Authors Thomas Rush, Mark Kemp to share Asheboro perspectives in library talk

ASHEBORO -- Both Mark Kemp and Thomas Rush grew up in Asheboro in the 1970s, on either side of Salisbury Street: Kemp in mainly white Greystone Terrace, and Rush in the mainly African-American Eastside.

And both, in recent years, have penned memoirs reflecting on their experiences.

The two will come together to share “Perspectives: Growing up in Post-Civil Rights Asheboro,” at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 14, at the Asheboro library. Their talk is free and the public is invited.

Rush, a freelance writer who has lived in several states throughout the U.S, is author of Reality’s Pen: Reflections on Family, History and Culture, published in 2012. He holds a B.A. in history from Haverford College.

Kemp is author of Dixie Lullaby: A story of Music, Race and New Beginnings in a New South, published in 2004. He is a journalist who has worked for Rolling Stone and MTV, and has served as editor of magazines including Option, Acoustic Guitar, Charlotte’s Creative Loafing and most recently SF Weekly.

He received a Grammy nomination in 1997 for his liner notes to a retrospective album of music by protest singer Phil Ochs.

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

Learn about online genealogy resources in Asheboro library classes

ASHEBORO -- Learn how to use two of the library’s online genealogy resources in January classes at the Asheboro Public Library.

“Genealogy with HeritageQuest,” 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, January 9, will demonstrate how to use the HeritageQuest database.

“Genealogy with Ancestry Library Edition, 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, January 23, will explore the library version of the popular Ancestry.com resource.

Heritage Quest is available both inside the library and via the library’s website, www.randolphlibrary.org. Ancestry Library Edition is available for use at the library only.

The classes are free; call 336-318-6803 to sign up or for further information.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. 

Learn about cloud storage in Asheboro library computer class

Find out how to save your computer files to the “cloud” in “What is Cloud Storage?” at 2 p.m. Monday, January 9, and 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, at the Asheboro library.

The cloud is simply a network of computers. Learn the pros and cons of storing information this way, and how to choose a cloud storage service and get started using it.

The both meetings of the class are free; call 336-318-6803 to sign up or for further information.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. 

Health educator to offer tips for easy New Year’s resolutions at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO -- New Year’s resolutions can be overwhelming, especially if they are about your health. Join Kendall Phillips, a health educator with the Randolph County Health Department at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 12, at the Asheboro library, and learn some tips and tricks for making easy New Year’s resolutions for healthy eating —and successfully keeping them.

It’s free and the public is invited.

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

Asheboro library kicks off New Year with January children’s events

ASHEBORO – Crack the code, surprise your eyes, find Dory and more as the Asheboro Public Library kicks off the new year with a full slate of activities for children.

The events are free and all children and their families are invited.

In the monthly “Arts & Crafts” event for all ages at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 5, celebrate National Bird Day.

Children age 0-5 are invited for the latest meeting of the P.A. L. (Play and Learn) Club at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 11, for “Fairy Tales.” Dive into classic fairy tales; review numbers and letters, and practice fine motor skills by making wolves, wands and bean stalks.

The family movie Finding Dory will screen at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 18. 

“Surprise Your Eyes!” at 2 p.m. Monday, January 23, with optical illusions, tricks, games and brainteasers; for ages 5 and up.

In the “Breakout Box EDU Challenge,” 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, work as a team to crack codes, find clues and solve a mystery before time runs out

The monthly Maker Series, 4 p.m. Thursday, January 26, offers kids age 8-12 the opportunity to create a DIY weather vane.

Meanwhile, the Children’s Room is changing up its weekly menu of storytimes for all age ranges to a new schedule:

• Pre-K Storytime, 10 a.m. Mondays
• Family Storytime, 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays;
• Baby Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays
• Toddler Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays;
• Music and Movement (ages 2-5), 3:30 p.m. Fridays.

Kids age 6-12 also can sign up for Tail to Read, which pairs young readers with a certified therapy dogs, a proven method of building reading confidence. Sessions take place at 4 p.m. every Tuesday and 10 a.m. every other Saturday.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information or to sign up for Tails to Read, call 336-318-6804.

Unlimber with Tai Chi workshop at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Join Steve Cain of the Asheboro Senior Center for “Introduction to Tai Chi” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, at the Asheboro library.

The workshop, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited. Space is limited; call 336-318-6803 to sign up or for further information.

The session is suitable for beginners of all ages, and participants do not have to be in top shape or the best of health.

Often described as “meditation in motion,” Tai Chi typically consists of standing postures and body movements performed in a slow, methodical manner with an emphasis on improving posture and balance.

Those wishing to participate should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes and flat-bottom shoes (no shoes with heels — most athletic shoes are acceptable).

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Asheboro library to host post-Christmas activities for kids

ASHEBORO – Get out of the house during Christmas break for a week of fun activities for children at the Asheboro Public Library.

The events are free, and all children and their families are invited.

First, catch a couple of movies: The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, and The Secret Life of Pets at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 29.

On Thursday, December 29, test your general knowledge with “Jeopardy for Kids” at 2 p.m.

Close out the week with a LEGO-athon free build, all day on Friday, December 30, for school-age children.

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

Randolph library Friends sell Book Lover’s calendars

ASHEBORO – Stuff a reader’s stocking, or stock up on a year’s worth of reading suggestions for yourself, with The Book Lover’s Calendar, for sale by the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library.

The page-a-day calendars are $12 can be purchased at Randolph County Public Library locations in Asheboro, Archdale, Franklinville, Liberty, Randleman, Ramseur and Seagrove, and at the Friends of the Library Bookshop. Proceeds benefit the Friends, and will help fund author events and children’s programs at the libraries.

Each day features a different reading recommendation and a brief description of the book, with titles ranging from recent best sellers to contemporary classics. On Tuesday, March 7, it’s We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates; on Thursday, June 22, it’s Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

A free digital page-a-day calendar also is included in the purchase.

For more information, contact the library at 336-318-6801. The Friends bookshop is located at 226 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro, and is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Asheboro library welcomes back Edwards-Davis bluegrass combo

Tommy Edwards and LaNelle Davis perform

ASHEBORO – The bluegrass/old time music team of Tommy Edwards and LaNelle Davis will present a selection of original and seasonal tunes at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 8, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The pair will be joined by a Stan Brown on banjo for the performance, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. It’s free and the public is invited.

Edwards is lead singer and guitarist for The Bluegrass Experience, and host of Life 103.1’s “Bluegrass Saturday Night.” A professional performer for over 35 years, Edwards has twice been named World Champion Bluegrass Guitarist. He also served for 30 years in the Randolph and Chatham county schools as a teacher, coach and administrator.

Davis, from eastern North Carolina, initially was drawn to clogging, touring and performing extensively as a dancer and caller. She took up the bass when a friend moved and left one at her house, and since has performed with numerous nationally-known old-time bands and individuals.

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

Asheboro library announces Breakfast with Santa, other December activities for kids

ASHEBORO – Enjoy breakfast with the Jolly Old Elf himself, and feast on a banquet of other activities for children at the Asheboro Public Library in December, including a full menu during the week after Christmas.

Have “Breakfast with Santa” at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 3. Visit and have your picture taken with St. Nick, make a holiday craft and indulge in a light morning meal.

Other events for kids include:

• Arts and Crafts, 3:30 p.m. Thursday, December 1: Make holiday decorations.
• Edible Holiday Crafts for Kids, 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 5: Pretzels, cereal, marshmallows. Construct yummy holiday crafts you can make & take, or make & eat!
• P.A.L. (Play and Learn) Club, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 14: Ocean Animals. Early literacy skill building for ages 0-5.
• Maker Series, 4 p.m. Thursday, December 22: Make a gift! For ages 8-12.

Then, get out of the house during the week after Christmas for more fun:

• Tuesday, December 27, 2 p.m.: movie, The BFG (Big Friendly Giant).
• Wednesday, December 28, 2 p.m.: movie, The Secret Life of Pets.
• Thursday, December 29, 2 p.m.: Jeopardy for Kids — general knowledge questions on the smartboard.
• Friday, December 30, all day: LEGO-athon free build for school-age children.

All the activities are free and all children and their families are invited.

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

Maker event, jam session highlight Asheboro library teen activities in December

ASHEBORO – A maker event, a jam session, video games and more are set for the Asheboro Public Library’s TeenZone in December.

All events are free, and teens age 12-18 are welcome. Activities include:

• Video Game Club: 4 p.m. December 1. Take a break from homework for a fun afternoon of video games on the library’s Wii.
• Teen Zone Jam Session: 5 p.m. December 8. Got musical talent? Bring your instrument of choice and make music! All ability levels welcome.
• Maker Crate Unboxing #3: 4:30 p.m. December 15. Open the crate and build the surprise Maker project inside.
• Teenzone Advisory Committee Appreciation Event: 5 p.m. December 22. Pizza, snacks and drinks to say thanks to teens who volunteer time and energy to provide feedback and keep the TeenZone inviting.

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

Asheboro library ‘homeschool meet’ to focus on teens

ASHEBORO – Learn about print and electronic resources available for free to teen homeshoolers and their families at the Asheboro Public Library’s second “Homeschool Meet-and-Greet,” 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 5.

Participants also will be invited to make a holiday craft.

The event is free and all homeschool families, or those considering homeschooling, are invited.

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

Wellness expert to share healthy living basics in Asheboro library program

Dr. Mike Perko

ASHEBORO – “Here’s a tip – we don’t have to make staying healthy so complicated,” says Dr. Mike Perko.

Perko, professor of Public Health Education at UNC-Greensboro, will share three essentials that form the basis of good health in a talk entitled “How to Make the Best of the Rest of Your Life” at 6 p.m. Monday, November 28, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Perko’s visit is free and the public is invited.

Perko is a renowned wellness expert who has received numerous awards and penned five children’s books, the most recent of which, How to EAT, LEAP, and SLEEP like a SUPERHERO, was published in 2015 by the Wellness Councils of America.

In addition to his role at UNCG, where he received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011, Perko is chief wellness advisor to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and a sought-after speaker. He was formerly the chair of the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Alabama.

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

Classical guitarist Jeff Bianchi to return to Asheboro library

Jeff Bianchi

ASHEBORO -- Performing musical works spanning from Scotland and France to Argentina and Brazil, classical guitarist Jeff Bianchi will appear at the Asheboro Public Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 9.

Bianchi’s concert, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

Bianchi will perform Scottish lute pieces from the 17th century; the Suite in F# Minor by Laurent de St. Luc, a Finnish composer of the Baroque era who was a court musician for Louis XIV of France; Five Songs of Love for the Guitar by Jose Luis Merlina, an Argentinian guitarist and composer; and works of Brazilian guitarist Heitor Villa-Lobos, one of that country’s most treasured composers.

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

From 2005-2007, he 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 first performed at the Asheboro library last year.

He lives in Lanier Harbor near Buford, Ga., and is guitar instructor at Friendship Christian School in Suwanee, Ga.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 338-318-6803.

Learn how to preserve family photos in Asheboro library talk

ASHEBORO – Join photographic archivist Stephen Fletcher from the North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives at UNC-Chapel Hill and learn techniques for preserving and storing your cherished family photographs, at 6 p.m. Monday, November 7, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Fletcher’s talk, 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 336-318-6803.

Clark Sides to bring balloon art magic to Asheboro, Randleman libraries

Clark Sides performs by creating intricate balloon art.

ASHEBORO – The balloon art, magic and comedy talent of Asheboro native Clark Sides will be on display at the Asheboro and Randleman libraries in  performances aimed at inspiring kids to read.

In Randleman it’s “Happy Halloween” and a “boo-ti-ful” time for all at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, October 27, for kids in kindergarten and older,

In Asheboro, it’s “Reading is Magic, Inflate Your Mind” for all ages, at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 8. Asheboro’s event is sponsored by Friends of the Library.

In Randleman, it will be a scary good time as Sides morphs audience members into Halloween characters and goes “ghostbusting.” In Asheboro, he’ll turn an audience member into a buccaneer and make it snow onstage.

All the while, he will talk up children’s books and reading. In the finales of both performances, he’ll work his whole body into a giant, six-foot balloon.

Sides began his entertainment career at age 9, performing magic and clowning with his older sister, January. In high school, he was mentored by Ringling Brothers clown Just Joey, learning how to juggle, perform magic tricks and display showmanship.

He added balloons to his repertoire in 2014, studying with some of the most highly regarded balloon artists in the country and launching his Raleigh-based Capital Balloons Studios. He has performed throughout North Carolina.

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

The Randleman Public Library is located at 142 W. Academy Street. For further information call 336-498-3141.

Asheboro library slates November children’s activities

ASHEBORO – Learn about homeschooling, make a Native American craft, design a miniature decorative bow-and-arrow, and more, in the Asheboro Public Library Children’s Room during November.

Families who homeschool or are interested in learning about doing so can visit a “Homeschool Meet and Greet” at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 2 to learn about library resources for homeschoolers and to help the library better meet their needs.

In the monthly “Arts & Crafts” event for all ages at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, November 3, participants will make a craft based on Native American Heritage Month.

Early childhood learners and their families can join the P.A.L. (Play and Learn) Club at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, for children age 0-5. This month’s theme is “Color My World.”

The monthly Maker Series, 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, challenges kids age 8-12 to make a miniature, decorative bow-and-arrow that really shoots.

And don’t forget balloon artist, magician, comedian and Asheboro native Clark Sides in “Reading is Magic, Inflate Your Mind,” at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, and mark your calendars now for this year’s Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. Saturday, December 3.  

Meanwhile, the Children’s Room offers a range of weekly storytimes for all ages:

·        Toddler/Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m. Mondays

·        Baby Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Mondays;

·        Family Storytime, 3:15 and 7 p.m. Tuesdays;

·        Toddler Storytime, 10:10 a.m. Thursdays;

·        Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays;

·        Music and Movement (ages 2-5), 3:30 p.m. Fridays.

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

Paranormal researcher to share otherworldly investigations in Asheboro library talk

ASHEBORO – Are you hearing things that go bump in the night?

Piedmont-Triad Paranormal Investigations (PTPI) founder Rick Aiken will visit the Asheboro Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 25, to talk about what it takes to be a paranormal detective. Aiken also will show off the equipment he and his team use to uncover the otherworldly in haunted houses and other sites.

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

Established in 1992, PTPI is a non-profit organization that works to observe, record and study claims of ghosts and paranormal activity in North Carolina and surrounding states.

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

Wellness expert to share healthy living basics in Asheboro library program

Dr. Mike Perko

ASHEBORO – “Here’s a tip – we don’t have to make staying healthy so complicated,” says Dr. Mike Perko.

Perko, professor of Public Health Education at UNC-Greensboro, will share three essentials that form the basis of good health in a talk entitled “How to Make the Best of the Rest of Your Life” at 6 p.m. Monday, October 17, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Perko’s visit is free and the public is invited.

Perko is a renowned wellness expert who has received numerous awards and penned five children’s books, the most recent of which, How to EAT, LEAP, and SLEEP like a SUPERHERO, was published in 2015 by the Wellness Councils of America.

In addition to his role at UNCG, where he received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011, Perko is chief wellness advisor to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and a sought-after speaker. He was formerly the chair of the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Alabama.

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

Carve a pumpkin with Carl King at Asheboro library

Pumpkin carver Carl King shows off his creations.

ASHEBORO – Learn how to make your Jack-o-Lantern a true work of art with expert pumpkin carver Carl King at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 20, at the Asheboro Public Library.

King will talk about his process, share tips he has learned over 10 years refining his craft, and answer questions.

Sponsored by the Friends of the library, King’s demonstration is free and the public is invited.

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

Expert to offer tips, techniques for local bird watching in Asheboro library program

ASHEBORO – Join Dennis Burdette, past-president of the Piedmont Bird Club, for an introduction to local bird watching at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 20, at the Asheboro Public Library.  Pick up tips and learn about the tools you need to start identifying birds that visit our yards and gardens.

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

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

Fall into a good mystery at the Asheboro library

Interested in a good mystery novel to start off the fall?

Visit the Asheboro Public Library for a librarian-led discussion about different mystery authors and titles that may be new to you, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The talk is free and the public is invited. No sign-up required; call 336-318-6803 for further information.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Go online for genealogy with new Asheboro library classes

ASHEBORO -- Learn to trace your ancestry online during classes in September at the Asheboro Public Library featuring two library genealogy resources.

“Genealogy with Heritage Quest” will be offered from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 7. Learn how to use the Heritage Quest online resource — available via www.randquest.org — to access census information, pension records and other documents.

“Genealogy with Ancestry Library Edition” will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, September 19. Get started on your family tree using the in-library version of the popular Ancestry.com site.

The classes are free, but space is limited. Call 336-318-6803 to sign up or for further information.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Celebrate Dahl’s 100th with month of activities for kids at Asheboro library

Celebrate the 100th birthday of children’s author Roald Dahl, creator of Charlie and the Chocoloate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and more, with a month of activities during September at the Asheboro Public Library.

Come to a birthday party at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, featuring treats, games and crafts based on the author’s stories.

Weekly movies will be screened as follows:

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2 p.m. Saturday, September 10;
• Matilda, 6;30 p.m. Friday,September 16;
• The Witches, 6:30 p.m. Friday, September 23;
• James and the Giant Peach, 4 and 7  p.m. Thursday, September 29.

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

Eat smart with free hands-on cooking, canning classes in Asheboro

Jeannie Leonard

ASHEBORO -- From soups to appetizers and crockpots to stir fry, learn the basics of preparing healthy meals with Randolph County Cooperative Extension Agent Jeannie Leonard, at 6:30 p.m. every other Thursday from September 8 through November 3.

Sponsored by the Randolph County Public Library’s Margaret C. Taylor Memorial Culinary Arts Collection, the classes will take place at the Randolph County Cooperative Extension Center, 112 W. Walker Avenue in Asheboro, except for the September 8 session, which will be held at the Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth Street.

The classes will incorporate concepts from the Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less program. They are free and open to anyone age 18 and up.

Registration is required; call 336-318-6803 to sign up or for further information. The sessions are:

September 8 — Basics of Home Canning (Asheboro library). Learn how to choose the best canning methods for different foods, and what could go wrong.

September 22 — One Dish Crockpot Meals. With fall and winter just around the corner, it’s time for hot meals and a crockpot is just the thing to warm you up. Learn how to prepare delicious and nutritious crockpot meals.

October 6 — Stir-Fry Up the Night. Stir up your weeknight dinners with something easy and different. Learn the 10 easy keys to cooking smart and find out about food safety.

October 20 — Soup’s On! Warm up the winter nights with a fortifying meal. Learn how to make excellent soups with a base and layered flavors, and what items to keep on hand for a quick meal.

November 3 — Holiday Appetizers to Wow Your Guests. Prepare for the season with new appetizer recipes and ideas that will leave your guests talking for weeks about your delicious and tasty treats, and learn about food safety practices for the holidays.

Leonard is Cooperative Extension’s Family and Consumer Services agent, focusing on nutrition and wellness, food safety and home food preservation.

The classes are supported by a bequest from the estate of Margaret C. Taylor, a Randleman native who passed away in Dearbon, MI, last summer. The library received her collection of cooking and culinary arts books, and funding to develop and enhance the collection.

Hiroshima witness McGlohon to inaugurate new WWII collection

ASHEBORO --

John McGlohon in 1942 with his aerial
reconnaissance camera.

Asheboro native John McGlohon’s B-29 reconnaissance aircraft lifted off on August 6, 1945, for what he expected would be a routine flight.

Something big was brewing, but orders to avoid a particular area of Japan did not reach his squadron. The day ended with photographer McGlohon having snapped the only directly-overhead images in the immediate aftermath of the Hiroshima atomic bomb blast.

McGlohon will talk about the events of that historic day at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 11, at the Asheboro library. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, McGlohon’s visit is free and the public is invited.

The event also inaugurates the Robert C. Taylor, Jr., Memorial World War II Collection, which the library received as part of a bequest from the estate of Mr. Taylor’s wife, Randleman native Margaret Cashatt Taylor. Books and DVDS from the collection will be on display and available for checkout during the program.

McGlohon returned home after the war and operated a photography business (many of the company’s photos are included in the library’s online collection). In 1955, he joined the Asheboro Fire Department, and served as Chief from 1961 to 1985. After retiring,  he served on the city council from 1987 to 2005.

Randolph library Friends to host authors Bailey, McGovern and Vance

Authors Jodie Bailey, Hank McGovern and G. Warlock Vance

ASHEBORO – Visit with area authors Jodie Bailey, Hank McGovern and G. Warlock Vance during a Friends of the Library “Author Talk” event at 6  p.m. Thursday, July 21, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The Author Talk is free and the public is invited.

Bailey is author of the award winning romance novel Quilted by Christmas and numerous other works of romantic suspense, including the forthcoming Breach of Trust.

McGovern, a psychologist, recently released  A Suicide Note of Hope, More Than a Memoir, an autobiographical self-help book.

Vance, who teaches literature at Randolph Community College, will talk about his Mafia-themed novel, The Bad Man.

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

Aerialist to swing into last week of Asheboro library summer events

Aerialist Amanda Durnell performs

ASHEBORO – A daring display of trapeze artistry will cap “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read,” the Asheboro Public Library’s fitness-themed summer reading program for children, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, on the lawn outside the library.

Amanda Durnell of Down to Earth Aerials will use special fabrics and an 18-foot freestanding tripod to present an acrobatic show (in case of rain, she will perform indoors with a smaller setup). Afterwards, kids can get a close-up look at her fabrics, and learn about her performances.

The show, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

Based in Raleigh, Durnell received her education in aerial fabric and static trapeze from the New England Center for Circus Arts in Vermont, where her teachers included Cirque du Soleil alumni.

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

Get gentle yoga intro at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Learn the basics in “A Gentle Introduction to Yoga” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Certified yoga instructor Albert Meyer will provide instruction on basic yoga poses that can be tailored to the physical needs of participants. He will focus on breathing techniques and bodily awareness, and will answer questions about yogic traditions.

It’s free and the public is invited.

Attendees should wear comfortable clothing; shoes and socks are optional. The session will be held on a carpeted surface but participants are welcome to bring a yoga mat and towel.

The event is part of “Exercise Your Mind: Read!”, the library’s health, nutrition and fitness themed Summer Reading Program for adults. For a schedule of the library’s summer activities for all ages, go to www.randolphlibrary.org/summer or visit your local library.

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

LEGO Mania returns to Asheboro library July 29

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro Public Library’s raucous and immensely popular LEGO Mania competition returns for its eighth year at 2 p.m. Friday, July 29.

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 “Get in the Game: Read!”, the library’s health, nutrition and fitness-themed 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.

Comedy juggling team to propel Randolph library summer reading program into July

The Fettucini Brothers -- Alfredo and Alfresco -- will perform at all libraries in July.

ASHEBORO – Comedy juggling duo The Fettucini Brothers will delight audiences across the county as “On Your Mark, Get Set… Read!”, the Randolph County Public Library’s summer reading program for children, continues into July.

The Brothers will bring their intelligent, interactive mix of clean, original comedy for all ages, blended with just the right amount of juggling, to all the libraries during the week of July 11, as follows:

·        Archdale, 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 13;

·        Asheboro, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 12;

·        Franklinville, 1 p.m. Thursday, July 14;

·        Liberty, 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 13;

·        Ramseur, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 14;

·        Randleman, 3 p.m. Thursday, July 14;

·        Seagrove, 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 12.

Based in Charlotte, the Fettucini Brothers have entertained audiences worldwide for over 20 years with acclaimed performances. The have played theaters, comedy clubs, colleges, corporate events and cruise ships, and have toured as far away as Japan and China.

Meanwhile, weekly storytimes, performances, hands-on activities and other special events will take place at each library, including the ever-popular Snakes Alive at the Randleman library, Burns and Company Ventriloquists at Archdale and a performance by Down-to-Earth Aerials at Asheboro.

For a full schedule, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer or contact your local library.

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.

UNCG prof looks at Brazil as ‘country of football’ in Asheboro library talk

ASHEBORO – Football – soccer, to many in the U.S. – is more than a pastime in Brazil; it’s a bond that links people of all backgrounds to their common heritage as Brazilians.

To learn more about the importance of soccer in the host country of the summer Olympics, join Dr. Peter Villella, UNG-Greensboro assistant professor of Latin American History, for “The Country of Football: Sports and the History of Brazil” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Villella says the development of soccer in Brazil illustrates much of what is unique and important in the country’s history: its struggles with inequality and disunity; its distinctive blend of cultural influences; and its ongoing quest to become a modern nation.

Villella’s talk, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited. It’s part of “Exercise Your Mind,” the library’s adult summer reading program.

Find full schedules of the library’s summer activities for children, teens and adults at www.randolphlibrary.org/summer.

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

Writer explores life of ‘Orphan Train’ rider in Asheboro library talk

Tamra Wilson

ASHEBORO – Join history buff and family researcher Tamra Wilson as she talks about her quest to discover how her grandmother wound up in the middle of Illinois with no known relatives in “Sarah McGuirk, Orphan Train Rider,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Wilson’s talk is free and the public is invited. It’s the last in a series of visits to the library by “Road Scholars” from the North Carolina Humanities Council’s Many Stories, One People project.

Orphan Trains resettled some 250,000 children from crowded eastern cities to rural areas of the United States from 1853 to 1929. The program, though well-intentioned, was not without its critics.

Using her ancestor as a case study, Wilson explains how the orphan train program worked and didn't work, and explores the story behind the story: the influx of Irish immigrants from the Great Famine.

Wilson, who lives near Newton, N.C.,  is author of Dining with Robert Redford and Other Stories, short fiction about small town life. She also has published widely in a variety of anthologies, magazines and journals.

The project is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Support also is provided by the Friends of the Library.

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

On Your Mark… Get Set… Read! at Randolph libraries this summer

ASHEBORO – “On Your Mark, Get Set… Read!” as the Randolph County Public Library’s 2016 Summer Reading Program gets underway with a focus on sports, fitness and nutrition.

The reading initiative runs thru June and July at the Archdale, Asheboro,  Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur Randleman and Seagrove libraries, and features over 180 exciting events for children and families, as well as fascinating speakers and activities for teens and adults.

Children can sign up to track and report minutes read in return for reading rewards. Last year, 3,940 local children and teens registered, and reported reading for a total of 1,013,887 minutes.

Teens and adults also can keep track of their summer reading, and teens have a chance to win Kindle Fire HD tablets.

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

For children and their families, Zelnik the Magician will appear all the libraries in June. The Charlotte-based performer will use magic to coach kids on the importance of fitness, nutrition and reading, and have everyone laughing, clapping and participating in the magic.

Zelnik’s schedule is as follows: 

• Archdale, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 29;
• Asheboro, 10: 30 a.m. Tuesday, June 28;
• Franklinville, 3:30 p.n. Thursday, June 30;
• Liberty, 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 29;
• Ramseur, 1 p.m. Thursday, June 30;
• Randleman, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 30;
• Seagrove, 2  p.m. Tuesday, June 28.

In July, The Fettucini Brothers will engage young readers at all the libraries with a perfect mix of clean, original comedy blended with just the right amount of juggling and variety, and then served up with some intelligent, interactive fun.

In between, all the libraries will offer weekly storytimes and hands-on activities, as well as performers and special guests including Steve Somers (The Amazing Teacher), aerialist Amanda Durnell and the ever-popular “Snakes Alive” with Ron Cromer.

Teens are invited to “Get in the Game – Read” with activities ranging from comic book art classes to LEGO robotics and a blues music workshop, and the return of LEGO Mania.

For  adults, it’s “Exercise Your Mind – READ!” with fitness events, yoga, writing workshops and speakers.

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.

Clue in on mystery writing with author Lynn Chandler Willis at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO --  Join novelist Lynn Chandler Willis for “Randolph Writers Host Writer Talks: Clues to Writing a Mystery Novel” at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Willis, a member of the Randolph Writers whose novel Wink of an Eye won the PWA Best First Private Eye Novel competition, will lead a spirited discussion about what goes into writing a mystery novel.

It’s free, and open to both writers and readers.

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

‘Star Wars’ themed trivia night to support Randolph Library Friends

ASHEBORO – The Friends of the Randolph County Public Library are bringing back their fun and successful trivia night fundraiser, this time with a Star Wars twist.

              

“Spring Fling in a Galaxy Far, Far Away” will take place from 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, May 20, at AVS Catering & Banquet Center in  Asheboro. The public is invited.

Tickets, which include dinner and the trivia contest, are $50 per person and are available at the Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth Street. Proceeds go to support Friends programs, including author appearances, musical performances and enrichment activities for children, teens and adults.

During the friendly competition, participants will answer three rounds of trivia questions in teams of four, with some questions focusing on the Star Wars saga. Participants may sign up in groups of four as teams, or join a team on arrival. Prizes and bragging rights will be offered.

Sponsorship opportunities also are available; contact George Taylor, 336-318-6814, for further information.

Novelist Lynne Hinton returns to Asheboro for Friends of the Library event

Lynne Hinton

New York Times best-selling author and former Asheboro minister Lynne Hinton will headline the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at the Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro.

Her appearance is free and the public is invited.

Hinton was minister at Asheboro’s First Congregational United Church of Christ just after her first novel, Friendship Cake, hit big on its publication in 2000. The story, about a group of women friends in a small southern town who are writing a church cookbook, became a best seller and generated the Hope Springs series of five novels.

Now, Hinton is author of 18 books, including the Pie Town series, set in New Mexico, and the Divine Private Detective Agency mystery series. She has received a slew of awards, including the 2011 New Mexico Book of the Year Award, Fiction/Adventure Drama Category, and the 2011 National Federation of Press Women’s Fiction Book of the Year. She also writes a Faith and Values column for The Charlotte Observer.

Born in Durham and raised in Fayetteville, Hinton is pastor of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Albuquerque. She attended Wake Forest University and graduated from UNC-Greensboro. She also attended the UNC School of the Arts School of Filmmaking, and holds a Masters of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.

The Sunset Theatre is located at 234 Sunset Avenue. For more information, call the Asheboro Public Library at 336-318-6803.

Celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) with outdoor games, music, food and raffle prizes from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Bring the family and celebrate the importance of literacy and reading for children of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Part of the parking lot will be blocked off for the free event, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the Latino Coalition of Randolph County.

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

‘Road Scholar’ Walter Ziffer looks at Saul of Tarsus in Asheboro library talk

ASHEBORO – How did Paul the Apostle, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, contribute to the founding of Christianity?

Theologian Dr. Walter Ziffer will discuss the question in a talk called “In Search of the Real Founder of Christianity: Jesus of Nazareth or Saul of Tarsus,” at 6  p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the Asheboro Public Library.

His talk is free and the public is invited. It’s next in the Road Scholar series, part of the North Carolina Humanities Council’s Many Stories, One People project.

Ziffer, a Holocaust survivor from Czechoslovakia, is author of numerous articles in Europe and the United States, and two books. He has taught at seminaries in France, Belguim, Washington, D.C., Maine and North Carolina, and is currently an adjunct professor of philosophy and religion at Mars Hill College.

Ziffer holds an engineering degree from Vanderbilt University, two masters degrees in theology from Oberlin College and a Th.D. from the University of Strasbourg in France.

The final Road Scholar event at the Asheboro library is “Sarah McGuirk, Orphan  Train Rider” with essayist Tamra Wilson at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.

The project is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Support is also provided by the Friends of the Library.

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

Play real-life ‘Game of Thrones’ with UNCG history professor at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – In the HBO series Game of Thrones, viewers see vestiges of medieval history: knights in shining armor defending their ladies’ honor, jousts and tournaments, and courtly intrigue.

Join UNC-Greensboro Associate History Professor Richard Barton at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Asheboro Public Library, for a grounding in the nature of power for those who play the game of thrones. Barton’s research interest is the structure and nature of power in medieval France, which he ties in with events in the fictional kingdoms of the popular series.

Barton’s talk, 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 336-318-6803.

Randolph library invites children to “Play and Learn”

ASHEBORO – Join the PAL (Play and Learn) Club at four Randolph County libraries in April.

Children ages 0-5 and parents/caregivers are invited to have fun with letters through storytimes, literacy-building games, crafts and other activities.

The schedule is as follows:

• Archdale (10433 S.Main St.): 10 a.m. Thursday, April 28;
• Asheboro (201 Worth St.): 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 15;
• Liberty (239 S. Fayetteville St.): 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 6;
• Randleman 142 W. Academy St.): 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 18

The events are part of Every Child Ready to Read, an initiative to help young children develop the building blocks of literacy so that they will be ready to learn when they start school.

For further information, call 336-318-6804.

Novelist Ross Howell Jr. to appear at Asheboro library

Novelist Ross Howell Jr.

ASHEBORO – The execution of a 17-year-old African American girl in Virginia during the Jim Crow era forms the basis of Greensboro author Ross Howell Jr.’s fact-based novel Forsaken.

Howell will discuss his recently-published book during a Friends of the Library event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Asheboro Public Library. His talk is free and the public is invited.

Forsaken tells the chilling true story of Virginia Christian, an uneducated African American girl who was tried and convicted of murdering her white employer in 1912. Charlie Mears, a white man, covered the case as a rookie reporter.

The book chronicles the story of the trial and its aftermath as seen through Mears’s eyes, weaving in actual court records, letters and personal accounts.

Howell pursued a career in marketing and publishing after earning an M.F.A. in the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. His fiction has appeared in the Virginia Quarterly, Sewanee Review, Gettysburg Review and other publications.

He has taught creative writing and literature at Harvard University, the University of Iowa, the University of Virginia and, currently, at Elon University.

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

Meet Scout: ‘Mockingbird’ actress Mary Badham to appear at Asheboro’s Sunset Theatre

Mary Badham speaks at Birmingham Southern College. Adapted from a photo by Thecoiner License CC BY-SA 3.0

ASHEBORO – Actress Mary Badham, who played Scout in the classic 1962 film adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, will appear at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the historic Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro.

Badham will share her experiences making the film, reflect on the book’s message of tolerance and compassion, and take audience questions.

Her appearance is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, the City of Asheboro and The Courier-Tribune. It’s free and the public is invited.

Prior to Badham’s appearance,  a free showing of the film will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the Sunset for those who have not seen it or want to see it again.

Badham was chosen for the role of Scout at age 10, with no prior acting experience. She was nominated for a Best Actress in a Supporting Role Oscar for her performance.

After appearing in two other films, including This Property Is Condemned with Natalie Wood and Robert Redford, and TV shows Twilight Zone and Dr. Kildare, she left acting as a teenager to pursue her education.

She currently maintains a busy schedule talking to audiences internationally about the book and the film, and has twice appeared at the White House. Her interest is in expanding knowledge about the film’s message of social injustice and to insure that each generation of students can experience the film’s impact.

The Sunset Theatre is located at 234 Sunset Ave. For further information, contact the Asheboro Public Library at 318-6803.

Join the Spring Break fun at the Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – School will be out during the last week of March, so join in the Spring Break fun at the Asheboro Public Library.

School-age children are invited to take part in activities and adventures each day at 4 p.m.:

·        Monday, March 28: Simple Science – Learn about sound and static electricity.

·        Tuesday, March 29: Yoga Storytelling – Learn basic poses while enjoying a story.

·        Wednesday, March 30: Movie Day – Watch The Good Dinosaur and do a fun craft.

·        Thursday, March 31: Artist Corner – Coloring books are not just for little kids anymore!

·        Friday, April 1: Construction Friday – Test your building skills using LEGOs and other household items.

All the events are free and all supplies will be provided.

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

Sit a spell with ‘Road Scholar’ E.J. Stewart at Asheboro library

E.J. Stewart

ASHEBORO – Share memories of North Carolina’s agricultural past with playwright, oral historian and storyteller Ella Joyce (E.J.) Stewart in “Sit-a-Spell,” 6 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Stewart, the daughter of sharecroppers, will share stories from the mid-20th Century, when “Y’all come sit-a-spell” was the call for agricultural workers to take a break from hard work in the fields, or to relax after church on a Sunday afternoon.

Stewart’s appearance is first in a series of visits by “Road Scholars” from the North Carolina Humanities Council’s Many Stories, One People project. It’s free and the public is invited.

Stewart, who lives in Raleigh, uses literary arts as a way to create better communication across age, race, gender and class lines. She has written three produced plays and her stories appear in several publications.

She is a member of the North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers and the National Association of Black Storytellers.

Mark your calendars for the other Road Scholar events at the Asheboro library:

· “In Search of the Real Founder of Christianity: Jesus of Nazareth or Saul of Tarsus,” with Mars Hill College religion professor Dr. Walter Ziffer, 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 19; and

·  “Sarah McGuirk, Orphan Train Rider,” with fiction writer and essayist Tamra Wilson, M.F.A., 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.

      

The project is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Support is also provided by the Friends of the Library.

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

Womick to debut children’s book in fun-filled library storytime

ASHEBORO – What happens when an elderly woman grows too frail plant her garden as usual, and the balance in the world shifts from beauty to ugliness?

Find out as journalist Chip Womick debuts his first children’s book, Mrs. McGillicutty’s Last Sunflower, beautifully illustrated by Argentinean artist Marina Saummell,  in an event that will feature a reading of the story and spring-related games and crafts, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the Asheboro Public Library. Womick also will answer audience questions.

It’s free and all ages are invited.

Womick has been writing mostly for newspapers — and mostly for The Courier-Tribune — for the last 30 years.

After penning Remembering Randolph County: Tales from the Center of the State, and assisting centenarian John Pugh with a memoir, he wanted to see on the printed page some of the children’s stories he has written. He hopes that Mrs. McGillicutty’s Last Sunflower is the first of many from his new publishing company, Peacelight Press (peacelightpress.com).

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

Play some music at Asheboro library jam session for teens

ASHEBORO  -- Bring your guitar or other instrument of choice and join singer-songwriter Gracie Kirkland for the first ever TeenZone Jam Club at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 17.

The jam session is free and all teens are invited to make some music.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Get smart about your credit report in Asheboro library program

ASHEBORO  -- Learn how to understand your credit report in “SmartCents: Credit to Be Proud Of” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the Asheboro Public Library.

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

Tom Luzon of Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greensboro will talk about how to read a credit report and understand the report’s terminology.

Participants will learn how to establish credit and dispute inaccurate credit reporting, and find out about their rights.

Attendees also can bring their credit report for personalized assistance from Luzon. Credit reports can be obtained for free at www.AnnualCreditReport.com (authorized by federal law and the only source for free credit reports), or by calling 877-322-8228.

Those bringing a credit report should keep it with them during the program, not let anyone else see it, and black out their social security number.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Health resources fair at Asheboro library offers access to agencies, organizations

ASHEBORO – Having trouble finding health insurance, resources or support?

Visit the Health Resources Fair from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at the Asheboro library. Representatives from 15 community agencies will be present to direct you to the help you need.

Organized by Randolph Family Healthcare at MERCE in conjunction with the library’s Extension Services Department, the fair will feature representatives from Christian United Outreach Center, the Girl Scouts, Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of Randolph County, The Incredible Years Programs, Randolph County Partnership for Children, Insurance Navigators for Randolph Hospital, Regional Consolidated Services Home Health Care, The Veteran’s Service Center, Vocational Rehabilitation and the YMCA, who will provide information and answer questions.

This program is free and open to the public. Bring loved ones, neighbors and anyone who might benefit from services provided by these organizations.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6816.

Weekly ‘Music and Movement’ for children returns to Asheboro library

ASHEBORO -- “Music and Movement,” a lively half-hour of songs, rhymes and rhythm for children ages 2-5, resumes at 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, at the Asheboro Public Library, and continues weekly.

Music helps to develop early literacy skills such as memory, patterning, vocabulary and imagination. Group physical activity paired with music can support cognitive, physical and social development.

Each Friday afternoon, children will use instruments such as shakers, rhythm sticks and bells, and movement props such as scarves, flags and bean bags, to keep the beat with a diverse selection of songs, rhymes and fingerplays, including well-known favorites and songs from around the world.

Each session will focus on various characteristics of music and movement (fast, slow, quiet, loud) and invite energetic interpretation of songs and dance.

Children’s Music and Movement is free, and children and their parents/caregivers are invited. For further information, call 318-6804.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.