Martha Novak

While books and reading remain the lifeblood of our local libraries – Hudson Library in Highlands and the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library – built around that are so many programs and services that mean that the library has something to offer everyone. Forever adapting to meet the needs of the local community, the libraries demonstrate the power of connection and learning. And every month, the range of activities they offer never fails to surprise me.

This month, the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, welcomes local author Martha Novak on Friday, November 15, at 2:30 P.M. She’ll be presenting her thrilling new novel Blood Mountain – a perfect read for fans of local lore and page-turning suspense offering readers a chance to dive into a locally rooted, compelling tale.

In addition to the author talk, the Cashiers library is continuing its beginning crochet classes, hosted by Sarah Ballentine, one of the library’s assistants. The classes take place every Friday at 1:00 P.M., offering participants a chance to learn a new craft or enhance their crochet skills in a relaxed and welcoming environment. These classes, which began in October, are perfect for anyone looking to pick up a calming, creative hobby as the holiday season approaches.

Both the Cashiers and Highlands libraries are also bringing back movie showings, providing regular screenings throughout the winter. These gatherings are a great way to enjoy classic and contemporary films with your community, all in the comfort of the library. Whether you’re in the mood for family-friendly flicks or critically acclaimed dramas, the libraries’ movie programs offer something for everyone.

If you’d rather enjoy a film night at home, check out Kanopy, the library’s free video streaming service, offering thousands of films ranging from indie gems to thought-provoking documentaries, and educational programs. Library cardholders can stream for free from the comfort of their own homes, making it easy to stay entertained on cold winter nights. Perfect for those cozy nights in!

Or then again you might want to consider grabbing the latest DVDs, or diving into a freshly curated selection of novels, biographies, and memoirs to keep you reading through those long autumn nights.

Be sure to stop by your local library; continue to explore these vital places and all that’s on offer – whether it’s catching a movie, learning a new craft, or attending an author event!

The post Library Happenings appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

This month both the Hudson and Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library are focusing on bridging the digital divide with its Digital Navigators program. This initiative, supported by a $300,000 Digital Champions grant, is now back in full swing across all Fontana libraries. Patrons can drop in for tech help, borrow additional hotspots, or participate in digital literacy classes designed to meet the needs of specific groups within the community. Whether you need assistance with a new device or want to improve your digital skills, the library is ready to help.

At the Hudson Library in Highlands, October brings a cultural highlight with the opening of a Bhutan exhibit on October 15th. This exhibit, featuring a stunning collection of Bhutanese art and craft from the collection of Dennis Desmond, will be on display until November 30th. The exhibit will be accompanied by a series of related programs, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan. Dennis Desmond himself will be presenting one of these programs, providing insights into the art and traditions of this fascinating Himalayan kingdom.

Or come into the Hudson Library for your next read. Chills and thrills abound in the new mystery and thriller releases now at the library.

And, if you’re looking to get crafty or whip up some seasonal treats, the library’s collection of new cookbooks and craft books will spark your creativity. For those who enjoy delving into personal stories, the library offers an extensive selection of new biographies and memoirs that provide deep insights into the lives of fascinating individuals.

October promises to be an exciting month at the Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library, especially with the return of Trick or Treat Street on Frank Allen Road. This lively Halloween block party, scheduled for October 26 at 5:00 P.M., is a collaborative event involving The Village Green, the Rec Center, Boys and Girls Club, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Families can enjoy games, food, candy, and free books, making it a perfect evening of fun for all ages.

The Cashiers Library also offers regular activities such as story times, crafting afternoons, and a monthly book club. For teenagers, “Teen Tuesdays” have become a hit, providing a space for young adults to gather for activities like DIY crafts and gaming nights.

The post Our Community Hubs appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Tracey Enerson Wood

There’s much to love about our local libraries. Stop by either the Hudson Library or the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library and you’re likely to find patrons browsing shelves, accessing community programs and taking refuge.

Equally important, the twin libraries are also the places where the seeds of imagination take root in our young people – their minds ignited by a host of educational after school programs set to continue this month in time for our students return to school.

Every Thursday at 3:30, kids in grades K-5 can enjoy a variety of fun and educational programs at Hudson Library’s Kids Zone. Designed to provide afterschool fun through various STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) activities, the program encourages interactive learning and creativity. Access to Kids Zone is further facilitated by the Student Access program, allowing students to seamlessly use their school IDs to access library resources, thus supporting their academic needs without the barrier of a traditional library card process.

At Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, STEAM programming is offered on Tuesday afternoons with sessions aimed at sparking interest in the sciences and arts and hands-on activities that are educational and fun. The programs are enhanced by additional resources provided by the library that includes NC Live – the free online library that allows access to over 1.6 billion online articles, streaming videos, eBooks and more); and NC Kids – a digital library designed for youth ages pre-K through 4th grade and includes picture books, youth fiction and non-fiction and more.

Both libraries welcome acclaimed author Tracey Enerson Wood on Saturday, September 14 – at 12:30 P.M. at the Hudson Library to include lunch bites and at 3:00 P.M. at the Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library. Enerson, a retired registered nurse and published playwright and author, will talk about her newly released novel, Katharine, the Wright Sister, a vibrant historical novel about the unsung hero behind the groundbreaking aeronautical achievement of Wilbur and Orville Wright: their sister. Books will be available for signing and purchase at these free events.

Fontana Regional Library system – which comprises six public branches in Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties – is also benefiting from a $300,000 Digital Champion Grant, which is set to improve digital literacy and access among its patrons by assisting North Carolinians in accessing high-speed internet. The grant promises to create a bridge across the digital divide and ensure that community members have the access they need to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.

The post Where Cool Stuff Happens appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Susan Posey

Author Susan Posey, who divides her time between Cashiers and Asheville, has just fulfilled the wishes of the devoted readers who devoured her ambitious first novel A Home On Wilder Shores with a much-anticipated sequel A Weave of Old and New, a Historical Novel. Each can also be read by itself.

A Home on Wilder Shores was ambitious for several reasons – it was Susan’s first novel; women in her family inspired it; it was extensively researched and meticulously historically accurate; and it was 534 pages long. According to her readers, that was not enough time to spend with her richly drawn characters, so the sequel is a welcome addition to everyone’s reading list.

A Home on Wilder Shores follows sisters Ardath and Gwyn who immigrated to Philadelphia and the North Carolina frontier in the 1750s. Their mother disappears in Wales and their father dies in the smallpox epidemic on their voyage across the Atlantic. They settle in Philadelphia but soon leave for North Carolina.

A Weave of Old and New, a Historical Novel follows the sisters as they return to Philadelphia from North Carolina during the yellow fever epidemic and the looming French and Indian War. Both novels thread the sisters’ Old World lives with their New World adventures and are rich character studies of resilient women.

Susan’s previous career as a psychotherapist provides her with the unique ability to develop richly nuanced characters that her readers instantly bond with.

She traveled back to her ancestor’s home place in Wales researching her family’s roots and discovering Welsh traditional medicine. Ardath and Gwyn were herbal healers who gathered herbs along the trail to North Carolina. Susan has long had a fascination with wild plants. Like her ancestors, she spent much of her childhood exploring the woods and discovering the fascinating world of trees, flowers, and healing plants.

She and her husband also traveled along portions of the Great Wagon Road and spent time in Philadelphia and Colonial Williamsburg, immersing themselves in colonial life and history.

You can meet Susan on August 9 at 3:00 P.M. at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

If you haven’t discovered Susan’s books yet put them on your Reading List now and treat yourself. They are available at GreatRockPress.com and in e-book form on Kindle. She will also happily personalize books for you if you request on your website order, or if you reach out to her at susanposeync@gmail.com.

The post A Weave of Old and New appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Diane McPhail

Local author Diane McPhail is launching her third book, Follow the Stars Home, at the Hudson Library on August 21 at 12:30 P.M. and also at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library on August 24 at 2:00 P.M.

Diane is an acclaimed author, but she is also a spellbinding storyteller, so joining her for this launch is the perfect introduction to this gripping tale of her intrepid heroine, Lydia Latrobe Roosevelt.

This biographical novel is a well-researched and captivatingly written reimagining of the life of Lydia, a headstrong independent young woman eight months pregnant and with a toddler in tow, who accompanies her husband, Nicholas Roosevelt, on the first steamboat voyage to conquer the Mississippi River. a journey that revolutionized travel and trade and opened the West to expansion.

Lydia was the daughter of one of the architects of the United States Capital Building. Nicholas Roosevelt was her father’s business colleague with whom, much to her father’s chagrin, Lydia fell in love and married at age 17. He designed and piloted the New Orleans, the first steamboat to navigate the Mississippi River. It is this treacherous maiden voyage that is the focus of the book.

The couple prepared for the steamboat journey by spending their honeymoon traveling on a fact-finding trip aboard a primitive flatboat along the same route. That journey had its share of complications ending with them having to travel from Natchez to New Orleans by rowboat when their flatboat sank.

Undeterred they proceeded with their planned steamboat voyage to make the historic trip from Pittsburg, down the Ohio River to the Mississippi, encountering the treacherous Falls of Ohio, a 60-foot drop considered unnavigable by such a large boat, the hostile conditions of the Mississippi River, and the powerful New Madrid earthquakes, a series of over 2,000 earthquakes, three of which were magnitude 8 or greater. During the voyage, Lydia gave birth to her second child.

When asked what sparked her interest in this fascinating tale Diane says that the idea grew from a presentation she gave to a group of 60 gentlemen. Recognizing that this was no ordinary book club, Diane delved into her family memories of a childhood near the Mississippi River thinking of a subject that would be of interest to men. Realistic tales of a perilous river beyond the rather romantic Mark Twain versions we usually think of seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

The presentation was a success and the seeds of Follow the Stars Home were planted. Diane’s deep family roots along the Mississippi and her commitment to authenticity and accuracy make her the perfect person to tell this engaging story.

More good news for her readers is that she is already hard at work on her fourth novel set in 1700 France and early Louisiana.

The post Follow the Stars Home appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Katherine Reay

Readers and lovers of historical fiction will be delighted to know that renowned bestselling author Katherine Reay will be on the plateau in August for a handful of events. She will speak at private events for two area book clubs and at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library on August 14 at 3:00 P.M. Everyone’s invited.

Katherine loves the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, having been introduced to the area by her publicist, Kathie Bennett. Kathie is the founder of Magic Time Literary Publicity, which represents over 20 bestselling authors. They have brought over 30 authors to the Plateau in the past 10 years.

Katherine’s latest novel, The Berlin Letters, follows the success of A Shadow in Moscow. Katherine lived for a brief period in Russia which piqued her interest in that culture and sparked an interest in the Cold War, the results of which are reflected in these two page-turning thrillers.

The Berlin Letters is an unforgettable tale of the Cold War and a spunky CIA code breaker who risks everything to free her father from an East German prison. Set in the Cold War era and the fall of the Berlin Wall, this action-packed novel is a narrative about a daughter who is a brilliant CIA code breaker with an uncanny knack for solving puzzles and cracking codes. She stumbles upon a hidden cache of coded letters, revealing family secrets about her grandfather’s covert espionage work, and the fact that her father whom she had long believed to be dead might still be alive. She embarks on a perilous journey to Berlin where she risks everything in the hopes of freeing her father and leading him out of the clutches of East Berlin.

The Berlin Letters is a well-researched, fast-paced tale of intrigue and espionage that will have the reader enthralled in edge-of-your-seat, page-turning suspense. You won’t want to put this book down. It is also a story of humanity and the unbreakable bonds of family, and of hope, loyalty, and resilience, painting a gripping picture of the impact of the Berlin Wall on so many families.

It has been said that when you complete one of Katherine’s books you feel a bit of a book hangover, sorry to leave her characters behind. The antidote is to pick up another of her books as quickly as possible and to take the opportunity to hear her speak at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. You can also follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

The post An Unforgettable Berlin Tale appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Meet The Authors

Diane McPhail, Follow the Stars Home

August 21, 12:30 P.M., Hudson Library

August 24, 2:00 P.M., Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library

Diane McPhail, an artist, minister, therapist, and acclaimed hometown author, launches her new book. Billed as a historical romance novel, the book is a captivating reimagining of a fearless woman who braves violent earthquakes and treacherous waters on the first steamboat voyage to conquer the Mississippi River and redefine America.
Read more on page 118.

Dr. James Costa: Darwin and the Art of Botany

August 2; 11:00 A.M.: Hudson Library

Charles Darwin is best known for his work on the evolution of animals, but in fact a large part of his contribution to the natural sciences is focused on plants. Executive Director of the Highlands Biological Station, evolutionary botanist and science historian James Costa brings his expertise to each entry, situating Darwin’s words in the context of the knowledge and research of the time.

Maggie Bailey, Quilty as Charged

August 23, 11:00 A.M.: Hudson Library

The launch of Bailey’s latest novel – a delightful cozy mystery that follows Lydia Barnes, the owner of a fabric store in Georgia. With her business struggling, Lydia decides to host a sewing retreat at her friend Fran’s mountain home. In between sewing lessons and quick lunches, a severe winter storm approaches. When Fran’s body is discovered, murder is the only explanation, and the remaining six attendants are all suspects.

Susan Posey, A Weave of Old and New

August 9, 3:00 P.M.: Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library

The much-requested sequel to A Home on Wilder Shores. In 1753, the Welsh sisters Ardath and Gwyn return to their Philadelphia home from their adventures on the Great Wagon Road and the North Carolina frontier.
Read more on page 120.

Katherine Reay, The Berlin Letters

August 14, 3:00 P.M.: Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library

Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels and one work of nonfiction. In this, her latest novel, she returns with an unforgettable tale of the Cold War and a CIA code breaker who risks everything to free her father from an East German prison.
Read more on page 56.

The post The Joy of Reading appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Frank O’Donnell, narrator; Julie Coucheron, piano; Jessica Wu, violin; Martin Gueorguiev, cello

The concerts will be followed by an ice cream social donated by Kilwins.

Sponsored by Mountain Findings – Highlands, NC

The post HCCMF | Family Concert & Ice Cream Social at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Join Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust on a journey of cultural exploration and ecological wisdom with our upcoming summer 5-part book club series, delving into the pages of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This immersive experience promises to engage participants in profound discussions, fostering a deeper connection to nature and Indigenous traditions.

Over the course of the summer, HCLT will host 5 in-person discussions in both Highlands and in Cashiers, over a 10-week period.

Section 1: Planting Sweetgrass (Chapters 1-6)  • Wednesday, June 19th
• Hudson Library: 10:00am – 12:00pm
• Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Books available for FREE for participants, on a first come, first serve basis, available at HCLT’s Highlands office (Suite 211, 348 South 5th Street), as well as the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce (202 US-64, Cashiers, NC 28717).

Please come by one of these offices during regular business hours (M-F, 9am-5pm) to pick up a copy; or, email hope@hcltnc.org to inquire about getting a copy outside of normal business hours.  Email hope@hcltnc.org to sign up.

The post HCLT Community Reads: Braiding Sweetgrass Book Club Session 1 at Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Cynthia Woodsong

With May flowers come joyous times and lots and lots of culture at our area libraries. In a month that is more packed than ever with activities stimulating and educational, there’s no denying that there’s lots of energy about – from author presentations to plant displays and celebrations of National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Plus, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is kicking off their “Summer Celebration” to mark the 30th anniversary of its founding. The future looks bright, and our librarians look forward to seeing you there.

Here’s what our libraries are doing in May:

Both Hudson Library and Cashiers Community Library will shine a light on the work of North Carolina mystery writer Diane Kelly. Known for penning romance and mysteries featuring feisty heroines, quirky sidekicks and sexy leading men, Kelly is a former state assistant attorney general and tax advisor who spent much of her career fighting white collar criminals. She’ll be in Highlands on Friday, May 10, at 11:00 A.M. to discuss the “Appeal of Appalachia,” and in Cashiers on Friday, May 10 at 3:00 P.M. to talk about her newest book, Four Alarm Homicide.

Diane Kelly

Readers eager to engage with authors will surely want to meet Kevin Couhig on May 31 at 3:00 P.M. in Cashiers. A charismatic character of our times, Couhig spent years pushing for growth and new infrastructure in his role as president of Louisiana’s West Feliciana Parish, while working in corporate America. After retirement, he put his energy into storytelling, and writing.

His first novel, A Man for Others – the compelling story of the life of Rob Coogan, a multi-talented Irishman, adept in guitar, songwriting and football.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and both libraries will participate in the Health Foundation and the Highlands Counseling Center’s Bee Kind Initiative, as well as highlighting kindness and mental health topics in programming for all ages.

The Cashiers Library is showing the movie Orchestrating Change in partnership with the National Association for Mental Illness on Thursday, May 9 at 3:00 P.M. There will also be a workshop at the library on gratitude journaling with Laura Plush on May 29 at 2:00 P.M..

Gardening enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that the Hudson Library is partnering with the Highlands Biological Station to showcase the extraordinary plant creations of Cynthia Woodsong. A floral designer since the age of 17, Woodsong creates paper flowers that are replicas of native plants found in North Carolina, including pitcher plants, trout lilies, and Venus flytraps. Her display will be on view from the second half of May through the end of June, to coincide with the programs she’s leading at the Botanical Station.

For information on Cashiers, call (828) 743-0215, or visit fontanalib.org/cashiers; and for Highlands, (828) 526-3031, fontanalib.org/highlands.

The post Things that May Brings appeared first on Laurel Magazine.