VERO BEACH: Literacy Services of Indian River County, Inc., a nonprofit United Way agency, has announced that its highly popular Love of Literacy Luncheon will be expanded to three events. The “Love of Literacy Authors Series” opens this fall with a champagne reception for the first of its featured authors on October 24, the second author champagne reception is on February 6, and the final event culminates in the Love of Literacy Luncheon on March 25, 2010. Carol Kanarek and Susan Chenault are this unique event’s honorary chairs. Tickets for the new expanded series of two Champagne Receptions and the Literacy Luncheon are being sold as one complete package or individually. Author Series ticket prices are $125 to attend all three events, $90 to attend any two events, $50 to attend any one event. Saturday, Oct. 24: 3 pm to 5 pm: The first champagne reception features former baseball commissioner and former Chairman and CEO of Columbia Pictures Fay Vincent, author of The Last Commissioner: A Baseball Valentine and two volumes in a baseball oral history series, The Only Game in Town and We Would Have Played for Nothing. He will be joined by Martha Powers, author of numerous award winning romances and the thrillers, Sunflower and Bleeding Heart. Other guest authors may be present. The program will feature questions and answers followed by a champagne reception. The event will be held at the Town of Indian River Shores Community Room, 6001 A1A at Fred Tuerk Drive across from the Village shops. Saturday, Feb. 6: 3 pm to 5 pm: The second champagne reception features author Stephanie Keating, who has co-written several books with her sister, Barbara Keating, including A Durable Fire and Blood Sisters. The program will feature questions and answers followed by a champagnereception. Other guest authors may be present. The event will be held at the Indian River Shores Community Room, 6001 A1A at Fred Tuerk Drive across from the Village shops. Thursday, March 25: 11:30 – 1:30: The finale in the series is the Love of Literacy luncheon at Bent Pines Golf Club featuring author and activist Kent Annan. Mr. Annan is the author of the upcoming book, Following Jesus Through the Eye of the Needle: Living Fully, LovingDangerously – a spiritual memoir of his time working with the rural poor of Haiti. Mr. Annan is on the staff of Beyond Borders, an activist organization seeking to foster understanding across cultural and economic borders.According to Mary Silva, Executive Director of Literacy Services, “Proceeds from this popular local series help provide one-on-one tutoring to Indian River County adults who want to improve their reading, writing, and communication skills. These skills are critical when competing for jobs or promotions at work. It is estimated that one out of five local adults has substandard literacy skills.” Sponsors for this series include: RBC Bank, Rotary Club Oceanside, and George E. Warren. Literacy Services welcomes additional sponsors for the Author Series.The package price is $125 to attend all three events and you can make checks payable to Literacy Services of Indian River County and mail to Literacy Services, 1600 21st St., Vero Beach, FL 32960. Call Mary at (772) 778-2223 for further information.
