A New Story Walk in Town

Imagine you are taking a walk through a park and you come upon a page from a children’s picture book, displayed on a post in the ground.  As you walk along the path, you discover another page, and then another, and you realize you’re reading a story!  

StoryWalks combine three critical elements for overall family health: early literacy learning, family engagement outdoors, and physical activity. Early literacy is “what children know about reading and writing before they actually learn to read or write.” Early literacy builds the foundation for “mature” literacy (learning about all print forms of language and using them to communicate). Reading a StoryWalk with adults gives children the opportunity to learn new words, describe things and events, enjoy and tell stories, learn how to follow a story in sequence (physically moving from page to page), and hear and play with sounds and letters in words.  A StoryWalk is a perfect opportunity for parents and other adults to be their children’s first teacher while reading and playing outdoors. After experiencing a StoryWalk, families can borrow the book from the library to read it at home and extend the learning and the memory.  Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and must begin in infancy and extend throughout adulthood. Families should emphasize physical activity early in a child’s life because as children mature, modern culture provides many temptations to adopt a sedentary lifestyle.

Ashe County Public Library already sponsors one StoryWalk at Ashe County Park.  This new StoryWalk will be located behind the library at the West Jefferson Town Park.  Kick-off for the new StoryWalk will take place at 10:30 a.m. on August 6.  To coincide with the library’s yearly series of ‘Alphabet Ready by Five’ story times, this StoryWalk’s first featured book will be Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod.  Children can learn the alphabet from A – Z with mighty superheroes!  Arly the library fox will be on the scene for this special event and special healthy snacks will be served.  Visit the library’s StoryWalks to discover new stories and enjoy the pleasures of reading wonderful children’s books aloud with the benefit of walking together outdoors.

The library’s new StoryWalk is made possible by funding from Friends of Ashe County Library, Ida C. Marsh funds, and a Ribbon of Hope Grant. The Ribbon of Hope grant is a one-time $25,000 grant for non-profit projects furthering science, health, or education, awarded by the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation.  GSK Foundation is an independent self-funding 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting activities that help meet the educational and health needs of today's society and future generations.  Special thanks to the Town of West Jefferson for hosting the site for our new StoryWalk!

Dates to remember in September:

The library will be CLOSED on September 3 for Labor Day.  Call to Action: a request will be made to aldermen for assistance with funding the library’s parking expansion project on September 4, at 6:00 p.m. in West Jefferson Town Hall.  Please consider attending this meeting to show support.   

 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 Lego Club meets on September 18 at 4:00 p.m. for grades K-5. Build, Create, and make new friends.

·         The Illustrator Book Club, for grades 3 – 6, meets at 4:00 p.m. on September 27. Observe an artistic style and attempt to re-create it.

Tween Programs

• The Harry Potter Escape Room will uncover the mysteries of Hogwarts; every wizard’s favorite school! Come with friends and beat the clock while solving riddles at 3:30 p.m. on September 20.
• The ‘Design a Book Cover’ contest is taking entries until September 30.  Contest is open to sixth graders, one entry per child. Please check our webpage or call 336.846.2041 for details.
• Find the TWEEN FALL SURVEY at www.arlibrary.org and help the library plan programs for you!

Teen Programs

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

·      Board Game Café is open at 4:00 p.m. on September 11.  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 September 18. 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 September 25.

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.

·         Drop in for support on your PhD (Projects half-Done) at 10:00 a.m. on September 1.  Find new ways to stay motivated to achieve your goals throughout the year.

• Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on September 24 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately!
• National Voter Registration Day (all day) is on September 25.  Make sure you’re ready to cast your vote in local and national elections!  Stop by the library and register to vote, or check your voter registration status.
• On the Same Page Literary Festival, running from September 10 – 15 features nine authors, including the United States Poet Laureate, Tracy K. Smith.  For more information, including a full schedule of events, please visit the library’s website or http://www.onthesamepagefestival.org/

All Ages

• Board Game Bonanza happens on Saturdays between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Come to the Upper Level and play board games with friends and family!
• Read & Craft meets at 10 a.m.  on September 15. Travel the world with a hook in one hand and a ball of yarn in the other. This month, go to England.  Instruction available for beginners and project materials are provided.
• The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on September 13 and 27.  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 September 1 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.  On September 15, the slow jam group, Molasses Jam, will be performing at 3:00 p.m. during the Forest Ridge Fall Festival (located at 151 Village Park Drive, West Jefferson) 

PBS’S THE GREAT AMERICAN READ

Participate locally to earn chances to win prizes.

Vote: Cast your vote for The Great ARL Read in person or online at www.arlibrary.org/ashe

Review: Write and submit a review of one of the Top 100 books.

Attend: Attend The Great American Read events this summer and fall.

Write: Sign up to be a literary pen pal and write a letter to a fellow bookworm.

Donations to the library were given in memory of Pat Hartman by Vernon Hartman and in memory of Diane Goss: by James & Shirley Vannoy, Charles & Marlyn Hartzog, Myron & Lindy Hart, and Anthony & Ana Standish.