Annual event 'a really wonderful day'

Elementary School students hooted like an owl on Thursday with Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge ranger Lora Haller.

Others put themselves into a story written by Willows beekeeper Laurel Hill-Ward or imagined their lives in New York City as a 19th century firefighter.

The 27th annual Community Read-In at Fairview Elementary School in Orland brought people from all over the Glenn County community — some with props and presents — to share with students what they do in real life and to read a book on a related topic.

But school officials say the annual event is more than a career day or an opportunity for students to have a book read to them.

"It's a tradition," said organizer Tanya Foster. "It's something the kids count on every year. They love interacting with community members."

Teachers said the event not only exposes kids to literature but it also allows students to see people they know, respect an admire sharing their personal stories.

"It's just a really wonderful day," said fourth-grade teacher Korin Lusardi. "The kids always come to school excited in the morning and say, 'Is this the day? Is this the day they're coming?'"

This year's readers included Glenn County Undersheriff Rich Warren, clockmaker Paul Niess, quilter Lynete McGie, author and librarian Nancy Leek, soil consultant Brint Foster, painter David Sisk, Black Butte Lake ranger Amber Machado, world travelers Jack and Dixie Hulley, musicians John Seid and Bob Kirkpatrick and other from the community.

Seid, a retired teacher, has been a participant in the event many times.

"It's not always music," he said. "I try to do something different. Sometimes I bring my dog."

Fifth-grade teacher Amy Niess said inviting her husband Paul to talk about his work and read a book helped to better engage her students in the material.

"Clocks are about time and history," she said. "It's not just numbers on a face."

Down the hall, the Hulleys, both retired educators, talked to students about the giant panda, a bear native to central-western and south western China.

The couple have been all over the world and are frequent presenters at the event, often speaking about the animals they've seen on their travels.

"Sometime its about pandas; sometimes its about gorillas," said Jack Hulley.

The Community Read-in was established in 1986 by Fairview Librarian Shirley Russell.

Students on Thursday said it is one of the best events of the year.

"I like it a lot," said Hannah Rock, 9. "It's nice that the people take time out of their day to come to our school and talk about their jobs and read to us. It's always pretty interesting."

Foster, who took over when Russell retired about eight years ago, said the event continues year after year to inspire students to read about the subjects and occupations they learn about during the event.

"The books that are read are always the books students check out from the library after the event," Foster said. "We put all the books that were read on display."

CONTACT Susan Meeker at 934-6800 for smeeker@tcnpress.com.