On Saturday, December 18, four youngsters walked off with new bikes – thanks to Doric Lodge #92 and Wright Brothers Cycle Works – from the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library. Yet, all kids and parents – and involved citizens – who attended the short but very sweet ceremony ultimately won. With generous distribution of pizza, chocolate and certificates of participation, plus the sense of accomplishment and pride that pervaded the room, all attendees got caught up in the celebration.
Charles Hadrann, owner of Wright Brothers, questioned the children who read books over the last three months to enter a drawing for a free bicycle. The readers gave information on lessons the books they’d chosen taught them, and the joy they had in reading. Hadrann then described the bike helmets and locks that accompanied each bicycle – and the importance of using these tools.
John Flynn, Worshipful Master for the Doric Lodge located in Fremont since 1892, presented Certificates of Participation to all the kids, along with Ellinor James, a librarian at the Fremont Branch Library. Flynn also announced to those gathered that James will be retiring on January 10th, 2011 – sad news to the parents gathered who appreciate the work she has done filling in since the library lost its children’s librarian to budget cuts. James has worked at the Fremont Branch for the last 9 years of the 22 she has spent with Seattle Public Libraries.
Four children won bikes in the drawing – Zella, Ben, Sadie and Louisa. Originally, the drawing (detailed on Fremocentrist.com for Oct 22, 2010) granted a bike to a boy and a girl in grades 1-3, and a boy and a girl in grades 4-5. However, no boys from grades 4-5 entered the drawing, so two girls were drawn from that age range. According to James, approximately 20 children registered for the drawing this year, but only 10 submitted book titles and oral reports.
After the presentation, Flynn proudly announced that the Doric Lodge hopes to continue to build on their two years of doing these drawings. “We anticipate another in the spring,” he reported. With Hadrann helping procure the bikes – plus donating locks and helmets – it looks like a win-win for everyone involved…especially the children who win both improved reading skills and another reason to go outside and exercise.