Centennial Book Reads

The town of West Jefferson celebrates its 100^th birthday in 2015 and with this milestone the library launches its West Jefferson Centennial Book Club. Beginning in February the club will read through a century of popular literature with a book published in each decade during the years 1915 – 2015.   In preparation for this new book club, polls were created with the top five books, every ten years, starting with the year 1915.  Avid readers from Ashe Friends of the Library and other local book clubs were asked to vote for their favorites, assisting library staff in selecting books for this unique club.  Readers will meet monthly at 6:00 p.m. in Hotel Tavern every fourth Tuesday to discuss a featured book.  Each Saturday, following Tuesday night’s Centennial Book Club talk, the library will host a matinee of the novel’s film version. 

Upon completion of the decades’ top ten reads, a literary social event will be held at the Tavern.  This culminating event will be attended by main characters from each book read.  Those interested in becoming a main character for this “bookish party” should stop in the library and find out more.  Among characters being recruited for next year’s celebration are a Scottish solider/spy, Daisy or Gatsby, a renaissance midwife, a pioneer (plains) girl or mail-order bride, Yossarian, a WWII bombardier and others.   The literary social event will give readers an opportunity to talk with each character about their “role in the story.”   

John Buchan’s book The Thirty Nine Steps, published in 1915, will be discussed on February 24 and the Alfred Hitchcock film version of this book will be shown on February 28.  Pick up a schedule of the coming year’s centennial reads and join the fun.

Ashe Library Dates to Remember in January:

For All Ages:    

•  The Community Recipe Swap continues through January.  Visit the recipe swap board in the library and find a new recipe, or share one of your own.  
• In 2015 the Get Crafty Knit & Crochet Classes focuses on charity projects. Classes are for all skill levels from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month.  The project in January is Knit & Crochet Special Olympic Scarves.  Materials needed:  1 skein of blue yarn, 1 skein of white yarn and either size 6 knitting needles or size I/J crochet hook. 
• In honor of the newest Story Walk children and their parents can drop-in on Saturdays to create creatures from the book Under the Snow. 
• The “Traveling Trunk” from Ashe County History Museum visits with director Ramona Renfroe.  Come out to see artifacts and hear stories about West Jefferson from the year 1915.
• The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. in the library on January 13 and 27.

For Children:

• Baby Bounce takes place at 10:00 a.m. on January 13, 20, and 27. This is a short 15-20 minute program for infants and babies that will include finger plays, songs, rhymes, and a book or two.
• Tot Time for 2-3 year olds is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.
• Story Time for 4-5 year olds is at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays.
• The Lego Club meets at 4:00 p.m. for grades K-3 and 5:00 p.m. for grades 4 and up on January 15.  New challenges monthly!  

For Teens:

• Geek out with Otaku’s United Anime / Manga Club at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. 
• A Teen Photo Scavenger Hunt starts January 2 at the library.  On January 17 the teen with the most photo points wins! 
• Warm up with a tropical celebration, The Winter Luau, at 4:00 p.m. on January 22.  Featuring a fruit sculpture contest, games, decorations, coconut pastries, and more.

For Adults:

• Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on January 26 at Boondocks.
• Tackle a mini project using a new technology tool on Mondays at the Two O’Clock Tech Talk.
• Mountain Music Slow Jam takes place at 5:30 p.m. on January 2 and 23 in the library’s downstairs meeting room (access through side entrance). 
•   Visit the Digital Spotlight Kiosk at 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays and see what the online world can do for you.  Never stop exploring!   
• The Ashe Wellness Circle features books related to Spiritual Wellness throughout the months January, February, and March.  Check out the library’s website for a virtual shelf of available books.  Stop in at 11:30 a.m. for a discussion on the practice of meditation with Julie Smith.

Special Events - In and Out:

• An Art Reception for Edwina May’s watercolors will open in the upstairs gallery at 4:00 p.m. on January 9.
• Richard Easley on classical and contemporary guitar entertains at 2:00 p.m. on January 10.