Muncie Public Library

Traversing a Foreign Border Domestically

Mtfrontdesk@mountaintimes.com

Editor's Note: On May 12, Boone artist Joe Bigley commenced his most ambitious project yet: Traversing a Foreign Border Domestically. Having mapped a course in the continental U.S. that follows the border and contour of Afghanistan, Bigley will bicycle the entire length of the Afghan border - 3,435.5 miles to be exact.

"Essentially, (the trip) is to highlight the peculiar nature of political boundaries," he said.

Along the way, he'll record dialogues with those he encounters and deliver presentations at various contemporary art venues. Bigley is also submitting his travel experiences for publication in The Mountain Times, and they'll appear regularly as they arrive.

After the long day leading me to Loganton, Penn., and having the luxury of the cabin offered up by Anne of Holiday Pines Campground, they offered me to stay another night in the cabin to rest.

Overwhelmed by the generosity, I respectfully declined, but she insisted in sending me off with some food for the road. Anne also suggested a bike trail that would lead me close to the day's destination of Wellsboro, Penn. Her emphasis on the density of large truck traffic on the route that I was originally going to take persuaded me to heed her advice.

It is called the Rails to Trails, an old railroad line track converted into a hiking and biking trail for the public - a beautiful trail. although the constant rain that day made it dreary. It winds through a very isolate part of Pennsylvania's backcountry. Travelling 50-plus miles on Rails to Trails on a rainy day resulted in seeing about four people in about six hours.

The next morning at the historic Wellsville Diner, I was interviewed by a local reporter for the Wellsville Gazette. The throwback diner proved to be an interesting backdrop for such an occurrence.

I made it to Westfield, Penn., later that day with few notable experiences. Luckily, it was the first more or less dry day since I left Manhattan. Right away, I stopped in at the Bear Track Tavern for a meal and beer.

As soon as I sat down at the bar, Paul Hillman was intrigued about the bike and trailer sitting out front of the tavern's entrance. About five minutes into our conversation, he offered me to stay at he and his wife's cabin, in their spare bedroom. How could I turn that down, considering I had not secured a place to sleep yet.

Education Grant Awarded to Muncie Public Library « Bloggin' in the ...

Education Grant Awarded to Muncie Public Library Will Help At-Risk Students at South View Elementary

Muncie Public Library has received a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for its Great Achievers after school program. The program began under the CAPE initiative in 2002 and has been successful in helping students improve grades and ISTEP scores by providing homework help and curriculum support.

The grant period runs on a four y ear cycle with the capacity of providing $448,413 in grant funds over the four years. The first year will provide $134,724 in funding beginning in January and running through May 31, 2010.

The grant will allow the Library’s program to expand, providing four days of academic support for grades 1-3 compared to the current two days a week. “The grant will allow us to add music, art, physical education and field trips to an otherwise strictly curriculum based program” said Denise Gawrys, director of Great Achievers and a licensed teacher. The program will also seek to increase parental involvement, family literacy and life skill information which will be presented at monthly Family Night activities.

Virginia Nilles, Director of Muncie Public Library described the grant as, “great news and a real affirmation for this program and its proven record of success over the past seven years.” She credited the success of Great Achievers to the parents, children and Library employees who are a part of the program as well as the administration, teachers and staff of Muncie Community Schools.

The grant is part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program and is administered by the Indiana Department of Education. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is an after school initiative authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act, Title IV Part B. The program is administered in the State of Indiana by the Indiana Department of Education. Particularly targeted at students in high-poverty areas or low-performing schools, the program helps communities establish or expand community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities aligned to state standards in core subjects, such as reading and mathematics.

The program’s primary purpose is to award grants, via competition, to public schools, community-based organizations, public/private organizations, faith-based organizations or a consortium of these organizations.

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