Experience “What I Came to Tell You”

I’m here to tell you that Tommy Hays’s book, What I Came to Tell You, is a Community Read smash hit! Ashe County’s Homeschoolers Community helped kick-off this featured book at the beginning of May with an original theatre production, “Tales from the Bamboo Forest.” 

Asheville author, Tommy Hays made a special visit to the county and later posted rave reviews of the performance on his Facebook page, “Incredibly creative, imaginative, funny and moving. So, so impressed by the amazing cast and Directors Gilly McGilly and Ramona Renfroe. We were totally blown away. The show itself was a beautiful tapestry.”

Gilly McGilly, Tommy Hays, and Ramona Renfroe

I must add that after watching the show, I had tears in my eyes and felt the need to hug all the talented homeschoolers at once! The homeschoolers, under the direction of Ramona Renfroe and Gilly McGilly, shared two well-attended free shows at Ashe Civic Center. Those in the audience who hadn’t yet read What I Came to Tell You, left anxious to pick up a copy of the book. 

So what does a bamboo forest have to do with the story? Well, without spoiling things for future readers … the main character, Grover, makes beautiful woven tapestries out of bamboo and nature objects. His art is an outlet for dealing with grief. The tapestries are memorials to his mother. Now you might understand where my tears came from, as those tales came to life on the stage of Ashe Civic Center. In fact, the entire stage was transformed into a bamboo forest by Gilly, and after the performances a woven bamboo prop was donated to the library.

Cast of "Tales From the Bamboo Forest"

The library would like to welcome folks to stop by and take part in a community weaving project, our very own bamboo tapestry now through June 10. And, you won’t want to miss the “Bamboo-Palooza” a day of fun at the library on Saturday, May 28. Come out and make some bamboo wind chimes, watch the film Fantastic Mr. Fox, attend a Barn Quilt Art workshop by the Quilt Square Girls, join a book discussion and more. There will be several other community book discussions, 5:30 p.m. at Carolina Country Wines on June3, 10:30 a.m. at Bohemia on June 7, and at 8:30 a.m. in West Jefferson Coffee Shop on June 9. Be sure and save the date for Tommy Hays, who will be appearing at 2:00 p.m. in the library on June 11. Meet the author, enjoy refreshments, and more!

There are 100 “Read, Share, Return” copies of the novel circulating around the community. If you haven’t had a chance to read this book yet, drop by the library and pick up a copy to read and then pass it on. Community Read programming and books were made possible by a generous Friends of the Library donation. Thank you Friends!