HOULTON – A talented Houlton couple who share their love of reading and music with young children garnered praise for their work during a ceremony in Houlton earlier this week.

During an event at the Cary Library on Monday, Marilyn and Harrison Roper were lauded by the Maine Humanities Council’s Born to Read program. As part of the recognition, 12 books were donated to the Houlton library in honor of the Ropers.

The council assists people of all ages and educational levels to deepen their understanding of themselves, their communities, and the world.

The Ropers have volunteered for five years with the MHC’s Born to Read program, which promotes the importance of reading aloud to babies and young children, providing training, books and support to child care providers, parents, home visitors, and volunteers from partner organizations.

The statewide early literacy program was created in 1997 to guarantee that Maine’s youngest children are read aloud to daily and to foster excitement about books and learning.

“We really wanted to recognize all of the work they have done with children,” Eleanor Reese, director of Aroostook RSVP, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, said Monday.

Aroostook RSVP provides service opportunities for people age 55 and older and works with the Ropers. The organization partnered with the MHC to honor the couple.

Linda Faucher, head librarian at the Cary Library, said she was happy to see the couple receive such recognition. She added that they also help coordinate and conduct musical performances at the facility. “The Ropers have been fantastic in their support of the library,” she said.

“We really love working with the Maine Humanities Council and the Born to Read program,” Marilyn Roper said as she looked over the new children’s books. “There could be no more perfect gift for the library than these books.”

Harrison Roper agreed, saying he enjoyed his service to the community.

“The children love to be read to and they love to hear music,” he said. “We both enjoy what we do here.”

jlbdn@ainop.com

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