Summer Reading & Talking Service Book Club

“A Universe of Stories” is this year’s Summer Reading Theme.  Children may sign-up for special programs beginning at 2:00 p.m. on May 31.  Read all summer and track reading progress in a special Citizen of the Universe Passport.  For every three hours a Citizen reads, he/she will receive a stamp for the completed continent and a prize!  Once all seven continents have been stamped, each Citizen will receive an invitation to a special library surprise at the end of the summer.  The last day to turn in Reading Passports is August 4.

Ashe County Public Library joins a nationwide discussion this summer with a new book club, “Talking Service.”  This group plans to get together and reflect on short, powerful writings about military service by some of the world’s greatest authors. Participants are encouraged to share their insights, build on each other’s comments, and challenge their assumptions through lively, informal conversations centered on the anthology Standing Down: From Warrior to Civilian, published by the Great Books Foundation. 

Each monthly meeting begins with a selection from a collection of works ranging from Homer’s Iliad to recent memoirs by veterans of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The readings serve as an entry for veterans to talk candidly about their own experiences.  Talking Service Book Club is for veterans, as well as their families, friends, service providers, and caregivers.

The group will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Friday of each month at the library, beginning on July 12.  The first meeting’s reading and discussion will be of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s epic poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade” (facilitated by Deeanna Burleson, PhD).   Stop in the library to pick up information and materials to read for this special book club. 

Copies of the Ashe County Public Library Veterans History Magazine are also available for purchase at the library, Museum of Ashe County History, and the Ashe County Veterans Service Office.   Proceeds from this project will be used to preserve and publish veteran stories each year.  Although Memorial Day is nationally celebrated on the last Monday of May, it is important for us to Never Forget the sacrifices made for our freedom.

Dates to remember in June: 

Children’s Programs

• ABC Storytimes, for all ages, are at 11:00 a.m. every Saturday in June.  Join us for Alphabet Adventures with stories, art, and music.

• Chess Club, for all ages, meets at 3:00 p.mm. every Friday in June. Up your game with this table top classic.

• MARS: Molly’s Activities & Random Shenanigans EVERY WEEK! Join Ms. Molly every week for crafts, learning, and FUN!  Follow our Facebook page for details.

• SUMMERFEST is a day full of fun discoveries (Star Wars, Soap, Sounds, and Soil)!  Come spend the day from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on June 15.  Begin with the multifarious music of Sound Traveler and finish with liquid nitrogen plied by KidSenses.

Children’s Events Requiring Registration: Sign-ups begin May 31.

•  Native American Pottery (ages 6-9) 10:30 a.m. on June 7,14, and 21.

• Turchin Art for Kids (ages 4–6) 11:00 a.m. on June 18.

• Turchin Art for Big Kids (ages 7–9) 1:00 p.m. on June 18.

• Turchin Art for Tweens (ages 10-12) 2:00 p.m. on June 18.

• Gemstone Mining (all ages) 9:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. on June 20.

• Tween ITNL Taste Testing (ages 8–12) 2:00 p.m. on June 20.

• Science Tellers (all ages) 10:30 a.m. on June 25.

• Tween Crafty (ages 8-12) 2:00 p.m. on June 27.

Children’s Events Requiring Tickets: You may pick up a ticket at the Youth Services Desk for programs listed below, beginning 30 minutes before the start of each program.

• Zootastic (all ages) 10:30 a.m. on June 11.

• Wildlife (all ages) 1:00 p.m. on June 28

THE SUMMER BUZZ: Teen Summer Learning Program (ages 12-18)

• Cooking with Rhonda, in partnership with NC Cooperative Extension, meets at 4:00 p.m. on June 4.  Featuring Red Pepper Hummus with Pita Points and Veggies.

•  Board Game Café meets at 4:00 p.m. on June 11.

• Cooking with Rhonda, in partnership with NC Cooperative Extension, meets at 4:00 p.m. on June 18.  Featuring Avocado Toast and Tzatziki. 

•  Dance class with Laura (a professional choreographer) takes place at 4:00 p.m. on June 25.

Adult Programs

• Throughout 2019, VAYA Health is sponsoring a Public Presentation Series at the library.  Two topics will be highlighted, back-to-back, from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Join us on June 6 for “Emotional and Behavioral: The Impact of Chronic Illness on the Brain,” and Enhancing Mental Health with Alternative Treatments.”

• A Building Strong Communities Discussion takes place at 12:00 p.m. on June 24 in the library.  In this session, we ask ourselves, what is authenticity in the workplace?  To inform our discussion we look to Alan Briskin’s “The Stirring of the SOUl in the Workplace.”  Facilitated by Deeanna Burleson, PhD.  A light lunch will be provided.  Free, but pre-registration is required.

•  For all your tech troubles, book an 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. June 17 to discuss Before We Were Yours by, Lisa Wingate.

All Ages

• Get Crafty meets at 10 a.m. on June 15.  Find out about the ongoing project “365 Days of Granny Squares,” bring along your current project, or join the group and start on a crafty project now!  All skill levels welcome, 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 3:00-5:00 p.m. on June 1 and 15 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

• Visit the library at Museum of Ashe County History between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on June 8 for a special Children’s Day Event.  Learn how to make corn husk dolls!

• Volunteer & Donor Appreciation (Requiring RSVP): takes place from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  This is the first annual ACPL Donor & Volunteer Appreciation Event.  Clyde Edgerton, author of Walking Across Egypt and The Bible Salesman, will be the featured speaker.  Enjoy a meal, enter to win door prizes, and learn more about how volunteers and donors impact the library.  This event is open to library volunteers, Friends of the Ashe County Library, and individuals who have supported the library through gifts and donations.  Call 336.846.2041 or email ashereference@arlibrary.org to RSVP.

• Ashe Seed Library Food Narrative Contest: (Submissions accepted May 15 - July 15)  Very few things are as central to our existence as food.  In honor of spring and the reopening of the Ashe Seed Library, we invite you to put food front and center.  We're not looking for snarky Yelp reviews, and the food needn't be fancy.  But it should hold meaning for you, and it's that meaning we'd like to see in your submissions.  Visit the information desk on the library’s Upper Level or call 336.846.2041 x111 or email ashereference@arlibrary.org to learn how to enter!