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Many thanks to Isthmus and Andy Moore for his column highlighting the victories of adults and families who attend programs at Literacy Network ("How I Learned to Read," 3/15/2013). We are proud of the courageous learners who presented their writing to a packed room at Edgewood College. Andy captured the powerful impact these stories had on all in attendance. These and many more amazing stories are captured in our new book of learner writing, Then and Now. (Please call us at 608-244-3911 for a copy.)
Literacy Network programs run in 19 locations throughout Dane County, including schools, libraries, hospitals, clinics and partner agencies. Many learners have dramatically improved their reading, writing and speaking skills in the past year, which empowers them to get better jobs, help with their children's schooling, succeed in college, and communicate with their health care providers.
Supporting an adult learner's reading and communication skills is one of the best things one can do in the world. As a tutor, you are not only changing the life of your learner; you're also changing the life of their family and their community. We always have needs for volunteer tutors to support our work. You don't need a teaching background or foreign language experience. You just need to be dedicated to making a difference in someone's life. Please call, visit our website, or email volunteer@litnetwork.org to learn more.
Jeff Burkhart, executive director, Literacy Network
Trapping facts, fiction
I was shocked to see in "Trapping in State Parks" (3/15/2013) that to obtain a trapping license one must take a 16-hour training course. I don't know if that's too much or too little or just right, but I can't help but compare it to the training required to carry a concealed gun, which is done even in our State Capitol building by some of our legislators.
One can get certified for concealed carry with five hours of training or maybe even less (someone at the Department of Justice told me that it could be two to four hours).
So to recap, if you want to trap animals you have to have 16 hours of training. To carry a concealed weapon, the purpose of which is to shoot human beings, you only need five hours of training. Sick!
Ruth E. Wagner
I had several misconceptions about the impacts of the new hunting/trapping regulations (specifically with regard to the numbers of pets potentially in danger and the type of traps utilized). The article's detailed explanations and multiple sources brought clarity to my understanding of this multifaceted issue. Author Denise Thornton performed as a journalist, not an ideologically driven advocate. Thank you.
Bill Sumner
Trapping a sport? Really? People who need to kill wildlife in order to enjoy a day in the out-of-doors are a very small percentage of the citizens of Wisconsin, but it feels like they already own our parks. They get to kill wolves, shoot doves and trap whatever, but it never seems enough for them.
Kim Hogan
Your disgustingly one-sided article promoting trapping in Wisconsin displayed mastery of Orwellian language used by trappers and sympathetic representatives from the Department of Natural Resources. Killing innocent creatures becomes the "dispatching" of a "renewable resource." To refer to the "sport of trapping" is stretching the definition of sport to the point of insanity. I do, however, agree that there is a "surplus of certain species." They're called human beings.
Joel Adams, Evanston, Ill.
