Looking At Appalachia: The Field Notes Project

The Looking at Appalachia project celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of the Appalachian region and complicates notions of the place and the people who live there. The centerpiece of the project—now in its second year—is a collection of photographs submitted by over 100 photographers and representing the vast geographic area that is Appalachia.

In 1964, when President Lyndon Johnson declared a War on Poverty, photographers and journalists found the face and the story of American poverty in rural Appalachia, and even now, over 50 years later, Appalachia and its people remain burdened by the stories and images that created a single narrative for a region as diverse as any other. The Looking at Appalachia project grew out of a desire to refocus and retell that narrative, from as many different perspectives as possible.

Recently, project director Roger May announced that the scope of the project will grow to include audio, video, and writings about the Appalachian region. The Ashe County Public Library has already put this facet of the project into action with our Field Notes Project. As an extension of Looking at Appalachia, the Field Notes Project gives everybody who loves this place and calls it home a chance to tell the story of their Appalachia. To facilitate the telling, the library has three North Carolina Field Notes books—one each for adults, teens, and children—available for checkout through the end of 2015. Visit the library to borrow one of these books and contribute a poem, sketch, or story about YOUR Appalachia.

Dates to remember in July:

·         Children’s Programs

o   Discover the life of a rescue squad volunteer through safety equipment demos and a brief Q&A with volunteer squad members at 10:00 a.m. on July 8.

o   A Preschool Story Walk takes place at 11:00 a.m. in Ashe County Park, on July 13 featuring Trout are Made of Trees by, April Pulley Sayre.

o   Come for a Claymation demonstration at 11:00on July 14.

o   Meet and greet your favorite storybook cat, Skippyjon Jones, and listen to his stories at 11:00 a.m. on July 21.

·         Teen Programs

o   Continuing through July, pick up a new challenge bag to create, build and tinker.

o   Design and sew your own superhero capes using the library's new Maker cart. Must attend at least part of both instructional sessions at 4:00 p.m. on July 13 and July 20.

o   Discover the world of forensics through hands-on activities, including fingerprinting, detective interviewing, and evidence testing led by professionals in the field at 2:00 p.m. on July 24. 

·         Adult Programs

o   Two O’Clock Tech Talks presents “Microsoft Office Suites” on Mondays.

o   Improve your quality of life with Tai Chi classes 10:00 a.m. every Thursday.

o   Enjoy stimulating conversation, share experiences and feelings about current events and trends with “Coffee Talk” at 9:00 a.m. on July 10, at West Jefferson Coffee House.

o   The Wellness Circle’s lunch-n-learn program (BYOL) meets at 11:30 a.m. on July 14.  Try Literary Speed Dating to find a new book that will speak to your heart and share your favorite book with others. 

o   Join “The Player's Club” at 5:30 p.m. on July 15 and read a play with others aloud, or just come to listen.  Featured ply for July is Rosencrantz &Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard

o   The Centennial Book Club meets on the 4^th Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in Hotel Tavern.  Cool Hand Luke by, Donn Pearce is the selected book for July 28 and will be featured on the big screen in the library at 2:00 p.m. on August 1.

o   Connect to the past and become “Rooted” with a workshop led by Travis Birdsell on the First Families of Christmas Tree Farming at 1:00 p.m. on July 25.

o   Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on June 29 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately!

·         All Ages

o   Learn about the traditional art of weaving and create up-cycled shoulder bags at 1:00 p.m. on July 2 in Florence Thomas Art School.

o   On July 7 meet “hero of the past,” Daniel Boone at 10:30 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m. learn about “creatures of the night.”

o   Get Crafty meets on 2^nd Saturday of every month at 10:00 a.m. for crocheting and knitting.  This month’s project is “Prayer Shawls” and will be collected for distribution to area nursing homes.

o   Come to the library’s College Launch Fair at 1:00 p.m. on July 11.  Teens and their parents are invited to find out about choosing college, financial aid, SAT prep and more. 

o   The Community Drum Circle meets on July 14 and 28 at 5:30.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!

o   Discover the super apian exploits of honey bees at 10:30 a.m. on July 15.

o   Ashe County Mini-Con takes place at 1:00 p.m. on July 18.  Enjoy a superhero obstacle course, sidewalk chalk comics, Dr. Who Trivia, Manga reading and more.

o   Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet on July 3 and 17 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   Stop in for an artist reception in the upstairs gallery and meet artist, Joy Braverman-Smith, at 4:00 p.m. on July 10.

o   Music in library features Scot and Nan at 1:00 p.m. on July 11.

o   John Hohn will be reading from and signing copies from his latest novel, Breached, at 11:00 a.m. on July 29.