Many dimes equal many books

On the 100th day of school, an annual tradition could have been cancelled due to a strong winter storm predicted for the area. However, since the first grade teachers at Greencastle-Antrim Primary School had a day's notice that school was going to close early Feb. 5, they had time to move a program from the afternoon to the morning. Laura Greenlee, director of the Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library, was able to make the earlier event as well, and accepted 7,187 dimes collected by the youngsters.

Incorporated into the learning process, the 10 teachers taught lessons using the number 10, and each classroom participated by bringing in donated coins, with the goal of giving the money to the library. Each year Greenlee then purchases books of interest to the young readers.

Greenlee showed the assembly some of the books she bought from last year's proceeds. Cheers and clapping erupted when she mentioned the Magic Tree House series and Star Wars.

"I love to see you excited about books," she told the first graders. She invited them to visit Besore and join the Summer Reading Program.

One by one a representative from each room brought up its haul of dimes, in zipped plastic bags, a bucket, a can. A teacher added the total on her calculator - $718.70.

Greenlee was excited. "Thank you for being so generous."

She used all her muscles to carry the goods in a basket to her car, and wished she had brought a wheel barrow.