(February 17, 2021 Issue)
By Loretta CozartDespite the fact that winter is here in full force, there still are plenty of activities to enjoy with your family. From special presentations you can watch at home, to quick road trips just to get out of the house, there are a variety of things to do to entertain your family nearby.
The library has several programs scheduled through the end of the month:
• Zoom Storytime with Miss Anne
Zoom Storytime with Miss Anne on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 am. Visit
www.mauneylibrary.org event calendar to register.
• Afternoon Adventures: Magic at Home!
Thursday, February 11 at 4 pm, Afternoon Adventures: Magic at Home! Caleb Sigmon of Sigmon Theatrical presents a live interactive magic show on the Mauney Library Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/mauneylibrary.
• North Carolina Slave Narratives
Monday, February 22 at 6 pm webinar, Laurel Sneed, veteran history educator and media producer, will talk about three 19th century African Americans from North Carolina who resisted slavery by escaping to freedom and writing about their experiences. The narratives or memoirs are by authors Harriet Jacobs, of Edenton; Moses Roper, of Caswell County; and William H. Singleton, of New Bern.
Sneed has been teaching educators and members of the general public about the era of slavery for over two decades through the Crafting Freedom Institute, an African American history education organization for which she serves as executive director. Through CFI, Sneed has brought 1000+ teachers to North Carolina from around the country and several foreign countries to study slavery, with a focus on enslaved and free black North Carolinians in the 19th century. This webinar will include several short videos Sneed produced dramatizing the words of two of the authors. There will be opportunities to ask questions throughout. Visit
www.mauneylibrary.org event calendar to join Zoom event.
• Mauney Library book club, A Company of Readers
Tuesday, February 23 at 3 pm join the official Mauney Library book club, A Company of Readers, for a virtual Zoom meeting. Visit
www.mauneylibrary.org calendar to join the event.
• Black Men in White Coats
Mauney Memorial Library is screening the documentary Black Men in White Coats beginning at noon on Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28.
Dr. Dale Okorodudu, founder of Black Men in White Coats, hopes to provide role- models for others, the same way he had great mentors that looked like him to help him on his path to becoming a doctor.
Learn more about Black Men in White Coats at
www.blackmeninwhitecoats.com, and register for the screening at
www.mauneylibrary.org or call 704-739-2371.
For questions, or to join our Friends of the Library, email
info@mauneylibrary.org or call the library at (704) 739-2371. The Friends of the Mauney Memorial Library thank the community for its continued support.
There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy a beautiful day with your family.
• Kings Mountain boasts its own Gateway Trail. If your little ones are too small for along hike, the area around the Trailhead will be plenty to keep the entertained and get some exercise. If you prefer a longer walk, you can plan a longer hike at Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain State Park, or Kings Mountain National Military Park. Be sure to check-in at the Visitor’s Center so they know where you are hiking.
• If you do not feel like taking a long hike, the historical trail at Kings Mountain National Military Park is only a 1.5 mile battlefield loop takes you past monuments and markers along the trail. Because the battlefield is also a burial ground, picnics are not allowed. However, picnics are allowed at Kings Mountain State Park. If you prefer to visit from the comfort of your home, visit a virtual tour at
https://kimo.oncell.com/en/index.html.
• Visitors at Kings Mountain State Park can enjoy fishing for bass, bream, crappie, and catfish from a rental Jon Boat in the park’s 65-acre Lake York. Bank fishing is allowed on 13-acre Lake Crawford. A South Carolina fishing license is required. Picnics are allowed.
Personal kayaks, canoes and non-motorized john boats may be launched at Lake Crawford and Lake York for a $5/day charge. Watercraft must be carried to the shore from the parking area. Visitors may obtain a permit at the Trading Post or park office. Non-motorized fishing boats rent for $20/day.
Canoe and kayak rentals are offered at the 13-acre Lake Crawford. Check with the park for availability.
Wireless Internet Access: Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at Kings Mountain State Park.
Playground Equipment is available, and the Park Store/Gift Shop is available on weekends from March-Nov. Picnic Shelters make a great play area for imaginative play and a playground is located near Shelter 2.
Geocaching: Geocaching is permitted. Several geocaches are located on the park. For more information visit the official geocaching website.
Biking is allowed, but there is no bike trail at the park. Visitors may ride bikes on paved roads.
The park has a volleyball court, basketball court and ping pong table available for visitor use.
Equestrian Camping: The equestrian camping area includes 15 equestrian campsites which rent for $12/site/night. Central water is available and privy toilets are nearby. Equestrian campsite reservations are required. The park’s 30+ miles of equestrian trails connect to the national park’s equestrian trails.
The park has several hiking trails. The 16-mile Kings Mountain Hiking Trail, the 1.5-mile Farm Trail and the 1.8-mile Ridgeline Trail. The Ridgeline Trail provides a unique trail experience connecting three parks and two states. The trail connects Kings Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain National Military Park and Crowder's Mountain State Park in North Carolina. The .7-mile Nature Trail at the park provides a leisurely walk.
• If getting out of town is more to your family’s taste, take a road trip to western NC and enjoy a drive along US Route 64, the longest numbered route in all of NC, stretching 604 miles. This drive is also called North Carolina Waterfalls Byway. The route takes you down a windy two-lane road that passes many waterfalls including Bust Your Butt Falls, Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Silver Run Falls, Rainbow Falls, Upper Whitewater Falls, and Toxaway Falls, to mention a few. Many of the falls can be seen from your car so you can stay warm while enjoying the scenery.