July / Aug 2020 | Volume 38 Issue 4
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KU announced last week (
read it here
) that they will be holding in-person classes this fall. Unfortunately, this does NOT directly impact Audio-Reader's return to campus. We do not know when staff and volunteers will be allowed back into our studios. We do know that when we return, things will look and feel a bit different in order to keep all volunteers and staff as safe and healthy as possible.
As soon as we have news and a plan for reopening we will let you know! In the meantime, there are still options for you to support Audio-Reader from home:
- Record for Telephone Reader or the broadcast from your home.
- Help Lori Kesinger update our listener database by calling listeners (we provide a script and specific questions to ask).
- Call listeners who have asked for monthly check-in calls (informal "visiting" calls).
- Join us for our weekly virtual coffee bar either via phone or computer (information in side bar above).
- Volunteer in the Sensory Garden (see article below).
Audio-Reader IS our volunteers, and you are never far from our thoughts. Whether you are reading right now, calling listeners and/or waiting anxiously to return to the studio...we hope you are well!
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Join us virtually for a discussion of
The House on Mango Street
by Sandra Cisneros on Tuesday, July 14th at 11:30 AM.
or call 312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID 501 140 427.
"The
House on Mango Street
is the remarkable story of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, inventing for herself who and what she will become. Told in a series of vignettes-sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes deeply joyous-Sandra Cisneros' masterpiece is a classic story of childhood and self-discovery. Few other books in our time have touched so many readers."
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Annual Golf Classic Postponed to August 10th
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Audio-Reader has made the decision to postpone the annual Golf Classic from June 1 to Monday, August 10.
The Golf Classic, now in its 11th year, is a vital fundraiser. Last year’s event brought in over $28,000!
We want to do everything possible, within our control, to be able to continue on with the Golf Classic for this year.
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Photo: Five golfers, with their backs to the camera. Four lean on their clubs watching the fifth golfer tee off.
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Are you interested in supporting Audio-Reader by playing, sponsoring or volunteering for the event? Please contact Beth McKenzie at
bethmckenzie@ku.edu
for additional information.
We hope you can join us on August 10 for a great day on the greens, to raise some green for Audio-Reader!
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Elevating Voices of Color on Audio-Reader
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Audio-Reader is committed to providing a range of content and information from a diverse range of authors, publications and viewpoints, including stories and voices of people of color.
Throughout the Summer, we will be highlighting books by authors of color on Audio-Reader's broadcast, featuring works by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Claudia Rankine, Imbolo Mbue, Leonard Pitts, Colson Whitehead, Michelle Obama, Zadie Smith and Zora Neal Hurston.
We would like to continue this effort to provide programming that serves Audio-Reader listeners of all backgrounds and ethnicities, on an ongoing basis.
If you are interested in supporting this effort, or know people of color in our community who would be interested in volunteering, please contact Program Manager Nick Carswell by email at
nickcarswell@ku.edu
.
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Farewell to a Seasoned Audio-Reader Volunteer
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We're sorry to share that Frank Day, a dedicated volunteer reader for Audio-Reader for more than 35 years, passed away on May 31st in Lawrence.
Frank was a good man for a story, and his own life story, as featured as the cover story in the
Kaw Valley Senior monthly
, is worth a read.
Frank was always full of life and humor, and was ready to jump into any assignment for Audio-Reader, bringing his Georgia lilt and good-natured personality to all his readings and interactions. He will be greatly missed.
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Volunteer Sets Off on 486 Mile Hike!
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Steven Meyer is busy this July fulfilling a bucket list item of a long hike. June 29th he started on the Colorado Trail, from it's Waterton Trailhead located just outside Denver. His goal is to complete the 486 mile journey over the next 36 days.
Known as one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, the CT averages 10300' in altitude and a hiker ascends over 90,000 feet during the course of the hike. Over three Mt. Everests!
Meyer and his wife Jodi, started volunteering as a way to help long-time Audio Reader stalwarts Harold and Donna Riehm (Jodi's parents) when some health issues arose. During the Covid pandemic studio closing, Steve and Jodi have recorded On the Lighter Side and The Children's Hour regularly from their home near Dallas, Texas.
Steve will send in some updates from the trail as he winds his way from Denver to Durango!
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Are you looking for more ways to get involved with Audio-Reader? Do you enjoy gardening or being outdoors? We can use your help in Audio-Reader’s Sensory Garden! We are looking to add more volunteers who can help maintain our beautiful garden.
Typically our garden volunteers meet once a week on Thursday mornings at 9:00am (this has changed during the Covid-19 pandemic and our volunteers are not meeting regularly but we hope to get back to a regular schedule soon) to work in the garden but we can be flexible with schedules.
Volunteers work with our head garden volunteer Frank Male on weekly tasks that need to be accomplished in the garden. If you are unable to meet on Thursday mornings but can come another day during the week, Frank can email garden tasks to be worked on when you come. Tasks include weeding, watering plants and flowers, transplanting flowers, laying mulch (in the spring), sweeping the garden path, cleaning out leaves, trimming bushes and plants, and other various garden tasks dependent upon the season.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, we can use your help! Email Meredith Johanning at
mjohanning@ku.edu
for more information.
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The Lawrence Noon Lions Club is selling Heavy Duty Warehouse/Patio Brooms as a fundraiser to support their Vision Assistance Program.
Brooms are manufactured by Industries of the Blind in Greensboro N.C. The club is requesting an $18 donation per broom.
Delivery is available (within reason). If you want a broom or two email
lawrencenoonlion@aol.com
or let Lori know (785-864-4625). Cash or checks made out to Lawrence Lions Foundation only,
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Audio-Reader Network
| reader.ku.edu
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