PRESS RELEASE

Sept. 1, 2025

Literacy fundraiser Sept. 21 to also recognize bus drivers

while marking 10-year Henry Loves Hills book milestone

Community members and their families are invited to attend a special literacy fundraiser program Sunday, Sept. 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Act 4 Books, 4 So. Main St., Perry.  

The special event marks the 10-year anniversary of the publishing of Henry Loves Hills, the official book of Perry. The event also includes special recognition for all PCS-LCS bus drivers past and present.

During the short program, Joanne Thomson of Perry, a school bus driver here for 52 years, will be recognized by Perry Rotary with the first “Henry Award for Service Excellence.”  In addition to her years of service, Mrs. Thomson holds the distinction of also being a bus driver during the Blizzard of ’77, upon which the premise of the Henry Loves Hills book is based.

The highlight of the program will be a “celebrity read-a-long” of Perry’s book by guest readers including Perry Mayor Rick Hauser, PCS Supt. Daryl McLaughlin, Literacy group members, and other community leaders and volunteers.  Children will especially enjoy this segment.

The program will also include remarks on the “origin story” of the Henry Loves Hills book project from those directly involved in bringing it to life, including RAP leaders and Patrick Brennan & Dan Butler.

The event is free but those attending are encouraged to support local literacy efforts of Read Around Perry (RAP) and Project Read (which serves all of Wyoming County) by purchasing their own personally-addressed copy of Henry Loves Hills, signed by the author Patrick Brennan and illustrator Dan Butler (both will be present), at a special price of $25. All proceeds will benefit the two nonprofits.

The event will close with the premiere sing-a-long of “Henry’s Theme – Get ‘Em to School” from the new HLH Musical. Attendees are also invited to share their own memories of bus rides and favorite school bus drivers.

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