The Best Type of Writer’s Cramp

John Marrin, Rick Robbins and George Gotto

Lamar Rotarians spent their lunch hour this past Thursday, October 10, inserting some personalized notes into each copy of dictionaries that will be presented to a regional third grade student in the near future. 

Judy Turpin and Karen Ketcham

This marks the 13^th year the Lamar Rotarians have given out the dictionaries to students in 19 classrooms in 14 schools, including Kit Carson in Cheyenne County.  At an average of 267 books a year, that amounts to almost 3,500 students who have the chance to improve their knowledge, reading skills and vocabulary.  Judy Turpin said that the funds come from the tickets sold for the annual Ducky Dash held during Lamar Days.  She added that because of the Rotary’s involvement in some late summer activities such as Pedal the Plains, KaBoom Playground and the 911 Tribute, the dictionaries are going out a little later than usual.  

Kathy Buxton and Ann Marie Crampton

Karen Ketcham noted that the members usually make the trips to the schools in pairs, as “it’s a little more fun that way.”   Schools slated to be visited include Lamar and Alta Vista, Springfield, Kim, Walsh, Campo, Vilas, Pritchett, McClave, Wiley, Granada, Holly, Eads and Plainview, according to John Sykes, this year’s president of the Lamar Rotary Club.  Some of the funding is made possible though the Weitgenant Trust of Lamar.  Sykes said he welcomes calls from anyone wishing to know more about the dictionary program or Rotary in general at 719-336-2234.

By Russ Baldwin