Page A6-The Chronicle, Thursday, May 24, 1984
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Close-Up
RIF Week urge
By AUDREY L. WILLIAMS
Chronicle Staff Writer
A _ ? I I 1 . . ? 1 * 1 1 - ? - ?
/ah upcucu uuuk nicaiib an upenea mina ana inrougn
the national Reading Is Fundamental program, or R1F,
America's children have had the opportunity to explore
adventure and learn how to cultivate their minds at no
cost to their families.
All across the country this week RIF programs will
highlight the advantages of reading during National RIF
Week.
^ Hcrppy^Httt D>ay Care TTi? Care
Center will host a number of activities in observahce
of RIF Week.
Karen Simmons, community services coordinator for
the Bethlehem Center Inc., heads the RIF program in
Winston-Salem. She helped the program get underway in
1978, after viewing one of the RIF public service announcements
on television.
Simmons later requested more information and soon
found herself writing a proposal. Funding eventually
came and RIF in the Twin City was born.
"We've serviced 135 children over a five-year period,"
she says, "and we've given out a lot of books."
Included in the RIF program for children who
wouldn't ordinarily have access to the public libraries is
Prni#?rt Out u/hirh nvpr fh#? fiv/p.upar r?<*rir\rl hoc
. ...J,,. ...... ? . > >...?... i .M?I, mil
given out free books to children at numerous
neighborhood centers. And, says Simmons, the added attraction
is that the children are allowed to select books
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i
The young and resth
of youth wasting idle time is kids in Winston-Salem can
nothing new ' and that, be involved in, except the
although good, wholesome clubs, and then there's the
activities have always ex- problem of drinking
isted as well, they're in again."
short supply. Part of the problem with
"It's not just a problem youth who "hang out" in
in Winston-Salem," says the city's parks and abuse
Johnson. "It seems, to be a alcohol and drugs, says
problem all over the coun- James Graham, a counselor
I try. This problem, however, and instructor with the Exis
not new to the nation's periment in Self-Reliance's
parks. It was happening 20 Learn to Earn program, is
years ago." that they lack education
Johnson suggests that and employable skills,
youth become interested in He suggests that residents
outdoor activities (other who also have free time on
than congregating at their hands take it upon
Winston Lake) by playing themselves to sponsor
golf or tennis and fishing or historic and industry tours
biking. and assist in teaching
"But there's not a whole remedial courses,
lot to do once you get "If somebody would take
through with athletics and something like that up,"
the prom," he says, says Graham, "I'm sure
"There's really not enough they'd get a lot of participawholesome
activities the tion."
WSSU now offering certi
The Department of who have completed .a
Mathematics/Computer bachelor's degree program
Science at Winston-Salem with a 2.5 average or better
State University has in any field. The program is
developed an academic pro- designed to assist persons
gram leading to a certificate who may wish to qualify for
in computer programming, a career change by parThe
certificate program is ticipating in a universityopen
only to individuals approved program.
1
Mrs. Dazelle Jones of 130 From a class of 39 enN.
Graham St. was selected tries, Mrs. Jones placed
W.r i-? ?:_.u .
kjj in*, "uuicii ? iiiicnici- uium in ine tournament,
tional Bowling Congress She began amateur bowlNorth
Carolina District to ing after retiring from R.J.
represent the state in the Reynolds in 1981.
WIBC National Senior Mrs. Jones was accomChampionship
bowling panied to the tournament
tournament that was held at by her husband, Edwin,
the Centennial Coliseum in and a bowling friend, Mrs.
Reno, Nev., May 12-13. Magnolia Coleman.
Tilley attends O.E.S. Coi
* Mrs. Elizabeth Tilley, May 6-11.
Grand Worthy Matron of Attending the conferenc<
the North Carolina O.E.S. with Mrs. Tilley wer<
Jurisdiction P.H.A. in Grand Worthy Patron J.A
Winston-Salem, attended Carter of Durham, Granc
the 65th Annual Con- Associate Patron F.B
ference of Grandmasters, Easton of Winston-Salem
Prince Hall Masons, and Grand Associate Matroi
the 36th Annual Meeting of Mrs. Margaret W. Minor o
the Grand Chapters, Order Durham, Grand Associati
of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Conductress Mrs. Olinzi
affiliation at the Radisson D. Johnson of Durham
Hotel in Wilmington, Del., Grand Financial Secretary
Pec
Community Calendar, Close-Up,
:s children to read
without any adult interference.
"We've had good feedback from the parents," says
Simmons, "and the readiness of the children to read is
great, even with the 3-year-olds who canVeven read yet.
It's really been terrific."
Funding for the local R1F program is administered by
its non-profit national agency, which is under contract
with the United State* Offire of FHnrafion Sev*?nfv_fiv#?
percent is allocated to the Bethlehem Center and the remaining
25 percent is matchcd^by Bethlehem.
(the national agency includes the high school level as
well), Simmons says lots of time is spent entertaining the
young, first, to capture their interest and then introduce
them to books.
"Motivation is important," she says. "If you have(
good, strong and interesting activities, like reading stories
to them and playing games with them, it helps a lot.
" We've found that a lot of lower-income children have
no access to books in their homes," Simmons says, "and
many of them aren't familiar with a library until they
start school."
The children who attend the centers are given trips to
the public libraries to view movies, sing, listen to
storytellers and participate in a host of other activities
that will heighten their interest in books, says Simmons.
"R1F is all about choosing and owning your own inexpensive
book," Simmons says, "taking it home and encouraging
others to read, too."
Throughout the week, youngsters at the centers have
o
iSS From Page A1
Graham, who teaches Lake or the Y."
high school dropouts who Says Horace Walser, a
want to earn their General Forsyth County juvenile
Equivalency Diplomas, says probation officer and a
he also believes that the member of the Old Hickory
traditional school system is . Boy Scout Council Board
the root of the Droblem. of Directors: "The Y
The added burden some they're going to build (the
teens bear of not -being new Winston Lake YMCA
literate hinders would-be under construction on
job applicants, he says, in Waterworks Road) will ofturn
leaving them with free fer an alternative."
time to become involved in ,
, In the meantime, he says,
crime or drugs. '
n ... . . "I can t see much recreaPrograms
like Learn to . . _
^ . . . tiort in smoking pot. One ot
barn, he says, can help ... . ,
.. . . . ul the things that makes
alleviate the problem. , .
t,-r. , . r .u Winston Lake so attractive
"There are a lot of youth . , . , .
. r u. .. . is that it s inexpensive,
who are frightened by the K
traditional school setting," "But if kids get direction
Graham says, ' "so they to build their character and
drop out. They don't know put positive things, such as
how to look for a job. They scouting, in their lives early
won't come to ESR and on," Walser says, "I think
they won't go to the it would be the best way tc
employment office. But deter idleness and delinthey
will go to Winston quency later on."
fication in computers Students
are awarded cer- afternoon and or evenings
*:c: r? i? -a -i- ? -
imwaics as rcwugniuun iur n is sirungiy rctommcnuci
successfully completing the that no more than twc
series of required courses courses are taken pei
with an average of 2.7 or semester if the student i:
better. employed full time.
The program will begin in
the fall of 1984. Classes will For more informatior
be scheduled in the late call 761-2153.
jfek 45^^c^ans ^ ^
Dazelle Jones Members attending wei
to education classes and tl
the Miss Youth For Beau
Coronation. Minnie J. E
vjn^ chairperson, and Mr
Annie Bynum entered j
Mrs. Marea E. Singletary of contestants. In the Miss I:
; San ford and Grand stitute Coronation, Mr
; Benevolent Secretary Mrs. Barbara Wardlow was tl
. Veatrice Davis of Fayet- local contestant.
1 teville, all members of the Mrs. Wardlow served i
. executive board. -state coordinator of tl
Others from the state at- fashion show and Mrs. E
i tending were Worthy vin served as state model,
f Matron Mrs. Martha The state chapter all
e Eaton, wife of Grand agreed to raise prices, tl
e Associate Patron Eaton and first rate hike since 198
, Mrs. Dorothy Sprinkle, The prices became effecti
y GDD, 11th District. statewide April 30.
4
>ple
Social Notes, Community News
* " I
I V ? !
Three-year-old Sharrlcla Thompson and An tonic
books given to them by the Reading Is Fundame
been entertained by professional storytellers and book
scavenger hunts, in which books are hidden outdoors in
shrnhhprv and hehind tree* Ako, says Simmons. Project
Reach Out will distribute books for ages 3-14 in the
Cleveland Avenue area.
"Basically what we want to do is encourage reading,"
Ca/>8aiI Mfttae
Clinic hosts festival
The Child Guidance needs people ? while SECClinic
at 1200 Glade St. CA helps the clinic by makheld
a spring festival, ing parents aware of art acWednesday,
May 16, for tivites they can use with
parents of children in the their preschoolers.
Day Treatment program. At a second session,
Pam Lee, assistant social workers, teachers,
education coordinator for daycare workers, public
the Southeastern Center for health nurses, pediatricians
Contemporary Art, showed and others who work with
the parents simple, inexpen- special-needs children atsive
ways to take part in art tended a showing of the
activities at home with their children's art work and
children. She demonstrated materials and met with Day
how to carve a print from a Treatment staffers,
potato or an orange, how to
cut and fold pinwheels out The Day Treatment proof
paper and how to create gram is a therapeutic
. masks from paper plates, preschool for emotionally
I Lee also encouraged the handicapped children from
i parents to experiment with 2 to 7 years of age. Children
various items around the are referred to the clinic by
house. social workers, play school
i Annette Hite. director of personnel, doctors "'and
the Day Treatment pro- parents. Those in the program,
said the festival was a gram attend for three hours
. social occasion designed to a day, four days a week
impart information to Wednesdays are reserved
parents. She said that the for evaluation and planning
- Clinic is helping SECCA meetings to assure maxachieve
one of its goals ? imum progress of each
. reaching out to help special child.
? Winston native promoted
r
5 Marian Wilson- Services Committee, acting
McGainey was recently as a community liason with
named assistant regional support groups across th<
1 manager for the American county.
Red Cross in San Francisco, Her most recent Rec
. Calif. Cross assignment was ir
McGainey a. native of Caalinga- and, Galveston
WTtts-tojr-Salem a ad a Texas, after the devastating
' TCane?Aftem
School, is the daughter of through.
Mrs. Bertha Williams of McGainey holds i
500 Wright St. master's degree in socia
te In her new position, work, has teaching creden
ts McGainey is responsible for tials and * was in privati
i, the Red Cross' county wide practice as a child therapist
rs emergency program's social She is widowed and lives ii
I I* I /-V _ I 1 1 * 1
m ana aisaster services ana is waxiana wun ner son, wn<
the Red Cross staff person is a student at City Cotlegi
is on the San Mateo County in San Francisco.
? Links top fund-raising goal
ty
r- Regina Jollivette Frazier, metropolitan area,
s. Southern area director of The Links, a national set
as the Links Inc., announced vice organization foundei
n- recently that the 1,200 in 1946 in Philadelphia
s. Southern members of the boasts a membership o
ie organization had exceeded more than 5,000 women i
their goal of $100,000 in 190 chapters. The organiza
as personal gifts to the Special tion is committed to educa
ie Donor Project of its Capital tional, civic and inter
It- Fund Drive. . cultural pursuits.
The funds, all voluntary A full report of th
so contributions by the Southern Area's achieve
he membership, will be used in ment will be made to th
1. the acquisition of a national 24th National Biennis
ve headquarters building in the Assembly of the Links In<
Washington, D.C., in Philadelphia July 5-9.
*
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> Patterson take a trip through fantasy land with
nttal Program (photo by James Parker).
r
says Simmons. "They'll have 20 minutes to browse and
look for books of their liking with no adults around."
.For more information un the local R1F program, corrtafct
Karen Simmons at the Bethelem Community Center
on Cleveland Avenue at 725-2997 or 722-6264.
^ ^ p ^ ^ p 1^1^ 1i^ ^ T^ : \
... w
I is free and will include muscle cp&rdtion :3
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