Posted: February 14, 2007

Athletics: "The Last Pick" is First Choice of Town-Wide Reading Program

COHASSET, Mass. - The Town of Cohasset is about to embark on a reading initiative of marathon proportions. "One Book One Cohasset" aims to foster and encourage a love of reading among all generations and to bring the Cohasset community together with a common goal. Throughout February and March the entire town will be encouraged to read the same book and to participate in activities that reflect the primary themes of "The Last Pick" (Rodale Press 06) - the book selection for this inaugural Cohasset project. The major messages of this 256 page non-fiction book are the importance of goal setting, overcoming obstacles - both mental and physical, giving back to those in need and dreaming BIG! Activities such as the annual Read-a-thon (grades K-9), free lectures and yoga demonstrations held at the library, all aimed to help people be their personal best, are examples of how the messages of One Book will resonate throughout the community. "The Last Pick embodies the transformative power of a life dedicated to fitness and achievement. The long distance runner's quest to persevere and succeed inspires us, and helps us to understand that we are all capable of great things," said Jackie Rafferty, Director, Paul Pratt Memorial Library. Sponsored by Cohasset's Paul Pratt Memorial Library, this first-time effort kicked-off at the library Open House on Sunday, February 4 and will culminate on April 1 at the annual Cohasset Road Race by the Sea, organized by the Cohasset Rotary Club. The initiative has not formally begun, yet already people have spent countless hours preparing for the project. This includes a Project Committee comprised of members of the Friends and Trustees of the library, plus representatives of Cohasset's schools, parent/student organization representatives, clergy, town officials, the Council on Elder Affairs and local businesses. Buttonwood Books, Goodwin Graphics, the Cohasset Yoga Center, The Good Sport and the Cohasset Mariner newspaper are all working to make it a success. Choosing the right book for a town-wide read can be the most challenging piece of the program, yet in Cohasset's case, it all just fell into place for several reasons. The idea of reading a newly published book was exciting and also meant that enough copies would be available - in fact, the publisher, Rodale, specifically scheduled a 2nd printing of "The Last Pick" so that Cohasset would have enough inventory. The co-authors are both local to Massachusetts, and Linda Fechter is a Cohasset resident. Dave McGillivray, co-author and the subject of the book, graciously agreed to come to Cohasset several times throughout the eight-week program to meet residents, sign books and give motivational speeches, as well as participate in the Cohasset Road Race by the Sea. In another twist of fate, the book is dedicated to former Cohasset resident and Red Sox Radio Announcer, Ken Coleman. As former Director of the Jimmy Fund, it was Coleman who believed in McGillivray and gave him the chance of a lifetime, when he agreed to support McGillivray's goal of running 3,452 mile run across the country in 1978 to raise money for cancer research and treatment. Particularly unique is the fact that 100% of Dave McGillivray's book proceeds go to a charity, the DMSE Children's Fitness Foundation (DMSESports.com), whose aim is to help stave off the epidemic of childhood obesity through fitness and educational programs. The Last Pick As a full grown young man of only 5'4" in height, Dave McGillivray, now Race Director of the BAA Boston Marathon, often found himself standing alone as kids of larger stature were chosen for team sports. While some thought he'd never "measure up," McGillivray was determined to overcome the odds with perseverance, discipline and a steadfast belief that he could attain seemingly unattainable goals with a lot of preparation and hard work. The reader may recognize a bit of themselves as McGillivray intimately recounts the mental and physical obstacles he has faced along life's road and will inspire you to complete your own life's "marathon" whatever it may be. One Book Since 1998, when the One Book project was initiated by the Washington Center for the Book, communities around the country have embraced the notion of civic unity through the reading of literature. Programs are being introduced across the USA and around the world. For more information, visit: CohassetLibrary.org. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest