her mother, Terra, to cut the dough for her homemade gnocchi.
Kara Hsu gets some help from her mother, Terra, to cut the dough for her homemade gnocchi.. She learned how to make it by watching a demonstration by Nick Canale.

Nick Canale, of Canale’s Restaurant, demonstrated how he makes homemade gnocchi for the restaurant. Several youngsters had the opportunity to make their own dough. They could cook it right at his table or take it home to cook and serve their families later.

At the start of the demonstration, Canale stressed the importance of literacy. “If you can’t read the recipe, you won’t be able to make the gnocchi,” he pointed out.

The event offered something for all ages from pre-school through adults, according to Cieszeski.

Inside were several activities for children including a bounce house, face painting, balloon creations, craft projects by CNY ARTS and more.

The Cat In The Hat helps Vanessa Tassle pick out a prize.
The Cat In The Hat helps Vanessa Tassle pick out a prize.

There was also a ‘Paws For Reading’ area where people had the opportunity to read to dogs.

In the same room was the Author’s Corner where people could meet several local authors and pickup copies of their works.

Food was provided by several local eateries.

A popular table was the free book giveaway station.

Laura Ryder, director of literacy for the Oswego City School District, was sorting through the myriad books to be placed on the table. Visitors were encouraged to find their favorite author or discover a new one – all for free.

“The books were among the thousands that were donated earlier this year to stock the bookmobile,” she explained.
“We had so many that we decided to bring them here. This way adults as well as children can pick up a book, or two, to read.”

The Driving Books Home Bookmobile was open for tours outside.

Two local authors Amy Quonce, left, and Dee Marie talk about their writing in between greeting the public and autographing copies of their books.
Two local authors Amy Quonce, left, and Dee Marie talk about their writing in between greeting the public and autographing copies of their books.

Children from around the county have been participating in local summer reading programs and the top 10 from each program were entered in a contest to win prizes at this weekend’s event.

The winners were: Melissa Fox, Jersey Hutchins and Payton Ellingwood. They received an ebook reader donated by Chirello Advertising for first and $50 and $25 gift certificates from river’s end bookstore for second and third place, respectively.

The goal of the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is to empower the community to build literacy in a collaborative, inclusive and comprehensive manner.

For more information about The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, visit www.oswegocounty.com and click on the literacy coalition link.

Local author Kevin Caraccioli and his sons, Matthew (left) and Jack, pose with the children’s books he donated to the bookmobile project. He gave them two cases of his books.
Local author Kevin Caraccioli and his sons, Matthew (left) and Jack, pose with the children’s books he donated to the bookmobile project. He gave them two cases of his books.
Coco the dog welcomes visitor aboard the Bookmobile.
Coco the dog welcomes visitor aboard the Bookmobile.
Nick Canale draws a crowd for a cooking demonstration. The first thing you have to do, he said, is be able to read the recipe.
Nick Canale draws a crowd for a cooking demonstration. The first thing you have to do, he said, is be able to read the recipe.
One World - Many Stories stressed the importance of reading.
One World - Many Stories stressed the importance of reading.

 

Two local history authors, Richard Palmer, seated, and George Reed compare notes. Palmer has written about Oswego's maritime while Reed recounts Fort Ontario's history.
Two local history authors, Richard Palmer, seated, and George Reed compare notes. Palmer has written about Oswego's maritime while Reed recounts Fort Ontario's history.
Gina Agostinelli, a SUNY Oswego student volunteer, sports a red, white and blue balloon hat. It was the creation of the balloon lady. Gina was helping out serving the food.
Gina Agostinelli, a SUNY Oswego student volunteer, sports a red, white and blue balloon hat. It was the creation of the balloon lady. Gina was helping out serving the food.
A man heads out with an armload of his favorite books while someone else searches the titles at the free books station.
A man heads out with an armload of his favorite books while someone else searches the titles at the free books station.
Everything was just ducky at the literacy event for these two young ladies.
Everything was just ducky at the literacy event for these two young ladies.
Participants in the summer reading program get together for a group photo
Participants in the summer reading program get together for a group photo
Read to me
Read to me

 

 

 

 

 

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1 Comment

  1. This sounds like a great event, but was competing against many others such as the Buc Band pageant, the nice weather, etc.. Why not have this in the winter when there is nothing to do with kids? It would be a great activity then!

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