By Jim Callicott

Jiang Ya Ru and Hou Xuan, members of the Jung Jo Drum Girls at Cirque de Chine in Sevierville, are both avid readers but for now they have to read the books they brought from China as neither read English and the library doesn't offer books in Chinese. Spencer Perry knows a few things about books too as he is employed by the Seymour Library.

Before moving to Seymour two years ago with his wife of 27 years, Karen, Spencer had retired from the Army and was employed as a military contractor, usually working 16 hour days. Looking for slower pace employment, and being an excellent story teller, he was offered the position at the library. “I really love working there,” he said

In fact, it was at the Seymour Library that Spencer became acquainted with the drum girls. During the summer, the drum girls made a special appearance at the library to accent the children's reading program. “I was so impressed with their brief performance at the library that when the opportunity came to see the entire Cirque de Chine show, we readily took advantage of it. The entire show is great and the drum girls are fantastic performers.”

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