Chasity Johnson of Brownsville dons her H.T. Bee costume before entertaining children at L.C. Curry Elementary School on Friday. HomeTown Buffet. H.T. Bee is the mascot for HomeTown Buffet. Chasity began working at HomeTown Buffet last summer, right before her senior year at Edmonson County High School. She was a cashier, waitress and line server, and she still does all of those jobs from time to time.

She pulled on her ice vest. She pulled on the padding. Her wings flapped behind her and her big shoes flopped. With a fan in her costumes head and her green jacket on, Chasity Johnson became H.T. Bee, the honey of a mascot for HomeTown Buffet in Greenwood Mall. The bee dont sting, the 17-year-old Brownsville resident said. Chasity walked down the hall at L.C. Curry Elementary School and neared the cafeteria, where children from Bowling Green elementary schools had gathered with parents and teachers to learn about the upcoming school year. Charles Butts, a custodian, stared at the bee. I dont even think I have a can of bug spray big enough to kill this bug coming down the hallway, he said. Chasity gave the children hugs and high fives. Desareigh Burton, 4, became a fast friend. Leigh Ballard, 3, was a bit more shy. He looks like a baby bee, she told her mom, Annette Ballard, a teacher at Potter-Gray Elementary School. Terry Terwilleger, who as HomeTown Buffet community representative, is in charge of scheduling appearances for the bee, was proud of Chasity. He said of all the buffet employees who don the bee suit at schools, hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, playgrounds, the mall and special events, Chasity is the best. See, whats so great about this is I just get her started, he said as Chasity greeted children at the door, often opening up her arms and letting them decide whether they wanted to hug her. Chasitys normally more shy. Its like youre different when youre in the bee, she said. You cant be a stick in the mud. Chasity began working at HomeTown Buffet last summer, right before her senior year at Edmonson County High School. She was a cashier, waitress and line server, and she still does all of those jobs from time to time. Terwilleger noticed she was good with children and asked her to wear the bee suit. At first, Chasity was apprehensive, but having fun in the bee outfit came naturally. My parents are kids basically, but theyre parents when they need to be, she said of Donna and Tony Johnson. My mom loves kids. My dad loves kids. Donna Johnson is a pharmacy technician at Mediplex in Bowling Green. Tony Johnson owns Johnson Construction. Before Chasity began working at HomeTown Buffet, she was a babysitter. She has always adored children. Theyre so innocent, she said. But Chasity gave her babysitting job up to her 16-year-old sister, Candice. Now, Chasity is busy most of the time with HomeTown Buffet and caring for her grandmother, Crystal Vincent. Shes got cancer, she said. She was diagnosed with it maybe six or seven months ago. Its one of those growing cancers. It started in the throat with a lump, went to the lungs and back up to the vocal chords. Me, my mom and my sister and two uncles take turns staying with her. Chasity said she is sad about her grandmas illness. She loves to talk, she said. So does Chasity. I like talking to old people to see what they know. Theyve been through so much, she said. My grandpa on my dads side was in World War II.Chasity learns a lot about the past by reading. I like old books classics, she said. Tom Sawyer, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I just fell in love with them as soon as I read them. Exotic locations dont hurt a books chances with Chasity. Shes been to New York City and to St. Louis on school trips. Now she longs to go to Paris. The Eiffel Tower is a wonder and Ive always wanted to see it, she said. When I was in elementary school, I was watching a TV show on it and thought, Oh, I want to go there. Chasitys parents have told her they may send her to Paris as a gift after she graduates from Western Kentucky University, which shell begin attending this fall. Chasity wants to be a dental hygienist she says she has a fascination with teeth. I never had a cavity or anything like that, she said. But Chasity has lots of friends, including Shannon Woosley and Courtney Embry, who sometimes come over to her house to swim when theyre not working. Sometimes, the girls go shopping at the mall or see a movie. Chasity also likes watching movies with her boyfriend, George Eubanks. Chasity and George have been dating for a few months now and they often go hiking at Mammoth Cave National Park. We can pack up and go to a trail for the day and walk it, she said. Its peaceful and quiet and you dont have anybody bothering you. Its really, really pretty.