Friends to host Dickens expert Dr. Elliot Engel

It’s the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, and who better to celebrate it than scholar, performer and lively lecturer Dr. Elliot Engel?

The popular Dickens expert will keynote the Friends of the Library annual meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, in the second-floor meeting room of the 1909 Historic Courthouse at 145 Worth Street in Asheboro. Engel’s talk is free and the public is invited.

Using anecdote, analysis and large doses of humor, Engel will bring Dickens to life in an imaginative, delightful presentation filled with infectious enthusiasm and radiant wit.

Engel, who lives in Raleigh, has taught at UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, Duke and UCLA. He is author of ten books, and his lecture series on Dickens ran on PBS stations across the country.

Proceeds from the sale of his books, CDs and DVDs have raised funds for the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London, which Dickens helped found in 1852.

Asheboro library to exhibit pre-k student art in May

Art by children in local preschools will be on display at the Asheboro library May 5-May 21, with a reception featuring performances by the children at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 15.

The exhibit, entitled “The Hundred Expressions of Children,” sponsored by the Randolph County Partnership for Children, will travel to the Randolph Arts Guild after its stay at the library.

It includes work from The Children’s Center of Asheboro, The Growing Place, Precious Memories Preschool and the Early Childhood Development Center. The artwork arose from projects that kids in each school have undertaken to learn more about a topic or interest.

Each project incorporates skills that promote cognitive, language/communication, physical, social and emotional development.

During the reception, three of the preschools will present performances based on their projects. Precious Memories will present “Hula Hoop Extravaganza at 5:15 p.m.; The Growing Place will present “Rockin’ Alaskan Guitarists” at 6 p.m.; and The Children’s Center will present “Mail by Rail” at 6:30 p.m.

The exhibit and the reception are open to the public.

Elder law specialist to present free seminars at library

Asheboro attorney Bob Mason will present three seminars on elder law and care during May at the Asheboro library.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the seminars are free and the public is invited.

The first session, “How to Avoid and Elder Law Train Wreck,” 2 p.m. Thursday, May 10, will cover wills and trusts, powers of attorney, health care advance directives, long term care planning and more.

The second session, “How to Pay for Nursing Home Care Without Losing Your Shirt,” 2 p.m. Thursday, May 17, will address planning for nursing home costs, which can reach more than $7,000 per month.

The third session, “Make Sure Your VA benefits Aren’t AWOL,” 2 p.m. Thursday, May 24, will raise awareness about often-overlooked long term care benefits for veterans and the spouses of deceased veterans.

Mason is a Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, and a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. He also is a past chair of Hospice of Randolph County.

              

He is a frequent speaker on elder and disabilities law issues. 

Asheboro library Children’s Room to host mother-daughter tea

Come dressed in your best tea party attire for “Tea for Two,” a mother-daughter tea and storytime at 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, at the Asheboro library.

It’s free but space is limited, so registration is required; call 318-6804 to sign up. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

               

The tea is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Poe couple to present 100 courthouse travelogue

Avid travelers David and Barbara Poe will present “North Carolina Counties, County Seats and Court Houses” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at the Asheboro library.

The travelogue will document the couple’s visits to all 100 of state’s courthouses, focusing on about 30 key buildings. The Poes will share unique bits of information they learned and interesting tales from their travels.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the travelogue is free and the public is invited.>/p>

The Poes live in Asheboro. David is a retired educator, and Barbara retired after working in a variety of fields from textiles to real estate.

Library to pair kids, therapy dogs for reading success

Beginning in April, man’s best friend will become a kid’s best reading pal as the Randolph County Public Library kicks off “Tails to Read.”

"Tails to Read” invites children ages 6-12 to improve their skill and confidence by reading to one of five certified therapy dogs at the Asheboro Public Library.

Each child participating will spend 15 minutes getting to know and reading to one of the dogs during an initial session, and can return to read each week. Dog owner-handlers will be present during all visits between children and the dogs.

Saturday sessions will begin at 10 a.m. April 14 and continue weekly through the end of May. Thursday sessions are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 12 and April 26.

The program is free, but registration is required. To sign up a child, visit the library’s Children’s Room or call 318-6804.

A special “Tails to Read” Kick-off will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, at the library. Anyone interested in participating is invited to meet the dogs and their owners, learn more about the program, learn how to interact with the dogs, and sign up for reading sessions.

Studies show that reading aloud to dogs has positive effects on children’s desire and ability to read. The loving, non-judgmental canine audience-of-one increases a child’s engagement with reading and helps build confidence.

Each child participating will receive a “PAW-some Reader” dog tag or wristband after the first session. Those who continue for five sessions will receive a free book.

The canine reading pals include:

• Emme, a seven-year-old yellow lab;
• Morgan, a seven-year-old Bernese mountain dog;
• Casey, a seven-year-old mixed breed;
• Charm, a seven-year-old collie

A fifth dog will be announced shortly.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. For more information, call 318-6804 or visit http:www.randolphlibrary.org/tailstoread.html.

Gear up at Asheboro library for Hunger Games premier

Gear up for The Hunger Games movie premier, and possibly win free tickets or posters, during a craft event and book discussion at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at the Asheboro library.

Talk about what you love about the books and your expectations for the movie in discussions led by library staff. Then, make your very own Mockingjay pin.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and all Hunger Games fans are invited.

Door prizes provided by Cinemark 7 at Randolph Mall include posters and tickets to the movie.

Refreshments will be served.

Based on the acclaimed teen trilogy by Suzanne Collins, the movie debuts March 23. May the odds be ever in your favor!