FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Duo entertains, teaches kids

Children gather to sing and learn about preserving the environment

Children met Pamlico Joe and Cleanwater Flow on June 23 at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center as part of Newport News Public Library System’s free Summer Reading Program.

Jim Swinson and his wife perform as Pamlico Joe and Cleanwater Flow as part of the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program on June 23 at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center.

About 50 children had the chance to sing along with the tunes of Pamlico Joe and Cleanwater Flow, a North-Carolina-based duo that brought their positive message coupling science with fun to Newport News.

The children met the performers on June 23 at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center as part of Newport News Public Library System’s free Summer Reading Program, which offers adults, teens and children the opportunity to read books, win prizes and participate in special free programs.

It was “very informing, telling us to read, telling us about clams,” said Shakyra Taylor, one of the students who came to the performance from Pearl Bailey Library, C. Waldo Scott Center, YMCA , and other locations in the Southeast Community of Newport News.

The duo – Jim and Vickie Swinson when not on stage -- used hand puppets and their original songs to teach the audience about preserving natural habitats and keeping water clean for creatures such as crabs and clams. They also encouraged the children to turn off their televisions and pick up a book from their local Library.

For more information about Pamlico Joe and Cleanwater Flow, visit www.pamlicojoe.com

The Summer Reading Program, an annual event, runs through July 31, and participants can sign up anytime. The Summer Reading Program is made possible by the Friends of the Newport News Public Library. For more information, visit http://www.nngov.com/library/resources/srp.

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