On Saturday, Dr. Francois Clemmons, the renowned singer and actor who portrayed Officer Clemmons on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, paid a visit to Inklings Children’s Books in Waitsfield on June 21.
Dr. Clemmons was at Inklings to read a book about the power of music as part of a Make Music Day celebration at the bookstore. Shortly after he began, however, power went out in the area, making the planned story time a challenge.
The loss of electricity didn’t faze Dr. Clemmons. What was meant to be a read-aloud quickly turned into a once-in-a-lifetime sing-along with the man who is part of children’s television history.
For more than 40 minutes, the Grammy-winning singer spoke to families about how his grandfather helped form his love of music, his journey as a singer and his time on television. Between stories, Clemmons led young and old in sing-alongs of favorites from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and spirituals he has sung throughout his long career.
A member of the audience reminded everyone that the summer solstice was approaching and asked Dr. Clemmons if he would sing “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess — the album recording for which Clemmons received his Grammy in 1976. Clemmons did not disappoint, and when he finished, he was met with prolonged applause.
When questioned about his time with Fred Rogers and the lessons Rogers imparted, the one that resonated most was simple:
“Be kind, be kind, be kind,” he said.
