Jefferson County-- Susan Bitely

JCRC is all aboard for Reading on the River after preparing docks and river-themed decorations for the summer leadership meeting. JCRC Crew members met this summer to prepare and distribute Booster Book Bags for the Jefferson County Health Department and Books for Babe for CCESS (Ark. Coordinator of Child Effort and State Services.)

Jumpstart Read for the Record presentation by Melissa Rutland will launch the September meeting.

Plans are tentatively being made for the Southeast regional meeting at Delta River's Nature Center in Pine Bluff that will feature Reading on the Arkansas River program.

Reading on the Ridge -- Farrah Wilcox

Reading on the Ridge Reading Council will kick off a new year with "Hot Dog! It's a new year." Membership Drive on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. at the Paragould Community Center. During the meeting potential members will enjoy hot dogs and all the fixins' while they receive information about Reading on the Ridge, ARA, and IRA. "Picnickers" will be given time to complete membership paperwork with the help of Reading on the Ridge officers. They will be given baskets with back-to-school items, and a list of future council meetings: October 5th, February 1st, and April 5th.

North Arkansas -- Donna Turner, Secretary

The North Arkansas Reading Council has another exciting year planned. The October meeting will once again feature Lloyd Harris and Permabound giving an overview of the Arkansas Diamond books. The council will also sponsor a young writers contest. Last year's contest -- the first ever -- was a big success. Council members will participate in the Cave City Watermelon Festival parade and the Cave City Christmas parade by passing out books to area children. This should be another great year for the council.

White River Reading Council -- Julie Turner

The White River  Reading Council will kick off it's 2010 Membership drive on August 30 at West Magnet Visual and Performing Arts School at 4:30 p.m. Teachers, parents, administrators, and community members will start off a "sweet" new year by sampling desserts from local bakeries. Various prizes will be awarded to new members and council president Laura Hance will present an overview of events and service projects for the upcoming year.