2023 Calendar of Events

Every Second Tues. 6:30 p.m. | Book Discussion Group (January, February and March Groups meet at 4:15 p.m.)

Every Third Mon. 6-8:30 p.m. | Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

Select Saturdays | Carolina Explorers 'Adventures in Nature' Science Program, ages 8-12 

10 Tues. 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  Fairy Tale (Stephen King) AND a visit from Nova Mann, local author

At the January 10th meeting of the book discussion group in the Book Exchange we invited a new author to visit us to  present her first book, Hope Knocking, and the music she wrote  for it.  Her name is Nova Mann, she is a resident of Mountain City, TN,  and her book beautifully describes life in the mountains.  

About the Author: Ms. Mann is a former high school  teacher who began her career in North Carolina and retired in Tennessee. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of  Georgia and her graduate degree from Appalachian State University. As a  lifelong learner, she continues to explore the world through hiking,  sustainable gardening, writing, and playing old-time mountain music. One  of her life’s biggest accomplishments was spent as a Fulbright scholar  in South America, teaching English at a public high school. She later led many American students on trips throughout Latin America and Europe,  believing that travel is the best way to uproot intolerance and replace  it with respect for all cultures. She lives with her husband in the  mountains of Tennessee, embraced by the Cherokee Forest.  Hope Knocking is Mann’s first novel, but  she is already working on a sequel, which will  hopefully be released sometime in 2023.

16 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

14 Tues. 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  The Stranger in the Woods (Finkel) 

20 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

14 Tues. 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  

Bright Creatures (S. Van Pelt) 

Invention of Nature (Humboldt) 

20 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

11 Tues. 6:30 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  

Bowling Alone: Revised and Updated (R. Putnam) 

Talking to Strangers (Gladwell) 

17 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

9 Tues. 6:30 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  

Joyful (Ingrid Lee) 

A Way in the Wilderness (Kowaleski)  

15 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

TBD  | Carolina Explorers 'Adventures in Nature' Science Program, ages 8-12

13 Tues. 6:30 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  

Coal Miner’s Daughter (Lynn)

River of Earth (J. Still)  

19 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

TBD | Carolina Explorers 'Adventures in Nature' Science Program, ages 8-12 

11 Tues. 6:30 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  The Good Left Undone (Trigiani) 

17 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

TBD | Carolina Explorers 'Adventures in Nature' Science Program, ages 8-12

8 Tues. 6:30 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  Demon Copperhead (Kingsolver) 

21 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

TBD | Carolina Explorers 'Adventures in Nature' Science Program, ages 8-12 

12 Tues. 6:30 p.m. | Book Discussion Group:  Black Cake (C. Wilkerson)  

18 Mon. 6-8:30 p.m.  |  Bluegrass Country Music Jam 

TBD | Carolina Explorers 'Adventures in Nature' Science Program, ages 8-12 

About Book Discussion Groups:

Thanks to the generous support of the  High Country Charitable Foundation, the Book Exchange is able to  purchase each of the titles mentioned above for discussion group participants to borrow and read.  There will be a copy of these titles on the list on the desk at the Book Exchange for readers to check out by writing their name and date on a pad. We do ask that discussion group  participants return the books as soon as finished, so others can read  the books before the meetings.  The discussion group is open to anyone  interested in participating and discussing literature.  No need to sign  up – just come! 

About Carolina Explorers Adventures in Nature: 

Carolina Explorers “Adventures in Nature” is a fun and FREE hands-on program for ages 8-12 (grades 3-6). Certified NC Environmental Educator and Blue Ridge Naturalist Tamara Randolph leads participants in learning about plants, animals, fungi, rocks, weather and other cool things in nature that make this area such an amazing place to explore! For each session we will have a different theme. Parents can bring their children to the Book Exchange at 1 p.m. and pick them up at 4 p.m. We will also spend time outside at Tate-Evans Park exploring along the greenway. Please register your child by emailing tamara@seymourcc.net, or by texting/calling 828-406-8187. Each session is limited to 10 participants. Learn more at www.NCexplorers.com.

Volunteer at the Book Exchange!

Volunteer for a future slot, or to be a substitute. Being a substitute is an easy way to see if you like it!  Direct volunteer questions to Dusty Ross, dkross@uncg.edu.  

It's a small town, but there's lots to do!  You may enjoy these other organizations' offerings also:

• Mayland Community College: Continuing Education Schedule for Spring 2023
• Ensemble Stage Theatre at the Historic Banner Elk School
• BE Artists Gallery at the Historic Banner Elk School
• Avery Community Yoga at the Historic Banner Elk School 
• Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation
• Lees-McRae Summer Theatre