Magical event closes Read Across America
Published 6:00 pm Sunday, March 16, 2025
Two donors “pie” District Judge JonFolmar and Crenshaw County Sheriff Terry Mears. Pictured are (left to right): Jordan Evans, Sheriff Terry Mears (seated), District Judge Jon Folmar (seated) and Finley Marchand.
District Judge Jon Folmar and Crenshaw County Sheriff Terry Mears wait to receive a pie in the face from donors Jordan Evans and Finley Marchand. Pictured are (left to right): Evans, Heather Coots, Sheriff Terry Mears (seated), District Judge Jon Folmar (seated) and Marchand.
Saturday’s Magic of Reading event starts off with a magic show presented by Larry Darnell.
The Children’s Policy Council and the Luverne Public Library collaborate Saturday on an event to finish Read Across America Week with a “poof.”
After the Saturday morning magic show, Larry Darnell makes balloon dogs and swords for children.
The Children’s Policy Council and the Luverne Public Library collaborated Saturday on an event to finish Read Across America Week with a “poof” and raise funding for the Crenshaw County Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
The event, The Magic of Reading, provided the children of Luverne and surrounding areas with a day filled with games, food, fun activities and magic.
“The biggest thing is that we’re all concerned about the children in this area; we all want them to do well [and] we want them to be readers,” said director of the Luverne Public Library Kathryn Tomlin. “It’s just about the kids, the futures they have, and helping them to develop into being really good citizens and working together on getting [them] something fun to do, a fun activity that’s free for the parents. Everything we do here is free. It’s a good partnership with them, we’re grateful we have that partnership now.”
The event started off with a magic show by Larry Darnell, who did magic tricks while teaching children in attendance about different types of books and the benefits of reading.
Additionally, some of the children in attendance were able to interact with the show, participating in balloon animal tricks and mind reading brain games.
“It’s really just for the kids,” District Judge and CPC chairman Jon Folmar said. “We just wanted to do it for the children, for them to have some fun and learn about what we know is the joy of reading and open their little imaginations up.
“That’s why we did the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, to get children started early with reading and just enjoy the beauty of reading, where books can lead them and where books can let their little imaginations soar.”
After the Mr. Larry Magic Show ended, children were able to take part in activities like hopscotch and bubbles outside, enjoying treats like cotton candy and popcorn.
Children enjoyed other activities too, including go-fish, face painting and balloon animals and swords made by Darnell.
Other treats were provided, including cupcakes, chips, drinks and other snacks. Additionally, McDonalds catered the event with chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers.
There was also a raffle where people who donated to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library initiative got the chance to “pie” local leaders. Two donors, Jordan Evans and Finley Marchand, were able to smash a cream-filled pie in the face of District Judge and CPC chairman Jon Folmar and Crenshaw County Sheriff Terry Mears.
“This Library is a wonderful library, it’s a great resource and it’s extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful staff, Ms. Kathryn does an excellent job.” Folmar said.
