The Community Center is open on many holidays when people may be off work or out of school and apt to want to use the Community Center facilities. However I find that Martin Luther King Day is rather unique in that of all people honored by a national holiday he is one that lived in our time. History is so much more complex when you live through it, don't you agree?

I remember Martin Luther King. He was in the news quite often. I don't remember the "I have a dream" speech when he made it. I do remember the controversy and things like voting rights, segregated lunch counters, segregated schools and signs saying for colored or white only.

There was discussion on what was right or wrong and what was legal or not legal. There were accusations that many in Martin Luther King's group were Communists or communistic in what they were advocating.

I remember the day he was shot. I wondered what would happen now. How would things be resolved? What was right?

It is truly amazing how far we have come since those days. But the thing that is most amazing is that Martin Luther King was just an ordinary man who stood up for what was basically right and had the luck to say some memorable things that are remembered.

We tend to lose sight of the fact that super men don't exist and never have. Great things are done by ordinary people who make an effort to do more "smart" things than "dumb" things and a few of them are honored in history as leaders.

As that old TV show said, "What sort of a day was it? A day like all days filled with those events that alter and illuminate our time. And you were there!" That makes Martin Luther King Day such a memorable day. We were all a part of those times whether we are black or white, northerner or southerner. The "dream" is starting to come together.

A couple of Mondays ago, Glenis Elliot from the Literacy Volunteers of America came and gave a brief overview about what the group is doing. The whole idea of speaking to groups is to get the word out that there is free help available for anyone who has trouble reading. The more the subject is talked about, the more the chance is that those needing help will hear about it and take a chance on changing their lives.

The percentage of adult population in Lincoln County who are at the level 1 literacy is 14%. People at this level usually cannot locate eligibility from a table of employee benefits.

They cannot locate two pieces of information in a sports article and they cannot calculate the total cost of a purchase on an order form. If you know someone with a reading difficulty, encourage them to do something about it. There is help available. Reading opens up the world.

Super men do not exist but Super Sunday does exist and it is upon us. Yes, the Patriots are not in it this year but it still is the Super Bowl and should be as exciting as ever. Do you remember those pre Super Bowl days when many said that the AFL was so inferior to the NFL that a game between the two would never occur? Enjoy the game!

Activities For Next Week:

(Reservations Please! Call 882-8230 at least 2 days in advance for meal reservations.)

Friday, Jan. 24 - 9:30 a.m. Crafty Knitters.

Super Sunday, Jan. 26

Monday, Jan. 27 - 11:15 a.m. Stretch 'N Limber. Lunch, Baked Ham.

Tuesday, Jan. 28 - 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bridge. High score on Tuesday 1/14 was achieved by Cynthia Thomas with a 4590.

Wednesday, Jan. 29 - 5:30 p.m. dinner, Pot Roast. 6:30pm Jill Lorna, CEI, Reverse Mortgages..

Thursday, Jan. 30 - 11:15 a.m. Stretch 'N Limber. Lunch, Pizza, followed by Bingo.