Get Involved: Read, Learn, Act

Ashe Library announces its new signature program series, Involving Books. This will feature books relating to causes, issues, challenges, or situations that call for an active response from readers. Discussions about the books will take place at the library, at partner locations, and in public forums such as parks, breweries, restaurants, and farmers markets. Community service opportunities or individual activities related to the topics of the books will be organized or suggested. Visits from authors, musicians, artists, or other experts connected to each book’s topic will provide culturally enriching and informative entertainment.

The first of these programs encourages the community to GET INVOLVED with Ashe Farmers Market, SUPPORT our local farmers, and EAT HEALTHY. Public support is essential for the growth and success of Ashe County farmers and, by extension, Ashe County Farmers Market. It is important to raise awareness about spending money locally and to realize that every locally-grown bite you eat supports the community and strengthens local economy.

The library’s featured book, Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers' Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm by Forrest Pritchard will spark interest in supporting local farmers and eating healthy. Pritchard’s memoir is easy to read and tells the story of his efforts to live a sustainable lifestyle and run a family business. He writes about the many bodies of knowledge encompassed by the simple designation of “farmers,” who must at once be mechanics, meteorologists, scientists, machine operators, financial planners, agronomists, computer operators, animal caretakers and still maintain the bonds of family. His story also makes a strong case for growing and buying locally, particularly with respect to farmers’ markets.

Multiple copies of this book have been distributed throughout the community, as part of a READ, SHARE, RETURN initiative. The library hopes to reach out to all and involve the community in reading together. On June 24, there will be a community discussion about this book at the Farmers Market, led by local cattle farmer Tim Miller, of Highland Meadows Cattle Company and Anne Rose, of Rose Mountain Butcher Shoppe. This book is about protecting America’s heritage of small family farms and will appeal to foodies, gardeners, and animal lovers. Join us in reading about how local food / farming can bring communities together and hear some fun farm anecdotes about both humans and animals.

Dates to remember in June:

Children’s Programs

• Baby Bounce meets every Friday at 10:00 a.m. for ages birth to 2 years. Enjoy stories, rhymes, bounces, and songs with a stay-and-play social time afterwards.
• Move to the Music meets at 11:00 a.m. “Down by the Sea” on June 16 and “Arly’s Dance Party” on June 23, for birth to third grade. Join us for dancing, yoga, parachute play, spacewalking, and more.

Teen Programs

• T for Teen, Gamers unite! will meet at 4:00 p.m. on June 6. Xbox 360 and laptops available for gaming.
• Teen Art Studio meets at 4:00 p.m. on June 13. Come and create! We provide the supplies and you make the art in this open choice art studio.
• STEAM Teens: Science – Technology – Engineering – Art – Math Challenges! Join the fun from 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. on June 15 for Rainbow Explosion Slime and June 29 for Wind Turbine Race Cars.
• Board Game Café meets at 4:00 p.m. on June 20. Come alone or bring a group to enjoy a variety of board games, hot coffee from local brews, and sweet treats.
• The Teen Advisory Council (TAC) meets at 5:00 p.m. on June 20.  Tell us what you want to see in YOUR library and earn volunteer hours.
• Teen Craft Club meets at 4:00 p.m. on June 27. Support our local animal shelter by making pet toys for dogs and cats looking for a “furever” home.

Adult Programs

• For all your tech troubles, book and appointment with our friendly reference librarians.  Call 336.846.2041 x227
• Yoga Club meets in the library’s downstairs meeting room at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.
•  Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on June 5 and 26 in Boondocks Restaurant. There is no assigned reading for this club.  Join our lively discussion of recent reads
• Let’s Talk About It: Journeys Across Time & Place:
  • Join scholar Julie Cartner for a presentation and book discussion of Nowhere Else on Earth by, Josephine Humphreys at 5:30 on June 8. This historical novel explores the Civil War era experiences of Rhoda Strong, member of the Lumbee Indian community in Robeson, North Carolina.
  • Scholar, Leon Lewis will be presenting and leading a discussion on a Shiloh & Other Stories by, Bobbie Ann Mason. These stories poignantly capture the growing pains of the New South in the lives of her Western Kentucky characters.
• Read Around the World Book Club meets at 5:45 p.m. on June 21. Take a literary journey to far-flung locales with this monthly book club, focusing on titles set in other countries. Pick up a copy of this month’s selection, Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave, at the library!
• Learn about Saving Seeds at 6:00 p.m. on June 15 with Travis Birdsell. This workshop will focus on crops from which it is slightly more difficult to save seeds.
• Relax and hear audiobook short stories in a group listening experience with adult coloring sheets at 5:30 p.m. on June 27.

 All Ages

• Ashe High School Wrestlers (Mat Monsters) will read at 5:30 p.m. on June 13. Join Coach Wray and his team as they share a tale or two. Family fort building activity afterwards.
• A Civil War Soldier Reads at 2:00 p.m. on June 27. Step back in time with Clint Johnson, Civil War reenactor, who will be sharing stories about “Brave dogs of the Civil War.”
• Get Crafty and make Quick Knit & Crochet Gifts at 10:00 a.m. on June10. Instruction available for beginners and project materials are provided.

• The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on June 13 and 27.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!

• Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on June 2 and 16 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:

• Save the date, 7:00 p.m. June 2, for Beth Macy’s discussion of her award-winning new book, Truvine: Two Brothers, a Kidnapping, and a Mother’s Quest: A True Story of the Jim Crow South.
• “Breakfast with Beth” is an informal gathering to visit with this year’s Community Read author and takes place at 9:00 a.m. on June 3. The event is free, but requires registration. Call 336.846.2041 x 243 for details

• Look for the Involving Books discussion tent at Ashe County Farmers Market on June 24. Meet Tim Miller of Highland Meadows Cattle Company and join the conversation about Forrest Pritchard’s book Gaining Ground. Ann Rose of Rose Mountain Butcher Shop will also share her experiences in farming and butchering.