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.