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.