​Two local women take over Books in the Bruce program

The popular Books in the Bruce program will continue, with Karen Ruetz of Point Clark and Megan Cook of Amberley taking over as co-ordinators.

Colleen Shute who founded the program in 2017, is stepping down in order to concentrate on other things in her life.

“It’s time for me to step back and allow for new faces and new ideas,” she says. “I’m busy with the Kincardine Skating Club, Kincardine Kippers, the archery program at the Davidson Centre, and I’m an emergency Education Assistant at Ecole Elgin Market Public School.”

Shute remembers starting Books in the Bruce six years ago, when her daughter was in Kindergarten.

Held in the basement of the Pine River United Church, it was an opportunity for parents and children (up to the age of five) to gather once per month for snacks, songs, and to read a book or two. At the end of the hour-and-a-half program, each child took home a copy of the book that was read at the event.

During the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shute set up Literacy Walks, with pages of the book set up along a trail, and the children and their parents or grandparents or caregivers would read the book as they walked along the trail.

“In the past six years (including the COVID-19 break), I have had the opportunity to meet more than 1,700 children with their families, and given out more than 1,500 brand new books,” says Shute. “I have mixed feelings of sadness and excitement at leaving. Sad to say goodbye to a program I have put my whole heart into, and excitement to hand it over to two ladies who I have no doubt will make this program even better.”

She thanks everyone who has been part of the program and all the volunteer helpers, including Jill Ricica and Lisa Farrell.

Ruetz has three children, aged six, four and 16 months. She has been involved with Books in the Bruce since it began and says it is a fantastic program.

“I began helping Colleen (Shute) after the pandemic, when we returned indoors at the church in the fall of 2022,” she says. “I have taken my kids to Books in the Bruce throughout the years and have seen the benefits that this program has brought to the surrounding area. This is an exciting opportunity for me to share my passion of reading with young families and give back to the community.”

Cook has two children, aged three and one-and-a-half. She began helping with the program during the pandemic when the Literacy Walks were held in 2021.

“I have been taking my son to Books in the Bruce for the past two years,” she says. “I was never a very big ‘reader’ but truly enjoy reading to my kids. It’s incorporated into our daily routine and I love watching their excitement when we attend Books in the Bruce to read and add a new book to our library! Thank you, Colleen, for letting us continue this amazing program you have established.”

Ruetz and Cook say they want to maintain what Shute already has in place. However, after doing some research on other children’s programs in the area, they have decided to move the event to Mondays instead of Thursdays, and will continue to hold it once per month.

Their first Books in the Bruce session will be Monday, Oct. 23, from 10-11:30 a.m., at Pine River United Church. This will have a Halloween theme, and the children are urged to dress up in their Halloween costume. Registration began Monday, Oct. 16 and they will accept the first 25 families that register. Once they have reached capacity, they will add your name to a wait-list.

They will post on Facebook and on their new Instagram account, @booksinthebruce, for all updates on registration, location, times and fun events they have planned. They can also be reached at booksinthebruce@gmail.com.

The new co-ordinators say they plan to run the indoor events throughout the winter, and the Literacy Walks in the spring and fall. They are also considering bringing the program to families in Lucknow, Ripley and Point Clark and other parts of the area.

They will continue to seek sponsorship to cover the cost of the program which is about $400-$500 per month. This includes the light breakfast and the books to hand out to the children.

Shute says she plans to join Ruetz and Cook for the first couple of Books in the Bruce events, and perhaps pop in once in awhile after that.



Colleen Shute (centre) has handed over the Books in the Bruce program to new co-ordinators Megan Cook (left) and Karen Ruetz with her son, Sebastian