Published: November 29, 2008 09:19 pm      

Program promotes gift of reading

Here’s a gift that every parent should give to a young child: The love of reading.

Again this year, Reading Railroad is teaming up with the Pharos-Tribune and local libraries to encourage parents to spend 20 minutes a day reading to their children.

Advertisements began appearing Saturday promoting the contest, and you can also find fliers at libraries in Logansport, Galveston, Royal Center and Walton.

The promotion was the brainchild of Gordon Southern, director of the Walton Public Library.

“A gift of your time to read to your child may be the greatest gift that you can give any time of the year, but especially at Christmas,” Southern said.

Participants will be eligible for a drawing to receive a “Merry Christmas Curious George” gift set. To sign up, fill out the form in the newspaper ads or pick one up at one of the libraries.

Patty Brown, coordinator for Reading Railroad, noted that parents were a child’s first teacher.

“Studies show that parents play a significant part in helping their child do well in school,” she said.

The love of reading is a wonderful gift indeed. And who knows? You might even win your child a gift set.

The deadline to sign up is 5 p.m. Dec. 20.



Holiday lights

A great holiday tradition is to drive around looking at Christmas lights.

When I was a kid, Mom and Dad would load the kids in the car and head out for the annual tour.

There were always a few neighborhoods that seemed to go all out every year. We’d sit snug in the backseat and marvel at the Santa Clauses waving and the reindeer pulling sleighs.

My favorites were always the houses with lights that seemed to outline every detail and every tree and shrub.

Lots of families share such a tradition, and we'd like to do our part.

If you’ve seen a house that is particularly well decorated or a neighborhood that has gone completely overboard, I hope you'll let us know about it.

Again this year, we’ll publish a listing of our readers’ favorite holiday lights. Send us your name, your telephone number and the location of the display.

Send your notes to Holiday Lights, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. You can also send them by e-mail to ptnews@pharostribune.com or fax them to (574) 732-5070. Or you can also simply drop them off in person.

But don’t procrastinate. The deadline for nominations is midnight Dec. 15. We’ll publish the list, along with some photos, on Dec. 21.



Letters to Santa

Also in the spirit of the holiday season, we'll welcome letters to Santa this year.

Send us your child's letter, and we'll print it in the final days before Christmas.

Notes can be sent by e-mail to ptnews@pharostribune.com or by fax to (574) 732-5070. You can also send them by mail to Letters to Santa, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947, or drop them off in person.

The deadline is Dec. 17.

Kelly Hawes is managing editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at (574) 732-5155 or kelly.hawes@pharostribune.com