February February 2016
www.MoonValleyTattler.com
VOL 36 No. 2
An International Movement has Found a Home in Moon Valley Have you heard of the Little Free Library Movement? Started in Hudson, Wisconsin, Tod Bol, built a small box and filled it with books free-for-the-taking as a memorial to his mother—a former teacher who loved books. Todd quickly found the community congregated around his free book library and interest rapidly grew. From this small act, an international movement—engaging entire communities was born. The premise is simple: take a book, leave a book. The box to house the books can be any shape, size, or design. The libraries themselves are relatively small, usually holding thirtyfive to forty books, but their impact is enormous. These little libraries not only make everyone smile, they get people excited about reading and connect communities by fostering neighborhood unity and responsibility for encouraging reading amongst neighbors. Little Free Libraries (LFL) are starting to pop up in Moon Valley and two of the stewards are hoping you’ll help them grow the movement. The Andersons at 801 W Moon Valley Dr just launched their first Little Free Library after seeing them in action during a recent trip to Canada. Explains Kyla Fisher-Anderson: “Our daughter would get excited to walk to the local Little Free Library every morning to see if there was a new book she could read. When we returned home she kept talking about it; my husband and I realized this would be an engaging way to help further foster our children’s love of reading.” Lori Appleby Hoke was also intrigued by the concept when she discovered them driving through another
neighborhood. She notes: “I’m passionate about sharing my love of reading with whomever will talk with me! I love the idea of engaging readers and bringing communities together through the LFL movement. I hope that kids will be intrigued by the cute little ‘house’ and will want to stop for books on their way home from school. I hope to see neighbors of all ages gathering about to talk about and share their favorite books.” The Hoke’s library can be found at 211 E Carol Ann Way. “One of my goals in launching an LFL was to connect with others in community and help drive a community effort around literacy in Moon Valley.” Hoke shared, “I’m amazed how effective it’s already been in connecting neighbors. Kyla and I were connected by a peer who was aware we both had LFLs. Already I feel like I’ve developed a new friend as we’ve discussed ways to steward the books we receive and share. We’ve also learned there’s ...Continued on page 3
Moon Valley Residents Celebrate in Cambodia Danny and Pam Spitler, residents of Coral Gables Estates, recently traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia to participate in the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Spitler School. Danny and Pam founded the elementary school in 2005, and it currently provides a primary education to over 600 students from kindergarten through sixth grade. The Spitlers were honored to host a visit to school by the recently confirmed United States Ambassador to Cambodia, William Heidt. The ambassador visited the school on Wednesday November 4, and later that evening he also attended a cocktail reception hosted by the Spitlers. “It was really a treat to have the highest ranking American in the country visit our little school”, said Danny Spitler, “as well as attending our reception, along with our staff and many of our donors. He was very engaging, asked lots of questions about the school, and offered to assist us with embassy programs and contacts.”
In addition to the ambassador’s visit the Spitlers attended the opening ceremonies of the 2015-16 school year, where the 85 members of the 2015 graduating class were presented with their graduation certificates. Each graduate was also given a new bicycle enabling them to continue their education at a government middle school several miles from the small village where they live. During the ceremonies the large gathering of students, families and local dignitaries were treated to musical and dance performances by the students and welcoming speeches by Spitler and the mayor of the nearby city of Siem Reap. “It was really an exciting time,” added Pam Spitler. “We met some of our donors, whom we have corresponded with for years, but had never met in person. Of course, we always enjoy spending time with all the children and the teaching staff, and seeing the improvements to the campus which have taken place since our ...Continued on page 11 last visit in 2013.”