guard·i·an /ˈɡärdēən/, noun: one that watches or protects someone or something; a keeper, defender or protector “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.” James Madison, 1751 – 1836 “A man’s character is his guardian divinity.” Heraclitus, 535 BCE – 475 BCE “A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude.” Rainer Maria... Read More

ac·tion /ˈakSH(ə)n/, noun: the process of doing, typically to achieve an aim; something done “I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life, therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.” Napoleon Hill, 1883 – 1970 “Love is cheering and sharing and compassion... Read More

no·el /nōˈel/, noun: 1. capitalized : Christmas from Old French noel “the Christmas season,” variant of nael, from Latin natalis “birth” 2. a Christmas carol example: The first Noel the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,... Read More

a·chieve/ əˈCHēv/, verb: to reach or attain a goal or objective “A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” Ayn Rand, 1905 – 1982 The mission of the Lee County Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP) is to utilize all resources available within a community and encourage local citizens to support a literate community. To achieve... Read More

joy /joi/, noun: a feeling of great happiness and delight “A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” John Keats, 1795 – 1821 “Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.” Pope Francis, 1936 – “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure,... Read More

Starting a dictionary project in memory of a family member, friend or colleague is a meaningful way to pay tribute to their life and carry on the impact they made in yours. After hearing about The Dictionary Project in the 2002 Wall Street Journal article, Linda Keetch and her husband Brent started a memorial project in honor of her mother and father, “a man... Read More

Force /fôrs/, noun: 1. strength or energy that has an effect on someone or something “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929 – 1968 2. an influence (i.e., push or pull) that tends to produce a change in an object’s speed or direction of motion “Weight, force and casual impulse, together with resistance, are... Read More

rev·e·la·tion /revəˈlāSH(ə)n/, noun: 1. an act of revealing or communicating divine truth “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770 – 1827 2. a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way “The revelation of thought takes men out of servitude into freedom.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803 – 1882 pictured: Students... Read More

stam·i·na /ˈstamənə/, noun: the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort; the power to endure “How you start is important, but it is how you finish that counts. In the race for success, speed is less important than stamina.” B.C. Forbes, 1880 – 1954 “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not... Read More

mar·a·thon /ˈmerəˌTHän/, noun: a long-distance (26 miles and 385 yards/42.195 km) running race “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.” Emil Zatopek, 1922 – 2000 (winner of three gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics) Fun Fact: The idea for the modern marathon was inspired by the legend of Pheidippides, an ancient... Read More