prog·ress /präɡres/ 1.noun: forward or onward movement toward a destination, goal, or objective “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Frederick Douglass, c. February 1818 – February 20, 1895 “The power to question is the basis of all human progress.” Indira Gandhi, 1917 – 2. verb: to improve or develop over a period of time “As the 19th century progressed, Europe’s innovations,... Read More

con·tin·u·ous /kənˈtinyo͞oəs/,adjective: happening or existing without a break or interruption “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” Winston Churchill, 1874 – 1965 con·tin·u·al /kənˈtiny(əw)əl/, adjective: happening again and again within short periods of time “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Benjamin Franklin, 1706 – 1790   pictured:... Read More

a·bil·i·ty /əˈbilədē/, noun. plural, ties: 1. the state of being able; physical, mental, legal, or financial power to do “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” Bob Marley, 1945 – 1981 2. natural or acquired aptitude “Success means we go to sleep at night knowing... Read More

For the past 100 years the East Liverpool Elks Lodge #258 has opened its doors on Christmas morning to provide toys, warm clothing, bikes, and special gift bags to the disadvantaged children in their community. This year, the Pittsburgh Pirates donated over 200 bags used to fill with treats, like bottles of water with the Elks’ logo, chips, drink boxes, candy, fruit, drug awareness... Read More

un·ex·pect·ed /ənəkˈspektəd/, adjective: not likely to occur; unforeseen. “Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been , unplanned by me.” Carl Sandburg, 1978 – 1967 “If you do not expect the unexpected you will not find it, for it is not to be reached by search or trail.” Heraclitus, 535 BCE – 475 BCE example: Richard Hazen of the... Read More

Recognizing the importance of literacy, members of the Washington Township Rotary Club provide a personal dictionary to each third grader in Washington Township Public School District in Gloucester County, New Jersey. Members believe that when students are equipped with a dictionary as a life-long reference tool, they have the ability to improve their writing and reading comprehension skills. These improved skills promote overall academic... Read More

This year the Bullhead City Elks were able to furnish third grade students at three elementary schools with personal dictionaries. “Traveling to opposite ends of our serving area, we three Elks gave a comprehensive description for the book and encouraged each student to write us a thank-you note and to use a word from the dictionary in a sentence,” said Dictionary Chairman Terri Frear.... Read More

The mission of SOAR Adult and Family Literacy is to increase literacy by promoting and providing educational  resources for adults and families in the community. To accomplish this goal, SOAR currently participates in two youth programs: Put Your Nose In A Book (1st grade) and The Dictionary Project (3rd grade). Since 2009, SOAR and its dedicated volunteers have donated over 2000 dictionaries to third... Read More