Catch the ‘reading bug’ this summer

By NANCY MARLOWE
Correspondent

JOHNSONVILLE - School may be out, but Johnsonville Elementary School is far from empty and quiet every Tuesday.  The Florence County Library Summer Reading Program started on June 10 with storyteller, Scooter Hayes. 
This past week, June 17, Ron Johnson entertained the crowd.  Johnson has his own variety show.  He has traveled all over the United States. He served his country in the military for ten years, and fourteen years ago, he took his twenty-five year hobby as ventriloquist, singer, magician, and comedian on the road.
“I thank the Lord for all that He’s done for me and brought me through,“ Johnson said.  “I felt like this was my calling as an entertainer.“ Ron Johnson started Tuesday’s show with Stevie Wonder’s ‘For Once In My Life.‘ Then he chose two volunteers from the audience to dance, bringing laughter from the children of all ages who were present. 
As he astounded the children with magic tricks, they learned the magic words ‘I Love To Read’ and this year’s theme for the reading program ‘Catch The Reading Bug’. The children were introduced to a bear puppet named Eddie and a boy and a girl puppet as well. 
When Johnson called for volunteers, many of the children were eager to be chosen, and when he sang, some of the youngest ones decided to dance. At the end of the program, twelve prizes were given out. 
This week’s winner of the weekly summer reading bag of goodies was Trinity Calcutt.  The library also asked for help in the naming of their library fox. “We really enjoyed the show,“ many said as they left.  “We can hardly wait for next week.“ Ron Johnson had a word of advice for them, “Listen to responsible adults and please stay in school.“