Lincoln Penny Story Hour
Do you know the story behind the Lincoln Penny and how it serves as an enduring symbol of freedom and diversity in our country? The proud little penny carries a deep meaning for Americans of all ages!
The Ruthmere Museum is proud to host the FREE program series, the Lincoln Penny Story Hour (LPSH), which officially launched on Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, 2024. Even though we talk about the history of money, the LPSH is not a fund-raiser, it’s a consciousness-raiser! For each LPSH Ruthmere invites a member of our community to read an age-appropriate children’s book to 6-8 year olds either from a visiting school or with their families, but every LPSH is educational for ALL-AGES. This is a story hour with a specific purpose. These stories are reflections of each reader’s distinct background, and communicate the values of diversity, inclusion, unity and liberty. After the story reading, there is a customized activity to that story, and every child receives a Lincoln Penny souvenir in a keepsake jacket as a reminder of why this experience is important. To become an LPSH Sponsor, contact Bill Firstenberger at 574-264-0330 ext. 105 or at bfirstenberger@ruthmere.org |
The Lincoln Penny Story Hour Series is Sponsored by:
UPCOMING LPSH EVENTS:
April 26, at 1 pm Location: Ruthmere Game Room Reader: Holly Byers
Holly Byers is 35 years old and lives in Elkhart with her partner of 6 years and their two dogs, Jaxon and MJ. She grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and relocated to the US when she was 17 for her college education. Her entire family still resides in Canada. She completed her undergraduate degree in Billings, Montana at Rocky Mountain College where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Equine Science Therapeutic Riding. She is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship as well as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and a Certified Veterans Instructor through the same association. She moved to Indiana in 2011 after traveling and living in multiple US states to work for Reins of Life Therapeutic Riding Center, where she served as their Lead Instructor for 12 years teaching individuals 2 and older with a variety of different diagnoses. She completed her Masters in Special Education with Emphasis in Autism at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Currently she is working on her clinical hours towards becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with All About ABA Inc. Fun fact: Even though she grew up on a farm with all sorts of animals, she is terrified of chickens and cows. Book: A Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca Audience : Open to the Public - Register Here June 7, at 1 pm Location: Ruthmere Game Room Reader: Katie Campbell
Book: Neither by Airlie Anderson Audience : Open to the Public - Register Here | June 21st, at 1 pm Location: Ruthmere Game Room Reader: Breanna Allen
Breanna Allen was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana by a single mother, who was strong and determined to build a quality life for her two daughters. Breanna earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminology & Criminal Justice and African & African American studies from Indiana State University, in Terre Haute. Allen continued on to earn a Master of Science degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Indiana State University. In 2022, Allen earned an Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from Northcentral University. Breanna’s professional career brought her up to Michiana to work as a Student Affairs Specialist at Harrison College. Gaining experience supporting at-risk college students, fostering an environment to increase student engagement, and assisting with Career Development prepared Allen to transition to Ivy Tech Community College Elkhart County Campus, as the Director of Career Development for three years. Prior to entering her new role at Tolson Center for Community Excellence, Allen worked for a non-profit organization, Horizon Education Alliance also known as HEA, located in Goshen, IN. As the Executive Director of the Tolson Center, Allen’s role is to lead the organization alongside the Board of Directors to carry out the mission to empower lives through inclusive learning, recreation, and cultural exchange. Breanna is also the secretary of the Inclusive Procurement Board with the City of South Bend, board member of Elkhart Rotary Club, board member of CDFI Friendly South Bend, member of board of trustees for Ivy Tech Community College South Bend-Elkhart Campus, a graduate of the MDLI Leadership Academy, through 100 Black men of South Bend and the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy in 2014, and a 40 under 40 recipient. Servant leadership drives every move Allen makes, knowing that giving to the community only makes it stronger. She has a personal investment in serving minority and women entrepreneurs and the youth, as they are our future. Book: The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez Audience : Open to the Public -Register Here October Location: Ruthmere Game Room Reader: Deborah Domine
Deborah Domine has been a journalist and a judge. She started her career in radio news in Goshen and moved on to anchor the evening television news in South Bend for more than a decade before going to law school. She worked as a federal law clerk, a lawyer and a magistrate in the Elkhart County Juvenile Court; she held the later position for more than 21 years. She knows a lot about the First Amendment having lived it through her life’s work. Deborah is married and shares three children and two grandchildren (a third is on the way) with her husband, Bruce Cashbaugh. They live in Goshen. She looks forward to discussing the First Amendment and the value and protection it brings to us all. Book: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka Audience : TBD |
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Past LPSH Readers and Books
February 12, 2024 Reader: Regina Roberson
Regina Roberson, a Senior Coordinator of CELL's (The University of Indianapolis's) Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN), provides coaching and support to urban high schools throughout Indiana as they develop and implement Early College programs. Regina has spent the last twenty-six years as an educator, with time spent as an Early College Career Counselor, high school counselor, middle school counselor, and school social worker. Before becoming an educator, Regina was a probation officer for Elkhart County. She received her BA in Criminal Justice from Indiana University in Bloomington and her MSEd in Counseling from Indiana University in South Bend. Regina passionately believes all students can become college and career-ready if provided opportunity and resources. Regina has four children and three grandchildren. She enjoys watching most sports, attending church, reading, and hanging out with family and friends. You may also see Regina around town in Elkhart with her husband Rod, the Mayor of Elkhart. Book: I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo Audience: Closed Session with Beardsley Elementary, ECS. September 18, 2024 Reader: Liliana Quintero  Liliana Quintero has served as the Executive Director of the Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition (NIHHC) since 2005. She is responsible for the supervision, management, and operation of the Elkhart and Warsaw offices. She holds a BS in electrical engineering, an MSc in industrial engineering, and an MBA from Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB). A native of Bogotá, Colombia, she came to the United States to complete her MBA and chose to stay and work to empower community members to take charge of their health. Through her leadership directing NIHHC’s educational programs and health services, thousands of community members in northern Indiana have been given a “second chance” at improved health. She actively remains at the forefront of health care initiatives that respond to the unique needs of the community and regularly serves on committees addressing preventative healthcare in the region. She is a tireless advocate for the health and well-being of the Hispanic community in Northern Indiana. Ms. Quintero’s work has been recognized through several awards, including IUSB’s Unsung Latina Heroine Award for Northern Indiana, the American Heart Association’s Heart Hero honor, and the YWCA’s Woman of Service Award. She has served on Goshen Hospital’s board of directors since 2017 and on the Goshen Health Community Benefit Fund’s committee since 2018. In 2019, Ms. Quintero received a Key to the City of Elkhart from Mayor Timothy Neese for her undying commitment and public service to and for the children of Elkhart, with special recognition of the Healthy Hearts program, for which Ms. Quintero wrote and published the curriculum. Ms. Quintero also received the Thomas Atkins Recognition for Minority Business Leader Award in 2019 from Junior Achievement of Elkhart County and was inducted into their Business Legacy Hall of Fame. Only ten Elkhart County community members receive such awards for induction into the Business Legacy Hall of Fame each year, in honor of their leadership, outstanding professional achievement, and dedication to important civic causes. Book: A Thousand White Butterflies by Jessica Betancourt-Perez and Karen Lynn Williams Audience: Closed Session - Roosevelt Elementary, ECS This LPSH was supported by Event Sponsor Centier Bank. October 16, 2024 Reader:
Catherine Holdeman
Book: When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling Audience: Close Session This LPSH was supported by Event Sponsor Centier Bank.
February 4, 2025 Reader: Susan Miller  Susan grew up in an Amish family in the Shipshewana area, most of her family is still Amish. In 1987 she left that church and joined a Mennonite church. It was soon after that when she volunteered for a mission project in Germany which kept her in that country for over 16 years. During that time she helped with a lot of the children's work at the church. She is now retired and lives with her husband Ray Miller in Middlebury. Susan served as the Managing Director at Menno-Hof in Shipshewana from 2010 through 2021.
Book: An Amish Alphabet by Ingrid Hess Audience: Closed Session - Mary Beck Elementary, ECS This LPSH was supported by Event Sponsor Centier Bank | Juneteenth, 2024 Reader: Jake Webster
Jake Webster, sculptor, mixed media artist, and spoken word performer. My work speaks about my community and the environment in which I live. I use the tradition of direct carving in wood and stone and apply a contemporary attitude by creating art with whatever is at hand to tell a story. On August 10, 2015, I was featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary 'Dreaming in Public'. It was aired on PBS. The documentary was produced by Grass Roots Media. The film is about making a living as artists in the Midwest. I always begin my sculpting process by writing poetry. Poetry is the fastest way for me to get an idea from my head to paper. Now that I got the idea down on paper, the sculpting begins. As a child growing up in Mississippi before I learned to draw and paint, I would sit up and cry because so much was happening around me and nobody was recording it, so I would write it down knowing that one day I was going to learn how to MAKE ART. When you come to view my sculptures and to listen to my poetry there are two things you must know, 'Art is never anything you want it to be' always ask questions and 'beauty is never in the eye of the beholder' always ask questions. Book: Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan Audience: Public Session This LPSH was supported by Indiana Humanities with a One State / One Story grant and Event Sponsor Centier Bank.
October 10, 2024 Reader: Dreama Jensen
Book: A Bike Like Sergio's by Maribeth Boelts Audience: Closed Session - Concord South Side Elementary This LPSH was supported by Event Sponsor Centier Bank. February 12, 2025 Irwin Larrier  Irwin Larrier is a dedicated leader with a dual role as the Executive Director at the Center for Community Justice in Elkhart, Indiana, and as an Associate Pastor at The Grace Place in South Bend. With a fervent commitment to advocating for youth and championing second chances, Irwin is a driving force for positive change in his community. In his role as Executive Director at the Center for Community Justice, Irwin works tirelessly to promote restorative justice practices and community healing. He is deeply passionate about providing support and resources for individuals entangled in the criminal justice system, believing strongly in the potential for redemption and reconciliation. Simultaneously, as an Associate Pastor at The Grace Place, Irwin brings his compassionate spirit and empathetic storytelling to guide congregants through life's challenges. His messages of hope, resilience, and forgiveness resonate deeply with his audience, inspiring them to embrace second chances and pursue personal growth. Irwin's advocacy extends beyond his professional roles, as he is widely recognized as an inspirational speaker and empathetic storyteller. His compelling talks on youth advocacy, restorative justice, and the transformative power of redemption leave a lasting impact, motivating others to join him in fostering a more just and compassionate society. Irwin Larrier's unwavering dedication to advocating for youth, second chances, and community healing makes him a respected leader and role model in Elkhart, Indiana, and beyond. Through his leadership, advocacy, and storytelling, Irwin continues to positively influence the lives of individuals and communities, embodying the values of compassion, forgiveness, and empowerment. Book: Wally & Freya by Lindsey Pointer and Stella Mongodi Audience: Public Session This LPSH was supported by Event Sponsor Centier Bank. March 29, 2025 Reader: Nekeisha Alayna Alexis
Book: Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed Audience: Open to the Public This LPSH was supported by Event Sponsor Centier Bank |
Catherine Holdeman was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to the United States at the age of 19. She has been married for 21 years, has two children and lives in Goshen, Indiana. She has a passion for humor and loves to spread that laughter with everyone around her, particularly her children. Family is very important to her and she spends every moment she can with them. Catherine is also an active member of her church and helps in any way she can with different programs. Catherine also likes to travel and has been to 5 countries and 44 states.
Nekeisha Alayna Alexis is a Trinidad-native turned New Yorker who now calls Elkhart, Indiana, home. She lives by the motto "liberation for every body," and dedicates each area of her life to this pursuit, including in her creative endeavors. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from New York University and her Masters of Arts Degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, where she’s worked for the past 18 years. In her spare time, she enjoys making music and performing West African dance, and her favorite color is bright grass green.