2020 - NSDAR Literacy Promotion Contest
​Winner for Southwestern Division and National!

An afternoon phone call can change a gloom and doom mood into the brightest of days. This weekend was supposed to be the dates for our State DAR Conference, however, like everything else, this event had to be canceled due to COVID-19. As I was reflecting on my month of sheltering at home... our Regent, Judy Taylor, of my Piestewa Peak Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, called this afternoon. She called to inform and congratulate me as our chapter Literacy Promotion Committee Chair. “Terry, I have just learned that you are the winner of the ASDAR Literacy Promotion contest (State Level) AND you are also the winner of the NSDAR Southwest Division Literacy Promotion Contest (Division Level)“. I am beyond honored and grateful that Mini Tales has been recognized by this amazing organization.

I sat tonight, watching the sun set, listening to the horses and donkey munch hay, probably wondering why I was weeping in their turn out. This is an honor shared with so many who have been on this journey with Mini Tales. Our mission to promote literacy would not be possible without Bella and Dolly, my sweet partners, patiently listening to stories being read to them each month. Now Maserati and Boone have stepped up to fill Bella’s shoes and give Dolly company. We have truly missed our library and school visits and look forward to the day the world is taken off pause and our lives resume.

I am also grateful and thankful for my early mentor, Linda Vataha of Mobile Minis. Our volunteers who have joined us on our many library visits; Cindy Gibson, Pam Burr, Kim Edwards, Jennifer Koselke, Marianne Barlow, Janis Tymofichuk, Sally Wirth and my fellow library partners Donna Vollmer and CocoPuff, Mike Crowley and Apache, Leslie Briefman and Cali, children’s book author Claudine Song and Jaxon. Each bringing a unique gift to our literacy program.

Thank you, Judy, for believing in this program, supporting Mini Tales personally and through DAR, helping me create our bookmarks for the children we are blessed to hear read. Your friendship means the world to me! And thank you to you, our dear friends who have encouraged us, given books and donated funds to help offset the cost of our reading and equine therapy visits throughout the year. Your support is a blessing to Mini Tales and to so many children whose lives we have touched. We’ll be back soon and hope to add even more reading opportunities around the Valley.
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Encouraging reading and promoting literacy, one story at a time.

Lead Steward, Patroller, Mentor, Pathfinder and Ambassadors for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  We started in 2014 and are still loving it!