Kids: ‘Beat the Clock’ in a series of challenges at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Kids can go all out to “Beat the Clock” in a series of 60-second challenges to make or do something with common household items, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 12 at the Asheboro Public Library.

Modeled after the television game show with the same name, the event is free and all school-age children are invited.

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

Teen singer/songwriter Gracie Kirkland to perform at Asheboro library

Gracie Kirkland

ASHEBORO – Meet teen singer/songwriter and guitarist Gracie Kirkland at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 14, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Kirkland will perform her own indie/pop influenced tunes and some popular songs, and hold a Q&A with audience members.

Her performance is free; it’s hosted by the library’s TeenZone and sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Kirkland, a freshman at Southwestern Randolph High School has been singing and playing acoustic guitar for five years. She recently recorded her first EP, which includes original songs and covers.

She has played at various local events and in talent competitions in the area, and is active in Southwestern’s chorus program and a cappella group. She also has had roles in a number of school and local theater productions, including RSVP Community Theatre’s Sound of Music.

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

Asheboro library classes to highlight two online genealogy resources

ASHEBORO – Two free sessions in January will highlight Heritage Quest and Ancestry Library Edition, two online genealogical resources offered by the Randolph County Public Library.

“Genealogy with Heritage Quest” will take place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, at the Asheboro Public Library. Learn how to access census information, pension records and other key family history resources.

“Genealogy with Ancestry Library Edition” will be offered from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, also at the Asheboro library. Learn how to get started on your family tree with census records, birth and death records, immigration records and more.

Both classes are free and the public is invited. Space is limited, so call 318-6803 to sign up for one or both, or for further information.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Get Jedi training, more at Asheboro library during week after Christmas

Become a Jedi, play board games and put on a chef’s hat during Winter Break for school-age kids at the Asheboro Public Library.

Travel to a galaxy far, far away for a “Star Wars Party” at 2 p.m. Monday, December 28. Join in some Jedi training, Star Wars crafts and fun Star Wars games.

Play tabletop board and card games with family and friends in “Gaming with the Family” at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 29.

“Kid Chef” is the latest installment of the library’s Maker Series, at 2 p .m. Wednesday, December 30. Children ages 7 and up can use their creativity to make new and interesting recipes ingredients provided by the library.

The activities, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, are free and the public is invited. All necessary supplies will be provided by the library.

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

Aerialist to perform in Liberty Town Hall

Amanda Durnell of Down to Earth Aerials

LIBERTY – A daring display of trapeze artistry will take place in the vaulted meeting room of Liberty Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 15.

Aerialist Amanda Durnell of Down to Earth Aerials will present two choreographed, “static trapeze” performances to holiday music during the free family event, sponsored by the Liberty Public Library. Durnell will use special aerial fabrics and an 18-foot high freestanding tripod to present a variety of acrobatic, dance-like movements.

A meet-and-greet will follow the performances, during which Durnell will explain the fabrics and their origins, and take questions from the audience. Attendees also can have their pictures taken with her.

The performance is free, but please bring a canned food item for a charity drive sponsored by the Liberty Association of Churches.

Town hall and the library are located at 239 S. Fayetteville Street. Call the library at 336-622-4605 for further information.

Bluegrass and barbershop make for a tuneful Yule at the Asheboro library

Tommy Edwards and LaNelle Davis

ASHEBORO -- Holiday tunes along with bluegrass and barbershop standards will fill the air at the Asheboro Public Library during December.

First up, two renowned bluegrass artists will present a program of holiday music at 7  p.m. Thursday, December 10. LaNelle Davis, formerly of the band Big Medicine, joins The Bluegrass Experience’s frontman Tommy Edwards to entertain with a selection of seasonal classics.

Then, Asheboro’s own “barbershop quartet plus one,” The Adequates, will bring their harmonious song stylings to the library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 15.

Both concerts are sponsored by the Friends of the Library. They are free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Asheboro library invites kids for ‘Hour of Code’ activities

ASHEBORO -- Play around with MIT’s Scratch computer language during an “Hour of Code” event at 4 p.m. Thursday, December 10, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Children age 7 and up are invited to experiment with Scratch, a computer program that helps kids understand the basics of programming in a drag-and-drop format. Participants will be able to show off their uniquely-coded creations at the end of the session.

Hour of Code is a global initiative to reach students all over the world with one-hour introductions to computer science, designed show that anyone can learn the basics of computer coding. December 7-13 is Hour of Code Week; learn more at https://hourofcode.com/us.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Asheboro, Randleman libraries get visits from Santa Claus

The Jolly Old Elf himself will greet children at the Asheboro and Randleman libraries before Christmas.

At the Asheboro library, St. Nick will drop in for “Breakfast with Santa” at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 5. Children and families are invited to share some stories and enjoy a light breakfast, and have their pictures snapped with Santa.

No registration is required; call the Children’s Room at 318-6804 for more information. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

At the Randleman library, it’s “Here Comes Santa Claus!” at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 16. Enjoy milk and cookies, dress in your holiday best, and bring your cameras for a photo with Santa.

Call the Randleman library at 498-3141 for further information.

Both events are free. The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street; the Randleman library is located at 142 W. Academy Street.

Create with wire in library Maker Series

ASHEBORO – Make sculptures, decorations, jewelry and items from your imagination as the

Asheboro Public Library’s Maker Series for kids ages 7-12 continues at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 25.

All supplies will be provides and librarians will be on hand to provide simple instructions. Space and supplies are limited, so call 318-6804 or visit the Children’s Room to sign up.

The Maker Series, which takes place during the last week of each month, is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Look forward to the next installment, “Kid Chef,” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, during the library’s week of Winter Break activities.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Children invited to Autumn Tea at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Children age 3 and up are cordially invited to celebrate the arrival of fall with an Autumn Tea, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, November 19, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Hot tea, juice and tea party treats will be services, courtesy of the Friends of the Library, and a story will be presented by library staff.

The tea party is free but space is limited; visit the Children’s Room or call 318-6804 to sign up. Parents are asked to join their children for the event.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Calling teens to help decorate Asheboro library TeenZone

ASHEBORO – Help deck the halls of the Asheboro Public Library’s TeenZone for the holidays with construction paper, glue, scissors and some holiday-themed items at 6 p.m. Thursday, November 19.

Supplies will be provided and light snacks will be served. It’s free and all teens are invited.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Learn about Windows 10 at Asheboro, Archdale libraries

ASHEBORO – Interested in upgrading your old computer, or buying a new one? Learn about Windows 10—how to get it, the new features and some possible privacy concerns, during informational sessions at the Asheboro and Archdale public libraries.

The Asheboro session will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, November 9. The Archdale session will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, November 19.

These sessions are free and the public is invited. In addition, a library-prepared brochure on Windows 10 is available at all Randolph County public libraries.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street. The Archdale library is located at 10433 S. Main Street.

For further information, call 318-6803.

Kids invited to make books, start writing, in library workshop

ASHEBORO – Celebrate National Novel Writing Month and learn the simple art of bookbinding in “Book Making!” at 4 p.m. Thursday, November 12, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Children ages five and up are invited to craft their own books. All materials and supplies will be provided by the library.

Once the books are complete, participants will learn how to keep a journal and create characters and stories for their own novels.

“Book Making!” is free, but please visit the Children’s Room or call 336-318-6804 to sign up. The workshop is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Historian to explore WWI ambulance volunteers in library talk

An American Field Service ambulance and driver in World War I

ASHEBORO – The nexus between military and literary history will come to light as Asheboro resident Ronald (Pete) Poteat discusses the volunteer ambulance drivers of the American Field Service in World War I.

Poteat will use photographs, moving pictures and artifacts to illuminate the ambulance volunteers’ history during his talk at 6 p.m. Thursday, November 12, at the Asheboro Public Library. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the event is free and the public is invited.

“At the start of World War I, while America remained neutral, young Americans in ever increasing numbers went to Europe to aid the Allied war effort,” Poteat says.

“Many of these volunteers, such as notable literary figures Ernest Hemingway, e.e. cummings, John Dos Passos and others, drove ambulances in France, Belgium and Italy, significantly benefitting the Allies while helping the Allied cause back in the U.S.A.”     

Originally from Eden, N.C., Poteat has lived in Asheboro since 1997. He holds a BA in History and English from UNC-Greensboro, and has been interested in literature and military history since grade school.

“The volunteer ambulance drivers are a nice intersection of my interests,” he says. He co-authored an article on the subject for Military Trader magazine and served as an adviser to the American Field Service for its Centennial Exhibition.

Classical Guitarist Jeff Bianchi to perform at Asheboro library

Jeff Bianchi

ASHEBORO – Guitarist Jeff Bianchi has performed nationally with country music acts, but his current tour, which includes a stop at the Asheboro Public Library, shows off his classical skills.

Bianchi will perform music from the Baroque period (1600-1750) as well as modern works from Brazil and Argentina during a concert at 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 3. His performance, sponsored by Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

“The classical guitar possesses a certain poetic quality that is not found in any other instrument,” Bianchi says.

The Williamston, N.Y., native began performing at weddings and cafes while still in his teens. The attention he received as he began playing concerts throughout western New York led to appearances at prestigious guitar festivals.

From 2005-2007, Bianchi toured with country acts Young Guns and Chace Roberts. He began solo classical tours in 2009, and has performed throughout the southeast, Texas and the mountain west.

He lives in Lanier Harbor near Buford, Ga.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Library invites teens to ‘Super Video Game Smash Down’

ASHEBORO  -- Bring your favorite Wii game or play Super Smash Brothers during a “Super TeenZone Video Game Smash Down” at 4 p.m. Thursday, October 22, at the Asheboro Public Library.

All teens are invited; bring your friends and take a break from the stress and strain of school.

The event is free and sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Make a monster at the Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Create scary stuffed monsters as the Asheboro Public Library’s Maker Series for kids ages 7-12 continues at 4 p.m. Thursday, October 29.

All supplies will be provides and librarians will be on hand to provide simple instructions. Space and supplies are limited, so call 318-6804 or visit the Children’s Room to sign up.

The Maker Series, which takes place during the last week of each month, is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Look forward to the next installment, Wire Creations, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 25.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Experience a ‘Happy Halloween Happening’ at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Families with small children are invited to “A Happy Halloween Happening” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Librarian will present a special storytime with games, crafts and goodies. Kids – wear your costumes!

The Happening is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call 318-6804.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Pumpkins to be carved and painted at Asheboro library in October

Carl King starts a project

ASHEBORO – Decorating pumpkins for the season is the topic of a carving demonstration for all ages and a painting projects for kids at the Asheboro Public Library in October.

Learn how to make your Jack-o-Lantern a true work of art with expert pumpkin carver Carl King at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 15, at the Asheboro Public Library. King will talk about his process and share tips he has learned over 10 years refining his craft.

Prior to King’s carving demonstration, kids can join in Pumpkin Painting at 4 p.m. with the library’s Children’s Services staff. Each child will receive a small pumpkin to paint and take home.

Both events, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, are free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 318-6801.

Library's "Max" book club expands to Archdale, Randleman, Seagrove

Asheboro library Max and Imaginary Friends Book Club members sport t-shirts featuring the imaginary character Max.

ASHEBORO – “Max and Imaginary Friends,” the Randolph County Public Library’s book club for children in grades 2-5, will begin monthly meetings at Archdale, Randleman and Seagrove libraries in October.

              

The club meets at the Asheboro library on the third Wednesday of each month. At Archdale, meetings will take place on the third Monday beginning October 19; at Randleman on the third Thursday beginning October 15; and at Seagrove on the third Tuesday beginning October 20.

Each meeting is from 3:30-4:30 p.m. except at Seagrove, where the club meets from 3-4 p.m.; all readers are invited but reluctant readers are especially welcome. Up for discussion at all four October meetings are books from the Black Lagoon series by Mike Thayler.

Children’s librarian Susan Coltrane, now retired, initiated the club in January 2014, and continues to lead it as a volunteer. Participation does not necessarily require all children to read the same book; meetings may focus on authors like Laura Ingalls Wilder or topics like Abraham Lincoln, with kids encouraged to read and talk about any book by the author or about the topic.

At each meeting, the participants read aloud and discuss the reading selections. Some meetings also feature related hands-on activities.

The club takes its name from a character created by Len Harrison, a teen whom Coltrane mentored while working at the Archdale library in the 1990s. Len, a reluctant reader, became an avid reader as a library volunteer.

She also liked to draw, and created an imaginary character named Max. Len passed away several months after starting at the library; her memory inspired Coltrane to create the club and name it in Max’s honor.

For further information or to sign up for the club, contact your local library: Archdale, 431-3811; Asheboro, 318-6804; Randleman, 498-3141; Seagrove, 873-7521.

Liberty library gets culinary with kids’ events

LIBERTY – Children can learn about nutrition through the color, and how to make healthy afterschool snacks, in programs that get underway in September and October at the Liberty Public Library.

“Ever Eat a Rainbow?” runs from 3:30-4:30 p.m. each Monday for six weeks beginning October 5, and helps children learn about nutrition and healthy eating, keying off the colors of the rainbow.

“Culinary Kids” runs from 5:45-6:45 on the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning September 22, and provides children with the skills necessary to make their own healthy snacks.

Both are appropriate for children of all ages, are free and no sign-up is required.

The two programs are part of Recipe For Success, an educational nutrition initiative of the UNCG Anthropology Department funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

The library is located at 239 S. Fayetteville Street. For more information, call 622-4605

Storyteller Rosemarie Gulla to visit Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Storyteller Rosemarie Gulla will present a seasonal storytime for families based on “Heckedy Peg,” a timeless fairytale about disobedient children and a mother’s great love, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 22, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Gulla’s appearance, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 318-6824.

Learn résumé writing at the Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Résumé-writing can be tricky: when to condense or expand experience, how to format, and what words to use to persuade potential employers to choose you.

Hone your résumé-writing skills in a workshop led by library staff at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 24, at the Asheboro Public Library. Learn how to format, choose words and showcase achievements.

The class is free but space is limited; call 318-6803 to sign up.

Teens invited to play Wii games at Asheboro library

Join the Asheboro Public Library’s TeenZone for a night of Wii bowling, fishing, boxing, baseball and more at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 24, at the library. Have some fun, enjoy a snack and let off some early school-year steam. It’s free; all teens are invited.

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

Asheboro library invites kids to learn computer coding in ‘maker’ events

ASHEBORO – A news series of “maker” events for kids gets underway with “Coding with MIT’s Scratch” at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The maker events, which will take place during the last week of each month (future dates to be announced), are free and school-age children are invited.

Scratch is a computer language that enables you to program your own interactive stories, games and animations, and share your creations with others in an online community.

Whether you have experience in computer coding or not, Scratch is designed to make computer animation easy and fun. Laptops will be provided, so come to explore, discover and create something imaginative and original in computer code.

Space is limited; call 318-6804 or visit the Children’s Room to sign up.

Future maker events are being planned and are likely to include duct tape, cardboard, cooking, video production and more.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Storyteller Janet Harllee to perform at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Asheboro-based storyteller and author Janet Harllee will bring her Southern hairdresser character Mitsy Lou Puppernickel back to the Asheboro library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 22.

Harllee’s performance, based on her book Just a Closer Stumble with Thee, is called “Stories from Home in the South,” and is suitable for older children and adults. It’s free and the public is invited.

Her appearance is a lead-in to The Heart of North Carolina Storytelling Festival, September 25-26 at the Greensboro Public Library and the Greensboro Historical Museum, and is part of an effort to bring storytellers to all 100 counties before the festival begins.

Harllee is currently director of admissions and marketing for the Assisted Livings at Cross Roads Retirement Community. She is a member and past-president of the North Carolina Storytelling Guild, and also has a background in theatre and public speaking.

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

Party with the pirates at the Asheboro library

ASHEBORO -- Avast, me hearties! Enjoy some real buccaneer fun as the Asheboro Public Library Children’s Room shows you how it’s done the pirate way.

Whether you’re a matey or a Cap’n, you’ll find fun and intrigue with games, activities and pirate treasure during a Pirate Party at 4 p.m. Thursday, September 17, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Gear up for International Talk Like a Pirate Day, two days later.

It’s free and all children and families are invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For more information, call the Children’s Room at 318-6804.

Teens invited to talk about books they’re reading

ASHEBORO – Join members of the Asheboro Public Library’s TeenZone Advisory Committee to talk about what books they have been reading, and what books you have been reading, at 4 pm. Thursday, September 10, at the library.

Discuss what you loved and hated about books you’ve read recently, and series in which you can’t wait to read the next installment.

The book discussion is free and all teens are invited. Snacks will be provided.

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

Celebrate children’s author Roald Dahl at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO -- Help the Asheboro Public Library Children’s Room celebrate the birthday of popular and influential author Roald Dahl at 4 p.m. Thursday, September 10.

Dahl, whose actual birthday is September 13, is known for such classics as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Matilda.

Enjoy snacks, games and activities related to Dahl’s works. The celebration, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. Call the Children’s Room at 318-6804 for further information.

Teen expert to talk avian influenza

ASHEBORO -- High school junior Rachel Osborne will lead a workshop to educate those raising poultry about avian influenza at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Her talk is hosted by the library’s TeenZone and sponsored by the Friends of the Library. It’s free and the public is invited.

Osborne,  a member of the TeenZone Advisory Committee, has been active in 4-H for many years, and has worked on poultry projects for seven years. She has raised several types of birds, including geese, chickens and turkeys, and has participated in several competitions.

Osborne will discuss the risks of avian flu and techniques to prevent it. Her workshop is based on a presentation she created for a district 4-H event, and will cover:

• What avian flu is and how the latest outbreak is going to affect the southeast — how does it spread, and does it really pose a threat to humans;
• How to prevent avian influenza along with some other common poultry diseases by using proper biosecurity methods;
• A demonstration using glitter to show how germs spread and how biosecurity techniques can stop the spread of disease.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Explore exotic locales with hiker Tom Ayers at Asheboro library

Take an armchair journey as Tom Ayers recounts hiking at some of the world’s most exotic locations, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Ayers will talk about and show images from his visits to five continents, including places such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Camino de Santiago in Spain, the Grand Canyon, the Great Wall of China, Mount Washington in New Hampshire (the most dangerous small mountain in the world) and more. He also will display hiking equipment, maps and other items from his travels.

His talk, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Lego Mania returns to Asheboro library July 31

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro Public Library’s raucous and immensely popular Lego Mania competition returns for its seventh year at 2 p.m. Friday, July 31.

Teens and younger kids ages 10-18 are invited to create ingenious Lego structures for fun and prizes. The event is free but registration is required; call 318-6803 to sign up.

Participants will be divided into teams and age-appropriate groups to compete for prizes to be awarded by community judges.

Lego Mania is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and is part of “Unmask,” the library’s Teen Summer Reading Program. For more information about the library’s Summer Reading programs and a complete schedule of events, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Randolph library’s Summer Reading continues with more heroes, more stories

ASHEBORO – “Stand Tall” and celebrate the hero in us all with Steve Somers, a.k.a The Amazing Teacher, as the Randolph County Public Library summer reading initiative, “Every Hero Has a Story,” rolls into July.

Somers, a veteran educator and children’s entertainer, will visit all seven libraries to teach young readers good character traits and engage them in  the excitement and joy of reading with amazing tricks, puppets, audience participation and humor.

He will appear at the libraries as follows:

• Archdale: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 15 (at the Archdale Parks & Rec. Gym);
• Asheboro: 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 15
• Franklinville: 2 p.m. Thursday, July 23;
• Liberty: 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 14;
• Ramseur: 10 a.m. Thursday, July 23 (at the Ramseur Municipal Building);
• Randleman: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 16
• Seagrove: 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 14.

Meanwhile, there will be more stories and more heroes at all libraries throughout the month with weekly storytimes, performances and other activities. Highlights include Zelnik the Amazing Magic Man and “Snake Man” Ron Comer at the Randleman library; a Creekside Park Parade at the Archdale library in which kids are invited to decorate their trikes and wagons; a chance to “Be a Hero in Your Community” at the Asheboro library; a visit with Susie, the American Humane Society’s Top Hero Dog award winner at the Seagrove library; a super hero mask-making contest at Ramseur; a visit with fire fighters at Franklinville; a Super Hero Summer Reading Party Liberty; and much more.

Teens and ‘tweens can look forward to the 7^th Annual Lego Mania competition on Friday, July 31 among the events at the Asheboro library, and join in weekly Hands-on Science activities at Randleman.

Adults (and all Andy Griffith Show fans) will want to hear “How Andy Met Opie’s Mom” with Mayberry expert Dr. Gary Freeze at the Randleman library, and join in other weekly events there as well.

Full schedules and details are available at your local library and at www.randolphlibrary.org/summer.

The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by Friends of the Randolph County Public Library with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. It’s part of a national effort to keep children reading during the break from school; research shows that kids who read during the summer do better in school the next year.

PEN/Hemingway writing honorees Watts, Hudson to speak in Asheboro

Stephanie Powell Watts

ASHEBORO – Two award-winning writers with local ties will share their work during a reading at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11, in the Sara Smith Self Gallery of the Randolph Arts Guild in Asheboro.

Stephanie Powell Watts and Marjorie Hudson, who were recognized in the PEN/Hemingway First Fiction Awards in 2012, will perform a joint reading entitled “Southern Neighbors/Different Worlds.” They employ a call and response format that reveals the connections between the shifting and separate worlds of the contemporary South – rural and small town places, New South and old South cultures, Black families and Northern retirees, religion and family life.

Their appearance, sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the Randolph Arts Guild, is free and the public is invited. A reception will precede the reading.

Marjorie Hudson (photo by Brent Clark)

Watts was a PEN/Hemingway finalist for her short story collection We Are Only Talking About What We Need. She writes about African American families under stress, religious conversion and young black women in Randolph County, Raleigh and Hickory.

Hudson’s story collection, Accidental Birds of the Carolinas received an honorable mention in the awards. It tells tales of Northern newcomers and Southern old timers in central rural North Carolina, exploring themes of loss, migration, rural life and religious conversion, in language that author Doris Betts called “pure as birdsong.”

The two writers met at a reception for PEN/Hemingway honorees and discovered their North Carolina connections.

The Randolph Arts Guild is located at 123 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. For more information about the event, call 318-6803.

Library Friends to serve up food writer John Batchelor

John Batchelor

ASHEBORO – Join the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library for a tasty talk with food and travel writer John Batchelor at 6 p.m. Monday, June 15, at the Asheboro Public Library.

His appearance is free and the public is invited.

Batchelor will discuss his latest book, Chefs of the Coast: Restaurants and Recipes from the from the North Carolina Coast, and sign copies.

He’s also author of a companion book, Chefs of the Mountains: Restaurants and Recipes from Western North Carolina.

Once known as the Gate City Gourmet in his longtime role as food critic for The Greensboro Record and the News & Record, Batchelor now writes travel articles and leads tour groups focusing on dining, historic sites and art galleries. He blogs at johnbatchelordiningandtravel.blogspot.com.

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

The event is part of “Escape the Ordinary,” the library’s adult Summer Reading Program. For more information about summer events at the library for adults, teens and children, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer.

ASHEBORO – “Every Hero Has a Story” – and you can learn about them this summer as the Randolph County Public Library’s 2015 Summer Reading Program gets underway with appearances by storyteller Kali Ferguson at all seven libraries, and 164 more storytimes, performances, hands-on activities, movies, author appearances and more for children, teens and adults.

The reading initiative runs from June 15-July 31 at the Archdale, Asheboro,  Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur and Seagrove libraries (the Randleman library got a jump and began its program in May).

During the summer, children can sign up to track and report minutes read in return for reading rewards. Last year, 2,507 local children reported reading for a total of 912,688 minutes.

Teens and adults can get in on the act too, and keep track of their summer reading for chances to win prizes such as Kindle Fire HD tablets and gift cards from booksellers.

Schedules and complete details can be found at www.randolphlibrary.org/summer and at your local library.

Storyteller Kali Ferguson (photo by Courtney James)

For children and their families, the dynamic Ferguson will energize, educate and entertain with participatory stories, poems, dances and songs from Latin American, African American and African traditions. She will appear at the libraries as follows:

·        Archdale, 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 24;

·        Asheboro, 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 17;

·        Franklinville, 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 23;

·        Liberty, 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 16;

·        Ramseur, 2 p.m. Thursday, June 25;

·        Randleman, 2 p.m. Thursday, June 18;

·        Seagrove, 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 16.

In July, Steve Somers, a.k.a. The Amazing Teacher, will engage young readers with magic, puppets, audience participation and humor in a performance entitled “Stand Tall: Celebrating the Hero in Us All.” In between, all the libraries will offer a range of weekly storytimes, performances and other activities, from a Superhero Training Camp to Fish the Magish and “The Snake Man.”

Real life heroes – including fire fighters, law enforcement officers and armed services members – will make appearances, too. Another special guest will be therapy dog Susie, subject of the film “Susie’s Hope.”

Meanwhile, teens are invited to “Unmask” with weekly events featuring aikido, comic book illustration, conservation, hands-on science and more – along with the 7^th annual Lego Mania competition.

Adults can “Escape the Ordinary” with Miss Julia author Ann B. Ross, as well as former Gate City Gourment John Batchelor, PEN/Hemingway writing award honorees Stephanie Powell Watts and Marjorie Holmes, author and centenarian John Q. Pugh, Andy Griffith Show expert Gary Freeze, and more.

The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by Friends of the Randolph County Public Library with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. It’s part of a national effort to keep children reading during the break from school; research shows that kids who read during the summer do better in school the next year.

“Miss Julia” author Ann B. Ross to visit Asheboro

Ann B. Ross (photo by Sarah Sneeden)

ASHEBORO – Miss Julia will lay down the law as author Ann B. Ross visits Asheboro to talk about her popular series of novels and sign books at a luncheon hosted by the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library.

Tickets are on sale now for the event, which will take place at noon Saturday, June 20, at Pinewood Country Club. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased thru June 11 at the Asheboro, Archdale, Liberty and Randleman public libraries, and at the Friends of the Library Bookshop in downtown Asheboro.

Miss Julia Lays Down the Law is the most recent of 17 books featuring Miss Julia Springer, an outspoken “woman of a certain age,” and set in Ross’s hometown of Hendersonville. The previous installment, Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover, debuted at #10 on The New York Times Bestseller list when it was published in 2014.

The series began in 1999 with Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, which went through six printings in the space of a year and was ranked #9 on the Independent Booksellers’ 76 most highly recommended books for that year. It also was named to the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers list, and has been translated into twelve foreign languages.

Ross, mother of two daughters and a son, enrolled at UNC-Asheville when she became an empty-nester to complete her Bachelors degree. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in English at UNC-Chapel Hill, and returned to UNC-Asheville to teach literature and humanities.

She published her first novels, two paperback mysteries, in the early 1980s, and embarked on a full-time writing career with the publication of the first Miss Julia book.

Pinewood Country Club is located at 247 Pinewood Road in Asheboro. For more information, call 318-6801.

Quadcopter videographers to swoop down on Asheboro library

SkyHound takes an aerial look at the Asheboro library.

ASHEBORO – “See beyond” with quadcopter pilots and videographers Josh Hogan and Ben Harless at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21, in and around the Asheboro Public Library.

Their visit is hosted by the TeenZone and sponsored by the Friends of the Library. It’s free and the public is invited.

Hogan and Harless operate under the name SkyHound and are using quadcopter drones to shoot aerial footage of Asheboro and surrounding communities.

Their slogan is “see beyond” because they love to give viewers a birds-eye view to help people see the “big picture.”

The pair will talk about flying quadcopters and then demonstrate them in the library parking lot.

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

Fabulous Beekman Boys to bring tales of farm living to Asheboro

ASHEBORO – Downtown Asheboro’s Sunset Theatre is be the place to be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, as the Fabulous Beekman Boys reflect on their agricultural adventures.

The duo, Randleman native Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, will share “10 Things We Learned from Goats, or How We Got Where We Are Today.”

Their appearance is free and the public is invited. A book signing will follow.

The couple purchased the historic 1802 Beekman Farm in Sharon Springs, N.Y., in 2007, as a weekend getaway. When both lost their jobs during the recession and risked foreclosure, they set about to make the farm profitable.

They started with goats, making and marketing cheese and soap. Soon they had drawn other farmers and artisans from the area into the project, which included seasonal festivals and cookbooks, and drew major media coverage.

The Discovery Channel’s Planet Green network tracked their ups and downs in a reality series, “The Fabulous Beekman Boys,” which brought them worldwide renown. In 2012, they competed in — and won — CBS’s Amazing Race.

Ridge is a graduate of Randleman High School and UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, and also holds an MBA from the New York University’s Stern School of Business. While working as a fellow in geriatric medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, he collaborated with world-famous architect I.M. Pei to design a care center for older adults, and recruited Martha Stewart as benefactor.

He later became  vice president for healthy living at Martha Stewart Omnimedia, the post he lost prior to the launch of Beekman 1802.

Kilmer-Purcell, from Albany, N.Y., is a journalist and best-selling author of six books including the memoirs I am Not Myself These Days, and The Bucolic Plague, about the Beekman experience. He grew up in Wisconsin and holds a degree in English literature from Michigan State University.

The Beekman Boys’ appearance is the last event of the 2015 Sunset Cultural Series and is sponsored by the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library as part of the group’s annual meeting. Reserved seating is available for Friends members until 10 minutes before start time.

The Sunset Theatre is located at 234 Sunset Avenue. Call 318-6814 for further information.

Teens invited for book discussion night at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – What  books have you been reading? What would you recommend to others?

Teens are invited to gather at the Asheboro Public Library for a TeenZone Discussion Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7. Talk about book you have read or are reading, and give and get recommendations for what’s popular in young adult literature or literature in general.

The discussion is free and all teens are invited.

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

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Mother-Daughter Tea at the library

ASHEBORO – Mothers and daughters are invited to enjoy a special tea party in celebration of Mother’s Day at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Dress your best in true, proper tea party fashion. Tea, juice and snacks will be provided by Friends of the Library.

Space is limited so registration is required; call 318-6804 or visit the Children’s Room to sign up.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Library Friends bookshop to offer discount on biographies

ASHEBORO – Get the lowdown on your favorite historical figures, politicians, celebrities and other famous people as the Friends of the Library Bookshop offers an end-of-April 50%-off sale on biographies.

The sale will take place on Saturday, April 25; Tuesday, April 28 and Thursday, April 30.

The bookshop, located at 226 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro, is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call 629-1536 during operating hours for more information. 

Asheboro library seminar series to cover end of life planning

ASHEBORO – End of life planning is the topic of a three-part seminar series at the Asheboro Public Library during May.

The sessions will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesdays beginning May 5. They are free and the public is invited.

The series opens with “Beginning the Conversation.” Kelly Olmeda, a social worker with Hospice of Randolph County, will focus on advance care planning.

Next, “Legal Documents in Place,” on May 12, will feature elder law expert Bob Mason, who will provide more in-depth information about creating the necessary legal documents.

In “Financial House in Order,” on May 19, senior adviser Warren Coble will talk about Social Security, Medicare and insurance.

The series is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

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

Teens invited to board game night at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Teens can take a break from schoolwork during Teen Game Night at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in the Asheboro Public Library’s TeenZone.

De-stress for a few hours with board games such as Apples to Apples, Scategories and checkers.

It’s free and all teens are invited.

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

Expert to advise on raising backyard chickens

ASHEBORO – Has the thought of fresh, convenient eggs right in your own backyard been pecking at your mind lately?

              

Agricultural agent Dan Campeau of Randolph County Cooperative Extension will talk about how to raise chickens, and their care and management, in an urban setting, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Campeau’s talk is free and the public is invited.

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

Get a green thumb in Asheboro library’s ‘Gardening for Kids’

ASHEBORO – Children can learn the basics of starting a small garden and maintaining potted plants in “Gardening for Kids,” 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Participants will be able to take home material to help them get started.

It’s free and the public is invited; all supplies will be provided. Sponsored by Friends of the Library.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. Call 318-6804 for further information.

Laugh with Asheboro library’s ‘Kids Comedy’

“Lula Belle,” a.k.a. library staffer Tammy Crotts, will host “Kids Comedy” at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Asheboro Public library.

After Lula Belle kicks it off, children will be invited to join in and tell some of their favorite jokes. The comedy is free, and the whole family is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. Call 318-6804 for more information.

Delve into family history in Asheboro library class

Learn how to search for your ancestors from the comfort of your own computer in “Family History with Heritage Quest,” at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Find out how to use the library’s online genealogy resource Heritage Quest to seek census information and other historical records.

The class is designed for anyone just starting genealogical research, or those who want expand on research they are already conducting.

It’s free and the public is invited, but registration is required. Call 318-6803 to sign up.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Larry G. Davis returns for annual tribute concert

ASHEBORO – Guitar virtuoso Larry G. Davis and his musical pals will present the 16th Annual Glenn Davis Memorial Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at the Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro.

              

The concert honors the memory of Larry Davis’s father,  Glenn Davis, a renowned banjo player whose picking was recorded by the Smithsonian Institution.

It’s free and the public is invited; audience members are invited to bring a canned food item to be donated to the Christians United Outreach Center (CUOC).

The first half of the show will feature Southern gospel music by Bob Wood and Full Surrender. Then Davis will take the stage with  trumpet player and vocalist Gary Hastings for a set of jazz standards.

Bassist Paul Foster and drummer Dave Sheaffer will round out the jazz band.

The concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Furr Enterprises.

The Sunset Theatre is located at 234 Sunset Avenue.

Library hosts afterschool ‘Spring Break’ activities for kids

ASHEBORO –There may not be much of Spring Break as far as school is concerned, but the Asheboro Public Library is hopping with a week of afterschool activities April 6-10.

              

All events are at 4 p.m. and are free. Here’s what’s happening:

Monday, April 6: Science Friction. Discover all the awesome things friction does within our world. Do simple experiments with everyday objects to discover the possibilities.

Tuesday, April 7: Artist Cara Bevan. See the magic of how illustration works with animal portrait artist and book illustrator Cara Bevan, who documented every step in creating artwork for her new book, Improbable… Never Impossible.

Wednesday, April 8: Life-Size Candyland. Ever want to play a huge board game? Now you can! The library Meeting Room will be transformed into a life-size version of the classic board game Candyland with everyone invited to play.

Thursday, April 9: The Changeling. Storyteller Rosemarie Gulla will present a family storytime featuring The Changeling, an exciting tale of love and sacrifice by Selma Lagerlof, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Friday April 10: Lego Free Build. Dig into thousands of LEGOs during this weekly event to build whatever you can imagine!

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

Wildlife officer to talk about outdoor recreation in Randolph County

ASHEBORO -- Recreational opportunities in Randolph County will be the topic of a talk by Darrel O. Johnson at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the Asheboro Public Library. 

              

Johnson, an officer with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, will discuss hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation in the county. He also will talk about the role of local wildlife officers.

Johnson’s talk, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

A display of related library resources that attendees can explore and checkout after the program will be available.

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

Junior Appalachian Musicians to perform at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Area members of the Pittsboro-based Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) will perform traditional music in a concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Asheboro Public Library. Following the performance, children and teens are invited to jam with the musicians.

Prior to the concert, the group will demonstrate traditional musical instruments for children and interested adults, at 4 p.m. at the library.

The concert, demonstration and jam session, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, are free and the public is invited.

Junior Appalachian Musicians, also known as Chatham County JAM, is an educational program that introduces children from 3rd through 8th grades to traditional music through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian and Piedmont regions of North Carolina. JAM augments instrumental, dance and vocal instruction with the opportunity for students to play and perform in small and large groups.

Performers for the library concert include Alex Meredith of Siler City, mandolin, fiddle and dance; Illeanna Schilling of Vass, banjo; Johanna Schilling of Vass, fiddle and dance; Faith Tysor of Goldston, fiddle; and Dillon Walker of Burlington, mandolin.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 318-6824.

Tickets on sale for UNC Clef Hangers concert at Sunset Theatre

The UNC Clef Hangers student a cappella group will return to Asheboro at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22, for a concert at the Sunset Theatre sponsored by the Asheboro Public Library Foundation Inc. (APLF).

   

Tickets are $15, and are on sale now at the Asheboro Public Library and the Randolph Arts Guild, and from APLF members. They also can be purchased by mail with checks payable to APLF, P.O. Box 1601, Asheboro, NC 27204.

Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

The 17-member Clef Hangers perform a range of pop and folk songs, including the a cappella favorite “Africa” and the group’s signature tune, “Carolina in My Mind.”

In November, the Clef Hangers sang holiday tunes on the QVC channel’s most popular show, “In the Kitchen with David,” hosted by David Venable, an alumnus of the group.

The group’s annual fall performance at UNC’s Memorial Hall in October drew an audience of 1,300.

Founded in 1977, the Clef Hangers performed their first concert in April 1978 in the Pit. Since then, they have toured the world, recorded 19 albums and appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America. The group most recently performed here in 2011 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the APLF.

This concert is a fundraiser for the APLF, which manages investments and provides funding to support major Asheboro Public Library initiatives.

For more information, call 318-6801.

Teens invited to make LED ‘throwies’ at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Join the Asheboro library TeenZone for “LED Throwies,” a scientific maker event, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19.

Teens will make throwies — pieces of LED art that adhere to surfaces when thrown — from 10mm LED light bulbs, watch batteries, super-strong magnets and electrician’s tape.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the library, is free, and all teens are invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 318-6819.

Randleman library invites kids, adults for ‘eggciting’ crafts

RANDLEMAN -- Children and adults can learn to make Psanky eggs at the Randleman Public Library on March 18 and 19.

              

Psanky eggs are Ukranian Easter eggs. Instructor Karen McFetters will guide participants in creating the beautiful designs.

Anyone age 16 and up is invited to a session from 3-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. Children in grades K-5 are invited to a session from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19.

Both sessions are free and all supplies will be provided.

Call 498-3141 to sign up. The library is located at 142 W. Academy Street in Randleman.

Asheboro library to host ‘Yoga for Kids’

ASHEBORO – Introduce your child to the benefits of relaxation through yoga, in “Yoga For Kids” at the Asheboro Public Library.

Separate sessions for younger and older age groups will feature simple and fun poses appropriate for kids, led by an experienced instructor. Wear comfortable clothing and be ready to move!

Both sessions are free and will take place on Saturday, March 14: 10:30 a.m. for ages 3-6 and caregivers; and 11:15 a.m. for ages 7-12. Water will be provided.

For further information, call the Children’s Room at 318-6804. The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Author invites kids to ‘find Henry,’ health at Liberty and Randleman libraries

Healthy living for kids is the focus of visits by author Hillary Spangler to the Liberty and Randleman libraries in March.

Spangler, author of Where is Henry?, invites children to join in the interactive adventure of finding Henry at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the Liberty Public Library, and 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Randleman Public Library.

Her visit is free and the public is invited.

Where is Henry? encourages literacy, nutrition, education and physical activity among elementary-aged children.

An Asheboro native and second-year medical student, Spangler is an advocate for healthy living in all age groups, and believes that teaching healthy behaviors at an early age provides a solid platform for healthy living later in life.

The Liberty library is located at 239 S. Fayetteville St. in Liberty; call 622-4605 for more information. The Randleman library is located at 142 W. Academy Street in Randleman; call 498-3141 for more information.

Centenarian Pugh to discuss autobiography What’s Next at Asheboro library

John Q. Pugh 

ASHEBORO – Centenarian John Q. Pugh will share stories from his autobiography, What’s Next, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Asheboro Public Library.

                

Pugh’s talk, which includes a book signing, is free and the public is invited. It’s Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

What’s Next tracks Pugh’s determination to live his dreams, even at age 101. He says the key is to view life as a learning process, and “get inspired, get motivated and most importantly, participate.”

Pugh overcame a hearing disability and established the hugely successful business Pugh Lubricants. He has traveled the world (including a trip to Antarctica at age 96 in which he took the “polar plunge”), and he won three gold medals in the National Senior Olympics at age 100.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Crochet for Kids returns to Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Beginning Crochet for Kids at the Asheboro Public Library is back by popular demand!

              

Children can learn crocheting basics with hands-on instruction in a two-part class, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 10.

Crocheting hooks and yarn will be provided, and kids can take home what they make at the end of the second class.

The sessions are free and the public is invited, but space is limited, so call 318-6804 or visit the Children’s Room to sign up.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with the Cat in the Hat at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO -- Children and families are invited to celebrate the birthday of the great Dr. Seuss with Seuss books, Seuss crafts and silly Seuss games at the Asheboro Public Library.

The fun starts at 4 p.m. Monday, March 2, and will include three big events plus the return of a special guest — the Cat in the Hat!

Dr. Seuss’s birthday is also Read Across America Day, which calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading.

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

Friends of the Library bookshop offers deal on self help books

ASHEBORO – All self help books will be 50% off during an end-of-month sale at Friends of the Library Bookshop in downtown Asheboro.

Dates of the sale are Tuesday, February 24; Thursday, February 26 and Saturday, February 28.

The bookshop is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s located at 226 Sunset Avenue.

All proceeds from the sale of used books go to support Randolph County Public Library book budgets.

For further information, contact the bookshop at 629-1536.

Only a few days left to get Friends Trivia Night tickets

ASHEBORO – Time is short to get tickets for the Randolph County Friends of the Library “Fame” Trivia Night, set for 6-10 p.m. Saturday, February 28, at AVS Catering and Banquet Center, 2045 N. Fayetteville Street.

Tickets are $50 and include dinner and the trivia competition. They can be purchased at the Asheboro Public Library and from Friends board members, and can be reserved by calling the library at 318-6801.

Monday, February 16, is the last day for ticket sales.

During the friendly competition, participants will test their knowledge of famous books, films and music, as well as some local facts, through three rounds of questions. Participants may sign up in groups of four as teams, or simply join a team on arrival.

Prizes (and bragging rights) will be offered.

Proceeds from the evening go to support Friends of the Library activities, such as sponsoring library programs for children, teens and adults, and bringing major authors and performers to the community.

Trivia Night sponsors include: (Salutatorian level) AEC-Asheboro Elastics Corporation; Acme-McCrary & Sapona Foundation; and Burge Flower Shop Inc.; (Head of Class level) Advisors Financial Center – Chris Griffin & Neil Griffin III; Asheboro Family Physicians; B.J.’s Biscuit Co. Inc., Hiram and Cherry Marziano; Pugh Funeral Home; Dr. James M. Rich & Carol Rich; Sodexo Catering at N.C. Zoo; and The Timken Company.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street.