Monday, April 27, 2015

Ashe County Community Read



This year’s community read novel is The Hum and the Shiver by Alex Bledsoe, first in a series of “Tufa Tales.”  Bledsoe described the story as a conjunction of three things: "Appalachian folk music, Celtic faery folklore, and stories of the Melungeons of East Tennessee."    No one knows where the Tufa came from, or how they ended up in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Enigmatic and suspicious of outsiders, the Tufa live quiet lives in the hills and valleys of Cloud County. While their origins may be a mystery, there are hints of their true nature buried in the songs they have passed down for generations.  

In a blog interview, Layers of Thought, Bledsoe entices readers with this brief introduction.  “At the opening of the story, Tufa homegirl Bronwyn Hyatt, an Army private, is returning home wounded from the war in Iraq, to face both her past and present in Tennessee.  There’s also a ghost waiting to talk to her, omens of death that seem to be targeting her mother, and her dangerous ex-boyfriend lurking around."   

Stop in the library on May 16 for the community read kick-off and pick up a copy of this book.  Multiple copies will be distributed to encourage a wide audience of readers. The day begins at 10 am with DIY fairy houses; a how-to on getting started and other resources. Enjoy special musical performances by JAM and the library’s Slow Jammers starting at 1 pm.   Then join the community drum circle at 3 pm … “If we don’t know the melodies hummed in the night wind, then all that’s left is the shiver of the grave.”

Dates to remember in May:
The Library will be closed May 15 for staff training and May 25 for Memorial Day.


  •   Children’s Programs

o   Baby Bounce programs are every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.  Parents are encouraged to bring their littlest ones (birth – 24 months.) for books, songs, tickles, and bounces.
o   Tot Time is every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for the “young and the restless” (2 & 3 year-olds) with stories, songs, and crafts
o   Story Time is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and offers stories, songs and crafts for 4-5 year-olds
o   The Lego Club meets on May 21 at 4:00 p.m. for grades K-3 and at 5:00 p.m. for grades 4 and up.
o   Creative Challenge is at 4:00 p.m. on May 14 for K-grade 6.  Spend the afternoon “at the beach,” identifying seashells and make beautiful seashell tiles.


  •    Teen Programs

o   Geek out at 4:00 p.m. every Tuesday with Otaku’s United, an Anime/Manga Club.
o   The Hangout takes place at 4:00 p.m. on May 7.  Teens are invited to a “Mad Hatter Tea,” complete with topsy-turvy races, relays, and quests to escape the madness alive.  Character costumes are welcome!
o   The Teen Advisory Council (TAC) meets at 4:00 p.m. on May 28. 


  •  Adult Programs

o   Two O’Clock Tech Talks presents “Canva Extravaganza” on May 4 & 11.  Learn how to make professional print and digital marketing material for free!  Small businesses and individuals are welcome.  No design experience necessary.
o   Improve your quality of life with Tai Chi classes 10:00 a.m. every Thursday.
o   The Wellness Circle’s lunch-n-learn program (BYOL) meets at 11:30 a.m. on May 12 for an occupational wellness check.  Information will be shared about volunteer opportunities in the county.  “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi
o   The Centennial Book Club meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in Hotel Tavern.  Black Boy by, Richard Wright is the selected book for May 26 and will be featured on the big screen in the library at 2:00 p.m. on May 30.
o   Connect to the past and become “Rooted” with a workshop led by Gene Hafer on the history of West Jefferson at 11:00 a.m. on May 16.
o   Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on May 18 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately!

  •   All Ages

o   Community Read Kick Off – Saturday May 16 - Pick up a Community Read book, explore the library and grab some popcorn. Craft your own music maker at Instrumentality in Youth Services starting at 11 am.  Experience the “Ask” booth, and learn about other Community Read events. Discover resources available at the library to help you make and inspire your own creative DIY Fairy Houses at 10:00 a.m.  JAM – Junior Appalachian Musicians will be playing in front of the quilt at 1:00 p.m., and at 2:00 p.m. the library’s Slow Jammers will entertain with more traditional / old-time folk music. Try your hand at drumming in the park behind the library with the Community Drum Circle.
o   Get Crafty meets on 2nd Saturday of every month at 10:00 a.m.  This month’s project is “Caps for Cancer” and will be collected for Hats, Hugs, and Hope of Western North Carolina.
o   The Community Drum Circle meets on May 12 and 26 at 5:30.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!
o   Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet on May 1, 8, and 15 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room (after-hours access through side door on lower parking lot).  Get together with other musicians and jam.  Songs are explained as to timing, breaks, etc… and played in slow time.  Designed for beginners, all skill levels are welcome.

  • Special Events:

o   Visit the library’s “Inspiration Station,” on Mondays, beginning May 18 through June 8.
o   Community Read Book Talk takes place at 6:00 p.m. on May 19 in Bohemia and at 6:00 p.m. on May 21 at Todd Mercantile
o   Community Read Cinema showcases The Songcatcher (PG-13) at 2:00 p.m. on May 23.
o   Tweens & Teens: Create a jar to hold wishes and dreams for your future at 4:00 p.m. on May 27.

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