By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
“This one looks good, but I like this one too,” said City of Wyoming Recreation Director Krashawn Martin as she looks through books on a table just outside of the WKTV Community Media Center’s studio.
“Well, you can read two,” said Wyoming’s Communication Specialist Amanda Moore.
Martin was one of almost a couple dozen City of Wyoming staff and leaders who came into the station to record reading books as part of a citywide celebration of March is Reading Month.
Some like Martin selected from books that were available and others, like Amy Berridge, who is in the city’s finance department, brought their own.
“This is actually a book written by my sister,” said Berridge as she displayed “The Fairy Painting,” written by Stacy DeFord.
“The story is about believing in yourself,” Berridge said, adding an important message she wanted to share with students.
Many of the stories selected had special meanings such as the first book Martin selected “Wilma Unlimited,” by Kathleen Knell, which tells the story of how Wilma Rudolph overcomes polio to become one of the world’s finest athletes.
“It shows the power of women,” Martin said. “It shows how girls can be told certain things, that they can’t do this. Yet, we see the bravery of them overcoming and not just settling. I love seeing a person breaking barriers.”
Other stories are just fun like Martin’s second choice “Double Trouble in Walla, Walla,” by Andrew Clements, which Martin said was a tongue twister at time.
“I think it is just fun,” Martin said about reading the stories. “It is a great way to interact with residents and provide some sort of fun and sense of community in the times that we are currently living in.”
Providing some fun and sharing his love of reading were the reasons City Council member John Fitzgerald wanted to participate.
“I love having the opportunity to read to children and young adults,” Fitzgerald said. “I hope it helps them find pleasure in reading as well. When I was in school, I discovered how valuable reading can be and I hope to share the good things that reading can bring to life.”
Fitzgerald selected the book “Who You Were Made to Be,” by Joanna Gaines, because it “talks about bringing forth your best effort.”
“I really liked how she spoke up about injustice and cared about the well being of other people in the world,” said Jill Beltmen about the book she selected “Malala’s Magic Pencil,” by Malala Yousafzai. Beltman works in the city’s community services with the TEAM 21 program.
Beltman’s selection was one of about 200 books the TEAM 21 program received from Barnes & Noble at RiverTown Mall. Every holiday, the bookseller hosts a book drive where shoppers may purchase a book to donate. For the 2020 holiday season, the Grandville Barnes & Noble designated TEAM 21 as the recipient of its book drive.
“The store also donated tote bags, mini science kits, bookmarks and a few sets of flashcards and learning supports,” Beltman said. “We are thrilled to celebrate the March Reading Month in TEAM 21 with all these exciting new stories and gear.”
Some of the other books — all the books will be handed out to students in the TEAM 21 program later this year — from the Barnes & Noble donations were featured in the city’s reading program along with books in Spanish. All of the recorded programs can be viewed on the WKTV channels 25 and 26, at wktv.org or on the City of Wyoming’s Facebook page.
