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.