Chester Pismo Snavely
Memorial Award for a Nifty Idea
 Friends of Scenic Lodi Valley
The 2009 Chester Pismo Snavely Memorial Award for a Nifty Activity is presented to Friends of Scenic Lodi Valley, which for nine years has used the writings of Aldo Leopold as a way of supporting the Lodi Women’s Club Public Library.
While many communities have taken an active role in “one book” programs, Lodi’s version of this idea spawned a national phenomenon!
On March 4, 2000, people congregated at noon at the Lodi Public Library to read and hear from Aldo Leopold’s “A Sand County Almanac.” The event was dubbed “Lodi Reads Leopold,” and 35 readers each took on a piece of Leopold’s prose. They read the book aloud, cover to cover, and the event was so much fun they decided to make it an annual event.
Over the years, the event has grown, shifted, and adapted: participants have hiked, built benches, watched movies, listened to distinguished speakers, and been part of panel discussions. Students participate, often through reader’s theatre. But always Lodi reads Leopold.
These days the readings are selections from “A Sand County Almanac”—no more cover to cover—and occasionally a bit of Leopold’s other writings get snuck in for variety. This year the Friends of Scenic Lodi Valley celebrated the event’s 10th anniversary and honored the passing of committee member and librarian Peg Hilliker.
But the event’s reach is much larger than just the Lodi valley. During the 2003 event, reader George Meyer (former secretary of the state DNR) wondered aloud why every Wisconsin community wasn’t reading Leopold that weekend. Senator Mark Miller shouted from the audience, “I’ll introduce that legislation.” One year later, Governor Doyle signed legislation designating the first weekend in March “Aldo Leopold Weekend” across Wisconsin. Currently, more than a dozen Wisconsin communities and several events in other states have been inspired by Lodi Reads Leopold.
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