Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Drugs Did This: Hear from addiction survivors, officials in Asheboro library forum

ASHEBORO – Two Randolph County residents will share their stories of recovery from years-long struggles with substance abuse at 7 p.m. Thursday, December. 5, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The stories are included in Drugs Did This, a new book by Randolph County writer Chip Womick, a former staff writer for The Courier-Tribune. The book will be available for sale at the forum.

The problems began for Preston Cross when he returned home with PTSD after serving 10 months in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. For years, alcohol was his drug of choice; after he received an honorable discharge from the National Guard, he gravitated to harder drugs.

Preston Cross
“Before I got involved with drugs,” he says, “the idea of using a needle, of shooting up heroin, that was all taboo to me. That was something so far out of reach that I couldn’t believe that anybody could ever do something like that. I certainly thought that I would never do something like that.”

Tonya Waugh and her twin sister, Toni Smith, each battled addiction: Toni saved Tonya when she overdosed in 2013, and Tonya saved Toni from an overdose on Christmas Eve 2014. Toni went to rehab but overdosed again and died 100 days later.

Tonya found her calling during 28 days at a residential treatment program in Virginia. Now she shares her story at Narcotics Anonymous meetings and at treatment centers – and every chance she gets.

Tonya Waugh
“I said from that moment when I went to treatment, this was what I want to do. I’ve got to return this favor and help those that are like me and that are behind me. I need to put my hand down and reach for them and pick them up.”

Womick’s book has two goals. One is to raise money for the Community Hope Alliance, an Asheboro-based harm reduction nonprofit with a multi-pronged mission to provide resources and promote substance use education, awareness, prevention, and safety. The other is to raise awareness of the toll drugs are taking on individuals, their families, and on every person in Randolph County.

Other speakers will include Kelly Link, Susan Hayes, and Donovan Davis. Link co-founded the Community Hope Alliance with Ashley Hedrick, one of her three daughters, and will talk about why they started the organization and about its work.

Hayes, director of Randolph County Public Health, and Davis, director of Randolph County Emergency Services, will share facts and figures about the impact addiction and overdose have had in Randolph County.

In 2018, there were 448 suspected overdoses and 37 overdose deaths. The numbers for 2019 likely will be higher.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.

The Grinch to visit all Randolph libraries in December

Caleb Sigmon as The Grinch
ASHEBORO -- He’s mean, he’s green, and, thanks to the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library, he’s coming to all seven libraries in December to steal Christmas!

Don’t miss your chance to meet the Grinch, Max the dog, and even Cindy Lou Who as they bring Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas to life in their own special, silly way. Make sure to stick around after this fun, family program for photos and more silliness during the Grinch’s exclusive Meet-and-Greet.

Storyteller and illusionist Caleb Sigmon, who’s behind it all, promises that your heart will grow three sizes.

Performance are free and the public is invited:
• Archdale: 3:30 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 10433 S. Main St.;
• Asheboro: 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, and 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 13, 201 Worth Street;
• Franklinville: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 11, 111 Sumner Place;
• Liberty: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 11, 239 S. Fayetteville St.;
• Ramseur: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 12, 1512 S. Main St.;
• Randleman: 3:30 pm. Friday, December 13, 142 W. Academy St.;
• Seagrove: 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 530 Old Plank Road.

For more information, call 336-318-6804.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Tuneful team of Edwards, Davis return for “Country Bluegrass Christmas” at Asheboro library

Tommy Edwards and LaNelle Davis
ASHEBORO – The bluegrass/old time music team of Tommy Edwards and LaNelle Davis will present a selection of original and seasonal tunes in “A Country Bluegrass Christmas” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The pair will be joined by a Stan Brown on banjo and Gerald Hampton on mandolin for the performance, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. It’s free and the public is invited.

Edwards is lead singer and guitarist for The Bluegrass Experience, and host of Life 103.1’s “Bluegrass Saturday Night.” A professional performer for over 35 years, Edwards has twice been named World Champion Bluegrass Guitarist. He also served for 30 years in the Randolph and Chatham county schools as a teacher, coach and administrator.

Davis, from eastern North Carolina, initially was drawn to clogging, touring and performing extensively as a dancer and caller. She took up the bass when a friend moved and left one at her house, and since has performed with numerous nationally-known old-time bands and individuals.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Bigfoot researchers to discuss their quest in Asheboro library talk

ASHEBORO – Researchers of the Bigfoot phenomenon will share findings about the presence of the elusive creature in western North Carolina, and also discuss sightings in the Uwharrie Mountains, in “Bigfoot at a Glance,” 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 18, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The talk is free and the public is invited.

John Bruner, a Bigfoot researcher for over 40 years, started Bigfoot 911 in 2014 in Marion, N.C., to document the presence of the creature in McDowell County. He was instrumental in establishing the Western North Carolina Bigfoot Festival in Marion, now in its second year.

During the talk, he will show documents and other evidence from the Native American era to the present demonstrating the existence of Bigfoot.

Bruner will be joined by Lee Woods, a Randolph County native who has spent more than 11 years researching the presence of a Bigfoot in the Uwharrie Mountains.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For more information, call 336-318-6803.