Boone Mall Book Sale
Nov. 6-9, 2018
It's back- and just in time for the holidays. Mark your calendars and allow us to help you with your holiday shopping!  Become a Friend on the first day of the sale for the best selection.

Wednesday, Nov 7:  9 am - 9 pm
Thursday, Nov 8:  9 am - 9 pm
Friday, Nov 9:  9 am - 2 pm

Joe Miller and Noyes Capehart will be the featured speakers at the regular meeting of High Country Writers at the Watauga County Public Library on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 10:00 am. Their program will focus on the process of publishing and promoting their collaborative book Cheap Joe.   The program is free and ope n to the public.

 

Miller and Capehart met in 1982.  "We've been friends since the day we met," says Miller.   ­­

Capehart and Miller worked on the lavishly illustrated Cheap Joe for more than 2 years. It celebrates the story of Miller's unique road to artistry, from taxidermy school to pharmacy school, to four art classes with Capehart in 1984, and from selling a few art supplies at Boone Drug to Cheap Jo e's Art Stuff, one of the most successful art supply sources in America.

 

Capehart is b oth an accomplished artist and author. In 1997 he retired from ASU where he taught studio courses in drawing, printmaking, art history, and art appreciation for 28 years. Since the early 1970's he has written numerous short stories, five novels (Potato Eaters, Ribbons in the Lane of Nod, The Acolyte, Devil's Mark, and Chameleon,) the novella Ghenna's Child, and the autobiography and r etrospective The Private Diary of Noyes Capehart.

 

Those interested in learning more about the life of Joe Miller can purchase Cheap Joe through his website:  https://www.cheapjoes.com/cheap-joe-a-biography-of-joe-miller-by-noyes-capehart.html

  

High Country Writers has been "energizing writers since 1995." Re

Noyes Capehart

gular meetings are held at the Watauga County Public Library on the second and fourth Thursdays of most months from 10 am to noon, and speakers' presentations are co-sponsored by the library. HCW members present writing / publishing skills workshops from 10 am to noon the first Thursday of most months, partnering with Watauga County Arts Council to offer them at Art Space. Guests are welcome. Membership is $15 annually. Visit High Country Writers at www.highcountrywriters.org.

The Western Watauga Branch Library opened its doors November 7, 1988 at the official grand opening of the Western Watauga Community Center November 14, 1988. The Project on Aging along with the Branch Library will be celebrating 30 years of service to our community November 14 from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Refreshments, music, and door prizes will be available. Mark your calendars and join a fun packed two hours of remembering and looking to the future. 

 

Wow! The Western Watauga Branch Library has been in existence for 30 years. Folks say the best jobs are the ones you are not looking for. I can say for sure that can happen as it happened to me ......30 years ago. A recent college graduate with a degree in sociology and social work, I was looking for a part-time job until I could find a job related to my field of study.  I saw in the Watauga Democrat a part time position with Watauga County Library for Outreach Bookmobile services delivering books to home bound patrons. I applied, loved it, and within a few months, I was the Branch Manager at the soon to be opening Western Watauga Branch. Well, that part time hold over job has now lasted 30 years!  The Friends of the Western Watauga Branch Library formed in 1991 and is still going strong. Thanks to our Friends group for supporting our Summer Reading programs, collection development, staff development and promoting Library awareness. Yes, changes have occurred throughout these 30 years, but these changes have better served the needs of western Watauga County. Our outreach program to deliver Library materials to home bound patrons still exists today, and I deliver across the county. The celebration on November 14 will be in part remembering back but will also be celebrating the next 30 years.

-Jackie Cornette

CAN YOU WRITE A MYSTERY IN  EIGHT WORDS?  WE DARE YOU TO TRY!

 

The Friends of the Watauga County Public Library and "Cook The Books," the library's mystery & crime fiction book club, challenge writers to pen an eight-word mystery story.  The purpose of this contest is to raise money for the library and

provide a fun way for members of the community to try out their creative writing skills. 

 

There have been many versions of the 6, 7, and 8-word story in the past.  As early as 1906 a newspaper classified section called "Terse Tales of the Town," published an eight-word story that read, "For sale, a baby carriage, never been used."  It is said a six-word story was penned after a ten-dollar bet Ernest Hemingway made at lunch with some other writers. Hemingway collected the winnings!  

 

Good eight-word mysteries have a bit of magic!  They rely on evoking the imagination of the reader.  The writer understands that the reader is going to have to fill in part of the story.  Therefore the writer must conjure up a lot in these eight words.  It's challenging, but when you write one, and you get it right, it's a lot of fun.   

 

So harness your imagination and see if you can write a mystery in 8 words.  Have fun and play along - it becomes addictive!

 

The contest runs through October 31, 2018.  The cost is $8 per entry (tax deductible) and proceeds go to the Friends of the Watauga Library.   The winner will receive a $25 VISA Gift Card.  Enter as many times as you like.    Must be 18 years old or older to enter. 

 

Entry forms are available at the library or download an entry form here.