By Barb Zanetti
Photos by Dennis Zanetti

Dr. Seuss would have loved looking over children’s shoulders as they worked to create “The Cat in the Hat” masks from paper plates, color crayons and glue. Or watching their One Fish, Two Fish red-bucket game where children fished for prizes at The Landmark on Tower, a unique Alamo restaurant that features a large courtyard bordered by several food trucks.

And the acclaimed author would have been thrilled to see Alamo Palms RV Resort residents there handing his and other authors’ books to children to celebrate his legacy – his love of making reading fun.

The Landmark’s owner Roy Landa invited 15 Alamo Palms RV Park’s residents to help him with his book giveaway and to supervise the children’s crafts and game areas that Oma Davis, his event organizer, had planned.

“It was great seeing how happy kids were as they chose their books, got their faces painted, played games and made cute crafts,” Roy said. “I think that the parents were surprised that we had books for the adults, too.”

Encouraging reading for ALL ages is important, according to Roy.

“Parents sometimes get caught up with work, raising families, and so many other obligations,” he said. “We gave books to them with the hope that they will take some time for themselves and get lost in their imaginations, … much as we did as kids.”

Several of the Winter Texan volunteers were educators, who took extra time when offering children their free books.

Diane Mork was observed asking a third grader if she might like the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl.

The retired teacher opened the book, pointed to some of the big words and asked the young girl if she thought the words were too long or if she wanted a more difficult book or one with more pictures. And then the educator talked to her a little bit about the story, explaining that this was one of her favorite authors.

The young girl said it would be “perfect” for her and walked away holding the book close to her.

Oma, the event’s organizer, said that working with these Winter Texan volunteers was “truly a pleasure.”

“I think I could have left, and they would have kept the show running perfectly,” she said. “But most of all, I loved seeing their energy… not just physical but their personalities! They were so generous and kind.”

Winter Texans said that being involved in this type of event gives them an opportunity to give back to the Alamo community, which is their home for several months each year.

Some Alamo Palms’ volunteers even found unusual humor in their three-hour experience.

“Oh my gosh!” Charyl Dubord said. “When a little girl glued her socks to her pants… It was the highlight of the day!”

“The youngster was really getting into her craft project,” the Winter Texan said. “And she was using Elmer’s glue. She had the white paste on her finger and before you knew it, she had leaned over and smeared it on the top of her socks! Then she patted her pant leg to see if it would stick. It did! Then she went back to work as if nothing unusual happened. It was hilarious!”

Dr. Seuss would have loved that the event was dedicated to a fun afternoon and to reading, which was all made possible by The Landmark’s owner, organizer, volunteers, invited parents and children, as well as several book donors.

The famous children’s author had the perfect response to this recent March event. Years ago, he wrote: “Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”
Roy hopes his vision … the gift of free books … not only honors Dr. Seuss, but that the books themselves transport Alamo community members to many wonderful tomorrows.