Grassroots Word Street fosters writing skills

By Anthony FydenPrint Story | Email Story
Cynthia Saunders, Kate Merrigan, Rachael Silvano, Jennet Tempone, Frank Tempone, Marty J. McEvoy. (Photo By Anthony Fyden)
LEE — The ability to write is a skill that’s fundamental to so many different aspects of life, whether it is work-related writing, communicating with friends and family, sharing thoughts, ideas and emotions or simply keeping a journal or diary. But putting pen to paper can be intimidating, leading some children and adults to shy away from writing, possibly limiting creative, academic and professional opportunities. Word Street, a nonprofit, drop-in tutoring and literary arts center in Lee and Pittsfield – is offering free workshops, tutoring, confidence-building support and resources for aspiring writers young and old. “Writing is powerful,” said Frank Tempone, Word Street founder and director. “We’re there to help writers overcome their anxiety.” Tempone, a writer and teacher in the Lee Middle School district, said he was inspired to launch Word Street after traveling to Toronto for a workshop with one of his favorite authors, David Eggers. During the workshop, Eggers chose to share not his own work but the work of his students, which made an impression on Tempone. Eggers also outlined his “Valencia 826” project, a program that takes its title from its home-base address in San Francisco and helps students ages 8 to 18 explore and develop writing skills. Fresh from the Toronto trip, with no experience in founding a nonprofit foundation, Tempone jumped right in and launched Word Street on Jan. 28 this year. Since its founding, he and other Word Street volunteers have fostered relationships with several schools and have attempted to get the word out about Word Street. The program hosts free tutoring sessions at the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m., on Wednesdays at Reid Middle School in Pittsfield, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and at Lee Middle and High School from 2:45 to 4 p.m. The organization has recently moved into office space at 163 North St. in Pittsfield, donated by building owner Norma Ruffer. The group hopes to eventually open a drop-in center where local students can receive tutoring. Word Street will host an open house at the new headquarters on Saturday, May 8, from noon to 5. Visitors, both young and old, are invited to participate in writing workshops and activities or to listen to children read some of the work they completed during workshop sessions. The group has also garnered some financial support from local businesses, including Berkshire Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union and the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. What kind of help does Word Street provide? That depends a great deal on what kind of help the aspiring writing is looking for, Tempone said. Some students attend sessions simply for writing help for school papers; others hope to explore creative writing and do not know where to start. In an ambitious project, Rachael Silvano, Word Street youth leader and Herberg Middle School eighth grader, is writing a play, “Barnacle Brown,” hoping to stage the “cautionary tale,” later this year. Sometimes, workshops focus on particular themes. The Lee Middle and High School session is working on a “letter to the editor” project, which encourages writers to take an active role in their communities. Tempone, who is originally from Long Island, moved to the Berkshires with his wife, Jen, a Vermont native who is also a teacher, about 10 years ago. Tempone said he enjoys working with middle school students at a point in their lives when their personalities and sense of identity are emerging. But he said he also enjoys the less-structured environment that is developing at Word Street, where the direction of study is largely up to the student. “That’s one of the reasons that I’m doing this: I like teaching outside the school,” he said. “The kids are less inhibited. Their personality comes out more. Tempone, who describes his own writing style as “straightforward,” and “very candid,” is working on a collection of stories, which he hopes to have published. The reaction from local educators to Word Street has been overwhelmingly positive, he said, with many schools expressing an interest in the project. Although a core group of teachers and professional writers have volunteered time, more volunteers are needed to expand the effort, he said. Volunteer Darlene White, resource coordinator for the Berkshire Regional Employment Board, said she has found working with Word Street an extremely rewarding experience. “We’re encouraging creativity,” she said. “One of things I like to get across to students is that writing is accessible; they can do it. It’s not as intimidating as some people think.” Many people, she added, reflexively say that they can’t write, in the same way that people with good voices say that they can’t sing. Word Street, White said, offers a supportive environment for people to develop skills they may not realize they have. “Writing is an extension of you voice,” she said. “We try to give them confidence in their voice. Sometimes, all they really need to do is to break down that barrier.” White encouraged local professionals to join the volunteer team. Professional teaching skills are not required, she said, and an hour a week of volunteered time can have a significant impact on supporting the program. Information: 442-2732 or www.wordstreet.org .
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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