By Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
Rowan Public Library
SALISBURY – In recognition of a long and illustrious career in the arts, Rowan Public Library will celebrate the life and work of Salisbury native Sidney Blackmer. Born July 13, 1895, Blackmer began his career on the Broadway stage, which was interrupted by his service to the country during World War I. After the war he returned to Broadway, successfully made the trek to Hollywood, participated in early radio and finally crossed over into television. With a career spanning more than 50 years, he worked with other greats of stage and screen – Shirley Booth, Paul Newman, Alfred Hitchcock and Elia Kazan.
Rowan Public Library has, over the years, collected items concerning Sidney Blackmer’s career. But recently, due to the generosity of Jonathan Blackmer, Sidney’s son, the library has access to many more photographs, movie advertisements and other interesting artifacts. Beginning in November and for the remainder of the year, several areas of the library will house displays of the Blackmer Collection. In conjunction with these displays a film festival will begin on Nov. 18. Each Sunday for three successive Sundays at 3 p.m., the library will screen some of Sidney Blackmer’s many films. On Nov. 18 after kicking off the celebration with a reception and presentation by Mike Cline about Blackmer’s career, the afternoon will conclude with showing “Teddy, the Rough Rider,” a short in which Blackmer portrays President Teddy Roosevelt. Following this short will be the feature film “Panther’s Claw,” based on Oursler’s stories about Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt whom Blackmer plays.
Our second installment on Sunday, Nov. 25 (perhaps as an amusement for visiting Thanksgiving guests), will include one short and two feature films. The short, “Disorder in the Court,” will be familiar to Three Stooges fans and features Suzanne Kaaren Blackmer, Sidney’s wife. The two full-length films will be “The Count of Monte Cristo” with Sidney Blackmer as Mondego and “Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo.”
The third afternoon of the festival will again begin with a short featuring Suzanne Blackmer as well as a television episode from Boris Karloff’s Thriller series titled “The Premature Burial.” Our festival will conclude with the showing of Blackmer’s most remembered role – Roman Castevet in “Rosemary’s Baby.” A quintessential psychological horror film, it is listed in the top 10 of American Film Institute’s Thrillers.
Make plans to come see the displays and enjoy the movies as Salisbury Salutes Sidney.
Children’s Storytime: Weekly Storytime is through Nov. 29. For more information, call 704-216-8234.
Headquarters – Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Toddler Time (18- to 35-month-olds; Wednesdays, 11 a.m., Baby Time (6- to 23-month-olds); Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Preschool Time (3- to 5-year-olds); 4 p.m., Noodlehead (4- to 8-year-olds).
South – Mondays, 4 p.m., Noodlehead (4- to 8-year-olds); Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Baby Time (6-23 months); 1:30 p.m., Preschool Time (3-5 years); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Toddler Time (18-35 months).
East – Mondays, 9:30 a.m., Baby Time (6-23 months); Mondays, 11 a.m., Toddler Time (18-35 months); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Preschool Time (3-5 years).
Fall Photowalk: South branch, Monday, 6 p.m. Join us for another photography workshop and photowalk. Aspiring photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited. Please call 704-216-8229 or e-mail AprilEverett@rowancountync.gov for details.
Book Chats for Children: South only. Thursday, 4:15 p.m., “The World According to Humphrey” by Betty G. Birney (grades 3-4). Children in grades 2-5 are invited to participate in Book Chats at South Rowan Regional Library in China Grove. Registration is required and space is limited. Please call 704-216-7728 for more information.
Teen Murder Mystery Night: All 5:30-7 p.m. South, tuesday; East, Oct. 29; headquarters, Oct. 30. Is it Miss Dara in the kitchen with the rope or Miss Erika in the library with the lead pipe? Help us solve the mystery. For more information call 704-216-8234.
PAC ClubOct. 27, 11 a.m. The Children’s Department has a new program for kids this fall. Popular Activities and Crafts Club, focusing on a different popular children’s book series each month. Call 704-216-8234 for more information.
Book Bites Club: South only. Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m., “Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah. Book discussion groups for both adults and children will meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information call 704-216-8229.
Displays for October: Headquarters, Family Crisis/Domestic Violence Awareness; South, student art by Carson High School; East, art by Coleen Walton.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.