This Christmas, I'd like to thank Joshua and Jacob deCordova, co-founders of The Gleaner in the 1830s, two visionaries who understood what it was to be 'gleaners'. They are now long gone. While doing some research on 'Gleaning', I came upon one of my favourites 'The Solitary Reaper', and became engrossed in her gleaning. The Gleaner is an excellent gleaner of information. As an avid reader, reading newspapers worldwide each day, I can state that The Gleaner is the first newspaper that I read each day. It can be of tremendous value to the entire Jamaican public.

My recommendation is that it be used as required reading on the book list of schools. Not only is it invaluable reading, but it provides an entire library of past information and present important gleanings. Please note, minister of education and teachers, that a lobby be put together to make The Gleaner required reading. Think of the wealth of information your children can reap from required daily reading. They will become excellent readers - their minds will start to enquire.

Book lists for children

I have looked at book lists for children, some of which I have donated personally and I know for sure the first page is opened and the rest closed for ever, resulting in failing grades and then graduation.

The Gleaner is a first-rate, world-class newspaper, sometimes far exceeding other first world newspapers. So, I say merry Christmas 2008, Gleaner Company, and thank you for your excellent paper, and tremendously talented reporters, photographers, writers, staff members, printers, maintenance crews, telephone operators and those unnamed, who work relentlessly each day to bring the gleanings to us.

ROSEMARIE GREENE

spntwncitizensagv@cwjamaica.com

Spanish Town Citizens Against Gun Violence,

The Smokefree Action Coalition,

The St Catherine Heritage Foundation

2 Hanover Street, Spanish Town,

The Old Capital, Jamaica