HH_020719

18 | February 7, 2019 | The Homer Horizon life & arts
homerhorizon.com
Authors, community heroes unite for reading superpower event
Library function also
commences Winter
Reading Club for
patrons of all ages
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
Whether they create epic
tales out of thin air, fight
fires with strength and precision
or advocate for animals,
everyday heroes are doing
incredible things throughout
Homer Glen.
Homer Township Public
Library’s latest event,
Reading is My Superpower
— hosted in partnership
with the Homer Glen Junior
Woman’s Club — gave
published authors and local
heroes from Homer Township
Fire Protection District,
Merciful Minis, Kidz Play,
Therapy Dogs International
and more the opportunity
to chat with library patrons
about their passions and how
reading is a skill they continue
to rely on.
The event also served
as a kickoff to the library’s
Winter Reading Club, which
shares the theme of Reading
is my Superpower, is open
to all ages and runs through
March 5.
“Every study shows that
if you read aloud to your
child or do that interaction
of reading with your child,
their cognitive development
goes so much higher,” Homer
Township Public Library
Executive Director Sheree
Kozel-La Ha. “That’s what
we’re all about, so we look
for opportunities to partner
with like-minded organizations.
It’s all to benefit the
children. It’s a family day.
“This year with our Reading
is our Superpower
theme, we wanted to say
there’s a lot of community
heroes, too. We wanted them
Patricia Brachman grabs a ruler from the Homer Township
Fire Protection District booth at Reading is My Superpower.
to come in and be the face of
the community.”
Lt. Jim Holuj of the Will
County Sheriff’s Office was
one of the local heroes present
for the day of fun, handing
out gifts — toy badges,
light-up keychains, tattoos
and magnetic chip clips —
and sharing how reading
factors in to his work life in
ways big and small.
“No matter what type of
job we go into someday,
there’s always that importance
to gain knowledge
through reading,” Holuj
said. “Laws change all the
time, and I have to read reports.
Reading goes into everything
we do.”
Jane Paliakas has a passion
for helping the animals
of M & M Acres, a rescue
farm in Homer Township,
and she is always looking for
more heroes to join the ranks
of the organization’s donors
and volunteers.
“In winter months, expenses
go up and income
goes down, and with this
polar vortex, the animals
eat nonstop to keep warm.
We’re always in need and
we’re always looking to find
funds,” Paliakas said, noting
that all of the animals are
doing “incredibly well” after
the recent frigid weather.
Heroes come in many
Author Garret Rhea reads his book “The Story Of Circle And Square” to Reading is My
Superpower event attendees Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Homer Township Public Library.
Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
Molly and Leon Tackett show off their superhero outfits at the themed reading event.
forms, and Paliakas explained
that donations of
time, food, cleaning products,
money and more go a
long way toward helping the
animals who call the rescue
farm and sanctuary home.
“Even if you have that
leftover box of cereal that
your kids don’t eat, our pigs
are happy to eat your Rice
Chex,” she said with a laugh.
Local authors Garret Rhea,
Amy Logan and Barbara
Berg-Mies all read stories to
the children at the event, and
attendees were invited to design
valentines for a senior
citizen or military hero at one
of the craft stations during
the library-wide festivities.
Lisa Johnson, of HGJWC,
noted that a literacy grant
awarded by the General Federation
of Women’s Clubs
helped the HGJWC fund the
program.
“I work in the [Homer]
33C School District, and
we’re always telling the
kids, ‘readers are leaders,’ so
this event is perfect,” Johnson
said.
Dan Brachman stopped by
with his children, Patricia, 3,
and Mark, 2, to enjoy everything
the event had to offer.
“My wife is volunteering
with one of the group’s here,
and we go to this library
quite a bit, so it’s a fun experience
to let them check out
all the activities,” Brachman
said.
The library has made
participating in the Winter
Reading Club easier than
ever. Anyone who wishes
to join can do so simply by
picking up a packet. Adults
are asked to read four items
– online and iPad formats
count – and children are
asked to read 100 minutes.
Sponsors also help to make
the reading club even more
rewarding.
“Every year, our winter
reading program is
sponsored by the Chicago
Wolves, and, this year, Kenootz
Pizza is also sponsoring,”
explained Alex Annen,
adult services manager at the
library. “So, everyone who
participates gets a free nineinch
pizza certificate.”
The library is likewise
looking forward to spring
and its ever-popular chick
hatching program, while the
HGJWC is gearing up for its
fifth annual Take a Chance
for Change Bingo Fundraiser
on March 2.
More information about
the Winter Reading Club can
be found at www.homerli
brary.org.
More information the
HGJWC event can be found
at www.homerglenjuniors.
org.