Red Feather Rising: Sunset Series to go behind the scenes with actor Derek Hinkey

Derek Hinkey

ASHEBORO -- The Friends of the Library Sunset Signature Series will kick off it’s 2025-2026 season with actor Derek Hinkey, known for his portrayal of Red Feather in the Netflix television series American Primeval, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 7, in downtown Asheboro’s historic Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Ave.

Hinkey’s appearance is entitled “Behind the Scenes with Derek Hinkey: Boxer, Firefighter, Actor: Lessons from a Life of Courage and Transformation.” It is free and the public is invited.

Joining Hinkey will be students from the Guilford County Schools American Indian Education Program performing powwow and social dancing.

Hinkey is a Paiute-Shoshone actor and former professional boxer from Nevada, and an enrolled member of the Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. In addition to his role as Red Feather, he appeared in season three of Dark Winds, AMC’s adaptation of Tony Hillerman’s Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee novels, as Shorty Bowlegs.

He also has appeared in the TV series Walker: Independence, the film Americana and in Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga.

In his professional boxing career, Hinkey fought in the Super Middleweight division, winning nine times in 12 fights. As an amateur boxer, he was Nevada Champion five years in a row and three-time regional champion.

He also worked as a firefighter for the Bureau of Land Management.

Hinkey will discuss his journey from the boxing ring to Hollywood, and how it reflects his resilience, discipline and commitment to sharing authentic Indigenous stories. His appearance will take the form of a conversation with Archdale Public Library Manager Ashley Rose.

Rose connected with Hinkey via social media when Hinkey reached out to followers for help in finding out about his ancestry. Rose took up the challenge as an opportunity to learn more about the Randolph County Public Libraries’ genealogical resources, and presented Hinkey with his family tree.

The Sunset Series is sponsored by the Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, the City of Asheboro and the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library. Its goal is to bring culturally significant speakers and performers to Asheboro.

Also featured the 2025-2026 Sunset Series:

• Temple Grandin, animal behavior researcher and autism activist, “Great Minds are Not All the Same,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026;
• Lt. Col. Walter Joseph Marm, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient, Memorial Day weekend event, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026;
• Elizabeth Hudson, Our State Editor, “Full Circle,” 7:30 p.m.  Friday, September 25, 2026.

 For more information, contact the Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, 800-626-2672.

Historian to return with more Titanic stories in Asheboro library talk

Hearses line up on a wharf at Halifax, Nova Scotia,
to carry Titanic victims to funeral parlors

All the people who traveled on the Titanic in April 1912 are now dead.

Many lived decades after the tragedy to tell their stories. Those who died that night did not have that chance.

Through multimedia and memorabilia, Titanic scholar Dr. Melinda Ratchford will tell a few more of those stories in “Titanic: The Halifax Dead Speak,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 16, at the Asheboro Public Library.

After traveling to Halifax, Nova Scotia and visiting the graves of the 336 bodies recovered, Ratchford learned that even after a tragedy of such magnitude, the stories of heroism, cowardice, common sense, faith and hope live on.

Learn about the brave sailors from the ships Mackay Bennett, Minia and Montmagny, who recovered bodies and brought them to Halifax; the newly-devised numbering system for the bodies — sadly needed again in 1917 when two ships collided at Halifax resulting in an explosion that claimed almost 1,800 lives; how to determine whether to bury someone in the Catholic, Protestant or Jewish cemetery; and other intriguing issues that survived the sinking of the Titanic.

Ratchford is an associate professor of education at Belmont Abbey College. Her avocation has been a 60-year interest in the study of the Titanic and its history. She has visited Belfast, where the ship was built; Southampton, from where it sailed; the pier in New York where it would have docked; and Halifax. She also spent a week in the North Atlantic in 1996 at the site of the sinking.

A Kannapolis native, Ratchford worked in the North Carolina public schools for 31 years.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For more information, call 3336-381-6803.

Learn about North Carolina’s first Congresswoman in Asheboro library talk

Jane Pratt

ASHEBORO – Elected by a landslide in 1946, Jane Pratt became the first woman from North Carolina to serve in the U.S. Congress.

Learn about Pratt as author Marion Deerhake talks about her book Jane Pratt: North Carolina’s First Congresswoman,  6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 2, at the  Asheboro Public Library. The talk is hosted by the Randolph Room.

After working as a journalist, Pratt served as secretary to five North Carolina congressmen, the first of which was Randolph County’s William Cicero Hammer. She was working for Rep. William Burgin in 1946, when he died in office. Pratt ran for and won his seat.

She voted to pass the Atomic Energy Act and worked to mitigate a century of flood disasters in western North Carolina. Her decision not to run for reelection, says Deerhake, offers insight into why 46 years passed before North Carolina sent another woman to Congress.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6815

Get the ‘buzz’ on light pollution in Asheboro library talk

 ASHEBORO – Have you ever explored nighttime from the perspective of a firefly, moth, migrating songbird or tree frog? 

Learn what these creatures and others need the night sky to look like so that they can conduct their nocturnal behaviors as safely and thoroughly as possible in “What’s the BUZZ About Light Pollution?” with Kathryn Reis, environmental educator with the Randolph County Soil and Water Conservation District, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Reis also will discuss simple steps you can take to ensure wild nightlife flourishes for years to come.

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

“Go Take a Hike” in Birkhead Mountains Wilderness with Asheboro library

Ciara Wilder
Massengale

ASHEBORO – Celebrate National Wilderness Month and “Go Take a Hike… with Us!” during a short and easy trek into the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness on Saturday, September 27, hosted by the Asheboro Public Library.

The hike will depart from the Tot Hill Farm Trailhead, 3901 Tot Hill Farm Road, at 10 a.m. Due to limited parking at the trailhead, please call the Asheboro library at 336-318-6803 to sign up or for more information. 

The two-mile round trip offers an easygoing walk guided by Wilder Uwharrie Trail Running founder Ciara Wilder Massengale. At the three-quarter mark, participants can rest and enjoy the natural area or continue hiking onto a short incline.

The outing is best for adults and kids 12 and older. It’s a great opportunity for beginners who are curious to learn more about hiking and ask questions.

Those with limited or no hiking experience are welcomed, but the hike features some mild endurance. Bring plenty of water and snacks as well as items case you need to relieve yourself.  Comfortable tennis shoes are recommended along with long pants; bright vivid colors for visibility also are encouraged.

Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome; please be prepared to clean up after them.

Participants will be asked to sign a liability release.

Massengale is a trail and ultra runner, a Uwharrie National Forest enthusiast, amateur nature photographer, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. She is passionate about building community around trails and encouraging folks of all ages to enjoy and protect the trails.

Learn how to see the world afresh with nature journaling workshop at Asheboro library

 ASHEBORO – Transform the way you see the world and yourself in a nature journaling workshop at the Asheboro Public Library.

Join Brittany Smith, an environmental educator with Flora and Fauna Festivities, LLC, for “Nature’s Narratives: Improving Your Life with Nature Journaling,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 9.

More than just putting pen to paper, learn to find clarity, creativity and calm simply by slowing down and observing the natural world.

The workshop is perfect for everyone from seasoned journalers to total beginners who want to cultivate a deeper relationship with nature.

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

Go birding with CLAWS Animal Rescue at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Feathered friends will return to the Asheboro Public Library for “Birding with CLAWS Animal Rescue” at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, September 18.

CLAWS, which brought animal ambassadors to the library during Summer Reading, will present an educational and fun-filled program about bird watching for children of all ages and their families. Meet some of CLAWS’ birds and learn about their habitats and behaviors in our own backyards and around Randolph County.

CLAWS, located near Chapel Hill, educates the public about wild and exotic animals, and rescues and rehabilitates those in need.

During the event, Randolph Room librarian Joanna Roberts will reintroduce the Asheboro library’s collection of carved birds by Clarence Lewallen, which are being outfitted with QR codes that connect to “All About Birds” at Cornell University’s ornithology lab, and will enable viewers to learn about each bird and listen to its call. 

Discover what birds visit you at home, and impress your friends with your new birdwatching skills!

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For more information, call 336-318-6804.