Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – For the first time in Aroostook County, a walk to benefit those with dyslexia is planned for Oct. 14.
“We’ve had walks in Bangor and Portland before but this is the first of its kind in Aroostook County,” said Robert Sawyer, a member of the Board of Governors Masonic Learning Center located in Bangor. “Bangor has had five or six walks.” Sawyer is also a member of the Aroostook County Scottish Rite Club, which was formed over the past year.
“In 1994, the Scottish Rite Masons in the north decided to take on dyslexia as the focus of one of their fund-raisers. They also do several different charities and run learning centers in 15 different states. The northern jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite is north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi. In 1994, it was decided to add learning centers for dyslexic children to the list of charities,” said Sawyer.
Dyslexia is a learning-based disability that affects thousands of people and can hinder an individual’s ability to read and interpret language. The exact cause has not been determined.
“About 8 percent of the population has it. Dyslexia is an inherited neurological disorder,” said Sawyer.
The sad part, according to Sawyer, is that many people still don’t recognize dyslexia as a disability. In the meantime, many people, especially children of school age, struggle to understand what comes easily to those who can read and write normally.
The Aroostook County Scottish Rite Club is responsible for organizing this year’s walk taking place in Presque Isle. Money raised will go to the main headquarters for distribution back in Maine.
“Funds will go to Lexington, Kentucky, then redistributed to the learning centers here in Maine. The training given at the centers, provided by tutors trained in the Anna Gillingham method, at no charge to parents or children,” said Sawyer. “Funds raised will go back into the learning center program, for support and to buy materials for the school.”
The walk in Presque Isle, held rain or shine, will go from Netherland Office Products, on North Street, across the bike path to Pine Street Elementary School, located on Pine Street, and back to North Street. The event is planned to coincide with others held downstate the same day.
“It’s approximately a two-mile walk. Walks are also planned in Bangor and Portland to coincide on the same day this year,” said Sawyer.
Registration for the event is at 12 noon, with the walk scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
Pledge sheets and brochures have been distributed to area schools and guidance offices.
“I’ve spoken to guidance counselors and advisors for honor societies. Participation can count as part of community service that many schools require students perform to graduate,” said Sawyer.
Those interested in taking part can check with the guidance offices at their local schools.
“Or they can contact me or Chris Delong, of Bridgewater, who’s the president of the Scottish Rite Club,” said Sawyer.
Participation in the walk isn’t mandatory, said Sawyer, and anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by showing up the day of the walk.
“They can just stop by to make a donation and not walk at all. That would be fine,” said Sawyer. “Checks can be made out to 32 Degree Masonic Learning Center, in care of: Robert Sawyer, PO Box 637, Ashland, ME 04732.”
Contributions are tax deductible.
Sawyer is hoping for a good turnout for the event.
“This is our first shot at trying to do this. Though it’s asking a bit much, it’s too bad we can’t raise enough to have one (a learning center) in the County,” said Sawyer.
A young girl’s story serves as an inspiration for Sawyer.
“She hated to go to school because kids made fun of her. She went to the center and learned to read. Now she’s planning to run for student council at her school,” said Sawyer. “The centers not only teach students valuable learning skills, the annual picnic at Cascade Park, in Bangor, provides an opportunity for students and their parents to gather for a cookout and fun.”
In addition to Sawyer, members of the Board of Governors include Vinal Grass, of Oxbow, and Jim Coolong, of Houlton.
“Herschel McIntosh, who’s in a nursing home now I believe, is a past member of the Board of Governors and is also from Houlton,” Sawyer said. “We also have a lot of members in the Caribou area as well. We have members from all over the County.”
The Bangor center will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in October. Both Bangor and Portland have had successful walks. Organizers hope the Presque Isle walk will be just as successful.
“It’s the first year we’ve done it here. There’ve been successful walks in Bangor. And since the Portland center came on line, they’ve had two or three walks,” said Sawyer. “This will be our first. Members have participated (in other walks) either in fund-raising or hands-on. This year we’re doing the walk all together (Bangor, Portland and Presque Isle). We hope to make it an annual thing,” said Sawyer.
For more information on the walk or the learning centers, contact Sawyer at 435-6931.
