Hit the Read

Rev up your reading engines, and hit the road! Join the Johnson County Public Library, Greenwood Public Library and Edinburgh Public Library in cooperation with ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Towards Education) and Southside Harley-Davidson as we present Hit the Road, READ! County-Wide Read program for citizens of all ages.

The program, which has also received funding from the Friends of Johnson County Public Library, the Friends of Greenwood Public Library and through a $3,000 grant awarded by the Johnson County Community Foundation, will kick-start on August 16.

Hit the Road, READ! will continue through September 13, with opportunities for Johnson County residents of all ages to attend motorcycle-themed programs and events. In addition, each library branch will display a vintage Harley-Davidson, courtesy of Southside Harley-Davidson.

The event, which is centered around three books, is designed to promote literacy, motorcycle and bicycle safety, and the thrill of adventure. The chosen titles are, for adults, The Ride So Far: Tales from a Motorcycling Life by Lance Oliver; for teens, Paper Towns by John Green; and for children, The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary.

Kick-Start Event, Lance Oliver
Join Lance Oliver, author of The Ride So Far: Tales from a Motorcycling Life will speak about his love of motorcycles and how you can write about your passion. Oliver took his first motorcycle ride on a humble Honda 50 and has since ridden anything he could get his hands on, from a Ducati 999s to a 1968 Motobi 125. Over the years, he has worked as a newspaper reporter and editor in New York, Florida and Puerto Rico, as a volunteer English teacher in rural Costa Rica, and as a magazine and website editor at the American Motorcyclist Association. Oliver will be signing and selling his books after the program, which is free and open to all ages.

CONTEST: Design Your Own Helmet
If you could design your very own helmet, what would it look like? Download or pick up our “Design your own helmet” contest flyer and do just that. Creativity counts! Once you’re finished, scan and upload your design or drop it off at any library, for a chance to win a great prize. We will also post all of the entries on CountyWideRead.com. The contest is open to children, teens and adults.

ABATE Presents, “Make Your Own Root Beer”
Making root beer at home is easy and can be a great family project. Our “Brewmaster,” Jay Jackson, executive director at Indiana ABATE, will show that you don’t need to be an expert to have some fun and craft a tasty beverage.

DIY Leatherworking: Make Your Own Bracelet or Keychain
Express your creative side. Join us as we make awesome tassel keychains and studded bracelets. All supplies will be provided—we’ll even have faux leather.

Teen Book Talk: John Green’s Paper Towns
Did you love reading or seeing the movie, The Fault in Our Stars? Join us for pizza as we discuss another amazing book by our favorite Indianapolis bestselling author, John Green. One lucky teen will win a signed copy of Paper Towns. Check out your copy today and DFTBA! (Don’t Forget to be Awesome!)

Bicycle Safety
Join us at one of our three bicycle safety programs, presented by Kiwanis Club of Greenwood, White River Fire Department and Franklin Police Department. Learn to ride the road safely.

Movie on the Lawn: Wild Hogs (PG-13, 100 minutes, comedy)
Bring your blankets, chairs and coolers (no alcohol permitted) to enjoy the movie, Wild Hogs under the stars. There will also be crafts and games for the kids and free popcorn, courtesy of Not Just Popcorn in Edinburgh.

Tattooing: An Artist Talk with Lenny Rickard
Have you ever been curious about tattoos, the needles or the culture? Or, perhaps you have one or two yourself? Join us as Lenny Rickard, True Grit tattoo artist and Herron School of Art graduate, talks about tattooing, her career and her artwork. Rickard will also do a tattoo sketch demonstration, taking requests from the audience.

Book Discussion for Kids: The Mouse & The Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Read all about Ralph’s adventures on a motorcycle in the book, then join us for a fun discussion about this popular children’s story.

Project Foodie: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
Project Foodie is hitting the road! To tie in with our County-Wide Read books, we will be focusing on some of our favorite roadtrip diner foods. Nothing healthy here, folks!

Author Visit, Jean Davidson
Southside Harley-Davidson will proudly present author and storyteller Jean Davidson, granddaughter of Walter Davidson, one of the founders and first president of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Davidson will talk about her many books and what it was like growing up in the Harley-Davidson family. After a career as a schoolteacher, she now speaks around the world about her early experiences. Davidson was the owner of the largest Harley-Davidson dealership in Wisconsin and rubbed shoulders with all the Harley and Davidson family members, famous racers, Hell’s Angels and even Evel Knievel. You won’t want to miss this rare chance to meet Jean Davidson!

Visit CountyWideRead.com to learn more about this event and our public libraries. Be sure to “Like” us on Facebook/countywideread.

Hit the Road, READ! County-Wide Read program would not be possible without the support and sponsorship of the following: Johnson County Community Foundation for awarding us a $3,000 grant, the Library Boards of Edinburgh Public Library, Greenwood Public Library, and Johnson County Public Library, ABATE, Friends of Greenwood Public Library, Friends of Johnson County Public Library and Southside Harley-Davidson. We wish to thank each of you for supporting our first-ever County-Wide Read event.

Join us for activities at all of the libraries from August 16 through September 13, to celebrate reading in our county.