Teens, ‘tweens invited to make stitched hearts in library program

Teens and ‘tweens ages 10 to 18 are invited to learn how to make stitched hearts from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, February 9, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The program, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and all teens and ‘tweens are invited. It will take place in the library Meeting Room downstairs.

Amy Keith Barney, Teen Services Librarian, will demonstrate different techniques for making stitched hearts for your loved one just in time for Valentine’s Day. A variety of felt, fabric, buttons and all the necessary supplies will be available for a hands-on learning experience.

For more information call 336-318-6824.

UNC Clef Hangers to usher in Asheboro library’s 75th anniversary

The UNC Clef Hangers a cappella ensemble will perform as the Asheboro Public Library celebrates its 75th anniversary at 7 p.m. Saturday, January 8, at the Sunset Theatre.

Vocalist/accompanist duo Lane Ragsdale and Tom Liles will open for the 15-member Tar Heel student singing group.

The concert, sponsored by the Asheboro Public Library Foundation, is free and the public is invited. The theatre is located at 234 Sunset Ave.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Founded in 1977, the Clef Hangers first performed in the Pit in April, 1978. Since then, “the Clefs” have released 23 professionally-produced studio albums and have toured worldwide. During a tour in New York, the group performed for the nation on Good Morning America.

In 2004, the Clef Hangers won a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for best soloist. Alumni include American Idol finalist Anoop Desai.

The concert kicks off the Asheboro Public Library’s 75th anniversary year. The library opened its doors on February 10, 1936, in two rooms above the Standard Drug Store in downtown Asheboro.

The idea for the library originated with a local bridge club in 1935. The group organized itself as the Randolph Library Club, and since has become the Asheboro Public Library Foundation.

The Foundation manages donations and bequests for improvement of the Asheboro library. As recipient of a bequest from Louise Swaim, longtime local music teacher, the Foundation over many years has provided music-related material and performances for the community through the library.

December newsletter...

...posted!

"Deck the Halls with Lane and Friends", Thursday December 16

A group of talented performers will join vocalist Lane Ragsdale as he brings his very popular Christmas cabaret back to the Asheboro Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, December16.

“Deck the Halls with Lane and Friends: A Christmas Cabaret” is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. It is free and the public is invited.

Joining Ragsdale will be accompanist/arranger Tom Liles and vocalists Amanda Broach, Derek Jackson, Patrick Osteen, Ben Peddycord, Alan Pugh and Ashley Wicker.

Broach is a frequent actress in Greensboro Community theatre productions. Jackson, a UNC-Charlotte student, starred in the RSVP production of OKLAHOMA.

Osteen is a senior acting major at UNC-School of the Arts. Peddycord starred in Les Miserables at Asheboro High School and has just returned from Africa.

Alan Pugh is a frequent musical star for RSVP. Wicker is a sophomore at UNC-Greensboro studying education and music.

Liles will sing as well as accompany, and Robert Dove, a UNCG student, will play saxophone.

The group will perform seasonal tunes together and individually, and as always, the show will include Lane’s unique blend of reminiscences and stories. He also promises some new twists and turns.

"Personally, I am more excited about this show than ever before," Ragsdale says.

Asheboro library breakfast program for kids to feature “Amazing Teacher” Steve Somers

Children are invited to take a ride on the Arctic Express – but have breakfast first – as Steve Somers, the Amazing Teacher, visits the Asheboro Public Library on Saturday, December 4.

After a light breakfast at 9:30 a.m. in the library meeting room,Conductor Steve will use books on his Arctic Express reading list to take kids on a magical train ride for an entertaining look at winter festivals around the world, including Diwali, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Hanukkah and, of course, Christmas.

The program is free. All children and their parents are invited.

Somers, based in High Point, is an educator and performer whose “Amazing Teacher” programs have engaged students, parents and teachers in some 3,100 performances over 30 years. Find out more about him at here.

Library wins statewide award for mural project

The Randolph County Public Library’s summer 2009 downtown Asheboro mural project has won an Outstanding Library Promotional Project award from the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association (NCPLDA).

Conceived by Teen Services Librarian Amy Keith Barney as part of “Express Yourself @ your library,” the library’s teen Summer Reading Program, and created by local painter and art teacher Cori Cagle, the mural casts a dawn-to-dusk vision of downtown Asheboro landmarks and attractions on the concrete retaining wall at the intersection of Church and Academy streets.

Painted primarily by teen volunteers from the library and kids from the Central Boys and Girls Clubs, it encompasses some 900 square feet on the 220-foot-long by seven-foot-high arced wall. Some 15-20 painters worked each day for two weeks in July to complete the project, and adult volunteers chipped in on two evenings.

The project, which had the backing of the Asheboro Appearance Commission and the Asheboro City Council, was funded by Trees Asheboro (now Trees NC) through a Grassroots Arts Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council via the Randolph Arts Guild. Trees Asheboro and the City of Asheboro provided logistical support for the painters.

View photos of the project.

Ghosts of Christmases past, present and yet-to-come visit library on Movie Monday

It’s a tour de force performance for Jim Carrey as he tackles multiple roles in A Christmas Carol, the Asheboro Public Library’s Movie Monday, 2 p.m. December 6.

Carrey plays Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmases past, present and yet-to-come in this updated, animated version of the Charles Dickens’ classic. The old miser Scrooge must face the three spirits, who bring kindness to his otherwise cold heart and remind him of the man he used to be.

The movie is free and the public is invited; refreshments will be served. Find our more here, or call 318-6824.