By Dr. Betty Middleton
Rowan Public Library
For the lovers of Rowan and North Carolina history, I would like to recommend the video series titled ěA Ramble Through Rowanís History.î
Putting the series in chronological order, ěTrip Along the Great Wagon Roadî shows how the early immigrants, mostly Scots-Irish and German, followed the Great Wagon Road that stretched from Philadelphia, Pa., to Augusta, Ga., passing directly through Salisbury. These immigrants were looking for cheaper lands and an opportunity to prosper.
ěThe Struggle for Liberty: 1753-1775,î includes the French and Indian War and the Regulator Movement. ěThe Struggle for Liberty: Part II 1775-1791î gives and account of the Revolutionary War in Rowan County and includes information about Washingtonís Southern tour after the war. This two-part series follows the events and people that led to the coloniesí separation from Great Britain.
Additional videos included in the series are more about some of Rowan Countyís interesting people, places and events. ěThe Neysayersî is about a Scottish schoolteacher, Peter Stuart Ney, who taught many prominent citizens of Rowan County in the 1830s and 40s. This man, who died in 1846 and is buried at Third Creek Presbyterian Church, may have been Marshal Michael Ney of France, who served under Napoleon during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.
The next segment, ěLot 19 Becomes the Rowan Public Libraryî shows how this little piece of land, present on the first map of Salisbury, passed through the hands of some of Salisburyís most important citizens and eventually became the site for the Rowan County Library.
In ěMyths and Mysteries,î Susan Waller, local storyteller and historian, tells about various legends and mysteries in Rowan County. This was filmed during a presentation at the Rowan Public Library.
The series was narrated and written by Dr. Gary Freeze, with production assistant Gretchen Beilfus Witt and videographer Chad Lapish. Others assisting with one or more of the presentations include Deborah Rouse, Jeff Hall and Dr. Bonita Bloodworth of Horizons Unlimited for the addition of curriculum material to be used in the fourth-grade classrooms.
Computer classes: No classes are scheduled for July.
Summer Family Movie Night at Headquarters ó July 26, 6:30 p.m., ěRamona and Beezus.î Part of the centennial celebration. All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13 ó some movies are inappropriate for younger audiences. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade.
Book Bites Club ó July 26, 6:30 p.m., ěThe Princess Brideî by William Goldman. Book discussion groups for both adults and children are held at South Rowan Regional Library 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 please call 704-216-8229.
Childrenís Program ó This summer the Rowan Public Library invites kids to join the library for a summer of exciting programs and great reads with One World, Many Stories.
Weekly programs run until July 28. New for this year, limited family programs at Cleveland Town Hall. Prizes are awarded for every five, 10, 15 and 20 hours read, and door prizes are given at the school-aged programs.
Program groups and times:
12-24-month-olds: Mondays, 10:30 a.m., East Branch; Tuesdays, 11 am, Headquarters; Thursdays, 10:30 am, South Library (four-week program).
2-year-olds: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, East Branch; Wednesdays, South Library; Thursdays, Headquarters (four-week program).
3- to 5-year-olds: 10:30 a.m. Mondays, South Library; Wednesdays, Headquarters; Thursdays, East Branch (seven-week program).
Rising first through fifth graders: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., South Library; Wednesdays, 2 p.m., Headquarters; Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., East Branch; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Cleveland Town Hall, select programs only; (seven-week program).
July 18-20: Action Animals, Exotic Furry Friends.
July 25-27: Grey Seal Puppets, Tangle of Tales.
July 28 (Cleveland included): Mo and Ro, Stories, Songs and Silliness.
Calling all teens: Travel the globe with ěYou Are Hereî ó There are many ways for teens to see the world this summer at the library. Running through July 28, all rising sixth-graders to 12th-graders are invited to participate in events at the library. Teens can earn library dollars to be used at the end of the summer to bid on prizes provided by the Friends of Rowan Public Library.
Programs are:
European Scavenger Hunt: interactive scavenger hunt at the library. Headquarters, July 19, 3:30-5 p.m.; East Branch, July 20, 3:30-5 p.m.; South Rowan Regional, July 21, 3:30-5 p.m.
A North American Cookout and Prize Action end-of-summer celebration will be held July 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at South Rowan Regional Library in China Grove.
For more information please check the library website at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call your closest RPL location ó Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South Rowan Regional, 704-216-7728; East Branch, 704-216-7842.
Displays: Headquarters óphotography and pottery by Emily Walls; South ó elephant collection by Tara Corder; East ó clowns by Elizabeth Ellenburg.
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.