Honoring All Veterans

Everyone knows family and/or friends who have served our country.  I myself am a proud Army mom, and understand how hard it is to be separated from loved ones, especially in times of war.  But this year Veterans Day means so much more to me, having been involved in Ashe Public Library’s Veteran History Project.   During the past year Ashe Library has worked with volunteers to collect and document stories of military memories and experiences.  These stories were compiled into a keepsake magazine that will help us all better understand the concept of serving one’s country.  Soldiers in active service as well as our veterans carry the armed service’s core values of courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty, and selfless commitment with them every day.   All who serve our country, whether in war or times of peace, deserve our respect and recognition.

The library is especially looking forward to sharing copies of this magazine with our local veterans and their families.  Ashe County Veterans Service Office is organizing a special 1:00 p.m. ceremony, with plans to distribute copies of the magazine, at the courthouse on November 11, Veterans Day.  Leading up to Veterans Day the library will be providing supplies to make cards for our military servicemen and women.  Drop in the library anytime between November 3 – 8 to create a card for a veteran you know, or a card to share at this special event.

Ashe Library’s Story walk in West Jefferson’s Town Park will be featuring a special story during the month of November to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in war.  Take a walk around the park’s trail and read about Moina Michael, also known as “The Poppy Lady.”   Find out how the tradition started and what the red poppy symbolizes.  Today, millions of red crepe paper poppies – their petals bound together as a part of therapeutic rehabilitation – have been distributed in exchange for donations that support the welfare of veterans, active military personnel and their families.

I would like to thank the partners, organizations, and volunteers listed here who helped make the library’s Veteran History Project possible.  Ashe County High School JROTC Students and their commanders; Lt. Colonel David Hollis and Master Sgt. Chalk Wetmore, Museum of Ashe County History, Ashe County Veterans Service Office under direction of Veteran Services Officer SSG. Darryl Vaughn, Ret., Ashe County Service Organizations: Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Joshua Knapp, Troy Brooks, and Anna Blackburn. 

Funding for this project is made possible by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-00-18-0034-18).

Our inspiration for this project and programming associated with it comes from Ms. Ida C. Marsh, Ashe County WWII Veteran.  First Lieutenant Ida Marsh was one of the few women from Ashe County to serve in the U.S. Army, as an operating room nurse in field hospitals from 1942-1946.  Ida Marsh had a love of books and art.  She will forever be remembered through her generous gift to the Ashe County Public Library.

Dates to remember in November:

The library will be closed on November 12 for Veterans Day, and for Thanksgiving on November 22-24.   The library will also open late, at 1:00 p.m. on November 30.

 

Children’s Programs

• Baby Bounce meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for ages birth to 2 years.  Enjoy stories, rhymes, bounces, and songs with a stay-and-play social time afterwards. 
• Tot Time takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays for ages 2 and 3.  Wiggle, giggle, laugh, sing, and create.  A fun-filled time featuring stories, music, and a craft.
• Storytime for ages 4 and 5 is at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday.  Join us for ABC adventures with stories, art, and music. 
• The Illustrator Book Club, for grades 3 – 6, meets at 4:00 p.m. on November 8. Observe an artistic style and attempt to re-create it.
• The Lego Club meets on November 20 at 4:00 p.m. for grades K-5. Build, Create, and make new friends.

Tween Programs

• Learn about coding colors and make your own Minecraft Creeper head at 4:00 p.m. on November 15.
• Sign up for the library’s Spring Drama Club, for grades 3-7, during the months of November and December.

Teen Programs

·   T for Teen – Gamers Unite! Meet-up at 4:00 p.m. on November 6. Xbox360 and laptops available for teen gaming.

·      Board Game Café is open at 4:00 p.m. on November 13.  Come and make some friends! Play a variety of board games and enjoy coffee and sweet treats.

·   The Teen Creative Corner meets at 4:00 p.m. on November 20. Join us for a wide range of creative crafts and projects.

·      TLC (Teen Listening Council) is a safe place for teens to talk openly about any subject. Drop in at 4:00 p.m. on November 27.

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.
• Vickie’s Book Club meets at 1:00 p.m. on November 20 to discuss The Great Alone by, Kristin Hannah
• Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on November 26 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately!

All Ages

• Read & Craft meets at 10 a.m. on November 17. Travel the world with a hook in one hand and a ball of yarn in the other. This month, go to Russia.  Instruction available for beginners and project materials are provided.
• The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on November 8.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!
• Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on November 3 and 17 in the downstairs meeting room. Songs are explained as to timing, breaks, etc… and played in slow time.  Designed for beginners, all skill levels are welcome.

Special Events

• FOOD FOR FINES WEEK – During the week of November 5 – 10, take advantage of the chance to pay off late fees by donating non-perishable food. Each item of undamaged, in-date, non-perishable food is equal to $1.  Items donated do not count toward damaged or lost items.

• A special exhibit will be on display through the month of November. NC Digs will highlight five types of archaeological sites – Native American, battlefield, plantation, trash pit, and industrial- - that are found across the State.  The exhibit includes interpretive panels explaining each site type and techniques and methods for excavating and analyzing materials form these different types of sites.  There are artifacts on display as well as various tools used by archaeologists.  This exhibit comes to us from the NC Office of State Archaeology.