ASHLAND, Maine — Second-graders at Ashland District School were in disbelief when they were each presented a brand new bicycle May 16 thanks to the efforts of the Masons of Pioneer Lodge No. 72.
When the students were first informed earlier in the school year about the Bikes for Books campaign, a statewide program sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Maine that encourages students to read, they were told that for every book they read on their own, their name would be entered into a drawing for either a boy’s or a girl’s bike.
“That’s what they were told, but we went into it thinking that we could buy a bike for everyone,” said Chris Bessey, senior warden at Pioneer Lodge and chair of the Bikes for Books campaign in Ashland. “We were fortunate this year to make that work.”
Bessey explained that when the Ashland Rotary Club went defunct last year, it created an opportunity to hold a golf tournament.
“I’m an avid golfer, though not that good at it,” said Bessey, “and I’m good friends with the president of the Portage Hills Country Club. I asked him if we could do a fundraiser in place of the Rotary’s tournament, and he said ‘Yes.’ I solicited sponsors and did a little advertising. Our sponsorship dollars were all given back to the club, and the registration fees were given back as prizes.”
All 20 second-graders at Ashland District School received a bicycle and a helmet. Bessey said the cost was just over $1,400.
“We spent $910 on bikes from our fundraiser, and the Grand Lodge of Maine gave us a $500 grant,” he said. “This was the first year our Lodge has been involved in the Bikes for Books program. I thought it was just a great idea. Not only does it encourage kids to read but it gets them outside away from the video games.”
Second-grade teacher Cheryl Raymond said the initiative helped develop the children’s interest in reading.
“Anything to build enthusiasm for reading is a good idea. Not all second-graders are excited about reading, so the idea of winning a bike was a good incentive,” she said. “In first grade the children are still learning how to read, and in second grade they’ve developed a vocabulary and they’re becoming independent readers.
“This program encouraged independent reading — books they were reading for fun … on their own — not books that we read together in class or were being read to them. They got to pick their genre and read what they wanted to read for fun,” said Raymond. “I think that was the purpose of the program … to show kids that you don’t just read in school, you read for your own enjoyment and information.”
Students Abby Doughty and Zachary Burby were thrilled to receive new bicycles.
“I read over 40 books because I wanted to get a bike,” said Doughty. “I read funny and mystery books; those are my favorites. I was surprised and happy when they called my name. I like reading because it’s a way to learn new words. It also helps to learn how to pronounce them.”
“I also read over 40 books. Some of them came from the school library, most of them came from the classroom on the bookshelf, and I read some from home,” Burby said. “A lot of them were Cam Jansen books. Cam is a girl who solves mysteries. Her real name is Jennifer, but they call her Cam because her memory is like a camera.”
Based on Burby’s animated reaction when his name wasn’t among the first to be called, Raymond “drew” his name last. He was even seen in his seat with his eyes closed and his hands folded praying to be called.
“I was the last person to be called, so I was kind of mad at first,” said Burby. “Then I thought maybe they were saving the best for last. That made me feel better.”
“I want to say a big thanks to the Masons for buying the bikes and getting the Shrine clowns to come,” said Doughty. “It was a lot of fun and we were all surprised to get a bike.”
This year’s golf tournament will be held Saturday, July 12, and Bessey said the Ashland Masons will once again participate in the Bikes for Books program next school year.
Students in Limestone/Caswell, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Mapleton and Caribou also participated in the Bikes for Books program.
