`BEN FRANKLIN' TO VISIT

Benjamin Franklin will visit students at Franklin Elementary and L.J. Schultz schools Friday.

Students will see a performance of "Benjamin Franklin's America" presented by Young Audiences of St. Louis.

In the dramatization, Franklin's life as a printer, inventor and politician is portrayed by actor Read James.

Young Audiences is a national, nonprofit organization which brings entertaining and educational performing arts programs to young people. In addition to live performances, Young Audiences of St. Louis offers classroom workshops, customized residencies and master classes.

The Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts is co-sponsoring both performances. At Franklin School, the performance is also sponsored by the Franklin PTA. The Southeast Missourian, L.J. Schultz Adopt-a-School partner, is co-sponsoring the program at that school.

The performance at L.J. Schultz is at 10 a.m. The performance at Franklin School begins at 1:30 p.m.