Several displays will be enjoyed by patrons next month at Catawba County Library System. The displays are intended for information and education as well as entertainment.

Offerings will include:

Newton-Vacation travel, honoring Ernest Hemingway

            Genealogy-Yesterday by the sea

Conover, Maiden, St. Stephens and Southwest-Summer Reading promotion                      

Sherrills Ford-Summer reading artwork

 

The library system operates seven locations throughout the county and has more than 70,000 registered users.                                  ¼/p>

The Mother Earth days are back.

A faltering economy paired with rising fuel costs and the “green” movement has birthed a new wave of urban homesteaders. These are folks who have given up vacation cruises, eating out and high-tech gadgets in favor of living more simply. In some cases, they’ve removed themselves from the power grid through woodstoves and clotheslines to launch the 2009 version of economic survivalists who haunt resale shops, hardware stores, fabric shops and yes, libraries!  A few purists have actually removed themselves from the power grid through wood stoves, clotheslines and solar panels.

If low-tech living intrigues you, Catawba County Library System has several new books you’ll love.

A Greener Life (640 DIC) by Clarissa Dickson Wright and Johnny Scott is a fully illustrated guide to living off the land-from how to make your own cleaning materials, to raising chickens to spinning your own cloth.  

In a similar vein is A Slice of Organic Life (640 SLI) edited by Sheherazade Goldsmith. This beautifully illustrated how-to is a bit less hardcore. The book will nevertheless inspire you to grow your own food, can and cook your own produce and more, 

Farm girls at heart will want to browse through MaryJane Butters’ nostalgic guide to the country lifestyle. MaryJane (who has inspired a line of household linens and accessories) offers a treasury of photographs and instructions on 21^st century farm crafts. If you long for the days of gingham and rickrack, this book has for such homespun necessities as clothespin bags, aprons and embroidered dish towels. Even if you’re all thumbs, this book will take you back to Grandma’s in fine style.

On a smaller scale, there’s The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience (640.73 CLA) by Duncan Clark & Richie Unterberger. The authors explain how and why you should choose products and services that have less negative impact on the environment in terms of ethics, geopolitics and resources. Among the topics: unplugging the Christmas buying machine, opting for cloth diapers, buying local, fish vs. beef.  Check availability of these and other library materials at any branch of Catawba County Library or on-line at http://catawbacountync.gov/library .

If you plan to be away for the July 4 holiday, you can still pick up and drop off your library materials. The Catawba County Library System will be closed for the holiday observance on July 3 and 4.

Patrons are encouraged to include library materials in their vacation plans, whether it’s a book for the beach, an audio book for the road or a DVD to enjoy with family and friends. Downloadable books are also available on-line to library cardholders.           ¼/p>

If you’re low on vacation cash this summer, Catawba County Library can help you plan fun and inexpensive getaways.

The mystery surrounding Abraham Lincoln’s North Carolina origins may send you to Rutherford County’s Bostic Lincoln Center. Details, including travel directions, about that are in The Tarheel Lincoln by Jerry Goodnight and Richard Eller.

How about something spooky? Ghost-hunters can take travel cues from Stephanie Burt Williams’ Ghost Stories of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County or Ghost Tales from the North Carolina Piedmont by Linda Duck Tananbaum and Barry McGee.

Art lovers should consider Reynolda House in Winston-Salem, the 1917 country estate of the R. J. Reynolds Family that’s both garden and art museum. Open to public view since 1965, the story of the place is told in Reynolda, A History of an American Country House by Barbara Mayer.

Gardeners who haven’t yet toured the Daniel J. Stowe Botanical Garden near Belmont have missed a gem. The grand garden opened officially in 1999. But who was Daniel Stowe? The fully illustrated autobiography of the businessman and nature lover and his family is contained in By Waters of the South Fork.

Believe in UFOs? You may after you read George W. Fawcett’s Quarter Century Studies of UFOs in Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee or Human Reactions to UFOs Worldwide. The Lincolnton author includes information about where the sightings took place.

Memories of Mayberry by Jewell Mitchell Kutzer is your guide to Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mt. Airy. Read about the real Floyd’s Barber Shop, the Snappy Lunch, “Mount Pilot” and more before you head up I-77 to see for yourself.

For more information about the county library collection, contact any branch or log on to http://catawbacountync.gov/library.

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Origami, a talent show and wearable art are just a few of the cool things planned for teens at Catawba County Library this summer. Best of all, they’re free!

“Express Yourself @ the Library” is the Summer Reading theme this year and library staff has gone all out to engage youth, according to Richard Griffin, Youth Services librarian.

“Many of these ideas were suggested by our Teen Advisory Board,” he said.

That group meets monthly to discuss how the library can better serve youth.

Learning how to use the Scratch computer game program was just one of the suggestions. Youth will see how to design your own game starting at 4 p.m. this Thursday, June 25, at the Main Library in Newton.

The art of home decoration will be the topic of a session at Sherrills Ford. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30.

A Teen Mystery Night will engage ages 12 and older will play a game to see who can solve the crime. Maiden is hosting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 7. Maiden branch will also host an origami (paper art) bookmaking session at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 22.  Pre-registration is a must.

St. Stephens plans a talent show with open mic on Tuesday, July 7. Bring your song, poem, musical instrument or dramatic presentation to share. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Budding writers are welcome to take part in Creative Journaling at 3 p.m. each Thursday at Southwest. The sessions will continue through Aug. 6.

Junk Art classes are planned at various locations, as youth will see how to create with throwaway items. Drop by at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, at Sherrills Ford.

Crafty needle workers are invited to join the Knitwits at 6 p.m. every Tuesday evening in Maiden. Bring your knitting or crocheting project and talk books. Another group, Hooks with Books, meet the last Tuesday of the month at St. Stephens Branch Hooks & Books will gather at 6:30 p.m. on June 30 and again on July 28. Contact the specific branch to find out what books will be discussed.

For a complete list of Summer Reading activities, contact any library branch or log on to http://catawbacountync.gov/library and select “events.”   ¼/p>

If you’re looking for a good book to take to the beach, just ask the Catawba County Library staff.  I did this recently and came up with an eclectic list.

Lynne Reed, library services coordinator in Newton, was basking in afterglow of this year’s BIG Read  novel, March, based on Louisa Mae Alcott’s Little Women, when a couple of vintage children’s books caught her eye. They’re illustrated, unabridged editions of the Alcott’s classics, Little Men and Jo’s Boys. She plans to pack them for her next beach trip.

Glenda Ramsey, branch manager at Southwest, has already enjoyed two novels at the beach this spring.  Cecelia Ahern’s Thanks for the Memories, which Ramsey describes as “a very light and funny read from the author of PS I Love You.” The plot: man donates blood, woman receives blood transfusion, she begins to have memories not her own, the two are drawn to each other but keep missing each other due to a series of misadventures.

“I laughed out loud when I read about her father’s first plane trip,” Ramsey said.

Her other suggestion: Nora Robert’s Vision in White, a new paperback series book about four best friends in the wedding business. The lighthearted adventure promises light reading for ocean breezes.

Another fiction recommendation comes from Diane Jennings, collections development librarian based at St. Stephens Branch. Her choice: A Rule against Murder by the Canadian author Louise Penny. Unfortunately, the paperback won’t be out until fall. Penny’s literary mysteries revolve around Armand Gamache, chief police inspector from Quebec. Gamache is intelligent, observant, and implacable, he must solve a particularly vicious murder he encounters when he and his wife travel from Montreal to a nearby rustic retreat renowned for its tranquility. Fans of Dorothy L. Sayers, P.D. James, and Elizabeth George will love this book.

Ever dreamed of summering at Cape Cod? The Big House by George Howe Colt is my hands-down pick for the seashore.

It’s a poignant history of a sprawling century-old summer house on Buzzards Bay, MA, in which Colt reveals not just one family’s fascinating story but a vanishing way of life. Faced with the sale of the treasured house where he had spent 42 summers, The Big House, the author’s tribute to this one-of-a-kind home as he weaves glimpses of past summers at the house over the course of five generations. The well-crafted memoir was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2003. Pity it didn’t win.

Kids age 6 and older are invited to a pottery-making session on Tuesday, June 30, at Main Library in Newton.

Melinda Herzog, executive director of the Catawba County Museum of History, will lead instruction in making pinch pots by hand. The session represents a traditional craft from our area.

The class is offered as part of the Summer Reading program in keeping with the theme “Be Creative @ Your Library.”

Participants should dress for mess. Preregistration is required to ensure enough materials for all. Contact Richard Griffin, Youth Services librarian, at 465-8668, for more details.

Main Library is headquarters for the Catawba County Library System with six other locations in Maiden, Claremont, Conover, St. Stephens, Southwest and Sherrills Ford.

Summer Reading activities will keep children and teens busy at Catawba County Library next month. Programs range from creative movement to drawing chalk pictures, journaling and making crafts from recycled materials.

Ronald McDonald will visit the branches for a special time of reading fun at various branches. Reservations are requested.

 Jeff Whisenant of the Catawba Valley Astronomy Club will help commemorate the 40^th anniversary of man’s first moon walk during a program July 28. Weather permitting he’ll have a telescope ready for up-close viewing of the lunar Sea of Tranquility where Apollo 11 landed on July 21, 1969.

Knitters and crocheting enthusiasts who like books will continue their book talks at St. Stephens and Maiden branches.

The complete library activity roster is below.

           

                                                UPCOMING EVENTS

Library closed July 3 and 4. Please preregister for computer class & Ronald McDonald.

Main Library, 465-8664

   · Preschool story time Thursdays at 10 a.m.

   · Family story time Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

   · Scratch computer game, 4 p.m. kids, 5 p.m. teens

   · Pinch pottery for age 6 & up, 4 p.m. June 30

   · Teen Book Talk, 4 p.m. July 6 & 20

   · Carnival Day, 4 p. m July 2

   · Decoupage 4 p.m. July 9

   · Ronald McDonald, 10 a.m. July 16

   · Music Makers, 4 p.m. July 16

   · Teen Advisory Board, 2 p.m. July 18

   · Recycle art, 4 p.m. July 23

   · Game Day, 3:30-5 p.m. July 24

   · Mars & Moon Up Close, 6:30 p.m. July 28

   · Sonya’s Dance Academy, July 30, 4 p.m. kids, 5 p.m. youth

 

Conover Branch, 466-5108

    · Story Time, 10 a.m. Wednesdays as of July 8

    · Junk art for elementary-aged kids, 3 p.m. June 24

    · Sonya’s Dance Academy, 3 p.m. July 15

    · Decoupage, 3 p.m. July 22

    · Tell a Tale, 3 p.m. July 29

 

Claremont Branch, 459-9311

   · Friends of the Library, 6 p.m. June 23

   · Decoupage for kids, 4:30 p.m. June 24

   · Sonya’s Dance Academy, 4:30 p.m. July 15

   · Ronald McDonald, 1 p.m. July 23

   · Tell a Tale, 4:30 p.m. July 29

 

Maiden Branch, 428-2712

   · Toddler stories 9:30 a.m. & preschool 10 Wednesdays.

   · Knitwits needlecraft/book talk group, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays

   · Funny tales of storybook characters, 3 p.m. June 25

   · I’ve Got Rhythm craft/music session for kids, 3 p.m. July 2

   · Teen Mystery, 5 p.m. July 7

   · Kids’ drama, 3 p.m. July 9

   · Ronald McDonald, 1 p.m. July 16, Maiden Recreation Dept.

   · Teen origami, 3 p.m. July 22

   · Sonya’s Dance Academy, 3 p.m. July 23

   · Kids games, 3 p.m. July 30

 

St. Stephens Branch, 256-3030

   · Preschool/toddler story time 10 a.m. Thursdays

   · Music Makers 10 a.m. Thursdays plus 4:30 p.m. July 23

   · Hooks & Books crochet book talk, 6:30 p.m. June 30 & July 28

   · Talent Show for 12 & up, 6:30 p.m. July 7

   · Ronald McDonald, 10 a.m. July 9

   · Chalk art, 6:30 p.m. July 14

   · Sonya’s Dance Academy, 6:30 p.m. July 21

   · Junk art, 10 a.m. July 30

 

Sherrills Ford Branch, 478-2729

   · Toddler/preschool stories Wednesdays, 10 a.m.  

   · Toddler/preschool music time, 10 a.m. Thursdays

   · I Spy Art, 6:30 p.m. for ages 11 & up June 23

   · Home decorative crafts, 6:30 p.m. June 30 for age 12 & up

   · Creative Play for preschool–elementary, 10 a.m. July 1

   · Creative Play for age 12 & up, 6:30 p.m. July 7

   · Music Makers, 10 a.m. Thursdays

   · Junk art for 12 & up, 6:30 p.m. July 14

   · Ronald McDonald 10 a.m. July 23

   · Art to Wear ages 12 & up, 6:30 p.m. July 28

 

Southwest Branch, 294-2343

   · Toddler/preschool stories, 10 a.m. Wednesdays

   · Music Time, 10 a.m. Thursdays

   · Free GED classes, 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. Sign up at CVCC.

   · Teen Journaling, 3 p.m. Thursdays

   · James Herriot Day for kids, 3 p.m. June 23

   · The Play’s the Thing for kids, 3 p.m. June 30

   · Preschool music time, 10 a.m. July 9

   · Ronald McDonald, 1 p.m. July 9

   · Sonya’s Dance Academy, 3 p.m. July 14

   · Beach Art  for kids, 3 p.m. July 21

   · Lemony Snicket Hour, 3 p.m. July 28

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Remember the days of decoupage plaques? Collage posters?

Now your kids and grandkids can learn about those Seventies “art forms” this summer at Catawba County Library. The Summer Reading program has scheduled several hands-on sessions in keeping with the theme “Be Creative @ Your Library.”

April Green, library services specialist in Newton, will lead sessions in decoupage. She’ll show kids how to affix a collage of images onto wooden plaques starting at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, at Claremont Branch.

Later decoupage sessions are planned at 4 p.m. July 9 at Newton and 3 p.m. July 22 in Conover.

The sessions are free and materials will be provided.

For more details, contact Green at 465-7937.

A panel of mystery writers will be on hand June 20 to inspire budding writers to get published.

The Carolina Conspiracy, a group of mystery authors from North Carolina, will share writing tips and how to get published that Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Catawba County Library in Newton. The program is free and open to youth and adults.

Jim and Joyce Lavene, who appeared at Southwest Branch Library earlier this spring, will join some other area writers for a lively discussion about publishing novels.

The Lavenes will share the ins and outs of editors and agents. They are best known for their popular Charlotte-based Peggy Lee Garden mysteries as well as a how-to book, The Everything Guide to Writing a Novel. The pair has just released the fifth of the Peggy Lee Garden series, A Corpse for Yew.

The workshop, open to ages 12 and older, is free and open to the public and preregistration is not required. Participants should bring a laptop or paper and pen with them.

Library materials addressing the how-to’s of writing will be available for checkout. The authors will have their books available for sale and signing.

For further information, contact Richard Griffin, Youth Services librarian, at 465-8668.