Library gardening talks to focus on irises, companion planting

ASHEBORO –Tips for growing irises in your garden and companion planting are the topics of talks at four Randolph County libraries in May.

At the Asheboro Public Library, join Heather Haley, president of the Eastern North Carolina Iris Society, for “Irises in the Garden, a Month-by-Month Calendar,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25.

Haley will explore the relationship between iris growth cycles and common cultural practices. Members of the Iris Society will conduct live demonstrations, answer questions, and share tips and tricks for planting, digging and dividing the flowers in the Piedmont.

Attendees will receive a calendar describing irises in 15 horticultural classifications, expected bloom times in North Carolina, and month-by-month recommendations to help them thrive in the garden.

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

Haley also will discuss “Bearded Irises for the Home Landscape” at the Randleman Public Library, 142 W. Academy Street, at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9. Call 336-498-3141 for further information.

Franklinville and Seagrove libraries will offer “Is This Plant Friend or Foe?” The talk will focus on companion planting, which can be used to attract pollinators, deter pests, invigorate production and keep weeds down, and will offer tips about beneficial combinations and ones to avoid.

The talks will take place at the Franklinville library, 111 Sumner Place, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 10; and at the Seagrove library, 530 Old Plank Road, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 24.

For further information, call Franklinville at 336-685-3100 or Seagrove at 336-873-7521.

 ASHEBORO – Show off your coolest superpowers at the first annual Asheboro Public Library Comic Con, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 13.

 

Hosted by Asheboro library Youth Services, the family-friendly event will feature 13 comic book authors, illustrators and other creators (as of this writing — there may be more) who will demonstrate their techniques and display their work, which will be available for purchase.

Because every hero needs a sidekick, Randolph County Animal Services and Ruff Love Rescue of Thomasville will be on hand to share information about pet adoption and feature some of their furry friends. 

There also will be a costume contest with prizes for different age groups; special visitors; giveaways; and other surprises. The event, best for ages four and up, is free and the public is invited.

Authors, artists and other creators include: 

• Will Boyer, illustrator of Gospelman Ministries, Super Milo and Hip Hop;
• Rodney Bennett, writer and artist at Vision Alive Studios, Legend of Black Starr;
• Kev Lyerly, K.L.A.W.S. of Kreation artist;
• John Czop, Marvel Comics illustrator;
• Rick Davis, Marvel and DC comics illustrator;
• Chris Rigo, Beardy Weirdy's Comics and Toys;
• Hector Miray, author of Faith and Fandom book series;
• Dan Johnson, writer and editor-in-chief at Red Line Comics Studio;
• Marshall Lakes, artist and graphic novelist, Marshall Lakes Art;
• Jo Knorpp, UNCSA filmmaking graduate with a concentration in animation;
• Jennifer McCollom, special effects makeup artist;
• John Tompkins, professional cosplayer and prop builder.

The TeenZone will feature the work of local teen artists, and a Youth Services booth will share all the scoop on this summer’s Summer Reading activities.

At 10:30 a.m., Jo Knorpp will screen her own short film, followed by a Q&A. At 11:30 a.m., Rodney Bennett will present an art creation demonstration. John Thompkins will bring his Indiana Jones mobile museum. 

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

Caleb Sigmon to bring ‘Fun Factory’ to Randleman library

RANDLEMAN – Get an early jump on Summer Reading as master illusionist and storyteller Caleb Sigmon brings “The Fun Factory Starring CJ & Fidget” to the Randleman Public Library, 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18.

It’s fun for all ages when audience members help an incredible factory come to life as gears turn, games unfold and toilet paper goes flying through the air!

The high-speed show is guaranteed to capture attention with lots of music, interactive play, and a valuable lesson that audiences will take away with them: that we are strongest when we work together. Stick around afterwards for an exclusive meet and greet with characters from the show.

Sigmon is a veteran performer who travels across the nation sharing theatre and magic. He is especially noted locally for his always-popular performances as the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch. 

The performance launches “All Together Now,” the library’s Summer Reading initiative, which keeps kids reading while school is out so that they don’t experience “summer slide” when they return in the fall.

It’s free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 142 W. Academy Street. For further information, call 336-498-3141.

Transform plastic bags with artist Cassandra Liuzzo in Asheboro library event

Cassandra Liuzzo

ASHEBORO – Create beautiful art and useful objects from plastic bags in an Asheboro Public Library Community Craft & Learn event, 4-6 p.m. Monday, April 24.

Join mixed media fiber artist and art educator Cassandra Liuzzo to transform single-use materials that would otherwise be thrown away. The project is inspired by compassionate work being carried out at local resource center Keaton’s Place, which is reusing plastic bags to make bedrolls for people experiencing homelessness.

All ages and abilities are welcome, and no registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own crochet hooks and scissors to supplement those provided.

Liuzzo is founder of Shelf Life Art & Supply Co., a new and used art supply store in Greensboro. Her work has been exhibited in galleries such as the Center for Visual Artists in Greensboro, the Catherine Smith Gallery in Boone and Brooklyn Fireproof in New York. She holds a bachelor of science in art education degree from Appalachian State University.

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

‘Declutter Your Life’ in Asheboro library workshop

ASHEBORO – Are you thinking about downsizing, but don’t know where to start?

Do you spend too much time looking for your keys? Do you miss deadlines because your schedule is out of control?

Learn how to “Declutter Your Life” in a workshop led by Jeannie Leonard, Family and Consumer Sciences agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Randolph County Center, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Asheboro Public Library. The class is free and the public is invited.

Clutter, whether it’s mental, digital or physical, can be a frustrating barrier to a fulfilling and functional home, office and personal life — and it can get in the way of peace of mind.

Leonard’s workshop will help you get control of your possessions and enjoy a newfound sense of space and freedom. The process and tools you will learn can be applied in any area, from closets to email inboxes to sentimental items.

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

Randleman library to kick off Storywalk in park with activities for kids, families

Liberty cuts the ribbon last June on its Storywalk

RANDLEMAN – Children and families in Randleman will be able to take a stroll with a book as a new Storywalk in Stout Street Park kicks off with a “Springtime in the Park Celebration” on Saturday, April 1.

Storywalks are panels containing consecutive pages of a children’s book spaced along an outdoor path. The panels also include information about early literacy and resources available at the library and in the community.

Randleman’s is one of three developed by the Randolph County Public Libraries with funds from a federal Library Services and Technology Act grant. The other two are going up at Creekside Park in Archdale and Clay Presnell Memorial Park in Seagrove

Randleman’s Storywalk celebration will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. following the Randleman Parks and Recreation Easter Egg hunt at 10 a.m. for children through age 12. The event will include a Storywalk Challenge with a prize at the end; face painting and balloon animals; a “Stones & Bones” fossil display with an opportunity to dig for fossils to take home; an egg and spoon race; and a rubber chicken toss.

 After the kickoff, books in the Storywalk —all of which are presented in bilingual format — will be changed out monthly.

A “Storywalk Festival” kickoff in Seagrove, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 15, will feature animals from around the world with Wild Tails of NC, as well as challenges and activities such as Giant Jenga, Giant Bubbles, and face painting for a chance to win a prize. The Kona Ice Truck also will be present.

Franklinville/Seagrove library
manager Charity Neave Johnson
at a Storywalk panel in Riverside Park

Archdale’s “Storywalk Kickoff,” 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 29, will feature a live animal show at 10:30 a.m. with Wild Tails NC. Kids can complete an activity quiz and qualify for a grand prize drawing for a scooter and a helmet.

The Storywalk project is a partnership among the library, the Randolph Partnership for Children, and the municipalities of Archdale, Randleman and Seagrove. The new Storywalks join two installed last year in Franklinville’s Riverside Park and Liberty’s Paul Henry Smith Park.

The project is made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Bigfoot researcher to be sighted at Archdale library

ARCHDALE – Keep an eye out for everyone’s favorite cryptid as the Mike Familant Bigfoot Experience Tour makes a stop at the Archdale Public Library, 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29.

Familant, lead investigator and producer of the television show “In the Shadow of the Big Red Eye,” will share his experiences researching and tracking down the truth behind Bigfoot.

Familant has researched the creature for over 12 years from the Florida swamps to the North Country of Maine. He will exhibit evidence he and his team have collected, and talk about some unfortunate experiences that come along with Bigfooting.

A Q&A will follow the presentation.

The event is free and the public is invited. The library is located at 10433 S. Main Street.

For further information, call 336-431-3811.