Appearing on the June poster for the New Lebanon READ campaign are former Walter B. Howard Elementary School teachers Barbara and Fred Ruhe reading from their favorite books, These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner and The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck by Don Rosa, respectively.
The Ruhes have lived in New Lebanon their entire married life – 42 years. They saw over three decades of New Lebanon’s children pass through the halls of the elementary school, including their own two sons. Having recently retired, they remain very much a part of the school’s community; Barbara as co-head of the New Lebanon Foundation and Fred as coach
for the girls softball and volleyball teams.
These is My Words is a “wonderful, charming book” about a strong woman living in the Arizona Territory at the turn of the century, said Barbara. What made it more special is that Fred read it to her at a time when it was not possible for her to do so herself. Although an avid reader of E. L. Doctorow, Fred selected a compilation of Scrooge McDuck comics because it conjures up his earliest reading memories. As a child, it was the only comic book series his parents permitted him to read. (He much preferred the dark horror genre.)
NL READ, modeled after the American Library Association Read campaign seeks to promote reading and the use of library services. Award winning photo journalist Jane Feldman photographed the campaign.