By Abby Hardison

Rowan Public Library

The term Bucket List was made popular by the 2007 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman about two gentleman who reached a time in their lives where they realized that if they didn’t go ahead and do the things they always wanted to, they probably never would.

Your bucket list is the things you keep telling yourself you will do someday, and never quite get either the opportunity or muster up the motivation to do. This fall at RPL we have a few opportunities to check some items off your list, so get ready.

If you went to Myrtle Beach or nearby this summer, you might have seen some folks doing the classic beach dance, the Shag. It’s fun, it’s great exercise, and it’s a local specialty that many have tried, but few have mastered.

Saturday, Sept. 14, we are hosting a free Carolina Shag class, taught by the professionals at Positively Ballroom. Take a chance and be the envy of all at the next wedding reception you find yourself attending. When will you get another free chance to learn from a professional teacher?

Our space is limited, so if you want to reserve a spot for you and your partner, call Abby at 704-216-8248. You are welcome to attend even if you don’t have a partner, but you still need to call and register.

In October, we have a very special opportunity for anyone who has dreams of being an author. Do you have a story you want to tell? Do you have valuable life lessons and experience you want to share with others? Do you want to learn more about how to write a book, and either get it published or publish it yourself?

On Saturday, Oct. 19, we will host a panel of several local self- and traditionally-published authors who will share their experiences and advice with prospective writers. Learn how they did it, and learn what resources are available to help you write the best book possible and get it out there for people to read.

Have you always dreamed of being your own boss? Maybe you want to turn your creative hobby into a side business? Our last Bucket List event of the fall is Nov. 18, the Start Your Business event. We will share with you all the free resources and online classes the library has available for budding entrepreneurs, and the Rowan Idea Center will be on hand to share their advice, expertise and resources the local colleges, chamber of commerce and county have to offer.

Our October and November events are free and open to the public with no registration required. If you’d like more information or if you are a local author or business consultant who would like to participate in our panels of experts for either event, please feel free to call Abby at 704-216-8248 or email Abigail.Hardison@rowancountync.gov.

Lee Street theatre: July 23, 2 p.m., South; July 24, 2 p.., East; July 25, 10 a.m., Cleveland; July 25, 2 p.m., headquarters. Actors from Salisbury’s Lee Street theatre return with inventive and exciting storytelling. This is a School Age Summer Reading program designed for rising first- through fifth-graders, though all ages are welcome. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. Program lasts 45-60 minutes. For more details, call 704-216-8234.

Blast off with Bottle Rockets: July 22, 3:30 p.m., South; July 1623, 3:30 p.m., headquarters; July 25, 3:30 p.m., East. Create and launch a homemade bottle rocket. This is a Teen Summer Reading Program for rising sixth- through 12th-graders. Program lasts 90 minutes. For more details, call 704-216-8269.

National Teen Lock-in and Teen Summer Reading Finale: July 26, 6-10 p.m., headquarters. Teens will play games, enjoy snacks and participate in streamed author chats. Door prizes will be awarded. A permission slip signed by a parent or guardian and registration for one author chat is required to participate. Teens will also redeem Summer Reading raffle tickets for prizes. The Lock-in is also the Teen Summer Reading Finale and is designed for rising sixth- through 12th-graders. For more details, call 704-216-8269.

Summer Reading Film Series: “How to Train Your Dragon 3” July 22, 5:30 p.m., East; July 23,  6:30 p.m., headquarters; July 27, 10 a.m., South. When Hiccup discovers Toothless isn’t the only Night Fury, he must find the Hidden World before a hired tyrant does (2019, 104 minutes, PG). The Summer Reading Film Series is free, open to the public, and all ages are welcome. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more details, contact your nearest branch.

Celebration of Space Exploration:  July 20, 3-7 p.m. All ages are invited to Horizons Unlimited Planetarium and Science Center, 1636 Parkview Circle. This celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the moon landing will include a show in the Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium and a variety of activities. This program is in collaboration with RPL and is part of the 2019 Statewide Star Party, sponsored by the NC Science Festival.

Genealogy Workshop: Military Clues, headquarters, July 20, 10 a.m. How to track ancestors through military resources. Co-hosted by the Genealogical Society of Rowan County and the Edith M. Clark History Room of RPL; free, open to the public. Call Gretchen at 704-216-8232 for more details.

Mystery Cinema: South, July 23, 6 p.m., South. Enjoy the continuing adventures of Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock in “Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows” (2011, 129 minutes). This film is rated PG-13, so an adult (age 18+) must accompany anyone 13 and under. For more information, call 704-216-7730.

Displays: Headquarters, Piedmont Players display and Carolina Historical Association — metal detecting; East, handcrafted jewelry by Myrtis Trexler; South, lunch box memorabilia by Sharon Ross.

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.