March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Brittney Matthews
Books are valued primarily for education and creativity, but local librarian Sarah Freeland values books most for the connection they provide within communities.
Books have a different impact on each individual and for Freeland the book “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery is the book that has had the biggest impact on her. It’s about Anne, a young orphan girl, who lives on Prince Edward Island and gets adopted by a family, when the family thought they were adopting a boy. Anne uses writing and storytelling to cope with the darkness in her world. In the end, the family falls in love with her. Throughout the series, the reader walks alongside Anne and her life up to adulthood.
“It really is this wonderful story of family and community,” Freeland said. “But for me, I love the way you see community connecting through story… and it’s her stories that connect people and unite them.”
Freeland said this book impacted her by connecting her to other people who had read the book. It amazed her how this book could create a common ground of understanding between two people.
“I think reading really gives you the opportunity to explore, engage with and connect with people that are different from you,” Freeland said.
Freeland encourages others to read “Anne of Green Gables” because Montgomery doesn’t shy away from the hardness of reality, while at the same time showing that there’s more than difficulty in life.
“You have that [difficulty] but you also have this sense of imagination with a positive outlook,” Freeland said. “There is opportunity for joy and wonder. That to me is really encouraging.”
As a librarian, Freeland sees firsthand how books impact people in the community. For Freeland, being a librarian means assisting people in making the connections that books create within the community and helping others grow in their love for books.
March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Cole Grafton
Books have the ability to change the way the reader sees the world. For Rick Tullis, “Goodbye to a River” by John Graves helped him connect with nature and the world around him.
Tullis is the president of Capstone Mechanical, a local engineering and construction company.
“‘Goodbye to a River’ appealed to me because it’s about Texas rivers,” Tullis said. “I love rivers and love being around them or on them, and so that’s what attracted me to go and read the book.”
Tullis explained that the book was an autobiography of John Graves’ two week trip down the Brazos River, where he had spent many of his summers growing up.
“They were installing lots of dams along the river, and there were several other ones proposed at the time. So he said, ‘OK one last chance, I’m going to get in the canoe and float down the river,” Tullis said. “And he’s a great storyteller, so his book is not only about his journey down the river, but he tells kind of the history of the different parts along the way.”
Tullis then explained how the book reminded him of his own life and experiences that are similar to the adventures described by Graves.
“This book matters to me because I’ve got a little farm on the middle Bosque which flows into the Brazos, where he was. And 20 years ago with a friend of mine, I kayaked from Crawford down to Lake Waco, and it was just totally awesome,” Tullis said. “I felt like I was in a totally different part of the country. It was so beautiful.”
The similarities between the lives of Tullis and Graves have helped Tullis to see the river in a new perspective, and to better appreciate Graves’ trip down the Brazos.
“I connect with the way he sees the life on the river and … the connection to history, but also to the animals, and the plants and the life that a river brings to an area,” Tullis said. “And so I get it. I see that whenever I go out to the river myself, and I can really connect with how the author views those things.”
March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Catherine Rennell
During National Reading Month, McLennan County Commissioner Pat Miller celebrates by revisiting her favorite book “Jesus and the Disinherited” by Howard Thurman.
Thurman, an author and activist of the early 20th century, wrote his 1949 book in response to the increase in segregation and racism in America. He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent protests and relied on his own Christian theology to provide a message of hope for marginalized African Americans.
“He introduces the life of Jesus in parallel to the African Americans existing in America to Jesus as a Jew existing under Roman authority,” Miller said.
Miller grew up in New York and moved to the South at 10 years old. She said she experienced the Civil Rights movement and segregation in Waco through the slow integration of teaching staff at private schools and later the students themselves at public schools. Miller experienced the harsh reality of American racism that Thurman writes about in his novel. But for Miller, Thurman provides a hopeful message that has inspired and comforted her ever since she read “Jesus and the Disinherited” for the first time.
“What impressed me most was that it was coming from a Christian perspective,” Miller said. “He addresses the question of how you can embrace Christianity in light of the reality of what is perceived to be the African American’s place in America.”
Miller said she relied on Thurman’s book for guidance when running for office and that it is the most important book to her at this point in her life as county commissioner.
“What I found myself having to do, when asking people for their vote,” Miller said, “is it made me really examine my faith in the Democratic system, and America being a place where everybody can be part of the American dream. I found myself relying more and more on some of the points he made in his book.”
March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Bri Boland
Linda Crawford, author of “God, Destiny, and a Glass of Wine,” shares her love of books and change-inducing stories in the Waco community and beyond.
After coming to Waco in 1989 from Georgia Southern University, Crawford began a career as an English professor and coordinator for the Integrated Reading and Writing Department at McLennan Community College.
Crawford explained how she hopes her writing will impact the lives of her readers.
“I want [the readers] to understand when they finish reading the book that you don’t just walk into that destiny that you want. You have to be specific. You have to do it on purpose,” Crawford said. “When they close that book… I want them to graduate.”
Crawford explained how writing changes the life of the author and the audience.
“It made me remember some things that I have always known. It has made me more aware,” Crawford said. “It is one thing to write about it, but it is another thing to live it. And I try to live it.”
Crawford noted her favorite piece of advice in her published piece.
“When you run into a negative person, keep running. That’s my favorite in the book and outside of the book,” Crawford said.
This same sentiment is evident in her goal as the founder of The Anchor News, a local newspaper which began publishing in 2002.
“The mission of the paper is to bring you just the good stuff…stories that build people up,” Crawford said.
Crawford highlighted that books are vessels of knowledge and change.
“Books… I just think they are universal,” Crawford said. “If you want someone to change, give them a book that you know they will enjoy. I think one way to make a change, or one way to cause a change, is to give them a book.”
March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Saphiana Zamora
In a society engulfed by data and statistics that determine worth, Marilyn Harren turns to The Tyranny of Metrics written by Jerry Muller to guide her through the journey of assisting others.
Harren graduated from Baylor University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. She then continued her education at the University of Texas at Arlington through McLennan Community College where she received her certificate in special education.
Harren has work experience in special education, healthcare, pre-k through high school education and higher education, where she experienced first hand, the loss of original values due to the idea of perfect statistics.
Her background led her to relate to and admire The Tyranny of Metrics by Jerry Muller and to turn to the book for advice that could guide her work.
“The book connected different worlds for me,” Harren said. “I think I’ve read this book at least three times in the past month. I just can’t get enough.”
The Tyranny of Metrics explores the idea of metric fixation, where systems like education are fixated on the numbers of their job rather than their original mission.
“Everyone’s doing something to meet the measurement,” Harren said. “It’s upsetting to see children lost in education and doctors unwilling to help patients simply because of data and statistics.”
As the President of AHEAD in Texas, Harren works to ensure aid for the organizations that help disabled students in higher education. Harren’s current job at Texas State Technical College requires her to utilize her skills in AHEAD and in healthcare as well.
“The book called me to be aware of my setting both in the workplace and in AHEAD,” Harren said. “I love what I do and how I help students. This book helped me become aware of what I was doing wrong in the system by focusing too much on the numbers. It’s definitely important for everyone to find a book like this that opens their eyes.”
March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Mary Watson Vergnolle
“If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others,” wrote Michelle Obama in her memoir, Becoming.
Since the number one bestseller was released, America hasn’t been able to put down Obama’s Becoming. Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez, department chair at Baylor University, said she loves how honestly and truthfully the former First Lady of the United States delivers her message about empowerment and overcoming obstacles to the public.
Moody-Ramirez has been with Baylor University for 19 years. She previously worked as a graduate program director for six years before becoming Head of the Department of Journalism, New Media, and Public Relations.
Moody-Ramirez said she has always looked up to Obama as an inspiration and role model for women.
“She was able to overcome many obstacles in her life and still was able to grow up very confidently,” Moody-Ramirez said.
Becoming is told in three parts: Becoming Me, Becoming Us and Becoming More. Moody-Ramirez draws inspiration from the way Obama carried herself as a woman in the public eye.
“I think that we are all becoming in a way,” Moody-Ramirez said. “We tend to be hard on ourselves.”
She said she believes people should always strive to do something important, but also remember that life is a journey. Moody-Ramirez says Obama’s story inspired her because as a woman involved in the political atmosphere, Obama always remained true to herself, despite criticism and intense scrutiny in the public eye.
Moody-Ramirez has had a passion for reading for as long as she can remember. She believes literacy is important in the community because it has been shown to equalize educational pursuits for all students. Moody-Ramirez encourages all people to read more often in order to know, understand and respect other cultures and ways of life.
“There is a whole world out there beyond television and social media,” Moody-Ramirez said. “Reading fosters an imagination and increases the desire to understand other experiences.”
Moody-Ramirez said throughout the book Obama’s grace was evident as she described her life growing up. Moody-Ramirez hopes readers will see Obama’s words as an inspiration to all, especially women, that anything is possible.
March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Emily Cousins
Lane Murphy researches African American history in Waco to keep the spirit and legacy of St. James Methodist Church alive.
Murphy, a writer at Baylor Magazine, bought the a former African American church, St. James Methodist. Now known as “2nd and Clay,” Murphy said they plan to turn the basement into a restaurant and use the upstairs for community gatherings, music and events.
Murphy said their goal is to continue the legacy of the building and to help bring into focus African American history in Waco that has been overlooked in the past.
African American Heritage in Waco, Texas: Life Stories of Those Who Believed They Could Overcome Impediments by Dr. Gary H. Radford, Sr. is currently Murphy’s favorite book because he is actively trying to learn more about the history of the church and the community that was once there.
“I think it all kind of ties in to some of the things the people had to overcome to make this building to bring it into existence. Also just to learn more about the struggles of African American people in Waco has been interesting and inspiring to me,” Murphy said.
He said Radford’s goal for the book is to inspire young African American people to pursue their dreams. Murphy wants this building to indirectly educate anyone who visits the restaurant or an event.
“It seems odd for me to be talking about African American history in Waco,” Murphy said. “I’m far from an expert. I’m certainly a novice in it. I have had the chance to meet a few people who contributed to this book who are still alive and others interested in African American history, and those people have inspired me to keep looking and keep searching in this book and other places and see how I can help contribute in any form or fashion to their goals.”
By Andie Chilson
With all of the fear and anxiety surrounding the Corona Virus, some of us are wondering, “What’s going to happen to all the wonderful new small businesses that are just starting to sprout up in Waco?” In an effort to help out our favorite local shops during this slow time, we’ve compiled a list of ways for you to help out small businesses, generally, as well as some ways you can show your support for some local Waco favorites.
Tips for helping small businesses:
1. Buy gift cards: Buying gift cards at your favorite small shops that you can use later will help them out tremendously while business is slow.
2. Shop locally online: Most businesses have an online shop where you can find some of your favorite products. Consider shopping your go-to small businesses online instead of ordering from larger retailers.
3. Order in: Order takeout from your favorite local restaurants to limit your exposure to others while still supporting small restaurants that may be otherwise vacant. A number of restaurants as well as delivery services are offering discounts as incentives to order in during this time.
4. Be extra generous with your tips: If you do decide to order in, consider tipping a little more than usual to help out your favorite local eateries.
Here are a few examples of how to show your support for local Waco shops:
Mamaka Bowls: The new smoothie bowl shop in Waco just is offering in-store pickups as well as curbside deliveries. When you order online, you can write the description of your car in the notes section. When you arrive at Mamaka, all you have to do is text (469) 248-5988 with your name and that you’ve arrived and someone will bring your food to your car, sealed and with gloves on.
Waco Cha: The bubble tea truck will continue to operate at its usual location next to White Elephant boutique Tues-Fri this week, noon-5:30pm for all to-go orders and now offers curbside pickup. Co-owner Jaja Chen said that social media sharing and reposting is another great way to help out. Waco Cha is offering gift cards for $20 or $25. Promo code is WACOCO.
Link to Waco Cha gift cards: https://squareup.com/gift/7PDST6CWDGHTC/order.
Wine Shoppe: The Wine Shoppe is offering in-town delivery and asks that Wacoans opt to shop their selection of wines instead of going to big-box stores.
Revival Eastside Eatery: Offering family style meals to take home. Follow their Facebook page for details.
Check social media for your favorite local restaurant or shop to see what they are offering. Now more than ever, it’s time to shop local!
Helpful resources for small businesses
-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created a toolkit to help small businesses and their employees navigate the virus: https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus-response-toolkit
-Disaster assistance loans for small businesses from the SBA: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-newsroom/press-releases-media-advisories/sba-provide-disaster-assistance-loans-small-businesses-impacted-coronavirus-covid-19
-Citi Bank will waive small business customers’ monthly service fees: https://online.citi.com/US/JRS/pands/detail.do?ID=covid19
-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has proposed legislation to help small businesses. The proposed legislation would 1. cancel the payment of all payroll taxes, which are typically paid by employers in March, April and May and 2. expand loan programs for small businesses that have experienced revenue loss in the wake of the virus. https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/letter-us-government-leaders-coronavirus-response
Andie Chilson is a senior at Baylor University studying journalism and creative writing. She is originally from Houston, but Waco has quickly come to feel like a second home to her. Andie enjoys writing and digital content creation as a way to express her creativity and help people spread their message. In her free time, you can find her reading anything by Brené Brown, doing yoga or exploring downtown Waco. Andie is so excited to be working as part of the Act Locally Waco team this semester!
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Bethany Kula
Jessica Emmett, community services supervisor for the Waco-McLennan County Library, has a type when it comes to books—those written by strong independent women.
Emmett said her favorite book is Bossypants written by Tina Fey.
“In Tina’s book, she talks about growing up, how she got into comedy and writing, and then talks a little bit about how she became the boss and what exactly that means,” Emmett said.
Bossypants is an autobiography, and according to Emmett, it’s more of an entertainment biography because it is humorous.
“I really like her style, and the tone of it is very funny,” Emmett said. “She’s super honest about where she came from. She didn’t have a troubled childhood, whereas a lot of authors do overcome things, but she did have self esteem issues and other things that were a challenge for her. It was just nice to see a story of somebody who does cool things and has a cool job.”
Emmett has worked at the library for four years and worked as a teacher and a librarian for three years before joining the Waco library. She said being a librarian has opened up the world of books for her and has led her to read many fantastic books along the way.
Emmett said she recommends this book to anyone, but women could relate to it more since it has a perspective men would not be able to see.
“I think for women, especially young women who are trying to figure out their lives, the book is a lot about the dynamics of how Tina has seen things change throughout the course of her life,” Emmett said. “It’s nice to have somebody lay a roadmap for us women to follow.”
March is National Reading Month, a whole month designated to encouraging Americans – and by extension Wacoans – to read! The Act Locally Waco blog is beating the drum for National Reading Month by hosting a blog series throughout the month of March, called “Books Matter.” Every day throughout March we will be sharing a post about a Waco resident and a book that matters to him/her. Thank you to students from the Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and professor Amber Adamson for help with this fun project. To read all the blog posts so far, click here.
By Amanda Wunder
City Councilman Hector Sabido realizes the crucial role of books in our society and the impact even one book can have on someone’s life or career.
“I’ve always had an interest in politics,” Sabido said. “It’s always intrigued me to see how the political process has played out throughout our country.”
Sabido wonders if perhaps his interest in politics stemmed from his favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird, which he first read in his ninth grade English class.
“From the very moment that I read this book, I fell in love with it,” Sabido said.
He discussed the obvious social injustice in Harper Lee’s book but also praised the fact that good triumphs.
“I want to live in a community, in a society, where we see that good in people…We know that even though we might make decisions or stand up for things that might not be popular today, but we do it because we know it’s the right thing to do,” Sabido said.
According to Sabido, the universal message of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is that there should be justice and equality for all.
“Just when I think we live in a society where we think we might have racism under control, something happens that reminds me we have some growth to do,” Sabido said. “And reading this book, and reading through the end, it gives me some type of hope that eventually we’re going to get there…It’s all about what’s inside of us, what makes us human.”
Sabido emphasized the importance of inspiring a love of reading in children, calling it “the basic foundation of an education.” He suggested exposing babies to reading, even at the infant stage.
“I think we need to bring back the culture where it’s OK to enjoy reading,” Sabido said.
He recommended Wacoans start with reading the newspaper, encouraging library memberships and pushing literacy not only with children but also with adults.
“Our world is full of books,” Sabido said. “It’s finding something you enjoy reading. I think that’s the key.”