Historian Beeson to trace exploits of local Revolutionary loyalist Col. David Fanning

Ryan Beeson

ASHEBORO – On March 12, 1782, Col. David Fanning and his Loyalist militia launched a violent raid against Patriot government and militia leaders in Randolph County.

Fanning’s “small scourge,” as he termed it, or “Bloody Sabbath,” saw Lt. Col. Andrew Balfour and Capt. John Bryant killed, a host of homes burned, and the narrow escapes of other officials.

Local historian Ryan Beeson will trace the rise of the notorious Tory commander in “Revolutionary Randolph: Col. David Fanning and the War at Home,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Asheboro Public Library.

His talk is free and the public is invited.

Fanning’s raid was the culmination of intense partisan warfare that gripped Randolph County and continued after the British surrender at Yorktown.

Beeson also will discuss the lives of the Patriots who opposed Fanning, and other characters of the era in Randolph County, and will provide an overview of the political landscape in the area at the time.

A Randolph County native, Beeson grew up on a dairy farm in Sophia, where he still resides. A history enthusiast, he spends his free time researching local history from the colonial era through the American Revolution.

A descendant of many early Quaker settlers of North Carolina, he also enjoys researching genealogy and Quaker history. He is a birthright member of Marlboro Friends Meeting, where he serves on Ministry & Counsel.

After graduating Randleman High School, he earned a B.A. in Political Science and a M.S. in Accounting from East Carolina University, where he served as president of the student body.

Beeson’s talk is the second of three on the Revolutionary War era. Wake Forest University History professor Dr. Warren Ruddiman will present a talk entitled, “Is This the Land of Liberty? Slavery in the War of American Independence,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.

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

UNCG prof to consider ‘Beauty of Artificial Intelligence’ in Asheboro library talk

Dr. Chunjiang Zhu

ASHEBORO – Join UNCG Computer Science professor Dr. Chunjiang Zhu for “The Beauty of Artificial Intelligence,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at the Asheboro Public Library.

 Zhu will consider the concepts and applications of AI;  the societal impacts and ethical considerations; generative AI (which creates new content, such as text and images); and Large Language Models (which enable machines to analyze data and respond in human language).

Zhu specializes in algorithm design to solve problems in areas such as machine learning, drug development and cyber-physical systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the City University of Hong Kong.

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

Holt’s photos to kick off series of Revolutionary War talks at Asheboro library

In one of Ross Holt's photos, the 2nd Continental Light
Dragoons fire a volley during a Guilford Courthousereenactment in 1989.

ASHEBORO – Get a glimpse of what the Revolutionary War looked like as Randolph County Public Libraries Director Ross Holt presents “Rise, and Fight Again: A Photographic Journey Through the American Revolution,” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Holt’s talk will feature photographs of battle reenactments he has taken over a period of more than 35 years.

Holt developed an interest in the history of the era early in life, and in the mid-1980s began photographing reenactments at historic sites such as Guilford Courthouse and the House in the Horseshoe. Initially focusing on action shots, he became fascinated by the variety of military units represented by the reenactors, their uniforms and regalia, and the battlefield tactics of the day.

His talk, which takes place two days before the 244th anniversary of the battle of Guilford Courthouse, will be an episodic history of the war in this area told in terms — and pictures — of the brigades and regiments, legions and companies, that fought here.

The presentation is the first of three at the Asheboro library on the Revolution in March, April and May, as the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence approaches in 2026. 

Picking up where Holt leaves off is local historian Ryan Beeson, with “Revolutionary Randolph: Col. David Fanning and the War at Home,” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17. Beeson will track the exploits of the notorious Loyalist partisan leader who brought the war to Randolph County and left his mark at places like Faith Rock and the Andrew Balfour home site.

Following Beeson, Wake Forest University history professor Dr. Jake Ruddiman will present a talk entitled, “Is This the Land of Liberty: Slavery in the War of American Independence,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 (postponed from an earlier date). 

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

Shepherd Shakespeare to perform two holiday plays at Randolph libraries

ASHEBORO – It’s double the holiday fun with two Christmas tales from Shepherd Shakespeare at the Randolph County Public Libraries in December. 

Pick A Christmas Dream or choose ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas — or see both — December 9-20.

Aimed at children but fun for the whole family, the shows, supported by the Friends of the Library, are free and the public is invited.

A Christmas Dream is the troupe’s version of Louisa May Alcott’s famous short story, a “Christmas Carol”-like tale of a young boy who learns that the greatest gifts are not the ones you receive, but the ones you give.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas follows Clement Moore, author of the famous poem, as he overcomes writer’s block by acting out his ideas with the help of puppets, found objects and friends from the audience, as the magical tale comes to life.

A Christmas Dream is scheduled as follows:

• Asheboro (201 Worth Street): 6 p.m. Monday, December 16.
• Franklinville (111 Sumner Place): 3:30 p.m. Monday, December 16.
• Randleman (142 W. Academy St.): 4 p.m. Monday, December 9.
• Seagrove (530 Old Plank Road): 3:30 p.m. Friday, December 20.

’Twas the Night Before Christmas is scheduled as follows:

• Archdale (10433 S. Main St.) : 5-7 p.m. Friday, December 13 (show at 6 p.m.; join Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a storytime and photos from 5-6 p.m.).
• Liberty (239 S. Fayetteville St.): 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 18.
• Ramseur (1512 S. Main St.): 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 18.

For further information, call 336-318-6804.

True Grass to perform a ‘Country Christmas Concert’ at Asheboro library

 ASHEBORO -- The popular and long-lived local bluegrass and gospel band True Grass will present a “Country Christmas Concert” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The performance, supported by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

Over 20 years, the group has played numerous local venues including the Sunset Theatre, the NC Zoo, Randolph Community College, at churches and at corporate events for Klaussner and Energizer, among others.

Founding members Tim Moon and Gary Callicutt remain with the group.

Moon, a well-known music teacher for over 30 years, plays mandolin and sings lead vocals. Callicutt plays bass and sings tenor vocals.

Matthew Nance plays banjo and sings baritone vocals. William Britt plays guitar and sings most lead vocals. Moon’s 17-year-old son Nolan Moon plays blistering fast solos as well as beautiful waltz styles on fiddle. 

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. Call 336-318-6803 for further information.

Asheboro library to close for one day Monday, November 25, for HVAC replacement

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro Public Library will close for the day on Monday, November 25, to accommodate construction work during replacement of the building’s heating and air conditioning systems.

Other libraries in the Randolph County Public Libraries system including Archdale, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur and Randleman, will be open as usual. The Seagrove library is closed on Mondays.

The Asheboro library is expected to reopen on Tuesday, November 26, with normal hours, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

While the library is closed, contractors will lift the new heating/air conditioning units onto the roof of the building using a crane. The library is closing for safety reasons, out of an abundance of caution so that no one will be in the building, or entering or leaving, while the operation takes place.

The library generally will remain open and accessible to the public while work is going on, although there may be some disruption in services. The City of Asheboro is providing a temporary heating system during the project.

Work is expected to be complete by January 12.

Friends Bookshop to hold 50% off sale during Asheboro’s Christmas On Sunset

ASHEBORO – Looking for a great way to support your library while getting a head-start on your holiday shopping?

Take 50 percent off everything at the Friends of the Library Bookshop, 226 Sunset Avenue, during downtown Asheboro’s Christmas on Sunset event, 6-9 p.m. Friday, December 13. The sale will continue from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, December 14.

Proceeds go to support the Randolph County Public Libraries. The bookshop, staffed entirely by volunteers, is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For more information, call the bookshop during operating hours at 336-629-1536 or visit randolphfriends.org.